Chapter 15

Gently breezing past, the subtle fragrance lingered.

When Shimei was escorted back to the Fragrance House, it was already dark.

Bai She carefully helped her off the horse and handed her over to Xiangyi and the others who had come out to meet her before turning to leave, heading straight into the Bai residence.

As Shimei walked inside, she noticed Zhan Yu and Hongye watching her, and she whispered, “What?”

“Ahem,” Zhan Yu coughed lightly, “The Fengxiang Banquet was really delicious.”

“Indeed,” Hongye also nodded in agreement, “Such generosity, that banquet is not something just anyone can afford.”

Shimei feigned ignorance, “Really, Bai She is quite wealthy.”

“Even if I were as rich as him, I wouldn't invite the neighbors to a Fengxiang Banquet,” Zhan Yu commented, squinting at Shimei, “Right?”

Seeing their curious looks, Shimei thought for a moment, then laughed and hummed a tune as she went back to her room.

Zhan Yu and Hongye exchanged glances, sensing something amiss. Shimei seemed to be in a very good mood.

Back in her room, Shimei made a list of fragrances to buy and handed it to Xiao Xi, asking him to take it along with the pot of Purple Jade Peony to Bai She.

Xiangyi was puzzled, “Shimei, isn’t the Purple Jade your favorite flower? You’re giving it to Bai She?”

“Yes,” Shimei nodded, taking a small box of soapberries and a box of clove petals from the brocade on the table.

Knowing she planned to bathe, Xiangyi called for the servants to bring hot water.

……

Outside in the courtyard, Hongye stroked her chin and asked Zhan Yu, “Hey, what do you think?”

Zhan Yu nodded, “Definitely something fishy!”

After a moment of thought, Hongye suddenly said, “Isn’t the Fengxiang Pavilion just opposite the Wang residence?”

Zan Yu, suddenly enlightened, clapped her hands, “Right!”

"Wow… Shimei just separated from the prince and is already hanging around Bai She's front door," Hongye praised, "Isn't that like slapping him in the face?"

"He deserves it!" added Zhan Yu.

Xiangyi, after closing Shimei's door, vented, "The rumors outside are awful! They say Shimei went crazy, and that's why she was divorced by the prince. No one mentions the separation, making it sound like she was kicked out, unwanted by anyone."

Zhan Yu coldly snorted, patting Xiangyi's head, "Those rumors are spread by people from the Wang residence."

Xiangyi indignantly said, "It's infuriating! But since Shimei has been happy lately, I didn't tell her. Those people have nasty mouths. When I heard them on the street, I went right up and slapped them!"

"Good for you!" both Zhan Yu and Hongye agreed.

After her bath, Shimei donned a pure white long dress, a gift from the empress. The dress had an old dynasty style, very wide, adorned with light pink petals and a delicate, light blue water-patterned hem. Shimei fell in love with it at first sight. It was like flower petals floating on a stream, silky and comfortable.

Climbing into bed, Shimei cuddled with the plump little Fuxi, who wagged its tail at her.

"Fuxi!" Shimei rolled around with it on the bed. The dress was so wide that her pale arms and slender legs were exposed… She then noticed the small scar from a childhood injury still on her knee.

Shimei, holding Fuxi, became lost in thought, wondering if the body was still hers.

Xiangyi entered with a tray of snow fungus and red date soup, and upon seeing Shimei, exclaimed, "Ah, Shimei, hide your legs, everyone can see!"

Shimei quickly dove under the covers.

Zhan Yu and Hongye also entered the room. Zhan Yu held a small box, and Hongye, fresh from a bath and in short attire, evidently ready for martial training, was also barefoot in wooden clogs.

"Aren't you cold?" Shimei quickly opened the covers for Hongye to join her under them.

Zhan Yu had created her own nail polish, a vivid red from crushed red and blue pigments, intended for Hongye's nails, who wanted to paint red maple leaves on them.

On the bed, Xiangyi continued her embroidery at the bed end, while Hongye, seated inside the covers, stretched out her hands for Zhan Yu, who was painting her nails with care.

Shimei spooned the snow fungus soup to herself, occasionally feeding a spoonful to Hongye and Zhan Yu.

"Shimei, did you go to Fengxiang Pavilion with Bai She?" Zhan Yu asked with concern, "What did you do there?"

Shimei recounted her recent visit to Fengxiang Pavilion with Bai She.

Zhan Yu, Hongye, and Xiangyi, listening intently, widened their eyes in surprise, asking, "Really?"

Shimei nodded in confirmation.

"Wow... Bai She is so generous!" Hongye exclaimed, "Shimei, he must have feelings for you!"

