The Cannon Fodder Supporting Female Character is Still Alive Today - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: Live Broadcast Site (11)

…quickly pulling away, breathing heavily.

Initially, Qin Dexuan dared to put the main force in the mountain valley because he was convinced that, given You Ze’s madness, he would abandon everything to find Su Mu Bai.

At that time, the Shuiyan troops would be leaderless. Even though Qin Dexuan’s forces were insufficient, he was confident he could win with fewer numbers.

He never expected Lie Ruyang to suddenly appear and intervene.

Now, witnessing this new helper, who came in the name of the Princess, constantly repelling the Shiyu commander, the Shuiyan soldiers’ attack became more fierce.

While struggling to resist, Qin Dexuan wondered anxiously why Gu You’s side hadn’t finished yet.

If Gu You didn’t bring the men over soon, he might not be able to hold on…

Just as Qin Dexuan grew anxious, someone finally shouted behind him, “Reinforcements have arrived!”

A look of joy surfaced on Qin Dexuan’s face. He quickly turned to look, but when he clearly saw the leader, the joy on his face instantly froze.

The person was not Gu You, but surprisingly a familiar face he hadn’t seen for many days: Qin Wufang.

The Cause

Seeing the person who should have been utterly destitute walking toward him, followed by a huge, dark army, Qin Dexuan was at a loss for how to react.

When the large army drew near, someone’s voice rang out: “Qin Dexuan, the Second Prince of Shiyu, disregarding the welfare of the people, has sought to harm the new Emperor under the guise of war, even breaking the century-long good relationship between Shuiyan and Shiyu.”

“His crime is punishable by death.”

“I request that the soldiers of both sides cease this meaningless conflict!”

The voice should have been clear and melodious, but at this moment, every word was forceful and carried a determined, heroic spirit.

It was Le Zhao, clad in military attire with her hair tied up high.

Lie Ruyang spun up, leaped aside, and ordered the war drums to stop.

The passionate drumming from both sides ceased. People continually repeated the proclamation, and the clashing soldiers gradually came to a halt.

Riding to stand before Qin Dexuan, Qin Wufang looked down with his long, azure eyes and said, “Brother, I trust you have been well.”

Qin Dexuan’s eyes were bloodshot. He immediately pulled the golden arrows from his back and shot two in quick succession at Le Zhao and Qin Wufang.

Before Le Zhao could draw her sword, Si Qingyu, who was nearby, intercepted the golden arrows and struck them back toward Qin Dexuan.

Then, with the arrows, he stopped and instantly entangled himself in a fight with Qin Dexuan.

Qin Wufang, who stood to the side, raised his sword to block an arrow but stepped back a few paces, showing no inclination to fight. He looked up at Lie Ruyang and said, “I guess you still want to exchange a few more moves with him.”

Lie Ruyang leaped down from the drum platform. Hearing this, she raised her eyebrows and rotated her wrist. “Sure, it suits me perfectly.”

You Heng was right. Qin Wufang arrived quickly, resolving their predicament.

The rain of arrows stopped, Luo Qi ceased her swordplay and turned back, and You Ze and the others could finally catch their breath.

Looking at Qin Wufang, who had returned and reversed the situation, Bai Yao smacked her lips and said to You Heng, “So you were the one who let him out?”

After discovering that Qin Wufang and You Heng had disappeared together, Bai Yao suspected that You Heng had done something.

You Heng blinked his fox eyes. “The Prince of your Shuiyan can’t just stay cooped up here with us forever.”

You Heng continued, “Keeping Qin Wufang here is bound to cause trouble, and imprisoning him is a waste of resources.”

“Besides, I checked, and he eats quite a lot.”

Qin Shi An asked, “Then why did you put on such a convincing show for me, even making me call Qin Dexuan over?”

You Heng replied, “If Qin Dexuan didn’t come here, how could Qin Wufang return to cause trouble? Even if I just sent him back, it wouldn’t be very effective.”

You Heng never intended to negotiate peace by using Qin Wufang’s imprisonment as a condition.

It was too passive and too humiliating.

In You Heng’s view, this war was entirely started by that Second Prince Qin Dexuan out of boredom. He didn’t want a real fight, but he certainly didn’t want to play into Qin Dexuan’s hands.

Moreover, he had a network of contacts in Shiyu and knew that Le Zhao and others were already working on planning and paving the way for Qin Wufang’s return.

