“Miss, are we really going to the Ning Prince’s residence?”
Honglian and the other maidservant followed Wanqing as they arrived at the entrance of the Marquis’s residence. Recalling the young lady’s earlier actions, Honglian couldn’t help but ask with concern.
“Not for now. We’ll go in the evening. I came out today to buy some things for tonight.”
Thinking of what Bai Gu had told her, Wanqing looked at her and replied, then led them through the streets to make purchases.
“Who do we have here? Buying so much fabric to make clothes?” Just as they had bought a large amount of fabric and were about to leave the cloth shop to have garments tailored, they unexpectedly ran into someone at the door.
“Young Master, Qing’er greets the Young Master…”
At the sound of the voice, Wanqing abruptly stopped. Seeing the approaching figure, she recognized Leng Mingye, whom she hadn’t seen for several days, and courteously stepped forward to bow.
“Mu Wanqing, I’m asking you—what’s with all this fabric for clothes?…”
Looking at the girl, who seemed in good spirits after not seeing her for a couple of days, her delicate face even more refined, Leng Mingye noticed her unusual distance and respect toward him but continued to speak.
“Young Master, must you even question what clothes I buy while out shopping? If you have nothing else, I have other matters to attend to and won’t keep you company.”
Leng Mingye’s rare coldness toward her reminded her of his previous interrogations and provocations. Seeing him appear only to question her like this, Wanqing truly had no desire to engage further. She glanced at him coolly, then turned to beckon the maids behind her to follow as she moved past him.
“Mu Wanqing, stop right there! Is this the attitude you show when meeting me? Is this how the Marquis’s household has taught you? Don’t forget, you owe me a debt. Is this how you repay it?”
At Wanqing’s reaction, Leng Mingye stepped forward coldly, his figure flashing as he grabbed her wrist. Seeing her halt, he looked at her with icy detachment and questioned.
“Leng Mingye, I do owe you, but I remember clearly—I offered to compensate you, and you refused. Are you now regretting your own stubbornness? Let go. If you don’t, don’t blame me for offending you.”
Wanqing had no patience for Leng Mingye’s persistence. Her only desire now was to reunite with the Ning Prince and his sister, uncover the truth about her mother’s death, and make those in the palace with ulterior motives pay. She wanted nothing to do with anything else.
But Leng Mingye was the Emperor’s man—his trusted aide. Considering the possibility of future conflict, she had no wish for his death but also no desire to continue their entanglement.
Faced with his questioning and provocation, she regarded him coolly and issued a warning.
“Oh? Last time, I was unprepared and let you have your way. But do you really think you can manipulate me so easily now?”
At Leng Mingye’s warning, Wanqing looked at him calmly and countered, her eyes glinting with coldness.
“Feel free to test me.”
“You… still as mischievous as ever, little brat. Fine, I’ll let you go today. Go about your business. But tonight—I hope you’ll come to my residence. My mother’s illness…”
Though they had briefly clashed, seeing the silver needle pressed against his arm and the onlookers drawn by their conflict, Leng Mingye swiftly grabbed her wrist. Instead of anger, a smile played on his lips as he looked at her flushed face.
With a graceful curve of his lips, he slowly removed the needle from her hand and leaned in, his breath nearly brushing her cheek as he spoke softly.
“You think I’ll go just because you say so? I owe you nothing. Let go. Let’s go, Honglian.”
As he leaned in, his handsome face smiling yet his gaze cold, Wanqing regarded him without courtesy, shaking off his grip. When he refused to release her, she stomped on his foot in frustration. As he recoiled in pain, she spun away and called for Honglian before striding off.
“Young Master…”
Qingfeng and Baiyu, seeing him lift his foot in pain, stepped forward with concern. But Leng Mingye raised a hand to silence them.
“That girl—she’s like a hedgehog now, but all the more striking. Let’s go.”
The cold displeasure on Leng Mingye’s face faded, replaced by a faint, roguish smile as he lightly traced his lips with slender fingers.
“Master, you…”
Qingfeng and Baiyu, seeing their master seemingly relish the humiliation dealt by a woman, approached in bewilderment.
“Let’s go.” Ignoring their questions, the man returned to his usual aloof nobility and strode ahead.
“Shopkeeper, make sure the garments are exactly as I described. Price is no issue. Even if you can’t replicate the style perfectly, the design must be identical.”
Wanqing led Honglian into a nearby tailor’s shop. After having her measurements taken, she described the garment’s design in detail. Though the shopkeeper was surprised, he noted everything patiently. She then produced a silver ingot from her sleeve.
“Well… I’ll do my best. When will the young lady return for them?”
The shopkeeper’s wife, seeing the money, sighed but accepted it and stored the fabric they had brought, then asked.
“I’ll collect them tonight.”
At the mention of the deadline, Wanqing looked at her.
“What? Miss, this…” The woman hesitated at the request for such a garment in less than a day.
“Please do your best. If it’s done, I’ll pay double tonight. If you can’t manage it, I’ll have to go elsewhere. Oh, and I’d prefer you keep this order confidential. Otherwise…”
Seeing the woman’s hesitation, Wanqing produced another ingot.
“Ah, yes, yes! I’ll make sure it’s done.”
At the sight of the money, the shopkeeper’s wife, though still uneasy, quickly agreed.
“Good. I’ll send someone to collect it tonight. Remember—only these maids of mine. If anyone else comes, don’t hand it over. Otherwise, I’ll take back the payment.”
Once the woman accepted the money, Wanqing left with her maids after ensuring her understanding.
“Excellent. Here’s your payment.” That evening, it was Xiazhu who collected the garment. Satisfied with the work, she handed over the promised sum and reminded the shopkeeper once more before departing.
“Come in quickly, Master. Second Miss Mu has arrived.”
Brought in by Qingfeng, Wanqing was greeted by Qingyun, who hurried to open the door and announce her arrival to the Ning Prince inside.
“Brother Ning, you’re looking much better today.”
Upon entering, she saw the man seated on a chair, dressed in white as pure as snow, his beauty ethereal. Realizing this was her own blood brother, Wanqing entered confidently, instructing Honglian and the others to set down the medicine chest before inquiring.
“Indeed. Since your continuous acupuncture treatments, not only has my leg improved, but I can now walk steadily. Qing’er, you look especially lovely today. What’s this…”
Ning Prince Leng Yuchen smiled as he spoke, only then noticing her attire and pausing in surprise. Before he could finish, she stood and removed her cloak, revealing the palace gown their mother had loved most—along with the familiar hairstyle—and he gasped in shock.
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