“Poisoned? Qingyun, go fetch a doctor. Let’s take her back to the palace at once.”
The nobleman in embroidered robes was startled by the pallor of the young girl in his arms and immediately instructed another attendant behind him. Together with Qingfeng and Chunhong, they hurried toward the Ningwang Palace.
“Wait—wasn’t that nobleman just now His Highness Prince Ning? He seemed so concerned about the Second Miss of the Mu family. What’s going on…?”
As they rushed away, someone caught sight of Prince Ning’s strikingly handsome, almost divine appearance, along with the wheelchair he sat in, its back engraved with the patterns of nine dragons and phoenixes. His identity was unmistakable at a glance.
Observing his evident concern for Wanqing, the onlookers couldn’t help but murmur curiously.
Heifeng and Baiyu, following Leng Mingye, noticed their master’s intense gaze fixed on the girl. From the surrounding whispers, they gathered she was the Second Miss of the Mu General’s household.
Seeing their master’s attention still locked on the girl even as she was carried away by Prince Ning’s men, Baiyu couldn’t help but glance at his master in confusion. After all, this man had never shown such interest in a woman outside of political matters.
“Follow them. Let’s see what’s really going on with that girl.”
Before Baiyu could voice his question, Leng Mingye, still staring at the girl’s retreating figure, suddenly spoke.
“Be careful. If Prince Ning’s people catch you, don’t expect me to intervene.” As Baiyu turned to leave, his unscrupulous master’s warning followed.
Baiyu frowned even deeper at his master’s behavior. The Second Miss of the Mu family was hardly remarkable in appearance or demeanor. Why was his master so fixated on her? He recalled the girl’s face covered in red spots the other day and how she had trembled so fearfully in front of others that she could barely stand.
He truly couldn’t understand. As a capable retainer of the prestigious Ji Palace, why had he been assigned to watch over such an insignificant girl?
Despite his resentment, Baiyu sighed and reluctantly followed.
“Doctor, how is my mistress?”
Inside the Ningwang Palace, Wanqing lay on a bed. Qingfeng, Prince Ning Leng Yuchen, and Chunhong stood nearby. As the elderly physician finished taking Wanqing’s pulse, his expression darkened. Chunhong, noticing his reaction, anxiously pressed for answers.
“Your Highness, the young lady’s pulse is erratic. It appears to be a case of poisoning.”
The silver-haired physician, dignified and wearing a traditional square cap, glanced at Chunhong before respectfully addressing Prince Ning.
“Poisoned? Physician Xu, can you treat it?”
Prince Ning’s phoenix-like eyes darkened as he directly questioned the doctor.
“Though her pulse suggests poisoning, it’s also highly unusual. I cannot immediately determine the exact nature of the toxin. Your Highness should seek another expert.”
The physician wiped his brow nervously. In all his years of practice, he had never encountered such a bizarre pulse—it resembled poisoning, yet didn’t quite fit.
“How could this be? Miss Chunhong, has your mistress shown these symptoms before? When was the poisoning discovered?”
Prince Ning frowned, clearly puzzled, before turning to Chunhong with a grave expression.
“My mistress was weak before but never poisoned. It was only two days ago…”
Chunhong, inexplicably trusting the prince’s gentle concern for her mistress, answered honestly. She glanced at the physician, hesitating as she recalled recent events.
“Qingfeng, escort Physician Xu out first. Chunhong, tell me everything. What exactly happened to your mistress?”
Understanding Chunhong’s hesitation, Prince Ning dismissed the physician. Once they were alone, he pressed for details.
“Your Highness, my mistress has suffered greatly… She was fine until the day before yesterday. In the afternoon, she heard it was my birthday and went out to buy me a gift. But I waited and waited—until dusk—without seeing her. Then I heard…”
For some reason, Chunhong found herself confiding in the prince, tears welling in her eyes. But before she could finish, Wanqing suddenly stirred on the bed.
“Chunhong…” Wanqing, her face ashen, struggled to sit up.
“Mistress! You’re awake! What happened to you? How could you be poisoned…?”
Chunhong rushed to support her, relief and fear mingling in her tearful eyes.
“I’m not sure. Maybe it was the chase after that thief, or the anger and shock that triggered it. I feel better now. Who is this…?”
Wanqing forced a weak smile, though her chest still ached terribly. She had been awake for a while, baffled by her own condition. Her pulse gave no clear answers, but the pain was unbearable. She turned her gaze to the man in the wheelchair beside her bed.
“Mistress, this is His Highness Prince Ning. He brought us to the palace and summoned a physician for you…”
Though relieved Wanqing had regained consciousness, Chunhong still supported her as she made the introduction.
“Prince Ning?” Wanqing studied the man before her.
His features were handsome, his expression gentle. His eyes, meeting her bold scrutiny, showed no irritation—only a faint smile at the corners of his lips.
“A nobleman like jade, a beauty beyond compare.” Prince Ning radiated warmth, his presence as refreshing as a spring breeze.
Strangely, Wanqing felt an inexplicable familiarity, as though she had met him before—though she couldn’t recall where.
“Indeed, it is I. Second Miss Mu, are you still unwell?”
Prince Ning allowed her to study him, his smile unwavering. When her brows furrowed in thought, he inquired gently.
“Much better. Thank you for saving me, Your Highness. Ah—!”
Though Prince Ning evoked both familiarity and strangeness in her—a feeling she couldn’t quite grasp—Wanqing remained guarded. She knew he had once been the Crown Prince, forced to relinquish the title after a riding accident left him paralyzed. Favored by the emperor, he was no ordinary man.
Despite his kindness, she maintained her composure. But as she spoke, she suddenly coughed up blood again.
“Mistress!”
Chunhong panicked, supporting her while casting a pleading look at the prince.
“This…” Prince Ning was equally startled. If the girl was skilled in medicine, why had she let herself be poisoned so severely? Though Qingfeng had reported her unusual medical abilities, the prince couldn’t help but worry.
“Your Highness, what are you—? No! You’ll deplete your vital energy!”
As Wanqing’s condition worsened, Prince Ning placed a hand on her shoulder, channeling his inner strength to alleviate her pain.
Though the ache in her chest persisted, the pain lessened slightly. Wanqing realized he was using his qi to help her. Touched by his selflessness—especially since they had just met—she still felt compelled to stop him.
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