After spending most of the day looking disheveled and exhausted, Qin Xiaoyou hadn't found anything. Realizing she couldn't find him, she simply sat in Bai Yuxiao's room, waiting patiently, figuring he'd eventually return. She waited until the moon was high in the sky, but didn't see a single trace of Bai Yuxiao. Exhausted, Qin Xiaoyou slumped onto Bai Yuxiao's bed and fell fast asleep.
She slept soundly through the night. When she woke up, her clothes were still the same as before she went to bed, and the ashes she had scattered on the windowsill were exactly the same as yesterday's—not a single footprint was left. Therefore, it was clear that Bai Yuxiao hadn't returned home all night. Thinking that he was off having some fun somewhere, while he had ordered her not to leave the house, Qin Xiaoyou felt a surge of anger. But as she fumed, a sudden thought struck her. During her previous rendezvous with Zui Linglong, Zui Linglong had mentioned that Qin Qin was quite skilled in martial arts. So, Qin Qin knew some martial arts. Yes, she knew martial arts. Watch how she scaled walls and leaped out of the Bai residence!
The thought of soon being able to use the legendary martial arts made Qin Xiaoyou so excited that even her panda eyes from lack of sleep were shining, her gaze so bright it sent shivers down one's spine. Passing servants, seeing Qin Xiaoyou's appearance, avoided her if they could, and ran away if they could, spreading rumors that Miss Qin had gone mad with anger after waiting all night for Master Bai.
Choosing a slightly secluded but spacious spot, Qin Xiaoyou rubbed her hands together, chuckled twice, and shouted, "Girls, here I come!" She leaped upwards, but unfortunately, she didn't jump very high before falling back to the ground due to gravity and her own weight. However, this minor setback didn't affect Qin Xiaoyou's high spirits at all. She changed her posture, stepped back a short distance, took a running start, and jumped again. But, tragically, this time she didn't jump as high as before. Rolling up her sleeves, Qin Xiaoyou was furious. She was determined to fight this light-body skill to the death today. She refused to believe that she couldn't figure out how to use it with her intelligence.
After Qin Xiaoyou's 108th failed attempt, Bai Yuxiao's annoying voice rang out from behind her: "Xiaoyou, you shouldn't be this heartbroken even if you don't see me for a day. I heard from the servants that you've gone mad from excessive grief."
Qin Xiaoyou stopped what she was doing, turned her head, and stared intently at Bai Yuxiao, a stare that sent chills down his spine. Just as Bai Yuxiao took two steps back, intending to take a shower or have a meal to temporarily avoid Qin Xiaoyou, Qin Xiaoyou spoke, saying each word clearly: "You're not allowed to leave!"
Bai Yuxiao abruptly stopped half a step he had already taken, forcing a smile as he said, "Okay, I won't leave." "You, come here." Qin Xiaoyou beckoned to Bai Yuxiao with her index finger. Putting away the folding fan he had been waving so enthusiastically, Bai Yuxiao walked over with a serious expression. Seeing him approach, Qin Xiaoyou spoke again, "Hurry up, show me what light-body skills look like." "Huh?" Bai Yuxiao's jaw nearly dropped, completely bewildered by Qin Xiaoyou's antics. Logically, shouldn't Qin Xiaoyou be asking him why she had confined her to her quarters? He had already mentally prepared how to make Qin Xiaoyou realize that going to a brothel was wrong, especially in the middle of the night. Instead, Qin Xiaoyou was asking him to demonstrate his light-body skills. Despite his bewilderment, under Qin Xiaoyou's intense gaze, Bai Yuxiao still leaped onto the wall with a few quick steps.
Seeing Bai Yuxiao complete the task so easily, Qin Xiaoyou slapped her forehead. So that's how many jumps she had to do! No wonder she hadn't succeeded. So she tried to imitate Bai Yuxiao, lightly tapping her toes a few times, and then found herself actually standing on the wall. However, Qin Xiaoyou felt no joy at finally mastering the art of lightness, because Bai Yuxiao was grabbing the back of her collar. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Bai Yuxiao, let go of my hand right now!"
