The Cannon Fodder Supporting Female Character is Still Alive Today - Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Live Broadcast Site (3)

The way she thought about it was similar. Given her unlucky, cannon-fodder fate, it was better to stay with Luo Qi than to be alone. So, she immediately agreed.

Luo Qi embraced Bai Yao, and they swiftly mounted the horse. The group left Siyi Manor and headed to the predetermined meeting spot.

159

For this arrest, and to prevent a repeat of the last time, Su Mubai and Qin Wufang jointly planned based on the terrain of the North Forest. They anticipated the escape routes of Yan Hao and his group, and they set up ambushes on several roads.

Their guess was correct. Although Yan Hao and the others caused trouble everywhere, their escape plan was well-thought-out. After all, the officials colluding with them were also worried about their safety and provided every possible convenience for their escape.

Fortunately, Su Mubai and Qin Wufang’s plan was meticulously executed. By the time Youze and Qin Wufang, with their men, rendezvoused with Luo Qi, the scattered fugitives had all been successfully intercepted.

160

Guarded by Qin Wufang’s soldiers, Yan Hao stumbled along behind the horses. Upon seeing Bai Yao sitting in front of Luo Qi, his face suddenly changed.

“It’s you… So it was you?!”

Bai Yao looked at Yan Hao, who continued, “No wonder you said my father and I would be in trouble! So you’re in league with these people… Ha! I wondered why you suddenly appeared in front of me. That’s how it is… You were the bait, weren’t you?!”

Bai Yao: “…”

She vaguely felt that Yan Hao had misunderstood, but his arrest was indeed inextricably linked to her. Bai Yao looked at the disheveled, frantic man, silently shifted her gaze, and remained silent. She pretended he wasn’t talking to her and concentrated on fiddling with Luo Qi’s sleeve.

Yan Hao said, “Don’t be smug! Father will save me! When I get out, I will find you, and I will let Father know what kind of…”

A middle-aged soldier beside him, whose niece had been abducted by Yan Hao and his group, immediately kicked Yan Hao and said, “People like you should be struck down by lightning! Go to hell! Your whole clan should be executed!”

“Hahahaha.” Yan Hao laughed a few times and said, “Execute my clan? You old fool, do you know who my father is?”

Yan Hao then turned back, his malicious gaze fixed on Bai Yao, and said, “Bitch, are you scared? It would be great if that happens, then you won’t live either! After all, you are also his…”

Listening to the man’s barrage of words, Luo Qi, sitting behind Bai Yao, frowned and, unable to tolerate it any longer, spurred her horse forward.

Before Yan Hao could finish his sentence, Qin Wufang, who was riding past, kicked the back of Yan Hao’s head, knocking him unconscious.

Looking at Luo Qi, who was about to draw her sword, Qin Wufang said, “Please bear with it for now, Young Master. It’s best not to leave noticeable injuries on him.”

Luo Qi sheathed her sword upon hearing this and turned to leave with Bai Yao.

161

After riding for a long time, Luo Qi noticed that the person in her arms hadn’t spoken for a while and asked, “Yao Yao?”

Bai Yao finally came to her senses. “Huh?”

Luo Qi asked, “Do you know that person from earlier?”

Bai Yao said, “I wouldn’t say I know him. I have no connection with him.”

This was true. The book never mentioned anything about Yun Niao and Yan Hao.

Seeing Bai Yao say this, Luo Qi did not press the matter, only saying, “It’s late. If you’re sleepy, you should sleep first. I’ll ask the horse to walk more steadily.”

Bai Yao hummed, snuggled into Luo Qi’s arms, reached out to hug Luo Qi’s arm, and closed her eyes.

However, despite closing her eyes, Bai Yao wasn’t sleepy.

Her mind was full of big question marks.

Why did Yan Hao say that if something happened, Yun Niao wouldn’t live either?

Thinking back carefully, the last time she saw Yan Hao, he also said some strange things.

But no matter how many times she recalled it, there was no storyline between Yan Hao and Yun Niao in the book. Could it be that Yun Niao had a storyline with Yan Hao’s father?

As she randomly pondered, Bai Yao actually started to feel sleepy and gradually drifted into a daze.

Tightening the arm around Bai Yao, Luo Qi gestured to Xia Qian, who was chatting nearby. Everyone lowered their voices and rushed back to the manor.

