The Cannon Fodder Supporting Female Character is Still Alive Today - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Covert Plot (3)

Su Mubai pulled away from Hu Jiu’s hand and continued to cry while burning paper money alongside Gu Sanmei.

Bai Yao truly couldn’t stand seeing Su Mubai so distressed, so she simply retreated from the crowd.

I still need to find a chance to explain things to him…

188

The opportunity arrived after Su Mubai was done crying.

Thanks to Su Mubai, he stubbornly stayed by the river, lost in thought, even after everyone else lost interest and left.

Seeing that both Si Qingyu and Gu Sanmei had left, Bai Yao approached Su Mubai, seemingly by chance.

While contemplating how to broach the subject, Bai Yao first cleared her throat and said in a deep voice, “Young Master Su, my condolences…”

However, Su Mubai quickly turned his head to look at her and exclaimed in surprise, “Miss Bai?”

Despite his extreme astonishment, he didn’t forget to lower his voice. He quickly adjusted his demeanor and actions, facing the river and mimicking Bai Yao’s casual manner of starting a conversation. In a trembling voice, he said, “Miss Bai, I remember your tone and habits. The moment you spoke, I knew it was you.”

Bai Yao: “…”

189

Oh great God, please tell me, what is foolishness?

God: Not knowing one’s own heart, and lacking common sense.

Then what is wisdom?

God: Seeing through change and understanding the universe on one’s own.

Then why does this male supporting character in front of me constantly make extreme jumps between foolishness and wisdom?

God: Your free consultation allowance has been used up. Please top up your account promptly.

190

Alright.

See you later.

191

Bai Yao sighed and replied, “You’re smart this time, at least.”

Then Bai Yao said, “I’m not doing this because I want to abandon you and run. It’s just that I encountered a more dangerous situation, so I absolutely must leave first…”

“Miss Bai need not explain,” Su Mubai interrupted her, saying, “It is not your duty to save me. Besides, Miss Bai has already shown me great kindness. If you can successfully leave this fortress, Mubai will sincerely be happy for you.”

Then he added, “I also noticed that Young Master Luo is with the dance troupe.”

Bai Yao silently gave him a thumbs-up: “…Perceptive.”

Su Mubai finally smiled, relieved. He said, “In that case, Young Master Luo went to the trouble of infiltrating a tiger’s den alone. He clearly cares deeply for Miss Bai. There should be no need for me to explain, and he won’t misunderstand Miss Bai.”

Su Mubai was filled with blessings for this new couple, while Bai Yao pondered the hidden meaning in Su Mubai’s words and replied, “Yes, Luo Qi does trust me greatly.”

Su Mubai asked, “Then, Miss Bai, are you planning to leave with the dance troupe?”

Bai Yao said, “Yes. Don’t worry, the imperial troops should arrive soon.”

Su Mubai said, “Miss Bai need not worry about me. I wish you and Young Master Luo a successful departure from the fortress and a safe journey.”

It was too late to stop Su Mubai from speaking.

Bai Yao vigilantly looked around, finding everything to be normal.

This time, Su Mubai did not seem to have brought bad luck with his words.

Feeling slightly relieved, Bai Yao said, “Alright then, I’ll take your auspicious words.”

192

After separating from Su Mubai, Bai Yao was called over by the people in Gu Sanmei’s courtyard to help fold paper ingots.

Gu Sanmei sat with a group of people, folding and muttering, “Burning paper money in the day, sending ingots at night. Miss Bai, with money, you can eat well and wear nice things down there. Don’t be too shabby.”

Bai Yao, sitting beside him: “…”

Then Gu Sanmei added, “Ah, don’t worry. As sisters, I, Gu Sanmei, cherish you as a devoted soul. I promise you that I’ll burn some for you every year from now on. You don’t have to be frugal; just spend it when you have it.”

After speaking, he reached up to adjust the elaborate ornament in his hair and said, “But remember to bless my beauty.”

Sitting next to Gu Sanmei, Bai Yao lowered her eyes slightly.

Gu Sanmei probably wouldn’t be able to keep that promise of “every year.”

In the original book, Gu Sanmei was a somewhat comical tragic character.

After Black Cloud Fortress was breached, the invading soldiers laughed as they listened to Gu Sanmei’s plea to tidy his appearance. Before he could raise his trembling hand to adjust his hair ornament, they drew their swords and severed his head.

He loved beauty all his life, yet ultimately died with his hair disheveled.

Bai Yao closed her eyes, looking at the chattering man bending over to fold paper ingots in front of her.

In the future, it would probably be her turn to burn paper money for Gu Sanmei.

---

193

After returning to the dance troupe, Bai Yao realized one thing.

The bad luck (poisoned milk), sometimes, is like fresh milk delivered to your doorstep.

It has a delay.

194

At noon, the leader of the dance troupe went to see the Second Master, Hu Jiu, to discuss the issue of the troupe needing to leave the fortress for their next performance.

The leader’s idea was to stay for one more day, perform in the fortress that night, and then leave the next day.

However, because of Bai Yao’s “divination,” Hu Jiu intended to marry Su Mubai on the auspicious day Bai Yao had calculated. In a surprisingly generous gesture, he immediately offered to triple the price to keep the dance troupe until his wedding day.

Hu Jiu said cheerfully, “If you perform well then, I’ll add more money. You definitely won’t lose out.”

Faced with such a massive temptation, the leader immediately changed his mind. Without consulting anyone in the troupe, he wrote a letter of apology, which Hu Jiu sent via messenger to the client they were originally scheduled to perform for.

By the time Bai Yao and the others learned the news, everything had already been settled.

195

Bai Yao sat in her room.

Her eyes were vacant, her train of thought broken.

She had been busy running around, falling into the water, and disguising herself, all calculated to flee before Qin Wufang arrived.

But what now?

Qin Wufang was definitely going to arrive in five days.

And even though her identity had changed, Qin Wufang already knew she was Yun Niao. What if she slips up when he arrives?

Bai Yao collapsed onto the bed, feeling like a salted fish.

196

Bai Yao’s worries reached their peak on the evening of the next day.

Because, barring any accidents, Qin Wufang would arrive tomorrow.

Her thoughts in turmoil, Bai Yao walked out of the door, intending to find Luo Qi, but heard a burst of commotion from the fortress in the distance.

“Someone broke in! The fortress has been infiltrated!”

“Stop him, over there!”

197

?

Someone broke into Black Cloud Fortress?

Bai Yao was startled.

Could Qin Wufang have arrived already?

Exchanging glances with Luo Qi and Lie Ruyang, who had rushed out of their room, the group moved forward, wanting to see what the situation was.

But contrary to their expectations, when they reached the noisy area, there were neither the hundreds of soldiers they had imagined nor Qin Wufang leading the charge with a sword.

On top of the tall building, surrounded by bandits, stood only a Xuan-black figure.

The cold moonlight shone on the man’s exquisite features, which seemed to carry an air of sinister charm. Yet, it wasn’t solely dreadful, but a kind of naturally alluring handsomeness.

Breathtaking.

The man leaned casually on the eaves, seemingly oblivious to the dense crowd below. His lips curved into an arrogant smile. “This King has come to see what kind of trick you have in this rotten fortress.”

His voice matched his persona, tinged with a bewitching quality, arrogant to the extreme.

198

?

Bai Yao stood downstairs, utterly confused.

This King?

Who was this person who suddenly appeared and stole the scene???

Lie Ruyang beside her said, “Eh? Why is it him?”

Lie Ruyang quickly looked around and whispered, “Then she wouldn’t have come too…”

Lie Ruyang, what are you muttering about?

Before Bai Yao could ask, she heard the man on the rooftop continue, “Who among you down there are from Shuiyan?”

Straightening up, the man laughed fearlessly, “Get out here and let this King take a look.”

Shuiyan person?

Bai Yao looked up at the man on the roof, struggling to discern the indigo pattern on his robe.

Immediately, Bai Yao quickly turned back to look at Luo Qi beside her.

Because she had vaguely guessed the man’s identity.

The Male Second Lead from For the Prince, For the Phoenix.

The future Emperor of Shuiyan, Youze.

And mad.

199

During the previous two encounters with Qin Wufang and Su Mubai, Luo Qi’s attention was always focused on Bai Yao, neglecting everyone else.

