“Release me, young master. Go and inform Prince Xiu and the Empress Dowager that the assassination attempt on Prince Xiu is related to the Mu family. Tell her to investigate—I’m certain the Mu family will have unexpected vulnerabilities once scrutinized.”
Qingfeng approached, thinking to himself that even on the battlefield against foreign enemies, he had never been this disheveled. Yet here he was, humiliated before a mere girl. Leng Mingye’s handsome face bore a rare trace of anger as he coldly pushed Qingfeng aside and issued his orders.
“My lord, Prince Xiu’s matter can wait, but if we don’t find someone to treat the poison in your body soon, the consequences could be dire. It seems I must take you back to the manor immediately. Honestly, my lord, you were clearly different toward the Second Miss Mu, yet suddenly you’ve quarreled with her like this…”
Qingfeng sighed helplessly at Leng Mingye’s anger and commands. Though his lord hadn’t spoken of it, Qingfeng knew there had been some conflict between him and the Second Miss Mu. He couldn’t fathom what had happened, but now his lord had become so petty and unapproachable. Before, when he’d been on good terms with the Second Miss Mu, he’d been much more amiable, at least toward his subordinates.
But now, unsure of what had transpired between them, his lord was dragging the Mu family into Prince Xiu’s affairs. Remembering his lord’s unusual behavior toward the Second Miss Mu, Qingfeng could only offer vague reassurances as he helped him forward. Yet after just two steps, Leng Mingye suddenly swayed and collapsed into his arms.
Seeing his usually formidable lord so weak, Qingfeng panicked. Without hesitation, he scooped him up and rushed toward the prince’s manor, forgetting that there was actually a renowned physician nearby.
Upon returning to Prince Ji’s manor, the prince was thrown into chaos upon seeing Leng Mingye unconscious. He immediately summoned imperial physicians to treat him.
“How is he? What of my son’s condition?”
Prince Ji, a man of imposing dignity, now wore a pained expression as he watched his son lying unconscious on the bed. He anxiously pressed the chief physician, Xu, who had just finished examining Leng Mingye and shook his head.
“Your Highness, in all my years of practice, I’ve never encountered such a strange pulse. The young master’s condition is grave. The poison in his arm… we can only try our best, but whether it will be effective is uncertain.”
Xu looked up at the pale and worried prince, speaking earnestly before gathering the other physicians to discuss.
Sighing at the sight of his lord’s condition, Qingfeng, standing by the door, thought of the possible culprit behind the poisoning. Though helpless, he could only turn away with a quiet sigh.
“Let’s go, Brother Qingfeng. Prince Ning must be waiting anxiously at the manor.”
Wanqing, dressed plainly but now wearing a veil over her face, nodded to Honglian after receiving her instructions. Carrying her prepared herbs and medical kit, she followed Qingfeng out through the back gate of the manor.
Before establishing her reputation, it was best to remain cautious. After all, one couldn’t suddenly claim to be a skilled physician without a plausible backstory.
The three of them left the marquis’s manor under cover of night, heading toward Prince Ning’s residence.
“Who dares block our path? Identify yourself and state your purpose!”
Qingfeng, driving the carriage with the two women inside, abruptly reined in the horses as a figure suddenly appeared before them in the deserted midnight streets. His voice was cold as he addressed the stranger.
“I merely wish to beg the lady inside to treat my master. Please, miss—”
The man knelt respectfully, his eyes pleading as he looked past Qingfeng toward the carriage’s curtain.
“I don’t even know you. Why should I treat your master? Go away. I’ve said I won’t treat him. If he’s injured, find a physician. Why come to me?”
Wanqing lifted the curtain, exasperated, and recognized the man as the same one who had confronted her at Linglong Pavilion, demanding she treat his master. Annoyed by his earlier disrespect, she coldly dismissed him and ordered Qingfeng to proceed.
“Miss, if my master’s illness could be treated by ordinary physicians, why would it have dragged on until now? Are you truly so heartless as to refuse to save a life? Or is your skill merely a facade, and you fear you cannot handle my master’s condition?”
Seeing that polite requests were futile, the burly man resorted to provocation. Yet even as Wanqing lowered the curtain and urged Qingfeng forward, he remained kneeling, refusing to yield.
“Your taunts won’t work on me. I dislike being threatened or disrespected, and you’ve done both. Leave now, or I won’t hesitate to act. Qingfeng, move on.”
Wanqing’s voice was icy as she recalled the man’s arrogance during the auction. Exhausted and unwilling to tolerate further coercion, she signaled Qingfeng to proceed.
“Please, miss! Saving a life is a noble deed! I beg you—”
The man, undeterred, gritted his teeth as the carriage advanced. Instead of moving, he bowed his head and pleaded desperately, even as the carriage’s front wheel struck his chest.
“Ah—! Miss, I beg you! If my death would move you to save my master, then crush me beneath your wheels! I only ask for your mercy—”
Groaning in pain, the man didn’t retreat. Instead, he lay down fully in the path of the carriage, his eyes fixed on Wanqing with desperate hope.
“Wanqing…” Qingfeng hesitated, glancing back at the cold-faced woman behind him.
“Run him over. Let’s see just how loyal he truly is.”
Wanqing’s heart wavered at the sight of the man’s devotion, so different from his earlier arrogance. Yet she remained outwardly unmoved, curious to test the limits of his loyalty.
With a resigned sigh, Qingfeng flicked the reins, urging the horse forward.
“Stop!”
Just as the carriage was about to roll over the man, Wanqing suddenly called out. Qingfeng yanked the reins, causing the carriage to lurch. Wanqing stepped down and approached the man, helping him up.
“Your loyalty to your master is commendable. I, Mu Wanqing, have little patience for most, but I respect those who are devoted to their lords and true to their friends. I’ll grant your request. However, I’m occupied tonight with another patient. Tomorrow, at the hour of Hai, wait for me at the back gate of the Mu Marquis’s manor. I’ll accompany you to treat your master. Here—this is a fine wound salve. Tend to your injuries first.”
The man, overjoyed, accepted the medicine and kowtowed deeply. “This humble one is Zhao Zhong. Your kindness is immeasurable. From this day forth, if you ever have need of me, I will brave fire and water without hesitation.”
(To be continued…)
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage