Chapter 33: Gaining Madam Xia Bingling’s Trust
Wang Li sauntered out of Xia Bingling’s room, leaving her in the capable hands of the maids. As he made his way through the corridors of the Xia Family Manor, his mind drifted to Xia Qingwu, whom he couldn’t wait to see again.
Meanwhile, Xia Bingling reclined in her bed, attended to by the diligent maids who flitted about the room, ensuring her comfort. She sighed softly, feeling the lingering effects of Wang Li’s massage coursing through her body.
In another part of the manor, Wang Li found Xia Qingwu waiting for him, her eyes lighting up with delight as she caught sight of him. “There you are!” she exclaimed, a grin spreading across her face. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
Wang Li returned her smile, his heart swelling with affection. “I’m here now,” he said, his voice warm with fondness. “Let’s make the most of our time together.”
For the rest of the day, Wang Li and Xia Qingwu spent their time exploring the gardens of the Xia Family Manor, their laughter mingling with the rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds.
As the afternoon sun began to dip towards the horizon, Wang Li joined the Xia Family for lunch, relishing the hearty meal prepared by the talented chefs of the manor.
After lunch, Wang Li realized that it was time for him to take his leave. He reluctantly bid farewell to Xia Qingwu and made his way back to Xia Bingling’s room.
Upon arriving, he found Xia Bingling resting peacefully, attended to by the maids. He approached her bedside and gently woke her from her slumber.
“Madam Xia, I must take my leave now,” he said, his tone apologetic. “I have other patients who require my attention.”
Xia Bingling nodded understandingly, though a hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes. “Thank you for your care, Doctor,” she said graciously. “I look forward to your return.”
Wang Li smiled warmly at her. “I’ll be back in three days’ time,” he promised. “We’ll continue our treatment then.”
With that, Wang Li took his leave of Xia Bingling and made his way out of the Xia Family Manor. As he stepped outside, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being followed.
Utilizing his Heavenly Fate Pupils, Wang Li spotted several Xia Family cultivators tailing him discreetly. With a wry smile, he concocted a plan to evade their pursuit.
Ducking into a nearby alley, Wang Li quickly changed his appearance by removing the disguise of the old man. He altered his clothing, hair, and facial features, rendering himself unrecognizable to his pursuers.
Next, he utilized a technique known as the “Phantom Steps,” a skill passed down through generations of the Wang Family. This technique allowed him to move swiftly and silently, evading detection as he slipped through the shadows.
With practiced ease, Wang Li navigated the maze-like streets of the city, weaving through crowds and darting down side streets to throw off his pursuers. He moved with the grace and agility of a cat, his movements fluid and precise.
After several heart-pounding minutes, Wang Li finally managed to shake off his pursuers and slip away undetected. Breathing a sigh of relief, he paused to catch his breath and collect his thoughts.
Once he was certain that he was no longer being followed, Wang Li continued on his way, making his journey back to his own residence. Along the way, he reflected on the events of the day and began to plan his next moves.
As he walked, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction at his successful evasion of the Xia Family cultivators.
Three days had passed in the blink of an eye, yet there was no sign of the mysterious doctor’s return to the Xia Family Manor. Madam Xia Bingling couldn’t shake off the worry gnawing at her heart as she pondered over the doctor’s absence.
Sitting in her chamber, Xia Bingling couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that something was amiss. Though her illness remained suppressed for the time being, she could sense its insidious presence lingering within her, threatening to resurface at any moment. With her cultivation at the Nascent Soul Realm, she knew she could only stave off the symptoms for so long.
Determined to find answers, Xia Bingling summoned her daughter, Xia Qingwu, to her side. “Qingwu, I need to speak with you,” she said, her voice tinged with concern.
Xia Qingwu entered the room, her brow furrowed with worry. “What is it, Mother? Is something wrong?” she asked, her voice filled with apprehension.
Xia Bingling sighed heavily, her gaze troubled. “It’s about the doctor who treated me,” she admitted reluctantly. “He hasn’t returned, and I’m starting to worry. Do you have any idea where he might be?”
Xia Qingwu hesitated for a moment before responding. “Mother, I… I don’t know the doctor personally,” she confessed. “But I know his disciple.”
