Ying Zhong, standing outside, was staring blankly at the moon in the sky.
His master had heartlessly brought him to this place…
Truly, the world was cold and indifferent.
His master had gone to great lengths to abandon him.
Ying Zhong lowered his head and tugged at the fabric of his clothes. Weren’t these clothes nice enough?
He thought he looked quite good in women’s attire.
Hong Xing’er had also praised him for his beauty; no one had ever said he wasn’t pretty!
Alas…
Ying Zhong sighed.
To get out, he had smashed Hong Xing’er’s shop. He probably couldn't go back either.
It was all his master's ridiculous idea!
The more Ying Zhong thought about it, the angrier he became. He lifted his foot, intending to kick a snowdrift on the ground.
However, before he could even steady himself, he was bumped into from behind, and then he fell directly into the snow, landing face-first like a dog eating dirt!
Truly, when one was unlucky, even drinking cold water would get stuck in their throat!
He resentfully thought to lift his head and curse, but before he could utter a word, he was lifted up by someone.
Ying Zhong could hardly believe his eyes, but he was indeed being lifted, his feet dangling in the air.
The one lifting him was a youth.
The youth was remarkably striking, with a straight nose and large, expressive eyes. Although he wore ragged clothes, he possessed a certain bearing of someone from a distinguished family.
Yet, at this moment, he seemed flustered.
“Hey, are you alright?” The youth appeared panicked but still remembered to brush the snow off him.
“I’m in a bit of a hurry right now. If we meet again another day, I will definitely apologize properly. Please, Miss, pretend you haven’t seen me today.”
He said this very earnestly.
Ying Zhong thought it was sincere enough and decided he could forgive him.
But this person didn’t give him any chance to speak!
Without waiting for him to reply, he was dropped and hurried away, even stuffing a jade pendant into his hand as he left.
Ying Zhong narrowed his eyes as he watched the receding figure.
Damn it, did he really mistake him for a girl?
He lowered his head again to look at the jade pendant in his hand. It looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t recall where he had seen it.
If he couldn’t figure it out, he might as well stop thinking about it.
He wrapped his clothes tighter around himself and then shrank towards the wall. It was just too cold!!
When would his master come out? Really!
Ying Zhong felt like he was about to freeze solid.
Although that brat Song Qingmu had some conscience and called him over to warm up, he was afraid his master wouldn't be able to find him, so he built a fire and waited outside.
It was probably in the latter half of the night.
He finally saw his master emerge from the cave.
He was truly his savior!
If it had been any later, he would probably have seen his corpse.
Bai You’an, however, looked somewhat surprised to see Ying Zhong squatting by the entrance. “Why didn’t you go stay with Song Qingmu? Isn’t it cold here?”
Ying Zhong: “???”
What do you think!
It’s all for you!
His own master, he endured…
Ying Zhong mumbled petulantly about the cold.
“You are to stay here and protect Miss Song. If anything happens, you must seek me out immediately and not conceal anything.”
Ying Zhong: “……”
Why did he truly feel like he had been abandoned…
But what could he do?
“Alright.”
“Also, you need to conceal your identity. You are a girl now.”
Ying Zhong: “……”
Finally, Bai You’an let out a long sigh and took off his cloak, giving it to Ying Zhong. “You should go to Song Qingmu’s place for now. Tomorrow, Miss Song will make new arrangements.”
Ying Zhong took the warm cloak and suddenly didn't resent Bai You’an anymore.
Sob, Master was the best to him. He was wearing only a thin shirt, yet he gave him his cloak. He was touched!
But he still had to ask, “I’m a girl now, wouldn’t it be awkward to stay with Song Qingmu?”
“But Miss Song is already asleep. Just bear with it for now. It’s only one night, after all.”
Ying Zhong fell silent again.
He decided to take back what he had just said.
After he left, Bai You’an’s tightly strung nerves finally relaxed.
He had finally seen the person off.
He let out a breath and then pulled at the lapels of his own clothes, moving his neck.
He was genuinely hot…
After moving his limbs, he flew directly towards the small woods not far away.
The moment he thought of Song Qingchao’s soft and yielding appearance just now, he… he felt hot.
He had to get things done quickly. He really couldn’t delay any longer, or he would definitely suffocate.
Meanwhile, Song Qingchao, asleep, had no idea that so many things would happen in a single night.
She slept quite soundly.
Difficult matters could wait until after she woke up.
When dawn broke the next day, Song Qingchao woke up in her warm bedding. She felt the still-warm hand warmer under the quilt, and a smile involuntarily spread across her face.
She had to admit, being cared for felt really good.
It was caring, not just thinking.
Although it was only one word difference, the feeling was truly different.
Happily, she sat up and saw Aunt Fang walking in with hot water.
“Mistress is awake. Come, let me help you wash up. Miss Zhe’er has already prepared breakfast.”
Song Qingchao nodded, accepting Aunt Fang’s service.
She had to admit that every step and every movement of Aunt Fang was very comfortable.
“What about the task I gave you yesterday?”
Aunt Fang, while styling Song Qingchao’s hair, reported on her work. “I was also worried about my identity being exposed, so I posed as a mute instructor and let Zhou Yi act on my behalf.”
“Well done.” Song Qingchao looked at Aunt Fang’s hands. “Just style it simply and elegantly.”
“Yes.” Aunt Fang responded and continued, “Furs, especially those of white wolves, are particularly precious. I dared not let them take them away to process, so I had them brought to the open ground in front of the courtyard. Those who tried to sneak them away were caught by Zhou Yi and the others. After a beating, the rest became honest.”
Song Qingchao nodded. “Make a note of these people. They should not be used again in the future.”
“Yes.” Gang Yi took the hairpin Song Qingchao had chosen and carefully secured it in her bun. “At this pace, all the processing work for the prey should be completed before we start working.”
“Understood.” Song Qingchao stood up, her arm being supported by Aunt Fang as she walked forward.
“Old Yu has set up a simple shed at the entrance for cooking. Although it’s not very sturdy, it’s quite windproof.”
Before she had walked a few steps, she saw Siwu Liu San carrying a table and thick cushions.
Song Qingchao directed them to lay them out first, then sat down with Aunt Fang’s help.
She touched the tabletop and even pressed down on it.
Indeed, it was sturdy. She was very satisfied!
“Did Mr. Bai send this?”
“Yes.” Zhou Si was the one who answered. “Two carriages arrived this morning. There’s still more outside. After Mistress has eaten, it will all be moved in.”
Zhou Wu: “Mistress, you will be very surprised.”
Zhou Liu: “It seems Mr. Bai has spared no expense.”
“Hey.” Zhou Si nudged Zhou Liu. Zhou Liu then realized he had spoken out of turn and quickly tried to correct himself. “What I mean is, Mr. Bai treats you very specially.”
Well, the more he spoke, the more absurd it became.