"Sigh, Xiaoyou, you can't go on like this. You're always swearing. Who will dare to marry you in the future?" Bai Yuxiao said in a motherly tone, ignoring Qin Xiaoyou's eyes, which were practically spitting fire with anger.
"It's my turn to marry someone else, not mine. Let go of me now, or I'll get rough with you!" Qin Xiaoyou bared her teeth, deliberately making a fierce face.
As if suddenly remembering something, Bai Yuxiao smiled mischievously and asked, "Are you sure you want me to let go?"
Qin Xiaoyou was filled with anger at being deceived. She had been so happy, thinking she had finally mastered light-body skills, only to discover that Bai Yuxiao had actually carried her up there; she hadn't gotten up on her own at all. The feeling was utterly frustrating. So, without thinking further, she stiffened her neck and said, "Of course!"
"Alright, I'll let go then." As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Yuxiao released her grip, and Qin Xiaoyou fell headfirst to the ground. Before making intimate contact with the ground, Qin Xiaoyou closed her eyes, and mentally cursed Bai Yuxiao's relatives once more.
Huh? Why doesn't it hurt at all when I fell to the ground? With a question in her mind, Qin Xiaoyou opened her eyes and found that she was being held horizontally in front of Bai Yuxiao's chest. Looking at the face with a slight smile on his lips, Qin Xiaoyou's heart started pounding for no reason, and her old face couldn't help but turn a little red.
However, Qin Xiaoyou had a peculiar habit: when she was shy, she would try to cover it up by getting angry. So, realizing her unusual emotional outburst, Qin Xiaoyou first bit Bai Yuxiao's shoulder fiercely. After Bai Yuxiao released her grip in pain, she muttered, "Bastard!" and then kicked him. Then, she turned and ran away. Watching her fleeing figure, Bai Yuxiao was both amused and exasperated. He rubbed his shoulder and resignedly followed. If he didn't properly explain his house arrest and how he had teased her earlier, Qin Xiaoyou would probably never give him a kind look again.
Chapter 15, First Doubts
"Xiao You, come and try this white jade tofu, it tastes very good." Bai Yuxiao said at the dinner table with a solicitous look.
"Hmph." Qin Xiaoyou poked at a piece of food with her chopsticks, her face cold.
"Xiao You, come and have some fish balls. They're fragrant, tender, and smooth; you'll definitely like them," Bai Yuxiao continued, unwilling to give up.
"Tch." Qin Xiaoyou continued to respond with a single syllable.
"Ah, Xiaoyou, look, this boiled cabbage in clear broth is quite extraordinary. On the surface, it looks light and simple, but in reality, it tastes incredibly fresh and delicious. I'm telling you..."
"I said that's enough! Don't you want people to eat?" To avoid not getting a moment's peace all night, Qin Xiaoyou interrupted Bai Yuxiao.
Bai Yuxiao, caught off guard by someone's retort, was at a loss for words, and an awkward silence fell over the dinner table. The two finished their meal in silence, and afterward, Qin Xiaoyou, without a word, got up and went back to her room. Knowing she was still angry with him, Bai Yuxiao shook his head helplessly.
At this moment, a man dressed in black, with a solemn expression, walked in. Upon seeing the newcomer, Bai Yuxiao said calmly, "Go to the study and wait for me." After accepting the order, the man immediately disappeared, as if he had never appeared in the hall. Bai Yuxiao started walking towards the west wing, but after walking halfway, he seemed to remember something, paused, and then turned back to his study.
"Jiang Fan, how's the situation at Chunfeng Yidu Tower?"
"Young Master, I am utterly incompetent. Not only have I failed to gather any information, but I have also exposed my identity. I..."
"Alright, I can't blame you for this. With Wenren Qi's shrewdness, it's quite impressive that you were able to infiltrate Chunfeng Yidu for more than a year. Besides, this matter was indeed dangerous."
"Young Master, there is something I don't understand, and I'm not sure if I should ask it?"
“Jiang Fan, we grew up together since childhood. You know I’ve always regarded you as an older brother. There’s no question of whether or not to ask between us.”
