c101 (1/2)

Chapter 101: The Seed of Hate (Part 2)

As Dan Yu Lan saw them getting ready to leave, he tightened and released his brows a couple of time before hesitantly saying, “Please stay behind. The Emperor is also grieved with the premature death of the Prince. This matter… The Emperor has his considerations and both of you mustn’t act with undue haste. Moreover Imperial Concubine Qing’s temperament is completely different with both of you, so…”

Dan Yu Lan rarely spoke so obscurely and for him to be like this, it only meant that he was instructed by Yan Hong Tian to do so. Zhuo Qing replied readily, “Do not worry. Before the matter is cleared up, we will not let Qing Feng know and would not… Inadvertently alert the enemy.”

When Gu Yun and Zhuo Qing walked out of Ti Xing Department, both of them felt powerless because of what Dan Yu Lan’s remarks. Gu Yun’s expression was not good the entire time and was agitated when she spoke, “Yan Hong Tian must have suspected the cause of the child’s death else he would not have sent someone to look for the medicine dregs in the beginning and also let Dan Yu Lan perform an autopsy. Since he is suspicious, why the secrecy then? What is he thinking exactly?”

“I do not know…” Compared to Gu Yun’s puzzled and irritation, Zhuo Qing had more worries. Xi Yan’s abnormalities for these period and Dan Yu Lan’s dissuasion, made her felt that this time Yan Hong Tian will not let this go easily. But he concealed his actions from Qing Feng and did not let her know anything. Was this truly ideal?

Forget about it. Anyway Qing Feng’s face would need another three months. Wait till her face was cured before this topic is discussed again.

*****

Inside Qing Feng Hall, other than Fu Ling who can stay behind, the rest of the people were chased out. Qing Feng looked at the baby cradle under the big tree and closed her eyes before taking a couple of deep breaths. She then turn over to Yue Sheng, who was standing beside her, and said, “Let’s begin.”

Yue Sheng cast a sidelong glance at her before turning and walking into the house.

Qing Feng stared at that arrogant figure and gritted her teeth, saying nothing as she followed in.

Yue Sheng looked around to size up the surroundings and saw a few paintings in the study. There was a trace of appreciation that flash across his eyes but it was only for a very short moment before that arrogant expression was resumed back on his face. Seeing Qing Feng and Fu Ling had also entered the living area, Yue Sheng smiled as if he harboured malicious intent, “Naturally I can start anytime. It actually depends if you are fully prepared?”

Qing Feng’s expression did not change as she asked, “What preparation is required?”

“The scars on your face are deep and it is fully healed. In order to restore it back to your previous appearance, there is a need to suffer the pain of cutting off the flesh.” As he spoke, Yue Sheng pull out a roll of leather from his sleeves and untie the rope that was tying it together. When the leather was unrolled, there were different lengths and thickness of knives and at the side there were a few long needles and hooks.

Every single knife looks very sharp. Qing Feng frowned as Fu Ling stared at the glowing coldness of the blade. When she thought of what Yue Sheng’s words of ‘cutting off the flesh’, her heart immediately gripped.

“First of all, all the dead flesh have to be cut out. Supplemented with my specially concocted medication of applying externally and taking it internally, then the desired effect will be prevalent. However before the flesh is healed, every time the dressing is changed, the pain would be like thousands of ants gnawing away.” Yue Sheng took out every single knife and arrange it well before using a cloth to gently and carefully wipe them. The words that he said however were obviously uttered casually as if the pain of thousands of ants gnawing away did not matter in his eyes.

When she heard about cutting the surface of the flesh, Fu Lin’s heart was gripped and when she heard about the pain of thousands of ants, Fu Ling unconsciously grabbed onto Qing Feng’s hands. She could feel the coldness from the pair of hands and tried to suppress a s.h.i.+ver, “Mistress…”

Qing Feng clench Fu Ling’s hands tightly and looked at Yue Zhen as she coldly questioned, “Anything else?”

Yue Sheng slightly raised his head and saw Qing Feng’s strong and calm conviction. The ends of his lips curled up and he smiled, “That’s all.”

At the same time of being secretly relief, Qing Feng also relaxed the hand holding on to Fu Ling, “Since there is no more then start now.”

“Good.” Yue Sheng was evidently satisfied with Qing Feng’s att.i.tude of not dragging her feet. He pointed to the chair by his side to sit and instructed Fu Ling who was still standing stiffly, “Bring a basin of water over and prepare some clean cotton cloth.”

“Yes.” Fu Ling dare not hesitate and immediately went to do it.

After Fu Ling had brought over the water and cotton cloths back, she saw Yue Sheng pick up a flimsy razor and got closer to Qing Feng. Fu Ling gasped and her hands holding onto the basin tightened.

Just when the blade got nearer to Qing Feng face, she suddenly exclaimed, “Wait.”

Yue Sheng’s hands stopped and there was a raise in anger and impatience in his eyes but he still put down the knife that he was holding.

“Fu Ling, put the stuff down and go out.”

Fu Ling urgently spoke, “Mistress, this servant can stay behind to help.”

Not waiting for her to finish, Qing Feng snapped, “Go out!”

Qing Feng did not even look at her, thus Fu Ling had no other way but to put the basin down at the side stool and slowly exited. At the moment the doors of the room was closed, she could see her Mistress gripping tightly onto the wooden handle with her slender hands as she said without her previously strong voice, “Continue.”

At the end the door had been closed and Fu Ling’s hands could not help but shake. Fu Ling took a few steps back and clasped both her hands together as she bit her lower lip while she tried her hardest to keep her mind calm.