Leng Mingye arrived and saw the small figure curled up in the shadows of the bed curtains under the candlelight, wrapped in a blanket despite the summer heat, trembling slightly. He couldn’t help but chuckle softly, patting her body beneath the blanket. His thick brows furrowed slightly as his crimson lips parted to speak.
“Ah! Don’t kill me, don’t kill me! I have no money, and my face is covered in red spots. If you’re here to rob or take advantage of me, please just leave this room, walk out of the courtyard, and turn right. The other sisters in the mansion are far prettier and wealthier than me!”
She had recognized his voice and presence long ago, but when his large hand patted her bottom, she shuddered and only tightened her grip on the blanket, pretending to be terrified and refusing to come out.
“You silly girl, who said this young master came to rob or take advantage of you? If I wanted someone, would I need to resort to force? Little fool, it’s me—your brother. I came to talk to you. Get up now, or else…”
Her words made Leng Mingye laugh in amusement. Why was this girl so timid and slow-witted?
After struggling with his conflicting thoughts, he had still come to find her. Yet, the little thing acted as if she’d seen a ghost. Though exasperated, he tugged at the blanket covering her head and issued a cool warning.
“I—I’ll come out! Spare me, spare me! I’ll come out right now. Brother… it’s you? Brother, you’re so mean! Showing up in the middle of the night like a ghost—you scared Qing’er half to death!”
At his words, Wanqing threw off the blanket, raising her hands and squeezing her eyes shut as she pleaded.
When no response came after a long moment, she hesitantly opened her eyes. Standing before her in the dim light was a figure clad in a moon-white robe, its sleeves and collar embroidered with gold and silver threads.
Under the candlelight, his features appeared breathtakingly beautiful, almost ethereal—especially those dazzling star-like eyes, now filled with amusement as they gazed at her.
Like a lost child finally reunited with its mother, she pouted tearfully and threw herself at him.
But the moment she hugged him and noticed the fading smile on his lips, she froze in delayed terror. Her face flushed crimson, her temples damp with sweat, her delicate eyes brimming with tears—she looked both fearful and in desperate need of comfort.
Seeing her like this—sweaty, red-eyed, as if she’d been crying—he found himself inexplicably unable to harden his heart. Without thinking, he reached out and gently tucked a sweat-dampened strand of hair behind her small, round ear, softening his voice.
“Did you have a nightmare? Look at you—covered in sweat.”
“I…”
His sudden tenderness made Wanqing’s heart skip a beat. There was no denying it—this man’s looks and aura far surpassed those of the person she had admired in her past life.
Yet, remembering that person’s betrayal and manipulation, coupled with this man’s unpredictable temper—how he could casually flay someone alive with a smile—she shuddered inwardly. Even her own father, a mighty general, had been given twenty lashes simply because this man was in a bad mood.
Thinking of what she had done to him, Wanqing panicked internally but feigned flustered gratitude, shrinking back from him.
“What’s wrong, little fool? Still dreaming? It’s me—your brother. Have you scared yourself silly?”
Leng Mingye watched as her expression shifted—first joy, then wariness, and finally sheer bewilderment before she recoiled in fear.
Her fear of him inexplicably irritated him. Still, he forced himself to soften his expression, tilting his head with a faint smile and waving a hand in front of her face.
Faced with his actions, Wanqing cursed inwardly: *You’re the one who had a nightmare! If you hadn’t barged in, I wouldn’t have had to prick myself under the blanket until I nearly cried! And you call me stupid? You’re the idiot—your whole family’s full of idiots!*
Outwardly, she finally “snapped out of it,” tears welling in her eyes as she sniffled and wiped her face.
“Brother… you finally came. Qing’er was so scared… I dreamed of Granny Liu’s death. She kept calling my name, and I…”
“It’s alright, it’s alright. I’m here now. Don’t be afraid. Tell me—how did Granny Liu die?”
Seeing her finally calm down enough to confide in him, Leng Mingye couldn’t resist patting her small head. Wondering why she’d been sleeping so fitfully, he pressed about Granny Liu.
“Granny Liu… she fell ill. Father and Stepmother refused to call a physician, and she… she died in agony. Besides Chunhong, Granny Liu was the only one who ever treated me kindly. Without her, Chunhong and I would’ve died long ago. I…”
Wanqing’s voice trailed off. In her memories, Granny Liu had cared for her since childhood and later took in Chunhong as well.
Thinking of the old woman’s death, she felt nothing but disdain for her father and stepmother. If they hadn’t refused to help, Granny Liu wouldn’t have died in pain.
Though annoyed at being woken in the middle of the night, she played the fool, sniffling and wiping tears as she recounted the story before breaking into quiet sobs again.
“Enough, don’t cry. I never realized someone so young had suffered so much. Here, drink some water—you’re drenched in sweat. Why did you suddenly think of Granny Liu?”
Her renewed weeping made his brows knit tightly. Instinct told him to leave after stating his business, yet for some reason, he stayed to comfort her.
Lowering his voice stiffly, he coaxed her while pouring a bowl of water and handing it to her. Unable to resist, he asked about her sudden grief.
“I… I just thought of my face. Brother, you’re so beautiful, but mine… it’s covered in red spots. The physician said I have accumulated toxins inside me. It might get worse—soon, I might not even have a face left to show anyone. I…”
His rare show of concern baffled her. *Just leave already! Stop bothering me!* she screamed internally. Yet outwardly, she looked up at him as if he were her only solace, shoulders shaking with quiet sobs.
“Don’t say that. I won’t let your condition worsen. If you help me find the owner of the waist token, I promise to seek out the descendants of the Daqi Medicine Valley for you. Their skills are unparalleled—they’ll cure your poison and heal your face.”
Wanqing had expected her melodramatic act to drive him away. Instead, he stayed, even offering such reassurance.
“Brother… the descendants of Medicine Valley—are they really that powerful? Can they cure my face and the poison?”
His words stunned her. She had been agonizing over how to explain her eventual recovery, yet here he was, offering a solution. Though inwardly scoffing (*Relying on others is useless!*), she feigned delight, grabbing his sleeve with wide, hopeful eyes.
“…Mn. The descendants of Medicine Valley are exceptionally skilled. But they’re elusive—even I would struggle to find them. Still, I won’t give up. Once I locate them, I’ll have them treat your poison and face. Rest now. I only came to tell you this: with me here, you can be yourself without fear. No one will dare bully you.”
Meeting her hopeful gaze, Leng Mingye spoke calmly. Before she could react, his figure blurred—the window shut behind him, and he was gone.
“Brother…”
Watching him leave, Wanqing’s instinctive call died in her throat. Sitting frozen on the bed, she pondered: *Did he come just to tell me he’d find someone to treat me?*
She had only mentioned that physicians couldn’t help—why would he make such a promise?
*No…* Knowing him, there had to be an ulterior motive. But was it genuine concern or another test?
Yet all he’d done was pat her head—nothing suspicious. It made no sense.
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