Seeing the disdainful expression on the little girl’s face and hearing her words, Leng Mingye felt an indescribable sense of humiliation, mixed with anger and displeasure. *This girl, has she completely forgotten all the kindness I’ve shown her?*
He hadn’t expected the previous incident to involve fatal poison meant for Liu Cui’er.
But with so many people present, he couldn’t lose his temper with a mere girl. He forced a stiff smile instead.
“Oh? Who said I came here just to see you? Which eye of yours caught me looking at you? I’m actually here for Brother Liu. Brother Liu, leaving without a word—was my manor’s hospitality lacking, or…?”
Though seething with anger, Leng Mingye still managed to retort with a haughty tone. Seeing her dismissively turn her head away, he shifted his gaze to Liu Yufeng on the other side, half-teasing, half-serious.
“Actually, I came… well, I heard you mention this girl’s extraordinary skills. I’ve always had a hobby—I enjoy exchanging ideas with like-minded individuals. So, I left the manor and had Ziqian bring me here…”
Leng Mingye’s question reminded Liu Yufeng of the promise he’d made. The poison in Leng Mingye’s body was a formidable challenge—exactly the kind he relished. Yet, the girl who’d administered the antidote turned out to be even more skilled than him.
Now, he had come to seek her guidance. Recalling his earlier confrontation with the girl, Liu Yufeng chuckled awkwardly and explained his purpose to Leng Mingye.
“Ah, I see. Then, Brother Liu, between you and Miss Mu, who is the better fighter?”
Hearing this, Leng Mingye noticed the girl completely ignoring him as if he were air. He smirked faintly and posed the question again.
“Well, Miss Mu is slightly superior to me. However, she lacks a formal master, so I’ve taken it upon myself to accept her as my junior sister under my master’s name. With our combined efforts, Your Highness, the poison in your body will surely be cured…”
Liu Yufeng observed the girl’s demeanor shift entirely upon Leng Mingye’s arrival—as if the two were quarreling lovers refusing to acknowledge each other. Meanwhile, Leng Mingye, who usually tolerated no disrespect, remained unfazed by her attitude.
Amused, Liu Yufeng answered humbly and admiringly, then turned to Wanqing with a faint smile, mentioning the poison.
At the mention of his condition, Leng Mingye’s handsome face darkened, his eyes turning inscrutable. A mix of wariness and an inexplicable emotion surged within him. His fists clenched involuntarily before he glanced at the others.
Liu Yufeng’s expression turned awkward. He immediately regretted his words—he had promised to keep it a secret. Seeing Leng Mingye exposed in front of everyone, he wished he could cover his mouth and apologize on the spot if not for the company.
Prince Ning, hearing this, narrowed his phoenix-like eyes at Leng Mingye, clearly puzzled. Despite appearing around the same age, Leng Mingye was one of the rare prodigies of the empire—skilled in warfare and commanding elite troops. That someone had poisoned him was baffling. Given his temperament, whoever did it should have been torn apart by now.
“Poison? Your Highness has been poisoned? We’ve never heard of this… Miss Mu, did you know?”
Noticing Leng Mingye’s sudden shift in mood, Song Ziqian realized he was furious. Seeing Liu Yufeng’s regretful and fearful expression, he patted his arm reassuringly and feigned surprise, turning to Wanqing.
“Yes, Qing’er, did you know?”
Following Song Ziqian’s lead, Prince Ning recalled Leng Mingye’s earlier peculiar behavior toward his sister and pressed further.
“Why are you all asking me? Do you think *I* poisoned him? If I had, do you really believe he’d still be sitting here alive? I don’t know how he got poisoned, but it’s indeed a tricky case…”
Wanqing felt utterly wronged under their accusatory gazes. She knew about the poison, but it wasn’t her who revealed it—why was she being blamed? Meeting Leng Mingye’s reproachful stare, she shrugged coolly and spread her hands.
“Enough with the glares. Illness must be treated—Brother Liu was only concerned for you and wanted everyone to brainstorm a solution. Rest assured, we won’t breathe a word of your condition to anyone outside this room.”
Song Ziqian, seeing Leng Mingye’s icy glare that seemed capable of wrenching souls from bodies, noticed Liu Yufeng silently sipping tea, too afraid to speak. Though unaware of the poison’s specifics, he lightened the mood with a smile, nudging Liu Yufeng’s arm reassuringly and giving a firm promise.
“I am no gossipmonger either.”
Prince Ning, sensing the tension, added his assurance, though puzzled by Leng Mingye’s volatile reaction.
“I’ve no time for idle chatter or spreading rumors. Senior Brother, is the tea to your liking?”
Wanqing, amused by Liu Yufeng’s shift from arrogance to meekness, chimed in playfully.
“Indeed, your poison is severe. My skills alone couldn’t cure it, which is why I sought Junior Sister Qing’er’s help. Please don’t take offense—no one here will speak of it.”
Liu Yufeng, though guilt-ridden and fearing Leng Mingye’s wrath, managed a sheepish smile and addressed everyone, including Honglian and Chunhong nearby.
“We heard and saw nothing…” Honglian quickly grabbed Chunhong’s arm and dragged her away.
“Since you all know now, I won’t hide it. I *was* poisoned—a vicious and potent one. But I still don’t know who did it…”
Though seething inside and tempted to silence Liu Yufeng permanently, Leng Mingye restrained himself, recalling the emperor’s orders. After glaring at Liu Yufeng for a moment, he finally relaxed and smirked.
Picking up his teacup, he blew lightly on the surface, took a sip, and set it down before addressing the group. The mystery of how and when he’d been poisoned still eluded him.
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