Chapter 27 - A Bet (Part 1)

At an exclusive teahouse, on the third floor of a private room, Yin He was lying back on a cushion and reading a book leisurely. There was a table in the middle of the room, filled with plates of exquisite delicacies. Not too far from the table, Bai Qin was brewing tea meticulously. The room was filled with a light scent of sandalwood.

One of the servants announced the arrival of Zheng Qing Yao. The corner of Yin He's lips quirked up as he lifted his head lazily.

"Is the tea ready?" He drawled and put down the book in his hand.

Bai Qin nodded, as she brought the teapot over to the table, and poured two cups of tea. A servant lead Zheng Qing Yao into the room. Yin He stood up and strode over to the table in the middle of the room. He gestured to Zheng Qing Yao to take a seat before joining him at the table. After making sure everything was in place properly, Bai Qin signalled the other servants to retreat. Her eyes drifted to another adjacent room hidden behind the curtain momentarily before she closed the door, leaving the two of them with some privacy.

Zheng Qing Yao expression carried a hint of tension as he sat solemnly without saying a word. The other person seemed unbothered as he picked up the cup and sipped the tea slowly.

"Mm, this is a rare tea brought back from the far east. The taste is exceptionally light and fresh. Have a try. If you like it, I will ask Bai Qin to send some over to your manor," Yin He said casually, breaking the silence.

Zheng Qing Yao was reluctant at first, but Yin He did not back down. Yin He raised his eyebrows and nodded at the teacup sitting untouched in front of him. Sighing, Zheng Qing Yao picked up the cup and took a sip without even tasting it.

"Lord Yin, I'll be frank with you. I am sure you know why I am here today."

Yin He let out a light chuckle and shook his head slowly.

"Lord Zheng, you are way too tense. You should relax a little bit more. Today I purposely prepared a feast for you, but it seems like my good intention is in vain." Yin He teased with a hint of mischief in his voice.

Unperturbed, Zheng Qing Yao replied solemnly, "Lord Yin, a human life is at stake here, hence I hope you can help to give me some answers."

A wide smile formed on Yin He's face, and the corner of his eyes crinkled. The pair of dark eyes lit up as he scrutinized the person in front of him for a moment. Leaning his body back in a more relax position, he spoke again, "Well, if Lord Zheng put it that way, then I cannot continue to be so frivolous. Alright then, how can I help you? I'll try my best to give you some answers then."

Zheng Qing Yao's gaze harden slightly as he finally asked, "Lord Yin, what have happened to Meng Yu?"

Yin He burst into laughter upon hearing the question, but the young man in front of him was still unfazed. Sitting calmly, he waited patiently for the other person's reply. It was not a surprise for Zheng Qing Yao to know that Yin He was the one who dropped Meng Yu back to the Silver Sky Mansion. In the capital, there were not many people who knew about Meng Yu and her association with him. Yin He did not seem to have the intention of keeping it a secret as well. In fact, he was waiting for Zheng Qing Yao to come forward. Still, he was quite impressed with Zheng Qing Yao straightforwardness. There were no pretences or beating around the bushes with this person.

"It wasn't me. I did not do it to her." Lifting both of his hand up in the air, Yin He quickly proclaimed his innocence, but the playful smile was still plastered on his smug face.

Zheng Qing Yao slowly nodded. "I trust you, but can you tell me how did she get injured so badly?"

"Why don't you ask her yourself-" Yin He paused mid-sentence, as realization dawned upon him.

Lifting an eyebrow, he leaned forward with interest and asked, "It has been so many days already, but is she still not awake yet?"

Zheng Qing Yao's expression stiffen in response.

"Her condition is considered stable now, but… I am not too sure either. That is why I come to see you," he explained regretfully.

The room fell into silence. Yin He did not say anything anymore. Instead, he reached for the teapot in front of him and poured another cup of tea. After taking a sip, he finally broke the silence. This time, his voice was more solemn as he spoke, "I cannot tell you much about what happened, but I can tell you who is the perpetrator."

Zheng Qing Yao stilled. Staring back at Yin He, he waited anxiously for him to continue. Yin He's lips curled back up into a mischievous smile. He purposely leaned forward, and carefully enunciated the name to Zheng Qing Yao.

