He didn't ask her what was troubling her, forcing her to defy her pride and beg him for help. He didn't ask why she wanted him to bring her into the palace. Nor did he ask who the elegantly dressed old woman she secretly met in the deep palace was. If she felt he shouldn't know, then he had no interest.
Yin Wuxiao knelt down in front of the old woman: "If you don't save her, I will kneel before you forever."
The old woman frowned: "Miss Yin, you are very intelligent and should know that this is not my business."
Yin Wuxiao touched the ground with his forehead: "But if you want to manage it, you definitely can. You also know what Mansi means to Alu... to the Second Prince. Although he is not clear about his own feelings now, if Mansi dies, he will definitely not live alone."
The old woman pondered for a moment: "What you say makes sense, but the imperial court has its own rules. Besides, I have already promised the younger generation that I will no longer meddle in their affairs. Whether it is good or bad, they must bear the consequences themselves."
Yin Wuxiao was startled and stood up abruptly, looking directly at the old woman without fear: "Forgive my bluntness, but you have never been one to follow the rules, and there is no matter in the world that you cannot interfere with. I have always admired you for this very reason, but I never expected that you would become so timid and hesitant as you get older!"
Whether it was her age or the words "timid and hesitant" that provoked the old woman, she flew into a rage: "How dare you! Who do you think you are talking to?"
Yin Wuxiao knelt down again with a thud: "It was my rudeness. But you absolutely cannot sit idly by and do nothing about this. In the end, you also bear a great responsibility for how things have come to this."
The old woman scoffed, "You, the one who started this, dare to ask me to take responsibility?"
"I know that I am the one who should bear the greatest responsibility, so I beg you, I beg you to save Mansi!" Yin Wuxiao kowtowed repeatedly, hitting the floor with a loud thud.
Baili Qingyi stood to the side, calmly watching Yin Wuxiao's near-self-harming behavior without stopping her. He thought to himself that when she knelt for three days and three nights at the foot of Mount Tian to beg for medicine for him, the scene must have been even more extreme than what he was experiencing now.
He walked to Yin Wuxiao's side, knelt down and kowtowed in the same manner: "I beg the old lady to have mercy and save Miss Shi's life. Baili Qingyi will be eternally grateful."
The old woman was taken aback: "You are Baili Qingyi?"
"Exactly."
"The young master in blue robes from Baili Prefecture in Jiangnan, the arbitrator of the martial arts world, Baili Qingyi?"
"good."
"That Baili Qingyi who's supposedly dying?"
"Thanks to Miss Yin, Qingyi is still alive in this world."
The old woman looked on with great interest.
No matter how powerful the emperor is, he can't control the martial arts world, yet Baili Qingyi happens to be its leader. In other words, Baili Qingyi is the biggest gangster boss in the land…
How will she make use of this relationship?
"Miss Yin, you've surprised me quite a bit."
Baili Qingyi felt that Yin Wuxiao seemed to tremble slightly.
"You flatter me, ma'am." Her voice was a little unsteady.
The old woman stood up, pondered for a moment, and smiled, "Actually, it's not that difficult for an old woman like me to meddle in other people's business again. Miss Yin, how about we make another deal?"
Yin Wuxiao forced himself to speak: "Please go ahead."
The old woman pointed at Baili Qingyi: "I've heard of the name of the Young Master Qingyi. But I've never seen the mysterious Qingyi Jue."
Baili Qingyi hurriedly said, "That Qingyi is absolutely right, it's just an ordinary poem. If the old lady is interested, Qingyi can write it down for you right away."
The old woman waved her hand: "Do you take me for a curious three-year-old? What's the point of writing this down for me?"
Baili Qingyi was taken aback; he had never seen such a strange old lady before.
“Miss Yin, three years ago, your poetry contest at Yunge Pavilion humiliated all the scholars and poets of my court, leaving them utterly humiliated. How about this: three days from now, I will have the young master in blue set up a poetry contest, using his literary talent to find a husband. The location will still be Yunge Pavilion, and I want all the unmarried young ladies in the martial arts world to attend. As for the specific arrangements, I will leave them to you. What do you think?”
