“Lord Marquis, I merely came to visit the little fool. What is the meaning of such a grand reception?”
At the door, Sun Fengyu cleared his throat as a reminder, but Leng Mingye didn’t even glance his way. Instead, he looked at Mu Zhenfeng, who had greeted him and gestured for him to enter, and asked coolly.
“This… So the Young Master came to see my daughter. Someone, escort the Young Master to the Second Miss’s quarters.”
Mu Zhenfeng had initially thought that Young Master Sun had come to announce the annulment of his engagement with Wanqing. Though he wished to dissuade him, the other party’s influence left him no choice but to silently acquiesce. He hadn’t expected that on the very first day his daughter regained consciousness after her injury, this harbinger of misfortune would arrive.
Recalling Leng Mingye’s cold ruthlessness toward others and his peculiar gentleness toward Wanqing, Mu Zhenfeng, despite his deep-seated fear of the man, could only extend a polite invitation for him to stay briefly while sending someone to check on Wanqing.
Unexpectedly, shortly after Leng Mingye’s arrival, Prince Ning also appeared, followed by Young Master Sun. Any one of these three men was someone Mu Zhenfeng dared not offend, and apart from the Young Master, he truly had no idea why the other two had come.
Hearing Leng Mingye’s words, Mu Zhenfeng felt momentarily embarrassed but still ordered someone to escort Leng Mingye and his attendant away.
“I shall not trouble the Marquis any further either. Qingfeng, let us accompany the Young Master to see Wanwan.”
As Leng Mingye rose to leave, Prince Ning’s words sent a ripple of unease through Mu Zhenfeng’s aged face.
“Farewell, Your Highness Prince Ning… Young Master Sun…” Mu Zhenfeng’s expression grew even more awkward. So they had all come for his daughter—what did that have to do with him?
Though Prince Ning was physically disabled, he was still a member of the imperial family and a beloved son of the Emperor. Mu Zhenfeng could only bow respectfully as Prince Ning, pushed by the Qingfeng brothers, followed Leng Mingye out.
Left alone in the hall with Sun Fengyu, Mu Zhenfeng recalled the unpleasantness between the young man and his daughter days earlier, as well as the girl’s temperament and subsequent behavior. Puzzled by Sun Fengyu’s sudden visit, he turned to the young man, who had also risen to leave, and asked hesitantly:
“I’ll go see Qing’er as well.”
Faced with Mu Zhenfeng’s uneasy and bewildered expression, Sun Fengyu spoke casually before following the others.
“Didn’t Young Master Sun say he was annulling the engagement with that girl? What is this about? Each of these three men holds an extraordinary status. If any one of them were to take a liking to her, wouldn’t my Marquisate rise to new heights? Hah, but with that girl’s temperament, could she truly win any of their hearts? Why am I even worrying about this? Best to wait and see. I just hope she doesn’t cause any more trouble.”
As Sun Fengyu departed, Mu Zhenfeng grew even more perplexed. Just days ago, the young man had angrily declared his intention to break off the engagement, yet now he seemed to have changed his mind entirely.
But the status of these three men was beyond ordinary. If his daughter truly gained the favor of any one of them, the Marquisate would soar to new heights. The thought was enticing, but recalling his daughter’s defiant and unruly nature, Mu Zhenfeng couldn’t help but doubt her charm and appeal.
Annoyed at himself for worrying over things he didn’t even understand, he smacked his forehead lightly and sighed under his breath. The thought of his daughter’s stubbornness filled him with quiet dread as he sat there, uneasy.
—
“The Young Master has arrived! Please come in! Miss, the Young Master is here to see you!”
Over at Wanqing’s quarters, she had just finished some nourishing food and was about to rest when she heard Chunhong’s excited announcement of Leng Mingye’s arrival. In moments, the voice was right outside her door.
