Chapter 127: Lotuses Bloom at Every Step—Killing and Saving Alike

"Brother Daofei, why are you so kind as to come out and see me today of your own accord?" Tan Xiyin deliberately avoided mentioning anything about leaving.

Jifeng looked at her coldly and said, "If you want to leave, the main gates are open to you at all times. You may leave whenever you please. The Xiaoyaofang Manor will neither stop you nor ask you to stay!"

"Oh, since Brother Daofei puts it that way, might I ask Young Masters Wuying and Jifeng to do me a favor? I wish to go outside the city, but with the heavy snow sealing the mountains, I cannot go alone. I would like them to escort me!" Tan Xiyin said with a smile.

Jifeng had not expected Tan Xiyin to have genuinely received the intelligence.

He was momentarily taken aback, unsure how to respond to Tan Xiyin, who stared back at him coldly, eager to watch a good show.

Suddenly, Jifeng gave a cold laugh, "These guards of mine are intelligence personnel I trained myself, not porters. If you need a porter, go to the accounting room to collect some silver and hire one!"

"Brother Daofei has consistently refused to let me see Jifeng. Could it be because you are Jifeng yourself, and my Brother Daofei has actually been kidnapped and held hostage by you?" Hearing Tan Xiyin's words, even the most foolish person could guess that she was one hundred percent certain Jifeng was not Qin Daofei.

Jifeng panicked slightly. If Tan Xiyin kept making a scene like this, and Steward Zhang aided her, he really might not be able to keep up the charade and would be exposed.

"Hehe, why so nervous, Brother Daofei?" Tan Xiyin said with a cold smile.

Jifeng spoke indifferently, "Since you doubt my identity, I shall come down and let you see with your own eyes whether I am truly Qin Daofei!"

Just as Jifeng made to move, Tan Xiyin suddenly smiled and said, "I was merely joking with you. Why are you so easily agitated today?"

Jifeng's hand rested on the railing, the veins bulging.

"Let us go back!" Tan Xiyin smiled faintly, casting a meaningful glance at Jifeng before having her maid push her away.

After entering the room, Jifeng leaned against the door, taking a long time to calm down.

"Ghost Physician, do you suppose I managed to frighten Tan Xiyin back, or does she have another scheme?" Jifeng asked, breathing heavily. "Do you think I should go and... silence her?"

Jifeng made a neck-snacking gesture, indicating he wanted to kill Tan Xiyin to eliminate any leaks.

Nightingale shook his head and replied, "If we kill Tan Xiyin now, and Steward Zhang has indeed reached an agreement with her, he will surely find a way to verify that Brother Qin has met with misfortune. Even if he doesn't verify it, the Xiaoyaofang Manor is already in a precarious position right now. Because Brother Qin was injured to this extent by that mysterious person, and that person has obtained the so-called ledger, he will definitely wreak havoc on the manor's business. I'm afraid this time... the Xiaoyaofang Manor is in grave danger! You had better prepare yourselves at all times. Jifeng, you go out and oversee the external business. Once something happens, you must return swiftly, take Qin Daofei and Linglong, and leave this place. Staying alive is more important than anything else!"

"Does the Ghost Physician mean that person has already made a move?" Even through the human-skin mask, one could sense Jifeng's face turn pale.

Nightingale said calmly, "Think about it carefully. That person had Tan Xiyin pressure Steward Zhang into stealing the ledger. After Steward Zhang stole it, Wuying tracked the clues to that location, where the person waiting for Qin Daofei had martial arts on par with his. That person killed Qin Daofei with poison. Had the mysterious person not appeared, no one would have known Qin Daofei was killed by an assassin; everyone would have assumed that the mysterious person was the culprit. Following the clues, suspicions would have pointed toward the direction of the assassin, absolving the true mysterious person of any suspicion.

"However, the intervention of that old gentleman disrupted their plans. He was forced to kill the assassin and then destroyed all the antidotes. To a certain extent, this implies that the old gentleman must know the mysterious person, perhaps even be very familiar with him. But why would the old gentleman save Brother Qin?

"When he went to look for the antidote, was that not the prime opportunity for the mysterious person to strike? He first used Tan Xiyin to test the waters, which is why she turned and left as soon as she decided you were not Qin Daofei. So next, will he make his move against the Xiaoyaofang Manor?

"I believe he understands the Xiaoyaofang Manor thoroughly, so even if you gave him a fake ledger, he will use his own methods to deal a heavy blow to the manor. If he delays his action, it is likely because that old gentleman is holding him back. If he does act, you must prepare beforehand to prevent a full-scale outbreak where you wouldn't even have a single path of retreat left for Brother Qin!"

