"Not seen?
Bai Youan repeated the words, taking a step forward in his anxiety, causing Zhou Yi to cautiously step back.
“You haven't even announced my arrival, how do you know she doesn't want to see me?”
Zhou Yi's face remained impassive. "My mistress said you are the most special one, and she absolutely will not see you."
Bai Youan felt a moment of desolation.
Did she blame him that much?
He lowered his head dejectedly, but the stubbornness in his heart refused to let him leave.
Meanwhile, Zuo Suiran, breathing heavily, stepped forward to greet. "What about this general?"
Zhou Yi glanced at Zuo Suiran, knowing full well this person was not to be trifled with.
If they were provoked into forcing their way in, it would be difficult to resolve the situation.
So, he bowed.
"General Zuo, we are not intentionally making things difficult for you. It's just that my mistress's illness is rather peculiar."
He paused, his expression grim.
"My mistress said that when she is ill, anyone who comes too close to her risks contracting the illness, which would be bad. Therefore, even we are not allowed to enter her chambers."
Zuo Suiran seemed confused. "What kind of illness is so strange? Could it be contagious? If so, we absolutely cannot wait."
Zhou Yi shook his head. "You misunderstand. If it were contagious, my mistress would not have us guard her."
"How can there be such a strange illness in this world?"
As Zuo Suiran asked this question.
Bai Youan also raised his head.
He had a vague feeling that there might be something he didn't know about this.
Just as Zhou Yi was about to explain, someone cut him off.
"There are many strange illnesses in this world, and my elder sister has contracted one."
Song Qingmu walked out from behind Zhou Yi.
His bow was impeccably formal, leaving no room for criticism.
"May I ask the two of you to listen to me for a moment."
Seeing Bai Youan and Zuo Suiran nod, Song Qingmu began to explain.
"My elder sister contracted this illness when she fell into the water as a child. Our entire family returning to Chang'an for this incident caused quite a stir back then. At first, no one paid much attention, but searching for renowned physicians yielded no permanent cure. Fortunately, it was discovered that her symptoms would lessen if she avoided strenuous activity, so my elder sister began to live in seclusion."
"But I don't need to elaborate on how uncomfortable it is to lie in bed all the time. Moreover, my elder sister was naturally gifted in martial arts. She had been practicing since childhood and felt uncomfortable if she didn't move for a day. Later, enduring it, she would still have an episode once a month."
"Each time, she narrowly escaped death. But eventually, everyone discovered that when my elder sister had an episode, those who took care of her closely would always die. Some within three to five days, others within a month or so."
"In the end, no maids in the manor were willing to care for my elder sister. There was only a young maid and her wet nurse. Upon learning this, my elder sister moved to the most secluded courtyard in the manor, avoiding contact with others."
"However, my elder sister did not expect that this illness was beyond her control. Eventually, even the wet nurse passed away, and my elder sister then expelled everyone from the courtyard."
"What happened to Miss Song afterwards?"
Zuo Suiran asked.
He found the illness very strange, but what Song Qingmu said was not entirely unbelievable.
However, how would he know about the affairs within another person's manor?
Song Qingmu gave Zuo Suiran a sidelong glance. "Later, we encountered an old doctor. This old doctor was rumored to be able to bring the dead back to life and heal all wounds. We didn't believe it at first, but we still had the old doctor try."
"Did he cure her?"
Song Qingmu's dark pupils stared intently at Zuo Suiran. "She died, but thanks to him, my elder sister learned how to control her body. However, my elder sister has always felt indebted to him."
As he spoke of these things, his voice began to falter.
These were things he had only heard whispered by servants before. He was young then and hadn't connected them.
He had only thought that his elder sister had caused these people's deaths.
He had overlooked his elder sister's feelings and blamed her…
He was not a good younger brother.
Song Qingmu's lips trembled slightly. "My elder sister has been ill since then, and even I haven't entered her chambers. Do you still wish to see her?"
He was gambling, betting that these people would be scared.
"This… Mr. Bai?" Zuo Suiran asked for Bai Youan's opinion.
He was skilled at fighting, but completely ignorant of such matters.
Moreover, his objective was only to keep Bai Youan, and he had no concern for Song Qingchao.
Even if her identity was special, in his eyes, she was merely a refugee in Ling Shi Valley, a bargaining chip that could control Bai Youan.
Bai Youan glanced at Zuo Suiran, then asked Song Qingmu, "May I ask, was that old doctor surnamed Sun?"
Song Qingmu blinked slightly.
He became a little wary. "I do not know the old gentleman's surname. He only asked us to cremate him and send him to a certain place."
"Was it Suo Luo Mountain?"
Bai Youan asked again.
This time, Song Qingmu felt a flicker of panic, but he maintained his composure. "Mr. Bai, why are you asking this? Aren't you here to visit my elder sister?"
"Indeed."
Bai Youan nodded and did not press further.
He knew Song Qingmu's habits.
This child became a bit stiff when he was nervous. Although his expression was always cold, there were subtle differences.
"Could you trouble yourself to call Zhong'er out?"
Zuo Suiran did not interject this time.
He knew Zhong'er was around here.
Seeing that they no longer intended to go further inside, Song Qingmu agreed and signaled Zhou Yi to fetch Ying Zhong.
It was fortunate that Ying Zhong always dressed as a woman.
They did not take too long to come out.
However, Ying Zhong was truly too invested in his role.
"Oh, you still think of coming to find me?" He gave Bai Youan a sideways glance, then crossed his arms, his lips pouting so much they could hold water.
Bai Youan's smiling lips almost fell.
He knew Song Qingchao was likely alright, otherwise Ying Zhong would not be acting like this.
"Zhong'er, stop this nonsense."
"Nonsense? How am I being nonsensical?"
He then let out a "hmph" and wiped away non-existent tears. "You unfaithful man, you yourself said how long it's been since you've come to see me. If that little vixen hadn't fallen ill this time, would you have come to visit?"
"I…"
Bai Youan was momentarily unable to keep up with the act.
"I was wrong, aren't I here to see you? How many times have I told you, Miss Song is just my patient, why do you always make a fuss?"
"Patient!?" Ying Zhong exclaimed agitatedly. "I think there's something wrong with your head, otherwise, why would you like that sickly woman!"
Bai Youan: "..."
It had been a while since he had disciplined this child.
Ying Zhong sniffled. "I'm here to see what charm she possesses that has completely captured your soul."
"Zhong'er, don't be ridiculous!"
"Ridiculous? I'm ridiculous?" Ying Zhong pointed forcefully at Bai Youan. "Do you know who is being ridiculous!"
He waved his hand. "You know that her room is forbidden to enter, yet you insisted on entering. If that's not being ridiculous, what is!"
After speaking, he cried even more sorrowfully. "If you were to die because of her, how would I live? You scumbag! You unfaithful man!"