The You Heng in the original book was prematurely implicated, deposed, and imprisoned in the palace for the rest of his life.

In this life, You Heng had freedom of movement and no interest in the throne, so all his attention was focused elsewhere.

Initially, it was to facilitate his collection of rare treasures. Later, it gradually took on the meaning of running a business. His networks spread wider and wider. You Heng enjoyed the game, so he extended his reach all the way to the neighboring country.

Therefore, sending Qin Wufang back both got rid of a nuisance and allowed him to watch Qin Dexuan eat humble pie.

You Heng gestured up at Qin Wufang. “Why would I not do such a good thing?”

Bai Yao shook her head, clapping her hands in admiration. “Your character setting was originally very vague, but now you have completely established yourself through your own efforts.”

You Heng squinted and smiled. “Miss, although I didn’t quite understand, you are praising me, right?”

Bai Yao also smiled. “That is natural.”

As the two of them smiled at each other, Luo Qi walked over and glanced at the smirking You Heng.

You Heng, receiving an inexplicable warning glare, put away his smile and raised his eyebrows, hearing someone shout nearby, “Susu!”

Hu Jiu said, “I didn’t expect to run into you here. What a coincidence!”

Su Mu Bai, however, asked, “Do you have any wound medicine?”

Hu Jiu shook his head. Those things were too much trouble; they were all with Zhou Fang.

And Zhou Fang was still carefully inching his way down from the top of the valley. It looked like it would be a long time before he reached the bottom.

Su Mu Bai looked down at You Ze. “You came out to fight; why don’t you have any medicine with you?”

You Ze: “…”

Recalling You Ze’s incredibly smug line, “I’ve never been injured,” Bai Yao quietly turned to look at Luo Qi.

Luo Qi took some medicine from her sleeve and handed it over.

Su Mu Bai thanked her and took the medicine, helping You Ze apply it.

Qin Wufang dismounted and walked over. Seeing that everyone was more or less fine, he nodded toward You Heng.

Zhou Fang finally reached the bottom of the valley. Spotting Bai Yao, whom Gu Sanmei had been worried about, in the crowd, Zhou Fang said, “Miss Bai.”

Bai Yao looked at Hu Jiu and Zhou Fang. “How did you end up here?”

After thinking for a moment, Bai Yao asked, “Where is Gu Sanmei?”

Zhou Fang said, “It’s a long story…”

Bai Yao: “Please keep it short.”

After the chaos caused by You Ze and You Ruo, the people of Black Cloud Stronghold were spared the death penalty, but the bandit life was definitely over.

The people in the stronghold were dispersed to return to their homes or find their own way. Eventually, most people left, leaving only the three of them.

Zhou Fang wanted to continue running his business, Gu Sanmei wanted to open a rouge shop in Shangjing, and Hu Jiu didn’t know what he wanted to do.

Upholding the mentality of being responsible for their brother until the end, Zhou Fang and Gu Sanmei temporarily stayed, planning to help Hu Jiu find a place to settle.

But after much deliberation, before they could come up with a good idea, they encountered the imperial court’s forced conscription.

It was called forced conscription, but in reality, they were just tying people up and pushing them into war.

Hu Jiu felt that since it was just a fight, he didn’t resist. The few of them were conscripted and ended up here.

Bai Yao: “…So, where is Gu Sanmei now?”

She really couldn’t imagine Gu Sanmei picking up a saber or sword and chopping people while flicking his orchid finger.

Zhou Fang said, “Sanmei didn’t come. He’s at the camp helping with cooking and sewing clothes.”

Hu Jiu, standing nearby, put his axe back at his waist and pointed to the hidden clasp on his belt. “Sanmei’s stitching is good. He sewed this clasp for me.”

Bai Yao: “Oh, oh.”

You Heng leaned over, interrupting their reunion, and asked Qin Wufang, “How is the situation resolved?”

Qin Wufang looked back at the main battlefield. “It should be smooth.”

It was more than smooth.

Lie Ruyang was thoroughly enjoying herself.

Since her time as a Dark Disciple, Lie Ruyang had been utterly annoyed by the Second Prince Qin Dexuan, who constantly bossed her and her Dark Disciple friends around, but she couldn’t do anything because of his royal status.

Now that she finally had the chance, she naturally wouldn’t let it go easily.

When everyone rushed back to the main battlefield, Lie Ruyang had already torn Qin Dexuan’s large purple robe, tied him up tightly, and hung him on the flag pole, using a spear to push and swing him back and forth.

