Meng Duo’er had lied to Meng Wanyue.
This girl — how was she kind and naive in any way at all?
She was thoroughly wicked, if anything! Instant sealing had been the very thing Meng Wanyue cared about most, and it turned out to be a complete bluff!
Ziqing turned back to look at Meng Wanyue, now a shell of herself, utterly devastated, and couldn’t help but reflect with a sigh — the most terrifying way to destroy a person was to destroy their spirit.
Once the heart died, that was the true, complete end of a life.
There would be no difference left, at that point, between living and dying.
Ziqing turned back around, only to find Baili Weisheng staring at Meng Duo’er with unusual intensity, his gaze oddly strange — a look Ziqing had never seen on him before!
Three parts amusement, like the look in his eyes whenever he called her Xiao Qingqing.
Three parts calculation, like a hunter appraising prey already in hand, working out how best to devour it.
The remaining four parts, Ziqing couldn’t quite read at all — she just felt that something about this man was very off right now! Still, she had to admit, this foul-mouthed scholar’s eyes really were quite good-looking at this moment!
“Let’s wait a bit — everyone needs to rest too,” Ziqing said, giving Baili Weisheng a light nudge with her elbow. This man — didn’t he know it was rude to stare at a girl like that?
Only then did Baili Weisheng shift his gaze away, saying to Jue Mingzi, “Sir, let me escort you out first, and send word to Jun Beiyue.”
Jue Mingzi nodded repeatedly — heaven only knew how frantic his son-in-law must be by now, back on Liuxian Island!
Baili Weisheng quickly saw Jue Mingzi off.
Ziqing sat down with Meng Duo’er, asking her about the Meng Clan’s island and about their ancestors — the answers were nearly identical to what they’d already guessed and pieced together.
“So then, the spiritual control needed for the Universe Poison Pouch — it won’t harm Xiong Bao’s mental energy?” This was the thing Ziqing cared most about!
“Don’t worry, this is the only manual found in the Momentary Tower — it’s the spiritual cultivation technique for the Universe Poison Pouch.” Meng Duo’er generously handed over a small, slim manual to Ziqing!
Ziqing sighed inwardly with relief. Meng Wanyue, oh Meng Wanyue — at least you had a shred of an elder’s kindness somewhere in you, no ill intent toward Xiong Bao!
While Ziqing and Meng Duo’er talked, Baili Weisheng stood off at a distance, leaning against the great stone pillar, talking with Madam Jinjiao.
“Son, that girl’s quite something!”
“Mm.”
“Son, you two knew each other before, didn’t you.”
“Mm.”
“Son, why did you deliberately keep your distance from her just now? Look how badly she’s been hurt — a girl’s face is the most important thing she has!”
“…”
Madam Jinjiao’s face was radiant with joy. She had never been the type to dwell on sorrow — she was about to break free of this barrier and reunite with her son, so there was every reason to be happy!
As for the Golden Jiao’s past, she would keep it buried in her own heart alone.
Vengeance had already been taken; she had no wish for her son to carry such a heavy burden.
“Son, she’s our benefactor. We must repay her — Mother hopes to repay her for the rest of our lives!” Madam Jinjiao said this with the utmost seriousness, practically enunciating every single word, especially “the rest of our lives.”
Baili Weisheng’s mouth twitched, rolling his eyes repeatedly, saying impatiently, “Mother, please, spare me. She’s in the prime of her youth, beautiful as a flower — who wants your whole life?”
Madam Jinjiao froze for a moment, then said seriously, “You foolish boy, what are you even thinking? How could Mother possibly spend her whole life with her?! Mother meant you!”
Uh…
Baili Weisheng was suddenly startled, turning to look at Madam Jinjiao, pointing at himself. “Me?”
“Mm!” Madam Jinjiao beamed, reaching out — if it weren’t for the barrier between them, she surely would have grabbed Baili Weisheng’s hand.
“Son, you have to trust Mother’s judgment of people — it’s never wrong. This girl has a kind heart. She might seem foolish, but she really isn’t foolish at all deep down. She saved you, and she saved Mother too. We, mother and son, owe her such an enormous debt of gratitude — it simply wouldn’t be right not to repay it!”
Baili Weisheng felt as though he’d been struck by lightning. He abruptly closed his eyes, not wanting to look at anything at all, slowly turned around, and shot straight into the Golden Jiao Palace’s barrier, leaving behind only the words, “I’m going to find some food!”