Shimei's ears turned red, denying, "No, that's not true."

Zhan Yu applauded, "That's the spirit of a true wanderer, decisive and straightforward!"

After finishing her meal, Shimei placed the bowl on a small table beside the bed, leaning back against the plush quilt, hugging Fuxi while watching Zhan Yu meticulously paint Hongye's nails.

Suddenly, Hongye announced, "Shimei, I'll be leaving tomorrow."

Shimei and Zhan Yu exchanged a surprised look.

"Hongye, why leave so soon?" Xiangyi protested, "Your wound hasn't fully healed."

Hongye contemplated, "I have things to do."

Shimei inquired, "Hongye, are you going to Guizhou?"

Hongye was startled and looked at Shimei, nodding after a long pause. "We are indeed from Guizhou. Did you and Bai She find out?" she asked.

"Yes," Shimei nodded, inquiring, "Who is that person?"

Hongye appeared troubled.

Zhan Yu advised, "Don't be foolish over a man. There are plenty of good men in the world. That man deceived you, and now you're seeking him out before you're healed. What if something happens?"

Hongye fell silent, then said, "Once I settle things, I'll return here."

Seeing Shimei and Zhan Yu's worried glances, Hongye seemed resolute in her decision. They didn't say more, but concern lingered in their hearts.

That night, everyone dispersed to sleep.

Shimei lay in bed, propping her chin with one hand while idly twiddling Fuxi's paw with the other, unable to sleep.

Xiangyi was already fast asleep on a nearby couch.

Shimei's mind was a whirl of thoughts, fluctuating between Bai She's recent smile and Hongye's expression of parting.

Suddenly, she heard the neighing of horses outside.

Startled, Shimei quickly got up and rushed outside.

The sound of the door woke Xiangyi, who sat up looking around, "Shimei?"

Shimei ran into the courtyard, first checking Hongye's room, only to find it empty. Frowning, she dashed to the gate and saw a red figure on a horse, quickly disappearing into the night.

"Hongye!" Shimei shouted out twice.

Inside the Xiangfen Residence, Xiangyi, Zhan Yu, and the others also emerged.

"What's going on?" Zhan Yu inquired.

"Hongye left," Shimei stated. "Going alone like this, she's surely seeking death!"

Zhan Yu and Xiangyi were both startled.

"Hongye didn't even take her bag!" exclaimed Hongye's maid. "I just checked; she only took her sword."

Zhan Yu frowned, "Heading to Guizhou without her belongings?"

"What happened?"

At that moment, they saw Bai She leaning against the doorframe of the Bai residence, looking perplexed at the commotion.

"Hongye has left," Shimei pointed ahead.

Bai She slightly furrowed his brow in thought, then turned and whistled sharply...

From within the Bai residence, a white horse galloped out, snorting loudly. Bai She leaped onto the horse and swiftly scooped up Shimei from the ground, chasing after Hongye.

"Oh no!" Xiangyi exclaimed in panic.

Zhan Yu reassured, "It'll be fine. Maybe they can bring her back. From Hongye's demeanor, it seemed less like she was heading to Guizhou and more like she was rushing towards death."

"No!" Xiangyi stamped her foot. "Shimei is only wearing her undergarments!"

"Uh..."

The maids exchanged glances, while Zhan Yu clicked her tongue and turned back, "Ah, I'll go light some incense and pray for their safety."

……

Shimei, initially frantic, breathed a sigh of relief as Bai She rode far out, faintly spotting a red figure ahead. But then she realized she felt cold.

Looking down, Shimei's face turned beet red.

In her haste, she had only worn her long dress. Wanting comfort while sleeping, she had even removed her undergarments, and now her wooden clogs were gone too.

Stunned, Shimei realized she was just in her underdress, sitting on Bai She's horse, disheveled and barefoot. Bai She's hand was on her waist, separated only by a thin layer of fabric, and she could feel the warmth of his palm... This was mortifying!

Shimei, blushing like a cooked shrimp, tried to shrink into herself, sneaking glances at Bai She. He seemed focused ahead, apparently oblivious to her improper state.

Shimei used one hand to cover her chest.

Then, Bai She spoke to her, “She’s headed to the dilapidated temple on the outskirts of the city.”

Nodding, Shimei added, “She didn’t bring her bag, might be meeting someone. I think she’s in danger.”

“Could also be meeting accomplices,” suggested Bai She.

“No, she wouldn’t deceive and left secretly because of danger,” Shimei insisted seriously. “Hongye is not like other subservient girls. She’s decisive and unafraid of death.”

Bai She chuckled.

Shi Mei looked at him, “Why the laugh? Don’t lose track of me.”

