After Being Abducted by the General

chapter 12

Upon arriving at Chu Mingfeng's secluded residence, Yuan Li was guided by an elderly slave with white hair who had been waiting for him at the front gate. The old slave silently led him into the bedroom.

As Yuan Li entered the room, his vision darkened. The room was dimly lit by candlelight, and he caught a strong and bitter medicinal scent in the air. Along with the medicinal aroma, there was an indistinct peculiar odor that seemed to emanate from something unusual.

Yuan Li pursed his lips.

It was the smell of decay that only came from someone on the brink of death.

The room was tightly sealed, with no trace of sunlight or breeze seeping through the windows.

Yuan Li kept his gaze straight ahead as he was led to the bedside. The bed was surrounded by double-layered white curtains, and within the faint shadows of white, there was a blurry figure lying on the bed.

Kneeling on the floor beside the bed was a trembling servant.

Upon seeing this servant, Yuan Li couldn't help but be slightly surprised.

This person was Steward Liu, the steward responsible for procurement in the Chu Wang Mansion. He had served in the palace for twenty years. During Yuan Li's stewardship, Steward Liu had defied Yuan Li's orders due to his seniority and even complained privately about Yuan Li's strictness. It was only when Yuan Li publicly punished him that he finally became obedient.

Why would this person be here?

The elderly slave whispered, "Sir, Young Master Yuan has arrived."

The sound of two coughs came from the bed, followed by a weak but smiling hoarse voice, saying, "So wife has arrived. This husband will get up, please wait a moment, wife."

After speaking, there were indeed rustling sounds coming from the bed.

Yuan Li was taken aback, then couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Sir, there's no need to be so polite. Just lie down and rest properly!"

Only then did Chu Mingfeng stop and sighed, "This husband is in poor health, making the wife witness such a spectacle."

His tone was playful, using terms like "wife" and "husband" without any hint of romantic ambiguity, only teasing.

Yuan Li hadn't expected this young Gelao to have such a personality. Clearly, he was on the verge of death, yet he could still humorously converse with others.

Yuan Li had always admired and respected such people. "Sir, you should focus on recuperating now. Why did you summon me here?"

There was another bout of short coughs from within the canopy. The force of it seemed as if he wanted to cough out his lungs. After a moment, Chu Mingfeng finally stopped coughing. He reached out a thin and slender hand from behind the bed curtain and pointed at Steward Liu, who was kneeling beside the bed.

"This cunning servant is dissatisfied with your control and came to report you to me," Chu Mingfeng said in a calm tone. "He claims that you have ulterior motives, oppressing subordinates and deceiving my parents for personal gain. The entire household is dissatisfied with you."

Chu Mingfeng paused for a moment, then chuckled lightly. "Ever since I fell ill, there are always people who think I know nothing, daring to present lies before me."

His voice became increasingly soft, but his words were clear. Steward Liu couldn't help trembling and sweating profusely.

Finally, Chu Mingfeng turned his head slightly and looked hazily at Yuan Li. "This cunning servant is now in your hands, wife. How would you like to punish him?"