The soldiers from both sides stood below, watching in horror and silence.

Le Zhao, who had been tricked by Qin Dexuan in the previous life, sat on a horse nearby, quietly accepting the small melon seeds that Si Qingyu took out of his pocket. She suppressed the delight on her face and snacked while watching the show with Si Qingyu.

The True Self

Watching the colors of death on Qin Dexuan’s body get twisted into a knot, Bai Yao admired the scene and said to Luo Qi, “Looking at it this way, his robe is actually quite nice.”

Luo Qi curved her lips and smiled.

Nearby, seeing Qin Wufang return, Lie Ruyang raised her hand, took Qin Dexuan down, and pushed him over.

Soldiers from both sides stepped forward to disarm Qin Dexuan and restrain him. Qin Dexuan looked at the group of people, spotted Qin Shi An, and gritted his teeth. “I truly underestimated you…”

Qin Shi An was silent for a moment and moved aside. “…Actually, this really has little to do with me.”

Si Qingyu helped check You Ze’s injuries. Le Zhao asked Lie Ruyang, “Ruyang, are you going back to Shiyu?”

Lie Ruyang smoothed her skirt. “…Yes, why wouldn’t I go back?”

“Don’t you want to stay in Shuiyan with You Ruo?” Le Zhao asked. “I thought a slight reason you agreed to help was to see You Ruo.”

Lie Ruyang paused, then retorted, “Why would I want to see her? I’m trying to avoid her…”

“Is that so?” Seeing that Lie Ruyang wouldn’t change her mind, Le Zhao said, “Then why don’t you go back and say goodbye to her first?”

Lie Ruyang didn’t answer immediately, looking back toward the Shuiyan palace.

Seeing Lie Ruyang hesitate, Le Zhao said to Bai Yao, “Miss Bai.”

After a short pause, she looked at Luo Qi and said, “Miss Luo, why don’t you return with us shortly?”

Bai Yao nodded. “But I want to go back and say goodbye to You Ruo.”

Le Zhao said, “Mhm, no rush. We received news that Qingyu’s master recently arrived in Shuiyan and has been invited into the palace. We plan to visit him as well.”

Si Qingyu’s master was the mysterious Medicine Immortal who had often ordered Si Qingyu to find wine for him.

Bai Yao agreed, then turned to ask Luo Qi, “When we go back, should we…”

Should we still go to the General’s residence?

Luo Qi said, “Back to the Carefree Tower (Siyi Lou).”

If she were to be with Yaoyao, it would be best to get rid of the identity of the General’s daughter.

Even if Bai Yao didn’t mind, Luo Qi didn’t want to give anyone a chance to criticize Yaoyao.

Vaguely guessing Luo Qi’s thoughts, Bai Yao smiled and nodded.

Seeing Bai Yao’s eyes curve into crescents, Luo Qi smiled. “Yaoyao likes the Carefree Tower very much?”

Bai Yao said, “Mhm. Everyone in the Tower is very kind.” Bai Yao curved her eyes and added, “And the food smells great.”

It was also the place where she truly developed feelings for Luo Qi.

Looking up at the small hairpin still nestled in Luo Qi’s hair, and recalling their experience making steamed buns together, Bai Yao blinked, smiled, and asked, “Luo Qi, guess what I want to do most when we get back to the Carefree Tower?”

Actually, there’s no correct answer.

Bai Yao thought, Whatever Luo Qi answers, we’ll do that.

The default answers are:

1. Warm Kitchen Line. 2. Sweet Handicraft Line. 3. Certain Mosaic Line.

Ahem.

Actress Bai Yao raises her hand to speak: Director, the third option doesn’t look very harmonious.

Director: Oh? Should the scriptwriter delete it?

Actress Bai Yao retracts a statement.

Actress Bai Yao speaks again: No, no, no, that’s not necessary.

Bai Yao was thinking wildly in her head. She cleared her throat and quietly waited for Luo Qi’s answer.

Luo Qi looked down at Bai Yao and said softly, “Marry me.”

Character Bai Yao: Answer database crash.

Seeing Bai Yao staring blankly at her, Luo Qi said, “You said it before, that you wanted to marry me.”

This answer exceeded Bai Yao’s expectations. She was first stunned, then joy instantly flooded her face.

But before Bai Yao could smile and agree, Lie Ruyang walked over. Hearing the proposal unexpectedly, she exploded before Bai Yao could.

