Chapter Six: Where Were You the Day I Was Drugged?

“People from the Prince of Yan’s residence came to deliver medicine?” Luo Chao furrowed his brows, asking uncertainly, “Are you sure they were from the Prince of Yan’s residence? Our family has no connection with his.”

The servant nodded. “Yes, Your Lordship. The visitor said he was Steward Li from the Prince of Yan’s household. His Highness the Prince specifically instructed him to bring medicine for Miss Luo Yunqiao’s recovery.”

How did the Prince of Yan know that Luo Yunqiao was injured? And why did he send Steward Li personally to deliver the medicine?

Luo Chao exchanged a glance with Luo Zeting; both of their eyes revealed clear suspicion.

However, since the visitor had come, they could not refuse entry.

“Go, invite them in,” Luo Chao ordered.

“Yes, sir,” the servant replied promptly and soon returned with Steward Li Sheng from the Prince of Yan’s residence, accompanied by two young servants.

Upon entering, Li Sheng respectfully bowed. After the greeting, he said, “Greetings, masters. I am Steward Li Sheng from the Prince of Yan’s household. This afternoon, our prince encountered Miss Luo, who was unconscious with a high fever on the road back to the city. He brought her back to the residence. Knowing that Miss Luo was unwell, His Highness specially asked me to deliver some medicinal herbs.”

At his words, the servant holding a box of medicine stepped forward and handed it to the Luo family.

“So it was the prince who brought Yunqiao back this morning. Many thanks to His Highness for his help and concern. Steward Li, please convey my gratitude to the prince when you return,” Madam Luo said warmly to Li Sheng.

Luo Chao and the others finally understood that after Luo Zefeng abandoned Luo Yunqiao halfway, it was the Prince of Yan who brought her home.

Li Sheng said no more, merely responding with a “Yes,” then prepared to leave. Before departing, he looked at Luo Yunqiao and smiled gently at her.

Luo Yunqiao did not understand the reason behind his smile.

“You’re truly lucky, little sister. Being picked up by the Prince of Yan on the way back has earned you some favor,” Luo Yunzhen sighed, drawing everyone’s attention back to Luo Yunqiao.

The Prince of Yan, Xiao Muyuan, commanded mighty forces and was both intelligent and courageous. Since the age of seventeen, he had excelled on the battlefield, winning numerous honors for the Yan Kingdom and was rightfully hailed as the war god of Yan.

In the capital, no one dared show less than three parts respect to him—not even the Third Prince.

A man like him was not someone one could befriend lightly.

Luo Yunzhen had lived in the Marquis’s residence for many years but had never crossed paths with the Prince of Yan, let alone have him send his steward personally with medicine.

Now, the Prince of Yan was sending medicine to Luo Yunqiao’s residence—on what grounds?

“Yes, I’m lucky,” Luo Yunqiao replied sarcastically, “If it weren’t for someone heartlessly abandoning me in my grave illness halfway, I wouldn’t have had this so-called ‘luck.’”

Her tone was mocking, and Luo Yunzhen’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

In the past, no matter who mocked her, she would endure it. Not anymore.

As soon as she finished speaking, Luo Zefeng’s face darkened instantly. He snapped, “Luo Yunqiao, stop with the snide remarks. You failed to seduce the Third Prince, now you’re trying with the Prince of Yan? You think you have any right? You really are from some backwater, utterly lacking in manners.”

“You grew up in the Marquis’s residence, yet your manners are no better than mine. I don’t even know when I supposedly seduced the Prince of Yan, but you seem to know perfectly well. Since you’re so clear on it, why don’t you explain how I seduced him?” Luo Yunqiao retorted sarcastically. No sooner had she spoken than a coughing fit seized her.

She was already feverish, and the impact of Luo Zefeng’s earlier kick was severe. Her chest ached painfully, and she was weak all over. If Jin Xin and Yin Xin hadn’t supported her, she might have collapsed. Yet these people wouldn’t stop provoking her.

“I don’t know. But if you hadn’t seduced the Prince of Yan, would he have sent his steward to bring you medicine?”

“I think you’re just shameless. I’ll teach you a lesson now so you’ll know shame and stop tarnishing Yunzhen’s reputation with your mistakes,” Luo Zefeng said as he moved to strike Luo Yunqiao again, but Luo Zeting intervened.

“Zefeng, stop it.”

“Brother, I’m not the one causing trouble—she is…”

“That’s enough! Stop talking!” Luo Chao snapped coldly. He then turned to Luo Yunqiao. “Tell me, what exactly is your relationship with the Prince of Yan?”

“There’s no relationship. I don’t know why the Prince of Yan sent me medicine. If I had to guess, maybe it was out of kindness. Like this afternoon, when I fainted on the road, he couldn’t bear to see me suffer, so he took me back in his carriage,” Luo Yunqiao replied.