Yin Wuxiao stared wide-eyed, her lips slightly parted, unable to close them for a long time.
"Well... three days is a bit too rushed..."
"Hey, your Yin family is rich and powerful, I believe this little thing won't be difficult for you."
"This is...this is the most important matter of the young master's life, how can I...how can I make such a decision?" Yin Wuxiao lowered her head. As expected of the cunning old woman, the question she asked this time was too tricky, and she really couldn't handle it.
The old woman's eyes darted around, and she asked Baili Qingyi with a smile, "She said she can't make the decision. Young Master Qingyi, tell me, can Miss Yin make the decision about your life's most important matter?"
Baili Qingyi smiled bitterly: "If she can't make the decision, then no one in this world can."
Yin Wuxiao blushed and glared at him.
The old woman clapped her hands and laughed, "That's perfect. Miss Yin, I'll take care of your business. I guarantee your Miss Shi will return to your mansion unharmed tomorrow. As for you, hehe, I believe you'll keep your word. I'll be waiting for your show in three days."
Could it be that asking Baili Qingyi to take her into the palace was a mistake? Yin Wuxiao secretly lamented.
However, the thought that Mansi's life could be saved made her breathe a sigh of relief.
Baili Qingyi took in her reaction and couldn't help but feel a little melancholy.
He and she walked silently down the long, dark street. Dark clouds obscured the moon, and a rumble of thunder was brewing in the air.
Yin Wuxiao said softly, "I've arrived." She looked at her own porch, then at the gloomy sky, wanting to remind him to hurry back to avoid getting wet in the rain, but hesitated. She walked straight to the door.
"Xiao'er, are you really going to find me a husband?" Baili Qingyi called out to her.
She didn't turn around: "I have to save Mansi. I must save her." She felt that he should be able to understand her feelings.
"So, what if... if someone else wins against me?"
Yin Wuxiao turned around in shock, meeting Shang Baili Qingyi's dark eyes. His gentle and unassuming expression, coupled with his words, exuded a pitiful charm.
What if he really gets won over by someone else? He'll become someone else's husband, combing their hair, drawing their eyebrows, serving them porridge and medicine...
“Don’t ask me,” she said weakly. “Why do you always ask me what will happen? How am I supposed to know what will happen to me? I don’t know. I don’t know!”
With a deafening roar, the rain poured down, sweeping through everything in its path in an instant.
Yin Wuxiao suddenly turned around and glared at Baili Qingyi. He stood still in front of the porch, seemingly unaware of the raindrops hitting him.
"Can't you see it's raining! You idiot!" Yin Wuxiao scolded. She was only three steps away from him, she was protected by the eaves, but he was soaked to the bone.
"Xiao'er, I saw it."
"You see that? Hurry up and find shelter from the rain!"
"Xiao'er, since you say so, then I'll go over there. I'll go over there now, okay?"
Yin Wuxiao opened his mouth to curse, but then stopped himself. He wasn't asking her if she would let him take shelter from the rain; he was clearly asking if she would let him stay by her side.
She hesitated. Everything she'd done with him—what was all that? Things had come to this point; it was clearly a battle of pride.
He stood there in the rain, staring intently at her, his gaze both tender and sinister.
She gritted her teeth, reached out and grabbed his wet collar, pulling him under the eaves with even more ruthlessness than he did.
"You bastard, you treacherous cunning..." Her anger was suppressed, and a barrage of kisses, mingled with rain, overwhelmed her.
Yin Wuxiao's mind was in chaos. She didn't know how she got back to her room. All she knew was that Baili Qingyi's hands were wrapped around hers, his body wrapped around hers.
He closed the door behind him, panting, and whispered in her ear, "Xiao'er, I will never ask you what will happen to you again. No matter what happens to you, I will keep you."
Yin Wuxiao leaned against him, feeling dizzy. The icy rain seeped from his body onto hers, penetrating her skin.
"Yin Wuxiao, I've decided on you."
She turned around in his arms, put her hands on his shoulders, and cupped his face in her hands.
“I hate you. I hate you so much.” She glared at him, panting, like a bird that was soaked but still proud.