Lie Ruyang: “You two are getting married?!!”

The shout was so loud that the few people nearby who were talking suddenly fell silent.

Interrupted, Luo Qi turned around and glanced at Lie Ruyang with some displeasure.

Lie Ruyang received the warning but still said, “…No, are you serious? You’re both women; you’re actually going to get married?”

Even though Luo Qi had previously expressed her feelings for Bai Yao, and she had seen Bai Yao often being affectionate with Luo Qi, Lie Ruyang, who had grown up accepting the idea of only men and women marrying, was still surprised to hear they were actually getting married.

But Lie Ruyang looked around at the people and found that everyone merely paused slightly, then continued what they were doing.

Le Zhao continued to watch Si Qingyu clean You Ze’s wound nearby. You Ze glanced at her, then lowered his eyes. Su Mu Bai turned around, still helping to stabilize the arrow. Qin Wufang expressionlessly took a small bottle from his sleeve and handed it to You Heng.

Qin Shi An was stunned at first, then realizing he couldn’t keep up with the pace anyway, he simply continued drawing landscapes on the ground with his foot.

Qin Dexuan, who was being restrained and forced to bow, even let out a cold snort of mockery at her.

Lie Ruyang: “…???”

Why does it look like I’m the only one who’s surprised?

Bai Yao leaned over and glanced at Lie Ruyang. “Could it be fake?”

Lie Ruyang said, “But you are, after all…”

Bai Yao asked, “What about it? Aren’t You Ruo’s feelings for you also real?”

Your friend Lie Ruyang has instantly gone silent.

Bai Yao looked at the wind-tousled Lie Ruyang and said earnestly, “Little Yang, you’re so young. Your thinking shouldn’t be so rigid.”

Lie Ruyang: “…”

Lie Ruyang quietly looked at the others nearby who were abnormally calm, and whose calmness seemed to vaguely affirm Bai Yao’s statement.

She began to seriously doubt herself.

No longer paying attention to the still somewhat bewildered Lie Ruyang, Bai Yao squeezed Luo Qi’s hand. “That’s what I want to do most! I mean what I say!”

Luo Qi curved her lips. “Mhm.”

Over there, Si Qingyu stood up and said, “The wound has been roughly treated. The rest should wait until we are back at the palace.”

Luo Qi said, “Then we should go back too.”

Bai Yao nodded. As she turned, she inadvertently glanced at Qin Dexuan and saw his hand behind his back seemed to be fumbling for something.

Vaguely recognizing the small bottle she had seen on Gui Ming Mountain, Bai Yao quickly turned back and exclaimed urgently, “Hey, he…!”

Qin Dexuan, whose small action was discovered, was equally startled. His movement paused, and the silver needle in his hand missed its intended target.

Bai Yao only vaguely saw a tiny silver gleam flash through the air, and then her right arm felt a slight prick.

By the time Luo Qi looked back, it was already too late.

Lie Ruyang, who was closest to Qin Dexuan, rushed to pin him to the ground and snatched the object from his hand.

Luo Qi swiftly pulled the silver needle out of Bai Yao’s arm.

Bai Yao looked down at her arm and said to Lie Ruyang, “Could you… please check if the label on his bottle says… Heartbreak?”

Lie Ruyang immediately looked and said, “It says Heartbreak.”

Lie Ruyang was confused. “What is Heartbreak?”

Darn it.

The highly potent poison that hadn’t injured Luo Qi on Gui Ming Mountain had unexpectedly reappeared.

Everyone.

I, Bai Yao.

I might not survive today.

The moment she heard the words “Heartbreak,” Si Qingyu’s face changed. She quickly stepped forward, intending to seal Bai Yao’s pressure points.

But before she could reach her, Bai Yao had already gone limp and fallen down.

Luo Qi reached out to pull her into her arms, urgently saying, “Yaoyao?”

But the voice reaching Bai Yao’s ears sounded like it had too much reverb, indistinct.

Yet, even if she couldn’t hear clearly, she could imagine how panicked Luo Qi must be.

Bai Yao tried desperately to speak, but her throat felt blocked, and her breathing became difficult.

Bai Yao remembered that this Heartbreak poison was set to be invincible in the original book, but she didn’t expect it to be so dominant and ruthless.

Does the poison have to take effect so fast?

Characters in TV dramas can clearly last long enough to say many things before they die!

…?

