Shen Qingyuan said indifferently, "Those are all lies."
She then handed the bowl of water to Steward Chen.
"Help him sit up to drink it. I will come back tomorrow at the hour of the dog."
After saying this, she packed her things, preparing to leave.
Steward Chen carefully helped Prince Jing into a half-sitting position and propped him up with soft pillows.
Because of the poison, Prince Jing's lips were parched and cracked; even drinking water was painful.
Therefore, during these past few days, he had not drunk much water other than his medicine.
Steward Chen originally thought Prince Jing would still have to endure the pain to gulp it down.
However, he did not expect that after the Prince took one sip, he would hurriedly swallow it in large gulps.
Steward Chen even found himself unable to keep up with the pace of feeding him the water.
The bowl of talisman water was soon empty. Prince Jing was not yet satisfied; his cracked lips moved slightly, as if he wanted more.
Steward Chen was both surprised and delighted, and he quickly poured another bowl of warm water to feed him carefully.
This time, Prince Jing only took two sips before stopping, as if he had grown tired.
Lying on the bed, he soon closed his eyes.
Seeing that the talisman water was finished, Shen Qingyuan picked up the Jade Pendant on the table and left.
"Today you may give him some clear soup, but no heavy meat. Tomorrow, prepare a sharp dagger, Golden Sore Medicine, and high-quality Cinnabar for me."
Steward Chen nodded repeatedly, indicating he had noted it down.
"May I ask, Miss Shen, where is your home? The Prince's Mansion can prepare a carriage to take you back."
Shen Qingyuan looked at the sun and shook her head.
"No need, I am in a hurry."
A carriage might save some Spiritual Power, but it was too slow.
The one-hour limit was almost up.
Mother was still waiting at the pawnshop in the west of the city.
Shen Qingyuan declined Steward Chen's kind offer and walked out of the Prince's Mansion alone.
She sensed that someone seemed to be following her behind.
Shen Qingyuan quickened her pace, turned into a deserted alley, and took out a "Flash" talisman.
"Heaven and Earth, Mysterious and Yellow, grant me your Divine Ability. I petition the Earth Lord, grant passage through this realm, Flash."
Shen Qingyuan's figure instantly vanished from where she stood.
Not long after, a servant poked his head out from around the corner, looking around cautiously.
"Isn't this a dead end? Where did the person go?"
The servant did not stay there long and turned to run toward the Prince's Mansion in the southwest.
✦✦✦
The place that person ran into was Prince Ning's Mansion.
"Your Highness, a woman entered Prince Jing's Mansion today."
Prince Ning was sitting in his study, admiring a painting.
"Oh? Did you recognize who it was?"
The servant shook his head.
"Answering Your Highness, this servant did not dare to expose himself and did not see the woman's face."
Prince Ning was somewhat displeased.
"Then where did she go?"
The servant hurriedly knelt down.
"Your Highness, that woman knows martial arts; she ran into a dead-end alley and vaulted away."
Prince Ning picked up the jade paperweight used to hold down the painting and threw it at the servant's head.
"If you can't even handle this small task, what use do I have for you?"
The servant's forehead was cut, but he did not dare to wipe it, only kowtowing incessantly.
"Your Highness, please calm your anger! This servant remembers the woman's back profile and will definitely find her and investigate everything clearly."
Prince Ning waved his hand.
"Get out. If you don't find out by today, I will skin you alive."
The servant, as if granted a reprieve, scrambled out.
Prince Ning leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Prince Jing had been away from his mansion for many years, and that damned steward had always used the excuse that the Prince did not need more people to refuse to accept servants.
He had no hidden spies planted inside Prince Jing's Mansion.
This time, Prince Jing returned with a severe injury.
Steward Chen had closed all the gates of the mansion, allowing no one to enter or leave.
No matter how he inquired, not a single piece of news about Prince Jing could be leaked.
The guards around Prince Jing were all veterans from the battlefield; assassins could not get in, and naturally, spies could not either.
Otherwise, he would not have had to send an inconspicuous servant to keep watch at the gate of Prince Jing's Mansion.
Now, a woman had entered Prince Jing's Mansion and come out safely.
Finding her might reveal the situation of Prince Jing.
Prince Ning slowly raised his hand, summoning the shadow guards from the darkness.
"Pass down the order: triple the number of men and keep a tight watch around Prince Jing's Mansion.
As soon as you see that woman appear, do not alert her. Follow her all the way and find out her residence, identity, and who she associates with."
The shadow guard acknowledged the order in a low voice, and his figure instantly vanished.
Prince Ning looked at the heavy twilight outside the window, the killing intent in his eyes growing stronger.
"My Imperial Elder Brother, weren't you doing just fine at the border? Why did you have to come back?"
"And that woman who suddenly appeared, no matter who you are, if you dare to get involved, you must be prepared for your family to be wiped out."
Prince Ning let out a low laugh, looking at the exquisite beauty in the painting, feeling she was no longer pleasing to the eye.
With a single stroke, he slashed right across her waist.
✦✦✦
Shen Qingyuan, who was being thought of by Prince Ning.
Managed to teleport back to the pawnshop in the west of the city just at the one-hour limit.
"Mother, I'm back."
Gu Minglan had already finished talking with Shopkeeper Zhao.
Now, she was sitting alone at the table drinking tea.
On the table were several plates of exquisite pastries.
Seeing her daughter return safely, Gu Minglan set down the teacup in her hand.
"Why were you gone for so long? Did someone make things difficult for you?"
If Prince Jing was not doing well, Gu Minglan would take the token of the Marquis of Zhenbei and beg the Heir of the Duke of Zhenguo to help annul the engagement.
His Majesty had granted the marriage, so generally, there was no reason to refuse.
But the Marquis of Zhenbei's family had been almost completely wiped out back then, and he was posthumously granted the title of Duke of Zhenguo by His Majesty.
He had also promised a favor; as long as the request was not too outrageous, it could be fulfilled.
Gu Minglan had originally intended to use the contract for this purpose.
Using the agreement between the Gu Family and the Marquis of Zhenbei to trade for her Yuan'er's freedom.
Shen Qingyuan had teleported twice and had consumed quite a bit of Spiritual Energy.
Looking at the snacks on the table, she felt a bit hungry.
She first picked up a piece of pastry and stuffed it into her mouth before answering Gu Minglan's question.
"No, who would dare to make things difficult for me?"
She was, after all, Master's most proud Closing-door Disciple; she was welcomed everywhere she went, alright?
Shen Qingyuan took out the fifty thousand taels of silver banknotes from her bosom and briefly explained what had happened.
"Gu Poison?"
Gu Minglan had followed Shen Qingyuan and had heard many strange things, so her acceptance was quite good.
"Yuan'er, can you cure it?"
Shen Qingyuan thought for a moment; Prince Jing's situation was a bit complicated, and she estimated she couldn't handle it alone.
She would probably have to call for Fourth Senior Brother when the time came.
But calling for help was just that.
"It's not a big problem."
Gu Minglan felt relieved and remembered another matter.
"Then, what do you think of Prince Jing?"
✦✦✦