Even Bai Yao’s repeated reminders were futile.

But this time, when Bai Yao looked over, she found Luo Qi standing beside her, also looking up at the man above.

Or, to be more precise,

Because Youze’s entrance was so visually stunning, it wasn’t just Luo Qi; half the people in the fortress were looking up at him.

But even though she knew that this “looking” most likely had no special reason, Bai Yao still felt a sudden, inexplicable panic when she saw the night sky and the man’s figure reflected in Luo Qi’s eyes.

200

?

No, no, no.

What panic?

You can’t misinterpret things!

Character Bai Yao requests correction.

Should be revised to: Bai Yao felt a sudden joy…

Also wrong.

She didn’t feel joy either.

201

Following Luo Qi’s gaze, Bai Yao looked up at Youze again, feeling complex emotions.

The men who pursued the female lead in For the Prince, For the Phoenix were primarily three: Qin Wufang, Su Mubai, and Youze.

Youze had the least screen time among them, but he was the one Bai Yao liked the most.

Male Lead Qin Wufang’s love for the female lead was a tangled, circular journey of abuse and doting, intertwined with laughter and tears.

Male Second Lead Su Mubai’s love for the female lead was a stop-at-the-right-moment, silently sacrificing protection.

And the slightly mad Male Supporting Character Youze was wholeheartedly devoted to the female lead, regardless of the consequences.

If the female lead wanted something, he gave it. If she didn’t want it, he forced it upon her.

He didn’t even hesitate when it came to his life.

However, this excessively aggressive love ironically became a burden for Luo Qi in the book.

Coupled with the fact that Youze had been harmed by the former Empress of Shuiyan and his own younger sister in his early years, the residual poison in his body affected his mind, causing his volatile and perverse temperament. He often exerted himself but received no gratitude.

But according to the description in the original book, aside from his bad temper, Youze was extremely handsome.

So much so that after transmigrating into the book, Youze was one of the characters Bai Yao, the appearance enthusiast, most wanted to meet.

But now…

She had genuinely met him, but she was far less excited than she had originally thought.

The earth-shattering, stunning beauty described in the book was right before her eyes, yet Bai Yao, who always claimed to be an appearance enthusiast, was somehow absent-minded.

Because Bai Yao’s mind was frantically wandering in her peripheral vision, secretly observing Luo Qi’s reaction.

201

Hello?

Why is Luo Qi still looking at him?

Is he really that handsome?

Bai Yao frowned and looked back again.

202

Damn it.

He really does seem a bit more handsome than both Qin Wufang and Su Mubai.

Recalling that Luo Qi had no reaction to Qin Wufang or Su Mubai, was it because she didn’t think they were handsome enough?

Could it be that Luo Qi was subconsciously influenced by her, Bai Yao, to become an appearance enthusiast?

And now that she’s seen true divine beauty, she’s fallen for it…?

Bai Yao’s gaze flickered frantically between Luo Qi and Youze, and the more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

But just as Bai Yao thought she was about to reach the peak of truth, the hand hanging at her side was suddenly squeezed.

Luo Qi lowered her head slightly and asked in Bai Yao’s ear, “What’s wrong?”

Her path to the peak was interrupted, and Bai Yao silently slid back down to the halfway point.

“…Nothing.”

After hearing Bai Yao’s answer, Luo Qi looked up at Youze again.

203

See!

She looked again!

Bai Yao opened her mental notebook and silently jotted down a note. But before the line was finished, she heard Luo Qi say in her ear, “Yao Yao, do you recognize him?”

Tossing the notebook aside, Bai Yao shook her head, “No, I don’t recognize him.”

Luo Qi said, “Then why have you been staring at him? Is it because you think he’s handsome?”

She still remembered when they rescued the injured man at Bitter Sea Cliff, Bai Yao had also complimented his appearance.

Bai Yao instinctively retorted, “? When did I keep staring at him?”

Bai Yao accused, “You’ve been the one staring at him!”

Hearing Bai Yao say this, Luo Qi paused. She looked at Bai Yao with a slightly dazed expression, then let out a muffled laugh.

