Путешествие безумки по династии Сун

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"So the Emperor is the leader of the Dragon Gate? Does the Emperor really need to personally handle something like this? Or is it because he finds the palace boring and is just looking for amusement?" This was indeed beyond Leng Jie's imagination. In her view, it was as unbelievable as hearing that the President of the country would become the head of the intelligence department and personally collect intelligence.

After drinking the medicine, Xuan Yuan Yunli, whose pain had eased slightly, wasn't angry at Wuming's unreasonable question. Strangely, he had already come to regard Wuming, whom he had just met, as one of his own. He thought it might be because Wuming was Qingfeng's junior brother and had saved his life. He simply sighed and weakly poured out his grievances:

"Alas! I am truly dissatisfied. I have failed miserably as emperor. Previously, Prime Minister Leng held absolute power. I finally managed to overthrow him, but then the Shui family became the dominant force. I have always been all alone. I do not want to be controlled by others all the time, so of course I must cultivate my own power base. However, all the officials in the court are people recommended by them. I cannot place my own people in any of them."

"So, you started cultivating your influence in the martial arts world. Then you collected evidence of the crimes of those corrupt officials, intending to bring them down and replace them with your confidants," Leng Jie asked expressionlessly.

Xuanyuan saw that Wuming, like Qingfeng, could see through his intentions at a glance. Feeling he had found another kindred spirit, he looked at him intently and nodded, saying:

That's exactly what I was thinking.

He had expected him to praise his feat like a gentle breeze, but to his surprise, Wuming suddenly showed disdain and said sarcastically:

"With a leader like you, I truly feel sorry for the people of Jinghe..." The word "sorrow" was not uttered because Qingfeng's hand had already covered her mouth tightly. When Qingfeng heard the Emperor say the words "Cold Prime Minister" again, he began to pay attention to Wuming's expression. Seeing that her face was strange and her tone was unfriendly, he hurriedly covered her mouth.

[Main Text: Chapter Thirty - Rebuking the Emperor]

Leng Jie's expression wasn't due to her cold demeanor or foolishness. It stemmed entirely from her rigorous work ethic and the long-standing ingrained ideology of prioritizing the interests of the nation and its people. China has always placed great emphasis on the ideological education of its military personnel and intelligence agents. Therefore, their national spirit and patriotism are arguably among the best in the world's intelligence forces.

Coupled with her cold and straightforward personality, Leng Jie would absolutely obey her superior's correct orders, but she would never hesitate to point out his wrong decisions. After all, even a minor mistake on his part could affect the lives of these frontline agents, and even the fate of the nation. Therefore, when she heard that the emperor himself had become the head of the intelligence agency, she was furious. And when she learned that he needed to cultivate gangsters to govern officials, she concluded that he was not a suitable emperor and did not hesitate to criticize him.

A gentle breeze instantly sobered Leng Jie, reminding her that she was no longer facing her 21st-century superior, though of the same rank but different position. Instead, she was confronting an ancient monarch wielding the power of life and death. Realizing this, Leng Jie immediately fell silent, her back already soaked with cold sweat.

But the emperor was not willing to let him off so easily, and pressed him relentlessly with a somber expression:

"Qingfeng, let go of his hand and let him finish speaking. What do you feel for Jinghe and its people? You also think I'm a spineless emperor, don't you?"

Seeing the emperor's bald, listless appearance again, Leng Jie couldn't help but feel angry. What she had intended to say turned out to be an even harsher accusation:

“I feel sorry for Jinghe and his people. You are not only cowardly, but also incompetent. You are skilled in martial arts and may be a good leader of the Longmen Sect, but you are not suitable to be a ruler of a country.”

Qingfeng's hand was held tightly by her, and he couldn't stop her even if he wanted to. He could only stare at their expressions, hoping that he could intervene in time to save her if the emperor were to kill her in a fit of anger.

The emperor's face could no longer be described as deathly pale; it had turned a deep, ashen color. The listlessness in his eyes had been replaced by a fierce rage. His jaw was clenched, and he was breathing heavily through his nostrils. He looked like he was about to devour someone, consumed by uncontrollable fury.

Seeing the emperor's furious outburst, Leng Jie calmed down. She made a bet with herself: she bet the emperor was merely young and impetuous, having ascended the throne at a young age and somewhat at a loss, not an incompetent ruler or a tyrant. She thought the worst outcome was simply giving up this easily acquired, nameless identity; she could always go back to feigning madness and playing the fool. After all, even if he wanted to execute her, it would be the "nameless" one.

