The gate gradually opened before Song Qingchao.
The scene within slowly revealed itself.
Beyond the dark gateway lay an empty street.
After nodding his thanks, Song Qingchao stepped towards the city.
As she passed through the dark gateway, her thoughts were of Bai You'an. They had agreed to meet at the city gate, yet he hadn't appeared.
She turned her head,
watching the heavy city gate slowly close, the light narrowing, and her expectations gradually fading.
She wondered what he would think when he learned she had entered the city.
Song Qingchao lowered her eyelids, then turned her head back.
Her gaze was firm, fixed on the path ahead. She wouldn't abandon her plan because of one man.
But suddenly, a "clang" sounded behind her, accompanied by "ahhh ahhh ahhh" roars and screams.
Then came various exclamations of "What the fuck!"
She couldn't help but turn her head again.
She stopped, her entire body pivoting around.
She saw that the gap between the two gate leaves was blocked by a person bound like a zongzi.
Following closely behind, a young gentleman in white, fanning himself, emerged from the glow of the setting sun.
He carried a medicine chest on his back, having traveled a dusty road.
While negotiating with the closing soldiers, he kicked the struggling figure on the ground into the gate.
"Are you together?"
The general beside Song Qingchao asked her.
She wanted to nod, but the sweet, metallic taste in her throat made the action difficult.
"Miss Song, you have made me search far and wide."
Bai You'an pointed at her with his fan from a distance.
Then, he bent down, grabbed the person on the ground, and, disregarding the soldiers' obstruction, rushed inside, frowning as he spoke, "The young lady ahead and I are together."
His shoulders were broad, his legs long, and he walked with a casual, unrestrained air.
Meanwhile, the person on the ground continued to yelp and wail, more unpleasant than a pig being slaughtered.
Bai You'an pushed away the soldier reaching for his saber and called out to Song Qingchao, "Miss Song!"
Song Qingchao couldn't quite articulate what she was feeling.
She turned to the general beside her and said, "We are together."
Then she broke into a run towards Bai You'an.
Upon receiving the signal, the soldiers let Bai You'an go and turned to close the gate.
Bai You'an directly tossed the person he was dragging forward, then brushed off his clothes and quickened his pace to meet Song Qingchao.
The person thrown out first collided with Song Qingchao.
It was Ma Lide.
As Song Qingchao stepped over him, she felt her heart pounding.
She stopped in front of Bai You'an, maintaining her aristocratic composure.
She offered a curt bow, suppressing all emotion, and replied softly, "Mr. Bai."
Just as she was about to look up and ask what was happening,
his fan tapped her on the head.
"I told you not to enter, but you insisted."
Bai You'an's tone held a hint of reprimand.
Song Qingchao rubbed her head, intending to retort, when she saw him lean in.
His face, nearly demonic, was partially obscured by a mask. His thin lips curled slightly, carrying an air of languor and defiance. "Were you unaware of the danger within, or unwilling to part with me?"
Song Qingchao blinked, then pressed her fingers against his forehead, pushing him back. "Neither."
"Ah... I worried for nothing," Bai You'an sighed with feigned regret, then gave her an apologetic glance. "My apologies, I'm late."
Song Qingchao, who had a stomach full of words, was suddenly silenced.
She then noticed a few fallen leaves clinging to Bai You'an's hair.
"It's alright now."
Song Qingchao replied, reaching out to try and remove the leaves from his hair.
He immediately grabbed her hand.
"Let me see if you're injured."
With a "click," the sound of a clasp loosening reached Song Qingchao's ears.
The lock on the third layer of her space showed a crack.
Song Qingchao pursed her lips and retracted her hand, concealing her surprise and awkwardly saying, "I'm fine."
Bai You'an withdrew his hand with a hint of dejection.
"I know you're angry with me, but..."
His tone shifted, and he then kicked Ma Lide again.
After Ma Lide let out a howl, Bai You'an finally spoke with satisfaction, "But if you were bullied, how could you let this person go?"
Bai You'an grasped Song Qingchao's hand again.
He carefully frowned as he felt her pulse, then breathed a sigh of relief, "It's good that you're unharmed."
Song Qingchao blinked again, perplexed.
Bai You'an's series of actions left her bewildered.
Then her head was tapped again, and Song Qingchao glared back angrily, "What are you doing!"
Bai You'an stared at her intently. "If there's danger next time, just run. Don't worry about some damned promises."
Because the promise is not as important as you are.
Song Qingchao was in a daze.
This was different from her past experiences.
Feng Shao Cheng had always used "We made a promise" to control her.
If she didn't fulfill it, he would get angry, sometimes even smashing the things in her room.
She had even felt it was right,
because she had broken the agreement first.
But such agreements were inherently abnormal and unequal.
Now, the person before her was seriously telling her that promises were useless.
In the face of one's own safety, everything else was meaningless.
With a "snap," a string in Song Qingchao's heart broke.
"What are you thinking about?"
Bai You'an leaned in and asked her, cautiously.
Song Qingchao had just regained her senses and opened her mouth to speak.
Ma Lide then cursed, "A pair of dogs and bitches!"
Song Qingchao: "..."
"You..."
Before she could finish, Bai You'an kicked him again, then crouched down and stuffed a wad of cloth, obtained from who knows where, into his mouth.
"Why are you so talkative..."
His voice was lazy, unconcerned with anything.
"Mr. Bai, that..."
Bai You'an looked up, "You were saying."
Song Qingchao touched her nose. "Since we're already in, do we still need to leave?"
Bai You'an lowered his head in thought for a moment. "I was planning to come in anyway, but I didn't intend for you to be put in danger."
He stood up, silent for a moment. "It's very dangerous inside. I can escort you out, and I can guarantee your safety outside."
Song Qingchao tilted her head and smiled. "What are you talking about?"
She put one hand behind her back and gestured to the people behind her. "Since we're here, besides, I think these people might need our help."
Bai You'an lowered his head and chuckled. "You..."
He walked over, leaning slightly towards Song Qingchao. "Then let's make another promise."
"Didn't you say..."
"Shush." Bai You'an interrupted her. "This promise is that you must guarantee your own safety, understand?"
"Okay."
Song Qingchao agreed with a smile, then they walked towards the general.
Bai You'an bowed. "I am a physician, and I have heard of the epidemic in Feng County, thus I have come to offer aid. I beg the general to grant us passage."
The general glanced gravely at his medicine chest, then repeated, "Physician?"
Just as he was about to say something,
a commotion arose not far away.
He immediately grew tense. "We can talk on the way, but leave now!"