"Xia Hei."

The colour immediately drained out of Zheng Qing Yao face. The pupils of his eyes dilated in disbelief as he looked at Yin He unblinkingly, as if he was trying to make sense of what he had just heard. Yin He had a frivolous attitude most of the time, but Zheng Qing Yao knew very well that he would not simply joke about this matter. There was a moment of silent, as he sorted his thoughts out. Drawing in a deep breath, he finally replied slowly, "Ah, I understand then. Thank you for your time, Lord Yin. I should take my leave now."

Yin He nodded as he watched Zheng Qing Yao left in a hurry. Pouring himself another cup of tea, a poise voice spoke from behind the curtain, "What are you thinking?"

Yin He did not look around. He just asked playfully, "What do you think?"

The curtain was lifted, and a man dressed in luxurious silk robe stepped out from the adjacent room. It seemed that he had been in the room from the very beginning, listening to the conversation between the two of them. He was Ren Zhong Yu, the owner of this most famous teahouse in the capital. Ren Zhong Yu calmly walked over and sat down in front of Yin He.

"Zheng Qing Yao seem restless," he stated nonchalantly.

Yin He laughed lightly, and replied, "You noticed too?"

In the Yin Capital, Zheng Qing Yao was well known for his cool-headed temperance. A young and talented physician who always carried himself well no matter the circumstances. To some people, he might appear dull and boring, but to Yin He, this young man was particularly good in hiding his thoughts while observing his surroundings.

"Something is bothering him, and the mention of Xia Hei seems to get to him. What is it that you are not telling me?" Ren Zhong Yu prompted with deep curiosity.

"Since when are you interested in things like this?" Yin He asked coyly.

Ren Zhong Yu did not seem to be incredibly pleased with Yin He's cheeky remarks as he picked up the chopstick and started indulging himself with the delicacies in front of him.

"Xia Hei is not to be messed with. This time, you really get me into some unnecessary trouble. Don't you think you owe me some explanation to your little mystery game?" he grumbled in dissatisfaction.

"Since when are you afraid of Xia Hei? The one who should be deeply worried is Zheng Qing Yao." Yin He drawled, as he took another sip of the tea.

Ren Zhong Yu pursed his lips and shot a dissatisfied look at Yin He. "Xia Hei and I had an unspoken agreement. We never get involve with each other business unless there is business between us. You made me broke the rule this time."

Hearing the thinly veiled threat in Ren Zhong Yu words, Yin He laughed, and finally revealed, "The arrow… is poisoned."

Ren Zhong Yu paused for a moment. As he came to realization, he marvelled, "Ah, no wonder. Xia Hei was a well-known poison maker. Even with Zheng Qing Yao's skills and experiences, it would be difficult for him to figure out the antidote. The only way to cure the poison probably is to get the antidote from Xia Hei himself."

Suddenly a realisation dawned on him, and Ren Zhong Yu quickly put down the chopstick in his hand. He raised his hand and pointed a finger at Yin He accusingly. "You, you sly fox! You purposely put him into this difficult situation, right?"

Yin He shrugged his shoulder in ignorance. Ren Zhong Yu shook his head, and said regretfully, "Zheng Qing Yao is not stupid. He knows what kind of person Xia Hei is. What makes you think he will get involve with this dirty water?"

Yin He said nothing as he stood up and walked over to the window. Overlooking the bustling street below, he watched as Zheng Qing Yao climbed onto his carriage and left in hurry.

He turned around and gave Ren Zhong Yu a half smile, "I wasn't sure at first, but now… I think he will not disappoint me."

"I have heard of this poison before. It will slowly weaken the person day by day, burning them from inside. It is quite a torturous slow death. With her current situation, I don't think she has that many days left. What a pity." Ren Zhong Yu lamented.

Yin He lightly hummed in reply and whirled around to look at Ren Zhong Yu. With a grin on his face, he asked excitedly, "Zhong Yu, shall we make a bet?"

Hearing the word 'bet', Ren Zhong Yu sat up straighter and leaned forward like a child waiting for his favourite snack. His eyes glimmered with interest as he repeated after Yin He, "Bet? What bet?"

"Yes, a bet…" Yin He paused, as the corner of his lips curled up mischievously, "A bet on the girl's life."