Chapter 828: Take care of that surnamed Bai (2/2)

“Mm. Is there anything else?” Han Yunxi asked.

Ning Cheng shook his head. Han Yunxi had nothing to say either, so she waited for him to leave. But Ning Cheng didn’t budge. She gave him a questioning look that he avoided with his eyes. “Gu Qishao’s almost back. This subordinate will wait a while.”

Han Yunxi ignored her and continued to rest. Ning Cheng started out by drinking some tea, but he couldn’t help casting glances at Han Yunxi every once in a while in silence. Beneath the flickering candlelight, the room was silent. It was only now that Ning Cheng’s world felt a hint of peace and quiet, allowing him to forget his identity, duty, hatred, and logic.

Why didn’t we meet earlier?

Why couldn’t we have never met at all?

Why not in our next life? Why this life, this moment of all times? Why did I only find out who you are after I started liking you?

Ning Cheng withdrew his gaze and rested them on his hand. A single acupuncture needle was hidden in his left palm, separated by a single layer of skin. Thanks to that, he couldn’t even form a fist with his left hand anymore, much less carry anything. It was all but crippled, but hiding it there meant that he’d never lose it again.

--

Soon enough, Gu Qishao and Mu Linger arrived. The whole way back, the guards had already explained everything to the pair. Gu Qishao had been looking for his Poison lass like a madman, but once she was standing in front of him, all he wore was a silly smile. His heart had been conflicted before, unable to know how to face her, but now that they’d met, nothing seemed important anymore.

As long as she was safe and sound, then that was redeeming enough.

“Poison lass…” Gu Qishao started, then stopped. Such a bewitching and seductive man had been reduced to an adorable little fool.

“We’ll deal with Mute Granny’s debt another day,” Han Yunxi said first. She didn’t want Ning Cheng to know too much.

Gu Qishao saw the difference in her gaze and immediately nodded. “Done! Qi gege will help you deal with that surnamed Bai first. You can settle accounts however you’d like!”

“Mute Granny is…” Ning Cheng began curiously.

“Private matters between Poison lass and I. Ning Clan Head needn’t worry about that,” Gu Qishao stated unhappily.

Ning Cheng only pretended he never asked. He spread open a map and began to explain the locations of his ambush parties in earnest while Gu Qishao listened intently. Han Yunxi saw Mu Linger’s disappointed expression and gave her a cup of tea. “Little sister Linger, drink some tea to refresh your spiits.”

Mu Linger abruptly looked up at Han Yunx in disbelief. What did she just call me?

“As your elder cousin, I have a duty to protect your safety. Tomorrow, just stay here instead of running about, alright?” Han Yunxi said matter-of-factly.

Mu Linger finally reacted. That’s right, Lady Tianxin was Mu Xin, my aunt. That means Han Yunxi is my elder cousin!

“You’re my elder cousin...big sis? You…” Mu Linger’s bright eyes widened even further as she stuttered. It wasn’t until Han Yunxi put the teacup in her hands that she recovered her senses with a sniff. “Hmph, don’t think about looking after me! An elder cousin isn’t a biological sister.”

“I’m definitely looking after you!” Han Yunxi said without a trace of modesty.

Mu Linger felt stifled, so she sat to one side to drink her tea. She and Han Yunxi had always been abrasive with each other. Very rarely had they acted like sisters that nestled together in silence. But she knew Han Yunxi treated her better than any of her other related “sisters.” Despite their sisterly bond, this wasn’t the reason she didn’t fear Han Yunxi stealing her Qi gege. She knew full well that Qi gege wouldn’t like her even if Han Yunxi didn’t exist…

--

The whole palace was still asleep early next morning when Bai Yanqing groggily woke up. He immediately sensed the silence around him and urgently got off the bed. After some hesitation, he leaped up and broke through the roof, startling Bai Yuqiao awake. She quickly followed him out.

But in a flash, they’d been surrounded on all sides and heights by a circle of archers ten rings wide. Their storm of arrows forced master and disciple back to the ground!

“Ning Cheng, you tricked this old man!” Bai Yanqing raged. If he hadn’t figured out the truth by now, he might as well kill himself.

Ning Cheng didn’t appear, but a fresh rain of arrows greeted Bai Yanqing’s outburst!

“Little Yu’er!” Bai Yanqing shouted, and Bai Yuqiao quickly pulled out her sword to block the weapons for her master. Bai Yanqing shut his eyes and began to feel for the direction of the wind.

Hidden nearby, Ning Cheng muttered, “The Driving Wind Arts...he’s about to use poison!”

“Don’t be afraid of him!” Han Yunxi gave a cold snort.