After listening to Nightingale's analysis, Jifeng nodded and said, "Very well, I shall go out and handle the manor's affairs!"

As soon as Jifeng stepped out the door, he immediately closed it and came back in.

"Tan Xiyin has invited the Old Madame over!" Jifeng said in alarm.

Nightingale frowned. "To have a mother like that, Qin Daofei is truly unfortunate!"

"What should we do now?" Jifeng asked.

Nightingale replied, "Let Qin Old Madame come up. My previous deduction remains unchanged. Once you go out later, act as usual. I suspect this is merely a feint by that person. He is always cautious and clever; knowing Tan Xiyin appeared here for no reason, he must realize something is amiss. He merely wants us to think this is just Tan Xiyin throwing a tantrum, so that we lower our guard. What we must do is seize first-hand intelligence no matter what he does, so that if trouble arises, we can flee immediately!"

While they were speaking, Qin Wang Xiangyu had already come upstairs.

Hearing footsteps, Nightingale instructed, "Let Qin Old Madame enter alone!"

Jifeng hurried outside.

Sure enough, assisted by servants, Tan Xiyin had also come upstairs.

Jifeng cast an indifferent glance at those people and said coldly, "Mother, did I not say that without my permission, you are not to appear anywhere outside the Pine and Cypress Residence?"

"What, is it a crime for a mother to check on her son?" During these days, Qin Wang Xiangyu had indeed lived a hard life and had lost a significant amount of weight.

Jifeng said, "Very well, it is only natural for a mother to see her son, but irrelevant people are to get out of the Exquisite Pavilion immediately, or face family discipline!"

The last time Qin Daofei had flown into such a rage was a very, very long time ago.

Therefore, none of the attendants dared to approach. Jifeng grabbed Qin Wang Xiangyu's arm, pulled her into the room, and immediately sealed her acupoints.

"Brother Daofei, what are you doing to Grandmother?" Seeing Jifeng close the door right in front of her, Tan Xiyin furiously pounded on the door.

With a wave of his sleeve, Jifeng said coldly, "Before my patience runs out, get lost!"

He channeled his inner strength to the utmost, and that force hurled Tan Xiyin and her wheelchair tumbling down the stairs together.

Everyone was terrified; completely ignoring Tan Xiyin coughing up blood on the ground, they scattered in panic.

Tan Xiyin narrowed her eyes and hissed with hatred, "Qin Daofei, the battle between the two of us will ultimately erupt!"

With that, she coldly glared at the unharmed maid standing beside her. "Are you not going to come over and help me up? Must I beg you?"

"Yes, Second Mistress!" The maid did not dare to be the least bit remiss, supporting the disheveled Tan Xiyin as they fled in embarrassment.

Upstairs.

Jifeng and Nightingale unsealed Qin Wang Xiangyu's acupoints. Qin Wang Xiangyu wanted to scream at the top of her lungs, but not a single sound came out.

"Old Madame, listen to me quietly. The Manor Lord has indeed met with misfortune; he is right behind that screen now, clinging to life by a thread!" Jifeng tore off his human-skin mask and said calmly.

Upon hearing Jifeng's words, Qin Wang Xiangyu rushed behind the screen, only to see Wuying holding Linglong's hand and sitting by the couch. She lunged forward, trying to push Wuying away. Seeing this, Nightingale slapped Qin Wang Xiangyu across the face.

"I always knew you were foolish, but I never expected you to be this foolish. The reason Brother Qin has lived such an exhausting life is precisely because he encountered a mother like you. Do you have any idea how much your son has suffered? He was poisoned last night, and Linglong traded her life for his. Neither of them has any certainty of waking up yet. If you shove your way over there, Linglong will surely die; and if Linglong dies, your son need not think of surviving alone either. In this world, apart from Linglong, no one else can save him—no one!"

Qin Wang Xiangyu was stunned by Nightingale's slap. She pointed at her own throat and made frantic "ah-ah" sounds at him.

"Do you promise not to scream loudly? If you yell, your son is finished!" Nightingale watched Qin Wang Xiangyu cautiously.

Qin Wang Xiangyu nodded, nodding continuously.

Only then did Nightingale completely unseal her acupoints.

"What has happened to Daofei? Who is trying to harm my son?" Qin Wang Xiangyu asked, gripping Nightingale's hand.

