Seeing Liu Yufeng like this, Leng Mingye really wanted to seal his acupoints and carry him back to have someone shut his mouth for good.
But considering that Liu had somewhat helped ease the tension between him and that little troublemaker, he decided to let him go.
“Next time—next time I see you running your mouth like this, I’ll definitely have someone sew it shut for you. I actually came to you for something. The Emperor sent word for me to find a skilled physician to enter the palace. I wanted to ask your thoughts on it.”
As Liu Yufeng was released, he exhaled heavily, stepping back to straighten his appearance. Though Leng Mingye could see genuine regret in his expression, he still pointed a warning finger at him and spoke in a low voice. Pausing briefly, he then looked at Liu and asked about the matter at hand.
“The Emperor? How does the Emperor even know I’m in the capital? I—I think I’d better not go. You know me, I’ve never liked being tied down. Isn’t this just making things difficult for me?”
At this, Liu Yufeng waved his hands dismissively, clearly reluctant.
“What if I’m the one asking you to enter the palace?”
Leng Mingye frowned. Truthfully, Liu’s medical skills would indeed be useful in the palace, but his temperament was another matter. Considering the gravity of the situation, Leng Mingye fixed him with a serious gaze.
At this, the playful expression on Liu Yufeng’s face faded. His thick brows furrowed as he turned away, deep in thought.
“You just said you owed me. Are you planning to brush it off now?”
Seeing his hesitation, Leng Mingye pressed harder.
“You—fine, consider it me repaying a debt. But let me make this clear: if the old Emperor is sick, I might treat him out of respect for you. Anyone else? Forget it. You know the rules of the Medicine Valley.”
Liu Yufeng sighed in resignation, though he still reminded Leng Mingye of his limits.
“Good. One more thing—if the Emperor summons you and you can’t cure him, say so outright. Then find a way to leave the palace. If you can’t, send word to me, and I’ll get you out and escort you away from the capital. But if it’s just a minor ailment… make sure he doesn’t recover too quickly.”
Seeing Liu Yufeng finally agree, Leng Mingye recalled their first meeting, when Liu had mentioned that disciples of the Medicine Valley were forbidden from treating royalty. Though he didn’t understand why his master had imposed such a rule, he was relieved Liu had relented now.
With a faint smile, he nodded and spoke seriously about the Emperor’s request.
“This… you…”
Liu Yufeng was even more confused now.
“Just do as I say. Don’t ask why. Alright, let’s head back. We’ve barely met, and I haven’t even properly hosted you yet. I can’t just let you leave so easily.”
Ignoring Liu’s bewilderment, Leng Mingye’s expression turned cool as he spoke. Seeing Liu reluctantly nod, he then slung an arm over his shoulder in a friendly manner, chuckling as they walked out.
“Now I owe you a favor, and you’ve got me completely under your thumb. Ah, nothing in this world comes for free… By the way, my junior sister’s medical skills surpass mine. Why don’t you ask her to enter the palace and earn you some favor with the Emperor?”
Looking at Leng Mingye’s smug grin, Liu Yufeng couldn’t help but grumble inwardly. He couldn’t cure Leng’s poison, yet he still had to comply with this request. Not only was he going against his master’s teachings by treating royalty, but the whole situation weighed heavily on him.
With a resigned sigh, he glanced at the man beside him—clearly pleased with himself—and muttered under his breath. Noticing Leng Mingye’s displeased look, he quickly forced a smile and changed the subject, bringing up the junior sister he’d just met.
“Her? If that girl had been even slightly obedient, she would’ve cured my poison long ago. Forget it. Let’s not talk about this. My father’s worried sick that if you leave the capital, he won’t be able to explain it to the Emperor. This time, I had no choice but to drag you into it. Remember—inside the palace, you only treat the Emperor. Don’t meddle in anything else, and don’t ask questions. If you ignore my warning and end up in mortal danger, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
At the mention of that little troublemaker, Leng Mingye’s expression darkened slightly. Ever since he’d discovered she was the one who had tricked him, their relationship had only worsened. He let out a dry laugh before turning serious again, emphasizing the dangers of the palace.
“You make the palace sound like a den of dragons and tigers. Fine, I did owe you. After I treat him, I’ll leave the capital immediately. That should be acceptable, right? And I’m sure my master will be delighted to meet such a talented junior sister.”
Liu Yufeng couldn’t help but feel exasperated. The palace was a viper’s nest, yet Leng Mingye was pulling him in anyway. Though he was full of complaints, he had already agreed. With a sigh, he conceded, though the thought of bringing back a new disciple for his master did lift his spirits.
“What, do you like her? She’s a little demon.”
Noticing Liu Yufeng’s enthusiasm when speaking about the girl, Leng Mingye narrowed his eyes. Though inwardly dismissive, he feigned curiosity.
“What are you thinking? My master’s been nagging me to find him a closing disciple. That girl’s got remarkable talent for her age, and we actually get along. I have no ulterior motives—I just want to take her back as my master’s disciple and my junior sister. What, don’t tell me you have feelings for her?”
Seeing Leng Mingye’s rare playful expression, Liu Yufeng immediately denied it. But as he spoke of the girl’s potential as a disciple, his face lit up with excitement. Noticing Leng Mingye’s lips curling into an uncharacteristic smile—one filled with nostalgia, pride, and even a hint of possessiveness—he couldn’t help but stare in surprise.
“‘Fair maiden, gentle knight’—can’t I treat her differently?”
Leng Mingye frowned at Liu Yufeng’s teasing. Was it wrong to favor someone? If that girl was so special in his eyes, did that mean he himself was lacking?
“You—haven’t you noticed Prince Ning’s unusual closeness to her? The two of them practically look like a married couple. And the way she treats him is far better than how she treats you. My advice? Give it up before you embarrass yourself—or worse, offend a high-ranking court official like Prince Ning.”
Liu Yufeng studied Leng Mingye’s expression and, for some reason, sensed he wasn’t joking. Recalling what he’d observed, he offered sincere advice.
“Oh? Prince Ning likes her? I hadn’t noticed. Enough of this—let’s go home.”
For some reason, Liu Yufeng’s words left Leng Mingye feeling inexplicably stifled. Before, he hadn’t paid it much mind, but now, the memory of her sweet smiles for Prince Ning—compared to the icy disdain she showed him—made his chest tighten. Realizing he was dwelling on it too much, he quickly shook off the thought and led the way forward.
*Have I really fallen for her?*
Perhaps this was how it always went—when one person teased you, you could laugh it off. But when a second person said the same thing, you couldn’t help but wonder.
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