The soft, gentle breath tickled Bai Yao’s ear, making her earlobes tingle.

Then Luo Qi said, “Yao Yao, you don’t want me to look at him?”

Luo Qi blinked, looking utterly innocent, “If Yao Yao doesn’t want me to look, then I won’t.”

That sounds so tempting.

Bai Yao cleared her throat and said, “I… I can’t control it. Everyone loves beauty. You can look if you want.”

Bai Yao added in a low voice, “…It’s best if you look less.”

Luo Qi smiled at her words, “Okay.”

She agreed, but she didn’t move her gaze away. Instead, she maintained her slightly lowered head position, looking intently at Bai Yao.

204

Under attack.

Attack source: Burning gaze.

Equipment durability.

99.

66.

11.

Danger! Danger!

Bai Yao turned her faintly reddening face away, raising both hands in surrender, “Why are you staring at me…”

By Bai Yao’s ear, Luo Qi smiled and slowly said, “Everyone loves beauty.”

205

This is Bai Yao’s Mind Control Center. Detecting a sudden disconnection of the character, please reconnect!

Note: Someone here has been teased into foolishness. Wake her up quickly!

206

Bai Yao was indeed woken up.

She was woken up by Hu Jiu’s shout of attack.

When she looked back, she saw Hu Jiu wielding two large axes, having climbed onto the rooftop in a few steps, raising his axes to cleave down at Youze.

Youze still stood there smiling, only moving suddenly as Hu Jiu closed in. His ghost-like speed caused everyone watching below to gasp in collective shock.

Amidst the astonishment of the crowd, Bai Yao’s expression was calm.

Alright, everyone, sit down. Standard practice, standard practice.

According to the description in the book, due to being poisoned by his sister for years, Youze’s internal energy was greatly diminished, and excessive use of it would cause backlash.

Therefore, he could only focus on agility, honing his qinggong (light-body skills) to a supernatural degree.

Bai Yao thought that although she didn’t know why Youze had appeared at Black Cloud Fortress ahead of schedule, breaking in wouldn’t be too difficult with his qinggong prowess.

However…

Bai Yao looked up at Hu Jiu, who was aggressively pressuring Youze.

His qinggong was good, and he was fast when moving, but if he were to truly go head-to-head with the powerful Hu Jiu, who had strong internal energy and strength, it probably wouldn’t…

?

207

Bai Yao silently watched the fight on the rooftop. She saw Youze block Hu Jiu’s flying axe with one hand, then toss Hu Jiu away as effortlessly as a feather.

?

While Bai Yao was still confused, Su Mubai, who had found Bai Yao in the crowd, walked up to her and whispered, “Miss Bai.”

Bai Yao glanced sideways at Su Mubai, noticing that he was wearing a goose-yellow skirt today, with the same exquisite and gorgeous makeup on his face.

Bai Yao looked back at Youze. After several rounds of comparison, Bai Yao gave a fair assessment: “Your attractiveness in women’s clothing is on par with his.”

Su Mubai: “?”

Not understanding what Bai Yao was saying, but already accustomed to her erratic behavior, Su Mubai said, “Miss Bai, are you unable to leave temporarily?”

Bai Yao: “…You shut up.”

Su Mubai: “…”

Bai Yao focused intensely on the two figures on the rooftop. Even though she didn’t understand their techniques, she could tell that Hu Jiu was completely on the defensive.

Bai Yao asked Su Mubai, “Did Hu Jiu not eat today?”

Su Mubai: “…”

Bai Yao: “…Don’t shut up now.”

Su Mubai said, “He did eat. He ate a lot, about four or five times what I did.”

Then why did Hu Jiu look completely unable to stand against Youze?

When did Youze become so formidable?

Bai Yao glanced sideways at Luo Qi beside her, finding that Luo Qi was still looking at her.

“…Don’t, don’t look at me,” Bai Yao stood on her tiptoes, cupped Luo Qi’s face, and gently turned it toward the fight.

Bai Yao said, “Luo Qi, look at the man in black. How is his internal energy?”

With soft, small hands cupping her face, Luo Qi lowered her gaze, then reached up to cover Bai Yao’s hands, maintaining her posture. She said, “Much stronger than Hu Jiu.”