162

When the group returned to the manor, Bai Yao was still asleep.

Luo Qi stopped the horse, held Bai Yao as she steadily dismounted, and walked toward Bai Yao’s room.

Halfway there, she suddenly heard Bai Yao in her arms say, “…I like it.”

Luo Qi paused, looked down at Bai Yao, but saw that Bai Yao’s eyes were still tightly closed; she was talking in her sleep.

163

In Bai Yao’s dream, she was standing at the live set of a dating show. The host held a microphone and was passionately questioning her.

“Miss Bai Yao, may I ask if you have chosen this person on stage?”

Bai Yao looked up from the stage and saw Luo Qi wearing a white dress.

Luo Qi was smiling at her, a beautiful smile.

Bai Yao couldn’t help but say, “…I like it.”

The audience cheered. The host said, “Your voice is too quiet! I can’t quite hear you. Who do you like?”

Bai Yao swallowed. Looking at Luo Qi, who was smiling gently and encouragingly, she took a deep breath and said, “I like Luo Qi!”

164

Luo Qi, who had just reached the corridor, froze all movement and looked in disbelief at the person in her arms who had just spoken in her sleep again.

In Bai Yao’s dream, the entire venue cheered again. In the soaring atmosphere, Bai Yao and Luo Qi looked at each other, and Bai Yao repeated quietly to herself, “…I like her very much.”

Xia Qian was walking behind Luo Qi but saw Luo Qi suddenly stop, then squat down with Bai Yao in her arms, deeply lowering her head.

“What’s wrong?” Xia Qian hurried over and asked, “Seriously… you can’t carry her anymore? Should I help you…”

Struggling to steady her breath, which was as chaotic as her heartbeat, Luo Qi concisely said, “Get lost.”

Xia Qian: “…”

She’s cursing me, but why does it sound like she’s extremely happy?

Unable to figure out what was happening, but seeing Wei Siyu walk past, Xia Qian ignored Luo Qi and turned to walk toward Wei Siyu.

Standing up again, Luo Qi carried Bai Yao into the room and placed her on the bed.

Gazing at Bai Yao’s obedient sleeping face, the phrase “I like Luo Qi” played on repeat in Luo Qi’s mind, echoing again and again.

Her Yao Yao likes her too.

There were no lamps lit in the room, only some moonlight filtering through the window, casting a faint glow on Bai Yao’s cheeks and making her red lips look even more alluring.

The night was soft and enchanting, and her beloved was within reach.

Luo Qi finally leaned down, supporting herself on Bai Yao’s waist, and gently covered those petal-like lips.

Like a dragonfly touching the water, she carefully brushed her lips against hers, sampling the taste and stopping immediately.

But that taste of soft crimson made her instantly greedy.

Slightly quickening her breath, Luo Qi leaned in, just about to deepen the kiss, when Bai Yao suddenly turned over and said, “But we can’t be together…”

165

In Bai Yao’s dream. Amidst the cheers, the host said, “Great! Then come down quickly! Walk out hand-in-hand!”

Bai Yao was about to step forward when someone said, “But they can’t be together!”

Bai Yao stopped and looked back, seeing a small white square-headed person. The person’s head was a cube, with a large character “直” (straight/straightforward) written on its face.

Immediately, several other small figures jumped out, with characters like “sister,” “enemy,” “deception,” and “friendship” written on their faces.

“Your identity is her sister! And your mother hurt her very badly.”

“She still doesn’t know who you are, you know.”

“Hey, stop imagining things! She only feels friendship for you.”

More and more little people appeared. They surrounded Bai Yao, and their soft little heads pressed against Bai Yao’s face and lips.

Finally, they shouted in unison, “But they can’t be together!”

The voices grew louder and denser. Unconsciously, Bai Yao repeated in a daze, “Can’t be together…”

166

Luo Qi halted her movement. Seeing Bai Yao’s eyebrows furrow tighter and tighter, clearly caught in a nightmare, Luo Qi quickly patted her shoulder and gently called, “Yao Yao?”

After calling several times, Bai Yao finally woke up groggily.

She was momentarily unaware of her surroundings, panting in panic, before finally clearing her head.

Seeing Luo Qi in front of her and recalling the scene of being questioned by a crowd of little figures in her dream, Bai Yao felt an inexplicable fear and grievance. She reached out her arms to Luo Qi and pulled Luo Qi into her embrace.

