"Trust me, Mr Wang. Your daughter is a good friend of mine. I won't let her down."
Wang Yibo looked into Yan Xiao's eyes, which were covered by a half-face mask, with doubt. However, seeing the calmness and sincerity in Yan Xiao's gaze, Wang Yibo decided to trust him.
He nodded, agreeing to let Yan Xiao examine his health.
"Mr Wang, please take this pill first. It is a purification pill that I made. Please position your body and activate your Qi energy. I will begin the treatment."
"All right."
"Sister-in-law, you'd better wait outside. If your father has indeed been affected by magic, then you should keep your distance during the treatment."
"All right." Yunxi stepped out of her father's room, and Wang Yibo nodded his head to signal that Yunxi need not worry about him.
Yunxi waited outside, occasionally eavesdropping in case she could hear something, but it was so quiet.
"No, I already trust Yan Xiao. He will definitely do his best."
After waiting for almost an hour, Yan finally came out of Wang Yibo's room. Yunxi, who was now accompanied by Sumi, immediately approached him.
"How did it go? Did you find the cause? Is Father really under a black magic spell?"
"Yes, I have confirmed it."
Hearing this, Yunxi's body instantly went limp.
"Then... what, can my father still be cured?"
"Fortunately, yes. You are a little late, but I can still try. I have left purification pills for your father for some time. One pill can last for 14 days. So, the number of pills I left is enough for the next two months. In the meantime, you should replace the people who work in this house, especially those who take care of your father's needs. I can help you find people, if you want."
"Alright, I don't have many acquaintances, so I'll trouble you once again."
"No problem. But replacing employees suddenly like this, especially in large numbers, will definitely cause new problems. For example, there will definitely be those who oppose it."
"It's fine, I'll find a way to deal with it before I return to the palace."
"Alright, it's up to you. I can only help with what I can."
"Hm, thank you, Yan Xiao, I owe you a great debt. I will definitely repay you one day."
"I'll hold you to your promise."
Yunxi nodded. Yan Xiao then said,
"The person who gave your father black magic is definitely not just anyone. He was able to find the source of black magic whose owner had long been destroyed, so he must have a strong group. But don't worry, studying black magic is a crime. In this Empire, the perpetrators will be severely punished. Besides, I'm curious, who is this brave person?"
"But you mustn't be reckless. I'm sure they are dangerous people too."
"Wait, didn't you say earlier that you suspect someone in your family?"
Yunxi fell silent. She still didn't know whether she could really trust Yan Xiao or not...
"It's okay if you don't want to tell me. We've only known each other for a short time, and I know you can't trust me yet. So, I won't force you."
Yunxi closed her eyes, then whispered something to Yan Xiao.
"You..."
"I heard the plan myself."
Yan Xiao nodded in understanding.
"In that case, let's change the plan."
"What do you mean?"
"If you replace all the staff in your house, then he will know that you already know something, so just assign one person to watch over everything about your father. I will send my people. I guarantee they are very reliable."
"Thank you, Yan Xiao. I am truly grateful."
"Don't thank me. You promised to repay me."
"Of course! I would never forget!"
"All right, I'll hold you to your promise."
Yunxi nodded quickly. Then Yan Xiao took his leave and disappeared from there in a flash.
After that, the next day, Yan Xiao's messenger finally arrived. Yunxi introduced the man named Jun-Hee to her aunt.
As she had expected, her aunt did not look happy, and even tried several times to persuade her not to appoint Junhee as her father's personal servant. She argued that the Wang family's servants were also competent.
'Yes, competent enemies in disguise,' Bao Jia sneered inwardly.
"Xi'er, why did you suddenly ask a stranger to serve your eldest brother? Don't we still have your aunt? What are you worried about?" asked the woman named Wang yiyi.
"Precisely because Auntie's duties in managing the household at the Li residence are already heavy, I just want to lighten Auntie's burden."
"What are you talking about? I don't feel burdened at all."
"I know, Auntie Yiyi is indeed very sincere. But, with Junhee around, I can get news about Father at any time, because Junhee has magical abilities. So, for my peace of mind, please allow Jun-hee to become Father's personal servant."
yunxi spoke gracefully and with a smile, while Aunt Yiyu, the wife of the traitor Wang Kaibo, was clearly forcing a smile.
