"I will not fail the trust placed in me!"
Zhuge Qingfeng solemnly promised.
After leaving Yu Chenghuan's room, Nan Shiying turned and returned to her own.
"You're back!?"
Poison Elder, with a chopstick of braised pork knuckle in his mouth, was too busy to look up and greet her, only managing a muffled greeting.
Nan Shiying pulled out the chair opposite Poison Elder and sat down, picking up her own chopsticks.
Swallowing the meat, Poison Elder took a sip of wine, his eyes narrowing in contentment. Only then did he ask, "What is it? Who were they asking for medicine, and what kind of medicine?"
"They said it was for the sect leader of the Huanlang Sect, asking for medicine to strengthen the foundation and cultivate vital energy."
"Nonsense!"
Poison Elder clicked his tongue.
Nan Shiying nodded, "Most likely for Prince Ruyang."
Hearing this, Poison Elder finally lifted his eyes. "So Prince Ruyang of Dali is injured?"
Nan Shiying offered no confirmation, "If they are truly seeking medicine for him, then something must have happened on the Dali border that we are unaware of."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of sharp intelligence in their depths. A faint smile played on her lips, making Poison Elder's scalp prickle.
...
"Chenghuan, you were too impulsive today."
Zhuge Qingfeng frowned. If the medicine they were given was indeed poison, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"Does Senior Brother blame me for losing face for them?"
Yu Chenghuan gently and carefully placed the porcelain bottle away. Hearing Zhuge Qingfeng's slightly reproachful words, she felt a pang of wrongedness, her voice turning a bit sharp. A mocking smile played in her eyes, but her eye-corners were slightly reddened. Zhuge Qingfeng sighed; that wasn't what he meant.
"No, I'm worried about you."
He was never good at coaxing people, and his tone was a little stiff, but his care and concern were evident on his face. Just now, in front of Feng Luan, he had feigned anger at Chenghuan's disrespect, but in reality, he had been worried about Chenghuan all along.
Yu Chenghuan pouted, her voice laced with tears, "Who asked you to worry? That person, that person is a black-hearted bastard with a kind face. She's being so kind, who knows if she has some ulterior motive, some hidden scheme. If they can't... can't get the medicine from Medicine King Valley this time, then my father, my father..."
Zhuge Qingfeng's mouth tasted bitter. Seeing Yu Chenghuan about to cry, he became agitated, scratching his ears and cheeks. He of course understood the importance of this medicine for the Prince.
The Prince had fought on battlefields for years, his body riddled with sword and blade wounds and chronic ailments. Early in the year, he had been suddenly conspired against, suffering a qi and blood blockage, and had been bedridden for months. However, the Prince was guarding the border, and any carelessness was unacceptable. Both the distant capital and the faraway Beili had those who wished to drink the Prince's blood, gnaw on his bones, and devour his flesh.
This time, they hadn't mobilized the Prince's mansion guards, coming only with Chenghuan, to avoid attracting attention. Otherwise, Chenghuan wouldn't have been seized and trampled underfoot by Feng Luan.
Large tears streamed down her cheeks. Zhuge Qingfeng clumsily wiped them away, as awkward as a bear. Seeing his clumsy, honest appearance, Yu Chenghuan giggled. She pushed Zhuge Qingfeng away and wiped her tears with her hand.
However, the fatigue, worry from the long journey, and the panic and lingering fear of offending Poison Elder and his disciple from Medicine King Valley in the past few days had left her feeling constricted. Now, she was simply using this as an excuse to cry. The border was not yet stable, her father needed her, and at this time, she would not easily fall.
"Senior Brother, are we truly to protect those people until Feng Luan descends the mountain?" Yu Chenghuan bit her lip. She didn't want to break her promise, but she was worried about her father's health.
Zhuge Qingfeng nodded heavily, "We must protect them!"
"A person's worth lies in their trustworthiness."