With her hands held by Luo Qi, the two were very close. Bai Yao felt a slight flutter in her heart due to the intimacy of the pose, but Luo Qi released her hands and stepped back.

At the same time, Lie Ruyang spoke up to remind them, “Si Qingyu is here.”

Bai Yao quickly adjusted her expression and simultaneously gave Su Mubai a meaningful look.

Fortunately, Su Mubai’s intelligence was back online. Without Bai Yao needing to say anything, he walked away, acting like an ordinary spectator.

208

Upon seeing Youze, Si Qingyu’s expression changed dramatically, and she immediately turned and left the scene of the fighting.

She was presumably going to send a message.

At this time, Shuiyan and Shiyu still maintained frequent interactions, and relations between the two countries were harmonious.

In addition, since Youze’s birth mother passed away, Qin Shu had looked after Youze a lot. Youze often visited Shiyu to call upon Qin Mang, often talking to Qin Mang about Qin Shu’s recent situation.

As Qin Wufang’s subordinate, Si Qingyu recognized Youze.

209

Most people in the fortress had received the news now. Several formidable martial artists also flew up to help Hu Jiu, but Youze’s figure darted, leading the fight down into the watching crowd.

With blades and axes swirling around him, Youze drew an iron-ribbed fan from behind, pressing a mechanism on the handle, causing a blade to flash out from the fan tip.

This was Youze’s usual weapon.

Youze actually trained with a saber in his youth, but he disliked the saber for being cumbersome to carry. Coupled with his later internal energy damage, Youze simply abandoned the saber, carrying a folding fan instead.

When reading the original book, Bai Yao once complained that it wasn’t very imposing for such an arrogant person to fight with a fan.

But now, having witnessed the battle firsthand, Bai Yao’s perception was completely overturned.

That fan danced among a line of large sabers and long swords. It seemed to have a life of its own, swift and agile, yet carrying a force akin to a thousand pounds.

It was entirely formidable.

Seeing Youze fight a group of people single-handedly for a long time, Bai Yao whispered to Luo Qi, “Can he win against the whole fortress like this?”

If the chaos intensifies, could they sneak out?

But Luo Qi carefully watched Youze’s posture and said, “He probably could. But he doesn’t intend to.”

Lie Ruyang, who knew a bit about Youze, also put a hand to her forehead and said, “He’s just here to play… He looks fierce, but he’s ready to run away as soon as he’s had enough fun.”

Bai Yao: “…”

That certainly fits his lunatic persona.

210

Youze indeed fought as he pleased, constantly and deliberately steering the battle toward the crowd.

Luo Qi and Lie Ruyang carefully monitored Youze’s movements, protecting Bai Yao and helping her evade the fighting several times.

But…

Bai Yao looked at Youze, who was smiling and clearly excited by the fight.

Why did it feel like something was missing?

211

When she saw someone scatter a familiar cloud of white smoke, Bai Yao finally understood what was missing.

Huanfan (Mortalizing Powder).

The last time they came to capture Bai Yao, the people in the fortress were prepared and had taken the antidote.

But Youze’s arrival was too sudden, and those who rushed forward to fight him didn’t have time to take the antidote.

Now, a handful of Huanfan scattered caused indiscriminate damage.

By chance, Youze was flying around everywhere while fighting, and he happened to evade the first round of Huanfan.

However, this luck only lasted for a short while. As soon as Youze landed near a group of people, someone else tossed another handful of Huanfan toward him.

Noticing the person’s movement in time, Bai Yao said, “He seems about to lose control…”

?

212

Just as the smoke was about to envelop Youze, a goose-yellow figure swiftly pounced toward Youze, shouting urgently, “Be careful!”

Reacting immediately, Youze spun around, gripped the person’s waist, and swiftly retreated backward with them, escaping the range of the Huanfan smoke.

After quickly moving to a safe area, Youze looked down at the person in his arms.

Considering that this young lady had just risked her own safety to shield him from the unknown smoke, Youze said, “Thank you, Miss.”

Su Mubai shrank out of his arms, “You’re welcome.”

Blocking a few sword slashes with his fan, Youze said, “Miss’s voice is quite unique.”