Luo Qi was slightly stunned, then reached out and hugged Bai Yao back, assuming Bai Yao was frightened by the nightmare, and gently soothed her, “It’s alright, Yao Yao.”

The embrace was warm, the voice gentle, and Bai Yao gradually fell asleep again.

Sighing softly, Luo Qi helped Bai Yao remove her shoes and outer garment, carefully tucked her into the blanket, and then left the room.

Standing outside the door, Luo Qi raised her hand to touch the corner of her lips, savoring the beautiful taste from earlier, and couldn’t help but smile.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I’ll find a good time and ask Yao Yao clearly.

Perhaps I will get the answer I want.

167

The next morning, Bai Yao was woken up by Wei Siyu.

Bai Yao quickly got up and washed, saying as she did so, “Is Luo Qi looking for me?”

“No,” Wei Siyu said. “We have a guest in the manor. The Young Master just went to see the guest.”

Bai Yao asked, “What kind of guest?”

Wei Siyu said, “I don’t know them, but they must be an important guest. I saw the Young Master’s and Xia Qian’s faces…”

Halfway through her sentence, Wei Siyu said, “Oh, wait, Miss, don’t worry about the guest in the manor first. I came to call you because a Miss Si said she was looking for you and has been waiting for a long time.”

Miss Si? Has Si Qingyu come?

Bai Yao immediately quickened her movements and said, “Where is she waiting for me? Quickly, take me there.”

Si Qingyu was standing in the courtyard. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned around and said, “Miss Bai.”

Bai Yao said, “Why did you come?”

Bai Yao then realized and asked, “Did you come to deliver the gift Qin Wufang mentioned?”

Now that Yan Hao and the others had been successfully captured, Qin Wufang must have found something at the gambling house in Shangjing.

Si Qingyu nodded and said, “Yes.”

She then said, “Also, I wanted to thank you myself.”

“For the Qingxia Festival a few days ago, thank you for your warning.”

Understanding that Si Qingyu was referring to Princess Lezhao’s matter, Bai Yao nodded, and then asked, “Si Qingyu, do you… love Princess Lezhao very much?”

Si Qingyu nodded and said, “I would do anything for her.”

Inspired by Si Qingyu’s resolute expression, Bai Yao paused slightly, then asked, “And Princess Lezhao feels…?”

Si Qingyu paused, then lowered her head slightly. Her face, usually as cool as jade, showed a faint blush. Si Qingyu said, “She treats me very well too.”

Hearing Si Qingyu say this, Bai Yao fell silent for a moment.

That’s strange. This was never mentioned in the book.

In the original novel, Si Qingyu’s appearances were mostly confined to the male and female leads’ plotline, and her emotional relationships with others were not mentioned.

The Si Qingyu in the book died because of Luo Qi. Now, Si Qingyu and Luo Qi were not heavily entangled, so Bai Yao thought Si Qingyu’s death path should have been averted.

But thinking of Princess Lezhao’s ending in the book, Bai Yao felt a pang of pity for the sweetly smiling Si Qingyu.

Bai Yao was thinking about whether she should say anything more when she heard Si Qingyu say, “She wants to meet you.”

Bai Yao was surprised. “Who?”

Si Qingyu said, “Wan’er.”

Bai Yao realized that Princess Lezhao’s name was Qin Wan.

Bai Yao asked, “Why does she want to see me?”

Si Qingyu said, “She found it strange that I rushed to protect her, so she questioned me for the reason, and I mentioned your divination.”

Seeing no blame on Bai Yao’s face, Si Qingyu said, “She found it very interesting, so she wants to meet you.”

I see.

Bai Yao nodded, a bit perfunctorily, and said, “Sure, I’ll definitely meet her if fate allows in the future.”

As she agreed, Bai Yao thought, The princess is far away in the Imperial City, completely out of my reach now.

Besides, considering what Lezhao will do in the future…

It’s better not to meet her if possible.

168

Princess Lezhao, Qin Wan, was an extraordinary woman who was no less capable than men. She had been strong-willed since childhood, excelling in both literature and martial arts no less than any man.

When Qin Wan was young, Qin Mang once smiled and said that if Qin Wan were a boy, she would definitely be an excellent ruler of Shiyu in the future.