'She really doesn't know how to be grateful. Your husband was taken in and raised well by my Grandfather and Grandmother, yet he wanted to harm their own child. If only Grandmother and Grandfather had not been deceived by your husband's false innocence, he would have ended up as a vagrant on the streets of Tian-ming."
Yunxi didn't actually like to insult people, but Wang Kaibo was an exception. She still remembered clearly the greedy look on that man's face before he swung his sword at her body until she breathed her last breath. The bastard was still laughing loudly.
"All right, Junhee, since I have to return to the palace today, I ask for your help in looking after my father."
Yunxi turned to Junhee. His face was expressionless and fierce. But when he replied to Yunxi, his voice was surprisingly soft.
"Don't worry, My Lady. My master has assigned me here, which means you can always count on me to take care of the great Lord Wang"
"Thank you. I have to go now."
Aunt Yiyu reluctantly followed Yunxi, intending to see her off. Before that, she gave Junhee, who was still standing upright in front of Wang Yibo's room door, a cynical look. Junhee completely ignored her.
Yunxi made small talk with Aunt Yiyi for a moment before getting into the palanquin.
The journey back to the palace began...
***
By late afternoon, Yunxi finally arrived at the Peach Pavilion. She was feeling a little tired.
Sumi helped her down from the palanquin and immediately took her to Yunxi's bedroom.
"Madam, please rest for a while. When it's time for dinner, I will wake you up."
"No, Auntie Mu, I don't want dinner. My stomach feels very uncomfortable, so just put some fruit on the table. I'll eat it if I get hungry. I want to sleep now."
"Understood. Have a good rest, Madam."
"Hmn... Oh yes, Aunt Mu, if anyone comes to visit, whoever it is, turn them away. I don't want to be disturbed."
"Including the Second Prince?"
"He won't come to disturb me. Even if he comes and finds out I'm resting, I'm sure he won't force himself on me. It's other people I'm worried about."
"You mean the Crown Prince?"
"No. The last time we met, we had a big fight, so based on what I know, he is someone who values his pride very highly, so he won't lower himself just to see me."
"So... you mean..."
"Concubine Liu. The news that I fell ill at my father's house because of a fight with His Highness the Crown Prince must have reached her ears. Moreover, I know there is someone who is his spy among our servants. So, do you think it's possible that she won't use this opportunity to pick a fight with me so that I..."
Yunxi raised both eyebrows and smiled cynically, and Sumi immediately understood what she meant.
"So, I need your help to prevent him from meeting me. Because I'm sure that I will bear the consequences. Supported by that bastard, whatever she says will definitely be considered true. I'm not in the best condition to fight her."
"Please calm down, Madam. I won't let her. come within an inch of your room."
"Mmm, thank you, Auntie Mu... Now you can leave me. I am very tired and sleepy."
"Yes, Madam. I will stand guard outside. Please rest, Madam."
Yunxi nodded and fell asleep a few seconds later.
Not long after,
As she had expected, Concubine Liu Qinmei came to the Peach Pavilion.
Sumi had to take a deep breath to suppress her emotions.
'This woman is really cunning. Knowing that Madam is unwell, she comes here to disturb her, surely her intention is to harm Madam. His Highness the Crown Prince could fall in love with a woman like this, he must be cursed,'
Sumi thought to herself.
Seeing that Yunxi's personal servant remained silent, Liu Qinmei's servant snapped.
"Where is your respect! Why aren't you welcoming Her Highness Consort Liu Qinmei?"
"Forgive me, I was just surprised to see the honourable Consort Liu suddenly visiting the Peach Pavilion after so long."
"How dare you!"
"Ssh, calm down, Zhi Ning. You don't need to be angry. People might misunderstand and think we are bullying a servant."
'That's right, isn't it?' Sumi grumbled silently, but he remained bowed respectfully without saying anything.
"So, is Consort Wang inside? I want to see her. I brought some supplements that His Highness the Crown Prince bought especially for me to give to Consort Wang Yunxi, as well as some fruit."
Liu Qinmei signalled to the servant carrying the gifts to hand them to Sumi.
But just as Sumi was about to receive the gift, Liu Qinmei said,
"But, I'd better give it to her myself. It doesn't seem right to have a servant deliver this gift."
Liu Qinmei smiled, her face looking very innocent and naive. Who would have thought that she was so good at hiding her true colours?
