Chapter 90: Qingfeng’s Good News

“Damn it, looks like I need to act quickly. Honglian, Wanchun, come in here.”

The man left, and Wanqing stood up with anger on her face. Recalling all the precautions she had taken before, being forced like this was not her style—not the way of Mu Wanqing.

Now that she had money, plus the medicinal herbs gathered by Chunhong and the two maids over the past few days, Wanqing stood up and called out to the maids standing at the door.

“Bring all the herbs I asked you to prepare earlier into the room next to mine.”

Wanqing walked toward the adjacent room, separated from her own by just a single door.

The maids didn’t know what she intended to do but still carried the herbs into the room as instructed.

“By the way, where is Miss Hongyan?”

Seeing the three maids arrange everything as she had directed, Wanqing thought of setting up a few more tables and stoves in the room, along with some tools for medicine-making. That way, her medicine workshop would be complete.

Remembering the other person who frequently visited her, she couldn’t help but ask.

“Miss Hongyan hasn’t been seen since she returned from looking for Sister Chunhong,” Wanchun replied respectfully.

“She must have gone back. If she comes again, have her see me immediately. Also, don’t enter this room casually. If you accidentally touch any poison here, don’t blame me for not warning you.”

Though unsure if Hongyan had truly left, Wanqing knew she had to be cautious with every move she made.

Cold Mingye’s actions didn’t faze her. Gently stroking the herbs before her, she gave a sincere warning.

“Yes.”

Though uncertain whether her items were actually poisonous, the maids nodded respectfully.

“You two continue with the tasks I assigned earlier. Honglian, guard the door. If anyone comes, knock and call for me.”

Though she had taken these two maids under her wing, the household chores were still handled by others. She gave Wanchun and the others their orders, watching as they withdrew to continue their work with the herbs. Then she turned to Honglian, who nodded and stepped outside, while Wanqing walked into the midst of the medicinal materials.

That afternoon, she took Honglian out to purchase tools for medicine-making—stoves, mortars, and other equipment.

Only after preparing some temporary defensive medicines did she finally relax.

By the time she finished, the sun had already set.

“Miss, here, have some water. Someone’s at the door—I’ll go open it.”

Honglian, seeing her drenched in sweat and exhausted, thoughtfully brought her tea. Just as Wanqing took a few sips, someone knocked at the courtyard gate. Honglian excused herself to answer it.

“Miss, Qingfeng from the Ning Manor has arrived. Please come in, Young Master Qingfeng.”

As Wanqing wondered who it might be, Honglian’s cheerful voice announced the arrival of a visitor.

“Brother Qingfeng, you’re here. Did Ning Wang send you to find me?”

Surprised by his sudden appearance, she couldn’t help but ask.

“You silly girl, do I need my master’s orders just to visit you? The things you asked me to help you find—my master has already had them prepared. Take a look.”

Qingfeng wore a hint of disappointment but still chided her playfully. He then placed a large box on the table in front of her and opened it proudly.

“Exquisite craftsmanship.” Inside the box were various earrings, bracelets, and rings—each of her designs hiding a secret mechanism.

Noticing Honglian’s confusion and suspicion as she eyed the items, Wanqing picked up a bracelet and motioned for her to come closer. With a delicate press on a tiny button at the side of the bracelet—

A sharp gust of wind followed.

“Watch out!” Before Honglian could react, Qingfeng was already at her side, pulling her arm away just in time.

As they moved aside, silver needles shot out from the bracelet, embedding themselves into the pillar behind where Honglian had been standing.

“Miss, you—” Blushing from Qingfeng’s protective grip around her waist, Honglian pushed him away and glared at Wanqing.

“My apologies, miss. Heh.” Qingfeng chuckled awkwardly before turning back to Wanqing.

“Don’t be angry. I trusted your reflexes—didn’t want you to underestimate me. Anyway, no more jokes. See how special this is? It holds three needles at a time. Press the button like I did, and the needles shoot out. Even with your skills, you never know what tricks others might have. This bracelet is yours.”

Seeing Honglian’s irritation but Qingfeng’s amusement, Wanqing teased lightly before removing the bracelet from her wrist and handing it to Honglian.

“Well then, I’ll accept it gratefully. I’ll take this.”

Though still a bit miffed by the sudden test, Honglian was touched by the gift and the trust behind it. She happily took the bracelet and slipped it onto her wrist.

After gifting Honglian, Wanqing picked out two more items—a pair of earrings and a ring—before calling out, “Wanchun, Xiatao, come in here.”

“Miss, I’m giving these to you. But before you take them, remember my warning. These may look beautiful, but they can hurt you. The earrings have a small button, and so does the ring. Don’t underestimate them—press the button in danger, and needles will shoot out to protect you. Let me demonstrate. See?”

As the two maids approached, Wanqing showed them the items on the table, explaining the mechanisms. She even demonstrated, watching their initial shock turn to awe and excitement before smiling at them.

“Mhm, mhm.” The two nodded eagerly, and Wanqing let them choose.

Wanchun picked the ring, while Xiatao took the earrings.

“Now that you’ve chosen, don’t swap them later. Wear them at all times.”

Once the maids had memorized her instructions, Wanqing dismissed them solemnly. She then packed away the remaining items and turned to Qingfeng.

“Brother Qingfeng, your timing is perfect. As for the gifts I promised you and your brothers, come back tomorrow at this time to collect them. Oh, and Ning Wang’s birthday gift—take it to be forged as well.”

“Understood. I’ll report back to my master now. Take care of yourself.” With a nod, Qingfeng turned and left.

As she adorned herself with the selected jewelry, Wanqing absentmindedly pulled out the box her mother had given her—the one she had dug up from the plum grove. Instinctively opening it, she hesitated, recalling her mother’s letter, and instead took out Granny Liu’s note and hairpin to examine.

By now, the sky had darkened, and Honglian entered to light a candle.

“No need to trouble yourself, Honglian. Can you tell if there’s anything unusual about this hairpin or the note?”

As Honglian lit the candle, Wanqing spoke softly. For some reason, she felt Granny Liu’s gifts couldn’t be so simple.

Just as Honglian reached for the note, a gust of wind from the window sent it fluttering toward the candle flame.

“Miss, there’s more writing on this paper besides what you showed me earlier. Look—” Honglian quickly snatched it back. Though she acted fast, the edge was slightly singed. Brushing it with her fingers, she realized the paper wasn’t burned—and faint characters had appeared.

“Let me see.” Only then did Wanqing realize the “paper” wasn’t paper at all—it was parchment made from cowhide. When heated, the hidden writing became visible.

Stunned, Wanqing took the note and examined it closely. What she saw left her utterly shocked.