This was actually just a joke made by the Emperor out of his affection for his youngest daughter. But an unintentional speaker may have an intentional listener, and these words took root in the young Qin Wan’s heart, growing into a sapling.

As the years passed, Qin Wan became increasingly outstanding, and that sapling gradually grew into a towering tree.

She not only possessed the literary and military strategies to rival her Imperial brothers but also the ambition for power that was no less than theirs.

Later, Qin Wan intentionally sought out and befriended court officials, even extending an olive branch to General Yun Yingnan.

However, her actions were quite blatant and were noticed by Qin Mang. But at the time, Qin Mang only knew that one of his sons intended to collude with Yun Yingnan but didn’t know who.

Looking back, the reason why Lie Ruyang disguised himself as a young girl and appeared at the General’s Residence should have been to investigate Qin Wan.

Bai Yao didn’t know if Lie Ruyang found anything. But in the original book, Qin Mang found nothing. Seeing that Yun Yingnan also remained quiet for a long time, the matter was dropped.

But what no one knew was that Qin Wan’s voice was extremely similar to Luo Qingfan’s.

The plot continued until Qin Mang became seriously ill, and a major upheaval was imminent. The princess, desperate for power, did not hesitate to offer herself to a man who was almost old enough to be her father in exchange for Yun Yingnan’s loyalty.

Yun Yingnan, too, was seduced by the extremely similar voice and finally willingly submitted.

Following that was the collaboration between Yun Yingnan and Qin Wan in the rebellion.

It was during that upheaval that Si Qingyu was executed by the enraged Qin Wufang for helping Luo Qi escape, and Luo Qi, who desperately wanted to stop the rebellion, was misunderstood by Qin Wufang as wanting to help Yun Yingnan.

Thus, a rift formed between the two again, leading to the later series of agonizing plots where Luo Qi had her martial arts skills crippled and was locked in a dungeon.

The outcome of that rebellion was that Yun Yingnan was killed by Qin Dexuan and the Crown Prince Qin Shian working together, and Qin Wan was subdued by Qin Wufang.

Qin Mang showed some clemency toward his only daughter, and Qin Wufang also seemed to have some pity for his sister and pleaded on her behalf. Qin Mang then imprisoned Qin Wan in the dungeon and did not order her execution for a long time.

However, due to old injuries from the assassination attempt years ago, coupled with deep depression, Qin Wan died in the prison shortly after Qin Wufang ascended the throne.

Qin Wufang did not grant Qin Wan a lavish burial, merely interring her randomly in a desolate mountain forest…

Huh?

Bai Yao’s train of thought paused.

Speaking of which, the place where Qin Wan was buried seemed to be exactly where Si Qingyu had died earlier?

169

“This is the gift for Miss Bai.”

Snapping out of her wandering thoughts at Si Qingyu’s words, Bai Yao suppressed her scattered emotions and looked down at the small medicine bottle in Si Qingyu’s hand.

“What is this?”

Qin Wufang had been secretive about it before, so it shouldn’t be a simple medicine.

An extremely rare drug… Bai Yao boldly guessed, “Is it the Resurrection Pill?”

Si Qingyu handed the small medicine bottle to Bai Yao and said, “I don’t know what kind of medicine the Resurrection Pill is, Miss Bai. But in a certain sense, this medicine indeed has the effect of ‘resurrecting the soul.'”

Bai Yao was overjoyed. “That magical? Does that mean it can cure all poisons or extend the life of a dying person?”

But Si Qingyu shook her head and said, “Neither.”

Bai Yao was confused. “Then why do you say it has the effect of ‘resurrecting the soul’?”

Si Qingyu said, “This is a medicine for feigned death.”

“After taking this medicine, one will temporarily lose breath and pulse within the time it takes to steep a cup of tea. Anyone would believe the person who took the medicine has died. But after the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the person who took the medicine will automatically wake up.”

“Ah?” Bai Yao muttered, “It doesn’t seem as good as I imagined…”

Seeing that Bai Yao might not understand Qin Wufang’s intention, Si Qingyu said, “With this medicine, if you need to escape in the future, you won’t have to face such danger as last time. If Miss Bai needs it at that time, we will help Miss Bai create a brand new identity.”

Bai Yao was surprised. So that’s what it meant!

This meant that if the General caught her in the future, Qin Wufang was willing to use this medicine to save her once.

