Chapter 12: Is It Disgusting?

A faint curve appeared at the corner of her lips. “No need, I’ll stand.”
“System, check if there’s anything in this room that shouldn’t be here.”
She cast a quick, unobtrusive glance around the room, speaking inwardly to the system.
[Host, please wait.]
The system swiftly scanned the space and soon returned with an answer.
[Someone tampered with the 'Calming Grass' on the windowsill. The underside of its leaves has been dusted with a colorless, odorless nerve-blocking powder; a breeze would carry it into the air. As for the table before you, it was just wiped down—the cloth was laced with 'Beauty’s Bane.' If it contacts your skin, it will cause a rash—not fatal, but enough to mar your appearance further and itch unbearably all over. The most devious part: neither substance takes effect immediately. It will start in three months, by which time you’ll have left the Valley of the Medicine King and be in no way connected to it.]
A cold smile flickered in Chu Yuyao’s heart, though not a hint of it touched her expression. She subtly stepped back, distancing herself from the dangerous table.
She reached out and gently picked up the cup of tea from the table.
The tea was harmless—the threat lay with the table itself.
When she picked up the cup, she deliberately avoided touching the tabletop.
She made as if to drink.
But in the next instant, she spun around and unceremoniously poured the tea onto the 'Calming Grass' sitting on the windowsill.
The nerve-blocking powder was instantly washed off the leaves, dripping into the flowerpot below.
Yun Shuwan stared, stunned. Her composure nearly broke.
How did this loathsome wretch realize there was something wrong with the Calming Grass?
“Oh dear, my hand slipped.”
Chu Yuyao set the empty teacup upside down on the table, her half-beautiful face the picture of innocence as she smiled. “Senior Sister, you’ve cared for this Calming Grass so well. Still, the leaves looked a bit yellow to me. I thought a little water would do it good.”
“You…”
Yun Shuwan’s face turned pale with anger, but she could only grit her teeth in silence. “Junior Sister Chu, you really are… attentive.”
She shrugged as if unconcerned. “You flatter me, Senior Sister. I’m thick-skinned and carefree, but my eyesight’s quite sharp. Happened to notice your grass was about to wither from thirst.”
Yun Shuwan seethed inwardly but forced herself to maintain her cool, ethereal demeanor, pondering her next move.
This vexing woman was so cunning—if she acted rashly again, it would backfire and only bring trouble upon herself.
While both harbored their own thoughts, neither noticed the emerald-green bird perched atop the purple bamboo outside the room.
The bird cocked its head, watching for a long while before suddenly fluttering away, wings beating as it soared deeper into the Valley of the Medicine King.

Deep within the valley, nestled in a tranquil courtyard called Heart’s Ease Residence, was the dwelling of Shangguan Yuheng.
At that moment, he was leafing through ancient tomes in his chamber. Sunlight streamed in through the window, gilding his gentle features with a soft golden glow, making his already striking countenance seem almost otherworldly.
His long, slender fingers turned the pages with care, his brow furrowed in concentration.
He was searching for records of ancient curses, hoping to find some clue within.
Night Cangming, draped in black embroidered with gold, sat idly to one side, boredly toying with a teacup.
The room was silent, filled with the fragrance of books.
Suddenly, the emerald-green bird fluttered onto the window lattice, chirping incessantly.
Hearing the sound, Shangguan Yuheng glanced up in surprise.
“Qingyu, you’re back?”
The little bird looked at him, chattering on as if trying to tell him something.
Shangguan Yuheng listened intently, his expression turning thoughtful.
Night Cangming lazily spun the teacup in his hand, casting a sidelong glance. “What’s that bird reporting to you?”
Shangguan Yuheng closed the ancient book, a meaningful smile on his lips. “Chu Yuyao is here—she’s with my junior sister.”
Night Cangming’s face darkened instantly. The teacup in his hand cracked and crumbled to powder.
He flicked his hand nonchalantly, then slowly took out a handkerchief to wipe his fingers, his tone full of disdain. “Heh… that ugly wretch dares return to the Valley? She’s certainly bold.”
Then a thought struck him; he narrowed his eyes at Shangguan Yuheng. “Wait—if she regrets it and wants to reconcile, she should look for you or me. What’s she doing with your junior sister?”
He almost assumed by reflex that woman was playing hard to get, as always.
But so what?
If they could be rid of that eyesore, they’d celebrate with fireworks. Reconciliation was out of the question.
Shangguan Yuheng raised an eyebrow, giving him a half-smile. “What, do you want her to seek us out for a reconciliation?”
Night Cangming choked, disgusted by the very idea, his expression as if he’d swallowed something foul.
He balled up the handkerchief and tossed it aside, scowling. “Are you insane?”
Shangguan Yuheng chuckled softly, waving the green bird away.

Qingyu flapped its wings and soon disappeared from sight.
“She claims to have been poisoned and came seeking my help. But the disciple sent to fetch me encountered my junior sister along the way and brought her there instead.”
His voice was calm, as if simply stating facts.
“Poisoned?”
Night Cangming sneered, his distaste deepening. “What a sorry excuse. If she’d admit her regret and beg for forgiveness, perhaps I’d think more of her. But no doubt she’s trying to play the victim again.”
Shangguan Yuheng neither confirmed nor denied it, but a strange premonition stirred in his heart—this time, things might truly be different.
He set the ancient tome aside.
Turning toward the door, his tone was cool. “Come, let’s have a look.”
Mainly, he was curious what game his junior sister was playing.
Furniture in the Valley was all crafted from millennia-old spiritual wood—how could it break for no reason, and right when Chu Yuyao sat?
And why had Chu Yuyao suddenly watered the Calming Grass with tea?
Night Cangming remained unaware of these details. Watching Shangguan Yuheng’s retreating figure, he hesitated, reluctant but unable to resist his curiosity, and finally stood to follow.
One after the other, the two exited, passing through corridors scented with medicinal herbs, making their way swiftly to Yun Shuwan’s quarters at Fragrance Pavilion.
Before they reached the door, they heard Yun Shuwan’s cold, barely contained anger from within. “Junior Sister Chu, if you’re here for treatment, sit down and let me check your pulse. If you’re here to make trouble, please leave. You’re not welcome.”
Immediately after came Chu Yuyao’s innocent protest. “Oh, Senior Sister Yun, how am I causing trouble just by sitting? Your furniture is far too flimsy—before I even settled in, the chair leg broke and nearly sent me tumbling.”
By the end, her voice carried a hint of grievance.
At the entrance to Fragrance Pavilion, Shangguan Yuheng and Night Cangming heard every word exchanged inside.
The former’s gaze darkened; the latter’s expression turned strange.