Nightingale explained, "Since many years ago, someone has been plotting against the Xiaoyaofang Manor. Linglong and Brother Qin investigated for so many years without finding him, but we knew such a person existed. Back then, Tan Xiyin poisoned her own parents, Linglong, and the child in Linglong's womb, and later, Linglong being burned by fire and fleeing—all of it was premeditated by that person. Originally, he must have intended to use Linglong to deal with Brother Qin, but he didn't expect Brother Qin's feelings for Linglong to move her, causing her to give up her vendetta against him.

"Therefore, he orchestrated another series of events, including Linglong being poisoned, Brother Qin losing his memory due to Nuo Xier, Nuo Xier's attempt on their lives here later, and Tan Xiyin's actions just now—all of it stems from that person's meticulous planning. What did Tan Xiyin say to you just now?"

"She said... she said you and Feng Ling珑 conspired to harm Daofei to death, and that the Daofei walking around the manor now is a fake. She asked me to come and verify it. At first I didn't believe it, but she said if Feng Linglong's revenge succeeded, the entire Xiaoyaofang Manor would fall into her hands, and I would also be driven out of the house. So I came," Qin Wang Xiangyu said.

Hmph!

Jifeng said gloomily, "The Old Madame has been utilized by her countless times, yet she still refuses to learn her lesson. The Manor Lord stated that from the day the First Mistress returned, the entire Xiaoyaofang Manor belonged to the First Mistress. The First Mistress had no need to fight for anything; the Manor Lord was already willing to hand everything over to her on a silver platter."

Qin Wang Xiangyu said nothing. She quietly gazed at Qin Daofei on the couch.

Nightingale said, "Old Madame, if the news of Brother Qin's critical illness or death were to spread, what do you think would happen?"

"Rest assured, I will go and tell everyone that you are Daofei!" Qin Wang Xiangyu grasped Jifeng's hand and said firmly.

Phew!

Jifeng and Nightingale heaved a massive sigh of relief. Both of them had anticipated how much of a scene Qin Wang Xiangyu would make upon seeing Qin Daofei lying here half-dead, but they hadn't expected her to cooperate so unexpectedly.

"In that case, I must trouble the Old Madame to help me verify my identity and then return to stay in the Pine and Cypress Residence by yourself. No matter how anyone attempts to lure you into doing anything, you must not act rashly. Furthermore, you must also be on guard against Steward Zhang. No one in the Xiaoyaofang Manor can be trusted right now; you must protect yourself. I will be extremely busy hereafter, and I do not know if I can preserve the Xiaoyaofang Manor before the Manor Lord wakes up!" Jifeng said with a sorrowful expression.

Qin Wang Xiangyu said nothing. She merely looked quietly at Qin Daofei and Linglong for a moment before saying, "Let us go. Do not let the rumors outside spread any further."

Jifeng supported Qin Wang Xiangyu as they appeared outside.

"Steward Zhang, go and summon everyone here!" Qin Wang Xiangyu said calmly.

After everyone gathered in the front courtyard, Qin Wang Xiangyu said coldly, "Tan Xiyin spoke heretical nonsense, attempting to disrupt the harmony between mother and son. Fortunately, I am intimately familiar with every single mark on my son's body, or else I would have been deceived by that wretched woman's falsehoods. I am telling you all, he is your Manor Lord, and there is no issue whatsoever! Steward Zhang, before this afternoon, have Tan Xiyin driven out of the Xiaoyaofang Manor!"

With that, Qin Wang Xiangyu walked away alone toward the Pine and Cypress Residence with a lonely stride.

Watching her solitary figure, Jifeng suddenly felt that this old madame was pitiable, hateful, and tragic all at once.

"Manor Lord, must we truly drive out the Second Mistress?" Steward Zhang asked.

Jifeng said indifferently, "That woman can no longer be kept. Drive her out!"

"But wasn't the Manor Lord the one who cared most about his bond with Tan Jian? Driving the Second Mistress away at a time like this... how is the Second Mistress to survive?" Steward Zhang looked at Jifeng suspiciously, his confidence in the explanations given by him and Qin Wang Xiangyu beginning to waver.

Because in his view, Qin Daofei's regard for his friendship with Tan Jian had reached a level beyond ordinary comprehension. For him to let Tan Xiyin leave at this juncture suggested...

Indeed, Tan Xiyin was not normally one to throw baseless tantrums; the fact that she had made such a scene proved that something was truly amiss, forcing her to act thusly. Otherwise, given her temperament, she wouldn't have caused a ruckus so lightly.

