“She is resting in bed now, but she did not want to disturb Your Highness, so she only instructed me to fetch a physician.”
Hong Ning asked, “She’s been unwell for some time?”
Her eyes flickered toward Yang Zhen.
Yang Zhen immediately understood what she meant.
He had, indeed, been neglecting Lady Wang lately.
Truthfully, aside from his most favored concubines, he rarely paid attention to any of them—even when they fell ill.
Among royalty, such matters were commonplace.
But in her eyes, it was an entirely different story.
Hong Ning glanced down at his hand, then raised an eyebrow—clearly waiting for him to make a decision.
New love, old love.
Even for a prince as renowned as Rui Wang, this was an uncomfortable situation.
No man would be foolish enough to chase after a new lover while checking on an old one at the same time.
But if he did not go, he would appear too heartless.
And the new love would undoubtedly feel disappointed.
Especially this one.
After a long silence, Yang Zhen finally let go of her and strode toward the garden.
“Call for a physician.”
Night fell.
In the small courtyard, a table had been set up.
Several dishes of dried fruit were arranged neatly on its surface.
Hong Ning glanced around, feigning indifference.
“Are you sure he’ll come?”
Hu Yue, unaware of her true intentions, waved her sleeve, conjuring three exquisitely carved chairs.
“Don’t worry.
“He may be proud, but we grew up together.
“If he promised, he won’t break his word.”
With another flick of her sleeve, several pots of flowers appeared.
“And besides,” she added with a smirk,
“I heard there’s a beautiful woman waiting for him.
“How could he possibly refuse?”
Hong Ning lowered her gaze.
“Good.”
Now that she knew Lu Jiu was the Northern Celestial King’s son,
What kind of mortal would be foolish enough to provoke him?
Hu Yue did not suspect anything.
She simply sighed.
“How could you fall for him?”
Hong Ning smiled.
“You love Young Master Qi.
“So why can’t I love him?”
Hu Yue shook her head and gently warned her.
“That’s different.
“My third brother… is a good man.”
She hesitated before adding,
“But my cousin?
“He’s just a pretty face.”
“Since birth, he had three tails, and our uncle has adored him ever since he was a child.
“He was spoiled rotten.
“Because of that, he never took cultivation seriously—
“All he ever does is cause trouble and provoke people wherever he goes.
“But in all these years, I’ve never seen him…
“Truly care about a single woman.”
Hong Ning lifted her gaze to Hu Yue, and for the first time, she blinked playfully, her expression carrying an unusual hint of mischief.
“Thank you for the warning,” she said lightly. “I know exactly what kind of person he is—how could I possibly take it seriously?
“It’s just that back then, he used enchantment spells to toy with me.
“And after that, he vanished without a word.
“No matter what, I can’t just swallow this humiliation—so I thought I’d play a little trick on him as well.”
Since her husband’s only hope of survival lay in Hong Ning’s hands, Hu Yue didn’t want to take any risks.
She decided to make her meaning clear.
“He isn’t just highly skilled in enchantment spells,” she warned.
“He is also ruthless by nature.
“You can play your tricks on him if you must—but whatever you do, do not anger him.
“If you do, even I won’t be able to save you.”
Hong Ning smiled.
“Of course.
“I know better than anyone how terrifying Samadhi True Fire is.
“I wouldn’t dare push too far.
“Besides, I still need to ask him for another favor.”
Saying this, she turned toward the room.
“Looks like Young Master Qi is awake.”
Hearing that, Hu Yue finally relaxed and sighed in relief.
“I’ll go check on him.”
Life and death were governed by fate.
The Book of Life and Death dictated the cycle of reincarnation.
Once someone had died, how could they return?
Such childish hopes were doomed to be in vain.
Hong Ning lowered her gaze, concealing the trace of guilt in her expression.
A single golden drop fell gently into the teapot.
The peach branch lost its radiance, darkening into a lifeless twig, now no different from ordinary wood.
She stared at it silently for a moment.
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