The medicine was just a small gift; the subsequent “help” was the big gift.

170

Bai Yao immediately said, “Thank you!”

Turning the exquisite little jade bottle in her palm, Bai Yao casually asked, “What is the name of this medicine?”

Si Qingyu said, “Miesheng (Annihilating Life/Birth).”

Bai Yao’s hand suddenly froze, and she looked up at Si Qingyu. “You said… what is it called?”

Si Qingyu didn’t know why Bai Yao’s expression suddenly changed, but she repeated the explanation: “Miesheng, it’s a medicine created by an old senior in the Jianghu. The meaning is ‘first annihilation, then birth.'”

171

In Young Master Phoenix, the female lead Luo Qi’s mother, Luo Qingfan, was given a poison called Miesheng before her death.

Luo Qingfan died immediately after taking the medicine, and Bai Yao had always assumed that Miesheng meant “annihilating life and causing death.”

But now, Si Qingyu told her that Miesheng meant “first annihilation, then birth.”

Bai Yao looked at Si Qingyu in confusion. “Do you want me to die?”

Si Qingyu: “?”

Si Qingyu said, “Miss Bai, please don’t misunderstand. This medicine does not cause significant harm to the body; it only temporarily induces a state of feigned death.”

Looking at Si Qingyu’s sincere expression, Bai Yao blinked in confusion, then suddenly froze.

Bai Yao said, “Si Qingyu, are you sure this medicine is called Miesheng? Or is there any poison also called Miesheng?”

Si Qingyu found Bai Yao’s reaction strange, but she still said, “I’m sure. As far as I know, there shouldn’t be any poison with this name.”

172

Bai Yao remembered clearly.

The book stated that the poison Luo Qingfan took back then was Miesheng.

Wait.

The book seemed to only say that Luo Qingfan died after taking the medicine, but it didn’t explicitly say that Miesheng was a poison. Bai Yao, at the time, naturally assumed the medicine was a fatal poison.

Could it be that what Luo Qingfan took back then was not a poison at all?

But Liu Ningyue clearly hated Luo Qingfan to the bone, so why would she spare Luo Qingfan’s life?

A chill ran down Bai Yao’s spine, and an answer came to mind.

Unless, keeping her alive would be more painful than death.

Did Liu Ningyue pretend to kill Luo Qingfan but secretly spare her life? Could she have intended to torment her for a long time?

173

“What’s wrong?” Seeing the drastic change in Bai Yao’s expression, Si Qingyu asked, “Is there a problem with the name of the medicine?”

Bai Yao shook her head in a daze. “No, nothing.”

Unable to figure out what was going on, Bai Yao said, “Let’s, let’s not talk about it for now. I’ve accepted the gift, thank you, farewell!”

As she spoke, the confused Bai Yao quickly turned and walked away.

174

Bai Yao’s thoughts were in turmoil. She walked all the way to the main hall and saw Luo Qi standing there.

Suppressing all her thoughts, Bai Yao immediately called out, “Luo Qi!”

Her voice was somewhat low, and Luo Qi seemed to be talking to someone. She stood in the hall and didn’t turn around immediately.

Not thinking much of it, Bai Yao quickly stepped into the hall, about to call out again, when she saw the man sitting nearby.

The man was dressed in the most ordinary casual clothes at the moment, but he still couldn’t hide his magnificent and heroic bearing.

A pair of sharp eyes, tempered by the fires of war, fixed on the stiff Bai Yao. Yun Yingnan said, “Niao’er, why are you here too?”

Following Yun Yingnan’s words, Luo Qi suddenly turned around and looked at Bai Yao behind her.

175

Bai Yao had been exposed multiple times along this journey.

But it had never been so complete, so completely divergent from the norm, as it was now.

“What a coincidence?” Yun Yingnan stood up with a smile, pointed at Luo Qi, and said to Bai Yao, “This is your elder sister, Yun Qing. I just reunited with her today. Do you remember her?”

Bai Yao met Luo Qi’s shocked expression and heard Yun Yingnan’s words. She stood rooted to the spot, unable to speak.

Yun Yingnan said, “You must recognize her. After all, she looks so much like your Aunt Luo. Did you recognize your sister and that’s why you kept pestering her and refusing to go home?”