Thus, only one possibility remained: Qin Daofei had indeed met with misfortune, and for certain interests, Qin Wang Xiangyu was forced to acknowledge the impostor playing Qin Daofei as the real deal.

"As for Tan Jian and me... speaking of Tan Jian, I had Tan Xiyin's parents killed—that is my greatest debt to Tan Jian. The day I took Tan Xiyin to Tan Jian's grave, I told him clearly that his parents were killed by his own younger sister. Do you think Tan Jian would still protect such a woman after that? Do you think he would hate me for driving her away? No, he wouldn't. She killed her parents and younger sister, yet usurped Tan Jian's sentiment toward the Qin family, enjoying it for so many years—that was already more than enough. Moreover, I did not invite her back that day; how she managed to return is something I care not to investigate further. Drive her out!"

Jifeng's final instruction to drive her out was spoken with firm deliberation. He knew that perhaps Qin Daofei wouldn't have thought this way, but keeping Tan Xiyin in the household right now was simply too terrifying.

Steward Zhang had nothing more to say and could only walk toward the Miaoyin Pavilion.

At the Miaoyin Pavilion, upon learning that she was being driven out, Tan Xiyin laughed crazily—a laughter that made Steward Zhang's scalp prickle with fear. He was terrified that this woman, in a fit of agitation, would spill all their secrets!

"Second Mistress, this humble servant did plead with the Manor Lord on your behalf, but he said you can no longer continue residing in the Xiaoyaofang Manor. Please leave immediately!" The message Steward Zhang wanted to convey to Tan Xiyin was: I tried to help you, but since the Manor Lord demands your departure, my hands are tied.

Heh!

Tan Xiyin laughed seductively, "Leave, I shall leave. But do not forget to restore the secret tunnel; I shall be coming to sleep with you tonight!"

"Tan Xiyin, what will it take for you to let me go?" Steward Zhang panicked.

Tan Xiyin said gloomily, "What are you afraid of? Let me tell you, the so-called Manor Lord standing before you right now is absolutely not your true Manor Lord. Your real Manor Lord has already been poisoned and killed! Tsk tsk tsk, this pitiful Jifeng still hopes to single-handedly deal with that person. Qin Daofei fought him for five years without even knowing who he was, only to die at his hands! Hahahaha!"

"Is that true?" Steward Zhang found it hard to believe. If things truly stood thusly, then he...

No, this matter had to be reported to the Master!

Steward Zhang looked at Tan Xiyin and said, "I will restore the secret tunnel, but you must leave the Xiaoyaofang Manor in front of everyone right now!"

With that, Steward Zhang retrieved a pouch of silver and handed it to Tan Xiyin. "My means are limited, but if you need my assistance in the future, I will do my best to help you!"

Hahahaha!

"Do you take me for a beggar?" Tan Xiyin angrily pushed Steward Zhang away and said coldly, "Within five days, prepare thirty thousand taels in bank notes for me. I am leaving this place; once I leave, you will be safe. But if you wish for Qin Daofei's group of guards to discover that you cuckolded their revered Manor Lord, they will tear you to pieces, and your fate will be no better than embezzling thirty thousand taels from the Xiaoyaofang Manor!"

Having spoken, Tan Xiyin set about packing her valuables.

Steward Zhang contemplated killing Tan Xiyin several times, but he feared she had indeed left behind evidence. If she died within the Xiaoyaofang Manor and the evidence surfaced, his end would be uglier than anyone else's.

"Very well, within five days, I will prepare the thirty thousand taels for you!" Steward Zhang thought to himself that as long as this formidable deity could be sent away, thirty thousand taels was a small price to pay.

Tan Xiyin was driven out of the Xiaoyaofang Manor in isolation. Sitting in her damaged wheelchair, she cast a gloomy parting glance at the manor's plaque, hissing like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, "One day, I will return in glory, and watch Feng Linglong and the others all die here. As for Qin Daofei, you originally escaped death by the skin of your teeth, but I refuse to believe you can evade this fatal poisoning!"

With Tan Xiyin driven out, the Xiaoyaofang Manor seemingly regained its tranquility.

However, Jifeng alone knew that the Xiaoyaofang Manor had never truly been peaceful.

That night, Nightingale watched Wuying, who had been holding Linglong's hand for twelve solid hours, and said, "I am going to remove the dressings from Feng Linglong's wound. If the blood still hasn't coagulated, Jifeng, you must use the old method and continue applying medicine. Wuying, I presume you will need to continue holding Linglong's hand for another twelve hours."

"Very well, Ghost Physician, do as you see fit. I am fine!" Wuying replied.

