Facing the curious gazes of everyone, Li Yue Shu’s smile remained unchanged as she slowly spoke, “So-called ‘green tea’ refers to those who appear pure and kind on the outside, acting like innocent white lotuses, but are inwardly vicious and malicious, constantly plotting to feign innocence and frame others.”
While speaking, Li Yue Shu’s gaze was fixed on He Xue Bao, as if she was about to call out He Xue Bao’s name directly.
Even with He Xue Bao’s talent for pretense, she couldn’t help but change her expression when being directly accused.
"Pfft—"
This time, it was He Xiao Yu who couldn’t help but laugh.
The hostility in He Xiao Yu’s eyes towards Li Yue Shu had clearly vanished, replaced by a hint of admiration.
“I never knew there was such a definition for ‘green tea’!” He Xiao Yu scoffed, echoing Li Yue Shu’s words, “I think these ‘green teas’ succeed repeatedly not because their methods are brilliant, but because there are too many people with poor judgment who only see the superficial white lotus!”
Li Yue Shu raised an eyebrow and nodded in agreement, “Crown Princess, your words have hit the nail on the head!”
He Xiao Yu looked at her with a smile, her previously raised chin finally lowered, “I like your personality! Although you’re not much to look at, you’re much more likable than certain ‘green teas’!”
“Let’s go, what do you want to eat? My treat!”
Li Yue Shu: “……”
Such a venomous tongue… Was the person who silently endured bullying just now really He Xiao Yu?
Li Yue Shu eyed He Xiao Yu suspiciously, but said nothing, and walked forward.
Hong Dai naturally followed her. Before leaving, she instinctively glanced at Ji Quan Si, and their eyes met.
He Xue Bao’s face turned pale, not from pretense this time, but purely from anger at Li Yue Shu and He Xiao Yu’s united front.
She looked up to seek comfort from Ji Quan Si, only to see him staring intently at the departing figures.
A sense of unease suddenly bloomed in He Xue Bao’s heart.
Why did she feel that the Crown Prince’s attitude towards He Xiao Yu today was clearly different from before?
He Xue Bao quickly suppressed her emotions and said tearfully, “Crown Prince, Xue Bao only wanted to invite Elder Sister to see Father and Mother, why… why does she always misunderstand Xue Bao’s good intentions?”
Ji Quan Si retracted his gaze, as if he hadn't heard the "green tea" remarks from Li Yue Shu and He Xiao Yu, nor had he discerned He Xue Bao’s subtly manipulative words. He quickly comforted her gently.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Mo Yu Lin, who had been standing quietly and obediently behind He Xiao Yu, suddenly turned to look at He Xue Bao.
His sun-kissed, kind, and somewhat frail face now looked like a sharp sword, ready to be unsheathed and tear the enemy to shreds at any moment.
…
Because of He Xue Bao and Ji Quan Si’s interference, He Xiao Yu, who had been very wary of Li Yue Shu and her companions, was now beaming with smiles, her earlier arrogance completely gone.
She beckoned the waiter and waved grandly at Li Yue Shu, “Come, come, order whatever you like, it’s my treat!”
Seeing her magnanimous demeanor, Li Yue Shu didn’t stand on ceremony and ordered two dishes before stopping.
“I’ll order a few too!” Hong Dai suddenly spoke up, “Waiter, bring us all ten of your most expensive dishes!”
He Xiao Yu glanced at her, “You sure can eat!”
Despite her words, she didn’t stop her.
Hong Dai remained languid, “Oh, you recognize me?”
She was referring to the incident of kidnapping He Xiao Yu last time.
Although she had worn a mask then, she hadn’t concealed herself too much, so it wasn’t strange to be recognized.
He Xiao Yu pouted, not denying it, “Did you realize kidnapping didn’t work, so you’re planning to use other methods to force me to give up Ji Quan Si?”
As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully at Li Yue Shu, her intention clear.
“This really has nothing to do with me!” Hong Dai shook her head, “I just came with her.”
