"Miss Ning's medical skills are truly admirable. I've been feeling unwell these past two days. Could you examine my pulse for me?" Yun Yueyin suddenly asked.
Yun Yueyin's tone was very polite, as if she genuinely needed Yun Shu's help.
With such a pleasant attitude, Yun Shu couldn't refuse, could she?
Seeing the unconcealed triumph in Yun Yueyin's eyes, Yun Shu's red lips curved slightly. If they wanted to play this game slowly, she would accompany them.
After all, the night was long enough.
"Alright."
Yun Shu began to examine Yun Yueyin's pulse with utmost seriousness.
Yun Yueyin had expected Yun Shu to make things difficult for her, but she didn't anticipate Yun Shu agreeing so quickly!
Was her swift agreement a sign of something fishy?
Let her see what tricks Yun Shu had up her sleeve.
Zhen Lin and Princess Ning De exchanged glances.
As far as Zhen Lin was concerned, even knowing Yun Shu's true identity, he didn't want her to treat the second madam. The second madam didn't deserve it.
Qiu Lu shared the same sentiment as Zhen Lin at this moment.
A cold frost seemed to glint in Qiu Lu's eyes as he looked expressionlessly at Yun Yueyin. How dare a mere Yun Yueyin ask Miss to treat her?
However, just as Yun Shu's hand was about to reach Yun Yueyin's wrist, Yun Shu suddenly said, "Five thousand taels for the consultation fee first."
Yun Yueyin's eyes widened. "What?"
Had she gone mad for money? Demanding five thousand taels upfront? Even with excellent medical skills, it wasn't worth that much!
Seeing Yun Yueyin's petty demeanor, unchanged from before, Yun Shu smiled. "Since you want me to examine your pulse, you should have prepared the money."
Yun Yueyin was somewhat embarrassed and angry. "It's still not worth five thousand taels!"
"What's worth it is for me to decide," Yun Shu's tone grew cold.
Her gaze, equally chilling, fixed sharply on Yun Yueyin, as if seeing through her despicable heart.
"Fine, I'll give you five thousand taels. I hope you can make my five thousand taels worthwhile." Yun Yueyin felt an inexplicable panic under that gaze. She immediately took out a bank note from her sleeve. She did have five thousand taels. After all, if she gave it to Yun Shu now, Yun Shu would be dead soon anyway, and she could simply reclaim the bank note then.
At the very least, she would save face in front of Zhen Lin and Princess Ning De.
Yun Shu gestured for Qiu Lu to collect the bank note.
Qiu Lu immediately took the bank note and put it away.
Yun Yueyin sneered inwardly. However she took it now, she would get it back later!
A moment later, Yun Shu released her hand and took out a handkerchief to wipe her own.
Yun Yueyin suspected Yun Shu was disgusted with her. Why else would she wipe her hands after examining Yun Yueyin but not after examining Zhen Lin? This was clear provocation!
How infuriating!
"What exactly is wrong with me?" Yun Yueyin asked curtly.
Yun Shu looked up and glanced at Yun Yueyin's face. "You've consumed something you shouldn't have to maintain your appearance and fair skin. Such a heaven-defying method will cut your lifespan in half, your health will deteriorate, and you'll never be able to conceive. Even immortals can't save you."
She had guessed from the beginning that Yun Yueyin had used something she shouldn't have. She hadn't expected Yun Yueyin to be willing to sacrifice her lifespan for beauty.
Hearing Yun Shu's words, Yun Yueyin's face changed dramatically. "What did you say? Lifespan cut in half?"
The information she had received was different. They had clearly told her she would only be unable to conceive!
How could her lifespan be halved now? Would that mean she wouldn't live long?
Zhen Lin frowned, his eyes filled with even greater disgust as he looked at Yun Yueyin.
Princess Ning De, on the other hand, was not surprised at all. It only confirmed that Yun Shu's medical skills were indeed miraculous; nothing could be hidden from her.
It was no wonder she could cure her brother.
She had hoped Yun Shu's medical skills were superb before, but after knowing Yun Shu's identity, the more outstanding Yun Shu became, the more uneasy she felt, and the more she understood the threat Yun Shu posed.
"The person who gave you the medicine probably forgot to tell you this part. You are currently equivalent to a twenty-year-old with the health of a fifty-year-old. Hmm... you probably have at most three years left to live." Yun Shu, due to the five thousand taels she received, delivered the most cruel news in the calmest tone.
Yun Yueyin's complexion turned ashen.
Her eyes widened, and her beautiful face contorted into an ugly grimace due to her extreme expression. She gritted her teeth and glared at Yun Shu. "You're deliberately lying to me, aren't you? How is that possible? How can I only have three years left to live? I was supposed to live a long life!"
Li De had clearly told her the medicine would only prevent her from conceiving in the future, not shorten her lifespan.
If she could only live a few more years, she would rather live with a fake face than revert to her original appearance!
Yun Shu, known for her cunning, wouldn't possibly be telling the truth!
It absolutely couldn't be true!
"Believe it or not, it's up to you. If you believe me and start living a peaceful, ascetic life, doing more good deeds, you might even live another year or two. If you continue to scheme and plot, let alone three years, even one year will be a struggle." Yun Shu continued to rub salt into Yun Yueyin's wounds.
From Yun Yueyin's reaction, it seemed she had been deceived by Li De.
"No, no, impossible. I'm supposed to live a long life! You're lying to me!" Yun Yueyin was utterly distraught. This news was like a bolt from the blue!
Yun Shu smiled. "Since I've accepted the money, I will be honest. Whether you believe me or not is up to you."
"Enough. If you want to throw a tantrum, go do it elsewhere," Zhen Lin said coldly at this moment, his mind in turmoil. Seeing Yun Yueyin's disheveled state made him find her even more detestable.
Princess Ning De also gave Yun Yueyin a warning look, signaling her to stop and say no more.
Yun Yueyin felt a sense of fear towards Princess Ning De. She suddenly realized something. Since Princess Ning De could allow her to enter the Pingyang Prince's mansion and marry Zhen Lin, perhaps she already knew Yun Yueyin wouldn't live long?
Placing a pawn like her, who couldn't conceive and had a short lifespan, by Zhen Lin's side would make anyone feel at ease.
Unable to stand, she slumped into the chair.
At this point, the matter concerning Ning Ruan had concluded.
Princess Ning De looked at Yun Shu again, her eyes no longer holding complexity but an icy coldness. "Miss Ning, thank you for your help during this period."
Yun Shu smiled faintly. "You're welcome. I accepted the payment."
It seemed another act was about to begin.
Princess Ning De looked at Yun Shu, who was unknowingly in peril, and pursed her lips. She asked in a deep voice, "Miss Ning, since you saved my brother, and I wish to avoid making things too unpleasant, I would like to ask Miss Ning, besides treating my brother, do you have any other purpose for coming to the Pingyang Prince's mansion?"
Zhen Lin immediately stared intently at Yun Shu.
His hands, which had been clenched moments ago, remained tightly closed, not loosening at all.