"What should I do? I love you so much." Baili Qingyi frowned and looked back helplessly.
Yin Wuxiao froze. After a long while, she burst into laughter, burying her face in his chest, her breathing heavy and rapid. She laughed for a long time before finally stopping.
“This isn’t right.” She frowned and asked him, “How could you… how could you…” How could he say such sweet words, how could he be like this…
She couldn't help but rub the goosebumps on her arms.
"Xiao'er, I have to confess to you." Baili Qingyi loosened his embrace and said to her very seriously, "I really don't know how to get along with girls, especially with..."
"So what...so what?" Yin Wuxiao stammered.
“You see, I used to be afraid that I wasn’t good enough in your eyes, afraid that you would find out that I was actually a completely different person from the rumored gentleman in blue. But that won’t do. I have to tell you what’s on my mind, I have to let you know what kind of person I am, so that you can make a decision…”
"So what?" Yin Wuxiao asked, still confused.
"So...you see, I specifically went to consult Hanyi; he's quite experienced in this area. I used to dismiss some of the things he said, but perhaps he was right..."
Yin Wuxiao slowly pulled away from his embrace. She looked at him intently for a long while, then burst into laughter.
"You...you mean you specifically went to ask Baili Hanyi for advice on how to get along with girls..."
"To be precise, it's about how to get along with you..."
"What did he say to you?" Yin Wuxiao was still laughing.
"..." Baili Qingyi smiled bitterly to herself: "He said that I should be honest with you, that I should completely forget what face is, and that I should make myself look as stupid as possible. Xiao'er, do you like fools?"
Yin Wuxiao burst into laughter again at his words. She slowly raised her head and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. She should thank Baili Hanyi.
She hugged Baili Qingyi: "I don't like fools, but when you're a little foolish sometimes, I feel more at ease knowing you're real." She buried her face in his chest and murmured, "It can't be just me being foolish..."
Baili Qingyi stroked her hair: "Xiao'er, I love you, that's true. I have responsibilities and burdens, but I will never drag you down with me. Those are just responsibilities and burdens; in my heart, they are not worth a single hair on your head." He lifted her chin: "You understand, don't you?"
Yin Wuxiao smiled: "I understand." She touched the bridge of his nose, "But you have to tell me, besides these, what else did Baili Hanyi teach you?" She had a mischievous look on her face.
Baili Qingyi pursed his lips and remained silent. He watched as Yin Wuxiao bloomed in his arms like a transparent peony, her smile as radiant as spring blossoms, her hair like a black waterfall, a delicate brow that captivated his soul, his spirit, his very being…
He brought his lips closer to hers: "He also said that I should seize the opportunity and make it a fait accompli."
Yin Wuxiao was taken aback.
Baili Qingyi gently lifted her up and placed her on the bed. Then, he lifted one of her calves and gently removed her embroidered shoes and light socks. His palm cupped her heel, while his other hand stroked her arch, causing her to tremble slightly.
Baili Qingyi ignored him and picked up the other foot: "Xiao'er, I will no longer ask you what will happen to you. From now on, let me make the decisions for you. No matter how long the road ahead may be, you must walk with me. Hand in hand..." He smiled, "until we grow old."
He didn't even use a question. He said it firmly, as if he had made a lifelong decision for the two of them. Yin Wuxiao hurriedly pulled her foot back, only to have him press down on her instead.
Yun'er's room wasn't far away, and if she shouted for help, Yun'er would definitely arrive. But... but sending a little maid to stop the supposedly number one martial arts master in green robes? Wasn't that a joke?
She pressed her hands against his chest, their noses touching.
Baili Qingyi looked at her hands, then at her eyes.
"Xiao'er, you...don't want to?"
You don't want to? What kind of question is that? You don't want to? You don't want to? You don't want to?
Yin Wuxiao's heart was in complete turmoil. Did she want to? Did she want to?
She stared at the man before her, so close they breathed the same air, their hearts pressed together. Who else could it be but him?
If it wasn't him, who else could it be?
Yin Wuxiao sighed. Things had come to this point, and she had no choice but to accept this unbelievably handsome man.