"Clang~"
Gu Zi wasn't paying attention and tripped on the steps, falling flat on his face.
Damn it!
The Regent's Consort!
Gu Zi hadn't expected that this hateful Feng Luan was actually a woman, and a woman of such high status!
While he was filled with horror, he wasn't paying attention to the path ahead. By the time his nose made contact with the ground again, clutching his sore nose, tears were welling up in his eyes. Yet, he didn't dare to look back or up. Gripping the broken silver, he ran out.
No, he should hide outside for a few days first!
"Ptooey, scaredy-cat!"
Poison Elder spat in disdain, "Knowing it's the Regent's estate, you got scared? Where's your usual spirit of 'fearing nothing, contending with heaven'? I knew you were just a talker, a coward!"
Nan Shiying chuckled.
Poison Elder glared at her again, "Laugh, laugh. Do you think you're any better?"
Nan Shiying: "..."
Did you eat chilies this morning, Elder? Your temper is so fiery. Careful your heart doesn't explode.
Sensing the malicious teasing in Nan Shiying's eyes, Poison Elder glared at her again. After his shock had somewhat subsided, he sat back down on the small stool, stroked his chin. Just thinking about the outside world's evaluation of his cheap disciple made him want to laugh.
If they truly believed this person was as rumored, they'd likely be led to their doom, family and all.
But this was good, feigning weakness to devour strength, no loss at all!
"Your one..."
Poison Elder pondered, "That one seems to have been looking for me in the dark. I've been following his consort these past few days, and that one must know. Knowing where I am but not acting due to consideration for this unlucky disciple of mine, that one must have truly fallen for my disciple."
"But of course... how many women like my disciple are there in this world?"
This was the first time Nan Shiying heard someone refer to Ji Jinmo as "your one." She felt a bit awkward and shy, as if her fig leaf had been ripped off in public, making her feel utterly uncomfortable.
Poison Elder, however, saw her display this maidenly demeanor for the first time, and a surprised smile bloomed in his eyes.
"Alright, my foolish disciple isn't much better."
"Tell him, I will enter the manor tonight."
If Ji Jinmo truly had some incurable illness, he could let his disciple find another husband. She couldn't hang herself on one man!
"Okay!"
Nan Shiying didn't ask any further questions, only nodding to show she understood!
...
Under the moonlight, Poison Elder appeared at the Regent's estate.
In the study, Ji Jinmo raised his eyelids and glanced at Nan Shiying, who was leaning on the couch, "You go out first."
Nan Shiying was about to pop the pastry into her mouth. She had just opened her mouth when she heard Ji Jinmo's heartless dismissal. Her hand froze mid-air, her mouth agape, her eyes wide, looking as if she was too shocked to contain herself at being abandoned.
Ji Jinmo's lips twitched slightly. For some reason, a pang of guilt surged in his heart!
He lowered his gaze and waved at her.
Nan Shiying huffily swallowed the pastry in one gulp and got up to leave.
She happened to meet Poison Elder, who was just coming in.
"Old man, stab him to death!!"
She gritted her teeth fiercely. If she needed acupuncture later, she hoped Poison Elder could stab that ungrateful scoundrel Ji Jinmo to death.
Poison Elder stared blankly at Nan Shiying for several seconds, then suddenly cried out, "Aiyo~"
"Disciple?"
This bright and beautiful, exceptionally elegant girl was his unlucky disciple?
When she dressed as a man, she was handsome, but that was merely handsome. But in women's clothes... she was a completely different person!!!
Nan Shiying rolled her eyes exasperatedly, "What, are you blind again?"
"Scram!"
Poison Elder knew he wouldn't hear anything good from her. She would either curse him deaf or blind. If he hadn't finally found such a disciple, he would have cleaned house.
"Yes, sir!"
Nan Shiying agreed with utmost alacrity, waving her sleeve without leaving a single cloud.
Xuan Thirteen regarded Poison Elder with almost worshipful reverence, unable to help but exclaim, "You are truly brave."
Poison Elder: "..."
Just because he told Nan Shiying to scram?
"Thirteen!"
A clear voice sounded from inside the room. Xuan Thirteen immediately straightened up and respectfully invited Poison Elder into the study.
Pushing the door open and entering the study, Poison Elder saw Ji Jinmo sitting behind the desk.
For a moment, there was silence. Then he remembered his disciple who had just left.
He found it somewhat difficult to describe the spiritual resemblance brought about by the similar yet different aura emanating from these two.
"Poison Elder!"
Ji Jinmo nodded slightly towards Poison Elder.
"This commoner greets Your Highness!"
Poison Elder snapped back to attention and cupped his hands towards Ji Jinmo. Although he spoke of greeting, there was no intention of kowtowing, and no nervousness or fear of encountering royalty, even though this was the powerful Regent.
Ji Jinmo didn't mind. The elders of Medicine King Valley had their own pride, and besides, imperial authority couldn't reach Medicine King Valley.
"Poison Elder, no need for such formalities!"
After a few polite exchanges, Poison Elder grew impatient. He detested these nobles being overly polite. He waved his hand and asked straightforwardly, "Should I take his pulse right here?"
Ji Jinmo stood up, walked to the side of the couch, and gestured to Poison Elder, "Here is fine."
Poison Elder grunted, walked to Ji Jinmo's side, and sat down. He placed his hand on Ji Jinmo's wrist. In just an instant, his expression changed drastically.
"You..."
"Who?"
"Who is the one who planted the蛊 on you?"
Poison Elder suddenly stood up, his eyes filled with escalating terror. His gaze at Ji Jinmo was like a knife and sword, as if thousands of cold lights were hidden deep within.
Facing Poison Elder's inquiry, Ji Jinmo remained as nonchalant as ever. However, a flash of coldness appeared in his eyes as he recalled events from years ago, and his voice deepened slightly, "This king does not know."
Yes, he didn't know!
The same year his imperial brother passed away, he was inflicted with the蛊.
To this day, he still didn't know who had planted the蛊 at that time.
Upon hearing this answer, Poison Elder suddenly slumped back onto the couch with a sense of dejection, shaking his head with a bitter smile, "I've hidden for a lifetime, and yet I couldn't escape in the end."
"You know now!"
Poison Elder said, "My cheap disciple told you, didn't she!"
Ji Jinmo shook his head, "No, she did not."
"Hmm?"
Poison Elder was taken aback.
Ji Jinmo, however, said, "I have guessed many things about your affairs, but she has not mentioned your past to this king."
"You didn't ask?"
"If she wishes to speak, this king has no need to ask; if she does not wish to, this king will certainly not ask!"
Poison Elder looked at Ji Jinmo blankly, then suddenly smiled with relief, "I, this old man, had been thinking that if you were unwell, I would have you find another husband for my cheap disciple. Now, it seems, there is no need."
"Forget it, forget it!"
"In any case, I am a dying man. I don't mind dying sooner rather than later."