But if she won the gamble, she might be able to leave the palace and do what she loves and excels at. In reality, she had her eye on the Dragon Gate and its leader.

So, ignoring the emperor's cannibalistic expression and Qingfeng's surprised and worried look, she continued to administer a strong dose of medicine to them, saying:

"The way of a ruler is to be close to virtuous ministers, keep away from petty men, practice benevolent governance, recruit the wise and accept advice, regulate the people's livelihood, and have a heart that embraces the four seas and a spirit that embraces all rivers." You must have heard this saying before! But for a successful monarch and an excellent leader, it is not enough to just do the above, nor does it require you to be a master of martial arts or have extensive knowledge.

However, "knowing people and using them well" is the primary condition for becoming a wise ruler. "Knowing people and using them well" does not mean only using virtuous ministers and completely eliminating treacherous people. Rather, it means how to make good use of them. Therefore, knowing people and using them well can also be understood as the art of managing people.

Take those two people you just mentioned, for example. The Cold Prime Minister wields absolute power, so you can simultaneously restrain his influence while allowing the Shui family's power to grow. When the two forces are evenly matched, they can check and balance each other. And you, the emperor, can simply sit in the Golden Phoenix Palace and watch them fight and struggle. When they're locked in a fierce battle, step in as a peacemaker, and you'll have a peaceful world. At that point, you can easily develop your own power. Once your power is strong enough to support the entire country, let them fight it out again. When they're both severely weakened, you can then wipe them out in one fell swoop…”

Xuanyuan Yunli glared angrily at the young man before him, who dared to belittle him, the emperor himself, a prodigy, making him utterly worthless and useless. His anger was fiercer than ever before. Even the powerful, three-dynasty veteran, Leng Xiang, had never dared to criticize him so openly. Moreover, in Wuming's eyes, Wuming was nothing more than a greenhorn. One could imagine how intense the emperor's rage would be. However, given Wuming's righteous tone, the fact that he had just saved his life, and most importantly, his current serious injuries, he was powerless to help. Xuanyuan Yunli forcefully suppressed his raging fire, wanting only to silence Wuming's sharp lips with a murderous glare.

However, he dared to ignore his warnings and continue talking. Xuanyuan, who thought he was about to explode, found his anger subsiding after hearing Wuming speak of "the way of a ruler" and "the art of controlling people," and his fierce gaze gradually turning into admiration. After listening to his unique insights into court politics, Xuanyuan was completely awestruck by the young boy's words.

Xuanyuan carefully reviewed the events of his three years on the throne and realized that if, as Wuming said, the Shui and Leng families had been kept in check and balance, instead of focusing solely on eliminating the Leng family, the situation might have been very different. He suddenly realized that this might be his father's true intention in establishing a mentally challenged empress and supporting Empress Dowager Shui.

The problem that had been troubling him for three years, keeping him completely baffled, was suddenly solved. Xuanyuan excitedly wanted to step forward and grasp Wuming's hand to express his gratitude. However, he forgot that he was currently severely injured; this movement aggravated all his wounds, causing him to cough again in pain.

Qingfeng, who was also staring intently at the seemingly foolish empress, was much simpler. He was simply thinking, "She's not only not foolish, but she truly has the demeanor of an empress!" The emperor's sudden cough brought him back to his senses. Qingfeng knew the emperor's resilient personality; he wouldn't make a sound unless he was in excruciating pain, and even if he did, it would never be a painful groan. Qingfeng glared fiercely at the emperor, who was gritting his teeth and coughing, and immediately bent down to examine the extent of his strain.

Leng Jie, who had been watching the emperor's expression out of the corner of her eye, saw his face gradually soften as her words reassured her. Just when she thought she was about to win her gamble, the emperor suddenly became agitated and appeared to be in pain. Leng Jie assumed that the emperor had finally been provoked, so without thinking, she quietly and quickly slipped away while Qingfeng was checking his wounds.

