Dai Xu's shout was so loud that everyone around the Waterside Pavilion heard it.
Lin Yiru's expression shifted.
Zhou Ze's sword-like brows furrowed slightly.
In the next room, Lu Zhaoling suddenly burst out laughing.
Qingbao said in surprise, "Could it be that the medicine the Prince gave to Heir Zhu was wrong?"
They had just overheard the conversation next door; Zhu Minghao's scars were acting up again, and it happened right after using the medicine sent by Prince Jin.
Qingyin, however, grew worried. "If that's truly the case, this has become a major incident. With so many witnesses, what will the Prince do? Heir Zhu has suffered such a loss and been so humiliated; he's bound to go to the palace and complain to the Emperor."
When they were still at the Prince's Manor, they had heard Uncle Yun and Nanny Qing chatting about how the Empress Dowager and the Emperor favored other royal relatives over Prince Jin. Especially the Empress Dowager she was always sweet to his face but bitter at heart, never missing a chance to trip him up, whether openly or behind his back.
"The Empress Dowager has always doted on Heir Zhu. Now that she has such a serious charge against the Prince, won't she punish him severely?"
Lu Zhaoling stood up. "What charge? Prince Jin simply met a Traveling Doctor while he was out and was too naive, getting swindled into thinking the medicine was truly good. What crime is there in that? At most, it's just a case of good intentions leading to a mistake."
She hadn't actually known Prince Jin had done something like this. It seemed the man acted quite willfully; if he didn't like someone, he'd pit them as he pleased. Mm, definitely worth ten points.
"Huh? Did the Prince tell you about this, Miss? What kind of Traveling Doctor would dare to cheat him! We should probably go back and tell Uncle Yun and Nanny Qing to check if there's any more of that medicine left in the storehouse..." Qingbao was genuinely worried.
Qingyin reached out and patted her on the shoulder. "Hurry and follow Miss outside to see."
Silly Qingbao, was the Prince really that stupid? This was clearly something Miss had just made up on the spot. However, after hearing Zhaoling's explanation, Qingyin wasn't worried anymore. If the Prince dared to send that medicine, he certainly wasn't afraid of being sued.
Lu Zhaoling had already walked out the door.
As soon as she stepped out, Zhou Ze, who was standing by a pillar, spotted her. He couldn't help but let his gaze fall upon her. He felt as if he had never seen this girl before. Standing there, she seemed to draw all the light to herself, making everything around her turn grey and hazy. Only she remained clear and radiant in the entire world.
Zhou Ze raised his hand to press against his chest. His heart went thud-thud, thud-thud, beating a little too fast.
"Back to the manor! Quickly, help me back to the manor!"
Zhu Minghao's eyes were bloodshot as he pulled his clothes on, his fists clenched tightly as he suppressed the urge to frantically scratch his back. He still had a shred of logic left; if he stayed here any longer,
he had no idea how far the medicinal effects would escalate! Would he eventually lose control, strip off all his clothes, and scratch himself raw while stark naked? That would be a massive disgrace one he couldn't afford.
"Send someone to fetch Old Man Fu! He must treat me! If he won't come, use a blade force that old thing to come here if you have to!"
"Support me! You dog, have you no eyes? Hurry up and help me!" Zhu Minghao snarled at his servant through gritted teeth.
The servant rushed over to support him, but the moment he stood beside him, the stench sent his stomach churning.
"Urgh!" He vomited all over Zhu Minghao.
"Aaaaah! You motherfucker, are you looking for death?!" Zhu Minghao nearly went insane.
The young nobles watching this scene retreated even further. They were completely numb. Zhu Minghao was already terrifyingly smelly, and now with the servant's vomit added to it, he was doubly foul. It wasn't just the smell anymore; it was stomach-turning. They felt like they wouldn't be able to eat dinner tonight!
"Heir... Heir Zhu, this humble one... urgh!" The servant's hands and feet were shaking. He tried to explain and apologize, but the moment he opened his mouth, he vomited again. He really couldn't control it!
"Your Highness, it's best to stay back. Such filth..." The guards beside Zhou Ze shielded him as they retreated.
Zhou Ze looked at Lu Zhaoling. He wanted to call out and tell her to stay away as well, but before he could speak, he saw her walking toward him.
She really did want to avoid it. It was only after coming out that she realized how truly foul the stench was. Hearing the people inside earlier, she had thought they were exaggerating.
Qingyin and Qingbao hurriedly followed. "It really stinks!" Qingbao handed a handkerchief to Lu Zhaoling. "Miss, cover your nose, quickly!"
"No need. Stand over there."
They had to move in the opposite direction of the wind. Those foolish young nobles were standing downwind; even if the smell was fainter from a distance, they wouldn't be able to avoid the bacteria.
She walked to the pillar and looked up, meeting the eyes of Zhou Ze and his group. Zhou Ze wore a simple half-mask, leaving his philtrum and the peaks of his lips visible. His features were like a work of art, noble and elegant.
Purple Qi, Lu Zhaoling noted. She saw the Purple Qi swirling around him. Another person with an Emperor Star Fate.
Zhou Ze subconsciously straightened his back when she looked his way. He met Lu Zhaoling's eyes and felt they were as brilliant as the stars. Moreover, he could clearly see a flash of interest in those starlit depths. His heart skipped a beat and began to race.
But just as he thought she was going to come over and speak to him, she turned away, crossed the stone bridge, and headed to the other side of the pond. Zhou Ze felt a sudden sense of loss.
Lu Zhaoling was actually feeling a bit melancholy herself. This second person gifted with Purple Qi wasn't even under a Curse! If she harvested from him, she wouldn't even have to go through the trouble of helping him break a Curse.
However, one had to respect the spirit of a contract; she had already signed a deal with Prince Jin first. Since she was already committed to putting in the effort over there, it was better to stick to harvesting his fortune.
It saved her from having to figure out how to repay this one. Besides, Prince Jin's fortune was laced with Merit, whereas this one had pure Purple Qi without any Merit. The effects would be significantly weaker for her.
As she stepped onto the stone bridge, many eyes turned toward her. Zhu Minghao didn't know why Lu Zhaoling had left such a deep impression on him, but even without seeing her face, he recognized her instantly. He shoved the servant aside and charged toward her.
"It's you! You bitch! You dare come here to laugh at me?!"
Zhu Minghao rushed forward. Everywhere he went, a sky-piercing stench followed, a foul wind that made everyone turn pale with disgust. Zhou Ze's expression also soured from the smell, but seeing the man charge at the girl, he subconsciously stepped forward to intercept him.
Qingbao turned around, ready to kick Zhu Minghao into oblivion, when a long-handled broom was thrust into her hands.
"Use this. He's filthy," Lu Zhaoling said calmly.
Qingbao gripped the broom tightly and swung it with all her might at Zhu Minghao. She didn't even have time to wonder how Lu Zhaoling had suddenly produced a broom from thin air.
Splash!
Zhu Minghao was smacked right into the pond, sending up a massive spray of water.
The surrounding crowd cried out in shock and retreated a few more steps. Zhu Minghao flailed wildly in the water, gulping down mouthfuls of the pond with a series of glug-glugs.
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