The old woman took her hand. “We’re all neighbors—don’t say such things. Come along now.”
Madam Hu hesitated for a moment, glancing back inside. Estimating that her husband was resting well, she latched the courtyard gate and followed the old woman away.
As soon as the two figures disappeared, a woman in green robes stepped out from around the corner.
With Yang Zhen’s status, his household had no shortage of rare medicinal herbs—there were so many top-grade ginseng roots that they were practically rotting away. So, of course, Hong Ning had specially asked for two just for this purpose.
Still, she wasn’t careless enough to think the fox-woman would truly be so reckless.
She approached the door cautiously, observing it carefully for a moment before smiling slightly.
Taking out the golden peach branch with her left hand, she retrieved a talisman with her right and pressed it against the door.
The seal was lifted—but she didn’t enter immediately.
Instead, she called out, “Who’s hiding here? Show yourself at once!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, several green-faced imps tumbled out from within. Their appearances were grotesque, and they knelt on the ground, begging for mercy.
So Madam Hu had indeed forcibly bound them here to guard the house.
Hong Ning knew she had found the right place. Pleased with herself, she waved a hand, dismissing them.
—
The room was modestly furnished but spotlessly clean.
A young man lay quietly on the bed, covered with a soft, fine-quality blanket. The fabric of his inner robes, peeking out slightly, was snow-white and pristine.
The moment she stepped through the doorway, Hong Ning had assumed the room was empty.
But now, seeing this scene, she was stunned.
There was actually a living, breathing person here—a seriously ill one.
His brows were straight, his nose well-defined—his features were strikingly handsome.
He lay still with his eyes closed, showing no sign of noticing her intrusion.
Yet, Hong Ning suddenly noticed something.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile was playing at his thin lips.
He was aware.
Standing by the bedside, Hong Ning frowned.
Having dealt with these kinds of things since childhood, her body had become extremely sensitive. Even with her spiritual power sealed, she could immediately sense that something was off.
She took out a talisman and made a small test.
That one test changed everything—her expression instantly darkened.
Even a severely ill living person would still have life energy within them. Only after death would it be replaced by death energy.
But the man before her…
Though he did not emanate the aura of death, there was also no trace of life in him.
He was, quite literally, neither dead nor alive.
Hong Ning had never encountered anything like this before.
Was this man dead or alive?
A chill ran down her spine.
Meanwhile, the smile on the man's face slowly faded.
A flicker of uncertainty and unease crossed his features.
He had clearly realized that the person before him was not his wife.
Then, as Hong Ning’s gaze unintentionally fell on the golden peach branch in her hand, something clicked in her mind.
Her lips curled into a small, delighted smile.
She instinctively reached out to test something—but after a brief hesitation, she withdrew her hand.
Instead, she politely bowed toward him, even though he could not see her.
“Are you Young Master Qi?”
His eyelashes trembled slightly.
Hong Ning kept her tone as warm and natural as possible.
“My surname is Lin. I moved in next door some time ago. Just now, Sister Hu had something urgent to attend to and asked me to look after you in her place. If you need anything, please feel free to ask.”
As soon as he heard this, Young Master Qi’s expression visibly softened.
That faint smile returned to his lips, as if a little embarrassed.
A true well-bred nobleman—was he actually feeling shy?
Hong Ning held back a laugh.
She reached out, lifting the thin blanket covering him, pretending to inspect it.
“This quilt doesn’t seem very warm. Do you feel uncomfortable? Should I change—”
She stopped abruptly.
Her breath caught.
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