“This…” Prince Ning was momentarily at a loss for words in response to Leng Mingye’s statement.
“Brother Leng, you both care about Qing’er the most. Please agree to her request, won’t you?” Prince Ning’s hesitant gaze turned toward her, and Wanqing couldn’t possibly miss his implication.
Though inwardly she wished she could dig up Leng Mingye’s ancestors from their graves and flog their corpses, she steeled herself and looked at Prince Ning, deliberately adopting a coquettish tone.
“Fine. For Wanwan’s sake, I shall agree to the Young Master’s request.”
Prince Ning knew he had no choice but to comply with Wanqing’s words. Though he had no idea why Leng Mingye was so insistent on finding someone from the Medicine Valley, he still cast a doting glance at Wanqing and reached out to gently stroke her head.
“Good. Then I shall first express my gratitude to Your Highness, Prince Ning. I hope Your Highness can arrange this as soon as possible. Little fool, promise me you’ll recover quickly. The red spots on your face have faded a lot. I’m truly looking forward to seeing your original appearance. Sun Fengyu, what are you doing here?”
Expecting Leng Mingye to press further, Wanqing was surprised when he simply nodded with a faint smile.
He even politely clasped his hands in gratitude toward Prince Ning, then reached out to smooth Wanqing’s hair, tucking a few stray strands behind her ear with an affectionate and concerned expression. Yet, the way he looked at her only elicited an awkward smile from Wanqing.
Suddenly, a light cough came from the doorway. Leng Mingye withdrew his hand and turned his head, his expression cold as he regarded Sun Fengyu, who had just entered.
“Young Master, I should be the one asking what you’re doing here. Qing’er is my betrothed, promised to me since childhood. Can I not visit her? Though I wonder what business the two of you have with her?”
Though Sun Fengyu was somewhat wary of Leng Mingye’s furrowed brow, he recalled that they had no prior enmity. More importantly, he was the Empress’s own nephew.
Thus, Sun Fengyu boldly met Leng Mingye’s gaze as Wanqing’s fiancé, then turned his questioning look toward Prince Ning seated in the wheelchair beside him.
“Fiancé? Little fool, is this guy your fiancé?”
At Sun Fengyu’s words, Leng Mingye narrowed his phoenix eyes. Noticing Prince Ning’s equally puzzled expression and the undisguised disgust in Wanqing’s eyes when she saw Sun Fengyu, he smirked faintly and asked her calmly.
“He’s not my fiancé. Even if he was, he isn’t anymore. Just days ago, he personally told me he wanted to break off the engagement. How could Qing’er still be his betrothed? Brother Leng, Brother Prince Ning, tell me—should a girl keep a man who’s already called off the engagement?”
Wanqing hadn’t expected Sun Fengyu to show up. Remembering his previous disdain and disgust toward her, she was baffled that he now claimed to be her fiancé in front of the two men.
Faced with Leng Mingye’s questioning and Prince Ning’s confused gaze, she was equally perplexed. Logically, this arrangement had been made by the Empress and her mother—it shouldn’t have been a secret. Yet, their reactions made it clear they knew nothing about it.
Still, she calmly met Sun Fengyu’s eyes and shook her head before turning to the two men beside her with a faint smile.
“So it seems. Sun Fengyu, you heard her—Qing’er says no. So please leave.” Prince Ning’s brows furrowed slightly at Wanqing’s words. His expression turned cold and impatient as he dismissed Sun Fengyu bluntly.
“Qing’er, I was wrong before. I shouldn’t have lashed out at you. I came to sincerely apologize and beg for your forgiveness. You used to call me ‘Brother Sun’ so sweetly. Qing’er, don’t you feel anything for me anymore?”
At Prince Ning’s words, Sun Fengyu’s face darkened with suppressed anger. Yet he forced himself to approach Wanqing, his expression pained as he questioned her.
“Feelings? How strange. Brother Sun used to despise Qing’er, wishing to kick her aside without a second thought. Now you suddenly say this—were your previous words just a joke? Brother Prince Ning, Brother Leng, I don’t like this man. Could you have your people escort him out?”
Sun Fengyu’s words filled Wanqing with disgust. This scoundrel hadn’t even settled accounts with her, and now he dared to come back and disgust her further.
Remembering his previous treatment of her, she couldn’t help but sneer. Seeing the awkwardness on his face but no sign of him leaving, she turned coldly to Leng Mingye and Prince Ning, adopting a spoiled tone.
“Qing’er, you silly girl. I know I was too rash last time. But our matters shouldn’t involve outsiders. You’re still holding a grudge against me? Look, Brother Sun brought you something nice. See…”
Though inwardly seething, Sun Fengyu forced a smile, feigning affectionate exasperation. Following his aunt’s instructions—to bolster the Sun family’s standing before the Emperor—he suppressed his resentment and pulled out a box from his sleeve. Opening it, he revealed a string of pearl necklaces.
“Just a string of pearls? Nothing to boast about. The Young Master and Prince Ning could easily produce such trinkets. How generous of the Empress’s family.”
Leng Mingye scoffed at Sun Fengyu’s showy display, sitting back lazily beside Prince Ning. His tone was dismissive as he added a final jab.
“Young Master, you clearly don’t recognize quality. These aren’t ordinary pearls. They’re harvested from the deepest oceans. Not only can they adorn you, but they also glow at night—serving as illumination.”
Sun Fengyu smiled faintly at Leng Mingye’s skepticism, as if pitying his ignorance. He held up the necklace, offering it to Wanqing with exaggerated reverence.
“Oh? They glow? So they’re night pearls? Then I’d like to see. But if they don’t shine as you claim, don’t blame me for getting angry. Brother Leng, Brother Prince Ning, these pearls…”
Though Sun Fengyu’s eyes still held undisguised disgust, his obsequious act was flawless. Upon closer inspection, Wanqing noticed the pearls were indeed extraordinary—smooth, flawless, and warm to the touch.
She had no real interest in his gifts, but recalling Leng Mingye’s suspicions and her earlier collaboration with Prince Ning, she realized selling these pearls could fetch a hefty sum. Combined with the money she’d taken from Lady Liu, she could procure the herbs and tools she needed.
Since they were being offered, why refuse free goods?
Thus, Wanqing didn’t reject them outright. With a skeptical look, she allowed him to place the necklace around her neck, pretending reluctant forgiveness. As Sun Fengyu exhaled in relief and stepped back, she turned to Leng Mingye and Prince Ning, adopting an innocent expression as if seeking their approval.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage