Qu Zheng withdrew his hand and rose, bowing respectfully to Xie Heng.
“This poison is extremely rare. It is refined from nine different deadly toxins. Once it enters the body, it eats away at the bone marrow like a parasite burrowing into the bones. There is practically no way to begin treating it. Worse still, the poison inside this young lady has clearly been specially formulated. It is even…”
He stopped before finishing the sentence.
The meaning was obvious enough.
But seeing the expression on the prince’s face, Qu Zheng did not dare suggest making funeral arrangements. He was afraid that if he did, the one needing funeral arrangements would be him instead.
Xie Heng looked toward the girl lying on the bed. Although her face was still pale, her breathing had already become much steadier.
She was a mystic master.
The Bone-Eroding Poison might be incurable to ordinary people, but for her, there might still be a chance.
“Treat the wound on her forehead properly first.”
Qu Zheng did not dare object. He immediately began treating the wound on the girl’s forehead.
He could not help sighing inwardly.
She was already in such terrible condition, yet the heir was still so determined to save her.
Could it be that he had gone out for one trip and returned with a woman he had fallen for?
Inside the study, sandalwood incense curled through the air while the candle flames flickered.
Xie Heng sat upright behind his desk, his gaze as still and deep as a secluded pool.
“Tell me. What exactly is that girl’s background?”
The man kneeling below clasped his fists respectfully.
“Your Highness, the young lady’s name is Xiao Zhaoning. She is the eldest legitimate daughter of the Kangping Marquis’s Residence and is fifteen years old this year. The marquis’s residence held the coming-of-age ceremonies for the two sisters just yesterday.”
“The Kangping Marquis’s Residence?”
A flicker passed through Xie Heng’s eyes, and his fingers paused.
The Kangping Marquis’s Residence was an illustrious family that had helped establish the dynasty.
The first Marquis, Xiao Liyan, had been a fierce general under the founding emperor. He had accompanied the emperor on countless military campaigns and accumulated remarkable military achievements.
In recognition of his loyalty and bravery, the founding emperor had later granted him a hereditary title that could be passed down without interruption. His descendants would enjoy the rank of marquis for generations.
A few years ago, the younger biological sister of the current Kangping Marquis, Xiao Yanshan, had even entered the imperial palace and risen all the way to the position of Noble Consort.
Although she had only one daughter, the Fifth Princess Xie Lingnian, she remained deeply favored by the emperor.
With such a powerful family background, how had the legitimate daughter of the Kangping Marquis’s Residence ended up in such miserable circumstances?
“Yes.”
Mo Yu continued.
“The Kangping Marquis’s Residence is one of the most prestigious families in Shengjing. Their descendants have guarded the empire’s borders for generations and accumulated countless military merits. But as for Xiao Zhaoning…”
He paused, carefully choosing his words.
“She has never been favored since birth.”
Xie Heng raised an eyebrow, signaling for him to continue.
“Her biological mother, Madam Shen, appears to have disliked her from the moment she was born. She never even held her. Instead, she secretly instructed the wet nurse to treat her own daughter harshly. Over the years, she has also abused the girl behind closed doors. She not only allowed the servants to bully her as they pleased but constantly showed favoritism toward her other children. And Marquis Xiao seems to have turned a blind eye to all of it.”
“Her father doesn’t love her, and her mother doesn’t care for her…”
Xie Heng repeated the words indifferently, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk.
“What about her siblings?”
He seemed to remember that Xiao Yanshan had three sons and two daughters in total.
His eldest son, Xiao Mingyun, was a general in charge of the capital’s defense forces. He was stationed at the military camp outside the capital, commanding three thousand elite soldiers responsible for protecting Shengjing.
His second son, Xiao Mingxuan, was the General Dingyuan stationed in the southern frontier, where he had spent years fighting the barbarians and had earned numerous military achievements.
His third son, Xiao Mingyu, was currently studying at the Imperial Academy under the tutelage of a renowned scholar of the dynasty. He was already quite well-known for his talent among the scholarly circles.
Later, Marquis Xiao Yanshan’s wife had given birth to another pair of twin daughters.
A trace of sympathy flashed through Mo Yu’s eyes.
“Your Highness, you don’t know the half of it. The Kangping Marquis appears strict and upright on the surface, but privately, he treats his legitimate daughter terribly. At some point, he heard some rumor claiming that Miss Xiao was a bringer of misfortune. From then on, he completely ignored her. Even the maids responsible for tending the fires in the residence could bully Miss Xiao whenever they pleased.”
He paused before continuing.
“And yesterday was Miss Xiao’s coming-of-age ceremony. Yet the Marchioness locked her inside the ancestral shrine. No one knows exactly what happened afterward, but Miss Xiao was driven to desperation and eventually smashed her head against a pillar in an attempt to take her own life…”
Mo Yu could hardly bring himself to continue.