[Main Text: Chapter Thirty-One - Choosing Amnesia]

As the sun set and the moon rose, visibility outside was still good, and the palace lanterns in the inner palace remained unlit. However, the Eastern Palace, always the last to be lit, was already brightly lit. In the servants' courtyard of the Eastern Palace, several palace maids who had finished lighting their lanterns sat huddled together, their eyes filled with fear and their faces filled with panic, their bodies trembling slightly. Meanwhile, the foolish Empress, the mistress of the Eastern Palace, was alone in her bedchamber, happily enjoying a meal of three dishes and a soup. This was the scene Qingfeng witnessed upon arriving at the Eastern Palace.

After Qingfeng re-bandaged the emperor's wound, they both noticed that Wuming was nowhere to be seen. Qingfeng, also assuming the emperor was angered by Wuming's words, hurriedly tried to explain, offering excuses like Wuming's youth and ignorance, hoping the emperor would forgive him out of consideration for Wuming. However, before he could finish speaking, the emperor interrupted him, an attitude that surprised even Qingfeng, who always thought he knew Wuming well.

Far from blaming Wuming for his unreasonable accusations, he expressed admiration for Wuming's unique insights and straightforward personality. What surprised Qingfeng most was that the emperor wanted to appoint Wuming to an official position. Qingfeng found this even more terrifying than the emperor's outright anger. Therefore, after the emperor fell asleep, he immediately rushed to the Eastern Palace to discuss countermeasures with the shrew.

Although the East Palace was brightly lit, it was so quiet that only the rustling of leaves in the wind could be heard. Therefore, Leng Jie sensed Qingfeng's arrival as soon as he entered. However, being a mentally impaired woman, she was still wolfing down her food in her room. It wasn't until Qingfeng landed in front of her and pointed at the food on the table that she complained:

"Is this all they give you to eat?"

Leng Jie chuckled and said, "Is there anything wrong with this? Fresh food with three dishes and a soup only became available after the incident in Fenglin. So, these delicious meals are something I worked hard to get."

Seeing the disheveled, foolish woman enjoying the food reserved for palace servants, and even grinning foolishly as she said that she had fought for those "delicious" meals, he couldn't help but recall the first time he met her at the East Palace. A strange anger quietly ignited within Qingfeng. He unconsciously frowned and raised his voice:

"If you're so capable, why do you degrade yourself like this? Why pretend to be a fool when there are so many other things to pretend to be?"

Leng Jie found Qingfeng's expression and attitude amusing, and jokingly remarked helplessly:

"Are you shouting so loudly because you want people to know you came to see the idiot queen at night? Do you want to create some gossip for fun?"

"Your palace servants are all holed up in the servants' quarters in the backyard, too afraid to come out. Even if I raise my voice, they wouldn't be able to hear me. But why are you pretending to be stupid? I really want to know?" Seeing that she was pretending to be stupid, Qingfeng tried to change the subject and pressed on.

Leng Jie glanced at the earnest Qingfeng, then put down her chopsticks. She casually picked up a towel, gently wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth, then slowly dried her delicate hands before putting it back. Next, she straightened her deliberately tousled hair with her fingers, gathered her long, black, glossy hair together, and casually tied it back with a ribbon. Finally, she straightened her slightly disheveled and wrinkled clothes, shrugged at Qingfeng, raised her hands, and revealed a bright smile. In her clear and unique voice, she said:

"Okay, since you already know my secret, I don't need to play dumb in front of you anymore. To be honest, playing dumb is a really painful thing."

The silly woman's gentle and slow movements were elegant and graceful, yet still retained a touch of innocence. Qingfeng was momentarily stunned by what he saw.

Seeing that Qingfeng remained silent, Leng Jie continued:

"Actually, thanks to the double dose of poison you gave me, I don't remember why I pretended to be stupid. I don't know if I was really stupid or just pretending before. All I know is that when I woke up, I heard two eunuchs saying they wanted to see if the 'stupid queen' was dead. When I found out that the 'stupid queen' they were talking about was me, out of instinct, I wanted to survive, so I had to pretend to be stupid."

"You mean you don't remember the past? Then how do you remember the prescriptions and so many quirky pranks? And what you said to the Emperor this afternoon about 'the way of being a ruler' and 'the art of controlling people'—wasn't that taught to you by your father, Prime Minister Leng?" Qingfeng pressed.

