003. The Unruly Prince of War
Hao Yue asked, “What method will you use? Do you know any medicine?”
She had never heard of Le Qianxue studying medicine before, and moreover, Zhan Lianjing was worth his weight in gold—there could be no mistakes.
Le Qianxue replied, “I haven’t studied medicine, but I know how to expel poison. The poison in the Prince of Zhan’s body won’t last much longer. If we wait for the imperial physicians, I’m afraid he’ll die before they arrive.”
“Then you’d better think carefully. If anything happens to the prince now, your only path is death,” Hao Yue’s voice was icy.
Le Qianxue didn’t want to waste any more words. She took Zhan Lianjing’s pulse as she spoke: “Undo his robes. I need to use needles.”
She always carried her acupuncture kit with her—it was essential for her craft. But the miraculous medicine cauldron that had accompanied her through time was too cumbersome to carry around.
Hao Yue did as she was told, untying Zhan Lianjing’s robes to reveal his wheat-toned chest, her eyes never leaving Le Qianxue, wary lest she harm him.
Le Qianxue’s goal was to draw out the poison. She unfolded her acupuncture kit, and the silver needles gleamed in an instant.
She rolled up Zhan Lianjing’s sleeve and, with swift precision, inserted several needles, then quickly placed a few more in his chest.
Her movements were deft and accurate. She also carried emergency medicines with her. This particular poison was tricky, so she mixed two kinds of medicines in precise proportions and gave them to Zhan Lianjing.
Hao Yue watched with her heart in her throat, but Le Qianxue was calm—she had done this countless times.
She pricked Zhan Lianjing’s fingertip, and a bead of black blood oozed out.
Hao Yue gasped, “The poison’s been expelled?”
“All of it,” Le Qianxue replied.
“Then the prince’s health is no longer in danger?” Hao Yue pressed, astonished that Le Qianxue had succeeded where the imperial physicians had failed.
Le Qianxue was about to answer when Zhan Lianjing slowly opened his eyes.
He glanced at his loosened collar, then looked up at Le Qianxue.
Suddenly, Zhan Lianjing cried out, “Le Qianxue! How dare you dishonor me?!”
That very morning, Le Qianxue had already been accused of plotting against the Prince of Zhan, and now, the rumor of her dishonoring him spread throughout the entire palace. By afternoon, it had swept across the whole capital.
General’s Residence.
Le Qianxue returned to Qingyu Courtyard in a huff. On her way back, countless people stared at her.
They must be thinking: Le Qianxue was already notoriously unruly, and now she’d gone so far as to dishonor the Prince of Zhan! Shameless!
She frowned, blaming everything on Zhan Lianjing.
He knew she’d saved him, yet didn’t even thank her before leaving! Luckily, she was clever enough to accept Hao Yue’s thousand taels as a reward, though it was still a loss—her usual fees were much higher.
Her personal maid, Huatao, knowing she was upset, made her some ginseng tea. “Miss, don’t be angry. This gossip will only last a few days—soon everyone will forget.”
Le Qianxue waved her off, unable to even drink the tea.
Too much had happened today. She had nearly lost her life in the palace, all for the sake of attending a flower-viewing banquet.
She resolved to avoid the palace as much as possible in the future—otherwise, she might not even know how she met her end.
That night, Le Yongcheng hurried home from the Western City military camp.
Within the General’s Residence, aside from his legitimate daughter Le Qianxue, there was only Concubine Xu’s daughter, Le Linglong. There wasn’t a single male heir in the house.
Thus, Le Yongcheng favored Le Qianxue. Unfortunately, her birth mother had died early, and Concubine Xu often resorted to underhanded tricks, spoiling the original Le Qianxue into an arrogant and willful girl. Xu would even poison her meals, which led to the original Le Qianxue falling gravely ill and dying three months ago.
When Le Yongcheng arrived at Qingyu Courtyard, his face was dark—Xu must have filled his ear with complaints on the way.
“What happened today?” he demanded, not even taking off his battle robe.
Le Qianxue knew he cared for her. In her past life, she’d had no parents; in this life, she was grateful to have a father’s love.
She answered, “At the palace flower banquet, your daughter was nearly framed.”
But Le Yongcheng wasn’t referring to that. He waved her off, “I’m asking about you dishonoring the Prince of Zhan!”
Le Qianxue cried out, “Father, am I really your daughter? You don’t even ask if I was frightened today! I nearly lost my head!”
“If you lost your head over something like this, you wouldn’t be fit to be my daughter!” Le Yongcheng frowned, glaring at her. “You’ll be sixteen in a month, and you’re still unbetrothed. Now that this scandal has spread, who would dare to propose?”
A father’s greatest fear was that his daughter would never marry.
