Once inside, Feng Feiyang hardly knew where to look. Exasperated, Jiang Chan pointed at the ceiling beam, and he hurriedly leaped up.
At the sound of approaching footsteps, she calmly joined him. Fortunately, the beam was wide enough to avoid the melodramatic necessity of sitting pressed against him.
She sat cross-legged and examined the large, lavishly furnished room. Its owner had not yet appeared.
Just as she settled, the door opened. A young maid said, “Madam, I’ve brought flower petals for your bath.”
A soft, seductive voice answered, “Leave them for now. Has the leader finished his business?”
“I haven’t been out front and don’t know his affairs. But he treats you so well, he’ll surely come soon.”
Her words were pleasing. At least Madam Liu laughed as she emerged from behind the curtains. “You sweet-tongued little girl.”
The maid protested, “I mean it. Everyone knows you’re his treasured darling. He’s summoned so many famous doctors for your health.”
As she emerged, Jiang Chan finally saw her clearly. She was not yet twenty, with less of a young girl’s innocence and more mature allure.
Her complexion was pale rather than rosy, and a few steps left her breathless.
Her voice had already revealed insufficient strength. Seeing her now confirmed that she was truly frail.
Jiang Chan had been worrying about finding the sect leader. Now, in his favorite concubine’s bedroom, she need only wait for him.
While she considered this, mistress and maid resumed talking.
“Madam, I hear a famous doctor has arrived in Yun City. Very young, but exceptionally skilled. You know the Song family’s young lady, Song Bingqing? At birth, they said she wouldn’t live beyond twenty. Her father summoned many doctors over the years, without improvement.”
“But before New Year, she recovered, treated by this unknown doctor.” The maid spoke animatedly. “It’s caused quite a stir in the martial world. The leader will probably invite that doctor for you.”
Covering her lips, Madam Liu asked, “Was Song Bingqing really cured?”
“Indeed. They say she can run and jump now, and even practice martial arts.” The maid giggled. “The doctor became famous overnight. People call them the Medical Immortal.”
“Medical Immortal? What arrogance!” Madam Liu laughed. “People always exaggerate. How could a doctor be that capable? If such doctors existed, why can’t they cure me? A pack of quacks!”
Her brows suddenly rose, her whole manner turning vicious. Jiang Chan raised an eyebrow. A beautiful viper, changing her expression in an instant.
The maid hurriedly knelt. “Forgive me, Madam. I spoke too much. Please spare my life!”
She kowtowed as she pleaded, soon breaking the skin on her forehead. Panicking, she cursed herself for mentioning this. She had meant to please her mistress, only to endanger herself.
Since Madam Liu arrived with the leader, more than a dozen maids had been replaced. None had ended well. The thought made her cry harder.
Madam Liu swept the teacups off the table. “Are you mourning someone at New Year? I’m not dead yet!”
The crying stopped immediately, leaving only occasional sobs.
Jiang Chan watched with interest from the beam. Before Madam Liu could speak again, a man with delicate, rather feminine features entered.
Madam Liu had still been angry, but immediately welcomed him with a smile. No one could change faces faster. Jiang Chan mentally gave her a thumbs-up.
The acting skills of women in these inner households were no worse than those of professional performers. All were shrewd. Without schemes and cunning, they could not survive.
“Husband, why are you so late? I’ve waited ages.”
The man was twenty-five or twenty-six, slender and handsome. But his gloomy eyes reduced a perfect appearance considerably.
With an arm around her waist, he smiled slightly. “Business detained me. Before New Year, a thief entered the sect and stole two confidential documents. Our people only recently discovered his whereabouts.”
She covered her lips in surprise. “Who could dare intrude into our Sacred Sect?”
He sat at the table. She settled onto his lap and obediently poured tea.
“An insignificant thief. But while pursuing him, our people heard something. Apparently, the Song family’s sickly young lady was cured by some doctor who appeared from nowhere.”
“They’ve located the doctor’s residence and should bring the doctor here within a couple of days. Then you can be examined.”
She frowned. “I know my own health. What if this doctor can’t cure me? Another disappointment for nothing.”
“Don’t worry. That Song girl was like you, born weak. If she can recover, there’s no reason you can’t.”
“What if I still can’t?”
“If the doctor cures you, I’ll leave the body intact. If not, I’ll make life worse than death.” He played with his teacup, speaking these bloodthirsty words without blinking.
Jiang Chan cursed inwardly. Repaying kindness with murder! Whether she succeeded or failed, he meant to kill her. Better strike first. As the affectionate pair leaned toward a kiss, she flicked her fingers repeatedly.
A faint fragrance silently spread. With his stronger internal energy, the leader noticed after two breaths and immediately held his breath. Too late.
Madam Liu had already collapsed limply in his arms. Even he, though quick to react, felt his limbs weaken. He tried forcing the drug from his body, but the more he used internal energy, the dizzier he became.
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