Song Qingmu was in a daze.
She felt as if she had been suddenly enveloped by a warm current, which then seeped into her numb limbs.
A sharp pain suddenly struck her head.
The screams that continuously echoed in her ears.
Made her furrow her brows and slowly open her eyes.
“Awake?”
Vaguely, she saw Bai You'an’s face, half-covered.
A distinguished jawline.
A pair of upturned, crimson lips.
A high-bridged nose.
At this moment, she finally understood the beauty described in ancient texts as “holding a pipa with half its face veiled.”
She extended her slender hand, slowly moving it upwards.
Her index finger touched his smooth forehead, soft and tender.
In her dream, Bai You’an bore a strong resemblance to the elusive Second Master.
She needed to verify this.
Song Qingchao, without hesitation, curved her finger and pulled down the offending white veil.
The white veil slipped.
Bai You’an turned his head slightly, frowning, “What is the meaning of this, Miss Song?”
He closed his eyes, his long lashes fluttering uncomfortably, scattering the golden light that fell upon them.
Song Qingchao carefully examined his features.
This man was truly… impeccably handsome.
Elegant and refined, scholarly and graceful.
Bai You’an was nothing like the alluring, languid, and roguish Second Master in her memory.
She suspected she was possessed to mistake these two for the same person.
“It’s nothing, I merely wished to look at your eyes, to see if there was anything I could do to help.”
Bai You’an lowered his head, fumbling to find the white veil, “Thank you for your concern, Miss. This is a chronic ailment of mine.”
Seeing his hand groping aimlessly, Song Qingchao took his hand and guided it towards the white veil.
Bai You’an, however, suddenly withdrew his hand.
Song Qingchao then realized her own forwardness.
“Let me help you.”
She picked up the white veil, attempting to sit up, and reached her hand downwards.
One side was firm, the other soft.
Song Qingchao realized she was lying in Bai You’an’s embrace!
Seeing his furrowed brow, she immediately curled into a ball and rolled away, kneeling on the ground with her head bowed.
The surrounding cacophony only amplified her already chaotic thoughts.
She didn’t know what to say, nor dared to look at Bai You’an. Even the white veil in her hand felt scorching hot!
Song Qingchao braced herself and looked towards the source of the commotion.
Her face was already flushed before she looked.
After looking, her heart chilled considerably.
How could Madam Hu have come to bother Liu Zhe’er again!?
She quickly stuffed the white veil into Bai You’an’s hand and, clutching her skirt, stumbled to her feet and ran towards Song Qingmu and Liu Zhe’er.
Her head was swimming, and her vision darkened intermittently.
The further she ran, the more exhausted her body became, and a familiar pain in her chest made her gasp.
She saw Song Qingmu and Liu Zhe’er running towards her with looks of terror, but they were being entangled by Madam Hu.
Her body had not yet recovered, and now, exerting herself forcibly, the pain was more intense than ever.
Losing her balance, she immediately fell to the ground.
Bai You’an, who had been kneeling with his legs clasped, heard the loud sound behind him.
He quickly tied the white veil and turned to look.
His lower limbs were also somewhat numb, and he swayed slightly as he stood up.
Startled, Ying Zhong, who was boiling medicine, stood up with his fan.
Bai You’an’s forehead throbbed, and he suppressed his breath, saying, “It’s nothing.”
He didn’t dare to walk quickly but could only hasten his pace, helping Song Qingchao to her feet once more.
Song Qingchao clutched his collar and moaned in pain.
Then, like a drowning person, she desperately clung to him, pressing herself against him.
Bai You’an’s lips were tightly pressed together, the roots of his ears flushing red, veins bulging on his hands as he embraced her.
Behind him, Ying Zhong hurried over with a bowl of steaming black medicine.
In front, Song Qingmu, holding the agitated Liu Zhe’er in one arm, also ran over.
“Is Elder Sister alright?”
Bai You’an saw a rare look of panic on his face, but he dared not speak of Song Qingchao’s condition now.
It was merely a common cold.
He took the medicine from Ying Zhong and coaxed Song Qingchao softly.
The dark medicinal liquid was poured into her pale lips.
Song Qingchao suddenly began to cough, turned her head, and spat out a mouthful of blood.
She opened her eyes and saw the worried faces of Song Qingmu and Liu Zhe’er.
Her pupils suddenly dilated, and all other voices were automatically blocked from her ears.
Madam Hu, with food particles stuck to her hair and clothes, was brandishing a thick wooden stick, her expression fierce as she aimed it at Song Qingmu.
This moment suddenly became drawn out.
Song Qingchao pushed Bai You’an away and lunged forcefully towards Song Qingmu.
Everyone also noticed the woman behind Song Qingmu at this moment.
Ying Zhong lunged towards Madam Hu.
Bai You’an reached out to pull Song Qingchao back.
Song Qingmu and Liu Zhe’er both turned their heads.
But everyone was too late.
With a “bang.”
The wooden stick landed precisely on Song Qingchao’s head.
The medicine splattered all over Bai You’an.
Liu Zhe’er, who had been knocked to the side, stared blankly at his mother, and Ying Zhong, twisting Madam Hu’s arm, forgot to move.
Song Qingmu was completely stunned.
His elder sister lunged into his arms, then smiled and comforted him, saying, “It’s alright.”
His voice trembled, and he fearfully reached out to touch Song Qingchao, his hands finding a thick, sticky liquid on her head.
“Blood…”
He cried out “Elder Sister” repeatedly.
Then, holding her, he sat up, tears welling in his eyes, and looked at Song Qingmu, “Mr. Bai, save her, I beg you, save her!”
Bai You’an nodded and took her directly.
He picked up Song Qingchao and declared with certainty, “With me here, don’t worry.”
Whether in his past life or this one, Qingmu had never bowed her head.
The only time was because of Song Qingchao.
Song Qingchao, I hope you do not fail him in this life…
He carried Song Qingchao and walked quickly towards the carriage.
It was almost time to set off, and these guards would not wait.
Furthermore, whether for acupuncture or bandaging, he needed a more enclosed environment.
“Where are you taking the person we are escorting, sir?”
The watching official struck his spear against the ground with a “bang,” forming a large ‘X’.
These were the same two people from the morning, Lin Heizhi and Gao Songmo.
“Sir, Miss Song is injured and requires my bandaging. It can only be treated better in the carriage.”
Bai You’an quickly explained the reason, but the two still did not allow passage.
Gao Songmo clasped his hands in a bow, “Mr. Bai, it is not that I am being unreasonable. If you go out, we will not be held responsible.”
He pointed at the unconscious Song Qingchao, “But if the prisoner we are escorting escapes due to our negligence, even if we catch her later, we will lose our heads.”
Lin Heizhi chimed in, “Please don’t make things difficult for us. We are about to enter the city and change shifts. Old Gao and I don’t want any accidents.”
Bai You’an glanced at the two, understanding everything.
He didn’t want to waste any more words with them.
In front of them, he placed Song Qingchao on the ground and began emergency treatment.
As he worked, he said coldly, “The Princess Royal has ordered that the Song siblings must not have any mishaps during their exile. If she is harmed, my reputation being damaged is a small matter, but can you bear the consequences?”