TFWYH – Chapter 688 The Domestic Strife Program

Ling Yu’s plans were meticulous, every move carefully linked to the next. In the end, all of his schemes served a single purpose.

Not long after Yu Ziqing left, Mu Qingfeng returned as well.

Lately, he had spent his days either studying those parasitic gu insects or visiting the Second Prince’s residence across the street to help restore Huangfu Ronglan’s health.

With Huangfu Yi protecting her and Mu Qingfeng treating her, Huangfu Ronglan’s condition improved day by day.

In seven days, they would be able to begin removing the parasite.

When Mu Qingfeng shared this news with Ling Yu, Ling Yu pressed his lips together tightly.

After a long silence, he asked,

“Brother Mu, exactly how confident are you?”

After considering for a moment, Mu Qingfeng replied,

“About sixty percent.”

Only sixty percent.

Ling Yu slowly closed his eyes.

A complicated bitterness rose in his heart.

Knowing that Ling Yu was troubled, Mu Qingfeng tried to comfort him.

“Don’t worry. I’ll do everything I can. Besides, isn’t Wan-niang here as well? Have her watch over the procedure. If something happens to the Eldest Miss, she can provide emergency treatment immediately.”

“Mhm.”

Ling Yu answered quietly before casually asking:

“During these visits to see my elder sister, did you notice anyone secretly protecting her?”

Thinking back, Mu Qingfeng nodded.

“Yes. Two people. Their qinggong is excellent, but they couldn’t escape my senses.”

“Is that so…”

Ling Yu narrowed his eyes, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

Mu Qingfeng continued with a sigh:

“I think the Second Prince truly cares about the Eldest Miss. Not only has he stationed trusted guards around her openly, but he has also placed people in secret. You really don’t need to worry. She’s extremely safe now.”

“Heh…”

Ling Yu shook his head.

“Brother Mu, you’re mistaken. Since the Second Prince has already assigned so many guards openly, why would he go out of his way to place more in secret?”

“Based on my understanding of him, he isn’t that meticulous.”

Mu Qingfeng froze.

“Then those two people hiding in the shadows are…”

“The Dragon Hidden Guards.”

Ling Yu stated it decisively.

Ignoring Mu Qingfeng’s surprise, he continued:

“It seems His Majesty also feels he owes my elder sister a debt. In that case, it’s time to lure the snake out of its hole.”

Mu Qingfeng looked completely confused.

“Brother Ling, what do you mean by that? Lure out what snake?”

Ling Yu smiled.

“Of course, our Second Prince Consort.”

“If she learns that you’ll soon be able to remove my sister’s parasite, do you really think she’ll be able to sit still?”

Mu Qingfeng’s eyes lit up.

But when he thought about the still-vulnerable Huangfu Ronglan, worry quickly returned.

“Is that really wise? The schemes and intrigues of the inner household are impossible to guard against. The Eldest Miss can’t even defend herself. What if things backfire?”

Ling Yu replied calmly:

“Brother Mu underestimates the Dragon Hidden Guards. They were raised in the imperial palace and exposed to court intrigues from childhood. What sort of underhanded scheme haven’t they seen before? Protecting my elder sister won’t be a problem for them.”

Mu Qingfeng: “…”

Really?

Because Su Xi didn’t seem all that smart.

And her martial arts weren’t particularly impressive either.

It wasn’t really his fault for thinking that way.

After all, he didn’t know any other Dragon Hidden Guards.

The one he interacted with most often was Su Xi, who happened to be a member of the organization.

So in Mu Qingfeng’s mind, Su Xi represented the Dragon Hidden Guards as a whole.

What he didn’t know was that Su Xi ranked near the very bottom of the organization.

She had no access to its core operations.

Otherwise, the Emperor would never have casually gifted her away.

Nor did he know that most of the female Dragon Hidden Guards were assigned to protect imperial consorts and noblewomen at close range.

As a result, the very first thing they learned was how to navigate and counter the schemes of the inner palace.

Su Xi was no exception.

Even if her martial arts skills were mediocre, when it came to household and palace intrigue, she was more than capable of holding her own against any imperial consort.

The only reason she never had a chance to demonstrate those talents was because the Ling family was unusually harmonious.

The brothers respected one another.

The mother was loving.

The children were filial.

There simply wasn’t any family infighting for her to deal with.