Situ Yunfeng found himself truly speechless, with nowhere to vent his bitterness.
He had never expected his careless words to have inadvertently helped his love rival so much!
However, he still voiced his concern, "Little Lingling, are you sure you can cure that sickly Shen Liuxing? My old man did say..."
"I'm sure!"
Zi Linling interrupted him, her voice filled with confidence.
Situ Yunfeng was so captivated by the confident Zi Linling that his eyes went wide.
He nodded and said, "Since that's the case, this young master will pick you up first thing tomorrow morning."
Zi Linling felt a warmth in her heart, sensing Situ Yunfeng's good intentions.
She wasn't a porcupine who wanted to prick everyone she met. Therefore, since Situ Yunfeng had shown her kindness, she naturally reciprocated his goodwill.
She then gave him a brilliant smile and said, "Situ, thank you!"
Situ Yunfeng brushed a strand of hair from his forehead and chuckled, "Thank you for what? Aren't we friends?"
Zi Linling was taken aback. The word "friend" had become a stranger to her.
In her past life, besides her best friend Lan Qianji, she had no other friends.
And the original owner, looked down upon by others since childhood, had only relied on Xue Ying, having no friends either.
Thus, the word "friend" was incredibly precious to Zi Linling.
She nodded and smiled faintly, "That's right! We are friends."
This affirmation of friendship represented Zi Linling's acceptance of Situ Yunfeng.
A flicker of pleasant surprise appeared in Situ Yunfeng's eyes. "Little Lingling, Mo Qingcheng is not as simple as she appears on the surface, you need to be careful."
Zi Linling was startled again. She felt a bit out of sync with Situ Yunfeng's leapfrog thinking.
However, this did not prevent her from accepting Situ Yunfeng's good intentions.
"Thank you, I will be careful."
Situ Yunfeng nodded.
Seeing that time was almost up, he scratched the back of his head and said, "In that case, I won't disturb you any longer. See you tomorrow!"
Zi Linling's eyes twinkled with amusement, "See you tomorrow!"
Situ Yunfeng felt like he was floating, especially since Zi Linling had smiled at him repeatedly today.
"See you tomorrow!"
He walked away, looking back at every step, but because he was distracted, he tripped over a stone bench in the courtyard.
"Giggle giggle..."
Zi Linling's clear laughter rang out behind Situ Yunfeng.
Although Situ Yunfeng felt a bit embarrassed, he was even more elated.
He turned back and gave Zi Linling a slight smile, then channeled his spiritual energy and fled from Luoyu Pavilion as if escaping.
Zi Linling watched him flee with a knowing smile.
The next day, before dawn, Zi Linling was already awake.
Before long, Xue Ying also entered with a basin of water and absentmindedly helped Zi Linling comb her hair.
Seeing her state, Zi Linling teased, "So early in the morning, are you lovesick?"
Xue Ying finished pinning Zi Linling's hairpin and said with a flushed face, "Miss! How could that be? I just came from the kitchen."
"Oh!"
Zi Linling responded softly, waiting for her to continue.
Xue Ying went on, "Grandma Hua in the kitchen is stewing chicken soup. I originally wanted to bring a bowl for Miss, but..."
At this point, Xue Ying suddenly adjusted her collar and changed the subject.
"Miss, I'll go get you some porridge!"
Saying that, without waiting for Zi Linling's reply, she picked up the washbasin and walked out.
She seemed to be making a hasty retreat.
Zi Linling frowned, her eyes flickering.
A moment later, Xue Ying re-entered, holding a bowl of porridge.
She placed the porridge on the table and smiled, "Miss, have some porridge to fill your stomach first."
Zi Linling didn't immediately drink the porridge. Instead, she walked up to Xue Ying.
She noticed that Xue Ying's eyes were red, clearly indicating she had been crying.
Xue Ying took a step back, her gaze evasive, "Miss, what... what are you doing?"
Zi Linling stared into Xue Ying's eyes and said coldly, "Speak, what happened?"
Xue Ying instinctively pulled at her right collar, as if trying to conceal something.
"Miss, what happened? You're confusing me."
Although she was smiling, a hint of mist veiled her eyes.
Zi Linling sneered, pulled aside Xue Ying's right collar, and a faint red handprint appeared before Zi Linling's eyes.
The cold air emanating from her surged, and she sternly ordered, "This is what you call nothing? Tell me quickly!"
Xue Ying's tears were about to fall, but she couldn't add to her Miss's troubles.
She forced a smile and said, "Miss, I originally wanted to get you a bowl of chicken soup, but it had just started stewing when I went there. I was afraid you wouldn't be able to wait and would get too hungry, so I thought I'd get some porridge first to fill your stomach."
Zi Linling knew that Xue Ying was thinking of her.
Yesterday, she had dealt with Zi Jinling and the others, displaying great dominance. However, this had created a rift with her second uncle's family.
It was likely that today's incident was related to Zi Jinling, which was why Xue Ying was unwilling to reveal the truth.
Although Zi Linling was touched, it did not mean she approved of Xue Ying's actions.
The anger in her heart burned fiercely, and her eyes flashed with a dangerous glint. "Xue Ying, you know what I'm asking. Who bullied you?"
She wanted to see who had the audacity to lay a hand on her person!
In the past, the original owner had been too weak and incompetent, only enduring such matters in silence.
But her creed as the Ghost Hand Poison Doctor was never to suffer in silence. It was: if others do not offend me, I will not offend them; if they offend me, I will retaliate tenfold!
Wanting revenge on her? Fine! Come at me directly! As long as you have the ability, she would accompany you.
But, someone bullying her person was absolutely unacceptable!
Xue Ying's tears were about to fall, but she still forced a smile and said, "Miss, no one has bullied me!"
Although Zi Linling understood Xue Ying's good intentions, principles were principles, and boundaries were boundaries!
Since she, the Ghost Hand Poison Doctor, had taken over this body, she would not allow anyone to bully her people.
She gave Xue Ying a sharp look and was about to walk out without a word.
Xue Ying was startled by Zi Linling's gaze. She grabbed Zi Linling's sleeve and, with tears streaming down her face, asked, "Miss, where are you going?"
Zi Linling's eyes were blazing. She shook off Xue Ying's hand and said angrily, "Since you won't say, I'll start from the kitchen and deal with them one by one. Who gave them the guts to bully you?"
With that, she strode out of Luoyu Pavilion.
Anyone who bullied her person, Zi Linling, would have to pay the price!
If yesterday's display of authority was not enough, then today she would make sure Zi Linling's words were thoroughly etched into the hearts of everyone in the Zi Mansion!
She wanted all the people in the Zi Mansion to remember that Zi Linling's words were not to be questioned, not to be deviated from in the slightest! Her people, Zi Linling, could not afford to lose even a single strand of hair!