Chapter 190: Mengqing's Return

When Chai Mengqing followed Murong Lingxi into Xiping, night had already enveloped the entire Xijing. After parting ways at the city gate, Chai Mengqing headed straight for the Prince Nanping Estate.

Upon arriving at the porter's lodge, she was informed that Lianyue had not yet returned since going out earlier that day. A thought instantly struck her, and without lingering, she leaped onto her horse and galloped toward the Myriad Phenomena Tower.

At that moment, Lianyue, accompanied by Zizhuzi and Duoli, sat in a second-floor private booth, listlessly looking at the bustling scene around her while her heart sank deeper and deeper into despair.

Zizhuzi and Duoli exchanged glances before plucking up the courage to speak. "Young Miss, it is already very late. If we do not return to the estate soon, the Eldest Young Miss will start to worry."

"What time is it now?" As long as it was not yet the Hour of the Rat, it could not be considered breaking the promise—this was the only thought bringing Lianyue any comfort at the moment.

"A quarter past the Hour of the Boar."

Hearing this reply, Lianyue’s eyes dimmed a fraction more, and the confidence in her heart was gradually replaced by anxiety. Could Anming really have been severely injured? Otherwise, he certainly would not have broken his promise.

"Let us wait a little longer."

Just as her voice trailed off, Duoli’s exclamation rang in her ear. "Miss Yue, my young miss has returned!"

"Where? Where is she?" Lianyue sprang up from her stool, leaning halfway out of the window. Guided by Duoli, she finally caught sight of Chai Mengqing among the bustling crowd below.

Instantly re-energized, Lianyue darted toward the stairwell. She intercepted Chai Mengqing as the latter was walking up and asked impatiently, "How did it go?"

Seeing Lianyue’s anxious expression, Chai Mengqing paused inwardly. It seemed her sworn sister was truly sincere this time. While feeling a pang of sympathy for Lianyue, Chai Mengqing also eagerly anticipated Lianyue’s reaction when Murong Lingxi finally stood beside her with his true identity revealed.

Faced with Lianyue’s question, Chai Mengqing desperately wanted to answer, but setting aside the noisy surroundings, her own throat felt as though it were on fire, preventing her from offering a lengthy explanation right away. She could only reach out, take Lianyue’s hand, and squeeze out a few words with difficulty. "Let's go upstairs and talk. Rest assured, he is fine."

Reassured by Chai Mengqing’s guarantee, Lianyue’s hanging heart finally landed, though it was followed by a trace of lingering disappointment. The lingering doubt—*why didn't he show up?*—weighed heavily on her mind.

Following Chai Mengqing, Lianyue smoothly ascended to the secluded fifth floor. She watched with a sorrowful expression as the travel-worn Chai Mengqing poured herself a cup of water. It would be a lie to say she felt no gratitude, but Chai Mengqing seemed intent on prolonging the suspense. After finishing the water, she began washing up and changing her clothes.

Finally, Lianyue could wait no longer. Catching Chai Mengqing as she swept past, she pleaded, "My good sister, just tell Yue'er, is he truly alright? If so, why didn't he come?"

Having just returned to her own territory, Chai Mengqing felt an indescribable sense of comfort. Seeing Lianyue’s state softened her heart, and she unfolded the porcelain bottle she held in her palm right before Lianyue’s eyes. Lianyue snatched it away instantly.

Watching Lianyue examine the bottle carefully as if it were a priceless treasure, Chai Mengqing curled her lips slightly. It seemed they truly were acquainted now. She recited the excuse she had prepared long ago.

"Your sweetheart was injured." Seeing Lianyue instantly tense up again, she quickly added, "I guarantee there is no danger to his life!"

Lianyue’s heart relaxed once more. Fingering the porcelain bottle in her hand, she begged, "Good sister, please just tell me the rest all at once!"

"He only sustained some minor injuries and needs to go into secluded retreat in the Valley of the Medicine King to recuperate for a period of time." Chai Mengqing discovered that telling lies was no easy task. Right now, she could only force her tone to sound as normal and relaxed as possible. Yet, meeting Lianyue’s eyes brimming with happiness, an involuntary sense of colluding with Murong Lingxi rose within her heart.

It felt as though she had committed some unforgivable crime.

Fortunately, Lianyue’s mind was entirely occupied by Anming’s injuries, and she failed to notice anything unusual.

"He asked me to bring this to you, and to tell you to wait for him in Xijing. Once his wounds have healed completely, he will come to find you."

