Wanqing’s unusual behavior left Honglian and the other girls behind her staring blankly at the closed door in bewilderment. Holding the medicine bottle Wanging had handed her, Honglian furrowed her brows so deeply they nearly formed the character “川.”
“This…”
“Just go. We still have to attend the Grand Princess’s birthday celebration later. Our lady’s thoughts are truly hard to fathom—she claims to despise that man to death, yet cares for him just as deeply. I really don’t understand what’s going on between these two.”
Dongmei, who had some insight into the matter, sighed softly as she saw Honglian hesitating with the bottle. Reflecting on the recent interactions between their lady and the heir of the Ji Manor, even she, as an older servant, found it all rather perplexing.
“Fine. I’ll hurry back and join you all to accompany our lady to the Grand Princess’s residence.”
Honglian, somewhat resigned, turned to leave after Dongmei’s words.
“Sigh… My lady, are we really attending the Grand Princess’s birthday celebration?”
After Honglian left, Dongmei couldn’t help but think about how their lady clearly cared for the heir of the Ji Manor, and how the man seemed equally concerned for her. Yet the two kept tormenting each other over other matters. It pained her to watch, but she couldn’t defy her lady’s decisions. With a soft sigh, she knocked lightly on the door and asked, “Are we going?”
“Of course we’re going. But first, I need to speak with my father about something.”
Hearing this, Wanqing opened the door and replied. Recalling the secret she had uncovered the previous night, she turned back inside. After Chunlan helped her with her makeup, she went straight to her father without bringing anyone else.
“Qing’er, today is the Grand Princess’s birthday celebration. You must rein in your temper and behave properly. You’re all I can rely on now.”
Mu Zhenfeng had just risen when she arrived. Thinking about the day’s events, he looked at her earnestly and gave his instructions.
“Yes, Father. Will you have Eldest Sister and Third Sister accompany us today as well?”
Her father rarely spoke to her so politely. Wanqing nodded faintly and sat down gracefully. Unable to shake her unease about the day, she cautiously asked.
“Yes, your fourth sister is already twelve—it’s time she saw the world. Why? Is something the matter?”
Mu Zhenfeng sighed at her sudden question. Noticing she clearly had more to say, he asked in surprise.
“I have no issue bringing Third Sister and the others, but Eldest Sister harbors too much resentment. Are you truly comfortable letting her attend? The guests today are no ordinary people. If she causes any trouble for our Marquis’s household…”
Thinking of Mu Wanxia’s true identity and her malicious nature—so much like her biological parents—Wanqing couldn’t help but see her as pure poison.
Yet, seeing the rare calm on her father’s face, she suppressed the urge to reveal the truth and simply looked at him coolly. Though she knew Mu Wanxia’s secret, the fact that the latter had lowered herself and seemed eager for her to attend only deepened her suspicions.
But Wanqing knew Mu Wanxia would never let her off easily. She wasn’t worried for herself—even if Mu Wanxia and her allies came after her, she could handle it. However, attending as the representative of the Marquis’s household carried far greater stakes, and Wanqing couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
“Your eldest sister may be stubborn, but when it comes to matters of principle, I believe she wouldn’t be so foolish as to jeopardize the peace of our household.”
At Wanqing’s words, Mu Zhenfeng’s face darkened with disappointment, thinking of the daughter who had once poisoned him. Still, he looked at her sincerely.
“I hope I’m overthinking it. But Father, if she does cause trouble at the event, may I act on your behalf to resolve it? Though you and Mother Suxiang aren’t my birth parents, you gave me life and even sacrificed your own daughter for my sake…”
Seeing her father’s hesitation, Wanqing paused before speaking earnestly. When he remained silent, she added, “If she threatens the dignity or peace of our household, I’ll handle it as I see fit. Now, go prepare—this is a celebration for you young people. I’ll join you later to present the gifts and then return.”
After a long silence, Mu Zhenfeng finally nodded. “Very well. You may proceed as you deem necessary.” With that, he dismissed her and turned to inspect the birthday gifts.
“Then I’ll take my leave, Father.”
Relieved by his approval, Wanqing bowed gracefully—a rare display of obedience—before departing.
“If all my daughters were like you, I wouldn’t have to suffer so much…” Unbeknownst to her, Mu Zhenfeng watched her retreating figure with sorrow and sighed deeply before turning away.
“My lady, Fourth Sister has entered the courtyard, calling for you. Shall I let her in?”
Wanqing had just sat down for breakfast when Wanchun announced the arrival of Mu Wanxi. Thinking of the Xu concubine and her daughter, Wanqing couldn’t fathom why the girl had come.
Given the recent conflicts between the Liu faction and the Xu concubine’s side, the latter had at least been sensible and kept her troublesome fourth sister from causing more trouble.
Though puzzled, Wanqing set down her chopsticks and instructed, “Let her in.”
“Yu’er greets Second Sister! Mother said you’ll be taking us to the Grand Princess’s celebration today. She asked me to beg a favor—could you help me find a good match at the banquet? I…”
Mu Wanxi’s face lit up like a flower as she bowed playfully. Though she trailed off, her giggles held none of a maiden’s usual shyness—just casual indifference.
“You silly girl, you’re grown now—where’s your modesty? Fine, I’ll keep an eye out for you. Go prepare yourself properly.”
Amused by the girl’s naive enthusiasm, Wanqing smiled and patted her shoulder before sending her off.
“Wonderful! Then I’ll trouble Second Sister to take care of it. Heehee!”
With a sweet grin, the fourth sister skipped away, still giggling oddly.
“Wait… something’s off. Chunlan, don’t you think she was acting strangely?”
Watching the girl vanish as quickly as she’d appeared, Wanqing frowned. The odd behavior nagged at her—until realization struck. She turned sharply to Chunlan.
“Now that you mention it, she did seem unusual. My lady, I—I feel dizzy—”
Chunlan, who had been present during the visit, clutched her head mid-sentence before swaying sideways.
“Damn it! Dongmei, come quickly! Don’t touch us—fetch the antidote I brewed, give us each a pill! And the silver needles from my sleeve—don’t touch our clothes or skin! Hurry—!”
In an instant, Wanqing knew they’d been poisoned. Recalling Mu Wanxi’s bizarre demeanor, she recognized the toxin. As she shouted for Dongmei, her legs gave way.
Seeing Dongmei rush forward to help, she urgently warned, “Don’t touch us!” before collapsing stiffly backward.
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