Nightingale fetched some medicinal wine and poured it gently over Linglong's wound, attempting to soften the adhesion between the cloth and her skin.

Even when such harsh medicinal wine was poured on, Linglong showed no sensation whatsoever, causing Nightingale's heart to sink involuntarily. I'm afraid this time...

Nightingale used an entire bottle of precious medicinal wine to soak Linglong's wound before gently peeling away the white cloth on her hand. Fortunately, the wound on Linglong's hand did not gush blood anew.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Puff!

Yet before that breath could be fully exhaled, the wound on Linglong's hand erupted like a subterranean spring, blood gushing forth once more.

All three of them were startled, but Nightingale was quick-witted, using a piece of cloth kept close at hand to block Linglong's wound. After several continuous attempts, he finally allowed Wuying to press down on Linglong's wound again.

Wuying and Jifeng looked at Nightingale with furrowed brows. "Ghost Physician, is the First Mistress truly beyond saving?"

"This outcome is actually for the better; it proves that the poisonous blood within her body has not yet been purified, which is why she hasn't awakened. If the wound had healed and your First Mistress still hadn't woken up, that would truly be disastrous!" In truth, Nightingale was only comforting them. Although such a situation had its reassuring logic, who could really say for sure?

That night, Steward Zhang stealthily left the Xiaoyaofang Manor, arrived at a dilapidated house, and called out softly a few times, "Master... Master..."

"What is it?" The middle-aged man emerged from the shadows and asked indifferently.

Steward Zhang knelt on the ground and said, "Master, the current Manor Lord of the Xiaoyaofang Manor does not appear to be the real one. This subordinate fears the true Manor Lord has been harmed by them, so I came specifically to inform you, Master. How should this be resolved?"

"Audacious... Is that a matter for you to question?" The middle-aged man suddenly snapped in a harsh tone.

Terrified, Steward Zhang trembled as he knelt on the ground.

"The current Xiaoyaofang Manor is rocking in the wind and rain. If you utter such useless nonsense again, do not blame me for being ruthless!" Although the middle-aged man's tone softened, it remained laden with murderous intent.

Groveling on the ground, Steward Zhang stammered, "This subordinate will never dare to speculate wildly again!"

"Get out!" The middle-aged man flicked his sleeve lightly and said coldly.

Steward Zhang was more than eager to leave; scrambling to his feet, he fled in a hurry.

Hmph!

The middle-aged man watched Steward Zhang's departing back and muttered coldly, "Useless trash!"

Meanwhile, regarding Tan Xiyin.

After being driven out of the Xiaoyaofang Manor, she went to a small inn situated beside the Hundred Herbs Pharmacy.

"Well, if it isn't the Second Mistress of the Xiaoyaofang Manor? What brings you to our humble establishment at this hour?" Tan Xiyin was somewhat of a celebrity in the capital city, so people readily recognized her upon sight.

Tan Xiyin smiled faintly, "Although I am the Second Mistress of the Xiaoyaofang Manor, I am ultimately only a concubine. The First Mistress bullied me while Brother Daofei was away, and I had no choice but to endure it."

Good-natured gossips might have heard rumors regarding Tan Xiyin, but those completely detached from such matters knew nothing of her glorious past. To them, Linglong was still that unlikable, domineering woman from many years ago who bullied the well-read and virtuous Tan concubine; naturally, the innkeeper felt sympathy for the delicate Tan Xiyin.

"Tsk, that First Mistress is truly something else. Even as a mother, she still bullies the Second Mistress. Please feel free to stay here in peace, Second Mistress. Shall I have the boy open a premium room for you?" Being a businessman, the innkeeper naturally steered the conversation toward lodging as he spoke.

Tan Xiyin looked at the inn's environment and said, "Never mind. I have nothing to my name right now, and I have no idea when Brother Daofei will return. Just open an ordinary room for me to stay in for now."

"Such an exquisite lady, and with mobility issues at that, how could you possibly stay in an ordinary room? Acting on my master's orders, I have come to deliver silver to the lady... Innkeeper, prepare a premium suite properly. Miss Tan wishes to stay here; this is three months' room and board in advance. Take it now—if she leaves early, you will refund the balance, and if she continues staying and the funds run short, I shall return to renew it!" With that, the man smiled and asked, "Miss Tan, do you mind if I carry you upstairs?"

Tan Xiyin smiled coldly, "By all means!"

The innkeeper glanced at Tan Xiyin and then at the man, thinking to himself, "Who is this person? So wealthy, and with the sheer audacity to directly flirt with the Second Mistress of the Xiaoyaofang Manor, heh!"