“Young Master Brother, you’ve come. I…”
Next, she heard Hongyan’s respectful greeting, followed by a faint, familiar yet distant hum. Lifting her gaze toward the door, she saw the familiar figure of Leng Mingye entering, his face as composed and gentle as ever. Struggling, she tried to sit up.
“Don’t move recklessly. You’re injured—what if you tear your wound? Little fool, it’s only been two days since I last saw you, and look at the state you’re in.”
Seeing her like this, Leng Mingye’s usually calm eyes flickered with concern. He strode forward, sitting by her bedside and steadying her shoulders. As she lay back, her face as pale as snow, he couldn’t help but chide her softly.
“Young Master Brother, I…” His words, along with the deep worry in his eyes, left Wanqing momentarily speechless. Thinking of her injuries, she didn’t know how to respond.
“Hongyan told me everything. After how he treated you, you still shielded him from the hidden weapon. If the Marquis has any sense, he won’t mistreat you from now on. It’s just a pity about the furnishings in this room… Ah.”
Her pale, trembling lips stirred an inexplicable tenderness in Leng Mingye’s heart. Though he had heard Hongyan’s account back at his estate and harbored many doubts, seeing her now, he felt no anger—only concern. His long, slender fingers brushed her cheek lightly.
“Young Master Brother, I…”
The man before her exuded an intoxicating yet dangerous aura. Remembering his methods and what she had once done to him, Wanqing felt a pang of guilt. For some reason, his gaze filled her with remorse.
“Silly girl, I’m just worried about you…”
Her evasive eyes made Leng Mingye smile faintly—a smile radiant enough to dim the entire room. Yet he continued to gaze at her fondly. Just as Wanqing’s heart raced and she lowered her head nervously, his light question followed:
“But Hongyan said you drove Lady Liu to lose her composure, even getting her confined by the Marquis. Little one, I’m truly curious—what else are you hiding from me?”
“I—Qing’er just happened to be there. I never expected her to do such a thing, let alone nearly stab my father.”
Faced with Leng Mingye’s skeptical tone, Wanqing’s heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to meet his gaze with feigned innocence.
“Oh? That’s quite the coincidence. Tell me, how has the poison in your body been these past few days?”
Though she appeared calm, her averted eyes betrayed her. Leng Mingye’s voice remained mild as he took her wrist, checking her pulse.
“I—I’m not sure how the poison is now. The hidden weapon that struck my father was laced with poison…”
In truth, Wanqing had sensed upon waking that most of the poison in her body had dissipated. Her earlier method of using poison to counteract poison, combined with frequent acupuncture to expel toxins, had worked. Though she had been struck by the poisoned weapon meant for her father, the convergence of these toxins had serendipitously neutralized most of her own poison. Only traces remained, no longer a threat.
She had planned to discreetly cover up her recovery once Hongyan and the others left, but Leng Mingye had arrived too soon.
As he held her wrist, his calm eyes chilling slightly, Wanqing’s heart pounded, though she feigned ignorance.
“Is that so?”
Her pulse was steady, and though her demeanor showed no obvious signs of deceit, Leng Mingye’s hawk-like gaze remained fixed on her.
“If you don’t believe me, ask Sister Hongyan.”
His doubt made her lower her head like an obedient child, though inwardly she panicked—had he discovered her ruse?
“Oh? Hongyan, why didn’t you inform me that the poison in this little fool’s body was neutralized by the antidote I provided and the assassin’s toxin?”
At her words, Leng Mingye called Hongyan over, his tone deceptively calm.
“I—My Lord, this servant begs forgiveness. I do not understand what you mean.”
Hongyan, startled by the question, stepped forward respectfully but bravely sought clarification.
“This little fool was already poisoned. I had Imperial Physician Xu prepare medicine to alleviate her suffering, yet most of her poison has vanished. Tell me—was it the assassin’s toxin that counteracted hers?”
Hongyan’s confusion made Leng Mingye’s eyes narrow dangerously, though his voice remained composed.
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