27. The Crimson Jade Fox Pendant

Marry me, and I will heal your legs...

Mr. Nine’s voice was deep and resonant, imbued with the intimacy of a lover’s whisper, like aged wine, thick and intoxicating. Yet Gu Fei could distinctly discern the utter calm beneath his words, devoid of any fluctuation or passion, as if he were merely commenting on the weather. She narrowed her almond eyes, looked up at him, tapped her fingertip lightly upon the armrest, and replied, disregarding the expressions of those in the private room, “It’s rare indeed that the eccentric physician, Mr. Nine, takes an interest in me. Should I be overwhelmed with gratitude?”

His chiseled lips pulled into a line, the only glimmer of light resting on the slightly fuller tip of his otherwise cool lips. Mr. Nine paused in silence before asking, “You do not need it?”

Gu Fei arched her brow, annoyance stirring within her. If she knew more about Mr. Nine’s background, she would have turned and left immediately. “And why would I need it?” Her tone was already laced with hostility.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Nine showed not the slightest irritation. Black silk hair slid across the silver mask covering half his face, producing a faint rustle. He bent down, his gaze level with hers. Before anyone else could react, he reached beneath her skirts and touched her calf.

Gu Fei was unable to retreat or advance, for the first time feeling a surge of contempt for her useless legs. If she were normal, she could have avoided his touch, but she could not move at all.

She allowed his cool fingertips to brush lightly over her skin, feather-soft, and suddenly her legs felt more vivid than ever.

“It seems, for now, you do not need it.” Mr. Nine quickly withdrew his hand, the folds of his dark robe extending as he rose naturally, as if he hadn’t just acted so intimately with a young lady.

Feng Lizhi came to his senses, anger on his face as he strode forward and pulled Gu Fei’s wheelchair far away from Mr. Nine.

Mr. Nine paid them no mind. He cast a casual glance at Feng Lizhi and then addressed Gu Fei, “If you ever need help, you may come to me.”

Gu Fei remained composed, reaching down to touch her knees, the silk skirt beneath her palm smooth and delicate. “How much do you charge for treatment?”

She decided to keep her options open. If it were possible, she would not wish to spend her life in a wheelchair.

A faint smile touched the edge of his thin lips beneath the silver mask, sunlight glinting like gold across its surface. Mr. Nine’s voice drifted from afar, indistinct, “Marry me, and I will heal your legs. The offer stands for five years.”

The words had barely fallen when his dark figure had already receded into the distance.

“Nine…” Mo Yuhua called anxiously and tried to chase after him.

“Master Mo, please be patient,” Steward Qingyun stepped deftly to block him, then offered a thin sheet of paper with both hands. “Here is the prescription. Mr. Nine has already written it after checking the pulse.”

Mo Yuhua breathed a sigh of relief, carefully received the prescription, and thanked Qingyun once more.

Qingyun pressed her lips into a gentle smile, her gaze sweeping the others in the private room. Standing at the doorway, she addressed Gu Fei, “Miss Fei, would you mind accompanying me for a moment?”

Seeing the confusion on Feng Lizhi and Mo Yuhua’s faces, she explained, “We’ll return shortly.”

Gu Fei gave a cold laugh inwardly, eager to probe Qingyun’s intentions. “Thank you for leading the way, Steward Qingyun.”

With Gu Fei’s consent, Qingyun stepped forward, took the wheelchair from Feng Lizhi, and pushed Gu Fei outside.

Gu Rou, for reasons unknown, walked gracefully toward Feng Lizhi, speaking gently, “Master Feng, you need not worry. This is Linlang Pavilion; Fifth Sister will be safe.”

Feng Lizhi frowned and nodded, discreetly moving a few steps away from Gu Rou to feel more at ease.

Inside the room, Gu Wanxiu pulled out a handkerchief to wipe Gu Wanting’s brow, her eyes red-rimmed. Looking at her unconscious eldest sister, she turned and asked Mo Yuhua, “Brother Yuhua, you’re not going to marry my eldest sister, are you?”

Such a question, posed openly, left Mo Yuhua staring at the prescription in his hand, unwilling to respond or even acknowledge it.

Yet Gu Wanxiu mistook his silence for assent and began to weep, heartbroken, muttering, “Brother Yuhua, you can’t do this. If you don’t marry my sister, what will happen to her? Who would dare propose again? At worst… at worst…”

She choked up, clutching her handkerchief, stealing glances at Mo Yuhua’s handsome face before gathering her courage to speak, “I’ll go down with my sister…”

Mo Yuhua abruptly stood, startling Gu Wanxiu into swallowing her words. She looked at him in panic, like a frightened rabbit, but Mo Yuhua took no notice. He strode around the screen, prescription in hand, to find Feng Lizhi and ask him to fetch the medicine.