Is this the fate of the ultimate cannon fodder?

Seeing that something had happened to Bai Yao, Lie Ruyang struck Qin Dexuan hard, knocking him unconscious. She stood up and asked, “Is this poison?”

Si Qingyu said, “Take her back! Find my master; there might still be hope!”

Yun Yingnan and You Ruo were together when they received the news that the war at the front had ceased. Before they could celebrate for long, they heard that someone had been poisoned.

Rushing over, they saw Bai Yao being carried back by Luo Qi. You Ruo immediately called for palace servants to summon the Medicine Immortal.

Upon seeing the Medicine Immortal himself, Lie Ruyang was first stunned, looking at the large snow-white robe and the familiar face. “Aren’t you that person at Fengwu Cliff the other day…”

Looking down at the sword at Li Shanfeng’s waist, Lie Ruyang said, “Aren’t you a swordsman?”

Li Shanfeng looked at Luo Qi and Bai Yao, frowning slightly. “Why is it you two again?”

Si Qingyu said, “Master knows them? Please, Master, examine Miss Bai. She was just poisoned by Heartbreak!”

Li Shanfeng withdrew his gaze upon hearing this and looked down at Bai Yao.

Lie Ruyang looked at Si Qingyu and asked in confusion, “…How old is your master?”

She had always assumed the legendary Medicine Immortal would be an old man with white hair and a white beard.

Si Qingyu shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Si Qingyu said, “He hasn’t aged much since I can remember.”

With that sentence from Si Qingyu, Lie Ruyang’s gaze toward Li Shanfeng became one of adoration. But after Li Shanfeng examined Bai Yao’s condition, he stood up and shook his head.

Seeing his reaction, Luo Qi’s eyes suddenly darkened.

Si Qingyu asked, “Can’t you even cure the Heartbreak poison, Master?”

Li Shanfeng said, “…I originally could. Although it can’t be completely eradicated right away, the medicated wine I prepared could help sustain life, and then the detoxification could be done slowly later.”

Si Qingyu asked in confusion, “Then why are you shaking your head, Master?”

Li Shanfeng said, “I don’t have the medicated wine.”

Si Qingyu was silent for a moment. “…Did you go to see Little Cha earlier?”

“Mhm.”

After a moment of silence, Li Shanfeng said, “Her pulse is already fading.”

Luo Qi’s breath hitched. Looking at the unconscious Bai Yao in front of her, she hugged the person tighter, clenching her fingers until her nails pierced her palm, yet she barely felt it.

The people who had followed them fell silent. You Ruo couldn’t hold back and cried immediately. Su Mu Bai tentatively called out “Miss Bai.” Yun Yingnan, who was watching from the side, also frowned.

The atmosphere in the room solidified. As everyone was focused on Bai Yao, a person chasing a small butterfly came in from outside. Without saying a word, she walked around the crowd to the foot of the bed.

Her foolish, vacant eyes fixed on the butterfly, following it until the butterfly landed on Bai Yao’s ankle.

Then, the young girl, dressed as a palace maid, suddenly squatted down at the foot of the bed and forcefully grabbed Bai Yao’s ankle.

Su Mu Bai was the first to react, urgently saying, “What are you doing?”

Not knowing who this person was, Su Mu Bai quickly reached out to pull her away, but the little palace maid, after grabbing Bai Yao’s ankle, stiffened her entire body, and then fell to the floor.

Everyone was stunned. Su Mu Bai looked at the little palace maid who had suddenly collapsed and said with some realization, “…This poison… can it spread like this?”

You Ze frowned upon hearing this, pulled Su Mu Bai behind him, and immediately checked Su Mu Bai’s pulse.

After confirming that he was fine, he looked at the little palace maid lying on the ground.

The little palace maid twitched her fingers and gradually opened her eyes.

She blinked at the surprised Su Mu Bai in confusion and asked, “What… what are you doing? Hey, am I… not dead yet?”

Poor Words (Qiong Yan)

When this sentence fell, the most surprised person was Su Mu Bai.

“That tone…” Taking a step forward from behind You Ze, Su Mu Bai looked at the little palace maid on the floor in utter disbelief and said, “Are you… Miss Bai?”

Lie Ruyang, who was closer to Su Mu Bai, was startled. “What are you saying?”

You Heng glanced at the palace maid. “Isn’t this that little idiot palace maid? So she can talk.”

