“Miss Ming, if the treatment is interrupted because of you and someone dies, can you bear the responsibility?” Pei Qingyan stood in front of Mingzhu, his usually handsome face covered with a thick layer of ice, and just one glance was enough to chill one to the bone.
Mingzhu stared wide-eyed in shock, a hint of hurt in her eyes. "She killed him, what does it have to do with me? Besides, didn't you see her hit me just now?"
“I saw it, but I don’t think Miss Song did anything wrong.” Pei Qingyan’s nonchalant tone made Mingzhu feel a little overwhelmed, and her expression froze for a moment.
Pei Qingyan's implication was that Song Zhiyu deserved to be slapped, and even thought that Song Zhiyu's slap was well done.
She looked at Pei Qingyan, then at Song Zhiyu, her probing gaze shifting back and forth between the two of them, before suddenly realizing what was going on.
"No wonder you've been helping her so much; it turns out there really is something going on between you two." Mingzhu was furious and started to speak recklessly.
"Your Highness, this is the woman you've been longing for. She's already had an ambiguous relationship with Pei Qingyan. And yet you still protect her so much. She doesn't deserve it!"
These words were like a thunderclap from a clear sky, leaving the guests present completely stunned.
What did they hear? Was it something they could hear?
The relationship between Song Zhiyu, Pei Qingyan, and the Crown Prince is truly complicated.
Although curiosity can be deadly, they couldn't suppress their restless hearts, their ears perked up, eager to hear more untold secrets.
"She's not worthy, but are you?" Zhou Xingzhi's expression remained unchanged, and even his voice was completely flat, as if Mingzhu's words had no effect on him whatsoever.
"Jiang Huai, go and tell Lord Ming that if he cannot control his daughter, I will not hesitate to make him lose her."
"yes."
They only had time to see a dark shadow flash by before Jiang Huai, who was standing behind the Crown Prince, disappeared in an instant.
"No, you can't do this." Mingzhu collapsed weakly to the ground. At this moment, reason returned to her, and regret welled up in her heart. She knew that the Crown Prince always meant what he said.
She just hoped her father could come quickly and save her.
Pei Qingyan scoffed coldly, her eyes devoid of warmth. "Those with a heart see everything as dirty. So, the sibling relationship is so despicable in Miss Ming's eyes. It seems the Ming family's upbringing is nothing more than this."
"Brother and sister relationship? How could you..." Mingzhu suddenly looked up, her face full of disbelief.
The Shen siblings were equally shocked.
"Zhiyu and I grew up in Li County. After my parents died, I almost couldn't survive. It was young Zhiyu who took me in and took good care of me, snatching my life back from the jaws of death."
We were both orphans, and we considered each other our closest relatives. She regarded me as her older brother. We weren't related by blood, but our bond was stronger than that of family.
As Pei Qingyan's cold voice fell, a gentle female voice slowly rang out, "Brother."
Looking in the direction of the sound, one could see Song Zhiyu standing not far away, smiling at Pei Qingyan. The atmosphere between the two was harmonious and warm, making it difficult for outsiders to intrude, yet there was nothing inappropriate about it. It made one somewhat envious of their brother-sister relationship.
What's even more shocking is that the patient, who was lying motionless on the ground, is now slowly getting up, his face, which is still somewhat ulcerated, showing a hint of confusion.
"The person...the person is alive!"
Those with sharp eyes were terrified; no one could remain unmoved by seeing a person who was clearly dying suddenly sit up perfectly fine.
Song Zhiyu withdrew her gaze and looked at the man beside her. Seeing that his complexion was normal and his breathing was even, she knew that he was out of danger, and that her efforts to save him had not been in vain.
"Remember to take this pill when you get back, once a day. You'll be fully recovered in half a month." Song Zhiyu tossed a porcelain bottle into the man's arms, adding a few words of advice.
The man gripped the medicine bottle tightly, his eyes reddening, and repeatedly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you so much for saving my life, young lady."
"Send him back." Song Zhiyu nodded, accepting his thanks, and gave the order to the two guards carrying the stretcher.
The guests stared blankly at the events unfolding before them, feeling that they had made the right choice by coming to the lake cruise banquet today.
If they hadn't come, they probably wouldn't have seen something so interesting.
But what they found even more interesting was the relationship between Song Zhiyu and Pei Qingyan, which was truly unexpected.
They had heard that Pei Qingyan had a very beloved younger sister, but they never expected it to be Song Zhiyu.
At this moment, everyone's eyes turned to Shen Yanxi.
One is a sworn brother, the other is a biological brother—how interesting!
Shen Yanxi could no longer maintain his composure; his jawline was taut, and his body temperature was extremely low.
They're not relatives, but they're closer than relatives. So what are they?
Shen Yanxi wanted to question Song Zhiyu, but he was horrified to find that he had no grounds to do so.
"Fourth Brother..." Shen Jinshu gently tugged at Shen Yanxi's sleeve, trying to get him to control his temper, but his hand was violently shaken off.
She stared in astonishment at her hand that had been flung away. This was the first time Shen Yanxi had treated her like this, showing no regard for her feelings whatsoever.
They said nice things, but Song Zhiyu had still left a mark on their hearts; otherwise, he wouldn't have lost his composure like that.
Shen Jinshu sneered, her hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched into fists, pinching deep marks into her delicate palms, yet she felt no pain.
What hurt her even more was Shen Yanxi's attitude towards her.
*
"Miss Song's medical skills are indeed superb. I really underestimated you. Reward her." The Empress Dowager remained seated firmly in the main seat, unaffected by the earlier commotion. Now, looking at Song Zhiyu, her eyes held a hint of approval that she hadn't shown before.
Song Zhiyu stepped forward to express his gratitude, appearing completely composed. "Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
At this point, Song Zhiyu had clearly become a strong contender for the championship.
Before long, the banquet returned to its usual lively atmosphere.
After watching the performances of several other noble ladies, it was finally Shen Jinshu's turn.
At this moment, an antique-looking Jiao Wei Qin (a type of zither) was placed in the center of the banquet. Shen Jinshu slowly rose and gracefully bowed to the envious and amazed gazes of the crowd.
She walked gracefully onto the stage in a moon-white brocade dress, sat down, and smiled slightly in her beautiful eyes. Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, her fingertips gently brushed the strings of the zither, and melodious music flowed out slowly.
Her fingertips danced and swayed on the strings, like willow catkins in spring, dancing lightly in the breeze.
Her piano playing was melodious and graceful, as clear and beautiful as a gurgling mountain spring, captivating all who heard it.
As the music continued, Song Zhiyu vaguely smelled a familiar fragrance, extremely faint, almost imperceptible even under the mask of various incense and fruit scents.
However, Song Zhiyu had been exposed to various drugs and poisons since childhood, and had an extraordinary sense of smell when it came to exotic fragrances.
She carefully discerned the source of the fragrance, finally fixing her gaze on Shen Jinshu's zither.
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