Chapter Sixty-Seven: Tell Her to Wait for Me

Chu Bing had found the antidote, and the heavy weight on her heart vanished instantly, leaving her feeling light and unburdened.

“Now that my life is no longer in danger, the most important thing is to find Li Haoran and carry out the mission!” she murmured, stroking her chin as she began preparing disguises once more.

The system watched as Chu Bing bustled to and fro, diligently completing her tasks without the need for any prompting. For some reason, the system felt a strange sense of unease.

Gazing at her round, youthful face in the mirror, Chu Bing suddenly asked, “Is Li Mohan a bit... unusual?”

After all, what normal person would take a liking to a girl who was so obviously just a child?

The system promptly forgot its earlier musings. It really shouldn’t have harbored any expectations for this host.

“Hongxiu?”

Speak of the devil—Li Mohan’s voice rang out in the courtyard.

Chu Bing opened the door to find Li Mohan standing there. He wore his training clothes, clearly just returned from the practice grounds.

“Where have you been today? I didn’t see you at all,” he asked.

Chu Bing’s eyes darted mischievously; she wanted to test the limits of Li Mohan’s patience with her.

So she answered deliberately, “I snuck out to play on the street today!”

She lifted her face, beaming with innocence—a picture of girlish charm.

Li Mohan’s brow twitched slightly. “Did you see anything interesting?”

Chu Bing shook her head. “Not really. It’s not as fun as staying in the manor with you.”

A flush of heat seemed to surge in Li Mohan’s chest at her words.

He suddenly turned away, his voice husky. “Prepare some water. I want to bathe.”

This was his usual routine—after training, he always bathed, refusing to tolerate even a trace of sweat on his body.

But today was different.

Chu Bing had decided to personally attend to Li Mohan’s bath. She wanted to seize every opportunity to be alone with him and coax information about Li Haoran from his lips.

Li Mohan favored bathing; it was one of the few times he allowed himself to relax.

He reclined in the bath, eyes closed.

The door creaked open.

He opened his eyes abruptly. “Who’s there?”

“Young Master, it’s me,” Chu Bing replied gently, approaching.

Her eyes lingered on his shoulders, exposed above the water. Even his collarbones looked more graceful than a woman’s!

Li Mohan’s expression turned strange; he clearly hadn’t expected Chu Bing to barge in, nor for her to show not a trace of shyness.

“What are you doing here?”

Chu Bing wore a look of perfect innocence. “Naturally, I’m here to attend to your bath, Young Master!”

“...There’s no need. Leave,” Li Mohan said, lowering his gaze, his ears reddening beneath his hair.

Chu Bing stifled a laugh—of the three brothers, Li Mohan was by far the most innocent!

Pretending not to understand, she stood behind him and began ladling water over his shoulders, her voice soft as silk. “Young Master, it’s only right that I serve you.”

Li Mohan’s throat bobbed; his voice was rough. “It’s unnecessary. Leave.”

But Chu Bing had no intention of obeying. Among the three brothers, only Li Mohan had never shown her any malice.

She leaned in closer, her lips nearly brushing his ear. “Young Master, I’ve just learned some new massage techniques. May I try them on you?”

Without waiting for his answer, she placed her fingers on his shoulders.

Her delicate touch was like a flicker of flame, making Li Mohan’s entire body tense.

Sensing his reaction, Chu Bing almost laughed aloud. Beneath her fingers, his muscles grew ever more rigid.

At last, Li Mohan reached up and gripped her hand. “That’s enough.”

His grasp was tight, as if he were struggling inwardly.

But before he could react, Chu Bing twisted her hand to seize his palm, her voice syrupy sweet. “Young Master, don’t be so polite. You’ve always been so good to me; serving you is the least I can do.”

In truth, she was certain Li Mohan would never take advantage of her. He was the most proper man she’d ever met.

Sure enough, Li Mohan released her hand.

After a long silence, he finally spoke. “There’s something on the table. Take it.”

Something? Chu Bing was curious. She followed his gaze and saw a red brocade box on the table.

She picked it up and returned to Li Mohan.

He had already dressed.

So that was why he’d sent her away!

Li Mohan appeared composed, though his eyes never left the tips of her shoes, too flustered to look at her directly. If not for that, Chu Bing might have believed he was truly unruffled.

With a bright, teasing smile, she asked, “Young Master, what’s inside?”

“Open it and see.”

She raised her brows and lifted the lid. Inside lay a jeweled hairpin, its butterfly wings poised as if to take flight—exquisitely beautiful.

“…Is this for me?” Chu Bing looked up in disbelief.

Li Mohan responded awkwardly, confirming it.

A subtle tension lingered in the air.

Chu Bing felt a tangle of emotions. She had intended to tease him, yet now she found herself the one caught off guard.

Though she harbored no romantic feelings for Li Mohan, in this moment, it was hard to remain unmoved.

Still, no matter how stirred her heart, survival was more important!

She looked at Li Mohan’s face, falling into a troubled silence. How on earth could she coax news of Li Haoran from him?

“Don’t you like it?” Li Mohan asked, noticing her frown and mistaking it for displeasure. A flash of regret crossed his eyes. “Tomorrow, when we’re in town, you can choose something you prefer.”

Chu Bing collected her scattered emotions and offered a dazzling smile, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. “No, I love it. I’m so happy I can barely find the words.”

Li Mohan looked at her, and suddenly the faintest smile appeared on his lips.

It was so subtle, but Chu Bing caught it—a smile as fleeting as a blossom in spring. Clutching her chest, she murmured, “Young Master, you look so handsome when you smile.”

Li Mohan lowered his eyes. “You… are very beautiful, too.”

A tremor passed through Chu Bing’s heart.

Her smile faltered for just a moment before becoming flawless once more.

She only wanted to survive.

In a heavily guarded mansion,

Ren Changfeng emerged from his study. His attendant trailed behind, face full of concern. “Sir, your wounds haven’t fully healed. You shouldn’t be out in the wind. Let’s return and rest.”

Ren Changfeng shook his head, his thick brows knitted.

The attendant looked puzzled. “But, sir, didn’t the meeting go smoothly? With you presiding, no villain would dare make a move!”

A trace of mockery flickered in Ren Changfeng’s eyes. Everyone believed nothing could go wrong as long as he was present.

Only he knew the truth: the court’s fortunes were spent. Everything now was mere delay.

Yet, these weren’t the matters weighing on his mind.

He was troubled by a servant girl.

He had poisoned that maid, Hongxiu, and tomorrow was the full moon. If he failed to deliver the antidote to her, she would die from the poison.

“Sir? What’s troubling you?”

Ren Changfeng looked at his attendant. “Take something to a maid at the Li manor for me.”

The attendant straightened, thinking it some grave assignment.

Ren Changfeng drew a jade vial from his robe and pressed it into the attendant’s hand, lowering his voice. “Give this to the girl, and tell her to wait for me.”