Sensing the pain and disbelief in Luo Qi’s eyes, Bai Yao urgently said, “No, it’s not because…”

“It doesn’t matter how it happened.” Stepping between Bai Yao and Luo Qi, Yun Yingnan lowered his head and gazed intently at Bai Yao, saying, “Stop fooling around. Let’s go home together, alright?”

Go home?

How is that possible!

Bai Yao looked at Luo Qi, but Luo Qi’s eyes suddenly darkened, and she said, “I’ll pack up. We can leave this afternoon.”

?

Wh- what’s going on?

Subconsciously, Bai Yao reached out and grabbed Luo Qi. “Luo Qi, what’s wrong? Why do you suddenly want to go back?”

Didn’t you say before that you didn’t want to go back?

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Before Luo Qi could answer, Yun Yingnan interjected, “Qingfan is seriously ill, and perhaps doesn’t have much time left. I finally found your sister; of course, she has to go back and see her.”

Willing Return

176

Qingfan is seriously ill.

With her earlier speculation about Miesheng, Bai Yao instantly understood Yun Yingnan’s meaning.

Luo Qingfan is actually not dead.

So Miesheng really isn’t poison.

In a flash of insight, two things popped up in Bai Yao’s mind.

Liu Shiqing, who desperately desired Luo Qingfan.

And the case of the Liu family massacre.

When she heard about the Liu family matter at Black Cloud Stronghold, Bai Yao had suspected that Yun Yingnan was behind the massacre, but she couldn’t understand why Yun Yingnan would harbor such intense hatred for the entire Liu family that he would kill every single person, old and young.

A shocking theory suddenly appeared in Bai Yao’s mind.

What if, after Luo Qingfan took Miesheng back then, she fell into the hands of the Liu family members…

And now, unlike the original book, the Liu family didn’t escape in time, so they were found by Yun Yingnan.

Seeing his beloved suffer slander first, and then be hidden by the Liu family for many years…

Yun Yingnan certainly would have the motive to slaughter the entire Liu family.

177

“Your sister has already agreed to go back.”

Interrupting Bai Yao’s thought process, Yun Yingnan smiled and asked, “Will you go back?”

178

Director, please switch back the camera shot from just now.

Was that “Yun Yingnan smiled and asked”?

That was clearly “Yun Yingnan asked with murderous intent,” alright?

If Yun Yingnan really killed the Liu family, and Yun Yingnan knows Yun Niao isn’t his biological daughter, then I’m the only surviving member of the Liu family, aren’t I?

Ah, what a rare species…

No.

A species waiting to be slaughtered, that’s what.

Precisely catching the ruthlessness in Yun Yingnan’s eyes, Bai Yao understood that Yun Yingnan would not let her go.

Go back… How could I possibly go back? Wouldn’t that be walking to my death? I…

179

Meeting Yun Yingnan’s eyes, Bai Yao said, “…I’ll go back too.”

Who cares about walking to my death…

Bai Yao shifted her gaze to Luo Qi, who had her eyes lowered on the side.

I absolutely cannot part with her so vaguely and let Luo Qi go through the painful plotline alone.

Hearing Bai Yao say this, Yun Yingnan’s smile paused for a moment. He glanced at Bai Yao and said, “Then pack up, and let’s set off together.”

180

Coming out of the hall, Luo Qi walked very fast, seeming to have no intention of speaking to Bai Yao.

Bai Yao followed all the way behind, not knowing what Luo Qi was thinking now or if she hated her.

Watching Luo Qi’s hurried pace, Bai Yao wanted to speak several times but was worried that when Luo Qi turned her head, her face would be filled with disgust.

She thought she had finally managed to completely break free from the plotline, but unexpectedly, she was facing the ultimate identity reveal.

She had planned to completely bypass this entanglement, but now she was completely submerged in the mire…

Seeing Luo Qi reach the door of her room, she stepped inside and closed the door with a quick movement.

The door closed suddenly with a “clang,” creating a gust of wind in front of Bai Yao’s face.

Bai Yao stopped in time. She stood still, looking at the tightly shut door, and her nose suddenly felt sore.

Then, her eyes also became slightly warm.

181

Bai Yao stood there stubbornly for a long while, but the door showed no sign of opening.

Luo Qi was truly angry.

Luo Qi had never been angry with her, not even the last time she hid the fact that she had fallen into the river and frightened Luo Qi; Luo Qi hadn’t blamed her but had instead comforted her.

