Chapter 4 Chapter Shall We Make a Deal

"It can only be called a ceremonial wine when a couple drinks together. Now, it's just a pot of decent sake."

Hearing this, Jun Ruye felt a tinge of displeasure in his heart; he was unsure of the reason.

After a short while, Mo Ying arrived with a food container, bringing two bowls of clear porridge and a few small dishes.

Feng Muqing did not hesitate as a she picked up a bowl and focused on filling her stomach; she treated Jun Ruye as if he was thin air.

Everything could wait till she was full.

Earlier today, at the third quarter of the hour of the Ox, she was seized and fussed over by a group of maidservants and matrons. After that, she experienced a fierce hustle and even made a scene at the Regent's Manor.

By the time she saw the food, she was already starving and couldn't care less about anything else.

Jun Ruye zoned out for a moment, then elegantly started his meal with chopsticks, he contrasted with Feng Muqing completely.

After they finished the meal, Mo Ying appeared again to clear the dishes. Jun Ruye and Feng Muqing was left alone in the room.

Feng Muqing patted her belly and squinted contentedly.

She felt like she had come back to life.

She had never been this hungry even if she combined two of her lives and be the ancestor of these people.

The heavens were indeed kind to her.

"Regent's Manor surely lives up to its name; even the food is exceptional," Feng Muqing remarked with satisfaction.

"Speak of your purpose today."

From their brief interaction, he believed Feng Muqing was a shrewd woman and wouldn't be foolish enough to barge into the manor to expose Feng Wanwan.

When he learned that Sikong Ruxuan intended to grant a marriage, he had his subordinates investigate this Eldest Young Lady of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

She seemed like a pitiful person, but what he saw today wasn't the case.

He did not expect that Feng Tianling would be so bold as to plan such a substitute marriage.

Feng Wanwan and Prince Ning were close. It was clear that Feng Tianling had chosen Prince Ning. So, how could Feng Wanwan marry into the Regent's Manor at this time?

What conspiracy was behind this?

"It's simple. Those who scheme against me can't get away easily."

"To my knowledge, Eldest Young Lady Feng isn't this audacious."

Huh-

Feng Muqing raised an eyebrow.

It seemed he was suspicious of her.

But this body truly belonged to Feng Muqing. Even the phoenix birthmark on her shoulder blade was hers. No matter how he investigated, she was indeed Feng Muqing.

"Eldest Young Lady Feng, with your carefree attitude, why have you been enduring in Beiyuan for 15 years?"

Jun Ruye remained expressionless, his hawk-like gaze locked onto Feng Muqing, trying to find any clue on her face.

Feng Muqing was unfazed. His icy demeanor was of little concern to her.

Suddenly, an overwhelming pressure surged toward Feng Muqing.

Feng Muqing furrowed her brows, clenched her teeth, and her face gradually turned pale as sweat dripped down.

Jun Ruye was surprised when she was silent.

She actually resisted his pressure.

On the other side, Feng Muqing felt like she was suffocating and glared at Jun Ruye.

Hmph!

You brat. Once I get rid of this poison, I'll make sure to crush you.

She was a revered deity, and when it came to suppression, she was the ancestor.

If it wasn't for her fragile body, she wouldn't be oppressed by anyone now!

Jun Ruye abruptly released his pressure. Feng Muqing sighed with relief and shot him a disgruntled look.

"Satisfied?"

Jun Ruye nodded.

"Will you tell me the truth now?"

"In order to survive, I had to be poisoned. As for what happened earlier today, it was because I found a cure and no longer need to return to the Prime Minister's Mansion to face humiliation. Coincidentally, your conditions were tempting."

"I see."

So, she had been poisoned as well.

Both of them were unfortunate souls.

Feng Muqing carefully observed Jun Ruye, her gaze lingering on his legs for a while.

Jun Ruye, usually calm, felt a pricking sensation and turned his wheelchair slightly, he attempted to block Feng Muqing's probing gaze.

For some reason, he didn't want the woman in front of him to see his crippled legs.

His sudden move brought Feng Muqing back to her senses, and she quickly apologized.

"It's alright. It's been five years; I'm used to it."

Jun Ruye remained expressionless, but his obsidian-like eyes dimmed slightly.

"My Lord, how about we make a deal?" Feng Muqing suddenly proposed seriously.

"Tell me, what kind of deal?"

Jun Ruye became interested.

The woman in front of him had surprised him in many ways.

"I'll remove your poison and heal your legs. In return, you shall ensure my safety."

A thunderclap seemed to explode in Jun Ruye's mind, it made his broad, well-dressed body tremble slightly.

It's been five years, and now someone claimed they can cure the poison and heal his leg!

"Really?"

Feng Muqing solemnly nodded.

"Deal. If you truly heal my legs, I promise you a lifetime free of worries."

"Good! Let's seal the deal with a handshake."

"Good!"

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The two exchanged three high fives, sealing the deal.

"I will play the role of the Princess Regent well. After you're healed, you can give me a bill of divorcement."

Jun Ruye tensed up, the thought of her leaving caused a dull ache in his heart.

Could it be the poison acting up?

"Hey!"

Seeing Jun Ruye lost in thought, Feng Muqing waved her hands in front of his eyes.

"Hmm? Okay."

Jun Ruye came back to reality, and he replied her with a melancholic tone.

"Give me your hand."

After she decided to cure Jun Ruye's poison and heal his leg, Feng Muqing immediately became serious, as if she had become a different person.

Jun Ruye stretched out his hand for her to take his pulse.

Looking at her dark-yellow, rough hand on his pulse, Jun Ruye made a resolution.

He must make sure she becomes well-nourished and plump.

A girl should be beautiful, scars and calluses shouldn't be present.

Time ticked by, the quiet room was filled with tension.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea later, Feng Muqing withdrew her hand, exclaiming, "It's Beauty Drunk!"

The blood in Jun Ruye's body boiled. She recognized the poison. Since the last five years, this was the first time someone had identified it.

He was puzzled, "What is Beauty Drunk?"

"Beauty Drunk is the king of poisons. When it acts, it feels like thousands of ants gnawing at you, destroying your meridians, slowly eating away at your internal organs. The poisoned individual will gradually become paralyzed, and ultimately die in pain."

Feng Muqing looked at the calm Jun Ruye with admiration.

The experience of Beauty Drunk would be more painful each time as compared to the last, which made it difficult to endure.

His legs had been rendered useless, indicating multiple poison outbreaks.

"Is there a cure?"

"There is!"

Thankfully, she had lived long enough to undergo many hardships.

Otherwise, it would be impossible to cure such a rare poison as Beauty Drunk.

"Ask someone to bring some paper and ink. The ingredients to cure this poison are very rare. Have someone find them, and also get the best craftsman to make a set of good silver needles. During the preparation of the medicinal ingredients, I will use silver needles to delay the poison's onset."

"Alright."

In no time, Mo Ying appeared in the room with paper and ink.

Feng Muqing glanced at Mo Ying and silently praised him.

He's loyal and efficient.

She wondered when she would have such a person by her side again.

With the writing materials in her hand, Feng Muqing did not waste any more time. She picked up the brush and wrote down a long list.

"Done."

After the time to drink half a cup of tea later, Feng Muqing stopped writing. She dried the ink on the rice paper by blowing it, and handed it to Jun Ruye.

Looking at the smooth, flowing handwriting on the rice paper, Jun Ruye was deeply impressed.