Li Shanfeng looked over and said in a deep voice, “The dead cannot return to life. Everyone, please accept your grief and do not cling to vain hopes.”

Su Mu Bai said, “No… I have always recognized Miss Bai’s tone and habits of speech. This is clearly the same as Miss Bai…”

“I remember you…” You Ruo reached out her finger from behind. “Your name is Bai Yao too!”

“Who died? What’s the same or not the same… Of course, my name is Bai Yao… What are you all doing?” Her throat felt painfully dry, as if she hadn’t spoken for a long time, and the sound produced was both unfamiliar and familiar.

Bai Yao looked at everyone in confusion, finally realizing belatedly that her position seemed somewhat strange.

The surface supporting her was cold and rough; she was sitting on the ground.

“Eh? Didn’t I get poisoned… Why didn’t you even give me a bed?”

Not only did you not give me a bed, but you just threw me on the ground?

Looking around, Bai Yao asked, “…Where is Luo Qi?”

When her gaze moved to the bed behind her, Bai Yao understood that something was not quite right.

Wasn’t I sitting on the ground?

But the person Luo Qi is holding… why are their clothes the same as mine?

Bai Yao quickly reached out and pushed the foot of “herself” on the bed. No reaction.

Then Bai Yao looked down and found that she was clearly wearing the standard uniform of the palace maids.

Before Bai Yao could look closer in confusion, her arm was suddenly grabbed. Bai Yao was pulled to her feet and looked up into Luo Qi’s red-rimmed eyes.

Moving too quickly, combined with the intense emotional fluctuation, Luo Qi’s breathing was slightly unstable. She looked down at the face that was identical to the one in her dreams, meeting the little palace maid’s eyes, which had regained their spark.

Amidst everyone’s confusion and astonishment, Luo Qi spoke in a hoarse voice, filled with hesitation and expectation, “Yao… Yao?”

Her star-filled eyes held unshed tears, and her voice was trembling.

At this point, Bai Yao understood.

She had probably died and been resurrected.

Bai Yao quickly said, “It’s me, it’s me! Luo Qi, I’m fine…”

The last syllable was muffled against Luo Qi’s collar.

First, hearing Su Mu Bai inexplicably claim that a strange little palace maid was Bai Yao, and then watching Luo Qi suddenly shout “Yaoyao” at the little palace maid and immediately hug her, everyone in the room was stunned, filled with astonishment.

Si Qingyu looked at Li Shanfeng nearby and asked, “Master… what is this?”

Li Shanfeng was also utterly confused and shook his head.

Bai Yao also hugged Luo Qi tightly, whispering with comforting intent, “It’s okay, I’m okay now…”

She repeated it over and over until she felt Luo Qi’s chaotic breathing and heartbeat gradually stabilize.

Bai Yao leaned against Luo Qi, surrounded by people, silently accepting their scrutiny.

First, You Ruo walked over and tentatively called out, “Sister?”

Before she could ask more, Bai Yao quickly recited a few popular young idol CP names from before she transmigrated. You Ruo’s eyes immediately lit up. “Sister! It’s you!”

Next, Su Mu Bai asked, “Miss Bai, what exactly is going on?”

Bai Yao: “A good person is blessed by heaven; I was not meant to die.”

Si Qingyu asked, “Do you feel unwell anywhere?”

Bai Yao tried moving her arms and legs. “Not at the moment.”

Hearing her say this, Li Shanfeng walked over. Bai Yao said, “The wine was replaced by Little Cha before you left, and I watched her pour it away.”

Li Shanfeng was silent for a moment, then grabbed Bai Yao’s wrist. He then said, “Pulse is steady, everything is normal.”

After a short silence, Li Shanfeng then grabbed the wrist of Yun Niao on the bed and said, “She is definitely dead.”

Li Shanfeng said, “I have only heard legends about souls borrowing corpses to return, but I never thought such a thing truly existed in the world… And that a soul could possess a living person’s body.”

Lie Ruyang asked in confusion, “Then where did the original person’s soul go? Are they squeezed in together?”

You Ruo said, “This little palace maid was originally an imbecile. Later everyone said she had lost her soul…”

Lie Ruyang pondered, nodding as if half understanding.

Over there, after hearing Si Qingyu recount the previous dangerous situation, Bai Yao held the mirror You Ruo found, looked at the face inside that was identical to her original self, and then looked back at the breathless Yun Niao on the bed. She was speechless for a moment.

