Ye Hanxiao sighed with self-reproach, saying,
"It's all my fault for rushing. Yunlai caught a cold and sought medical help, but the treatment wasn't effective. She's been coughing. When we first arrived in Jiang State Capital, I spotted a medical center and arranged for her to stay there. But don't worry, I've asked Lu Miao to take care of her."
"Coughing? I've got some cough pills."
With these words, she swiftly returned to her room and re-entered the Medicine Spirit Immortal Residence.
She instructed the pharmacy counter to prescribe medicine for a cold and cough. Once the prescription was ready, the medicine from the cabinet flew into the furnace. Moments later, a bottle of cough pills appeared on the table.
To her surprise, this bottle was the same wooden jar she'd placed in the kitchen.
However, she thought a jade bottle would be better.
As soon as this thought crossed her mind, a small jade bottle appeared on the table.
Ye Yining left her room contentedly, holding the jade bottle, and handed it to her brother.
"Big Brother, these cough pills are highly effective for wind colds."
Ye Hanxiao didn't open it; he simply nodded.
"Alright, I'll go right away. Don't rush to leave. Wait for me to return!"
After giving his instructions, he hurried off, not even stopping to greet Jun Jiuji.
He feared that if he delayed even a little, the rain would stop, and Jun Jiuji would take Ye Yining away.
Glancing at the heavy rain outside, Ye Yining briefly considered preparing some ginger soup for Jun Jiuji and her brother. However, she felt it would be hard to explain, so she sat by the window, watching the rain.
When Jun Jiuji joined her, he naturally took the seat beside her.
"This rain seems like it's here to stay. Ye Yining, what would you like for dinner tonight?"
"I can cook, or you can."
If not for the unexpected food delivery earlier, she would have preferred a meal prepared by the Cooking Spirit.
"In that case, you should rest. I'll check outside."
Jun Jiuji rose and gently tousled her hair.
It appeared that this morning and afternoon, she hadn't eaten much. He deduced that the food didn't suit her taste. He'd have the kitchen prepare something delectable for dinner.
Ye Yining wasn't privy to Jun Jiuji's thoughts. After he left, she contemplated how to discreetly bring out the food prepared by the Cooking Spirit.
Cooking in the kitchen was impractical, as she could go once but not daily.
Perhaps a small, portable stove and utensils would suffice?
As she pondered, Su Yu er's voice came from outside the door.
"Ye Yining, I've made some ginger soup. Would you like to come to Yunjiao and my room for a sip?"
Ye Yining furrowed her brows and pretended not to hear, refusing to open the door.
Su Yu 'er called a few more times, but receiving no response, she left with a frosty expression.
After a while, another person entered. Mo Huanchong.
However, as he called out "Ye Yining," a knife was placed threateningly at his throat.
Hoshino, concealed in the shadows, cast an unfriendly glare at Mo Huanchong.
"My princess consort's maiden name isn't for just anyone to utter. Lord Mo, please respect the rules."
Mo Huanchong's body stiffened slightly, a mixture of anger and frustration welling up.
"I used to address her that way, and besides, it's not my intention to see her. Ye Yunjiao wants to meet her; I'm merely here to deliver a message."
This was ruthless. Jun Jiuji had departed, yet he had covertly sent a guard here. Mo Huanchong hadn't even noticed.
"I don't care about the past. Any man who approaches my princess without my master's permission will face merciless consequences! Especially you!"
"Who wants to approach her? Are you insane?" Mo Huanchong seethed, his anger close to boiling over.
Was Jun Jiuji out of his mind? He'd kill anyone who got near Ye Yining?
How had Ye Yining managed to captivate Jun Jiuji?
Mo Huanchong cursed silently but dared not utter a word. He left with a darkened expression.
It seemed that getting close to Ye Yining and making Jun Jiuji despise her was a futile endeavour.
In the room, Ye Yining had indeed heard Mo Huanchong's voice and witnessed Hoshino taking action.
At that moment, she was deeply immersed in her thoughts.
However, she retained her rationality. She understood that if she were to eliminate Mo Huanchong openly like this, both Jun Jiuji and the General Manor would face repercussions.
In the past, she was the type to seek immediate revenge and lay everything bare. But now, upon reflection, she realized the necessity of a more covert approach.
She didn't buy into Su Yu 'er and Mo Huanchong calling her consecutively.
She didn't believe there was no underlying scheme.
Shortly after, Jun Jiuji returned.
Upon learning that Mo Huanchong had sought Ye Yining, he gazed out the window with a stern expression.
"He's simply not in his right mind. Let him wash up and regain his senses tonight."
"Yes," Hoshino replied before swiftly disappearing.
Although Ye Yining heard Jun Jiuji's words, she wasn't sure what Hoshino was planning, so she remained rather curious.
"Ye Yining, come over for a meal."
Jun Jiuji was quite pleased that Ye Yining had ignored Mo Huanchong earlier, and his mood quickly improved.
"Okay!" Ye Yining cooperated and joined him for the meal.
…
It had rained all night, creating a suitable atmosphere for dark deeds.
The following day, the heavy rain gradually subsided, but it remained a gloomy day.
Ye Yining had a restless night's sleep and woke up in a foul mood.
As soon as she stepped out of her room, she heard Su Yu 'er and Ye Yunjiao weeping.
Her initially cloudy mood unexpectedly cleared up.
What kind of day is it when she can witness two women crying simultaneously?
Before she could say anything, Ye Yunjiao pointed at her and began to accuse,
"You wicked, venomous-hearted woman! It's you, isn't it? You were the one who drugged Brother Mo and me last night…"
Ye Yining rubbed her eyes, thinking she had misunderstood.
"I drugged him? What did I use?"
"You're pretending! It's definitely you! Wuuuu… If Brother Mo dies, I'll make sure you die with him!"
Just as Ye Yining was thoroughly confused, Jun Jiuji suddenly appeared behind her.
He reached out and pulled Ye Yining into his embrace, his icy gaze sweeping over Ye Yunjiao, who was wiping her tears.
"Say that again, who do you want to die with?"
His voice was soft but piercingly cold.
Ye Yunjiao, who had earlier accused Ye Yining and pointed at her, fell silent instantly, her body trembling slightly.
"What's going on?" Ye Yining looked up at Jun Jiuji.
Ye Ze stepped forward and explained,
"Your Highness, this is what happened. Ye Yunjiao entered Mo Huanchong's room last night for some reason, and they were unlucky. Assassins from the Thousand Hand Pavilion broke in and attacked whoever they found. Mo Huanchong suffered serious injuries. They're crying out of concern for him."
Surprise and joy flashed in Ye Yining's eyes.
"Seriously injured?"
That was wonderful!
Ye Ze nodded and reiterated,
"Yes, seriously injured."
Ye Yining pursed her lips and cast a cold gaze at Ye Yunjiao.
"I think you're deranged. You went to Mo Huanchong's room, and now you accuse me of drugging you. Weren't you the one who drugged Mo Huanchong because you liked him? Now that you've achieved your goal, you should be delighted!"
She had no intention of being framed!
Su Yu 'er, her eyes red and swollen, looked at Ye Yining.
"Yunjiao said you drugged her and sent the assassins…"
She didn't really care about whether Mo Huanchong and Ye Yunjiao slept together or not, but Mo Huanchong's injury complicated matters.
She had always considered this man, aside from his status, to be superior to the Crown Prince in every way, especially in martial prowess.
However, now that he was seriously injured, Su Yu 'er couldn't help but feel a deep disappointment.