Chapter 24-part 3

Lin Chengyou smiled and bowed: “I’ve come to ask the old madam for a drink.”

As soon as he appeared, several noble ladies at the banquet flushed, unsure whether it was from drunkenness or shyness.

The ladies of the Duan family felt proud and quickly had the servants pour wine, asking after his well-being with great attentiveness.

After a few pleasantries, Lin Chengyou casually glanced over the ladies’ seating area behind Old Madam Duan, finally fixing his gaze on Teng Yuyi, his lips curling into a cold smile in his heart.

Teng Yuyi had just finished a cup of wine and raised her eyes to meet Lin Chengyou’s gaze.

A look of confusion spread across her face, and she slowly lowered her cup.

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi, observing from the side, were taken aback.

The way their senior brother was looking at Miss Teng… it didn’t seem quite right.

After a moment of thought, their minds suddenly exploded—was their senior brother suspecting that Miss Teng was the one who had taken the package of itching insects and medicinal powder from them last time?

The two exchanged glances, full of suspicion.

If it was indeed Miss Teng who had tricked General Duan, how could she remain so calm?

Moreover, earlier in the hall, Miss Teng had seemed so frightened.

She clearly had been scared as well.

From their point of view, General Duan must have been poisoned because he had visited that Miss Dong in the prison.

The Duke of Zhenguo led Lin Chengyou out: “The people are in the main hall. Your Highness, please follow me.”

As they reached the steps outside, Lin Chengyou suddenly stopped.

He then flicked his fingers in a circular motion, giving a sharp whistle.

A shadow appeared suddenly from the eaves, leaping down from the beam.

The creature moved with incredible speed, landing gracefully in the bright light at the base of the steps, revealing its sleek, glossy black fur.

The crowd gasped.

It was a nimble little leopard.

After the initial shock, the ladies whispered in embarrassment and awe.

The Shizi was still as playful as ever.

It was fine to bring such a creature while hunting, but to bring it into the inner courtyard to play was quite unexpected.

The little leopard circled around Lin Chengyou’s robe, making a few low growls, causing the plants and flowers in the courtyard to tremble, before it crouched down, placing its paws on his robes.

Teng Yuyi, transfixed, forgot about the wine cup in her hand.

She marveled at how Lin Chengyou had trained such a fierce beast to bow to him.

Lin Chengyou smiled and explained to the Duke of Zhenguo: “I didn’t bring the medicinal powder with me today, and going back to the temple would be too troublesome. I’ll have to rely on it to help with the antidote.”

The Duke of Zhenguo nodded: “I remember this little beast was a spiritual animal gifted by the kingdom of Sangha. The sage saw that Your Highness liked it and sent it to the Prince Cheng’s residence. I only knew it was extraordinary, but I didn’t know it could also cure poison.”

Princess Jingde took a piece of dried lychee from her waist and tossed it to the little leopard: “Here’s a treat for you, eat it.”

The little leopard stretched out its paw, disdainfully pushing the lychee aside.

Princess Jingde stamped her foot in frustration: “Junnu, why are you throwing a tantrum at me again? Hmph!”

Lin Chengyou crouched down and tugged at Junnu’s pointed ear: “Ah Zhi likes you, so eat one piece as a reward.”

The little leopard’s emerald eyes narrowed slightly, and it rubbed affectionately against Lin Chengyou’s palm.

When it turned its head back, it still refused to look at the lychee.

Lin Chengyou sighed: “Hey, Ah Zhi is my sister. You’re embarrassing me.”

Junnu let out a growl, then finally sniffed the lychee, slowly eating it.

The Duke of Zhenguo, seeing that Junnu was ready, led Lin Chengyou forward: “Earlier, someone said Ningyuan was poisoned by a certain young lady. This is utterly ridiculous. My son has no connection to that young lady, so how could he have been poisoned? Moreover, although my son is not without fault, he is not the type of person who would act without thought. In my opinion, the poison must have come from somewhere else.”

Lin Chengyou paused: “What do you mean, Duke?”