In the main room, Lu Ning’e had already finished bandaging Bai Qingyan’s wounds, and Bai Jinse supported Bai Qingyan as she leaned against the cushions.
Bai Qingyan struggled to shift her body with difficulty. With each breath, her chest felt as if something was pulling and tearing at it, causing unbearable pain.
Looking at Bai Jinse whose eyes were completely red, a faint smile curved at the corners of Bai Qingyan’s pale lips. Seeing Bai Jinse tearfully weeping, warmth suddenly bloomed in her heart. She raised her hand to gently wipe away the golden tears on her face: “I’m sorry, did your elder sister frighten you?”
Bai Jinse wiped her tears with her sleeve, lowering her red and swollen eyelids.
Chun Tao lit incense to dispel the bloody scent in the room. With reddened eyes, she brought a cup of hot water, passed through the hanging curtains, and handed it to Bai Qingyan, speaking in a low voice: “Miss, that Master Xiao is still in the side room. He says he was ordered by the Crown Prince to wait until Miss is safe and sound before he will leave. Physician Hong cannot tell Master Xiao about Miss’s current condition, so he can only wait with Master Xiao in the side room.”
“Chun Tao, go invite Master Xiao in. I have something to say to Master Xiao!”
From the moment Xiao Rongyan came to the door today to guard the Bai Mansion for Bai Qingyan, Bai Jinse had guessed that Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan had an extraordinary relationship. Just now, she heard it was Xiao Rongyan who carried their eldest sister through the door, and her eldest sister seemed to have no intention of hiding her injuries from Master Xiao. It appeared their relationship was indeed unusual.
Chun Tao acknowledged with a “yes” and went out to summon Xiao Rongyan. Bai Qingyan gently grasped Bai Jinse’s small hand…
“Grandmother doesn’t yet know about my injury. I want you to go speak with Grandmother, tell her truthfully… This time in protecting the Emperor, I was too conspicuous. To safely return to Shuoyang, I could only resort to this desperate measure. Tell Grandmother not to worry.” She raised her hand to pat Bai Jinse’s head. “Go change your clothes first, then go to Changshou Courtyard, alright?”
Bai Jinse nodded, stood up, and tucked the blanket around Bai Qingyan’s legs: “Elder sister, rest well. I’ll go tell Grandmother right away! I’ll speak with Grandmother properly and won’t let her worry. Elder sister, please don’t worry.”
Bai Qingyan nodded: “Go then…”
Bai Jinse nodded again, then looked toward Lu Ning’e. Not wanting Lu Ning’e to remain here and disturb her elder sister’s conversation with Master Xiao, she said: “Aunt… please trouble you to help Physician Hong brew medicine for elder sister!”
Lu Ning’e was perceptive and understood immediately, nodding as she left the main room together with Bai Jinse.
Upon leaving, they encountered Xiao Rongyan walking along the corridor with Chun Tao. Bai Jinse solemnly bowed to Xiao Rongyan: “Thank you, Master Xiao, for protecting the Bai Mansion today. Bai Jinse will remember this in her heart.”
“Seventh Miss is too polite!” Xiao Rongyan returned the bow with a formal salute.
As Xiao Rongyan entered the room, his fists at his sides clenched tightly. He walked around the screen toward the inner chamber.
“Chun Tao, please step out first…” Bai Qingyan said to Chun Tao.
Chun Tao’s brow furrowed tightly. She was not entirely at ease with this scoundrel who had once intruded into their Miss’s boudoir. Their Miss was currently weak – who knew if this Xiao Rongyan might take advantage of her.
“It’s fine, go ahead! Just wait by the door.” Bai Qingyan spoke softly to Chun Tao.
Only then did Chun Tao reluctantly bow and leave.
“Please sit…” Bai Qingyan leaned against the headboard, smiling faintly at Xiao Rongyan. “This time, thank you for having your people help! The people of the Bai Mansion are too easily exposed, and… using my people, they inevitably wouldn’t dare strike properly, unable to make the performance convincing.”
