"Dad, what's wrong? What's happening?" Ji Jing ran over and asked loudly as she clutched Ji Zhong's robes.
"There's something in our food. We all felt unwell after eating the same dishes. We're leaving!" Ji Feng said coldly.
The Ji family was well-known family across the plains of Changjing Kingdom, which meant this was bad news for Dong Hai Restaurant.
"Oh, Lord Medicine Saint, why would I think of doing such a thing? We haven't noticed complaints from any of the other guests..." Zhou Zhicheng dripped with cold sweat. "Host Wu, bring 1,000 silver taels as a form of compensation to the Medicine Saint!"
"We do not lack silver taels, Boss Zhou. We'd like you to seriously investigate this matter. We want to know who put poison into our food!" Ji Zhong scoffed coldly.
Zhou Zhicheng bowed obsequiously. "Please wait. I'll definitely capture the culprit and hand them over to you!"
Ji Zhong scoffed, then headed upstairs as Ji Feng approached Huq Qiyue.
"Miss Hua, have you already finished eating?"
Hua Qiyue smiled. There was nothing wrong with the food. She'd just wanted to teach Zhou Zhicheng a lesson, and had slipped a little something in the food to give the Ji family a stomach ache. Once she'd settled the matter of Tianci, she would slowly exact her revenge on Zhou Zhicheng, leaving no stone unturned!
"Yes, I have. Brother Ji, if you've got some time to spare, would you like to take a quick walk?"
Ji Feng raised his brows and said, "It would be my honor, Miss Hua!"
Ji Jing was very pleased to see her brother agree so quickly. Hua Qiyue was an extraordinary woman.
They had just stepped out of the restaurant when they ran into Second Madame and Hua Mengshi.
Hua Mengshi naturally recognized Ji Feng, since he was the famous Medicine Saint. All day, she'd been considering whether he future husband would be Prince Nan or the Medicine Saint, and she'd decided on Ji Feng.
After all, the Ji family was powerful and well-respected, while Prince Nan only had an honorary royal title.
She was stunned when she saw that both Ji Jing and Ji Feng were with Hua Qiyue but quickly hid her shock and approached them with a smile. "What a coincidence, Master Ji. I'm Hua Mengshi, nice to meet you!"
Ji Feng looked at Hua Mengshi's beautiful face. She wore a pink dress with a golden belt tied across her waist that was so slim that it could be held in one hand, far upstaging Qiyue's simple white outfit.
Her brows resembled trimmed willow leaves, her lips were like cherries that shone with pink luster, her oval face was small and exquisite, and her lips curved slightly into a bashful smile.
Ji Feng's reaction wasn't what Hua Mengshi was hoping for. "Sorry? Who?"
"I... I am the Second Miss of Hua Mansion, Hua Mengshi. Sister, have you already been acquainted with Master Ji? Why don't you introduce us?" Hua Mengshi deftly changed the topic and made it seem as though Hua Qiyue was trying to keep her relationship with Ji Feng a secret.
The Second Madame smiled and said, "Mengshi, we have already booked a private room. Master Ji, if you have some time, would you care to join us for a meal?"
The people around them looked on in surprise. Hua Mengshi was well known as one of the most eligible young women in Changjing kingdom, and she'd turned away every man who had approached her, which made her active interest in Ji Feng big news.
Hua Mengshi lowered her head shyly and Hua Qiyue almost felt like throwing up. Didn't she feel terrible putting on such an act? Of course she'd attempt to act humble in front of Ji Feng.
"I'm afraid I'll have to pass, as I've already agreed to accompany your sister on a walk. Your daughter is lovely, and I wouldn't dare to take this opportunity away from the other men who are surely eager to dine with you. Madame, Miss, enjoy your meal. I shan't impose on you any longer." Ji Feng smiled and headed outside.
Hua Qiyue was shocked. She hadn't expected such a robust refusal from Ji Feng when every other man in the city was practically in love with Hua Mengshi. He was truly an oddball.
Hua Mengshi stared at their departing figures and her eyes glowed with hatred.
