“What? Is there something wrong with my legs?”
Her words made Prince Ning frown in surprise. He looked at her and asked calmly, “Chunhong, wait for me outside first. Brother Leng, your legs do indeed have a problem.”
Though his expression remained composed, even tinged with a hint of disappointment when she mentioned his legs, Wanqing clearly saw a glimmer of hope in his gentle eyes. After all, he was still highly favored by the emperor. As a member of the royal family, even if he was now an idle prince, staying out of the fray didn’t mean others wouldn’t target him.
Recalling her earlier words to Chunhong, she turned to her and instructed, watching as Chunhong nodded and left before turning back to Prince Ning with certainty.
“Oh? How so?”
Prince Ning’s gentle phoenix eyes flickered with surprise before quickly settling back into calmness as he looked at her and asked.
Judging by his expression, he likely already knew about her saving Qingfeng. Wanqing decided not to hide anything and spoke directly.
“I just checked your pulse. Your legs weren’t a serious injury initially—they could have been healed with timely and proper treatment. But over time, they worsened. Have you been consuming excessive amounts of sour jujubes or other acidic foods? Or was there aristolochia in your prescription?”
“There was indeed aristolochia. At the time, I had taken too many bone-strengthening tonics and developed internal heat, so the physician prescribed it. Is there a problem?” Prince Ning’s elegant brows furrowed slightly as he recalled and answered.
“That explains it. While bone injuries benefit from bone-nourishing medicine, taking aristolochia at the same time rapidly depletes the calcium your body already lacks, making your bones brittle and worsening your leg injury. Over time, the joints hollow out, not only crippling your legs but potentially endangering your life.”
Considering the dangers lurking around him, Wanqing didn’t hold back and laid out the possible consequences.
“I think I already know who tampered with my treatment. So, Qing’er, can you help me?”
After a moment of solemn silence, Prince Ning regained his composure and looked at her with hopeful eyes.
Though his expression was calm, Wanqing could see a flicker of expectation—and even disappointment—in his gentle, smiling gaze.
“Well, I do know some medical arts. I can help purge the harmful substances from your body, but as for your legs… I can’t make any promises. Still, I’m willing to try my best…”
Truthfully, Wanqing wasn’t overly concerned about Prince Ning’s osteoporosis. But given the era’s poor medical conditions, lack of proper herbs, and her own unresolved poisoning—which could flare up at any moment—along with the fact that his condition wasn’t something that could be cured overnight, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of helplessness as she looked at him.
Though Prince Ning had hoped for more, he had long accepted his legs’ condition. Hearing that she was willing to at least cleanse his body of toxins, even if his legs remained crippled, he managed a faint smile and reassured her, “It’s alright. As long as you can rid my body of the harmful elements, that’s enough. I’ve grown accustomed to my legs over the years.”
Despite his lighthearted tone, Wanqing still caught the loneliness and resignation in his eyes.
“Brother Leng, don’t worry. I *will* make you stand again.”
His despondent expression weighed heavily on her heart. For some reason, this man stirred an inexplicable ache within her. Though she felt powerless about her own condition, she met his gaze with sincerity.
“I believe you. By the way, Minister Xu mentioned earlier that you’ve been poisoned, yet he couldn’t identify it. What kind of poison is it? How did—”
His innocent, earnest eyes softened as he smiled slightly, studying her with concern.
“I’m not entirely sure either, but I’m confident I can neutralize it. Once I do, I’ll focus entirely on healing your legs. But for now, I can start treating the accumulated ailments in your body.”
Thinking of the rosemary poison in her system, Wanqing smiled faintly. Though the antidote was troublesome, she was confident in her abilities. Still, she turned to him with warmth.
“Silly girl, there’s no rush. You’ve just recovered—rest a while longer. Besides, my condition isn’t urgent, is it?”
Seeing her complexion had only just improved, yet she was already worrying about him, Prince Ning felt both touched and grateful. As she stood, he quickly reached out to steady her, his gentle eyes reassuring.
“Alright. But Brother, please keep my medical skills a secret for now.”
His words warmed her heart, and she nodded lightly. Yet, mindful of the lingering dangers, she made the request.
“Of course. Rest well. If you need anything, just tell me. I’ll help however I can.”
Prince Ning agreed without hesitation, his gaze sincere as he thought of her poisoning.
“Mm, I’ll let you know if I need anything. But I’ve been away for so long—I should head back now.”
His earnest concern made her nod obediently. Remembering how long she’d been gone and the scheme Lady Liu had concocted, she was eager to see how the woman would react. With that, she stood and turned to Prince Ning.
“Very well. I’ll accompany you back. Qingfeng, prepare my carriage—I’ll escort the Second Miss Mu to the Marquis’s residence.”
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Prince Ning didn’t stop her. He simply called for Qingfeng.
“Brother Leng, it’s so hot outside. Chunhong and I can return on our own—”
At the entrance of Prince Ning’s estate, Wanqing hesitated, watching the scorching sunlight beyond the steps.
“It’s no trouble. I have business outside the palace anyway and will pass by the Marquis’s residence. Consider it a coincidence.”
Hearing his reply, she stopped protesting and boarded the carriage with him.
“Brother, you can drop me off here. I have some business at the bank.”
When they reached the bank where she had previously stashed the swapped silver, she made the request.
“Very well. You may disembark here. If you need anything, come to the palace or send Chunhong. Qingfeng, let’s go.”
Though puzzled by her insistence on visiting the bank, Prince Ning merely furrowed his brows slightly before instructing Qingfeng to stop. Watching her and Chunhong step out, he reminded her once more to seek help if needed. Only after she nodded did he order the carriage to depart.
“Miss, I was just wondering where you’d hidden the money! So it really was in the bank. Are we going to buy more things now? It’s so hot…”
Chunhong followed Wanqing as she retrieved the silver from the bank manager. Recalling the earlier events, she gazed at her mistress with admiration. But stepping outside under the blazing sun, she couldn’t help but grimace.
“Yes. You go buy some meat and vegetables. I’ll stop by the pharmacy. We’ll meet at the estate entrance.”
Seeing Chunhong’s sunburned face, Wanqing—though feeling dizzy from the heat herself—considered her own condition and handed her the bundles of clothes and jewelry they’d bought earlier, along with some money. Then, carrying two bundles herself, she headed toward a nearby pharmacy.
Just as Wanqing had gathered some common detoxifying herbs and was about to meet Chunhong and return to the estate, a familiar voice called out from behind.
“Little fool, why are you carrying so much medicine? Have you found a cure for your poison?”
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