He Xiao Yu also looked at Li Yue Shu, her suspicion undisguised, “Can you really cure Xiao Yu’s poison?”
“We’ll know after a diagnosis,” Li Yue Shu looked at Mo Yu Lin, “May I take your pulse?”
Mo Yu Lin turned to look at He Xiao Yu. Seeing her nod, he extended his hand.
For a moment, all eyes were on Li Yue Shu, but no one felt nervous except He Xiao Yu.
They had absolute confidence in Li Yue Shu’s medical skills.
After a thorough examination, Li Yue Shu withdrew her hand.
“How is it?” He Xiao Yu asked urgently.
Li Yue Shu didn’t rush to answer, but instead asked, “This poison, he was born with it, wasn’t he?”
Although it was a question, her expression was affirmative.
He Xiao Yu didn’t deny it, “To be able to discern this, you indeed have some skill.”
Xiao Yu had consulted so many doctors, and many couldn’t even detect his poisoning.
Hearing this, Li Yue Shu became even more certain of her guess.
Knowing this much meant that He Xiao Yu and Mo Yu Lin had known each other for a long time.
He Xiao Yu wanted to ask for more details, but the waiter suddenly came in with the dishes.
Li Yue Shu placed the handkerchief she used to wipe her hands aside, “Let’s eat first, we can talk more after the meal.”
He Xiao Yu frowned, looking somewhat impatient to speak, but Mo Yu Lin tugged at her, “Sister, let’s eat first, I’m hungry too.”
He Xiao Yu looked at him, and the words that were about to come out were swallowed.
During the meal, no one spoke.
Compared to He Xiao Yu’s somewhat hurried expression, Mo Yu Lin, the one concerned, was much calmer, as if he wasn’t the one poisoned.
The meal finally ended.
As soon as Li Yue Shu put down her chopsticks, He Xiao Yu’s voice rang out, “Can you really cure the poison?”
Li Yue Shu calmly wiped her mouth, “I run a pharmacy. Have you heard of the Heng De Pharmacy in Chen Nan Kingdom? I am Madam Shen of Heng De Pharmacy.”
Using this title again, Li Yue Shu felt a momentary discomfort.
“Heng De Pharmacy?” Mo Yu Lin narrowed his eyes, “Is it the Madam Shen who can transplant lungs from the living and reshape broken bones?”
His words surprised Li Yue Shu.
Although Heng De Pharmacy had already gained fame, this was Qing Yan Kingdom, and the news shouldn’t have spread that fast, should it?
Li Yue Shu sized up Mo Yu Lin and nodded, “It is me. Whether your poison can be cured, I’ll need to draw some blood to examine. The results will be available tomorrow. But based on the current situation, I am confident I can extend your lifespan.”
He Xiao Yu’s brows furrowed, her eyes filled with suspicion, “Truly?”
Li Yue Shu nodded affirmatively, “We are staying at the inn in the easternmost part of Rui Jing City. Crown Princess can come find me tomorrow.”
She said it so frankly, as if to say, “Crown Princess, feel free to send people to monitor me.”
After a long silence, He Xiao Yu nodded, “Alright, I will personally go to the inn to find you tomorrow.”
Seeing this, Li Yue Shu wasted no more time. She drew blood from Mo Yu Lin and then returned to the inn with everyone.
He Xiao Yu and Mo Yu Lin stood on the second floor, watching them leave. Their faces bore identical looks of solemnity.
Mo Yu Lin looked sideways at the person beside him, “Sister, do you truly trust this Madam Shen?”
Although he called her sister, he was half a head taller than her.
He Xiao Yu turned to look at him, pursing her lips, “This is a glimmer of hope, after all.”
Mo Yu Lin looked at her and smiled gently, “I’ll listen to you, Sister.”
He lowered his eyes, his gaze fixed on the receding figures of Li Yue Shu and the others. Despite the sunny and sweet smile on his face, his eyes were filled with a chilling coldness.