"Well? You're a medical student, so you should know about a condition called 'selective amnesia,' right? People with this condition automatically block out things they don't want to remember or don't wish to recall. I think I might have this condition!" Leng Jie felt she couldn't explain time travel or possession into another body, so she had to make up an excuse about amnesia. She knew Qingfeng would be very interested in new cases, so she deliberately spoke vaguely about 'selective amnesia' to distract him.

As expected, Qingfeng became very interested in 'selective amnesia'. He asked urgently and with a sense of self-reproach:

"Does such a disease exist? How did you find out? Is it really a side effect of poisoning? Don't worry, I will definitely create an antidote to restore your memory."

Having achieved the desired effect, Leng Jie blinked, a glint of light flashing in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up slightly. However, Qingfeng, immersed in self-reproach, didn't notice this expression. When Qingfeng looked at her, she had already composed herself, her eyelids lowered, her eyes revealing melancholy, her face filled with sorrow, and she said worriedly:

"I must have had a very bad time and been very unhappy in the past to choose to lock those memories away! So, I don't want to remember them. Of course, I don't blame your poison. It's just that last time you said the toxins were still in my body. I was wondering if you could help me force them out and, in the meantime, clear my meridians?"

Seeing the sorrowful and grief-stricken expression on the idiot's face, Qingfeng felt a complex, clenched feeling in his heart. It was as if all her suffering was his fault. Upon hearing her request, without hesitation, he immediately nodded in agreement:

"Alright, if you don't want to remember, then don't. I will use my internal energy to help you expel the poison and clear your meridians. In this way, if you can absorb that internal energy within your body, you will be able to learn our martial arts much more easily."

Seeing Qingfeng nod, Leng Jie was overjoyed. Ever since she heard Qingfeng mention the powerful inner energy within her, she had been plotting how to acquire it. That night in the secret passage, when she saw Qingfeng channeling inner energy to save the dying emperor, she wondered if Qingfeng could use his internal energy to open her meridians, like in martial arts films. So, she had been looking for an opportunity to test Qingfeng, and to her surprise, she succeeded. How could she not be excited!

However, she kept her joy and happiness hidden in her heart, her face filled with tears as she sighed bitterly:

"Alas! It's a pity I can't learn your kung fu now!"

Qingfeng had seen her ugly and foolish self, her mischievous and clever self, her ruthless and cruel self, and her righteous and indignant self rebuking the emperor, but he had never seen her so pitiful. Seeing her tearful, sorrowful expression, he felt a pang of fear and hurriedly asked:

"Why? Didn't you say you'd learn martial arts from me under the alias Wuming? What, you don't want to be my junior brother anymore?"

"Qingfeng, have you forgotten why you came to see me?" Seeing that Qingfeng's thoughts were completely following her guidance, Leng Jie deliberately reminded him.

Qingfeng was momentarily stunned by the Empress's sudden change in attitude and erratic thinking before he could react. He was somewhat bewildered, unable to understand why his usually calm and shrewd mind had become so muddled when faced with this sixteen-year-old empress. However, he was now at least certain that she was absolutely harmless to the Emperor, himself, and Jinghe. Therefore, he wouldn't be as wary of her as he had been initially. Qingfeng shook his head, clearing his mind of these unnecessary thoughts, and explained the purpose of his trip.

[Main Text: Chapter Thirty-Two: Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers]

After Qingfeng relayed the emperor's words, he saw the Foolish Empress's large, clear, and sparkling eyes grow brighter and brighter, a fleeting glint of cunning in them making Qingfeng's heart tighten. He asked anxiously:

"You wouldn't agree to become an official, would you? Don't forget you're a woman. Since ancient times, women have not held political power; this is a rule passed down from our ancestors."

“Of course not!” Leng Jie replied crisply and firmly. Then, after taking a long breath, she continued, “I want to be the leader of the Dragon Gate.”

Having received a positive reply, Qingfeng finally felt relieved. However, before he could finish exhaling, Leng Jie's next words startled him so much that he almost choked on his breath. The air stuck in his throat, making Qingfeng's face turn red, and then he coughed violently.

Seeing that Qingfeng was startled by her words, Leng Jie quickly got up and used her soft little hand to soothe him. The moment her hand touched Qingfeng's back, Qingfeng's body, which was trembling from coughing, suddenly froze. Then, he quickly jumped three feet away from Leng Jie, continuing to cough while stealing glances at her warily.

