Xueying's mouth dropped open again, witnessing Zilinling's practiced movements.
One event after another today had begun to bombard Xueying's mind. From Zilinling's change in fashion sense that morning, to her peculiar actions while tending to Ye Liuxing on East Street, to the strange words Zilinling spoke after leaving the Shuiyue Trading House, and then to the bizarre movement Zilinling suddenly employed during her confrontation with Hua Ruhai, and finally, to the resolute words of reassurance Zilinling offered when she was injured – all these pointed to one undeniable truth: Zilinling had changed!
Xueying couldn't help but ask herself, was this still her mistress, Zilinling? If not, where had her mistress gone? And who was this woman with Zilinling's exact face standing before her? When had her mistress been replaced?
If it was her, then such medical prowess was nothing short of divine, something that couldn't be learned overnight. So, when had her mistress learned medicine?
Xueying pondered for a long time but found no answers. However, she was certain that the person before her was indeed her mistress, Zilinling. After all, they had been inseparable. If Zilinling had been swapped, how could she have remained oblivious for twelve years?
With this realization, Xueying felt relieved. As long as Zilinling remained Zilinling, the timing of her acquiring medical skills was no longer important. Since Zilinling hadn't told her, it must mean there was no need, and why should she dwell on it? She trusted that when the time was right, Zilinling would clear her doubts.
Just as Xueying came to terms with her thoughts, Zilinling had finished the suturing. Zilinling sterilized the needles and surgical instruments again with alcohol and returned them to the Jiuling Ring. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she approached Xueying, intending to examine her further. She then noticed Xueying gazing at her with an inquisitive expression.
A gentle smile played on Zilinling's lips. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Xueying asked, a hint of hesitation in her voice, "Miss, may I ask you a question?"
Without a second thought, Zilinling replied, "Ask away!" She had already guessed Xueying's inquiry but couldn't avoid it. After all, Xueying would eventually ask, and without an answer, a seed of doubt would remain in her heart.
Xueying gathered her thoughts and asked, "Are you still the same Miss you were before?"
Zilinling raised an eyebrow and countered with a half-smile, "What do you think?" She neither confirmed nor denied, believing Xueying would find her own measure.
Xueying paused, then breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Then where did your medical skills come from?"
Zilinling smiled mysteriously. "I learned them in my dreams."
"What? In your dreams?" Xueying could hardly believe her ears.
"That's right, in my dreams." Zilinling looked at Xueying calmly. "Do you remember the fire when I was six?"
Xueying recalled and nodded. "I do."
"Although that fire burned off my hair, ever since then, a beautiful woman has appeared in my dreams every night, teaching me medicine and instructing me not to reveal it or tell anyone until I turned twelve." Zilinling's account was half-truth, half-lie. The fire was an event the original Zilinling and Xueying had experienced together. The woman who appeared in her dreams was real, but she had appeared in the original Zilinling's life when she was six years old. The part about not displaying her skills or telling anyone was Zilinling's own addition.
"There's such a thing?" Xueying looked incredulous.
"Yes, that's why I never told you. Only yesterday, after my twelfth birthday, did I finally detoxify myself."
Xueying looked at Zilinling with surprise. "Miss, you mean you've removed the poison from your body?"
"Mm-hmm." Zilinling felt a warmth in her heart. Xueying was indeed loyal, always concerned about her well-being.
"It's gone." She paused. "Last night, I saw you were tired, so I didn't tell you. I had planned to tell you when we returned today, but on the way, I encountered the young master of the Ye family, who was near death. So, I had to display my medical skills, which, unexpectedly, led to your suspicion."
"No, no, no! I was just curious, not suspicious of you, Miss." Xueying hastily explained, fearing Zilinling might misunderstand.
Zilinling looked at Xueying gently. "Silly girl, don't worry. I didn't mean anything by it."
Xueying's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed excitedly, "I knew it! Miss would surely soar like a phoenix one day."
Zilinling poked her forehead. "Silly girl, can you lie down now so I can examine you?"
"Yes, Miss! Xueying obeys!" With her doubts resolved and the news of her mistress's detoxification, Xueying felt an instant surge of joy, her words becoming more lively. Zilinling smiled, her eyes crinkling as she looked at the now cheerful Xueying. She carefully examined Xueying and found no signs of adhesion within her body, which further reassured her.
Meanwhile, Ye Lingyuan had closed his eyes again the moment Zilinling had sewn the last stitch. Therefore, he had heard every word of Zilinling and Xueying's conversation. Of course, Ye Lingyuan was not as naive as Xueying. To him, while Zilinling's words seemed to have no flaws, the very lack of flaws was the biggest flaw. However, since Zilinling had said so, he would tentatively accept it for now.
After Zilinling finished examining Xueying, she turned to look at Ye Lingyuan, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. Logically, Ye Lingyuan should have woken up after she finished suturing. Yet, she had been talking with Xueying for quite some time, and he still hadn't stirred. Strange! What could be the reason?
Seeing Zilinling staring blankly at Ye Lingyuan, Xueying suddenly thought of something and said urgently, "Miss, although you haven't married the Crown Prince yet, the imperial decree for your betrothal was issued at your birth. So, your engagement to the Crown Prince is a done deal. Please don't..."
Zilinling looked at Xueying, slightly bewildered. "Don't what?"
Xueying hesitated, then bit her lip. "Miss, although this man is more handsome than the Crown Prince, he is not your destined partner."
Zilinling blinked, finally understanding Xueying's implication. Xueying clearly thought she had fallen for Ye Lingyuan and was reminding her that she was already betrothed. Zilinling gave Xueying a speechless look. She wished she could open Xueying's head and see what was inside. "Xueying, what are you always thinking about!"