“You’re not lying?” Luo Chao doubted her. To him, the Prince of Yan didn’t seem so benevolent.

“If Father doesn’t believe me, no matter how many times I say it, it’s useless. Why not send someone to investigate and see if there’s any proof I’m seducing the Prince of Yan?” Luo Yunqiao sneered.

“How dare you speak to your elders like that!” Luo Chao was furious. Since he succeeded as Marquis of Jing’an, no one had dared speak to him so boldly.

Luo Yunqiao used to be afraid, but now, having barely escaped death once, she no longer feared them.

Besides, fear was useless.

“Father and Luo Zefeng keep accusing me of seducing the Prince of Yan without evidence. If there’s no proof, then they’re slandering me. What’s wrong with defending myself?”

“Three months ago, you were convicted without evidence of seducing the Third Prince. Now you want to be convicted again for seducing the Prince of Yan? Should I send you to kneel at Zhao Jue Temple again?” Luo Yunqiao said defiantly.

“You!” Luo Chao was enraged, gasping for air. “Guards! Seize her—”

“Enough! All of you, be quiet!” Madam Luo slammed the table forcefully. “Luo Chao, you are Yunqiao’s father. Is there no way to speak properly? Besides, Yunqiao is right—everything needs evidence. Don’t jump to conclusions. The Prince of Yan saved Yunqiao and brought medicine; it’s no big deal. No need to be so tense.”

“Today’s matter ends here. You all may leave. Yunqiao, stay behind.”

Though Luo Chao’s anger had not subsided, since Madam Luo had spoken, he swallowed his rage.

“Mother is right. It was my oversight. Since that’s settled, we will take our leave,” Luo Chao said before turning and leaving.

Luo Zeting and the others glanced at Luo Yunqiao before following Luo Chao out.

On the way, Luo Yunzhen sighed, “I never thought Grandma would like little sister Yunqiao so much upon their first meeting. Blood ties truly are remarkable.”

Luo Yunzhen had grown up in the Marquis’s residence for fifteen years but had never seen Madam Luo defend anyone so firmly.

Sensing the sadness in Luo Yunzhen’s voice, Luo Zefeng hurried to comfort her. “Yunzhen, don’t be upset. No matter whom Grandma favors, I will always stand by your side. You’ll always be my best sister!”

Hearing his reassurance, Luo Yunzhen smiled brightly. “Thank you, brother.”

Luo Zeting, walking ahead, listened to their exchange but his mind lingered on Luo Yunqiao’s stubborn face.

They were both sisters, yet why was Luo Yunqiao not as obedient and sweet as Luo Yunzhen?

Unaware of Luo Zeting’s silent reproach, Luo Yunqiao remained in the hall of the old courtyard, now occupied only by Madam Luo, herself, and a few maids and elderly servants.

Madam Luo helped Luo Yunqiao to sit on a nearby cushioned bench and asked, “Do you know why I kept you here?”

“No,” Luo Yunqiao answered bluntly, sitting upright despite the pain, refusing to show any weakness.

Madam Luo’s gaze softened with a hint of satisfaction but she sighed deeply.

“I know your parents and brother favor Luo Yunzhen, and you’re resentful. But it’s not entirely their fault. That girl knows how to be gentle and coquettish, so naturally they dote on her. You, on the other hand, endure grievances but always push back. Isn’t that asking for trouble?”

Besides, you grew up away from home, while Luo Yunzhen has lived with Luo Chao and the others for over a decade. By comparison, if they favored you now instead of Luo Yunzhen, that would be strange indeed.

Luo Yunqiao smiled bitterly. “So you’re saying it’s my fault for not being loved?”

“Of course not. It’s just…”

“Enough. For now, don’t return home. Stay in my side courtyard for a while. Think over everything yourself.”

Seeing the anger in Luo Yunqiao’s heart, Madam Luo knew persuasion was useless and gave up.

“Yes, granddaughter takes her leave,” Luo Yunqiao said without lingering and soon left with Jin Xin and Yin Xin.

She arrived at the courtyard Madam Luo had prepared, familiarized herself briefly, then dismissed everyone except Jin Xin and Yin Xin.

Yin Xin carefully took out the medicine from the Prince of Yan and tended to Luo Yunqiao’s wounds. Seeing the mottled scars covering her, tears welled in her eyes. “Miss, you’ve suffered so much.”

Luo Yunqiao merely shook her head gently.

The suffering was already endured; some things could never return to how they were.

Yet—

Now that she had returned, there was one thing she had to clarify.

“Jin Xin, Yin Xin, where were you on the day I was drugged?”