While waiting in the carriage.
Song Qingchao had already thought of all the criticisms she would level at Bai You'an.
But when he actually returned, she found herself unable to utter a single word of the lines she had prepared.
In the end, with a blush, she said, "You tell me."
Her reaction made Bai You'an chuckle.
He sat beside Song Qingchao, gently took her injured hand, and while tending to her wounds, patiently explained.
"Although Ying Zhong can protect you up close, I was still uneasy, so I arranged for people outside as well."
"Hmm, arranged for people?" Song Qingchao narrowed her eyes and looked at him dangerously, "How many did you arrange?"
"Not many, just two."
Bai You'an seemed a little uncomfortable, but he wasn't lying.
He hadn't dared to arrange too many people when he was away.
Because Song Qingchao was highly vigilant, if they were discovered, then he...
There were some things he couldn't tell Song Qingchao yet.
Song Qingchao let out an understanding "Ah," "So those two were your people. No wonder they were acting sneakily but doing nothing."
Bai You'an: "..."
He knew he would be discovered.
"One to stay with you, and one to notify me of news as quickly as possible. It was my mistake not to seek your opinion beforehand."
Song Qingchao nodded symbolically.
"Is there anything else?"
"What else do you want to know?"
Song Qingchao just smiled at Bai You'an, but seeing that he had no intention of saying more, she stopped asking.
At this stage, she could only be sure that Bai You'an would not harm her.
On the other hand, she was certain that Bai You'an's background was definitely not simple.
She had known this since their first meeting, and with their constant interaction, her martial arts, intelligence, and methods were not what one would expect from a doctor at a clinic.
But since he was unwilling to say, she wouldn't press.
She had the patience to wait.
The return journey in the carriage was much faster.
They arrived at the base almost at the same time as the Zhou brothers, who had gone ahead.
However, when she got out of the carriage, she remained unseen, still hidden within Bai You'an's cloak.
After all, with her body covered in blood, being seen would ruin her carefully constructed persona.
It was also dark, so even if there was a slight suspicion, no one paid much attention to Bai You'an and her.
But... she never expected that young fellow Song Qingmu would be waiting for her in the cave.
Song Qingchao didn't notice at first.
But Bai You'an must have been the first to see him.
He saw him but didn't inform her, which was quite awkward for her younger brother to catch her so directly.
Bai You'an, rather than staying out of it, asked her, "Didn't you tell your brother?"
Song Qingchao: "???"
Just as she was about to retort.
Song Qingmu directly confronted him, "Who is your brother."
Then she was pulled away.
Song Qingmu examined her from every angle, making her dizzy. "Alright, I'm really fine."
She tugged at her skirt, "This is all someone else's blood, not mine."
Song Qingmu, whose face was always stern, frowned slightly, "Eldest Sister, there won't be a next time."
"Okay, okay."
Song Qingchao appeased him.
She actually didn't want things to go wrong all the time, but fate was against her...
But ultimately, her younger brother still cared about her.
After a few words, he urged her to rest quickly.
At this time, Aunt Fang had also prepared the bathwater and was arranging for people to carry buckets into the room.
Despite it being a leaky cave.
The fire burned brightly, making it somewhat warm.
With Song Qingmu present, Song Qingchao couldn't say much to Bai You'an.
Bai You'an only said, "I can't stay long," and left with the others.
Aunt Fang's emotions had also improved a bit, and she tearfully carried her blood-stained clothes outside.
Song Qingchao sighed helplessly, tested the water temperature, and then immersed herself.
Leaning against the edge of the wooden tub, she closed her eyes and listened to the conversation between the two men outside, feeling as if she were dreaming.
"What is your relationship with my eldest sister?"
"I would love to tell you, but without your eldest sister's consent, I will not reveal a single word. All I can say is that I will do my utmost to protect her."
"Easily said. How will you protect her?"
"My life."
"..."
"Don't worry, with me here, she won't be in danger."
"Can I trust you?"
"I think you can try to trust me."
Song Qingchao sighed with a smile.
Her younger brother.
Mumu knew she had excellent hearing.
So this conversation was probably asked on her behalf.
Song Qingchao rested her head against the edge of the tub. After a while, Aunt Fang came in to offer help, and she agreed.
While washing, she thought about everything that had happened since her rebirth.
In just a few months, she had been struggling on the brink of life and death, and now she had finally found some stability.
If her revenge was like building a house, then she had just laid the foundation.
She closed her eyes, and her consciousness returned to the fourth level of her space.
It was time to make a big move.
She slept soundly that night, and the next morning after tidying up, she went out and noticed that the strong winds that had been blowing for several days had inexplicably calmed down.
Even the sun felt warm, and it had snowed again last night, but the courtyard was now swept clean.
The Zhou brothers were quite reliable in their work.
Aunt Fang supported her and recounted the events of the previous night.
"A total of forty-two people chose to return with us, including twenty-one men, nine women, and twelve children. Twelve people chose to leave."
This number was within Song Qingchao's estimation, "Accommodation is a problem."
Aunt Fang said hesitantly, "I asked Old Yu about this, and he said they could carve out a few caves as a temporary measure. Young Master Song gave him a design, but there are not enough materials at present. If they build thatched houses using the old method, they will be demolished in the future."
"Which would be faster, caves or thatched houses, and which would be warmer?"
When it came to professional questions, Aunt Fang didn't understand. "Mistress, perhaps you should wait. Shall I go and find Old Yu?"
Song Qingchao nodded in agreement, "And bring Mumu too."
After Aunt Fang left.
Song Qingchao slowly walked forward on her own, wanting to see the people they had brought back.
But a fleeting figure made her pause in confusion.
She didn't recognize this face.
Song Qingchao immediately abandoned her original intention and chased after the person.
However, their movement technique seemed familiar.
Could it be...
She continued to chase into the shadows, and the person ahead also slowed down.
A smile involuntarily rose to Song Qingchao's lips, "Finally, I've found you."