Xia Bingling’s eyes widened in surprise. “His disciple? Who is he?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Xia Qingwu hesitated, her expression conflicted. “His disciple… is Wang Li,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Xia Bingling’s shock quickly turned to anger as she processed her daughter’s words. “Wang Li?” she exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief. “You mean to tell me that you’ve been in contact with that man?”
Xia Qingwu flinched under her mother’s gaze, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I… I was scared for you…I didn’t want you to be hurt by this illness,” she protested weakly.
Xia Bingling’s anger simmered beneath the surface as she struggled to contain her emotions. “You cannot maintain contact with that man, Qingwu,” she said sternly. “His family has a tainted reputation, and associating with him could bring trouble to our doorstep.”
Xia Qingwu hung her head, her guilt weighing heavily on her shoulders. “I’m sorry, Mother,” she murmured, her voice laced with remorse. “I never meant to cause any harm.”
Xia Bingling softened slightly at her daughter’s apology, her anger dissipating in the face of Qingwu’s sincerity. “It’s alright, my dear,” she said gently, reaching out to grasp Qingwu’s hand. “But we need to find a solution to my illness. Wang Li’s master may be our only hope.”
Determined to rectify the situation, Xia Bingling instructed Qingwu to contact Wang Li and request his master’s assistance. “Tell Wang Li to send his master to the Xia Family Manor immediately,” she said firmly. “I need to be treated before it’s too late.”
With a heavy heart, Qingwu nodded and left to deliver her mother’s message to Wang Li.
Meanwhile, Xia Bingling could only wait anxiously for a response, hoping against hope that help would arrive in time.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Xia Family Manor, Xia Qingwu sat in her chamber, her brow furrowed with worry as she recorded a communication voice talisman to Wang Li. “Hey, Wang Li,” she began, her voice tinged with concern. “It’s Qingwu. My mother’s condition is worsening, and we really need your master’s help. Can you please send him to the Xia Family Manor as soon as possible?”
With a sigh, Qingwu sent off the communication talisman, hoping against hope that Wang Li would come through for them in their time of need.
Meanwhile, in another part of the kingdom, Wang Li lounged in his chamber, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips as he listened to Qingwu’s message. “Well, well, well,” he murmured to himself, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Looks like it’s time to put on a show.”
With a flick of his wrist, Wang Li conjured a communication voice talisman of his own and began to record a response to Qingwu’s plea. “Ah, Qingwu,” he began, affecting a tone of fake sadness and somberness. “I received your message, and I must say, I’m deeply saddened to inform you that my master is currently engaged in a fierce battle with the Blood Chain Sect at the Purple Spirit Valley.”
Wang Li paused for effect, his smirk widening as he continued. “Unfortunately, it seems that he’s outnumbered and surrounded by powerful enemies,” he added, his voice oozing with false sympathy. “There’s a good chance he won’t make it out alive.”
But then, in a sudden change of tone, Wang Li’s voice took on a tone of fake innocence. “However,” he continued, his voice laced with feigned concern, “if your mother’s condition worsens, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I may not be as skilled as my master, but I’ll do everything in my power to help.”
With his message recorded, Wang Li sent the communication voice talisman back to Qingwu, his plan set in motion. He knew that Qingwu would listen to his response in front of her mother, Xia Bingling, and he intended to use the opportunity to earn her trust.
Meanwhile, Xia Bingling listened intently as her daughter played Wang Li’s message. Her brow furrowed with worry as she absorbed the news of Wang Li’s master’s supposed predicament. “Oh no,” she murmured, her voice tinged with concern. “It sounds like a dangerous situation.”
Xia Qingwu nodded, her expression solemn. “Yes, Mother,” she agreed, her voice filled with worry. “But at least Wang Li is willing to help if your condition worsens.”
Xia Bingling sighed heavily, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. Though she harbored reservations about Wang Li and his intentions, she couldn’t deny the urgency of her situation. “I suppose we have no choice but to trust him for now,” she conceded reluctantly.
Qingwu nodded in agreement, her own doubts momentarily pushed aside by her mother’s optimism. “Yes, Mother,” she agreed softly. “I’ll contact Wang Li and ask him to treat you if your condition worsens.”
With a sense of relief washing over her, Xia Bingling nodded gratefully.
