THIP Chapter 56

The night was deep and still. Thinking of Mu Qingzhi, whose name and appearance were identical to someone from her past life, Mu Liuyin found it hard to fall asleep. She got up and sat at her desk, lighting a candle.

She ground the ink, laid out the paper, and picked up a brush. The instincts of the body’s original owner seemed etched into her very bones—Mu Liuyin had no trouble writing a smooth, elegant hand in calligraphy.

Every character she wrote was the name of a medicinal herb—ingredients for a formula to treat the poison in Mu Qingzhi’s body.

Mu Liuyin let out a quiet sigh. Unfortunately, she couldn’t begin treatment just yet.

At that same moment, Mu Qingzhi was also awake.

She didn’t know why, but after meeting Mu Liuyin for the first time earlier that day, she felt an inexplicable fondness for her. And the shock that woman had shown—it was as if she recognized her from somewhere.

“Investigate Shi Wuyin’s identity again,” Mu Qingzhi said calmly.

The shadow guard acknowledged the order and left.

In truth, the royal palace had already looked into Shi Wuyin before inviting him to treat Mu Qingzhi. But today, something about the woman’s startled expression—and her strange sense of familiarity—made Mu Qingzhi want to be more cautious.

In the original storyline, this second investigation never happened.

—

The next morning, not long after Mu Liuyin and Mu Qingzhi had finished breakfast, the Emperor, Mu Yinglan, arrived at the Prince Qi manor in casual dress. She had just come from morning court after hearing that her younger sister had invited the number one physician in the martial world.

Mu Yinglan and Mu Qingzhi had always been close. Otherwise, Mu Qingzhi wouldn’t have volunteered to lead troops into battle at only eighteen. After her victorious return, she had even handed over military command directly to Mu Yinglan.

But as the sovereign, Mu Yinglan’s suspicion and wariness toward Mu Qingzhi had grown day by day. How could she tolerate the existence of a Prince Qi, who was not only a celebrated war hero but also deeply respected by the people?

According to the plot, Mu Yinglan had intended to kill Mu Qingzhi outright. However, Mu Qingzhi’s martial arts skills were too formidable—even gravely wounded on the battlefield, she had survived the assassination attempt by the Emperor’s shadow guards.

Still, Mu Qingzhi’s legs had been crippled. Now confined to her manor and a wheelchair, what threat could she possibly pose?

Perhaps out of guilt or pity at seeing her once-glorious sister reduced to such a state, Mu Yinglan personally visited the Prince Qi manor several times each month.

These visits helped quell the rumors that it was the Emperor who had orchestrated the crippling of her sister’s legs. After all, Prince Qi was her full-blooded sister, the same one who had secured the empire’s borders. If it were known that the Emperor had done such a thing to her, the hearts of many officials would turn cold.

Mu Yinglan looked very much like Mu Qingzhi—nine parts alike in appearance—but their temperaments made it impossible to mistake them. Mu Qingzhi was calm but carried a quiet pride. Mu Yinglan wore a smile, but hers was layered with depth and calculation.

“Greetings, Elder Sister,” Mu Qingzhi said with a faint smile when Mu Yinglan entered.

“Your Majesty,” Mu Liuyin also bowed politely, though she did not kneel.

“No need for formalities,” Mu Yinglan replied with a warm tone that matched her sister’s melodious voice. She turned her gaze to Mu Liuyin. “You must be the physician who came yesterday to treat Qing’er. How is her condition?”

If Mu Liuyin didn’t already know the plot, she might have genuinely believed the Emperor truly cared for Mu Qingzhi.

Mu Liuyin answered with a touch of guilt, “To be honest, I haven’t yet determined what kind of poison Her Highness has been afflicted with. I need a bit more time for observation.”

Perhaps because many doctors before her had failed as well, Mu Yinglan didn’t look surprised. She simply nodded and said sincerely, “Then I’ll be counting on you, Doctor Shi.”

Mu Liuyin nodded solemnly. “I will do everything in my power.”

But she couldn’t help wondering: if she truly succeeded in curing Mu Qingzhi, would the Emperor still be this grateful?

For some reason, watching Mu Liuyin promise so seriously made Mu Qingzhi want to laugh.

She lowered her gaze and gave a faint cough, as if feeling unwell.

A look of concern appeared on Mu Yinglan’s face. “Have you caught a chill?”

Mu Liuyin quickly stepped forward and took her pulse, but found nothing serious.

Mu Qingzhi’s voice, soft and clear like a stream, now carried a faint hoarseness. “It’s nothing. I’m just a bit tired and would like to rest.”

“Then I’ll take my leave and return to the palace,” Mu Yinglan said gently. “Qing’er, go rest.”

Mu Qingzhi nodded lightly. “Take care, Elder Sister.”

Once Mu Yinglan had gone, Mu Liuyin glanced at Mu Qingzhi, who remained in the main hall. “Didn’t you say you were unwell? Why haven’t you gone to your room?”

Mu Qingzhi waved her hand, dismissing all the servants in the room until only the two of them remained.

Her voice, no longer hoarse, sounded steady as she asked, “I’m curious, Doctor Shi—why did you hide the fact from my sister that you might be able to cure me? Or is it that you’re not confident you can?”

Mu Liuyin gave her a look like she was an idiot. “You mean to tell me, with all that’s happened, you’ve never suspected anyone behind the poisoning?”

No wonder she could still smile at Mu Yinglan like that. This Prince was a total naive fool! How had she managed to win so many battles?

Mu Liuyin hadn’t planned to tell her so soon, to avoid raising suspicions, but she couldn’t help herself now. “Forgive my bluntness, but the poison affecting you resembles one I’ve read about in an ancient medical text. That poison is known to have been used exclusively by a certain imperial dynasty.”

Mu Qingzhi met her gaze for a long moment before looking away. Her tone was calm. “I’m feeling a bit unwell. Doctor Shi, would you kindly push me back to my room?”

Mu Liuyin: ???

That’s all she had to say after everything I just told her?

And what did she mean, “unwell”? She was faking it!

When Mu Liuyin didn’t move, Mu Qingzhi coughed again, this time more pitifully than before—an image of frail vulnerability.

Mu Liuyin: “……”

With a sigh of resignation, Mu Liuyin pushed her back to her room.

Just as she turned to leave, Mu Qingzhi’s soft voice called after her: “Thank you for today, Doctor Shi.”

Mu Liuyin muttered, “Seems you’re not as clueless as I thought.”

What she wanted to say was: At least you’re not so dumb as to believe Mu Yinglan genuinely cares about you.

Once outside, Mu Qingzhi finally let out a quiet laugh. Shi Wuyin had figured out the nature of the poison from the very first diagnosis. Her performance today—so cautious, so considerate—was actually… quite endearing.