“If it were an ordinary physician, he might truly be beyond saving, but fortunately, he encountered me…” Although Wanqing was unclear about the various entanglements between Leng Mingye, Yemei, and even the Emperor, she responded confidently to the reactions of the men before her. As she spoke, she began administering acupuncture to treat him.
First, she used silver needles to stimulate his acupoints, then prepared herbal baths for him. She worked tirelessly until dawn, finally wiping the fine sweat from her brow with her sleeve, exhausted.
“Alright, your master’s life is saved for now. However, he mustn’t use his inner strength for the next few days, or else he might end up back in the underworld—don’t blame me if I didn’t warn you. Honestly, I don’t know what I owed you in my past life to make me spend so much effort, time, and resources saving you again and again. Alright, let’s go. I need to catch up on sleep when we get back.”
Wanqing addressed the worried men around Leng Mingye, giving them instructions. After bandaging his wounds, she sighed faintly, thinking of all the things that had happened between them. Then she stood up and motioned for Honglian to follow her.
“Second Miss Mu, please wait. There’s something I’d like to say, though I’m not sure if it’s appropriate. The truth is, my master has always regarded you differently from the start. It’s just that he’s been proud and stubborn since childhood, never allowing anyone to defy his thoughts or decisions—even in matters of the heart. I hope…”
Bai Yu stopped her as she was about to leave, nodding to the other three men. When she paused, he led her aside and spoke in a hushed voice.
“Are you playing matchmaker for your master, Bai Yu? Unfortunately, I’m in no mood for such things right now. It’s getting late—I should head back.”
Though Wanqing found Bai Yu’s words hard to believe, she could only dismiss her feelings for Leng Mingye as foolish, given the inexplicable circumstances between her and Prince Ning. She smiled faintly, turned away, and left.
“Ah, Master… what kind of karma have you created? You, who’ve never sought emotional attachment, finally find a woman you genuinely wish to cherish, only for her to be so difficult. This is all I can do for you—the rest depends on your own fate.”
Bai Yu sighed helplessly as he watched her leave, unable to decipher her thoughts. He could only shake his head and return to check on his master.
Meanwhile, Wanqing returned to rest at the Marquis’s residence, unaware that a great upheaval had occurred in the palace during her absence.
Early the next morning, she was awakened by Prince Ning, who came bearing unexpected news.
“What? You’re saying Yemei has been severely punished by the Emperor—accused of slandering the Empress Dowager and poisoning her, stripped of his position as State Preceptor, and now a fugitive? When did this happen?”
Stunned by the news, Wanqing sat up, realizing that barely two hours had passed since she returned from Leng Mingye’s place. The sudden turn of events left her bewildered.
“Just before dawn. I don’t know how Father concluded that Yemei poisoned the Empress Dowager, but with this major threat removed, things will be much easier for us. Right? I always wondered why Yemei would suddenly send us medicine—turns out he was the one behind the poisoning. But his motives are truly baffling.”
Prince Ning frowned, equally perplexed.
In recent years, the Emperor had held Yemei in high favor. Yet now, he had turned against him overnight, accusing him of poisoning the Empress Dowager. Yemei targeting an elderly woman made no sense to him. Still, he shared what he knew with his sister.
“I don’t know. But if he escaped, the danger might only grow. And the Emperor… I’m starting to think he’s far more complex than we realized. Why would he turn on someone so close to him? Unless their conflict ran deeper than we imagined—deep enough for him to seek vengeance.”
Wanqing’s thoughts raced. Yemei’s mastery of poison was on par with her own, and his sudden disappearance made the situation even more precarious. But what unsettled her most was the growing realization that the Emperor was far more cunning than he appeared.
“I’m not sure either. We’ll have to take things one step at a time. As for Grandmother… we’ll see how Father handles it.”
Prince Ning shared her confusion. Their father had become increasingly enigmatic, even to him. With Yemei gone and the Empress Dowager feigning ignorance, their options were limited.
“I hope my earlier suspicions were wrong. I’ll wash up—I still need to administer acupuncture to the Empress Dowager.”
Wanqing sighed. The Emperor seemed shrouded in mystery, and though she resented the pretense, she had to maintain appearances.
After a quick breakfast, the siblings returned to the palace.
Uncertain of the situation and still wary of the Emperor, Wanqing kept the Empress Dowager sedated after her treatment.
Just as they were about to leave, the Emperor’s eunuch, Xu, arrived.
“Second Miss Mu, Prince Ning, His Majesty requests your presence at a banquet. He says that after years of searching for the one who harmed Consort Hui, he has finally discovered it was Yemei. Though Yemei escaped execution, His Majesty is relieved to have uncovered the truth. Therefore…”
Eunuch Xu relayed the message with a smile.
“So His Majesty is in high spirits and invites us to celebrate?” Wanqing arched a brow. Had this been earlier, she might have believed it. But with Yemei’s sudden downfall—likely due to his clash with Leng Mingye—she remained skeptical.
Still, she forced a smile. “Very well. Lead the way.”
“Second Miss Mu is as astute as ever. Please, follow me.”
Eunuch Xu praised her before escorting them inside.
“Let’s go.” Though uncertain of the Emperor’s intentions, Wanqing gave Prince Ning a reassuring look, and they followed.
“Ah, you’re here. Sit, both of you. Yu’er, you as well. Today, I am overjoyed—I regret not realizing sooner that the one who harmed your mother years ago was right under my nose, even holding a position of trust. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager’s poisoning revealed the truth. Chen’er, this is my way of making amends to your mother. I hope it brings you peace. Second Miss Mu, I recall you and Yu’er are betrothed. I’ve been preoccupied and never inquired about your relationship. Recently, the Empress mentioned some misunderstandings between you. Yu’er was wrong in how he treated you. Today, I intervene—please forgive him for my sake. Here, let me toast you on his behalf.”
The Emperor gestured for them to sit, revealing another guest—Sun Fengyu, who had been avoiding Wanqing.
But today, Sun Fengyu appeared calm and composed, no longer fawning or fearful. The Emperor first addressed Prince Ning, offering a toast of apology. Then, he turned to Wanqing, raising his cup in invitation.
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