Pop~!
Yun Qingqing successfully borrowed a breath of Yang Qi and immediately formed a hand seal, finally stabilizing her spiritual soul. Only then did she let out a long sigh of relief.
Just as she was about to pull away, she found her waist tightly locked in place, unable to move.
The man’s expression was dark and unreadable.
“Ahem! It was an emergency just now, Your Highness, please don’t blame me. After all, if something happened to me, there would be no one to treat your illness, right? Hehe…” Their faces were still very close, and Yun Qingqing shrank back, unusually lacking in confidence.
Hiss, this man’s face was flawless from every angle—the impact was a bit overwhelming.
“Having taken advantage of this prince, do you not intend to give an explanation?” the man asked in a low voice.
“What kind of explanation do you want?” the woman suddenly became alert.
Xiao Changheng’s lips curved slightly:
“Let this prince look at you again, and I’ll let the matter slide. How about that?”
“…Are you sure?” Yun Qingqing narrowed her eyes.
Could it be that he didn’t see clearly last time and later heard she was ugly, so he wanted to confirm it again?
If he saw clearly this time, would he call off the engagement…
“Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to fully heal my eyes before the wedding. Just like last time, one glance will suffice.” Sensing her hesitation, Xiao Changheng coaxed gently.
…That’s true. As long as he still wanted to regain his sight, there was no need to fear him calling off the engagement.
Thinking this, Yun Qingqing nodded. After a moment’s thought, she kindly reminded him:
“My face right now is quite frightening. You’d better prepare yourself mentally. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“This prince is not so easily frightened.” Xiao Changheng smiled faintly.
“Alright then, you asked for it.”
This time, with ample time, Yun Qingqing directly extended her slender, pale fingertip, focusing her energy to draw in the air. A golden talismanic script, invisible to ordinary people, flowed seamlessly from her fingertip.
Finally, she lightly pointed toward Xiao Changheng’s forehead. The talismanic script flew over in an instant, disappearing into the space between his brows.
The man’s deep, dark eyes focused, his gaze landing directly on her face.
He remained silent for a long time, his eyes gradually turning cold.
Yun Qingqing’s eyes chilled, and she curled her lips in a mocking smile. “Why put yourself through this, Your Highness? Isn’t it better to avoid seeing what troubles you?”
You insisted on looking, and now you’re going to show disdain? Hmph, no returns anyway. Even if you feel cheated, you’ll have to bear it!
Xiao Changheng was slightly taken aback, his brows furrowing. Suddenly, he raised his hand.
Before Yun Qingqing could react, the man pressed his large hand against the back of her head and covered her lips with his.
“Mm!?”
Her eyes widened in shock, her gaze colliding with the man’s bottomless dark pupils. Her mind was thrown into chaos.
Xiao Changheng bit her lip hard, then released her and leaned back.
The scenery before him blurred once again.
The man lowered his eyes, which had fallen back into darkness, half his face hidden in shadow, his expression unreadable:
“Now it’s fair.”
“……” Yun Qingqing was speechless.
What the hell! Even though he was so disdainful, he still had to get even??
This man is so petty!
The Regent King, who was accustomed to having his way, sensed the young woman’s slightly hurried breathing and turned his head, his lips curling imperceptibly.
This way, she should finally understand that he had never looked down on her.
Speaking of which…
He hadn’t been mistaken last time. Those eyes… were exceptionally lively and clear, rare in this world.
Truly beautiful.
…
“Miss, you’re finally back!”
As soon as Yun Qingqing returned to the estate, she saw a young maid rushing over—it was Qiao’er, the original owner’s personal maid.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Qiao’er looked anxious:
“Madam, she… she’s fading fast!”
Yun Qingqing’s heart clenched painfully—it was the lingering consciousness of the original owner.
Her expression turned grave, and she immediately hurried toward the courtyard where Madam Yun resided.
Upon entering Madam Yun’s room, she saw a crowd gathered around the bed. Old Master Yun looked solemn, while Nanny Zhao, who attended to Madam Yun personally, watched the white-bearded physician at the bedside with a tense expression.
When Yun Qingqing saw Madam Yun lying on the bed, although she already knew her appearance from memories, she couldn’t help but be struck by her beauty.
Her skin was like congealed jade, with a delicate nose and elegant brows. Even though she had been bedridden for a long time and her face was pale, it couldn’t conceal her breathtaking beauty. Instead, it added a fragile, willow-like charm that made her even more pitiable.
After taking Madam Yun’s pulse, the physician stood up and sighed:
“She cannot be saved. She can hold on for at most another hour. It’s best to prepare for the funeral arrangements early.”
“How could this be! Madam’s life has been so tragic…” Nanny Zhao’s eyes reddened as she pleaded, “Divine Doctor Tang, please think of something! Whatever medicinal ingredients are needed, we will spare no effort to find them!”
Divine Doctor Tang shook his head:
“In my lifetime of practicing medicine, I have specialized in treating rare and difficult illnesses. If there were truly any hope, I would not speak so definitively. Even if a deity descended to earth now, Madam Yun… alas, she cannot be saved.”
“Who says my mother cannot be saved?” Yun Qingqing said coldly as she walked over.
“Qingqing, you’re back!” Old Master Yun exclaimed in surprise. “What do you mean… Did the Regent King introduce you to a better physician?”
“Where did this brash young girl come from!” Divine Doctor Tang said displeased. “I have practiced medicine for decades—what rare illness have I not seen? Madam Yun’s Wooden Rigidity Syndrome has persisted for half a year, and now her life force is utterly exhausted. If there were even a sliver of hope, I would not make such a definitive statement!”
Yun Qingqing walked to the bedside, her expression grave, and said without turning her head:
“You are skilled in medicine and have saved countless lives in your lifetime, that is true. But my mother’s illness is beyond your ability to intervene. Please leave.”
Divine Doctor Tang’s expression had softened slightly, but upon hearing the latter part of her words, he glared angrily:
“How dare such a young girl be so arrogant! I may not be able to save Madam Yun, but that is because her fate has run its course. Do you possess the ability to bring the dead back to life?”
Yun Qingqing wasted no more words on him. Instead, she pressed two fingers against Madam Yun’s forehead and focused her gaze intently.
The so-called Wooden Rigidity Syndrome was essentially a vegetative state. The household said that ever since Madam Yun’s husband died for the country, she had become melancholic and developed a heart ailment. Half a year ago, her daughter was disfigured in a fire, and her marriage arrangement with the Crown Prince fell through. Under these multiple blows, she finally fell ill and became bedridden.
But Yun Qingqing saw clearly: at the center of Madam Yun’s brow was a dense, dark mass of evil miasma, continuously draining her life force.
She had clearly been afflicted by a venomous curse!
“Miss, the cinnabar and yellow paper you requested are here!” Qiao’er panted as she ran over, handing over the items.
“Qingqing, what are you…” Old Master Yun looked puzzled.
“Grandfather, don’t worry. My mother can still be saved,” Yun Qingqing explained briefly as she quickly cut the yellow paper into small rectangular pieces.
Watching her actions, Divine Doctor Tang frowned:
“Where did this young girl learn a few superficial tricks, daring to boast so boldly? Do you know that if there is the slightest carelessness in these esoteric arts, it will only harm others and yourself!”