Leaving Gu Wanxiu’s embarrassment aside, Qingyun pushed Gu Fei to a lakeside pavilion, choosing a secluded corner. Once alone, Qingyun spoke, “I am quite curious, Miss Fei, why did you refuse Mr. Nine’s proposal?”

Gu Fei stared at her in silence.

Qingyun smiled again. “Mr. Nine has no wife or concubines, is upright and self-restrained, and his medical skills are said to bring the dead back to life. By all accounts, he is an ideal match.”

She paused, her expression faintly surprised. “Could it be that Miss Fei already has someone in mind?”

Gu Fei did not reply, her cold gaze fixed on Qingyun, her eyes clear and frosted, making others uneasy.

Qingyun appeared not to notice. Seeing Gu Fei’s silence, she shifted the conversation. “If I may be so bold, my master, King Nine Fox, has sent me here.”

Gu Fei’s expression tightened, her mind racing as she calculated and guarded herself. “That cannot be. Steward Qingyun must be mistaken; I do not know such a distinguished figure as King Nine Fox.”

Qingyun simply smiled, offering no further explanation. She clapped her hands, and a maid entered the pavilion carrying a small silver tray.

“This, Miss Fei, I ask you to accept.” Qingyun took the tray, drew aside the silk covering, and lifted a red jade fox pendant.

The pendant was carved from a single piece of ruby jade, its color deep and pure, without a trace of impurity. The fox, sculpted with a few deft strokes, appeared lifelike and clever, about the size of a coin, suspended from a crimson silk cord.

“This is the symbol of King Nine Fox of Linlang Pavilion. In the future, should Miss Fei ever require Linlang Pavilion’s assistance, present this token. Linlang Pavilion’s branches in Great Yin, Southern Qi, and Yunli will all obey.” Qingyun respectfully offered the red jade fox pendant to Gu Fei.

Gu Fei’s eyes flickered. This was a tremendous temptation, one difficult to resist.

Though she knew little of Linlang Pavilion’s capabilities, its influence spanned three kingdoms—a fact that spoke volumes.

And what she lacked most now was precisely such wealth and power.

Gu Fei smiled faintly, removing the silk scarf from her face. The slap from Gu Wanting had faded, and she curled her lips, the smile clear and cold, never reaching her eyes. She stared at Qingyun and said, “Your master must be mistaken. Though I am a woman, I have never relied on anyone.”

“King Nine Fox, without any personal benefit, gifts me this token—do you think I would believe it?” Her final words were sharp and chilling.

Gu Fei was deeply distrustful, to the point she barely trusted herself, let alone others.

As if expecting this response, Qingyun maintained her offering posture. “My master said, it is not a gift without reason.”

“Oh?” Gu Fei’s interest was piqued; her gaze swept over the fox pendant and moved on.

“Perhaps you do not know, Miss Fei. Since its founding, Linlang Pavilion searches each year for extraordinary talents. When such a person is in need, they bestow this jade pendant. Then, when that person achieves fame and success, they may choose within their capabilities whether to assist Linlang Pavilion. Thus,” Qingyun lifted her eyes, gaze bright, “Miss Fei, you are a prodigy in ink-making, worthy of my master’s support.”

Seeing Gu Fei remain silent, Qingyun straightened and presented the fox pendant directly before her eyes. “Perhaps, as you said, this is best called a transaction.”

Gu Fei closed her eyes, considering for several breaths, turbulent waves surging in her chest. She gripped the wheelchair’s armrest tightly, restraining herself from seizing the pendant. “Two questions. How long does the transaction last? And besides myself, who else holds a pendant?”

Hearing the implication, Qingyun’s eyes lit up with joy. “If you regret it tomorrow, you may return the pendant; if you never return it, that is fine as well. Besides you, only Mr. Nine in Yizhou holds such a pendant.”

Satisfied, Gu Fei relaxed her grip and snatched the fox jade pendant, squeezing it so tightly her palm ached.

Qingyun waved her hand to dismiss the maid, stepped back, and bowed. “I wish Miss Fei success and fulfillment.”

Gu Fei turned the fox pendant in her hand, its coolness permeating her heart. On closer inspection, she saw the fox’s eyes were carved long and narrow, as if smiling. “In that case, I will exercise my first right.”

Qingyun was momentarily stunned, not expecting Gu Fei to adapt so quickly.

Gu Fei raised the pendant, letting sunlight refract through its crystalline surface, as if mercury shimmered within. “What was Mr. Nine’s diagnosis of Gu Wanting’s pulse? Don’t tell me you don’t know?”