“I can’t explain it clearly either. After you passed out that day, a man came rushing over, and later he brought a young man with silver hair to detoxify you. The princess also came during that time. After you took the antidote, that person stayed by your side constantly, and although Yun Qi was uncomfortable, he didn’t argue, just guarding outside the door or in the outer room every day.” Yi Mu’er simply recounted the events, adding, “Yun Qi said he would be satisfied as long as he could hear your breathing.”
Bing Zhi easily detected the dissatisfaction in Yi Mu’er’s tone, and the fact that Yi Mu’er directly called Yun Qi by name instead of “big brother” as usual suggested that Yi Mu’er had indeed endured much for Yun Qi.
“The person you’re talking about, his name is Xiao Jin,” Bing Zhi deliberately ignored Yi Mu’er’s discontent.
“What his name is doesn’t matter. What matters is that he is the person in your heart, and you love him, right?” Yi Mu’er questioned.
Bing Zhi just smiled without speaking, waiting for Yi Mu’er to express all her anger and words.
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Do you know?
While you were in a coma, you kept mumbling two words. Now I think about it, it must have been Xiao Jin’s name.” Yi Mu’er suddenly deflated, her tone weakening. She was truly defeated, never understanding what this woman in front of her was thinking.
“I love him, in the past and now. But I will try my best to ensure that I won’t in the future, for Yun Qi’s sake.” Bing Zhi knew the time had come and softly said to Yi Mu’er, “Would you like to hear a story?”
“Your story?”
“Yes, the story between me, Xiao Jin, and Yun Qi. Want to hear it?” Bing Zhi asked again. She wanted Yi Mu’er to know everything about the past. This poisoning incident gave her some premonition. She always felt that one day she would leave Yun Qi, no matter the method, it would always hurt him. So she needed Yi Mu’er to better understand Yun Qi’s past and help her love Yun Qi better.
“I want to hear!” Yi Mu’er seemed to sense something and said.
Chapter 5: Story (2)
“Do you know? The first time I met Xiao Jin, he killed everyone on my boat, forcing me to jump into the sea to survive. The second time I met Xiao Jin, he prevented my revenge and nearly took my life with an arrow. It was only later that I had the chance to strike him back with a sword.” Bing Zhi laughed, reminiscing.
Yi Mu’er was stunned, her gaze astonished.
No!” Yi Mu’er suddenly shouted.
Bing Zhi was surprised; she didn’t expect Yi Mu’er to react so strongly.
“You can’t, you can’t make Xiao Jin leave your world! What about Yun Qi if you do this?”
Bing Zhi smiled contentedly, “Mu’er, do you know why I want to tell you these things today? I hope you can take good care of Yun Qi after I’m gone, not just his physical self, but his heart as well.”
“I don’t expect you to forgive me, because it was my fault from the beginning. But I’ve made mistake after mistake, and can no longer turn back. I can only hope someone can help me atone.” Bing Zhi said sincerely.
Yi Mu’er was moved by Bing Zhi’s long speech. She realized that Bing Zhi had also put her heart into Yun Qi, but sometimes feelings come in many forms, and Bing Zhi’s love could only ever be reserved for the person named Xiao Jin.
“You’ve done nothing wrong, no one has done anything wrong. I will always be good to Yun Qi, but not to atone for you, only because of love!”
“Hearing you say this, I’m at ease.” Bing Zhi smiled reassuringly, knowing that even if she hadn’t said anything, Yi Mu’er would have done this anyway.
“We’ll be friends in the future, right?” Yi Mu’er suddenly asked.
Bing Zhi paused briefly and softly answered, “I think we’re already friends, no need to wait until the future.”
“Bing Zhi, this is the first time I’ve called you this, and perhaps the last. In the future, I’ll still call him big brother in front of Yun Qi, and you big sister-in-law. As for whether there will be a day you leave, let it be natural. After all, no one can replace your position in Yun Qi’s heart,” Yi Mu’er said seriously.
Bing Zhi’s gaze darkened, her voice weary, “I’m tired. You should rest or go accompany Yun Qi.” Yi Mu’er didn’t understand why Bing Zhi suddenly became like this and didn’t know what to say, so she quietly withdrew.
Bing Zhi slowly lay down. What she feared most was Yi Mu’er’s words about no one being able to replace her in Yun Qi’s heart. Yi Mu’er might not be wrong, but she could never allow Yun Qi to put her first because she could never put Yun Qi first. This love might have been unequal from the start, always with Yun Qi giving more and her giving less. Yi Mu’er’s words pierced Bing Zhi, causing her guilt to surge wave after wave.
“Don’t be nervous. When I say I like you, well, it’s the kind of like a younger sister has for an older brother.” Yi Mu’er said this to dispel Yun Qi’s concerns, but what she naturally blurted out inadvertently became Yun Qi’s distress.
“As long as you don’t dislike me as an older brother.”
“Yun Qi secretly made up his mind in his heart that even if he couldn’t treat Yi Mu’er like he did Bing Zhi, he would do his best to make her happy. ‘Let’s go! I won’t practice sword anymore.’ As long as his heart couldn’t calm down, he wouldn’t be able to escape his predicament, and practicing sword would be pointless!
‘No, I think you still need someone to practice sword with, otherwise your emotions will eventually collapse. Wait for me!’ Yi Mu’er said firmly, and without waiting for Yun Qi’s agreement, she turned and went to her room to fetch a sword.
Yun Qi watched Yi Mu’er’s departing back, feeling bitter in his heart. Unfortunately, Yi Mu’er was determined and seemed unable to escape the word ‘love.’ Wasn’t he the same?
Chapter 6: Leaving (1)
‘Mother, I have something I want to discuss with you.’ Yun Qi was in Xun Luoxia’s room, with just the two of them present.
Xun Luoxia had seen her son’s devotion these past days and could only do her best to support him. ‘Go ahead.’
‘Mother, I want our whole family to leave here and go live at Luoxia Palace, basically not coming back again.’ Yun Qi had been considering this matter for a long time and only today spoke about it to Xun Luoxia. Bing Zhi’s health had clearly improved, and he felt it was time to set out.”
Xun Luoxia hesitated, “Not coming back… have you asked Zhi’er’s opinion?”
Yun Qi shook his head, “This is just my own idea. I don’t plan to tell Bing Zhi that we won’t come back. If she wants to visit often after going to Luoxia Palace, I won’t stop her. Never coming back is just my hope.”
“Son, are you trying to avoid someone?”
“Perhaps for that reason, but only by avoiding Xiao Jin and all memories of this place can I and Bing Zhi move forward and let our hearts find the peace they deserve.” Yun Qi admitted this was a last resort, but it was the only method he could think of.
Xun Luoxia disagreed, “Son, listen to your mother’s words. Avoidance is never the solution.”
“This isn’t simply avoidance!” Yun Qi argued.
A graceful figure appeared, and it was Xiao Jin, “It’s me.”
Yun Qi was surprised, “Why have you come?”
“I happened to pass by your mansion and overheard your conversation with your mother. I apologize for that, but I still want to ask, are you sure Bing Zhi’s body can withstand the journey?” Xiao Jin asked.
Yun Qi smiled, “You sound like you’re here to interrogate me! Are you suggesting I follow my mother’s advice and have someone examine Bing Zhi?”
“You’re right,” Xiao Jin said candidly.
“I hope you’ll agree to have someone check on Bing Zhi tomorrow. I believe you’re also concerned.”
“Fine! It’s settled! I’ll wait for you here tomorrow,” Yun Qi agreed surprisingly readily.
Xiao Jin’s gaze was complex. “I think you’ve agreed too hastily.”