Miss Xiao was simply too pitiful.
She had parents, yet she might as well have been an orphan.
If she had not escaped the residence yesterday, she might very well have been a corpse by now.
Xie Heng’s gaze turned icy.
“She smashed her head against a pillar?”
Was the injury on Xiao Zhaoning’s forehead caused by her attempt to take her own life?
“Did Xiao Yanshan know about all of this?”
“He did.”
Mo Yu nodded.
“But he still allowed the people in the residence to torment Miss Xiao. When she confronted him about it, he even turned around and scolded her for being disobedient and causing trouble.”
Silence descended over the study.
The only sound was the soft crackling of the candle flame.
Xie Heng slowly raised his eyes.
“So the legitimate daughter of the Kangping Marquis has been living… quite a miserable life.”
“‘Miserable’ doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
Mo Yu continued.
“Miss Xiao has suffered bullying since childhood. Her clothing, food, and living conditions are worse than those of the servants in the residence. Marquis Xiao never even hired a tutor for her, so she can barely recognize a few characters even now. And, most absurdly, the marquis actually intends to marry her off to one of the most notorious and brutal families in Shengjing, all so that Miss Xiao can make room for Xiao Zhaoyue.”
“Enough.”
Xie Heng interrupted him as Mo Yu became increasingly animated.
An inexplicable sense of irritation had begun to linger in his heart.
He raised his hand and stopped him, pressing his knuckles firmly against the desk.
“Now that she has entered Prince Jing’s Residence, she has nothing more to do with the Kangping Marquis’s Residence.”
Mo Yu was speechless.
When had the heir ever shown such concern for an outsider?
He had even specifically ordered Mo Yu to investigate everything about Miss Xiao and report every detail to him.
And now, before he could even finish, the prince suddenly did not want to hear any more.
But then again, Miss Xiao was his master’s lifesaver.
The heir certainly would not stand by and do nothing.
Mo Yu immediately clasped his fists.
“Yes, Your Highness. This subordinate will make the arrangements immediately. I will ensure that no one from the marquis’s residence comes looking for her again.”
“Mm. Have Physician Qu treat her properly.”
After Mo Yu left, Xie Heng remained alone in the study.
“Xiao Zhaoning…”
The legitimate daughter of the Kangping Marquis.
Poisoned.
Abused for years.
And yet she was a mystic master…
She had even saved his life.
Could she be the turning point they had spoken of?
He touched his chest.
The pain there had eased considerably. Even those evil spirits could no longer affect his mind.
He rose and walked to the window, gazing toward the direction of the Kangping Marquis’s Residence in the darkness.
He murmured softly,
“Now that you’ve entered Prince Jing’s Residence… no one will dare hurt you again.”
Xiao Zhaoning was awakened by the faint, soothing scent of sandalwood.
She opened her eyes.
An unfamiliar bed canopy came into view.
The luxurious brocade was embroidered with silver cloud patterns, while the tassels hanging from the side swayed gently.
“Miss, you’re awake?”
A crisp, pleasant voice sounded.
A pair of slender hands gently helped her sit up.
“My name is Qingrui. His Highness sent me here to take care of you.”
“You’ve been unconscious for an entire day. His Highness stayed by your bedside all night.”
Xiao Zhaoning stared blankly at the young girl before her.
Her hair was styled in twin buns, and she wore a simple, elegant pale-yellow dress with a cross-front collar. Her brows and eyes curved pleasantly, while her almond-shaped eyes were bright and clear. The slightly raised corners of her eyes gave her a lively, clever air.
When she smiled, her eyelashes fluttered adorably.
Xiao Zhaoning found herself smiling without realizing it.
She opened her mouth, but her throat was so dry and sore that speaking hurt.
“…Where is this?”
“This is Prince Jing’s Residence.”
Another maid, slightly older than Qingrui, smiled as she handed her a cup of warm candied-fruit water.
“My name is Qinghe. His Highness also assigned me to take care of you.”
“When you were unconscious, you kept crying, ‘Don’t come any closer.’ You nearly frightened His Highness to death.”
Xiao Zhaoning accepted the cup.
Her fingertips trembled slightly as her gaze lingered on the two maids.
The sweet fragrance of the candied fruit spread across her tongue.
Only then did she realize how utterly weak her body felt, as though every last bit of strength had been drained from her.
Could it be that the spiritual energy she had lost had not yet recovered?
She tried to circulate the spiritual energy within her body.
Only the faintest trace responded.
So it wasn’t that she had absolutely no spiritual energy left.
It was simply recovering far too slowly.
At this rate, she might need an entire year just to accumulate enough energy to draw a single talisman.
“Then… where is your master?”
The question slipped out instinctively.