“This…” The master rarely had such a serious expression, and Hongyan felt a slight tremor in her heart.
“Speak. Must I repeat my question again?”
Hongyan’s hesitation and the glance she cast toward the small figure before her made Leng Mingye’s expression turn icy. His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as he coldly rebuked her, flicking his sleeve to send a surge of true energy straight at her.
“Ugh—Master, please calm your anger. This subordinate has followed all your orders. Though the young lady was injured by the assassin’s hidden weapon, I immediately used the detoxifying tile to suppress the poison and sought a physician to administer acupuncture to remove it. It hasn’t affected her body in any way, Master…”
Hongyan, questioned and assuming Leng Mingye’s anger stemmed from Wanqing’s injury, hesitated to answer. Struck by his true energy, she staggered and fell to her knees, clutching her chest. With a guilty conscience, she lowered her head and knelt silently, though her paling complexion betrayed the internal injury she had suffered.
Wanqing, though leaning weakly to the side, could clearly sense the heavy killing intent radiating from him.
“Is that so? Little fool, Hongyan just said the hidden weapon didn’t affect your poison. So how do you explain the disappearance of the poison in your body?”
Leng Mingye’s lips curled faintly, a wicked smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. Yet his gaze as he looked at Wanqing was filled with deep suspicion. His voice was cool, as if casually questioning, but his large hand reached out to stroke her hair.
“I…” His interrogation, coupled with the barely-there touch on her hair, made Wanqing acutely aware of the murderous aura surrounding him.
Her long-standing precautions and schemes were on the verge of being exposed. Feigning innocence, she smiled nervously, stammering under his scrutiny. Inside, she was frantic, her fingers tightening around the dagger hidden beneath her pillow.
“Can’t answer, little fool? Or don’t dare to? I remember telling you clearly—I despise being deceived, especially by you. Yet your actions force me to question your sincerity. Answer me. Why?”
Wanqing’s hesitation only deepened the cold amusement in Leng Mingye’s eyes. His smile didn’t reach them as he watched her, his hand still resting on her head, unmoving.
“Brother, you’re scaring Qing’er. I don’t understand what you mean. I’ve never lied to you, it’s just…”
Faced with his overwhelming killing intent, Wanqing could only force a nervous smile, but before she could finish—
Leng Mingye’s dark eyes sharpened, and his grip on her wrist tightened.
“Your Highness, please calm your anger. The poison in Wanwan was actually treated by my orders. Wanwan, I heard you were injured—are you alright?”
Just as Wanqing prepared to fight for her life, a gentle, melodious voice filled with concern sounded from the doorway, followed by the creaking of wheelchair wheels.
“Brother Ning, I’m fine. Brother, you frightened me. It was Brother Ning who saw me on the street during my poisoning episode and had Qingfeng arrange for my treatment. That’s why my poison…”
Relieved to see Prince Ning enter, Wanqing exhaled shakily. Summoning her composure, she spoke calmly but with feigned grievance, though only she knew how terrified she truly was.
She had no choice but to gamble now. Though she didn’t understand why Prince Ning would intervene, her instincts told her he meant no harm.
“Indeed. Two days ago, I happened upon Wanwan during her poisoning. Regardless of our past connection, I didn’t wish for misunderstandings, so I discreetly sent Qingfeng to treat her at the Marquis’s residence. To avoid complications, I instructed her to keep it secret. Your Highness, do you doubt even me?”
Though Wanqing’s expression was calm, Prince Ning saw the fear in her eyes. Smiling faintly, he met Leng Mingye’s gaze.
“Oh? So Your Highness and this little fool are acquainted? Your subordinate is named Qingfeng? What a coincidence—one of mine is also named Qingfeng, though with a different character. Might I ask who this Qingfeng of yours is?”
Leng Mingye’s lips curled in a cold, mocking smile, his hand still resting on Wanqing’s shoulder as he stared down at the prince in the wheelchair.
“Your Highness misunderstands. I am Qingfeng—the ‘clear’ character, brother to Qingyun. If you doubt me, you may investigate. Lady Wanwan’s poison was indeed treated by my arrangements these past few days.”
Though unaware of the conflict between Wanqing and Leng Mingye, Qingfeng sensed the killing intent in the latter’s gaze. Knowing his martial prowess far surpassed theirs, he still stepped forward boldly, seeing Wanqing’s poorly concealed fear.
“Really? And who, pray tell, did you enlist to treat her? The poison she carries is derived from rosemary—not only potent but from the remote southwestern border. Even Imperial Physician Xu, head of the Imperial Medical Bureau, could do nothing.”
Leng Mingye finally released Wanqing, turning to Qingfeng with a cold smile as he detailed the poison’s severity.
“Well… the healer specifically requested anonymity, so…”
Qingfeng faltered. Imperial Physician Xu’s reputation was beyond reproach—any fabricated name would be exposed instantly. Left with no choice, he feigned mystery.
“Is that so? Does this person truly exist, or is this merely a fabrication by Your Highness and your men? What say you, Prince Ning?”
Leng Mingye’s gaze shifted to the prince, his tone laced with skepticism.
“It seems unless I reveal the healer’s identity, Your Highness will persist in doubting me and Wanwan. Very well. The man in question is none other than Mu Chengfeng, the chief disciple of Medicine King Xue of the Medicine Valley.”
Prince Ning sighed, realizing only a formidable name would dispel suspicion.
“Mu Chengfeng? If Your Highness knows him, why hasn’t he cured your legs?”
The mention of Medicine Valley gave Leng Mingye pause. Sitting back, he poured himself water, sipping elegantly before posing the question.
“Our acquaintance is merely incidental. He agreed to treat my legs, but the condition is chronic and requires prolonged care. As for Wanwan, he only agreed to help her out of deference to our friendship—after I took her in as my sworn sister.”
Prince Ning’s fingers tightened imperceptibly on his armrest, though his smile remained composed.
“I see. Might Your Highness introduce me to Mu Chengfeng? I, too, have been searching for someone from Medicine Valley.”
Leng Mingye’s tone was polite, but his eyes held a frosty warning.
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