She had lived as Yun Niao for so long, thinking she would continue that way for the rest of her life, but such a twist had suddenly occurred.

And the people in the room, facing this resurrected Bai Yao, although they found it incredible, it was a living fact.

Bai Yao said to You Ruo, “Can you help me give her a proper burial?”

You Ruo nodded. Looking at the smudges of ash on Bai Yao’s face, she said, “This little palace maid was often bullied and played around carelessly. I’ll find you a new dress. Go take a bath and change your clothes.”

Escorting Bai Yao to the room, Luo Qi put down the change of clothes and continued to look at Bai Yao quietly.

Bai Yao reached up and rubbed her face. “What is it? Is there a lot of ash on my face? Am I very ugly?”

Luo Qi shook her head, reaching out to wipe away a patch of dust. “Not ugly.”

Knowing that Luo Qi’s nature wouldn’t allow her to say she was ugly, Bai Yao said, “Then I’m going to take a bath.”

When Bai Yao changed her clothes and pushed the door open, Luo Qi was standing under the eaves. She looked back at her and was slightly stunned.

Carefully observing the change in Luo Qi’s expression, Bai Yao couldn’t figure it out. She tugged at her skirt and asked, “How is it?”

Bai Yao’s own appearance and figure were not bad. If she hadn’t angered a certain director by publicly refusing to submit to the casting couch, she might have already secured a place in the entertainment industry.

She had worn similar historical costumes when filming before and had been praised by many.

But standing in front of Luo Qi now, she felt incredibly nervous, even developing a sense of insecurity.

Looking at Bai Yao in front of her, Luo Qi paused and then said softly, “Very beautiful.”

She is truly beautiful.

The dress You Ruo had found in the palace was extremely exquisite. Light gold threads intertwined with scattered crabapple blossoms, making her features look like a painting.

In the distance, the orange sun was setting. Strands of light filtered through the branches, falling on Bai Yao’s body and face like a layer of scattered, colorful gold, making her complexion and contours even more vibrant and defined.

Luo Qi stared intently at the person before her, feeling that Bai Yao, without any makeup, was even more stunning than on the night at Black Cloud Stronghold.

Moreover, the person standing before her now was not the soul of Yaoyao residing in her nominal sister’s body, but the complete appearance of Yaoyao.

Luo Qi liked this version of Bai Yao too much; she couldn’t find enough words to describe or express it at the moment.

But not understanding Luo Qi’s meaning, and being stared at without a blink, Bai Yao still felt a bit nervous. She took a few steps closer and asked, “Luo Qi, is it that I suddenly changed my face, and you feel very unaccustomed to it?”

The person you see every day suddenly changed her appearance. I don’t know what Luo Qi thinks. What if she preferred Yun Niao’s appearance? Will this affect their relationship?

Luo Qi’s gaze inadvertently fell upon Bai Yao’s parting lips. Her breathing tightened slightly. She collected her thoughts, reached up, and gently rubbed the top of Bai Yao’s hair, saying softly, “No, I like Yaoyao no matter what she looks like.”

“Mhm…” Bai Yao nodded and whispered, “Then… shall we go eat?”

You Ruo had said earlier that everyone should eat a meal together.

Saying this, Bai Yao still felt a little uncertain, so she momentarily retracted the arm she was about to extend, not actively reaching for Luo Qi’s hand.

Noticing Bai Yao’s small action, and finally detecting Bai Yao’s faint anxiety, Luo Qi reached out and took Bai Yao’s hand. “Yaoyao.”

Bai Yao paused and turned around. “Mhm?”

Pulling her back a step, Luo Qi lowered her head and kissed her, putting her previous thoughts into action.

She first gently covered those warm, soft, delicate red lips, patiently rubbing inch by inch, followed by a gradually skilled deepening and exploration.

It seemed that with repeated practice, Bai Yao felt Luo Qi’s technique was rapidly improving.

In the extremely seductive entanglement, Bai Yao’s initially hanging hands tightened around the wooden pillar behind her. When her legs went weak, she wrapped her arms around Luo Qi’s shoulders, supported by Luo Qi’s arm around her waist.

After it ended, Luo Qi continued to hold her in her arms for a while, then whispered, “Do you believe me now, Yaoyao?”

The warm breath scattered against her earlobe, causing Bai Yao to shiver a little as she said with a hoarse laugh, “I believe you.”

When the two walked into the hall, You Ruo exclaimed first, “Bai Bai, you look absolutely stunning in this outfit!”

