“Shadow Guard Leng, why don’t you go out and take a walk?” Pei Qingmin clenched his fist, intending to persuade her nicely.
“Heh, heh…” Leng Yue’er continued to cover the corner of her lips with a book, letting out two soft chuckles before turning her gaze toward Qu Moying.
“Fourth Miss Qu, there’s no need to worry about appearances or gossip. After all, I’m right here, aren’t I? Besides, I’m not one of Prince Wei’s people. I was sent by his mother, Consort Zhu Jing, to stay by his side… to monitor him. Yes! So you really don’t need to mind anything.”
As she recited her lines, she felt quite satisfied. These few sentences had nothing to do with the bigger picture, but at least she had said something. She could not always remain a silent background figure. Saying a couple of lines now and then was hardly tiring.
“…”
The moment her words fell, the room sank into silence. Both of them felt a trace of awkwardness. Her blunt admission of her identity made her intentions impossible to read.
“Your Highness…” Qu Moying was about to excuse herself. The situation before her felt strange, and it would be better to leave sooner rather than later.
“Fourth Miss Qu, the Dowager Consort Qu in the palace has fallen ill.” Pei Qingmin cut her off, getting straight to the point.
“One of the medicines she requires includes the huangqin that you were searching for.”
“Dowager Consort Qu is ill?” Qu Moying was taken aback.
With a soft snap, Leng Yue’er closed the medical book in her hands. She had just recalled this part of the story. So she had indeed overlooked it before. Realizing this, she leaned back and lay down on the couch, closing her eyes as she spoke lazily,
“You two carry on. Don’t mind me.”
After saying that, she truly fell silent.
The two of them watched her for a while. Seeing that she really seemed to be resting on the couch, they finally relaxed.
“Your Highness, is Dowager Consort Qu’s illness serious?”
“It is not severe, but it is Father Emperor’s will that preparations be made carefully. Especially for the medicinal ingredients mentioned, the older they are, the better. That is why all such aged herbs in the capital have been collected into the palace,” Pei Qingmin explained without concealment.
But surely one person could not use that much? Qu Moying was genuinely surprised. She had not expected the Emperor to be so attentive toward such a low-profile dowager consort.
“It may not all be used, but with Father Emperor’s orders, I can only comply,” Pei Qingmin said softly.
“Your Highness must have some huangqin in your possession?”
“I do have some…”
“When did you take on this task from the Emperor? How come I didn’t know?” Suddenly, Leng Yue’er sat up again. She had not seen him going around the capital collecting herbs at all.
“I…” Pei Qingmin had just begun to answer when he realized there was another person present. Still, he did not intend to leave his words unfinished.
“I accepted the task a few days ago when I entered the palace to pay my respects to the Emperor. You were not with me that day.” His tone carried a faint trace of displeasure.
“But I didn’t see you collecting herbs anywhere?” she pressed on.
“For such trivial matters, I only need to give an order. There are specialists to handle it,” he explained patiently.
“Oh, I see. Then carry on.” Having understood, Leng Yue’er lay back down again, unwilling to think further.
“…I do have some in my possession, but these are meant to be sent into the palace. Could it be that Fourth Miss Qu intends to purchase what I have?” Pei Qingmin finally managed to pick up the thread of the earlier conversation.
“Your Highness, I was merely asking. If it is inconvenient, then forget it,” Qu Moying replied vaguely.
“What do you intend to use it for?” Pei Qingmin suddenly asked another question. His roundabout way of speaking made Leng Yue’er, lying on the couch, rub her forehead. These princes were all schemers with endless layers of thought. Trying to guess their intentions was exhausting. Some matters were best resolved swiftly and directly.
“To regulate my health,” she answered calmly.
“If Fourth Miss Qu is unwell, perhaps I could examine you myself?” Pei Qingmin said leisurely.
Cough, cough…
Leng Yue’er coughed once. It was just a simple cough, with no other meaning.
Qu Moying froze for a moment. Today, Prince Wei’s attitude seemed different from usual.
However—
“Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness, but I am not seriously ill. I only need some adjustment. I have had a dedicated prescription for many years, and it works well.”
“In that case, so be it. Now that Dowager Consort Qu is ill, will Fourth Miss Qu not enter the palace to visit her? I have heard that she treats you quite well. Perhaps an exception could be made.” His smile carried a deeper meaning.
“An exception?” Qu Moying sensed something beneath his words.
“Dowager Consort Qu has always kept a low profile, yet summoning Fourth Miss Qu into the palace would draw attention. Would that not be considered an exception? Now that she is ill, will you not go and see her?” Pei Qingmin guided her step by step.
“Of course, I must report to Grandmother before entering the palace to visit,” Qu Moying lowered her gaze.
“I…”
His words suddenly stopped as he turned to look at Leng Yue’er, who had sat up again. Meeting her icy stare, he felt a chill and quickly looked away.
“If you manage to win Dowager Consort Qu’s favor, not only huangqin, but even rarer treasures could be granted to you,” Pei Qingmin said, regaining his composure, though he still avoided looking at her.
“Your Highness’s meaning… I do not understand,” Qu Moying said, glancing again at Leng Yue’er, whose expression had turned cold. She could not tell what had happened.
“Dowager Consort Qu is no ordinary consort. Gaining her favor is a very good thing, a very significant thing.” He smiled, then coughed softly, his face flushing red.
“Your Highness, please take care of your health. I truly do not understand.”
“Heh… Regardless, I have provided Fourth Miss Qu with a possible solution. Whether you choose to use it, and how, is no longer my concern. I am tired. Fourth Miss Qu, please take your leave.” He lifted his teacup, took a sip, and smiled faintly.
“This subject takes her leave.”
Before departing with Yudong, Qu Moying glanced back once more at Leng Yue’er, who was still seated on the couch. To her surprise, Leng Yue’er curled her lips slightly, a dimple appearing on her cheek.
Incomprehensible.
Cough, cough…
For some reason, Pei Qingmin began coughing again. Slowly, he moved toward the couch and sat down. Leng Yue’er, however, stood up, cast him a cold glance, then casually took a medical book from the shelf and leaned by the window to read.
These princes each had countless schemes. She was no match for them when it came to plotting. It was better to remain a simple shadow guard and keep her distance. They were not worthy of her sympathy.
“Fourth Miss Qu, heh… She might very well be the one Prince Wei has been searching for,” Leng Yue’er said softly, yet without mercy.
“Those almond-shaped eyes, with that faint touch of crimson at the corners, subtle yet alluring… could she be the one who holds Prince Wei’s heart?”