Imagining Luo Qi angrily shouting and scolding her, Bai Yao felt both scared and sad.

I should wait until Luo Qi calms down a bit before talking to her…

Bai Yao silently sniffled, turned around, and decided to go back and pack her things first.

182

Bai Yao didn’t manage to leave.

The moment Bai Yao turned and took a step, the door behind her suddenly opened, and a hand quickly reached out, pulling her inside the room.

The sudden spinning made Bai Yao dizzy. She let herself be pulled and spun into the room, and then was pressed against the door that had just been re-closed.

183

Holding Bai Yao against the wooden door with one hand, Luo Qi lowered her head slightly, gazing at Bai Yao’s face.

Upon seeing the expression on Bai Yao’s face, Luo Qi’s hand against the door couldn’t help but tighten.

Before the somewhat flustered Bai Yao could clearly see Luo Qi’s expression, Luo Qi let go again and turned slightly away from her.

Unable to see Luo Qi’s expression clearly, Bai Yao tentatively said, “Luo Qi…”

But Luo Qi interrupted Bai Yao and said, “The first time you saw me, you spoke incoherently about not having a home. Was that because you already knew my identity?”

There was not much anger in the voice, but it held a sense of distance that sent a chill through Bai Yao’s heart.

Bai Yao urgently said, “I did know your identity the first time we met, but I didn’t mean to…”

Luo Qi said, “I recognized Liu Ning… your mother’s pendant, but you said it was given to you by Gu Sanmei.”

“Pendant? What pendant?” Bai Yao was stunned, then suddenly realized.

It must have been the one she brought out when she escaped the General’s Residence.

Bai Yao said, “No, I didn’t mean to lie to you. I really didn’t realize you were asking about that pendant that day. I didn’t recognize that pend…”

Otherwise, I definitely wouldn’t have recklessly kept it on me…

Luo Qi gave a wry smile and said, “She wore it every day before. Even I remember it clearly. How could you not recognize it?”

Bai Yao was completely stunned.

Luo Qi looked back at Bai Yao and said, “Yao Yao.”

“Should I stop calling you that?”

“No, I…”

For a moment, Bai Yao even considered telling Luo Qi that she was a transmigration character, but facing Luo Qi’s expression, the thought was quickly dismissed.

As she questioned her, Luo Qi’s voice contained little accusatory anger but an uncontrollable amount of disappointment.

From Luo Qi’s perspective, Bai Yao had concealed far too much. If she brought up the nonsensical idea of transmigration now, wouldn’t it just make Luo Qi utterly disappointed in her?

Bai Yao was extremely anxious, and Luo Qi continued, “Did you approach me like this because you wanted to harm me?”

Bai Yao quickly answered, “No! I didn’t intentionally approach you, and I never intended to harm you! I swear!”

Gazing at Bai Yao’s resolute demeanor, Luo Qi lowered her eyes. “Alright. I believe you.”

This familiar phrase suddenly made Bai Yao’s nose sore again. Thinking the conversation had finally taken a turn, Bai Yao was about to speak when she heard Luo Qi say, “Sister Yun Niao.”

Bai Yao completely froze.

Luo Qi said, “From now on, let us each go our separate ways and be well.”

These words sounded gentle, but they clearly implied a final severance.

Bai Yao said, “Luo… Qi?”

Luo Qi turned away and said coldly, “Go pack your things.”

184

Coming out of Luo Qi’s room, Bai Yao floated back to her own room like a lost soul. She then opened the small box on the table and found the pendant she remembered.

Earlier at Black Cloud Stronghold, the jewelry she brought from the General’s Residence was thrown away by Gu Sanmei’s men. Only this pendant, which she retrieved from under the table, remained, and unexpectedly, it happened to be Liu Ningyue’s item.

Looking closely now, the shape that Bai Yao had mistaken for a small leaf was clearly a willow leaf.

No wonder Luo Qi thought she was intentionally deceiving her.

Putting the pendant aside, Bai Yao took a deep breath, suppressed the sadness, and began to pack her bags.

Cheer up! It’s just a setback. I can’t be defeated!

It was true that she was the one who lied first and didn’t explain things clearly. Now that she’d upset Luo Qi, she deserved it.

Thinking this, and putting her things away one by one, Bai Yao made up her mind.