"Young Master, is it worth sacrificing our meticulously planned schemes of so many years for a woman of unknown origin whom we've only met once?"
"Jiang Fan, I want you to promise me one thing: from now on, you will use your life to protect Xiao You with all your might."
"But young master..."
"Why aren't you listening to me anymore?"
"Jiang Fan dares not. Jiang Fan hereby swears to the heavens: as long as Jiang Fan is alive, he will protect Miss Qin."
"Jiang Fan, you are the person I trust the most, which is why I entrusted Xiao You's safety to you. You, you must not let me down."
"Young Master, Jiang Fan has found out this time..."
The sounds in the study gradually subsided. After a while, Jiang Fan pushed open the study door and came out. Soon, his black outfit blended into the night, as if he belonged to the darkness himself. Bai Yuxiao stood still for a moment, her expression gentle as she gazed at a small wooden plaque in her hand. On the plaque was a childlike character for "Qin." After a long pause, Bai Yuxiao sighed deeply and said, "What am I supposed to do with you?"
"Miss, it's late. Shall I go make your bed?" Ren Dong asked while massaging Qin Xiaoyou's shoulders.
"No rush, I don't want to sleep yet," Qin Xiaoyou replied listlessly, using a hairpin to tug at the lamp wick.
After a moment's thought, Ren Dong pursed her lips and mustered her courage to ask, "Miss, are you waiting for Young Master Bai?"
"Nonsense! Why would I wait for him? Impossible!" Qin Xiaoyou was furious when her secret was exposed. She turned away, refusing to let Ren Dong rub her shoulders, and sent him off to sleep.
Pulling at a braid in her hand, Qin Xiaoyou sat alone by the bed for a while before angrily pounding the bed, muttering, "Damn Bai Yuxiao, you wicked Bai Yuxiao, don't you even know to explain why I'm confined to my quarters? And are you a blockhead? Don't you know that girls need to be coaxed when they're angry? Humph, bastard! The biggest bastard in the universe! He suddenly got angry that night, for no reason at all. Men are so unreasonable!" Still not satisfied after cursing for a while, Qin Xiaoyou decided to kick the osmanthus tree in the yard a couple of times to vent her anger.
As soon as she opened the door, Qin Xiaoyou was so startled she almost fell to the ground. When had Bai Yuxiao gotten into her room? Oh no, she wondered if he had overheard some of her insults. While Qin Xiaoyou was still internally turmoil, Bai Yuxiao spoke first: "Xiaoyou, I..."
"What? I'm going to sleep! We can talk about it tomorrow." Qin Xiaoyou interrupted Bai Yuxiao before he could finish speaking, and then tried to shut him out. But Bai Yuxiao blocked the door with his hand. After a long standoff, Qin Xiaoyou finally gave in and gave up on closing the door, asking irritably, "What are you doing here so late at night instead of sleeping?"
That was quite an ambiguous question. Bai Yuxiao blushed, but seeing that Qin Xiaoyou was still indignant, he guessed that the girl didn't realize that what he said was inappropriate. He wanted to tease her, but thinking that the matter from earlier in the day hadn't been resolved, he suppressed his mischievous impulse and said sincerely, "I came to ask you to have a drink."
"Drinking?" Qin Xiaoyou squinted at Bai Yuxiao for a while, pondering the truthfulness of his words. Bai Yuxiao nodded seriously. After thinking for a moment, Qin Xiaoyou smiled slyly and said, "I can drink, but I want to drink on the roof."
Bai Yuxiao had barely finished saying "Good" when Qin Xiaoyou suddenly felt a tightness around her waist. Before she knew it, she was on the roof. Finding a comfortable position, Qin Xiaoyou reached out and asked, "Weren't we supposed to be drinking? Where's the wine?"
Bai Yuxiao magically produced a bamboo section from behind his back. Qin Xiaoyou took it, examined it from all angles, and said with disdain, "You dare to offer someone a drink with something so small? Hey, Bai Yuxiao, aren't you being a bit stingy?"