After speaking, Bai Qingyan covered her chest and lightly frowned, restraining herself to breathe as gently as possible… to avoid the pain from her wounds.
Xiao Rongyan picked up the cup of still-steaming water that Chun Tao had placed on the small table earlier. He sat down beside Bai Qingyan’s bed and brought the water to her lips, his eyes clearly showing red bloodshot veins: “If I had known that your pretense of being injured would result in such serious actual wounds… I definitely would not have agreed.”
Bai Qingyan did not act coy. She grasped the wrist of Xiao Rongyan’s hand holding the teacup, and with his assistance, took a small sip. She looked up at Xiao Rongyan, whose expression was tense: “If I hadn’t done this, not only would the Crown Prince be wary of me for being too conspicuous in this rescue, but the Emperor probably wouldn’t let me return to Shuoyang peacefully either. Most likely… he would use marriage matters to trap me in the capital.”
Xiao Rongyan gritted his teeth, his expression dark and unreadable.
Speaking too much made Bai Qingyan’s breathing somewhat labored, yet she dared not breathe deeply, her brow furrowing tightly.
“Where does it hurt? Should I call Physician Hong?” Xiao Rongyan set down the water cup, but was held back by Bai Qingyan.
In both her past and present lives combined, Bai Qingyan had never seen Xiao Rongyan panicked or lose his composure. He always seemed to have everything under control, calm and collected.
“Xiao Rongyan…” Bai Qingyan showed Xiao Rongyan an extremely faint smile. “Your people – you should trust them! Since you commanded them beforehand not to endanger my life, they would exercise restraint.”
“A’Bao…” Xiao Rongyan set down the teacup in his hand and looked solemnly at Bai Qingyan. “If you encounter difficulties, I won’t stand by and watch. We can discuss everything. One person’s plan is limited, but two people’s plans are comprehensive. You and I can strategize together – you don’t necessarily have to gamble with your safety!”
“Alright…” Bai Qingyan nodded, then said, “This sudden chaos in the capital was unexpected. You must also have many matters that need planning. You don’t need to stay here – go back! I will recover properly. If there’s anything I need… I’ll have Uncle Ping find you.”
Since Xiao Rongyan and Bai Qingyan were unmarried, it was improper for Xiao Rongyan to remain here.
He nodded, restraining his voice as he moved closer to Bai Qingyan, speaking in low tones: “I’ll come to see you tonight…”
Bai Qingyan shook her head: “Please, Master Xiao, use the proper entrance and conduct yourself properly, lest my family elders learn of it and think Master Xiao is a libertine.”
Xiao Rongyan pressed his lips together: “I’ll come to see you tomorrow.”
Bai Qingyan did not refuse again, nodding: “Good…”
The cool wind carrying moisture blew in through the half-open window lattice. The lamp flame flickered, dimming then brightening again, swaying and casting shadows on Xiao Rongyan’s sharply defined features and deep, profound pupils.
Xiao Rongyan raised his hand, tucking a strand of hair that had been dampened by sweat and stuck to Bai Qingyan’s face behind her ear. His gaze fell upon Bai Qingyan’s excessively pale lips.
“A’Bao, promise me – never again risk your safety like this!” Xiao Rongyan moved closer to Bai Qingyan, his deep, mellow voice pressed extremely low, carrying an unexpectedly heart-stirring plea. His fingers gently caressed Bai Qingyan’s fair cheek, stroking the corner of her lips.
Bai Qingyan’s injury affected him more deeply than his injuries would.
Bai Qingyan met Xiao Rongyan’s gaze, her eyelashes trembling lightly. Her heartbeat quickened slightly, the pounding making her wounds ache and tingle. She gently grasped Xiao Rongyan’s strong, powerful wrist with its distinct bone structure, responding: “Mm…”
Seeing the shy embarrassment growing in her eyes and brows, the emotions accumulated in Xiao Rongyan’s chest could barely be contained.
His passion stirred irrepressibly. He cupped Bai Qingyan’s face and gently lifted her chin, his voice extremely low and slow: “You must remember, it’s not only the Bai family who cares for you – there’s also me…”