Those who, in the name of your well-being, actually aim to control your life, turning you into an obedient puppet. They pull the strings, and you move as they dictate. If you defy them, they will resort to any means to suppress you, destroy your relationships, and then install someone they approve of by your side to monitor your every move. As long as you yield, you will soon find yourself unable to break free from their grasp, destined to be a marionette in their hands!
After Xiao Man left, He Qingyi dared to enter again, fearing she might provoke Ye Qing's displeasure.
"Senior Brother, it's time for your medicine."
Ye Qing took the bowl. "By age, I should call you Senior Sister, but I joined earlier, so I can claim the title of Senior Brother. Junior Sister He, thank you truly for this. If you hadn't sent for help in time, my life would have been snatched by Yama."
"Bah, bah, bah!" He Qingyi spat several times. "Don't talk nonsense."
Ye Qing quickly echoed, "I am talking nonsense. Junior Sister, please don't be angry."
He Qingyi's expression softened a bit. She urged Ye Qing to take his medicine. Ye Qing blew on it and sipped it in small mouthfuls. The medicine was bitter, yet he didn't even frown.
"Is it very bitter? I saw the Eldest Miss buy some preserved fruits. I secretly brought you some." He Qingyi took out a paper packet. "Lord Wen is not accustomed to the climate and isn't feeling well. The manor always keeps preserved fruits for Lord Wen to eat after taking his medicine."
Ye Qing saw the preserved fruits in the paper packet. They were plump and vibrantly colored, clearly of high quality, indicating Xiao Man's careful selection when she bought them. "Her relationship with Wen Mohan seems to be quite good."
"At first, I thought the Eldest Miss would end up with the Prince of Qin. Who would have thought that fate is unpredictable? The Eldest Miss became the Imperial Princess of Blue Moon, and she and Lord Wen became a couple." He Qingyi felt a pang of regret. "If Lord Wen weren't so outstanding, I wouldn't feel this way."
Ye Qing found it amusing. "Why should you feel regret? The Prince of Qin should be the one feeling regret."
He Qingyi nodded with a smile. "Yes, the Prince of Qin should be regretful. However, I also feel for the Eldest Miss. She... she is too strong and bears too many responsibilities that are not hers."
Ye Qing downed the medicine in his bowl, popped a preserved fruit into his mouth. It was sweet and sour, quite delicious, quickly dispelling the bitterness of the medicine. He then picked up another and offered it to He Qingyi. "Junior Sister, try this. These preserved fruits taste excellent."
He Qingyi was taken aback, not expecting Ye Qing to feed her. Still, she opened her mouth and accepted it. Before she could savor the taste, she swallowed it whole, unsure if it was sweet or sour, only knowing it tasted very good.
"It truly tastes excellent."
Ye Qing picked up another preserved fruit. "Third Sister is a very clear-headed person, so clear-headed it's almost cruel. But this is also her strength. Once she makes a decision, she will do her utmost to achieve it perfectly. Just like the person she chose, she will also do her best for him."
"Senior Brother, are you envious of Lord Wen?"
"Why would I envy him!" Ye Qing said with a smile. "He has Third Sister, and I have you. There's no need to envy him."
He Qingyi's face instantly flushed crimson. She stared at Ye Qing blankly, as if she had misheard. She didn't know how to respond. Even her tongue felt disobedient. She wanted to ask what "I have you" meant, but her mouth moved, and no words came out. Her heart pounded in her chest, terrified she had heard wrong.
Seeing He Qingyi's stunned expression, Ye Qing couldn't help but laugh. "Why aren't you speaking?"
"I... I'm afraid I'll say the wrong thing..."
Ye Qing also seemed a little embarrassed and scratched his head. "If you don't speak, I thought you felt I was being rash and were angry with me."
"You... what did you mean by your words?" He Qingyi asked, bewildered. Did he mean he liked her? Could she be overthinking? After all, Ye Qing was several years younger than her, the youngest divine physician, and quite renowned in the martial world. She was already married and considered to have a "White Tiger destiny," a curse for husbands. No normal person would like her.
"Junior Sister, I know I have many flaws, and I'm often absent. But I promise you, from now on, when I go out to gather herbs, I will accompany you. If you want to heal people, I will accompany you to heal people. If you want to travel and enjoy the scenery, I will accompany you. Whatever you wish to do, I will accompany you."
He Qingyi's eyes welled up. "I've been married."
"I know," Ye Qing said casually. "I don't mind."
"I am older than you."
"As the saying goes, 'three years older than your wife, like holding a golden brick.' I think it makes sense," Ye Qing said earnestly. "I like older women."
He Qingyi bit her lip. "They say I have a White Tiger destiny, a curse for husbands. Aren't you afraid?"
"They also say Nangong Yu has a 'Seven Killings' destiny, and Xiao Man has a 'Solitary Star' destiny. Yet, I am friends with both of them, and not only am I unharmed, but I often turn misfortune into good fortune when facing difficulties."
"Eldest Miss has a Solitary Star destiny?" He Qingyi frowned. "That's not right. Eldest Miss's birth chart is extremely auspicious. Master Wuyou and Daoist Tianyi both predicted her fortune, saying she would be incomparably noble. How could she have a Solitary Star destiny?"
Ye Qing thought to himself, not good, I've let something slip!
"Speak, is there something you're hiding from me?" He Qingyi grabbed Ye Qing's ear. "Tell me honestly, who spread such rumors to slander my Eldest Sister?"
Ye Qing winced in pain. "No one tampered with it. Her destiny was originally a Solitary Star destiny. Nangong Yu also knows this!"
"Impossible, my Eldest Sister's destiny is extremely auspicious!"
Seeing how fiercely He Qingyi defended Xiao Man, Ye Qing didn't know what to feel. However, Xiao Man's situation was a secret that could not be revealed. Even to He Qingyi, he couldn't say it. The fewer people who knew, the safer Xiao Man would be. "It was Feng Moran. Feng Moran spread it."
Upon hearing Feng Moran's name, He Qingyi gnashed her teeth. "What kind of intentions does this person have? What deep-seated hatred does my Eldest Sister have for him? Why must he ruin my Eldest Sister's reputation like this?"
"His actions are always malicious and unpredictable. Who knows what he's up to?" Ye Qing rubbed his reddened ear and mumbled, "I was just saying."
"It's one thing for outsiders, but my Eldest Sister... don't you know her?" He Qingyi rebuked angrily. "If even you say so, won't the people outside believe these rumors?"
Ye Qing repeatedly apologized. "It was my fault. I spoke carelessly. Junior Sister, please don't be angry. Third Sister's destiny is the best, the most prosperous."