With amusement, Bai Yuxiao flicked Qin Xiaoyou's nose and said, "Xiaoyou, don't underestimate this little bamboo-shaped wine. It was a gift from that old monster on Yangming Mountain five years ago when I was treating his illness."
"What's so strange about that?" Qin Xiaoyu pouted and handed the wine back to Bai Yuxiao.
Bai Yuxiao glanced at Qin Xiaoyou in surprise, puzzled as to why she seemed completely unaware of the old monster on Yangming Mountain. After all, her master was a renowned figure in the martial arts world back then. Although he had later retired from public life, it was unlikely that Qin Xiaoyou would be completely ignorant of the martial arts world. Thinking of this, Bai Yuxiao suddenly recalled Wenren Qi sending someone to Jiangnan to invite the divine physician Fan Jian. Although Wenren Qi hadn't explicitly stated it, was Xiaoyou's condition truly just amnesia? Or was someone impersonating her? At this thought, Bai Yuxiao's eyes darkened, and his fingers involuntarily tightened their grip on the bamboo tube. Whether it was genuine amnesia or an imposter, he was determined to investigate thoroughly.
"Hey, Bai Yuxiao, are you even listening to me?" Qin Xiaoyou's sudden shout pulled Bai Yuxiao from his thoughts. He glanced at the living face opposite him and thought, "Whatever, whether it's real or fake, I'll just get drunk tonight." Without another word, Bai Yuxiao pulled open the bamboo tube and started drinking heavily.
Seeing that Bai Yuxiao had ignored her speech and was now drinking without even asking, Qin Xiaoyou, not wanting to be taken advantage of, snatched the bamboo tube and drank it down herself. The bamboo tube wasn't big to begin with, and who knew how much would be left after all that drinking? Not wanting to be at a disadvantage, Qin Xiaoyou grabbed the tube and drank too. Hmm, the taste was sweet and sour, a little strange, but quite delicious. "One more sip, one more sip," she thought as she drank, until she lost count of how many sips she'd taken. She felt lightheaded, indescribably comfortable, as if walking on clouds. This wonderful feeling made Qin Xiaoyou, like a fool, hug the bamboo tube and giggle at Bai Yuxiao.
Chapter Sixteen: Farewell
"Lord, according to our people, Mr. Fan has indeed returned to Jiangnan, and Madam Fan is indeed seriously ill. These past few days, Mr. Fan has been attending to her at her window without taking off his clothes." In the bright hall, Xiao Feng knelt on the ground and said respectfully.
Wenren Qi's face was hidden in the shadows, making his expression unreadable. He didn't react to Xiao Feng's words. After a long while, Xiao Zhu entered from outside, knelt down, and said as her first words, "Please forgive my incompetence, Master."
Wenren Qi sighed softly, "Still no news?"
"No," Xiaozhu replied with a grim expression.
"How is Xiaoyun?" Wenren Qi suddenly walked up to the two of them and asked. Xiao Feng was stunned for a moment, then realized that the question was directed at him, and replied, "Reporting to the host, Xiaoyun still says she doesn't know anything."
"Since we can't get anything out of you, then forget it. You know what to do, right?" As soon as Wenren Qi finished speaking, Xiao Zhu struggled to say something, but Xiao Feng grabbed her arm. After glancing at Xiao Feng, Xiao Zhu obediently knelt down again. Wenren Qi took in their subtle movements but pretended not to see anything. He simply said, "You two will stay here and reflect on your actions tonight," and turned to leave.
"Xiao Feng, why didn't you let me plead for you just now? Can you really bear to see Xiao Yun like this?" Hearing Wenren Qi's footsteps fade into the distance, Xiao Zhu couldn't help but scold Xiao Feng.
“We’ve been following the Master for over ten years, don’t you understand his temperament? This time, it was indeed Xiaoyun’s dereliction of duty.” Xiaofeng knelt upright, looking straight ahead as he spoke.
"Hmph, if you ask me, it's all that little vixen Qin Qin's fault. If it weren't for her, how could Xiaoyun have..."
