The waiter led the way, ushering the two women into the inn.
The ground floor hall of the inn was bustling with diners. As far as the eye could see, there was a vibrant display of colors, like peach blossoms and green willows, with violets and countless other hues. Most of them were bright red flowers, interspersed with a few green leaves, creating a distinct impression of feminine dominance.
Upon seeing the exceptionally beautiful Qingyao, the women in the hall reacted with a mixture of admiration and envy. Various gazes were cast her way. Qingyao casually swept them with a glance, neither humble nor arrogant, as she followed the waiter upstairs.
In reality, this inn was not usually this lively. It was only because of a rumor that a man as beautiful as an immortal resided there that these women flocked to this particular inn, hoping to catch a glimpse of his handsome features. To their disappointment, they were once again left wanting.
However, seeing the waiter leading the woman towards a private room on the second floor, they lowered their heads, wondering if this woman would get to meet the handsome gentleman.
In the private room on the easternmost side of the second floor, the waiter knocked. The door was abruptly yanked open with great force. It was Mingyue who emerged. His usually fierce expression froze when he faced Qingyao, and after a long moment, he stammered, "Are you alright?"
Qingyao nodded. "I'm fine." Her melodious voice, once heard, reached everyone in the room. Especially Wuqing, who excitedly said, "Let her in."
"Yes, Young Master," Mingyue replied, turning back. He opened the door to let Qingyao and Mochou in, then waved for the waiter to leave. As the waiter departed, he couldn't resist craning his neck to peek inside before finally leaving with satisfaction.
The room fell silent. The three men stared at Qingyao in unison, finding it astonishing that Hua Wenbo had not harmed her in the slightest. They wondered why.
"Are you alright?" Wuqing's hoarse voice inquired. Qingyao shook her head and lightly walked to the chair opposite him, settling down. She smiled softly, "You worried for me. I've come to bring you the antidote. I've obtained the medicine for Blood Ang."
As Qingyao finished speaking, Wuqing remained silent, merely gazing at her. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Qingfeng and Mingyue, however, appeared very excited. They spoke quickly, "Really? Did you really get the antidote?"
Qingyao nodded subtly, taking out a red pill and handing it to Qingfeng. Her eyes were clear and bright, and a gentle smile curved her lips. "Please let the Young Master take it. As long as he's alright, that's all that matters."
"Thank you, Miss Mu," Qingfeng said gratefully. If only their Young Master would be well, he would thank heaven. Their Young Master had already suffered enough; he prayed that heaven would show him more leniency and not torment him further.
"Young Master, is this the antidote?"
Qingfeng handed the pill to Wuqing. Wuqing accepted it with an impassive expression. After a brief glance, he nodded and said faintly, "Yes, this is the antidote."
Upon hearing his words, Qingfeng and Mingyue were overjoyed and smiled. One fetched water, while the other stood by his side. Qingyao and Mochou were also very happy, a gentle warmth emanating from their faces. Qingyao spoke softly, "As long as you are alright, that's all that matters."
Wuqing's exquisite face bloomed like a flower, his eyes filled with a smile. He took the pill in front of them.
"Where did you get this pill?" his voice was soft, like a breeze. Obtaining such a pill from that man was not easy; how had she managed it?
"I sent someone into the palace to find the Empress. The Empress knows of your existence. She wishes for you to return to the palace. From now on, you will no longer be alone; you will have many relatives."
"But you won't be with me anymore," Wuqing's eyes dimmed, like a flower losing its radiance. His handsome face drooped, and a strand of white hair, starkly visible, fell forward, obscuring his face. His eyes were moist. Some things, even if she didn't say them, he could guess.
"I will come back to see you."
Qingyao, unable to bear his distress, spoke softly. The atmosphere in the room became tense. Everyone seemed to feel a sense of helplessness and reluctance. After all, they had spent such a long time together; how could there be no affection?
"Will you remember me? At least, will someone in this world think of me, miss me? Will you remember me?"
Wuqing spoke softly, his face seeming to be veiled in a dreamlike hue. His eyes were as clear as a green lake, as if all his worries had vanished. His exquisite face was as pure and bright as a newborn infant's, as he gazed steadily at Qingyao.
Qingyao couldn't help but smile. "Yes, I will remember you. You are a very important person in my life. How could I forget you?"
At this moment, he truly seemed a little childlike, no longer the indifferent Wuqing, nor the Wuqing tormented by love and hate.
"That's good. Remember to think of me often," Wuqing admonished Qingyao, as if afraid she might forget him. At this moment, as they spoke, some hurts seemed to have been completely forgotten, leaving only warmth.
"Alright, I will remember. You must take good care of yourself, and don't pay attention to that person anymore. Don't give him another chance to hurt you."
Qingyao's greatest concern was this. If that man were to repeat his trick and Wuqing fell for it again, he wouldn't be able to escape unscathed.
"I won't. He will never have such an opportunity again," Wuqing's face was full of vigor, and a flush of spring spread across his flower-like countenance. His complexion had a faint rosy hue, dispelling his previous pallor.
Qingyao couldn't help but feel happy. Had the blood curse truly been lifted, making Wuqing look so energetic and his complexion so good?
"Are you really alright now?"
The usually steady Qingfeng looked at Wuqing with rare excitement and surprise. Wuqing nodded, "This time, I am truly fine. Rest assured and go back."
"Mmm, then I can rest easy," Qingyao stood up.
It was indeed time for her to leave. Wuqing was fine now, and she had to fulfill her promise to help Emperor Xian conquer the seven kingdoms.
Although she didn't know if she could succeed, she had learned some tactics in her modern life and could apply them. This would not only repay him for saving her twice but also bring fame to Fengchen Palace in the martial world.
As for the future, no one could say for sure. For Wuqing, he would always be someone who had given her much. From him, she had learned a great deal—patience, tolerance. Compared to him, she felt she was much happier.
She stood up and turned to instruct Qingfeng and Mingyue, "You must take good care of the Young Master. Perhaps one day I will return to visit you."
"Yes, Miss, rest assured," Qingfeng nodded vigorously. He watched the lady depart until the two figures disappeared from view before turning back to look into the inner room. He saw their Young Master, who had been sitting in a wheelchair, with bloodshot eyes, his body contorting, in extreme pain. Qingfeng and Mingyue rushed forward, grabbed their Young Master, and cried out.
"Young Master, what's going on? Why is this happening? Didn't you say that was the antidote?"
"It is the antidote, but he added highly nourishing elixir to it. Elixir and human blood are incompatible, so this is simply poison."
Wuqing finished speaking, coughed, and actually coughed out a mouthful of blood.