Sumi did not react. She remembered Yunxi's message that his mistress wanted to rest because she was not feeling well, so Sumi replied,
"I'm sorry, Consort Liu, my mistress has just retired. She is a little tired after returning from a long journey. Please come back later."
"Is that so? But I have come all this way. If the Crown Prince finds out that Consort Li refused my visit, I'm afraid..."
Liu Qinmei looked anxious, as if she was worried that Yunxi would be scolded by Yan Ling for refusing her kind intentions.
Sumi almost lost control and cursed the cunning woman in front of him, until
Krieeett.
Yunxi came out of her room. Her face was very cold and unfriendly, a cynical smile now perched on her lips.
"I didn't expect Consort Liu to be so talented at acting to threaten people. No wonder a foolish man like Yan Ling could fall in love with you,"
Yunxi said without preamble. She no longer needed to fear a fistfight with Liu Qinmei at this moment.
Judged badly by Yan Ling? Who cares!
After all, even though she had tried to be as nice as possible to Liu Qinmei in her previous life, Yan Ling always suspected her because he believed more in his lover's acting.
Liu Qinmei was certainly surprised by Yunxi's words. Did she just call Yan Ling a 'foolish man'?
"Consort Wang, don't get me wrong. I came here because I really wanted to see you."
"At this time of night? Wow, your intentions must be very sincere."
"I know you don't like me because I am the second wife of His Highness the Crown Prince, but can't we have a good relationship as siblings?"
Liu Qinmei's voice began to tremble, as if she was very frightened and could fall at any moment.
"I never said I didn't like you. That's your own feeling. Besides, you becoming his second wife is none of my business. You want him? Take him! I don't want him at all! You two are perfect for each other, a foolish man and a cunning woman. I pray that you will be bound together for life, even into your next life."
"You..."
"Enough!!!"
The thunderous voice startled everyone except Yunxi.
She already knew that Yan Ling had been there all along, watching the silly argument between his two wives. That was why Liu Qinmei immediately put on her usual act of a weak, victimised girl.
Yunxi folded her arms across her chest as she stared at Yan Ling, who was walking towards her.
"Can't you be nice to Qinmei just this once? She was kind enough to come visit you with sincere intentions."
"Sincere intentions? Really?"
Yunxi asked defiantly.
"My husband, don't be angry, this... This is just a misunderstanding, perhaps Consort Wang was not in a good mood, it was my fault."
"Ahhh, aren't you tired of constantly putting on an act like that? Even I am tired and bored of watching it."
"Wang Yunxi!"
"Why? Your beloved concubine came here late at night and insisted on seeing me just to cause a scene. My servant already said that I was not feeling well and was resting. If she was sincere, then she would have let me rest, especially since I am pregnant and almost miscarried. Do you think she was really sincere?"
Yan Ling was about to interrupt, but Yunxi cut him off.
"At my house, you said that you would guarantee my welfare and comfort in this palace. You said that everyone would respect me if I returned. But look, you scolded me, yelled at me in front of all these people. Who do you think is to blame for me being so humiliated here?"
"It's your fault. You can't behave properly and always cause trouble."
"Is that so? All right then, I'll give you a solution so that there will be no more trouble between us."
"What do you mean?"
"Tell your wife not to come near me or appear before me. I will do the same. Neither of you should ever appear before me. I will not appear before you either. Let's stay away from each other for the sake of peace in our respective lives!"
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
"Think for yourself!!
Yunxi turned and left Yan Ling and Concubine Liu, who was crying, without looking back.
Brakkk!
Yunxi's door closed.
"My husband... I'm sorry, because of me, Consort Wang is angry with you."
"No, it's not your fault, don't worry about it too much."
Liu Qinmei smiled quietly, when she was about to hug Yan Ling, Liu Qinmei saw Huang staring at Yunxi's room with a strange expression. She immediately felt annoyed.
"Go home and rest..."
"You... aren't coming home with me?"
"I still have work to do. When I'm done, I'll come home and keep you company."
Liu Qinmei clenched her fists tightly. However, she tried her best not to lose control. So, she just smiled and nodded obediently.
Yan Ling glanced at Yunxi's room once more and
then left the Peach Pavilion first.
His heart felt very complicated. The last time he met Yunxi, they had a big fight, and now they were fighting again. Yunxi felt that their relationship was growing more distant. And for some reason, it made his heart feel uncomfortable...