"Enough!" Seeing Xiao Zhu becoming more and more unrestrained, Xiao Feng couldn't help but interrupt him. "This time, Xiao Yun was ambushed because she was not careful. What does it have to do with Miss Qin? You've noticed that Miss Qin has amnesia. She doesn't know anything."
"Hmph, amnesia? Whether it's real amnesia or feigned is still uncertain. The way you're protecting that little vixen, you wouldn't be..."
"Cough cough." Two coughs suddenly coming from outside the door made Xiaozhu shut her mouth. A bead of cold sweat slid down her temple. Luckily, she almost blurted out something she shouldn't have. Xiaozhu took a deep breath and, like Xiaofeng, knelt upright, looking straight ahead, no longer saying anything irrelevant.
"Miss, it's time to get up."
"Miss, are you up?"
"Miss, if you don't get up soon, you won't get lunch today."
"No food? No food. Don't make a fuss. Let me sleep a little longer." Qin Xiaoyou turned over, tucking the blanket under her, and waved one hand in the air, as if trying to drive away the annoying voice that had been nagging in her ear all morning.
Looking at Qin Xiaoyou, whose head was covered by the blanket and only her face was visible, Ren Dong sighed and took away the chicken soup she had spent the whole morning preparing for her. Just as she stepped out of the room, she unexpectedly saw Bai Yuxiao standing in the courtyard. Bai Yuxiao smiled gently and asked, "Xiaoyou isn't up yet?" Ren Dong shook her head helplessly. Bai Yuxiao pondered for a moment, then took a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Ren Dong. "When Xiaoyou wakes up later, give her this jade pendant and tell her I have some business to attend to and will be away for a few days. If she's bored, she can come to Jiangnan to find me; I've already prepared the carriages and horses. If she doesn't want to go to Jiangnan, she can stay in Youzhou; I'll come back to find her as soon as I'm done. Oh, and remember to keep an eye on her; don't let her have any more contact with Zui Linglong, understand?" "Yes, Young Master Bai," Ren Dong replied obediently.
Bai Yuxiao originally intended to say goodbye to Qin Xiaoyou in person, but that greedy cat who loved to drink was still asleep. Despite not knowing how to drink, she fought harder than anyone else for the liquor. Bai Yuxiao shook his head with amusement and left.
A gust of wind rustled the osmanthus trees. Looking up at the sky, Ren Dong felt a sudden, inexplicable sadness welling up inside her. She thought of Qin Xiaoyou, who spent her days eating, sleeping, playing, and playing—living a carefree and leisurely life. But could she really live like that forever?
"Ren Dong, hurry up and bring me some water, I need to wash my face." Qin Xiaoyou's voice from inside the room pulled Ren Dong back to reality. She chuckled to herself for overthinking, and while agreeing, Ren Dong went to do the work.
"Sigh, it's over just like that." Inside the room, Qin Xiaoyou murmured to herself, twirling her hair with her fingers. She had overheard Bai Yuxiao's words to Rendong. "Hey Bai, thinking about saying goodbye like this, I'm really a little reluctant to part with you, hehe, I'll miss your wine." Qin Xiaoyou walked around the room barefoot, as if trying to memorize everything she saw.
As for Jiangnan, she naturally had no intention of going there. Aside from the question of how far it was, that place wasn't currently on her itinerary. And waiting for him to return in Youzhou City? Ha, what did he take her for? A mere actress kept by the Bai family? Or perhaps, a woman eagerly awaiting her husband's return? Thinking of the latter, Qin Xiaoyou patted her flushed cheeks uncomfortably and said irritably, "It's just a thought, not a real marriage. Why am I blushing?"
"Miss, the water's here." Ren Dong opened the door at just the right moment. Qin Xiaoyou glanced at the weather outside; hmm, such a clear blue sky, it was quite refreshing. After washing up, she called to Ren Dong, who was about to go out to get water, and said with a serious expression that Ren Dong had never seen before, "Ren Dong, I'll only ask you these questions once, so I hope you can tell me the truth."
Honeysuckle looked puzzled: "Miss, please ask whatever you wish to ask. Honeysuckle will answer to the best of my ability."
"Okay." After saying "okay," Qin Xiaoyou didn't rush to ask questions. Instead, she closed her eyes, and after a while, she opened them again, pulled Rendong to sit down at the table, and asked, "What do you think of Bai Yuxiao?"
“Young Master Bai? I think he’s a really good person.” Although she didn’t understand why Qin Xiaoyou suddenly asked this, Ren Dong still answered according to her own thoughts.
"Really? How good is it?" Qin Xiaoyou asked, seemingly very interested.
"Well, I can't really explain it, it's just a feeling. Some people don't need to do anything particularly good, but you just feel that they are good people when you see them. Young Master Bai is such a person, and so are you, Miss." Ren Dong thought for a moment and answered seriously.
"Then, Ren Dong, can you tell me who the divine physician Fan Jian is to you?" Qin Xiaoyou's sudden question made Ren Dong's face turn pale instantly. After a long while, she stiffly smiled and said, "I don't understand what you're talking about, Miss."
"Is it that you truly don't understand? Or that you don't want to understand?" These seemingly simple words suddenly felt like a massive boulder weighing on Ren Dong's heart. She lowered her head, avoiding Qin Xiaoyou's gaze, but her slightly trembling hands betrayed the inner turmoil she was experiencing.
Seeing the honeysuckle's condition, Qin Xiaoyou decided to take drastic measures. She stood up and said coldly, "Since you are unwilling to talk, then you can leave. Don't call me 'Miss' anymore. I can't bear the title of 'Miss' from you."
"Me." Ren Dong looked up, tears welling in her eyes. What a pitiful sight she looked, Qin Xiaoyou thought to herself. But even the most pitiful girl was useless in front of her; she considered herself made of stone, and these things couldn't move her.
Seeing that Qin Xiaoyou still looked indifferent, Ren Dong panicked and hurriedly knelt down on the ground with a "thump," saying in a choked voice, "The divine physician Fan Jian is my father."
"If I'm not mistaken, the one you sold yourself to bury your father wasn't your father, was it?" Qin Xiaoyou asked, while simultaneously marveling at Zui Linglong's shrewdness. She had only met Ren Dong once, yet she had managed to uncover the general outline of Ren Dong's background. That night, Zui Linglong casually mentioned some things about Ren Dong, which exploded in Qin Xiaoyou's mind. She had originally thought Ren Dong was just an ordinary girl with some medical skills, but little did she know that Ren Dong had a different background.
Seeing Qin Xiaoyou's words, Ren Dong knew that hiding it was futile, so she simply told her everything, "Yes, that's right, the one I sold myself to bury that day was not my father, but just an old beggar. The day I deliberately hugged you and begged you to buy me as a maid was indeed something I had planned long ago."
"Why?" Though she only uttered two words, Qin Xiaoyou's mind was in turmoil. She tried hard to suppress her excitement, recalling how heroes in martial arts novels usually handled such situations, and wondering what Ren Dong's purpose was. Was it because she was Ren Dong's father's killer? Or her long-lost sister? Or perhaps, she was the young master of some mysterious organization?
Ren Dong kept her head down, so she missed the fleeting glint of cunning and amusement in Qin Xiaoyou's eyes. Clutching her sleeve, Ren Dong explained, "I did this entirely because of my late father's dying wish. Before he passed away, he told me I must find Miss Qin Qin and do something for her before I could leave. As for why, he didn't have time to explain before he left." As she spoke, Ren Dong was overcome with grief, and tears streamed down her face.
To her surprise, that was the answer. Qin Xiaoyou lowered her head in frustration. She had pondered so many possibilities these past few days, and not a single one had come true. She had been hoping that the many time-travel and palace intrigue novels she had read might offer some useful techniques. But this opponent had so readily revealed everything; it was utterly boring.
Chapter 17, Let's Go Flower Viewing
Although she was annoyed, Qin Xiaoyou knew she couldn't show it. So she put on a pained expression, reached out to help Rendong up, and said, "Since you've told the truth, I won't doubt you anymore. Pack your things and leave."