"In that case, it is getting late. My sister and I shall take our leave."
Jiang Yourning bowed, then swiftly scurried out of the inner hall with Jiang Wanrong.
The outer hall of the Imperial Study.
Qing Qianxue sat there alone with his gaze lowered, a crowd of imperial physicians lined up beside him, taking turns checking his pulse.
On closer inspection, there even seemed to be a faint trace of amusement in his eyes.
"What happened to you?"
Seeing so many imperial physicians lined up, Jiang Yourning could not help frowning.
Qing Qianxue looked up, his voice faint and airy.
"Cough, cough... it's nothing. I probably caught a chill in the wind these past two days. I'm feeling a little out of sorts today."
At once, Jiang Yourning recalled Qing Qianxue standing on the rooftop in the wind two days earlier.
She glared at him without hesitation.
"Serves you right!"
"Yes, it serves me right." Qing Qianxue nodded lightly. "The thousand taels of gold and that pair of red coral ornaments-would you like them now, or shall I have them delivered to your residence?"
???
A trace of bewilderment entered Jiang Yourning's eyes.
Did the cold freeze your brain, buddy? Chu Wenzong already changed my reward. Why are you giving me those things?
Are you plotting something nasty again?
"I was the one who promised those things in the first place. As a member of the Yu Kingdom, I, the State Preceptor, merely added a little incentive for the sake of His Majesty's safety. Cough, cough..."
Qing Qianxue smiled, then added, "Now that you've found the exit to the secret passage, it is only right that you receive the reward."
Meeting those eyes, which seemed to be calmly stating a simple fact, Jiang Yourning felt her heart skip a