“She’s entered the temple; I saw her,” Bai She informed, pulling the horse to a stop.

“Aren’t we chasing her?” Shimei was anxious.

"Approaching directly will get us noticed," Bai She said, dismounting and looking up to help Shimei down, only to notice her bare feet and a glimpse of her snow-white leg peeking out from under her dress.

Bai She paused, giving Shimei a thorough look, eyebrows raised in apparent surprise.

Shimei, wishing she could bury herself, covered herself with her hands and curled her feet under, exclaiming, "Don't look!"

Shaking his head with a resigned expression, Bai She said, “Come down.”

Hesitating, Shimei heard Bai She's stern warning, “If you don’t come down now and she dies, it’s on you.”

Startled, Shimei leaped down, and Bai She caught her perfectly. Without a word, he cradled her in his arms, silently approaching the temple's vicinity.

Reaching the wall behind the temple, Bai She whispered in Shimei's ear, “Cover your mouth and nose, and stay quiet!”

Shimei's ears burned at his closeness. She covered her mouth and nose, and Bai She glanced at her, cautioning, “Just don’t suffocate yourself.”

Shimei glared at him, thinking, Do you think I’m an idiot?!

Bai She glanced down again, prompting Shimei to turn away, hiding herself from his view.

Observing Shimei's flustered face, Bai She refrained from commenting, swiftly climbing the wall. The courtyard was empty, everyone likely inside the main hall.

In the yard, Bai She led Shimei to the front of the hall. She kept quiet, noticing candlelight flickering through the window.

Peering through a dilapidated window, Bai She and Shimei could clearly see inside the temple.

In the center of the main hall was a bonfire, beside which sat a person in white. Opposite them, at the entrance, stood Hongye, sword in hand.

The person in white was facing away from Shimei and Bai She.

Hongye stood silently at the entrance for a moment before finally speaking, “It really is you.”

Shimei glanced at Bai She – was that man impersonating you?

Bai She raised an eyebrow, slightly dismissive – Probably.

“Come back with me,” the man suddenly spoke, his voice deep, betraying his youth. “In a few days, there's a martial arts gathering. Tell them how Bai She killed your brothers.”

Shimei was startled, turning to Bai She, whose face remained expressionless.

“The person was clearly killed by you,” Hongye stated coolly. “And yet you want me to wrongly accuse Bai She?”

“Didn’t you also seek revenge from Bai She? You saw it too,” the man said casually. Shimei shivered; Hongye’s eyes were lifeless, her face pale.

“It was because of the sachet!” Hongye exclaimed. “The sachet you gave us was tampered with! That day, you wanted to kill me too. But the incense clouded my judgment, making me shout for Bai She, which is why you spared me!”

Shimei realized the truth – So that was it!

The man chuckled softly, “Indeed, it was Bai She, just your wild imagination.”

“You fought with my elder brother and the others, and with me too… Why did you do it?” Hongye asked, her eyes red with emotion.

“Someone paid a high price for that jade Buddha,” the man replied.

“For money?!” Hongye’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How can you even say that?”

“But now, there's something more valuable than that Buddha,” the man said, smirking. “Bai She’s life! Work with me this time, and once we're successful, I'll marry you.”

Shimei seethed with anger, despising the man. She wanted to curse but restrained herself, fearing discovery. Glancing up, she saw Bai She nodding at her, as if to say – Go ahead and vent.

Shimei frowned and suddenly yelled out, “Despicable! A despicable man!”

At this outcry, both individuals inside reacted; the man abruptly stood up, drawing his sword and charging towards Hongye, only to hear a loud crash as the rear window burst open and a white figure darted in.

The man saw a white blur rushing towards him.

Hongye, too, was startled when someone flew towards her. She reached out and caught Shimei.

“Shimei…”

“Hongye!” Shimei steadied herself against Hongye and turned back to look.

In the middle of the dilapidated temple, the man stood frozen, a broken sword in his hand.

Bai She was close by, holding the other half of the blade.

With a clanging sound that broke the standoff, Bai She dropped the blade fragment to the ground and questioned the man in white, “Who gave you the sachet?”

The man stepped back, eyeing Bai She warily.

Realizing Shimei's attire, Hongye surmised she must have rushed out and sought Bai She's help.

“Shimei,” Hongye began, but Shimei interjected, “Why did you even come to see him? Did you still hope he was forced into this situation?”

Hongye bit her lip, her thoughts exposed.

Shimei turned back, her gaze icy as she addressed the man, whispering, “Excuses like being coerced or facing hardships are just that – excuses. A man who truly loves you would rather die than harm you.”

