“What do you think?”
Faced with the flustered expression and the awkward gesture of the girl touching her own face, Leng Mingye slightly curled his lips. He suddenly stood up and walked over to her, looking down at her from above.
“I—Brother Handsome, is there a flower on my face? You…”
Seeing Leng Mingye staring at her, Wan Qing couldn’t help but recall all the things she had done to him. Though she was confident in her medical skills, his deep gaze made her heart race. The unfamiliar yet grassy scent from his proximity caused her cheeks to flush. With a coy expression, she lowered her head shyly and pouted.
“Heh, you silly little fool, you’re quite amusing. Remember, you can call me ‘brother,’ but never ‘Brother Handsome’ again. Otherwise, with just a flick of my hand, your little head might go ‘crack’ and roll right off your neck…”
Leng Mingye chuckled at Wan Qing’s girlish demeanor. For some reason, this muddle-headed girl reminded him of his younger self.
Now, looking at the girl covered in red blotches—almost ghostly upon closer inspection—he found it amusing how she lowered her head in shyness, as if convinced she had flowers on her face.
It seemed this girl had quite the nerve, though her mind was clearly a mess. Even if she were timid, she had no idea what fear truly was. Otherwise, how could she go from deathly pale one moment to blushing the next?
Her reaction and words made Leng Mingye’s lips twitch slightly. Without quite knowing why, he reached out and gently stroked her cheek, his fingers trailing down to her slender, spotted neck.
“I—Brother, I was wrong. Qing’er was wrong. Qing’er will never call you ‘Brother Handsome’ again, I promise. If I do, Qing’er will accept any punishment from you… Brother, what are you doing?”
His grip on her neck suddenly tightened. Wan Qing’s heart skipped a beat, and panic flashed across her face. She dropped to her knees before him, tears welling in her eyes as she kowtowed repeatedly, pleading.
Just then, Leng Mingye sighed helplessly and helped her up. His long fingers brushed her face again as he studied her intently. Her heart pounded—had he noticed something? Why was he not only staring but also touching her?
“Brother was just thinking… what would this silly little fool look like if those blotches on her face disappeared?”
Wan Qing’s nervous thoughts were interrupted as Leng Mingye gazed at her red-stained face and mused aloud.
“Well… Qing’er’s face wasn’t as beautiful as Eldest Sister’s before, but she was definitely a delicate beauty. It’s just that recently, after eating something, she ended up like this. The physicians couldn’t fix it either, saying it might stay this way forever. Qing’er has no regrets, though—she just hopes to live peacefully here. But…”
She sighed. “Never mind that. Handso—no, Brother, have some tea. Qing’er doesn’t have anything fancy, but she managed to prepare something for you.”
As she spoke, Wan Qing’s heart clenched—was he really suspicious of her? Yet she maintained a sorrowful expression, stepping back as if resigned to her fate.
Just then, Chunhong entered with tea. Wan Qing quickly composed herself, took the tray, and placed a simple bowl of water before him with exaggerated reverence.
“Little fool, the reason I came to see you alone today is to ask for your help in identifying whose waist token this is. If you can find out, I’ll make sure you’re well-fed, well-treated, and given a better place to stay—no one will dare bully you again.”
Leng Mingye glanced at the tea bowl before her. Though clean, it held only a few withered leaves floating in dark water. His lips twitched in distaste as he pulled out the waist token he had shown Mu Zhenfeng earlier.
Seeing Wan Qing reach for it with a faint smile, he abruptly withdrew it and fixed her with a serious gaze.
“I—Alright, Qing’er will definitely help Brother find out. But Qing’er is often bullied in the mansion. If they know but refuse to tell her, Qing’er can’t—”
Holding the token she had once carried outside, Wan Qing sighed inwardly but still accepted it eagerly, feigning helplessness.
“In that case, I’ll give you this. From now on, if anyone bullies you or interferes with your investigation, just show them this. They won’t dare lay a finger on you.”
Seeing the sorrow in her ugly yet expressive eyes, Leng Mingye unfastened a jade pendant from his waist and placed it before her.
“Brother, I—Qing’er is so happy! So overjoyed! Qing’er never had a mother, and Father, Stepmother, and the concubines never cared for her. Even her sisters ignored her. Brother is the kindest to Qing’er, so Qing’er will definitely help you find out about the waist token—absolutely! Here, Brother, have some tea. This was left by Granny Liu when she was still in Qing’er’s courtyard. Qing’er and Chunhong couldn’t bear to drink it, but Brother must try it.”
Though Wan Qing inwardly shared Leng Mingye’s disdain for the tea, she eagerly took the jade pendant he offered. A single touch told her it was exquisite—smooth, lustrous, and undoubtedly valuable.
Despite knowing this man was dangerous and possibly onto her, she beamed at him like a delighted child, tucking the pendant away like a treasure before pushing the tea bowl toward him.
“No need. I only came to ask for your help. Keep that pendant safe—just showing it will prove you’re under my protection. But remember, it’s only on loan. Once you find the owner of the waist token, I’ll take it back. I’ll be going now. Little fool, hurry up and find that person for me.”
Her enthusiasm made Leng Mingye lose all desire to stay. The small, shabby room had only two low stools, their legs cracked and uneven. He wasn’t even sure if they’d hold his weight without collapsing.
Shaking his head at Wan Qing, he reiterated the pendant’s importance before turning to leave. At the door, he glanced back one last time to remind her, then strode away.
“Brother, take care. *Whew*, he’s finally gone. Chunhong, what are you standing there for? Come here!”
Wan Qing understood his intentions perfectly. She had half a mind to pawn the pendant for money to buy better food and supplies, but his warning stopped her. If it truly held such power, she’d better keep it safe—it might prove useful later.
Watching his retreating figure until his footsteps faded, she finally exhaled in relief and beckoned Chunhong over, shutting the door behind them.
“Miss…?” Chunhong was startled by her urgency.
“Listen carefully, Chunhong. You heard everything at the door just now. The Young Master asked me to investigate whose waist token this is in the mansion. It’s mine, but Xianglan took it after I left. I’m certain she’s using it to frame me. So remember—not a word about today, or we’ll both lose our heads. Got it?”
Seeing Chunhong examining the waist token left on the table, Wan Qing lowered her voice sternly, her expression grave.
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