Su Mubai: “…Does Your Excellency have a hearing impairment?”

But Youze didn’t wait for an answer, having already leaped away to the side.

213

The people in the fortress were clearly enraged by Youze. They stopped caring about accidental injuries and scattered handfuls of smoke, causing chaos on the battlefield.

Seeing that Youze was about to be injured by a hidden weapon, Lie Ruyang sighed, stepped forward, and blocked the projectile for Youze, saying, “Your Highness, stop playing…”

Recognizing Lie Ruyang’s voice, Youze said, “Little Yang?”

He chuckled a few times while fighting, “It really is you. I felt you looked familiar when I saw you last night.”

“However,” Youze asked, “where is your internal energy?”

Lie Ruyang said, “Those smoke-like medicines are very potent. Once contacted, they spread through the meridians.”

Lie Ruyang advised, “Your Highness should leave quickly.”

Youze, however, said, “No fear.”

Lie Ruyang: “Hmm?”

Youze blocked a sword strike for Lie Ruyang in return and asked, “Why don’t you run first?”

Lie Ruyang asked confusedly, “Run from what?”

Youze turned his gaze to Lie Ruyang and smiled, “Little Ruo will be here soon.”

Lie Ruyang: “???”

214

Bai Yao was watching Lie Ruyang run over to help Youze, but in just a few seconds, Lie Ruyang suddenly turned and ran back frantically.

Bai Yao asked, “Why are you back?”

Lie Ruyang said, “Go, go, hurry and go!”

Luo Qi reached out to stop Lie Ruyang and asked, “What happened?”

Lie Ruyang said urgently, “You Ruo is coming!”

Luo Qi asked confusedly, “Who is You Ruo?”

At the same time, Bai Yao, who had thoroughly read the original book, exclaimed, “You Ruo? Didn’t she die a long time ago?”

215

“Yun… Miss Bai, what are you saying?”

Startled by Bai Yao’s words, Lie Ruyang almost shouted Bai Yao’s “real name.”

Lie Ruyang said, “Princess You Ruo has been alive and well all this time…”

Mid-sentence, Lie Ruyang was startled. She urgently asked, “Did you divine something? Is You Ruo in danger?”

216

?

Help.

Bizarre information is suddenly flooding in. I’m experiencing a system crash.

217

Tapping her head, Bai Yao quickly changed the subject, “No… no, you said You Ruo is a princess, so I must have mistaken her.”

Bai Yao quickly fabricated a story: “I used to have a friend with a similar name. I was just wondering how you would know my friend.”

Lie Ruyang looked at Bai Yao suspiciously, but before she could ask further, a wave of confused voices echoed around them.

A few bandits rushed into the crowd, yelling as they ran, “Second Master, stop fighting! Imperial soldiers have rushed up!”

Imperial soldiers?

Bai Yao looked in the direction the bandits were running from and indeed saw a group of soldiers charging over.

Immediately, shouts came from all directions, interspersed with calls like, “Surrender now, don’t resist pointlessly!”

The situation is, they’re surrounded by imperial soldiers?

Unsure if this was Qin Wufang finally arriving, Bai Yao instinctively took a step back.

Luo Qi, at her side, had already reached out, embracing Bai Yao and pulling her behind her.

After the soldiers surrounded the people in the fortress, the group who had been fighting Youze were momentarily stunned, no longer bothering with the lunatic who had provoked them.

A path opened up between the soldiers, and a figure gradually walked out. The person had a light step and a slender figure, but it wasn’t Qin Wufang.

It was a young girl.

The girl wore a snow-white gauze dress, embroidered with patterns of the same color but a different style as Youze’s.

Her features were somewhat similar to Youze’s, but she lacked his arrogant and sinister charm, possessing more vivacity and beauty.

Walking to the center of the crowd, the girl turned her gaze toward Youze, smiled, and waved, “Brother! I’m here!”

218

I am Bai Yao.

A time traveler who doesn’t know whether she is lucky or unlucky.

Although I transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character scheduled to die shortly after appearing, upholding the precious spirit of perseverance and hard work, I never gave up and struggled all the way.

But to be honest.

I thought that as someone who knew the plot of the book, I would get some benefit from it.