Hua Mengshi's grip on Surou's hand tightened, her nails digging into the maidservant's flesh. Surou grimaced in pain but did not dare to utter a word.
Hua Qiyue, Ji Jing, and Ji Feng happily spent the entire afternoon touring the capital visiting all of the beautiful attractions. Despite having lived her whole life, Hua Qiyue had rarely had an opportunity to explore the capital, so this was a real eye-opener for her.
There was a fukugi tree at the southern part of the city that, according to legend, had been planted a thousand years ago. It was as large as a house and it's cracked bark gave it an ancient appearance.
Multi-colored strips of paper hanging from the branches bore the wishes of the people who had placed them there. A time-worn stone statue that may have once been the likeness of a girl stood in the middle of the tree. Some people said that this was a fairy godmother and that, if one prayed to her, she would grant their wishes.
" I didn't expect there to be so many attractive sights in the capital. We'll have to walk around more in the future!" Ji Jing said excitedly as she walked in circles around the fukugi tree.
Ji Feng's lips curved into a smile as he looked at his innocent sister. He then turned toward Hua Qiyue and saw her staring at the tree in fascination.
This was the first time she had been here, but, for some reason, she had a feeling that she visited this place before many years ago. Had the original Hua Qiyue been here?
A disdainful voice rang out behind them.
"Hey, isn't that the dull-witted girl? Brother Yun, I guess she must have truly found a divine psychic who predicted that we would be here today!"
Everyone turned to see Huangfu Xuan, Yun Shimo heading toward them, followed by a group of princesses and black-clad imperial guards.
Huangfu Xuan approached Hua Qiyue, his eyes full of contempt.
"Hey, Hua Qiyue! You knew that Brother Yun would be coming here today and were waiting for him, right? You only beat Ouyang Liuer by chance. You should run as far as you can before the next match or you'll die at the first blow."
Hua Qiyue blinked in surprise as she said, "Your Highness, are you expressing concern for me?"
Snickers sounded among the group. Face flushed, Huangfu Xuan shouted, "Bullshit! Of course not. Why would I show concern to someone like yourself?"
"That's right, why would someone such as myself.... be worthy of your concern? I just can't understand it myself..." Hua Qiyue stroked her chin naively, then her eyes brightened as she exclaimed, "But you were clearly showing concern for me earlier!"
Ji Feng was desperately trying not to laugh, although he didn't bother to hide the grin on his face. After all, Huangfu Xuan had earned everything he was getting.
Huangfu Xuan was livid. "You… you… I am not concerned about you! I'm just warning you that you will die in the tournament!"
Yun Shimo held him back and said, "Brother Huangfu, why are you wasting time on this person?"
The contempt was clear in his voice. Ji Jing walked over and glanced at Yun Shimo. She scoffed as she tugged at Hua Qiyue's arm and said with a smile, "Sister, is this man trying to bully you?"
Hua Qiyue blinked. "No. They are all showering me with concern, but are too embarrassed to admit it!"
Princess Huiya let loose a howl of laughter, but tried to contain it when Huangfu Xuan shot her a glare.
Hua Qiyue didn't like the imperial household based on her experiences with Princess Huizhen and Huangfu Xuan, but something unexpected happened next.
"Brother Huangfu, you really like Miss Hua, don't you? Is that why you're so concerned about her?" Princess Huiya's batted her eyes playfully.
Huangfu Xuan shot her another glare and had opened his mouth to respond when Yun Shimo put a hand on his shoulder.
Ji Feng gave Hua Qiyue an appraising look. She might seem dim-witted but she was most definitely not. She was making a fool out of Huangfu Xuan without even trying.
Granted, he didn't need much help to look like a fool.
Ji Feng shot a small smile at the group and said, "Greetings, Your Highnesses. I'm Ji Feng."
Ji Feng carried himself with a natural poise and had a certain charm to him. There was a warmth to Ji Feng not present in the men who frequented the imperial court.
A brief gust of wind fluttered his hair, and Princess Huiya's heart raced wildly.
Yun Shimo, however, was already acquainted with Ji Feng.
"Brother Ji, why have you taken an interest in this fukugi tree?"