Shaking his head, he muttered under his breath, "Ah, life is quite the drama!"

When Tan Xiyin was carried into the room, she saw the mysterious person already sitting composedly inside.

Tan Xiyin hurriedly dismounted from the man, knelt respectfully before the mysterious person, and pleaded, "Save me, Master!"

Slap!

"Foolish wretch! I sent you to test the waters, yet you went and invited Qin Wang Xiangyu to stir up trouble. Knowing that her son was lying on a sickbed, anyone around Qin Daofei with the slightest bit of analysis would figure out your ulterior motives. It's a miracle you weren't driven out sooner. Idiot!"

Seemingly unsatisfied with merely scolding her, the master dealt Tan Xiyin another slap across the face.

Not daring to move, Tan Xiyin knelt on the ground and stammered, "I was merely too anxious to learn of Qin Daofei's fate. I never imagined that Qin Wang Xiangyu harbored such deep grievances toward Feng Linglong, to the extent that she would actually cooperate with those brats like Jifeng!"

"I told you before: Feng Linglong is the cleverest woman in this world. She merely excels at feigning ignorance, completely unlike a whore like you. Aside from whoring in men's arms, what else are you good for?" The man humiliated Tan Xiyin with his words.

Yet Tan Xiyin did not dare to utter a single word of rebuttal, which showed just how terrified she was of this master's methods.

"Master, though I have been driven out, I still have people remaining inside the Xiaoyaofang Manor. I can return whenever I wish, and obtain any intelligence I desire at any time. I beg Master to spare me!" Tan Xiyin did not want to die. Having survived in such a wretched manner up to this point, if Qin Daofei were truly dead, she could only wait to witness Feng Linglong's agony; thus, she could not afford to die!

Hmph!

The master let out a cold snort. "If you ever pull another stunt like this and ruin my grand plan, I will have countless men accompany you to bed every single day!"

"I know my wrongdoings, Master! I will never dare do it again!" Tan Xiyin was scared out of her wits.

Clutching her arms, she watched as the master vanished through the window like a gust of wind.

Collapsing onto the floor in utter exhaustion, Tan Xiyin hissed fiercely, "All of you—I will make every single one of you feel the wrath of Tan Xiyin!"

After the master and his subordinate departed from Tan Xiyin's quarters, the subordinate asked, "Master, do you suppose Feng Linglong used the Step-by-Step Lotus within her body to save Qin Daofei?"

...

The master paused in his steps, sighed softly, and said, "If she truly dared to do that, it is her destiny. But if Qin Daofei is still alive, I will make him taste the bitterness of destitution!"

"Shall this subordinate go and probe further?" the man asked.

The master shook his head. "No need. You cannot approach that place. These few days, we will focus solely on our own objectives. That old codger is searching everywhere for me; if I am caught, my end will be gruesome. I will not step outside for these next few days. Handle minor matters yourselves, and report major issues upon my return."

"Understood, this subordinate withdraws!" The man departed.

The master glanced at the window of Tan Xiyin's room, then looked toward the entrance of the Hundred Herbs Pharmacy, and smiled with a seductive, wicked curl of his lips.

The next day, Shattered Leaf City.

Draped in a heavy red fur cloak, Afei landed soundlessly within the courtyard of Hu Hanzhi's residence in Shattered Leaf City. In the dead of winter, the climbing rose trellis in the courtyard had withered entirely, leaving only a maze of thorns.

She gazed indifferently at everything before her and walked swaggeringly toward the house.

"Who goes there?" Someone shouted sharply from the dark. "This is private property. Please keep your distance, Miss. If you persist, do not blame us for being discourteous!"

"I have walked out from the depths of the Great Desert. I have accomplished everything the young master asked of me. Now that he is recovering from his injuries, am I not even allowed to come and check on him?" Afei did not halt her steps.

At that moment, a young man stepped out from the house. Seeing Afei, he adopted a defensive posture and said casually, "Oh, so it is Miss Afei. What brings you here today?"

"I have matters to discuss with Young Master Hu, and they can only be discussed with him alone!" Afei stared coldly at the man.

"However, our Young Master is heavily injured and is hardly fit for visitors!" the man continued to refuse.

Afei said coldly, "I am well aware of the nature of Young Master Hu's injuries. Is there any point in trying to pressure me like this? If I truly wished to make a move, no one in this courtyard could stop me."

Afei's meaning was crystal clear: whether you consent or not, I am forcing my way in!