The romantic plot split, and the characters appeared in a confused order.

I tolerated all of that.

But why, why is someone resurrected?

219

For the Prince, For the Phoenix Character Profile.

Shuiyan Princess, You Ruo.

The Shuiyan royal family had many male descendants. Princess You Ruo was Youze’s only younger sister.

Youze’s birth mother died in childbirth while giving birth to You Ruo. Since You Ruo was young and motherless, she was fostered by the former Empress of Shuiyan.

However, at that time, the former Empress’s biological son, Shuiyan Crown Prince You Heng, was too weak and incompetent, leading ministers to privately speculate that the Second Prince Youze was a better candidate for the throne.

This rumor intensified after Youze was prematurely granted a noble title for his merits. The former Empress gradually saw Youze as a thorn in her side.

Following this, Princess You Ruo was incited by the former Empress to poison Youze.

Later, the matter was exposed, and both the former Empress and the Princess were executed. The former Crown Prince was deposed, Youze became the new Crown Prince of Shuiyan, and later, the Emperor of Shuiyan.

According to the timeline in the original book, Youze should already have been the Crown Prince by now.

This is why Bai Yao was momentarily confused about his identity when she heard him refer to himself as “This King.”

Youze hasn’t become the Crown Prince, and it seems he might not have been poisoned at all. And You Ruo isn’t dead?

The entire Shuiyan plotline is wrong.

220

Bai Yao looked at You Ruo suspiciously, utterly unable to figure out this bizarre plot twist.

Unable to figure it out, Bai Yao decided to set the question aside for now and looked toward the middle-aged man beside You Ruo.

The man stood next to You Ruo, constantly wiping sweat from his brow with his sleeve.

Judging by his attire, he was likely the official in charge of Lingnan.

Bai Yao knew that the officials in Lingnan and the bandits in Black Cloud Fortress had always maintained a relatively harmonious relationship.

For the Lingnan officials, Black Cloud Fortress was a difficult challenge. A direct confrontation might only harm their own forces.

And for Black Cloud Fortress, although they were doing well, they were constantly living dangerously. If the court truly decided to crack down one day, they would be helpless.

Fortunately, Zhou Fang, who managed Black Cloud Fortress, was not a violent brute. Zhou Fang was reasonable, courteous, and an extremely “sensible” bandit.

Over the past years, Zhou Fang had paid “tribute money” to the Lingnan officials on time, and in return, they turned a blind eye to some of Black Cloud Fortress’s actions.

And because Zhou Fang had a degree of timidity and compassion in his nature, in recent years, he had even intended to guide Black Cloud Fortress toward a legitimate path.

If not for the sudden emergence of a group of ill-intentioned Shuiyan people, Black Cloud Fortress might have successfully transitioned into a new business model.

Wait, where is Zhou Fang?

Bai Yao peeked out from behind Luo Qi and looked around, seeing Zhou Fang hurry over, clutching his blue gown.

He ran somewhat unsteadily to the official, stopped the furious Hu Jiu, and then said with a flattering smile, “Lord Li, why have you come so suddenly… and why bring so many people?”

Lord Li glanced at him a few times, said nothing, but winked toward You Ruo beside him, indicating that she was the important person today.

Zhou Fang followed his gaze to You Ruo but couldn’t recognize her identity, momentarily unsure how to speak.

Meanwhile, Youze, who had been called by You Ruo, reached up to straighten his robe and walked over slowly.

Before moving, he casually glanced across the crowd in the direction of Lie Ruyang.

Lie Ruyang silently moved back a few steps, standing behind Luo Qi and Bai Yao, and said, “Stand close. Block me…”

Looking back at the distressed Lie Ruyang, Bai Yao asked, “Block what? Why are you so afraid of that Princess…”

Before Bai Yao could finish, she felt a tightness around her waist.

Luo Qi had already reached out, wrapping her arm around Bai Yao’s waist and drawing her close.

The proximity was sudden. Bai Yao swallowed the rest of her words and turned her head to ask, “Wha-what’s wrong?”

Luo Qi lowered her head and said softly, “To block her for you.”