Leng Jie stared blankly at her outstretched hand for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh at Qingfeng's sensitive expression. She burst into laughter and teased:

"Haha, hahaha, little brother Qingfeng, are you afraid that your sister will harm you? Don't worry! No matter how unsatisfied your sister is, she won't force you. That kind of thing is only fun if it's consensual. Haha, your sister just wants to help you vent your anger."

Qingfeng was stunned by the silly empress's mocking manner and words. His already flushed face turned a deep purplish-red. If it were anyone else, they would surely wonder why this silly empress, who had never been favored by the emperor, would say such audacious things. Or they would simply curse her for being so shameless, daring to say anything. However, Qingfeng, who was used to the silly empress's unconventional ways, thought to himself, "Heavens! I've actually been teased by this woman! What's worse, this woman is not only younger than me, but she's also a married woman."

Seeing Qingfeng's jaw nearly drop in surprise, Leng Jie abruptly stopped laughing, composed herself, and regained her composure. She looked at Qingfeng seriously and said:

"Alright! Enough laughing, let's get back to the main topic!"

Looking at the sudden serious expression on the silly queen's face, Qingfeng couldn't help but shake his head helplessly. He felt that he had no choice but to admire the silly queen's ability to control her facial expressions and her erratic way of thinking.

Leng Jie noticed that Qingfeng's complexion had improved somewhat, and he wasn't as listless anymore. She continued:

"I know you're worried about my identity being exposed and don't want me to have too much contact with the Emperor. But I can't stay in the harem pretending to be a fool for the rest of my life, a foolish empress in name only, can I? Look at me, I'm only sixteen, in the prime of my youth. Can you bear to watch a flower of our nation trapped in this deep palace, withering away sadly and tragically until I die in despair? Someone as good as you wouldn't want that, would you? So, this is definitely the best opportunity to leave the palace, and you must support me."

"I'll help you." Hearing the Foolish Empress's long, self-pitying lament, Qingfeng blurted out without thinking. But as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized the real issue wasn't whether she left the palace or pretended to be foolish, but rather how a weak woman without martial arts skills could possibly become the leader of the Dragon Gate. Although he had to admit she was indeed intelligent, in the martial world, strength always determined power! Qingfeng wanted to change his mind, but it was too late. The Foolish Empress had already become his junior brother, Wuming.

"Wow, Senior Brother agreed! I knew Senior Brother was the best. From today onwards, Junior Brother Wuming will definitely study the lightness skill from Senior Brother diligently. You can help me tell that stinking emperor who wants to murder his wife that once I learn the lightness skill, I can relieve his worries. Tell him not to bother me for now." Leng Jie pressed on while the iron was hot.

Qingfeng saw her joyful excitement and heard her clear voice calling him "Senior Brother." He found it hard to reconcile the innocent, expectant expression on her face with the woman who had just called him "Sister" and teased him so freely. Although he was used to her ever-changing expressions, Qingfeng was still touched by her current cheerfulness, a sweet feeling rising in his heart. However, reason told him that no matter how clever she was, she was still just a sixteen-year-old girl who had entered the palace at thirteen and lost her memory. She had underestimated the martial world. And he couldn't let her call him "Senior Brother" go as she pleased. Qingfeng turned his head away, steeled his heart, and deliberately said coldly:

"I will teach you kung fu, and I can even find a way to send you and Qing'er out of the palace. But I won't help you become the leader of the Dragon Gate. Because that's simply impossible. Don't even mention that you're a woman with a special identity; even if you really were my junior brother, it's still impossible. You need to know that the Dragon Gate is the Emperor's private domain. Do you think he would let it fall into someone else's hands? So, I advise you to give up that unrealistic idea as soon as possible. Besides, have you thought about what would happen if the Emperor found out your identity one day? I'm afraid that at that time, he would definitely think that you and your father were plotting to seize his throne. At that time, he would definitely not let your Leng family off the hook." Qingfeng finished speaking in one breath. He found that when he looked at her, his words seemed to be out of control. However, as long as he didn't look at her while speaking, he could regain his rationality.

Leng Jie hadn't expected Qingfeng to help her get the Emperor to grant her the position of Dragon Gate Master. She only wanted Qingfeng to teach her light-body skills and keep her secret. As for how to get the position she wanted, she already knew. Seeing that Qingfeng's analysis was logical and stemmed from concern for her, she didn't want to worry or put him in a difficult position. She immediately nodded in agreement.

"Don't worry, senior brother. As long as you teach me kung fu and observe from the sidelines without exposing my identity, I will be eternally grateful. I will find a way to handle everything else myself, and I will never affect your or the sect's interests."

Hearing the fool's assurance, Qingfeng was not reassured; instead, he felt a strange rage rising from all sides of his body. His face grew increasingly dark, eventually turning a steely blue. His bright eyes gleamed red with anger, and his nostrils flared as he exhaled breaths like wisps of smoke. His thin, sensual lips were tightly pressed together, his two rows of neat, strong teeth grinding together with a "squeak." His clenched fists trembled slightly.

Watching Qingfeng's constantly changing expressions, Leng Jie was puzzled for the first time. Why was he so angry? She felt she hadn't teased or tricked him. And she had only told the truth! Looking at the enraged Qingfeng with a questioning gaze, she cautiously asked:

"Senior brother, what's wrong? Are you sick? Let me take your pulse. Although my medical skills are not as good as yours, a doctor cannot heal himself, right? Just bear with it!" He said, reaching out to take his hand.

Qingfeng finally snapped. With a deafening crash, the dressing table beside him instantly turned into a pile of sawdust. Leng Jie, who had just walked to the dressing table, was startled by his sudden action. Then she heard his furious roar:

"You wretched girl! Now that I've become your senior brother, do you think Master and I would be afraid of you dragging us down? I just said so much, but you didn't listen to a word, instead misunderstanding that I'm afraid of taking responsibility. Do you think you can roam the martial world with your little bit of cleverness and the rudimentary skills you've only just begun to learn? Didn't you see what happened that night? Even Xuan Yuan and I almost got subdued. Tell me, how many can you handle? Think about it carefully! Come to Maple Forest at 3:45 AM tonight, and I'll learn your sect's skills." After shouting, he turned and jumped out of the window.

Leng Jie stared blankly at Qingfeng's disappearing figure, finally understanding why he was angry. It turned out he genuinely considered her a junior brother, a fact that deeply moved Leng Jie. This was the second person, after Qing'er, to have moved her since coming to this world. Of course, she also felt ashamed of her own scheming and manipulating him. She now understood that the ancients' respect for teachers and the importance they placed on lineage were not merely lip service like modern people; they truly considered their sect their home, their master their father, and their fellow disciples as close as brothers.

[Main Text: Chapter Thirty-Three: Gentle Breeze and Shadows]

The night sky before dawn was pitch black. In the swaying maple forest, two figures, one in black and one in white, moved simultaneously from east to west towards a clearing in the middle of the forest. The person in black was petite and agile. The person in white was tall and imposing, light as a feather, and moved like lightning.

The man in white landed on the lawn first, standing tall and graceful. The man in black then emerged, panting, from the dark woods and stopped in front of the conspicuous man in white. Wiping sweat from his forehead and face with a towel from his shoulder, he said apologetically, still breathing heavily:

"Good morning, senior brother! I'm sorry! I'm late." This person was none other than the silly queen Leng Jie, no, at this moment she should be Flying Eagle Nameless.

"Good morning! You're not late, I just arrived too." Although Qingfeng liked hearing her call him "senior brother," her sudden politeness and courtesy made him feel uncomfortable.

"Really? That's good. I've already warmed up. Shall we begin now? What are you going to teach me first? I admire your lightness skill the most, so why don't we start by learning that?" Leng Jie asked somewhat eagerly.

Qingfeng glanced at the fool who was once again impersonating Wuming, and said in a stern tone he had never used before, "Since you acknowledge me as your senior brother, then I will formally accept you into the sect on behalf of our master. From now on, you are Wuming, the last disciple of Elder Wuyou of Wuyou Valley in Tianmu Mountain. You are my junior brother, Hu Qingfeng's junior brother. From now on, all your actions represent Wuyou Valley. Are you willing?"

Seeing Qingfeng's stern expression, Leng Jie thought he was about to back out. So, upon hearing his words, she immediately nodded and agreed, "I do! I do! I do!" She hadn't been this excited when answering the priest's questions at her own wedding. Seriously, she was alone in this strange, unfamiliar world, with no relatives or friends, and to suddenly find herself with a powerful master and a handsome, charming, highly skilled, and exceptionally good physician brother was like a windfall. How could she not be excited?