"Afei, cough, cough, cough... why... cough, cough, why are you in such a rush?" Supported by an attendant, Hu Hanzhi emerged from the house, looking at Afei with an indifferent gaze.

Afei stated, "I came to see you about a certain matter—a matter concerning Linglong. Are you certain you wish to discuss it right here?"

When Afei uttered those words, Hu Hanzhi subconsciously glanced at the guard beside him.

Heh!

Afei smiled bleakly, then walked forward to take Hu Hanzhi's hand. "Young Master, it is freezing outside. Let us go indoors!"

The person supporting Hu Hanzhi looked at the guard, who shook his head, prompting the attendant not to dare obstruct Afei any further.

"Afei, why are you not staying by Linglong's side?" In Hu Hanzhi's indifferent tone, there remained that familiar gentleness.

Afei smiled and replied, "Linglong is doing very well. It was she who sent me to Shattered Leaf City. She asked me to inquire whether you are still targeting Qin Daofei!"

Hu Hanzhi seemed taken aback by Afei's directness. He said calmly, "Why would you ask such a thing?"

"Because the Qin family has been schemed against time and again. Yet in the current martial arts world, aside from you, I cannot think of anyone else possessing such vast influence capable of plotting against Qin Daofei without leaving a trace!" Afei gazed coldly at Hu Hanzhi.

Hu Hanzhi sneered, "What influence do I possess?"

"Ha. Do you still need to put up a front in my presence?" Afei seated herself, locking eyes with Hu Hanzhi.

Hu Hanzhi, however, found Afei's gaze repulsive. Turning his face away to avoid looking at her, he quietly stared at the potted plants inside the room and said, "Go back and tell Linglong that I have never intentionally targeted Qin Daofei. Tell her not let her imagination run wild!"

"You tell me to inform Linglong that you haven't targeted Qin Daofei, but why couldn't you even bear to look at me while you spoke those words?" Afei had no intention of letting Hu Hanzhi off the hook.

Hu Hanzhi grew slightly irritated. "Then what do you expect of me?"

"Very well, I shall ask you another question... Back then, you claimed you wanted to exact revenge on Prince Xiang, and later Prince Xiang died by Linglong's hand. Why did you not leave Hanshi afterwards?" Afei's words caused Hu Hanzhi to frown. He retorted, "Could it be that, in Linglong's eyes, everything I did for her is still insufficient to move her in the slightest? I cannot bear to part with her; I wish to take her away with me. How could I ever bear to leave Hanshi?"

Fine!

Afei shrugged and said indifferently, "Linglong asked me to tell you that her grievances with Qin Daofei have been cleared up—everything was calculated by a mysterious person and Tan Xiyin. Therefore, she no longer intends to seek vengeance against Qin Daofei. She hopes that you, too, will no longer embroil yourself with him, and that wager... she hopes you will void it."

"Impossible. A wager once made, how can it be voided?" The guard pushed the door open and said coldly.

Afei turned to look at the man and said indifferently, "Firstly, everything Hanzhi did previously was for Linglong's sake, but since Linglong has laid down her hatred, you have no reason to target Qin Daofei regardless. Secondly, even if you are a businessman who values profit above Linglong, Linglong avenged you after all. In terms of sentiment, you ought not to continue targeting the Xiaoyaofang Manor and plunging Linglong into a life of hardship... Furthermore, need I remind you why Linglong was poisoned in the first place?"

Having said that, Afei stared at Hu Hanzhi for a long moment before concluding, "If you are still the Hu Hanzhi I once knew, you will handle Linglong's affairs properly. If you are no longer that Hu Hanzhi, then go ahead and ruin the Xiaoyaofang Manor, go ahead and destroy Qin Daofei!"

With those words, Afei walked out.

Hu Hanzhi and the guard exchanged glances, and the guard said, "This matter must be reported immediately, otherwise if we ruin the grand plan, we will all die!"

At noon the following day, Qin Daofei, who had been in a deep sleep for three full days, slowly opened his eyes. What greeted his vision was a heavy, ornate screen. He swept a casual glance across the room and heard Wuying's joyful cry, "Ghost Physician, the Manor Lord has woken up!"

Following Wuying's voice, Qin Daofei turned his head and saw Linglong lying beside him, while Wuying's hand was tightly clasping Linglong's.

"Let go of your hand!" Qin Daofei spoke. However, having gone three days without a single drop of water or grain of rice, his throat was parched and hoarse, rendering his voice harsh and difficult to listen to.

Wuying said helplessly, "Manor Lord, I cannot let go right now. If I let go, the First Mistress is in mortal danger!"

