CMWKSD -Chapter 138 The Curse

As they went down the list, the two of them fell silent, staring at the section about Jiu Yue’s medical skills.

They had heard today from Jiu Yue that Shen Zongsheng could stand up. Apart from a sense that “this is exactly how it should be,” they didn’t have any other thoughts. But now, with a moment of quiet, they could think carefully.

Jiu Yue’s medical skills perhaps shouldn’t be described as merely “good.”

After all, except for Ji Yiqing’s face and Ji Chaomian’s legs, they hadn’t personally experienced much.

Take Ji Chaomian’s legs, for instance. At the time, because there wasn’t much money, he didn’t go to the provincial or prefectural cities to see more doctors. After a doctor in the county town pronounced a death sentence on his legs, Ji Chaomian decided not to waste the family’s money and gave up treatment.

Shen Zongsheng’s situation was entirely different. He could have access to any doctor—commoners, palace physicians… anyone with even a little reputation. Over more than a year, General Shen had practically invited every well-known doctor in the entire Qi.

But no one had ever said that Shen Zongsheng could stand again; they only said he would be confined to a wheelchair for life.

So the fact that Jiu Yue cured Shen Zongsheng’s legs was something impossible to hide.

And now, Li Feng’s arrival tonight…

They had originally thought he might be another noble from the palace. At first, they assumed the Emperor Fengyuan wouldn’t send an outsider to treat someone. But thinking carefully, who else besides the emperor could summon Li Feng in the dead of night?

Ji Yiqing’s fingertips hovered over the section about medical skills. Exchanging a glance with Ji Chaomian, the two didn’t speak aloud—they silently mouthed the word: “Curse.”

With the answer revealed, instead of relaxing, they felt even more tense.

The Qi dynasty had been founded for over a century, passing through six emperors; the Emperor Fengyuan was the seventh. No emperor had ever lived past forty-five.

Just imagine—before the Emperor Fengyuan, several rulers had tried various methods to extend their life. No one would believe they didn’t.

So regarding the Chus’ lifespan—through medical skills, mysticism, spirits… countless methods had been imagined, yet no one truly knew the cause.

If Jiu Yue really came to the palace because of this matter, and truly resolved it, she would have free rein from then on. She wouldn’t need the Ji brothers to clean up after her anymore.

Of course, given Jiu Yue’s tendency to stir up trouble, the cleanup would likely continue to fall on the Ji brothers for life; no amount of merit could offset that. But that’s another story.

What mattered now was: what if even Jiu Yue couldn’t handle it?

Ji Yiqing’s hand shook so much he could barely hold his pen. Ji Chaomian glanced at him: “Yiqing, don’t worry too much.”

Ji Yiqing nearly lost his ability to think: “I… what should we do now?”

Ji Chaomian looked over the documents they had organized—these were all actually Jiu Yue’s achievements. He paused briefly in silence.

“Let’s not worry about what Jiu Yue is doing for now. First, let’s organize these materials. If in a couple of days there’s still no news, we’ll find a middleman, maybe submit one or two items. At the very least, we need to confirm Jiu Yue’s safety before anything else.”

Ji Yiqing calmed down quickly. Yes, he couldn’t act rashly. No matter what Jiu Yue was up to, he would find a way to get her out. Even if it meant venturing into the palace himself.

Jiu Yue followed the carriage into the palace walls. Li Feng had prepared a black cloak for her, covering her entirely: “My apologies, Miss Jiu Yue.”

Jiu Yue still had no idea why Li Feng had come. But when she saw the towering imperial city—entering the palace? Could it be that the Emperor Fengyuan wanted to see her?

Couldn’t he see her openly? Why all this secretive sneaking around? What kind of fetish did this emperor have?

Jiu Yue muttered a few words internally but dared not speak them aloud. This was a feudal society where imperial authority ruled all, not the modern world with free speech.

Knowing who had summoned her gave Jiu Yue some peace of mind. What she feared most was having no information at all. On the way here, she had thought of seven or eight ways to escape. If the carriage hadn’t been surrounded inside and out, she would have run off long ago. Being a refugee didn’t seem so bad—at least she’d still be alive.

The carriage stopped at the palace gate and was replaced by a sedan chair. Jiu Yue, half-asleep from exhaustion, swayed and fell asleep immediately. After all, she had just “exercised” with Ji Yiqing before going to bed—how could she not be tired?

When Li Feng lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and saw Jiu Yue unconscious, he paused, struck by a strange silence.

He didn’t know whether to call her carefree or brazen. Misbehavior in front of the palace could result in corporal punishment at the least, death at worst.

Clearing his throat twice, Li Feng made Jiu Yue open her eyes suddenly.

In that instant, her gaze—like that of a predator capturing prey—made Li Feng’s heart skip a beat. Jiu Yue’s identity was surely more than just an orphan. Those eyes were characteristic of a bloodthirsty person: ruthless, cruel, devoid of human warmth.

Once she recognized him, her gaze instantly calmed, shifting so quickly that Li Feng thought the predator moment was just an illusion. Fortunately, as the greatest martial artist in Qi, Li Feng’s vigilance and perception were just as sharp as Jiu Yue’s. That moment had been real—the secrets Jiu Yue carried were far too many.

The Emperor Fengyuan was resting in the Yangxin Hall today, and it was almost time for the morning court.

Li Feng brought Jiu Yue to a side hall of Yangxin Hall and had Ying Yi personnel watch her.

Jiu Yue glanced around casually, uninterested, and curled up in a corner.

When the imperial kitchen staff delivered breakfast, she blinked at the eagle-masked figure beside the door, unable to tell male from female, entirely wrapped in black robes. Was it hot or not?

The imperial kitchen—just the name sounded high-class and sophisticated. “Can I order something?”

Eagle-One remained silent for a moment. He hadn’t wanted to watch Jiu Yue here, but she had secretly entered the palace. No one could be allowed to know. Ji Yiqing and Ji Chaomian had also been given a gag order: just say Jiu Yue was ill and couldn’t meet anyone.

After all, if the Emperor Fengyuan truly had health issues, who knew what might happen with the former harem, the palace, or neighboring states?

Jiu Yue’s martial skills were known, so besides Eagle-One openly present, at least a dozen people were secretly watching her.

In such a tense atmosphere, Eagle-One didn’t believe Jiu Yue wouldn’t notice. But that person—either truly carefree or entirely indifferent—actually started ordering food.