After hearing this, Hongye stood in a daze, then laughed bitterly, “Yes...”

The man in white sneered at Bai She and turned to Hongye, “Did you betray me?”

Annoyed, Shi Mei retorted, “Have you no shame?!”

Hongye suddenly laughed, pulling Shimei behind her, "Stop hopping around, you'll be seen by everyone!"

Shimei, startled, quickly hid.

The man noticed Shimei, thinking she was quite attractive, but when he turned back, he saw Bai She watching him coldly.

"Bai She," the man said, "I have no grudge against you. The framing is just a coincidence."

Bai She remained expressionless while Shimei, holding onto Hongye, said, "Hongye, this man is not worthy of you!"

Hongye turned around, the previous despair and unwillingness in her eyes replaced by disdain, nodding, "Right, I was blind!"

"Exactly!" Shimei agreed.

Seeing Bai She pulling out a white, long bundle from behind, the man stepped back, "We have no feud, you don't need to kill me, do you?"

Bai She raised an eyebrow slightly, "Not kill you? Why not?"

"I can return the jade Buddha to you!" the man offered.

"I can get it just the same if you're dead," Bai She replied, unfazed.

"I can tell you who wants the jade Buddha."

"I'm not interested."

"Don’t you want to know the source of the sachet?"

Bai She raised an eyebrow, "I can find out on my own."

"Are you determined to kill me today?" the man frowned.

Bai She nodded affirmatively, "You're quite sharp."

Shimei couldn't help but laugh; Bai She was so wicked!

"Why?" the man protested, "Those eight freaks who died weren't good people either, and they had no ties with your Gui Dao Villa."

Bai She's gaze suddenly shifted, looking at Shimei standing behind Hongye, and asked, "Is she pretty?"

Everyone was taken aback. Shimei, blushing furiously, scolded, "Bai She! You jerk!"

The man chuckled, "Indeed, a beauty."

Hongye frowned in displeasure.

Bai She nodded in agreement, "You looked at something you shouldn't have, so you deserve to die."

……

While everyone was still stunned, the man saw a flash of cold light... Hongye quickly shielded Shimei, aware that as someone unaccustomed to the ways of the jianghu, she might have nightmares if she saw what was about to happen.

When Shimei dared to peek again, Bai She had already sheathed his sword, a beautifully patterned silver blade wrapped in a cloth bundle in his hand.

On the ground lay a lifeless body.

"Don't look," Bai She warned Shimei, "or you'll have trouble sleeping tonight."

Shimei obediently looked away, comforting Hongye, "It's okay, we'll find someone better for you! This also avenges your brothers!"

Hongye nodded, but her expression remained troubled.

After leaving the ruined temple, Hongye mounted her horse alone, while Bai She helped Shimei onto his. Shimei noticed Hongye ahead, clearly crying as she rode.

Bai She wanted to speed up, but Shimei said, "Slow down a bit."

Frowning, Bai She asked, "Aren't you cold?"

Shimei felt okay and replied, "I'll just have some ginger soup when we get back."

Bai She nodded and shared, "That man's name is Yu Yan. He's somewhat known in the martial arts world. He and his brothers, along with Hongye, were called the 'Ten Bizarre of Qiandong,' infamous for committing murders and robberies for money."

“Making a living isn’t easy,” Shi Mei remarked. “It’s all in the past now.”

Bai She seemed surprised, "You're quite understanding, considering Hongye's not exactly innocent. You trust her just like that?"

Shimei responded, "So what? I like her and sympathize with her situation. My reputation isn't great either; it's like a broken pot meeting another."

Bai She suddenly laughed, choosing not to say more.

After a while, Shimei spoke softly, "Thank you for your help this time."

Bai She pondered for a moment, then asked, "Do you still have any Ziyu (Purple Jade) at your home?"

Shimei looked at him with wide eyes, "No, I don't have any left!"

Bai She looked down at her, smiling faintly, "Oh… none left, huh."

Shi Mei laughed heartily, slapping Bai She on the shoulder, “Ah, we’re so familiar now!” Internally she thought, ‘I’ve already bared it all to you, what more do you want?’

Bai She, however, shook his head, murmuring, "Jianghu people are always after their own interests."

Shimei, on the verge of tears, asked, "So, what do you want?"

Bai She glanced at Shimei and lightly played with the pearl dangling from her earlobe, whispering, "Let's keep it as a debt for now. According to the rules of Jianghu, we'll count it with ten percent interest."

Shimei, lying forlornly on the horse, pleaded, "Can't we just forget about it?"

Bai She's fingers brushed against her waist as he held the horse's reins, his lips curving into a smile, "No, we can't."