"I remember pursuing the person who stole the ledger, only to be struck by his hidden weapon. Afterwards... afterwards... what happened to Linglong?" Qin Daofei suddenly sat up, reaching out to push Wuying aside.

Wuying shouted in desperate alarm, "To save the Manor Lord, the First Mistress used the Step-by-Step Lotus within her own body to purge the toxins for the Manor Lord. That is why her wounds refuse to heal—the moment you move, the First Mistress will bleed profusely!"

Qin Daofei's hand froze instantly against Wuying's arm!

Whoosh!

A silver needle landed squarely on the back of Qin Daofei's neck. Feeling his strength drain completely, Qin Daofei collapsed backward. Though he fell back, he did not lose consciousness; his mind remained entirely lucid.

"Brother Qin, your condition back then was utterly harrowing, and that poison was exceptionally virulent. None of us had any alternative; only Linglong's Step-by-Step Lotus could save you." Nightingale walked over from the doorway and said gloomily.

Locking his gaze onto Linglong's pale face, Qin Daofei demanded in a low, grim voice, "What will become of Linglong?"

"The Step-by-Step Lotus is the nemesis of all poisons under heaven. The toxins within your body were purified in just over an hour. However, for reasons unknown, once that salamander venom entered Feng Linglong's body, it refused to be purified. Any movement whatsoever will cause her wounds to bleed uncontrollably!" Nightingale spoke the harsh truth.

Damnation!

Gritting his teeth, Qin Daofei rasped, "You knew full well how much Linglong means to me! Why would you let her save me? I would rather die myself than let Linglong sacrifice her life for mine! Do it again—transfer the poison back to me!"

"It's useless. The venom has already integrated into Linglong's system," Nightingale shook his head and said.

"Nightingale!" Qin Daofei uttered his name in a chilling tone, and after a long silence, he said darkly, "Do you know you are courting death?"

Seeing that Qin Daofei's killing intent had been stirred, Wuying hurriedly took the blame upon himself. "Manor Lord, this has nothing to do with the Ghost Physician. We were the ones who insisted on doing it."

"None of you can shoulder this responsibility for me. Qin Daofei has already bid farewell to Chengjie. If Linglong truly cannot wake up, even if you don't do it, I will end my own life. But right now, Linglong still has a chance. The fact that her blood refuses to coagulate proves that she still holds onto a breath of life. As long as the Step-by-Step Lotus inside her body continues to purify the serpent venom, she still has hope!" Who would have expected that Nightingale, usually so frivolous and unruly, possessed such unyielding backbone in the face of life-and-death righteousness.

Qin Daofei said indifferently, "Let me go."

"Very well." Nightingale retrieved the silver needle from the back of Qin Daofei's neck, instantly restoring his mobility.

Reaching out, Qin Daofei gently stroked Linglong's cheek and asked, "Can I swap places with Wuying?"

"No. We have already tried twice, and both times Linglong suffered massive hemorrhaging. Look at Wuying—his body is covered in the blood gushing from Linglong's palms. We cannot take that risk again. But now that you have woken up, there is at least one matter you can handle yourself. Over the past few days, Jifeng has been disguised as your appearance externally to stabilize the morale of the Xiaoyaofang Manor. However, on the day you met with misfortune, Tan Xiyin came knocking to provoke us. I deduce she was likely manipulated by that mysterious person to verify whether you had indeed perished. Unable to break in herself, she even went to invite your mother. Upon seeing your condition, your mother chose to stand by our side. We have already driven Tan Xiyin out of the gates, and she is currently residing in an inn within the city, having never emerged since." Nightingale gave a concise summary of events.

Qin Daofei remarked, "The poison I contracted was serpent venom?"

"To be precise, it was poison from a Northern Polar Salamander. Such venom is intensely virulent, destroying the blood's ability to coagulate. You were fortunate; when you were injured, a masked old gentleman protected your heart meridian first. Later, he and I joined forces to purge some of the toxic blood from you. Then I sealed your acupoints while the old gentleman went off to pursue your assailant. Afterward, he reported that the assailant was dead, and the antidote had been destroyed!" Nightingale paused for a moment before asking, "Brother Qin, that old gentleman couldn't possibly be..."

Qin Daofei replied coldly, "Some things are better left unsaid. Let the matter rest here; do not mention him in front of anyone. I dislike hearing anything concerning him!"

Narrowing his eyes in deep thought for a moment, Qin Daofei stated, "You said the person who tried to kill me has already been killed, and the antidote destroyed?"