Bai Yao’s original appearance was unlike Yun Niao’s.

Yun Niao had inherited some of her mother Liu Ningyue’s beauty, being delicate and lovely. However, she developed a gentle, quiet nature. Over the years, she became different from Liu Ningyue’s flamboyant charm.

Only later, influenced by Bai Yao’s expressions, did she develop a certain pretty cuteness.

Bai Yao’s original face was no less beautiful than Yun Niao’s. Her eyebrows were like shallow moons, her chin was small, and her almond eyes lifted slightly at the corners, containing a dazzling light, as if she was naturally smiling, lively and carefree.

Furthermore, she had just been kissed by Luo Qi, and her lips were still slightly red, making it look exactly like she had applied some color. Her complexion was excellent, blending perfectly with the golden and crimson intertwined dress, a clear look of vibrancy.

Bai Yao curved her eyes and smiled. “Thank you for the compliment.”

When Bai Yao sat down, You Ruo said, “Hey, but Bai Bai, your lips look like you’re wearing makeup.”

Lie Ruyang heard this and also leaned in to look. Bai Yao quickly said, “…Cough, really? Haha.”

Bai Yao said seriously, “Naturally beautiful.”

You Ruo was amused by her serious self-praise and didn’t press the matter.

Le Zhao, sitting next to Luo Qi, casually glanced over, raised an eyebrow, and remained silent. Only when everyone was happily chatting did she secretly hand a small book from behind.

Luo Qi looked down at the small book without a cover and asked, “What is this?”

Le Zhao said, “Take it. This is a gem. It can teach you how to ‘get along well’ with Miss Bai.”

Le Zhao curved her lips and smiled. “Consider it my amends for my previous foolishness.”

Not quite understanding the meaning of her words, but seeing Le Zhao’s insistence, Luo Qi took the small book first. “Thank you, Princess.”

Returning Home

With all matters temporarily settled, everyone relaxed, and the atmosphere in the hall gradually livened up.

You Ruo ordered palace servants to bring several large jars of wine, saying it was famous Shuiyan fine wine. “The Medicine Immortal even took a jar when he left this afternoon.”

Bai Yao leaned over upon hearing this, initially full of interest to try it, but after catching the familiar scent, she quietly held back.

This was clearly the strong liquor she had drunk on the day she confessed to Luo Qi.

It was too easy to get drunk; it was better not to drink.

You Ruo first chatted quietly with Bai Yao for a long time. Later, Bai Yao couldn’t stop her, and You Ruo drank a few sips of wine. Once the alcohol started to kick in, she completely let loose, standing up and insisting on playing the finger-guessing game with everyone.

You Ruo first looked at Lie Ruyang, then quietly retracted her gaze.

Although she was a little tipsy, she still remembered that Lie Ruyang disliked the smell of alcohol and never touched it.

Among the others, Bai Yao had decided not to drink and shrank beside Luo Qi. Le Zhao was busy being affectionate with Si Qingyu. You Ze had an injury and couldn’t drink, and he shielded Su Mu Bai as well.

You Ruo genuinely wasn’t interested in the Shiyu princes, and Yun Yingnan was taking medicine and couldn’t drink either. Going around the circle, only You Heng was available to play with her.

So, You Ruo confidently chose the person who knew how to have the most fun to play the finger-guessing game with her.

Initially, You Heng was inexperienced and was forced to drink some wine by You Ruo. But later, he mastered the trick and completely turned the tables.

Watching You Ruo swallow cup after cup, her shoulder, propped on the table, sliding down inch by inch, Bai Yao tugged at Luo Qi’s sleeve. “I think You Ruo is about to pass out from drinking. This wine is the same kind I drank last time; the proof is super high.”

Luo Qi was gently twirling the stray hairs by Bai Yao’s temples with her fingertips and asked, “Proof?”

Bai Yao said, “Mhm… it’s a way to describe how strong this wine is.”

Bai Yao let go of Luo Qi’s hand and held up two fingers in a gesture. “I only had a little bit last time, and I got completely drunk.”

Luo Qi still remembered the incident when Bai Yao got drunk and nodded.

Looking down at Bai Yao, who was half snuggled in her arms, Luo Qi held Bai Yao’s hand, which had slipped back into her palm, rubbing the smooth back of her hand. Her thoughts drifted back to the events before that time Bai Yao was drunk.

But before she could savor the memory, the person sitting

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