Chapter 13: Yun Qing Is Not Dead

Outside the window, the sky was turning pale with the first light of dawn, and birds sang melodiously among the branches.

Opening the door, two maids sweeping the floor chatted idly. “I heard the young master of the Northern Commandery Marquis’s residence has taken a turn for the worse with his leg ailment. This morning, the Marquis offered a hefty reward to find a renowned doctor. If the young master is cured, the reward is ten thousand taels.”

“Ten thousand taels! The Marquis is certainly sparing no expense.”

“Indeed. The young master is the Marquis’s only son. If he can’t be cured, he won’t inherit the title of heir.”

“That child is truly unfortunate. I heard the illness is unbearable, and at such a young age, he suffers every day. It’s pitiful.”

Yun Qing furrowed her brow. Sheng Yi was her younger cousin by blood and the nephew her father always longed to see. Now, he was enduring such torment.

“I heard the Prince is visiting the Northern Commandery Marquis’s residence today. When he returns, ask Zhuque, who’s accompanying the Prince, about the child’s condition.”

Inside the Morning Radiance Hall.

“Your Highness, the news you asked me to gather about Miss Yun Qing has yielded some leads.”

“Speak,” Ye Jincheng said calmly, dressed in a dark patterned robe as he sipped tea from a porcelain cup while seated on a jade chair.

“Miss Yun Qing and Miss Su arrived in the capital from out of town six months ago. I sent people to search along the way and found faint traces near the outskirts.”

“Villagers beneath Dragon’s Roar Mountain said that six months ago, these two ladies descended from the mountain dressed as Taoist nuns. Their beauty left a deep impression. Looking at the portraits, one of them, Miss Yun Qing, even treated an elderly villager in their family.”

“Dragon’s Roar Mountain?” Ye Jincheng raised a graceful brow. “Isn’t that where the Qingxu Sect’s Taoist temple is?”

Pei Xuan nodded. “Your Highness is correct. The Qingxu Sect’s Taoist Master Yunsheng is famous, with profound cultivation, but his temperament is peculiar, and few have seen him.”

Ye Jincheng set down his teacup. So, Yun Qing was the successor of Master Yunsheng.

“Your Highness, Miss Yun Qing seems to have some connection to the Northern Commandery Marquis’s residence.”

“Oh?”

“Your Highness ordered me to investigate the purpose of Miss Yun Qing’s arrival in the capital. Our scouts discovered that besides consulting at Sansheng Clinic, she and Miss Su often lingered near the Marquis’s gate. This morning, we heard the Marquis said Miss Yun Qing slandered Miss Sheng and they had a confrontation outside Sansheng Clinic.”

Ye Jincheng narrowed his eyes slightly. She was connected to Sheng Jintang?

---

“Speaking of the Northern Commandery Marquis’s residence... Your Highness, aren’t you visiting the residence today? Perhaps you could ask the Marquis directly?”

Ye Jincheng twirled the ring on his thumb and said, “Hold your position.”

Yun Qing hurried toward Morning Radiance Hall. Seeing Ye Jincheng heading for the main gate, she ran up and blocked him. “Ye Jincheng, wait.”

He raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

Catching her breath, she grabbed his sleeve. “You’re going to the Marquis’s residence? Take me with you.”

A flicker of inscrutable meaning passed through Ye Jincheng’s eyes. He gently curved his lips. “Very well.”

Upon hearing Ye Jincheng was coming to the residence, Sheng Jintang dressed elegantly, her face adorned with a shy smile.

Zhixing stepped quickly inside and lifted the beaded curtain. Sheng Jintang was at her dressing table, hesitating over which hairpin to choose. Seeing Zhixing’s reflection in the bronze mirror, she held two hairpins against her head and asked, “Zhixing, which do you think looks better?”

Zhixing’s expression turned grim. Swallowing hard, she said, “Miss, Yun Qing... she’s not dead.”

With a soft clatter, both hairpins dropped to the floor. Sheng Jintang’s breath faltered. The exquisite makeup masked her growing pallor. Suddenly, she rose and spun around, glaring at Zhixing. “You said she was dead!”

Zhixing lowered her head, expression solemn. “She somehow came back to life, and…”

Sheng Jintang hurried to her side, grabbing her collar, cold sweat on her brow. “And what?”

“She... came here with Prince Ye.”

Hearing this, Sheng Jintang’s breath caught. Her heart felt like it stopped, and the world spun around her. She nearly fainted.

She stepped back, leaning on the dressing table. “She’s alive, and with Prince Ye?”

Zhixing nodded. “That day, Sansheng Clinic closed, and Yun Qing disappeared. I believe she went to Prince Ye’s residence.”

Sheng Jintang trembled uncontrollably. “Zhixing... what should I do... what do I do?”

“Miss,” Zhixing showed difficulty on her face and turned away. “To be frank, Yun Qing’s strength surpasses mine. You’d better prepare yourself.”

Sheng Jintang grit her teeth and slapped Zhixing. “Useless!”

---

If Zhixing proved unreliable, Sheng Jintang could only count on Sheng Yukun.

After so many years, Sheng Yukun wouldn’t easily believe a stranger’s words.

Zhixing covered her face, biting her lip tightly in silence.

On the cobblestone street, a finely crafted and lavish carriage passed by, drawn by four sleek chestnut horses lined neatly side by side. The rosewood was intricately carved with delicate patterns.

Inside, a tea table sat in the center, surrounded on three sides by cushioned seats. The carriage moved smoothly; the tea on the table remained perfectly still.

Ye Jincheng looked at Yun Qing sitting opposite him, who was happily devouring pastries from a plate, showing no signs of reserve.

He rested his hand on the table, tapping his fingertip lightly. “I heard the Northern Commandery Marquis smashed your clinic.”

Yun Qing snorted lightly. “You think that was excessive too? They acted without reason, blinded by greed!”

Ye Jincheng picked up a teacup and sipped lightly. “Did you go to seek revenge?”

Yun Qing folded her hands on the table, propping her chin, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “If I went for revenge, would you be scared?”

Ye Jincheng raised his brow. “What would I be afraid of?”

Yun Qing’s eyes sparkled playfully. “Scared of your fiancée.”

Ye Jincheng frowned. “There’s no engagement yet. Don’t speak nonsense.”

Upon hearing this, Yun Qing scooted closer and poked his arm. “Hey, if we’re not betrothed yet, then let’s just reject the match. I’m telling you, that Sheng Jintang is no good. Don’t be fooled by her looks.”

Thinking of Sheng Jintang, once he confirmed she wasn’t his childhood playmate, Ye Jincheng had no lingering feelings. Today’s visit was precisely to refuse the engagement.

But then again, if he agreed with her like this, wouldn’t he lose face?

As Yun Qing leaned in, a youthful fragrance drifted to him. His breath caught, and he shifted slightly to keep some distance, frowning. “Whether I reject the engagement or not is none of your concern.”