Bai Yao obediently leaned into Luo Qi’s arms, faintly hearing Luo Qi’s heartbeat.

With her earlobes red, Bai Yao mumbled, “Oh… oh.”

Ahem, it’s not like I wanted to be hugged.

It’s just that the reason is so justified that I can’t refuse.

221

Leaning against Luo Qi, completing her role as a shield for Lie Ruyang. Bai Yao whispered, “Lie Ruyang, Youze has already spotted you. Why are you still hiding? He’ll tell You Ruo, right?”

Lie Ruyang whispered back, “No, he won’t. He loves playing games too much. He’ll definitely make You Ruo find me herself.”

Oh.

So the question is:

Can two people successfully block a living person?

It seemed they actually could.

Because Bai Yao watched You Ruo look around for a long time, seemingly unable to find Lie Ruyang.

It made sense. Lie Ruyang was wearing half a mask, and even the face beneath the mask was disguised.

According to the original book, when on a mission as a Dark Disciple, Lie Ruyang always wore a uniform black gauze mask or disguised herself as various characters.

There was apparently no description of her true appearance in the book.

Lie Ruyang’s disguise skills were top-notch, virtually impossible to see through.

Bai Yao had recognized her by her shoe soles, Luo Qi by watching her fight, and Youze only confirmed it because Lie Ruyang actively spoke in her real voice. Otherwise, he couldn’t be certain.

So, with Lie Ruyang standing silently, You Ruo indeed couldn’t recognize her.

But seeing Lie Ruyang acting as if she were facing a great enemy, Bai Yao asked confusedly, “Then what are you still afraid of?”

As soon as Bai Yao finished speaking, she heard You Ruo say, “Yang Yang! I can smell you!”

…?

222

Excuse me, was that line for the supporting character accidentally given to the wrong person?

223

Bai Yao looked bewildered as You Ruo, in her white dress, skipped over. Every time she stopped, she turned her head around, seemingly sniffing something.

After several repetitions, You Ruo indeed got closer and closer to Bai Yao’s group.

She then walked through the crowd, searching until she stopped right in front of Bai Yao and Luo Qi.

Her eyes moved from Bai Yao’s face. You Ruo put a finger to her lips in a “shush” gesture, then swiftly reached out and grabbed Lie Ruyang’s sleeve.

“Yang Yang, I found you!”

The girl laughed, pulling Lie Ruyang out and hugging her around the waist. Then she inhaled, saying, “Long time no see, Yang Yang still smells so nice.”

Lie Ruyang was silent for a moment, finally accepting reality: “…The Princess’s nose is still as keen.”

224

Silently watching Lie Ruyang get successfully “captured” by You Ruo in this manner, Bai Yao again felt a patch of dense question marks sprouting on her head.

?

Hello?

Does being resurrected grant a person some kind of superpower?

225

As Bai Yao cultivated her questions, You Ruo released Lie Ruyang’s stiff body and turned back to look at Bai Yao.

Her gaze swept over Bai Yao and Luo Qi. You Ruo asked Bai Yao, “Excuse me, are you Miss Bai Yao?”

Bai Yao was slightly confused and said, “Yes.”

You Ruo’s eyes suddenly lit up and she said, “So you’re the one who told Qin Wufang to call you ‘daddy’?”

Bai Yao said, “…That was indeed me.”

Ay, Qin Wufang. Why are you telling everyone about this?

?

Wait a minute.

Bai Yao looked at the girl in front of her suspiciously.

Why was your pronunciation of “daddy” just now so perfect?

At the same time, as if receiving Bai Yao’s questioning signal, You Ruo quickly took a step closer to Bai Yao.

You Ruo extended her hand to Bai Yao and said with extreme excitement, “How, are, you?!”

?!

Bai Yao was startled. She quickly gripped You Ruo’s hand and replied urgently, “I’m fine, thank you!?”

Bai Yao and You Ruo both looked overjoyed. They held hands, looking at each other, and both cheered, “And you!!!”

“Sister!”

“Sister!”

A 24K pure sister-bond had emerged!

226

Luo Qi and Lie Ruyang stood aside, one with a slight frown, the other completely bewildered.

Then Lie Ruyang nudged Luo Qi’s arm and said: