Chapter 165: Detoxicating

She had no idea what had actually happened.
Or who that person was.
When she finally woke up, the day was already bright and clear.
The blood that had previously stained the corners of her lips had completely vanished without a trace.

Mu Qingcheng tried moving her limbs, and to her utter astonishment, she discovered...
Not only was she completely unharmed, but her entire body felt remarkably light, refreshed, and clear.
It was as if she had recovered every ounce of her lost vitality.

"Could it be that I..."
In an instant, a flash of white light crossed her mind.
Before she even had time to slip into her shoes, Mu Qingcheng eagerly leaped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom.

In the mirror above the sink, she saw a young girl with rosy lips and white teeth, resembling a rose on the verge of blooming, revealing just a hint of vibrant petals.
Holding back an air of exquisite, dewy freshness, her eyes widened slightly, reflecting an expression of shock and surprise.
A healthy pink flush bloomed across her cheeks, and her lips were full, plump, and deeply colored.

"The poison is cured?! The poison is actually..."
Tap, tap, tap—tap, tap, tap—
Just at that moment, a sudden knock sounded at the door.

Mu Qingcheng quickly reined in her emotions, stepped out of the bathroom, and dove back into bed.
And by the way... put on her black-rimmed glasses.

"Please come in."
The girl's soft, gentle response was met with an even gentler sound of the door opening.

The young maid who usually took care of her stood at the threshold, smiling brightly as she said,
"Miss, we have a guest."
"Who?"
"The young master of the Qin family, Qin Beichu."
Mu Qingcheng, "..."

About twenty minutes later...

Mu Qingcheng had changed into a simple loungewear set and arrived at the small parlor on the ground floor.
This area was much simpler and cozier, with an ambiance that felt far more leisurely and relaxed.
For Mu Qingcheng's sake, Elder Mu had specially custom-ordered a large, oversized single-seat sofa here, complete with thick cushions and armrests.
When Mu Qingcheng sat inside, it wrapped snugly around her figure.
No matter where she leaned when she felt tired, it was soft and exceptionally comfortable.

At the same time, just as she curled herself up like a kitten, the maid who had been waiting nearby brought over a white woolen blanket and tucked it neatly over her legs.
Qin Beichu watched in silence from the side.
Yet deep down, he could not help but feel deeply astonished by the status Mu Qingcheng held within the Mu family—or rather, in the heart of Elder Mu himself.

At that moment, the old master, who had been sitting in the primary seat, suddenly stood up. With an inscrutable smile, he said,
"You are all young people, so you can chat amongst yourselves. This old man won't intrude any longer."
With those words, leaning on Butler Ji's arm for support, he slowly walked out.

On the other side...

Mu Qingcheng slumped lazily and casually across the sofa, her hair tilting softly to one side to reveal a strip of fair, tender neck.
She possessed no trace of affectation or coyness, remaining entirely natural and unconstrained.
Her frame was slender and delicate, yet every gesture she made was brimming with lively, agile energy.

Remembering the "true" appearance of Mu Qingcheng that he had inadvertently caught a glimpse of earlier, Qin Beichu felt his heart stir.
Putting on as dashing a smile as he could manage, he took the initiative to speak,
"Little Qingcheng, I heard you were injured a few days ago. Are you feeling better now?"

Mu Qingcheng raised her eyebrows to look at him, her gaze as coldly indifferent as ever, her face completely expressionless.
After a long moment, she finally frowned slightly and said,
"Senior must have forgotten what I said before. We are not close. You can call me Miss Mu, or Mu Qingcheng.
But do not address me by my given name directly; I have no desire to invite unnecessary trouble."

"No, you won't. There won't be any trouble at all. I..."
Before Qin Beichu could finish his sentence, a soft sound of footsteps suddenly echoed from the entrance of the parlor.
Following closely behind was a languid, melodious voice, yet it carried an unmistakable chill as every single word dropped into the air,
"Young Master Qin is certainly prone to forgetting things. I also recall saying, please do not harass my younger sister."

As the words faded, Mu Qing... dressed in a long white robe, appeared right before their eyes.
Qin Beichu, "!!!!!!"