"Is it that you cannot perform sexually?"
She said it with a deliberate sneer, using crude language, though her cheeks beneath the mask felt a little flushed. As an unmarried maiden, discussing such matters with a man felt somewhat embarrassing. However, as a doctor, she quickly regained her composure, determined to make this man uncomfortable.
Indeed, upon hearing her words, Shangguan Yao's expression shifted. His face darkened, his pupils flared with anger, appearing thoroughly incensed. Yet, he couldn't quite express his rage, for she had spoken the truth – he was indeed unable to perform.
"You?"
"Your Majesty, this matter may be beyond Leng Yue's ability to heal. The inability to perform sexually can stem from numerous causes, not just a single one. Although Your Majesty claims to have been poisoned, there are many drugs that can cause such an affliction. Without identifying the specific substance administered, it is difficult to treat."
Watching Shangguan Yao's reaction, Leng Yue felt a surge of glee. Her repeated mentions of his impotence were intended to humiliate him. Compared to what he had done, her actions were child's play. Moreover, she knew that Shangguan Lin, a man of such narrow-mindedness, would likely silence anyone who discovered his secrets. If she were to cure him, it would lead to a greater loss.
However, Shangguan Yao seemed unwilling to accept refusal. His ashen face and cold eyes conveyed a stern command.
"I command you to treat me."
"And what if it cannot be cured? Inability to perform sexually isn't something that can be fixed with a mere word."
Yun Xiao deliberately took an opposing stance. Shangguan Yao finally lost his patience. He abruptly stood up and roared down at her, "Can you stop saying 'unable to perform sexually' with every sentence?"
His voice boomed through the grand hall, reaching beyond the doors. The eunuchs and palace maids guarding the entrance exchanged nervous glances, trembling with fear.
Xiao Tingzi hurried over and whispered an order, "Whatever you hear, keep it to yourselves. Guard your tongues." He then glanced pointedly at Wanwan, who responded with disdain, "Why are you looking at me? I'm not one of your palace maids." With that, she turned away from Xiao Tingzi to admire the moon in the sky, finding it quite beautiful. If only she could play a guqin melody, it would be like the music of flowing streams and leisurely clouds. But here she was, wasting time in the palace, which was truly unfortunate.
Inside the hall, Yun Xiao frowned, gazing at the man above, who was flailing about like an agitated poodle, ready to erupt in fury at the slightest provocation.
"Are you suggesting Your Majesty *can* perform?"
"Are you not afraid of me killing you?"
Shangguan Yao panted, regaining his composure. He glared menacingly at Leng Yue, who stood below. Leng Yue deliberately shivered, her face pale, and then feigned a meek tone, "Your Majesty, would it make you feel more balanced if Leng Yue were like this? Don't forget, I cured Your Majesty's poison. Now you threaten to kill me. How do you think the world will perceive Your Majesty then?"
The last sentence was delivered with significant force. Shangguan Yao was both furious and indignant. He looked at the person below, whose eyes shone brightly, whose face was like jade, and whose posture was proud. In the end, he didn't rage but laughed. Why should he be angry with these physicians from the martial arts world? They were naturally eccentric and spoke in peculiar ways. It wasn't worth getting angry over such people. Besides, what she said was true; he had cured his poison, making him somewhat of a benefactor. He couldn't risk being ridiculed by the world.
"Do your best."
Shangguan Yao hadn't entirely let Yun Xiao off the hook, but he had calmed down. He no longer spoke of killing, and although his expression remained displeased, his tone had softened considerably.
"Leng Yue?"
Yun Xiao wanted to say more, but the man gave her no opportunity. He coldly commanded, "This is an imperial decree. You will enter the palace three days from now." He then ordered towards the door, "Come, escort Young Master Leng back."
Eunuchs from Jingfu Palace hurried in, obediently taking the command. Remembering what they had overheard, they didn't dare to look up. "Yes, Your Majesty." Yun Xiao bowed and took her leave. She hadn't expected this infuriating man to summon her directly to the palace. She considered defying the decree but feared incurring serious trouble. What was this man incapable of? Fine, she would play it by ear when the time came. Yun Xiao followed the young eunuch out of the hall. Outside the hall, the moonlight was like water. A carriage was parked on the platform before the entrance, with two young eunuchs waiting beneath it. Upon seeing her and Wanwan approach, they quickly and cautiously called out, "Young Master Leng, please board the carriage." Now that this Young Master Leng was favored by the Emperor, who dared to offend him? After Yun Xiao and Wanwan boarded the carriage, the two eunuchs leaped up, and the carriage drove out of the palace along the stone road...
The clear moonlight, a faint mist swirled in the air. Silken beams of light dappled through the dewy green leaves by the roadside, casting mottled patterns on the road. Unidentified insects hid in corners, their buzzing harmonizing with the incessant chirping of cicadas. Heat spread through the boundless night. The faint, ethereal fragrance of night-blooming jasmine drifted in the air.
Prime Minister Sima's Residence.
In the study, Sima Qingyun wore a solemn expression as he addressed the person standing before him. The steward of the Prime Minister's residence, he instructed, "Old Fu, you are the person I trust the most. I fear I cannot escape this predicament. If anything happens to me, take your wife and daughter and leave the Prime Minister's residence immediately. Starting tomorrow, dismiss the servants of the Sima household. Do not implicate anyone."
"Master," Old Fu began to weep. Tears streamed down his aged face, carving paths through the wrinkles, a picture of desolation. He had served in the Sima residence for thirty years, following his master since he was young. He never expected that his upright master would encounter such trouble. Old Fu could no longer contain himself and knelt with a thud.
Sima Qingyun stepped forward to help him up, his heart also heavy. Old Fu had been with him his entire life. In his old age, he had brought such trouble upon him. He should have allowed him to live a more leisurely life, but instead, he had implicated him.
"Get up, Old Fu. It is I, Sima Qingyun, who has implicated you."
"Master, please do not say that." Old Fu grew more sorrowful, wiping his tears. He looked up at his master, who had aged considerably in such a short time. Thinking of his lifelong service to the court, only to encounter such a situation in the end, was truly heartbreaking.
"Old Fu, you may go now."
"Yes, Master." Old Fu withdrew, his hunched, frail figure retreating. Sima Qingyun sighed, lamenting what misdeeds he had committed.
Suddenly, the air grew still, and a cold, biting aura spread in all directions. There was no killing intent, but it carried the bone-chilling cold of winter frost descending, signaling the arrival of heavy snow.
"Who's there?"
A shadowy figure, as white and misty as fog, drifted past, as swift as a fleeting glimpse of light, and in an instant, it settled in the center of the study. Sima Qingyun was greatly alarmed and took a step back. Was this the night of his death? This person's skill was comparable to a phantom, faster than any before, and the cold aura was even more piercing.
"Who are you?" he asked again, taking two steps back to maintain distance from the newcomer. This was merely a psychological comfort; if this person were to strike, it would likely be as swift as a phantom, a fatal blow in one move.