“Is that so?”
Qingfeng was like this, and Wanqing smiled slightly, speaking as she thrust the silver needle in her hand toward him.
“You—” Though Qingfeng spoke these words, there was a faint expectation in his heart, along with an indescribable sense of testing. Yet, seeing her rosy lips curve slightly as she spoke, the cold glint of the silver needle in her hand came straight for him. Though he intended to dodge, the needle still reached him.
His eyes filled with shock, more than anything, disbelief. He looked at her as he spoke, his body slowly tilting and collapsing.
“Drag him back and throw him into Prince Ji’s residence. The rest of you, don’t follow me.”
Watching Qingfeng collapse before her, Wanqing withdrew the silver needle and calmly addressed the troubled and equally stunned Honglian. Then, she turned and walked back to her room.
“Miss, it seems the young master is truly gravely ill. Won’t you go see him?”
Though the young lady was cold and indifferent, Honglian still sensed something different in her attitude toward the young master. Otherwise, given how she treated others, anyone who dared defy her or even threaten her would have long lost their life.
But this young master had repeatedly provoked her to her face, even vowing to make her suffer. She had clearly poisoned him, only to turn around and cure him, even secretly instructing Honglian to show him leniency.
Honglian vaguely grasped the young lady’s thoughts. Recalling Qingfeng’s desperate expression when he arrived and his earlier plea for her to see his master, even knowing her unpredictable nature, Honglian couldn’t help but ask.
“Whether he lives or dies has nothing to do with me. I’ve already repaid what I owed him. Take him away.”
Wanqing responded coldly to Honglian’s plea, showing no intention of turning back as she glanced at Qingfeng on the ground. Then, she closed the door behind her.
By the time Honglian returned, the lights in Wanqing’s room had already gone out.
“Miss, Miss…” Troubled by the fact that she had stabbed Qingfeng earlier, Honglian couldn’t shake the guilt. Remembering his actions before losing consciousness, even though the lights in her room were off, she lightly knocked on the door and called out softly.
“Sister Honglian, don’t shout. The young lady is in a bad mood. She said if anyone disturbs her sleep again, don’t blame her for not warning them.”
Just as Honglian called out twice without a response and was about to raise her voice, the door to the side room opened. Wanchun stepped out, quickly stopping her with a cautious reminder.
“I know the young lady gets upset if her rest is disturbed, but this is a matter of life and death. Does she really not care at all about their past relationship?”
Though Wanchun’s words made Honglian waver slightly, the thought of an actual life at stake made her speak up for Wanqing’s sake.
“Sleep is sleep. Keep shouting, and I’ll poison you mute. Without my permission, no one is to call for me or make noise in the courtyard.”
Just as Honglian and Wanchun were whispering, Wanqing’s familiar, cold, and irritated voice came from inside the room. The two immediately fell silent, exchanging a glance before giving up.
“Sigh, it seems I’ll have to go to Linglong Pavilion myself.”
Returning to her room, though Wanqing had forbidden her from disturbing her, Honglian couldn’t shake her unease. After sitting for a while, she grew increasingly restless. With a low sigh, she stood up and left.
Unbeknownst to her, as dawn approached, a figure arrived at Chunxiang Tower.
Dressed in men’s clothing, slender and wearing a loose robe, the figure appeared delicate and charming at first glance. But the face was unmistakably masculine—bold, strong, and full of vigor. Yet, upon closer inspection, the eyes were sharp, cold, and cunning. It was none other than Wanqing.
“Young master, welcome! We have all kinds of girls here, whatever you desire.”
Madame Gui, spotting a customer, noticed the figure’s slight build but decent attire. Smiling, she approached, taking the visitor’s arm and leading them inside.
“Madame Gui, no need for formalities. I’m here to see someone—Leng Mingye.”
Recalling that Madame Gui had accompanied Leng Mingye to the Marquis’s residence, though unsure if she knew about his injuries, Wanqing lowered her voice and spoke plainly.
“You… you are?”
The sudden question and the name mentioned made Madame Gui’s expression shift. She released Wanqing’s arm, stepping back in surprise.
“Didn’t you go with Leng Mingye to my residence, accusing me of framing him? Have you forgotten who I am? If you don’t want him dead, you’d best not keep me waiting.”
Wanqing chuckled faintly at Madame Gui’s wary expression. Her disguise was simple, yet the woman couldn’t see through it. With a cool tone, she made it clear that further delays would mean her departure.
“Wait, young lady! Don’t be angry. Please, come with me. Everyone, enjoy yourselves!”
Seeing Wanqing turn to leave, Madame Gui panicked, hastily pulling her back. After a reassuring smile, she led Wanqing toward the rear courtyard.
“The young master is in the pavilion by the lake. You may go alone. I won’t accompany you further.”
Arriving at the lake behind Chunxiang Tower—not the same one Wanqing had visited before—Madame Gui pointed to a lakeside pavilion, then left after receiving Wanqing’s nod.
“So there’s another exit here. A cunning rabbit has three burrows—is this another of Leng Mingye’s hideouts?”
Gazing at the pavilion ahead, its curtains fluttering in the wind, Wanqing murmured as she stepped forward.
“Halt! Who gave you permission to enter the restricted rear courtyard? If you don’t wish to suffer, step no further.”
Just as she reached the corridor leading to the pavilion, still several yards away, a clear voice rang out. A figure leaped before her, blocking her path with a cold warning.
“My feet go where they please. Is this how you treat guests? If you don’t want your master dead, by all means, keep blocking me.”
Though the figure was clad in black, the faint reflection of the lake revealed their formidable skill. Unfazed, Wanqing advanced step by step.
“You—”
The guard, seeing her defiance and arrogance—rivaling even his master’s—hesitated. But recalling his superiors’ orders, he drew his sword to block her.
“Insolence!”
Annoyed by the guard’s persistence, Wanqing coldly snapped. With a flick of her wrist, a gleaming silver needle shot toward him.
“Stop! Who dares trespass into the restricted area and attack our men? Young lady, you—”
As the needle flew, two figures—one in dark robes, the other in white—flashed into view. The dark-robed man caught the needle between his fingers, examining the long, needle-like weapon. Hearing the commotion outside, he coldly questioned her audacity.
“Zhuzi, calm down. Ah, if it isn’t Miss Mu Er! You’ve finally arrived. Please, come in.”
The white-robed figure, Bai Yu, recognized Wanqing. Though taken aback by her boldness, recalling Qingfeng’s praise of her medical skills—and despite suspicions about how she’d harmed their master—he stepped forward, soothing the dark-robed man and inviting her inside.
To be continued.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage