“It was just accidental inhalation of poison powder. I’ve already bled out the toxins, but I’m just a bit exhausted.”
Seeing her on the verge of tears from worry, Wanqing weakly waved her hand away and struggled to stand up by leaning against a tree. However, having just detoxified and lost blood, she swayed unsteadily the moment she rose.
“If you’re this weak, don’t push yourself… What’s this…?”
Seeing Wanqing like this, Honglian quickly stepped forward to support her with concern. Just then, something fell from her neck. Watching the frail girl push her away to bend down and pick it up, Honglian sighed helplessly while holding her up. Noticing the object in her hand was a jade pendant, she asked in confusion, “Why would you risk straining yourself for this?”
“This was left to me by my mother. It’s been around my neck since I can remember. I didn’t expect the cord to break today—luckily, it fell at the right time, or it might have been lost forever… Hey! Why are you taking my jade pendant?”
Wanqing carefully wiped the dust off the jade piece, but just as she was about to tuck it away, a slender, pale hand reached out and snatched it from her. Only then did she notice that besides Honglian, there was also a beautiful woman in white robes whose face seemed vaguely familiar yet unplaceable. Suspicious, she demanded, “Why did you take my jade pendant?”
“You said this was left to you by your mother. Who is your mother…?”
The woman—Bai Gu—stared intently at the jade piece, her expression grave as she questioned.
“My mother was the second wife of the Marquis’s household—no, actually, she was the primary wife before, of the Marquis of Jichang. Could you return the jade to me? Honglian, who is she…?”
Speaking of her mother, Wanqing felt no shame despite how Mu Zhenfeng’s attitude had changed after learning the truth. Instead, she calmly explained. Seeing Bai Gu’s intense gaze fixed on the jade, as if recognizing it, she couldn’t help but plead. When the woman remained silent, she turned to Honglian in confusion.
“Miss, this is Bai Gu. You’ve met her before. Bai Gu, is there something wrong with the young lady’s jade pendant? You…”
Honglian, puzzled by Bai Gu’s stunned, nostalgic, and bewildered expression, introduced her hesitantly.
“I am Bai Nianlong, the master of Linglong Pavilion. Young lady, you’ve seen me before. The former primary wife of the Marquis of Jichang—may I ask, who was she…?”
At Honglian’s reminder, Bai Gu’s expression gradually calmed, though traces of confusion and emotion lingered. After a pause, she returned the jade to Wanqing and asked again.
“So it’s Miss Bai… As for my mother, she was a tragic figure. She left when I was very young, and I was too young to know much about her background. I only know her name was Xue Qiuxiang, that she came from the palace, and that she was somehow connected to the late Consort Hui, who passed away many years ago. Do you… know my mother?”
Wanqing finally recognized Bai Nianlong. Assuming she had come at Honglian’s request to rescue her, she remained calm and answered honestly. Noticing the expectant yet perplexed look in Bai Gu’s eyes, she couldn’t help but ask in surprise.
“I’m much older than both of you. If you don’t mind, you and Honglian may call me Bai Gu. I’ve never heard your mother’s name, but if she was connected to Consort Hui, that does puzzle me.”
Bai Gu smiled faintly, her tone tinged with disappointment.
“Really? But the way you looked at the jade just now seemed so familiar. Were you acquainted with Consort Hui?”
Wanqing, sensing Bai Gu’s guarded recognition, pressed further as they walked toward the forest’s edge with Honglian’s support.
“I’ve only heard of her before. Let’s go.”
Bai Gu glanced at her and led the way without further explanation.
“Let’s go.”
Her demeanor clearly indicated familiarity with the jade, yet she remained evasive. Though puzzled, Wanqing sighed lightly and followed with Honglian’s help.
The three hurried to the city gates, which were already closed. However, Bai Yu arrived just then. Normally, the guards wouldn’t reopen the gates without special circumstances, but upon seeing the insignia of the Prince of Ji’s household, the gatekeeper allowed them entry.
“Thank you, Young Master Bai. Without your help, we’d have had to spend the night outside the city.”
Despite her growing estrangement from Leng Mingye—even Hongyan had left—Wanqing still felt grateful as she clasped her hands and bowed to Bai Yu.
“I was merely following my master’s orders to wait for the Second Miss Mu. My master requests that you bring Mu Chengfeng or his junior sister to the prince’s residence tonight. The princess’s condition requires urgent treatment. My message has been delivered. I trust you understand the consequences if you refuse.”
Noticing the bloodstains on her clothes, Bai Yu didn’t inquire further but recognized Honglian. Seeing her disheveled yet unharmed, he deemed his mission complete and turned to leave.
“Wait! Young Master Bai, can’t you see my lady is injured and unwell? Could you ask the young master to postpone this until she recovers?”
Before Wanqing could respond, Honglian angrily called out to Bai Yu.
“My orders are clear. If the Second Miss refuses, you know my master’s temper.”
Though puzzled by Wanqing’s weakened state, Bai Yu remained indifferent and strode away.
“You—!” Furious at his arrogance, Honglian glared at his retreating figure.
“He’s just following orders. Bai Gu, thank you for saving me tonight. If you ever need my help in the future, I’ll do my best to repay you.”
Wanqing gently reassured Honglian before turning to Bai Gu with sincere gratitude.
“No need for thanks. I only acted because of Honglian’s loyalty. Linglong Pavilion isn’t far ahead. Why not rest there for a while? Though we lack many things, we have medicines to restore energy and vitality, which could help you recover faster.”
Bai Gu smiled faintly and gestured toward the pavilion before heading to the carriage.
“That’s too much trouble. We’ve already imposed on you, and it’s so late. I’ll visit another day to express my gratitude properly. Bai Gu, I…”
Recalling the guarded suspicion Bai Gu had shown earlier, Wanqing hesitated. The auction had given her the impression that Linglong Pavilion was a place of hidden talents, making her uneasy.
“Very well. Then we part here. Honglian, take good care of your mistress. Farewell.”
Without pressing further, Bai Gu nodded coolly, mounted the carriage, and rode off.
“Let’s go too.”
As Honglian watched Bai Gu leave, Wanqing pushed aside her doubts and, with a weak push, stepped forward without support.
Just as the two slowly approached the street leading to the Marquis’s residence, a figure dropped from the sky, blocking their path.
“You two…”
Wanqing looked up to see a burly, bearded man dressed like a rogue. Though he didn’t speak, his gaze was unmistakably hostile.
Too weak to fight, Wanqing patted Honglian’s hand reassuringly and turned to leave—only to find another young rogue blocking their retreat. The two slowly closed in, forcing them to halt, their expressions icy.
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