"Did he tell you what that announcement of his death was about?"

They said that once you tell a lie, you must use countless more to cover it up. That adage proved true indeed. But since matters had progressed to this point, she had no choice but to see it through. Even Chai Mengqing herself had not realized when she had begun shielding Murong Lingxi to this extent. Perhaps it was simply because of a certain person's specific words.

"Since the announcement of his death has already been made, he has severed ties with the Rakshasa Pavilion," Chai Mengqing took a deep breath. "Wouldn't that make it much easier for your eldest brother and sister to accept him?"

Chai Mengqing had originally intended merely to distract Lianyue’s attention, but the moment she finished speaking, Lianyue’s eyes rapidly flooded with tears.

Her grip on the porcelain bottle tightened fiercely.

As expected, Anming’s injuries were all because of her. She had never imagined he would do so much for her sake. Recalling the men in black hunting down Anming in the forest, Lianyue felt a sharp ache in her heart.

Why was heaven so unfair? He had already suffered so much hardship, yet why couldn't they leave him be? Lianyue wished she were the one injured and in pain right now.

Chai Mengqing was completely baffled by Lianyue’s sudden breakdown. While wondering which of her words had triggered this, she pulled Lianyue into her arms and gently stroked her back to soothe her. "I promise you, he is in no danger to his life—not the slightest bit of danger. He only sustained a rather unique injury that requires Old Man Yao to personally tend to him."

However, she could not stem the flow of Lianyue’s tears. Out of sheer helplessness, Chai Mengqing deliberately feigned instability, swaying her body slightly as she said, "My good sister, can you please stop thinking solely of your sweetheart? He is fine right now, with a skilled physician tending to him, but *I* am in trouble! If you do not stop crying and get off me right now, I cannot guarantee I won't drag you down to the floor with me. I truly have no strength left."

At these words, Lianyue wiped away her tears and hurriedly pulled back from Chai Mengqing’s embrace, looking embarrassed. It was only then that she remembered Chai Mengqing had also just returned and must be exhausted. Cursing herself inwardly for being so selfish, she quickly helped Chai Mengqing onto the large bed and tucked her in, even though she still had countless questions burning in her mind.

Yet, seeing Chai Mengqing’s eyelids drooping with sleep, Lianyue forced herself to restrain her curiosity. At the very least, she now knew where Anming was staying and had confirmation that he was well. Anyone else would never have been entrusted with such a bottle of ointment by Chai Mengqing.

Knowing that people back at the estate were still worrying about her, Lianyue decided not to overstay her welcome. She bid farewell to the drowsy Chai Mengqing, tucked the brocade quilt securely over her, and tiptoed out of the fifth floor.

After exchanging a brief farewell with Duoli, Lianyue hastily took Zizhuzi and left the Myriad Phenomena Tower. Along the way back to the estate, Lianyue felt a vague sense that something was amiss, but her mind was entirely consumed by the porcelain bottle in her hand, leaving her no spare attention to ponder further.

Hiding in the shadows, Murong Lingxi escorted Lianyue all the way into the estate before slipping into a nearby alley, mounting his horse, and heading straight for the Changyue Tower.

Through Chai Mengqing, Murong Lingxi had already learned of Murong Lingxiao’s current situation and knew this must have been his father's doing. In the end, he had once again implicated his younger brother.

Silently, Murong Lingxi infiltrated the study of the Changyue Tower. Although he still wore a human-skin mask, Old Man Qin showed not the slightest bit of surprise upon seeing him.

Murong Lingxiao, however, looked at him with curious eyes and helplessly cried out, "Older Brother, you're finally back."

Murong Lingxi peeled off the mask, revealing his original features. He cast a cold glance at Old Man Qin, who stood like a rigid tentpole, and spoke in a tone carrying a rare and sharp edge. "The antidote!"

Old Man Qin tossed over a thumb-sized pill in response. Murong Lingxi caught it firmly and strode straight out of the study.

"Older Brother, let me take a look at the antidote first." Murong Lingxiao already knew he had been poisoned by a Gu, and that this was merely a suppressant. Even so, he wished to see what the medicine that kept the Gu poison under control actually looked like.

At first, Murong Lingxi had assumed Murong Lingxiao was merely paralyzed by a mild drug, but seeing the intense focus Murong Lingxiao placed on the pill in his hand, he realized the matter was far from simple. His gaze toward the pill grew a shade heavier and more probing.