185

When you make a mistake, admit it properly and make proper amends.

Even if Luo Qi was annoyed with her and drove her away, she had to stop Luo Qi from repeating the tragic path.

186

At the end of the corridor, in the room that had returned to silence, Luo Qi silently lowered her head, recalling Bai Yao’s expression just now.

Her eyes still contained some moisture, her nose was slightly red, and when she was pulled into the room, her expression, aside from surprise, held a sadness that she hadn’t managed to hide.

She looked like she was on the verge of crying from being wronged.

But she was the one who had played her for so long; why would she feel wronged?

And even knowing she had been deceived, seeing Bai Yao like that still made her feel sad too.

But what could she do?

Leaning against the door, Luo Qi raised her hand to cover the desperate expression on her face.

Yao Yao and I are actually sisters.

Even if she could break through societal norms and ignore gender, even if she could forget the grudges of the previous generation, she could never change the fact that Yao Yao was her younger sister, sharing the same bloodline and coming from the same General’s Residence.

Even if she dared to defy the world and risk everything, how could she drag Yao Yao into such an abyss, to face the criticism and censure of the outside world?

Besides, Yao Yao’s feelings for her…

Recalling how she had been self-absorbed last night, a bitter smile crossed Luo Qi’s lips.

Yao Yao knew from the start that they were sisters. How could she possibly develop feelings of love for her?

187

After the two packed their luggage, Luo Qi gave Xia Qian simple instructions and prepared to leave.

The people in the manor who were unclear about where Luo Qi was going only knew that her biological father had found her and that she was about to return home. Despite their reluctance, they were all happy for her.

When Xia Qian learned of Bai Yao’s identity, his expression of shock did not subside for a long time.

Understanding the reason for Luo Qi’s choice to go back, Xia Qian didn’t try to dissuade her, only saying to Luo Qi, “If you want to come back in the future, Siyi Manor will always be your home and will always welcome you back.”

Luo Qi finally managed a slight smile, raised her hand, and patted Xia Qian’s shoulder, saying, “Alright. If anything happens in the manor, don’t panic. If you can’t handle it, come find me anytime or write to me.”

Xia Qian said, “Okay. You don’t need to worry too much. Go ahead.”

He then looked at Bai Yao, who was walking over in the distance, and said, “Miss Bai… Miss Yun.”

Bai Yao nodded, “Hmm.”

She then watched Luo Qi walk away without looking back.

Bai Yao lowered her eyes. Xia Qian walked up to her and said, “Let me help you with your baggage.”

Bai Yao said, “Thank you.”

Taking the baggage from Bai Yao, and watching Luo Qi’s retreating figure, Xia Qian quietly sighed.

Just before Luo Qi walked away, she had clearly whispered to him quickly, “Help her carry her things.”

188

Outside Siyi Manor, Yun Yingnan approached the carriage first.

Looking back at the manor, Yun Yingnan said in a deep voice, “I really didn’t expect that bastard child to be staying with Qing’er all this time.”

Seeing Bai Yao in the doorway, Yun Gu, who was nearby, was also surprised. He then asked, “What is the General planning to do? Should this subordinate take men to arrest her…”

“No need,” Yun Yingnan said. “She wants to go back too.”

Yun Gu was stunned. “Go back too?”

The General clearly intended to kill Yun Niao before. How dare Yun Niao follow him back now?

“It’s fine if she goes back,” Yun Yingnan said. “The world says the road to the underworld is cold.”

“So, at that time, I want her to accompany Qingfan.”

Falling into the Lake

The summer deepened, and the days grew longer.

Corridors looped around, filled with lush greenery. Maids and servants occasionally walked out from a clump of trees and disappeared into another area.

“Miss.”

A passing young maid stopped and called out to the person who had been standing on the side for a long time, “It’s so hot. If you don’t have anything important to do, why don’t you go back and rest?”

Seeing that the person did not reply, the young maid took a step closer, looking at the faint dark circles under the person’s eyes and slightly haggard complexion, and said, “Your complexion is really not good. You should rest more.”

Although the words were meant to be comforting, the tone was full of bossiness.

Accustomed to this tone, Bai Yao expressionlessly moved half a step to the side, signaling that she did not want to be provoked.

But the young maid still didn’t move, saying, “Miss, you keep standing here, and it’s inconvenient for us to pass through.”