“Then this servant will take her leave.” The maidservant was obedient and didn’t say much before withdrawing.
Bing Zhi walked slowly behind the screen. Shortly after Wu Ran left, someone brought hot water.
Soaking in the wooden tub, the warm water relaxed her entire body, with misty steam rising, creating a white haze before her eyes.
Bing Zhi had always disliked wearing overly bright clothes, typically wearing white. However, this dress wasn’t too eye-catching, and its light shade was actually quite comfortable.
“Who are you? You can’t come in!” It was Xiao Ai’s voice.
“Who am I? If someone has occupied my room, shouldn’t I be able to take a look at who they are?” The woman’s voice sounded sharp and aggressive.
Hearing the voices approaching, Bing Zhi quickly got out of the water, dressed, and before she could tie her wet, messy hair, the door was rudely kicked open.
“Who are you?” The newcomer glared with large eyes, questioning Bing Zhi. Bing Zhi saw the girl was about her age, not unattractive, but comically posturing like a matron.
“I’m a guest here,” Bing Zhi smiled.
“A guest?” The woman was momentarily stunned, clearly at a loss.
“Yes.”
“I am the owner here!”
“If that’s the case, why are you so angry and rudely entering someone else’s room? You’re the owner, I’m the guest. Is this how you treat guests?”
“
Bing Zhi had already guessed the woman’s identity, remembering Wu Ran mentioning a room belonging to Yi Mu’er. But she wondered why she claimed to be the owner.
“Don’t listen to her nonsense! I’ve only known her for a short time, and it was an arranged marriage that doesn’t count,” Wu Ran said anxiously.
“You may think it doesn’t count, but she might have already set her heart on you!” Bing Zhi looked at Yi Mu’er’s eyes, which clearly showed her love for Wu Ran. “Hehe, no wonder she’s angry.”
“But I only see her as a sister,” Wu Ran frowned.
“Have you explained that to her? She might think that your lack of objection means you agree and accept it,” Bing Zhi felt that Wu Ran was too careless and hadn’t considered that Yi Mu’er might have developed subtle feelings for him.
“Well… I indeed didn’t pay much attention,” Wu Ran looked troubled. “Her parents and my parents are old family friends. We were betrothed from childhood, but due to some accidents, I only recently learned about this fiancée. Ah, I should find a time to talk to her properly.”
Bing Zhi didn’t respond. Instead, she walked to the dressing table, found a hairpin, and casually tied up her long hair. She was preoccupied with her own concerns and had no heart to comment further, only sighing silently.
Wu Ran knew about Bing Zhi’s recent experiences and understood that Xiao Jin held an indelible place in her heart. Knowing she was likely remembering something sad, he tried to divert her attention, “Haven’t eaten yet? Let’s go eat together.”
“Okay,” Bing Zhi adjusted her emotions and turned back to give Wu Ran a faint smile. This smile made Wu Ran lose his train of thought, suddenly noticing how beautiful she looked in that dress.
“Let’s go,” he came back to his senses and tried to move his gaze away, leading Bing Zhi to the front hall to eat.
“What was the important matter she just mentioned?” Bing Yi asked, then felt it was inappropriate since Cloud Qi had spoken to Yi Mu’er about a personal matter, “I’m just casually asking, you don’t have to tell me.”
“It’s nothing major, just that Luoxia Palace has a business deal that needs support from Qiushui Palace,” Cloud Qi first gave Bing Yi a deep look before speaking.
Bing Yi knew Cloud Qi was deliberately downplaying the matter and didn’t press further, simply saying, “I’m going back to Haishi Island tomorrow, so I won’t delay your affairs anymore. Thank you these past few days.”
“I’ll accompany you,” Cloud Qi was very uneasy about going out to sea.
Bing Yi was somewhat surprised, “Don’t you have matters to attend to? It wouldn’t be good to delay because of me.”
“The master of Qiushui Palace is traveling far away and won’t return anytime soon, otherwise he wouldn’t have sent his daughter to stay with me,” Cloud Qi said.
After some consideration, Bing Yi said, “Alright. Including travel time, it shouldn’t take too long, half a month should be enough. I hope I’m not causing you any inconvenience.” She believed Cloud Qi was telling the truth about Yi Mu’er being the beloved daughter of the Qiushui Palace master.
“Rest well tonight. I’ll arrange everything, and we’ll depart on time tomorrow morning,” Cloud Qi smiled, seeming to sense Bing Yi’s concerns. “Old Li will take care of Yi Mu’er.”
“Thank you for your trouble,” Bing Yi felt somewhat embarrassed that he saw through her so easily.
“Good night,” Cloud Qi said and left.
After Cloud Qi left, Bing Yi went to bed. For some reason, she still trusted this person who had helped her before, and his arrangements made her feel at ease. Having Cloud Qi’s assistance was better…
Thinking thus, she fell asleep.
In her dream.
A very strange dream, with two versions of Xiao Jin, one holding a fan, the other holding a sword, alternately appearing before Bing Yi, each repeatedly saying the same sentence.
“Murong Bing Yi, I will kill you to eliminate future troubles!” The Xiao Jin with the fan had eyes full of coldness and murderous intent.
“Bing Yi, I love you. Even if you take my life, I have no regrets,” the sword-wielding Xiao Jin looked at Bing Yi tenderly, but his face was very pale, with blood seeping from his chest.
Bing Yi looked at the scene in terror and drew out a dagger, thrusting forward.
The sword-wielding Xiao Jin fell in a pool of blood.
No, I don’t want to kill you. I want to kill him, him! Bing Yi looked at the fallen Xiao Jin, screaming in her heart, but unable to speak.
“No!” Bing Yi woke from the dream, suddenly sitting up and finding herself in tears.
Bing Yi sighed and lay back down. Was Xiao Jin really this important to her? She had unintentionally hurt him that day, just a momentary impulse, but didn’t expect… Alas, she wondered how he was doing now.
“Did you sleep well? The ship is a bit rocky, are you uncomfortable?” Cloud Qi asked Bing Yi thoughtfully.
“It was fine. Thank you for arranging everything so well,” Bing Yi smiled.
Now, they had been sailing for a day and a night without incident. Cloud Qi said Xiao Jin had not alerted the imperial court, only sending people from the martial world to search for him. These people could only search secretly.
“Have the ship stop at the densest plum blossom area,” Bing Yi said, looking at the faintly visible Haishi Island.
“The island has some complex mystical formations. If we dock elsewhere, we won’t find the ship when returning,” Bing Yi looked melancholic, adding, “This formation was set up by my master, who is actually my mother. This is why many people who go to sea searching for this island never return.”
“What’s wrong?” Cloud Qi noticed Bing Yi’s unusual expression.
“Nothing,” Bing Yi felt increasingly uneasy as she approached Haishi Island, as if something bad was about to happen. Her eyelids kept twitching, and her heart suddenly felt cold. It’s nothing, she tried to reassure herself.
“Go back, I’ll instruct the crew and be right there,” Cloud Qi didn’t press further.
“Okay, go ahead,” Bing Yi’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. She had almost forgotten that she could barely tolerate this damp, cold sea breeze.
Why was she completely fine, not feeling uncomfortable at all?