Le Qianxue had always been wild and unruly, and despite coming of age, not a single suitor had come forward.
In contrast, Le Linglong was accomplished in every art—so many had come to propose that they nearly wore out the threshold!
No wonder Le Yongcheng was worried.
Le Qianxue pouted. She wasn’t a peerless beauty, but her looks were still among the best.
She said, “Father, it’s all a lie. I didn’t dishonor the Prince of Zhan.”
Le Yongcheng replied, “Even if you didn’t, the gossip has already spread! If you still can’t find a match, how will I answer to your late mother? It seems I’ll have to go ask someone to marry you myself.”
Le Qianxue’s eyes widened—her father would actually do such a thing?!
“Father! Is that really necessary?!”
“Why not?” he retorted. “You’ve been chasing after the Fourth Prince for ages, but he’s never liked you. Stop waiting for him,” Le Yongcheng said earnestly.
Le Qianxue frowned. It was the original Le Qianxue who liked the Fourth Prince, not her.
She was about to explain when Concubine Xu spoke gently, “Master, I think the Minister of War’s son, Young Master Li, is quite suitable. He’s visited before and wished to take Xue’er out. What do you think?”
The Minister of War’s son?
That fat man!
At the thought of that chubby fellow, Le Qianxue lost her appetite.
To her dismay, Le Yongcheng nodded, “Not bad, not bad. Young Master Li is sturdy and stands out among his peers.”
“Father! Absolutely not!” Le Qianxue protested.
She had never married in her previous life and longed to find someone she truly loved—but not a fat man!
Just imagining the wedding night, her small frame crushed under his weight, made her shudder.
“And why not?” Le Yongcheng stood up. “Tomorrow you’ll dine with Young Master Li. If he’s satisfied, the engagement will be set!”
Le Qianxue shook her head, “I won’t go.”
“If you refuse, I’ll confine you for a month!” Le Yongcheng finally played his trump card. He had spoiled Le Qianxue too much and now regretted it.
No young gentleman in the capital wanted her—she knew nothing but a bit of martial arts, and was always causing trouble.
Le Qianxue bit her lip, seeing no way out, and finally agreed.
Well, if he has Zhang Liang’s clever plans, she has a ladder over the wall—she’d find a way.
The next day, Young Master Li arrived early at the General’s Residence to wait for Le Qianxue.
Young Master Li was eighteen, plump, and only slightly taller than Le Qianxue. From a distance, he looked like a giant meatball.
Le Qianxue was attractive and the legitimate daughter of the General’s Residence. Young Master Li thought that marrying her would help his career.
Besides, he believed that Le Qianxue was marrying up—surely she wouldn’t refuse him.
He seemed to forget that he already had several concubines at home.
This time, Concubine Xu kept him company over tea. Young Master Li knew the second miss, Le Linglong, was away at the palace and didn’t expect to see the beauty.
“Why hasn’t Miss Xue’er come out yet?” Young Master Li grew impatient, frowning.
Concubine Xu smiled, “Please wait a bit longer, Young Master Li. A young lady must take her time dressing up before going out.”
Indeed, she was taking her time, but when Le Qianxue finally appeared, Young Master Li, in the middle of sipping his tea, spat it out in shock.
Even Concubine Xu was dumbfounded, her teacup slipping from her grasp and crashing to the floor.
Le Qianxue’s outfit clashed red and green, her cheeks caked with rouge, and her hair adorned with so many pins she resembled a small tree branch.
Though her features were fine, this getup made her seem a true country bumpkin.
Young Master Li couldn’t hold back, “You… you… you’re so ugly…”
“Ugly? I think I look quite nice,” Le Qianxue said. “Shall we go, Young Master Li?”
He shook his head furiously—he’d rather die than be seen with her in public like this!
Concubine Xu quickly urged, “Xue’er, go and change your clothes.”
But Le Qianxue spun around, “I won’t. If you don’t want to go, Young Master Li, I’ll leave first.”
Young Master Li’s legs felt weak—he had no desire to follow.
Xu, seeing Le Qianxue leaving, hurriedly encouraged him, “Young Master Li, it’s just a little tantrum. She’s testing you. Don’t be afraid—our master truly hopes you can be his son-in-law.”
That was all it took for Young Master Li to rally. He had no real talent, and the prospect of a general for a father-in-law promised a bright future.
He hurried after Le Qianxue, no longer caring if she was ugly.
Le Qianxue hadn’t expected him to actually follow her. Now, she became the center of attention on the street, while Young Master Li did his best to hide behind a paper fan.
Huatao, accompanying Le Qianxue, found it all quite amusing. Ever since her young mistress recovered from her illness three months ago, she had been very different indeed.