Ling Qingwan's heart was as clear as a mirror, she saw through everything but didn't say anything.
The weather cleared up a bit and the snow on the back mountain melted. Ling Xiao happened to be free, so Ling Feng took him up the mountain to hunt. No one was seen for several days.
The incense burner was emitting white smoke, and the scent of sandalwood filled the air. Ling Qingwan held the incense burner in her arms to warm her hands, curled up on the couch, and gradually fell asleep.
Her nose was filled with the fragrance of Ling Shenshi. Ling Qingwan turned over and rested her head on Ling Shenshi's legs.
"This child." Ling Shen said in a gentle voice, with the tone as doting as possible.
Nanny Park wanted to go forward and wake up Ling Qingwan to avoid tiring Ling Shenshi, but Ling Shenshi waved her hand and signaled her to retreat.
"Wanwan has not had the love of her parents since she was a child. She must have had a very hard time these years." Ling Shenshi was as gentle as water, looking at Ling Qingwan with kind eyes.
Her curled eyelashes fluttered, and Ling Qingwan felt like crying when she heard it.
After saying that, Ling Shen placed one hand on Ling Qingwan's cheek and pushed the loose hair behind her ears.
"Don't worry, just stay in the Marquis' Mansion from now on. This will always be your home." Ling Shen murmured to herself.
She didn't know that Ling Qingwan was actually awake, and Ling Qingwan heard every word Ling Shen said while she was sleeping.
"Mom! Wanwan!"
Ling Xiao disappeared, but his voice had already reached the room. He shouted so loudly that Ling Qingwan simply pretended to wake up and opened her eyes in a daze.
"Keep your voice down! Wanwan is sleeping!" Ling Shen hurriedly stopped Ling Xiao and scolded him in a low voice.
Ling Xiao immediately slowed down his pace, and in just a moment, the room became quiet again.
"It's okay, I'm awake." Ling Qingwan rubbed her eyes.
Seeing that Ling Shen and Ling Xiao loved her so much, Ling Qingwan felt a warmth in her chest and tears welled up in her eyes.
She pulled up her sleeve and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes without making a sound.
"What is this...?" Ling Shen asked.
Ling Qingwan was curious and followed Ling Shen's gaze.
"Rabbit!" Ling Qingwan's eyes widened. She jumped down from the couch in a hurry, put the heater into Madam Pu's hands, and ran to Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao was happy to see Ling Qingwan happy, so he was also happy.
He was holding a snow-white rabbit in his hand. Ling Qingwan thought it was extremely cute. She took the cage and looked at it carefully.
"I just came back from hunting with my father, and we happened to catch a rabbit. I thought Wanwan would like it, so I kept it and gave it to her." Ling Xiao explained to Ling Shenshi.
Ling Qingwan squatted on the ground, teasing the rabbit in the cage with one hand.
"Are you giving it to me?!" Ling Qingwan was overjoyed.
This was a gift from her brother, how could she not like it? Ling Qingwan's attention was completely drawn to the rabbit, and she had no time to pay attention to Ling Shenshi and Ling Xiao.
"Of course." Ling Xiao squatted opposite Ling Qingwan. "Would you like to help the little rabbit come up with a name, Wanwan?"
Ling Qingwan thought for a moment.
"Just call her Hongdou." She blinked and looked around at the people in the room.
"Okay, then I'll call it Red Bean." Ling Xiao chuckled. He reached out and rubbed the rabbit's head, which was furry and looked like a small fur ball.
Before we knew it, it was the day for the Seventh Prince to return to the capital.
On the leading horse, Wei Xun stood tall in military uniform, full of vigor and high spirits. The soldiers guarding the city opened the gate, and the generals followed Wei Xun all the way to the land of Dongjing City.
Amid the hustle and bustle of the crowd, Wei Xun caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. He pulled the reins, stopped his horse halfway, and walked straight to a man.
"Commander Zhou, long time no see." Wei Xun curled his thin lips slightly and said with a smile.
"I am here to see the Seventh Prince." Zhou Qiaotong clasped his hands together and saluted Wei Xun respectfully. "The Emperor has been waiting in the Qiankun Palace for a long time. I hope the Seventh Prince will hurry to the palace to report."
"The King will come drink with you some other day."
Wei Xun's mouth curled up even more. He patted Zhou Qiaotong on the shoulder, then turned around, mounted his horse, and rode away.
Zhou Qiaotong didn't look away until Wei Xun disappeared from his sight. He immediately turned his head and waved to call a guard.
"Go tell the person in Zhuyange that the Seventh Prince is back." Zhou Qiaotong ordered in a low voice.
That night.
Ling Qingwan came out of the water, and Qiao'er helped her wipe her body and change into clean clothes.
"I heard that the Seventh Prince is back as well?" Ling Qingwan asked casually.
"My lady, he returned at noon today." Qiao'er told Ling Qingwan. "The Seventh Prince has been in Mobei for two years. Now he is back. The Emperor will definitely hold a grand banquet to welcome the Seventh Prince. Then you can go to the palace to take a look."
Ling Qingwan picked up the clothes carelessly, but suddenly realized something was wrong. She pulled out the silver needle from her sleeve and held it tightly in her hand.
After everything was packed up, Ling Qingwan asked Qiao'er to leave first. When there was no one around, she carefully took out the silver needle hidden in her sleeve.
Ling Qingwan poured a cup of hot tea, put the silver needle into the tea, and then put it close to her nose to smell it. After a moment of hesitation, she took out the silver needle, wiped it with a handkerchief, and pierced her wrist.
At night, the mansion was completely silent.
There was a loud noise coming from Ling Qingwan's room. The patrolling guard heard it and after calling a few times and hearing no response, he quickly pushed open the door. Ling Qingwan was sitting on the bed, with one hand covering her chest.
Ling Xiao was extremely anxious and paced back and forth in the open space outside the yard.
“Why would Wanwan just…” Ling Shen’s heart was in a knot.
Ling Chuchu walked hurriedly and was already out of breath when she arrived. It took her a while to catch her breath.
After a while, the doctor came out and several people rushed forward.
"How is it? Is my sister okay?" Ling Xiao couldn't wait to know Ling Qingwan's condition.
"The second young lady has been poisoned." The doctor told them.
"What?!" Ling Shen's face turned pale, and her legs went limp and she was about to fall to the ground. Fortunately, Ling Feng and Ling Chuchu supported her and managed to stabilize her body.
"But now the poison has been forced out, so don't worry, master and mistress." The doctor added.
Ling Xiao didn't have time to ask any further questions, he helped Ling Shen into the room to visit.
Ling Qingwan was born petite and delicate, and now she looked even more fragile. Ling Qingwan lay on the bed with a pale face.
"Wanwan." Ling Shen and Ling Xiao were beside the bed.
"It's my fault. I didn't protect you well." Ling Shen covered her face and cried. Ling Qingwan had just returned for a short time when she was poisoned by someone. Ling Shen felt guilty and had no face to face Ling Qingwan.
"Mother, don't say that. It's a good thing that Wanwan is fine. You should be happy." Ling Chuchu comforted Ling Shenshi. "As for the guilt, it should be the person who poisoned her."
"Wanwan, tell your brother quickly who poisoned you. I will find her and tear her into pieces." Ling Xiao gritted his teeth and clenched the sword at his waist.
"I don't know either." Ling Qingwan frowned. "But when I was sleeping at night, I found a silver needle on my clothes. If there are no other clues, I must have been poisoned by that silver needle."