Chapter 43

To make an enemy a friend, first extend the hand of friendship.

In the morning light, the mountain valley lost its nocturnal eeriness, replaced by the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers.

"It's quite pleasant here during the day," Shi Mei remarked appreciatively, looking around.

"It wouldn't feel scary at night with more people," Bai She commented with a smile, glancing again at the bamboo steamer in Shi Mei's hands, his interest in it persisting.

Shi Mei remained silent, allowing Bai She to lead her by the hand up the mountain.

The journey wasn't far, and they soon came upon two small mounds on a slope ahead, each marked by a tombstone.

Curiously observing, Shi Mei heard Bai She explain, "The one in the middle is my master, and the one next to it is my mistress."

"Oh..." Shi Mei was tempted to ask about the others, but then thought better of it, realizing it didn't really matter since her visit was merely a formality to 'meet' Bai She's master.

Suddenly, she slapped her hand lightly in regret, "Ah, you should have told me earlier. I would have brought some joss paper as a gift. It feels inappropriate to visit elders empty-handed."

By the time they reached the graves, Bai She, with a soft smile, responded, "We burn plenty every year, they probably have more than enough to use."

At the gravesite, Shi Mei prepared to pay her respects, but Bai She stopped her, asking, "What are you doing?"

Somewhat puzzled, she replied, "Paying respects."

Bai She informed her, "My master said not just anyone can pay respects. Only the wives of the Bai family are permitted to do so."

Shi Mei's face flushed with embarrassment at his words.

Bai She, with a smile, pointed to a tile on the ground and asked Shi Mei, "Will you pay respects?"

Shi Mei remained silent, thinking to herself that she wouldn't be easily tricked into doing so.

Bai She smiled silently and stood still, looking into the distance, then said to Shi Mei, “Let’s go.”

"Just like that?" Shi Mei was surprised.

Bai She chuckled, “Well, you refused to pay respects. If you had, we could have stayed longer and negotiated with the old man for a bigger dowry.”

Shi Mei's ears turned red, and she playfully pushed Bai She.

Bai She was genuinely surprised by the push, realizing that the girl had some spunk in her.

"Let's go." Having pushed Bai She and seeing his astonished reaction, Shi Mei felt quite satisfied and turned to lead the horse downhill.

Bai She touched the spot where Shi Mei had pushed him, smiling faintly... and followed her down the mountain.

Back on the main road, Shi Mei mentioned she was starving, so Bai She quickened their pace back to the city. At the best tea house in town, they went upstairs and ordered Shi Mei's favorite crab roe buns and small wontons.

As they sat eating and chatting, the teahouse was bustling with people discussing various topics. Someone mentioned that Fu Si, a young master, planned to capture Guan Luo Ri to rid the people of a menace.

Shi Mei frowned slightly and looked at Bai She.

However, Bai She didn't react visibly, focusing on eating as if he hadn't heard anything.

Shi Mei leaned closer to him and whispered, "Did you hear that?"

Bai She raised an eyebrow and teased, "Is your stomach growling?"

Shi Mei glared at him, and Bai She chuckled, "Fu Si?"

"Yes," Shi Mei nodded seriously. "Don't you find it strange? Fu Si hasn't even received the incense powder he requested from me, yet he's already boasting about taking down Guan Luo Ri. With Guan Luo Ri injured and his vision impaired, he certainly won't stand a chance against Fu Si."

Bai She nodded in agreement, "Hmm."

"Hmm?" Shi Mei stared at him. "Is that all you have to say?!"

Bai She chuckled, "What do you expect then? To pull out a horse and challenge Fu Si to a 300-round duel?"

"Er..." Shi Mei simply ignored him, thinking to herself that he really was clueless, not realizing the devious tricks Fu Si might be playing.

Bai She reached over gently, wiping the soup from the corner of Shi Mei's mouth, and whispered, "Once we've finished eating, I'll take you back. Don't get involved in these jianghu matters."

Shi Mei looked up at him with a pitiful gaze.

Thinking she misunderstood him as finding her annoying, Bai She quickly clarified, "That's not what I meant..."

Shi Mei stared at him for a while, then suddenly flashed a sly smile, asking, "Then what do you mean?"

Bai She was stunned for a moment, realizing as Shi Mei continued to happily eat her wontons that she had started to tease him. He wondered when she had become so playful. Had that push earlier emboldened her?

After finishing the crab roe buns in her steamer basket, Shi Mei stealthily took one from Bai She's basket.

Bai She pushed his steamer towards her and asked, "Is that enough? Shall I order another basket for you?"

Shi Mei shook her head, insisting on eating Bai She's portion.

Bai She, feeling somewhat helpless, recalled Qin Dai's earlier words: Shi Mei's indifference towards him was supposedly a sign of affection. So, what did her current opposition in everything signify? Were they now in harmony?

As they were eating, someone approached their table. "Bai brother, Miss Chen, what a coincidence?" greeted the newcomer.

Shi Mei looked up and thought to herself, speak of the devil, it was Fu Si himself.

Bai She glanced at Fu Si, giving him a slight nod in acknowledgment.

Fu Si sat down, accompanied by Fu Ying.

After ordering, Fu Ying noticed the steamer basket in Shi Mei's hand and curiously asked, "Why are you holding a steamer basket?"

Shi Mei blinked, "Ah... I'm taking some dim sum back with me."

Fu Ying couldn't help but chuckle, finding the idea amusing, "Using a steamer basket to carry it?" Meanwhile, she observed Bai She placing the last crab roe bun in front of Shi Mei and signaling for more orders, clearly for Shi Mei to pack them in her basket to take back for Red Leaf and the others.

As Shi Mei was finishing her last bun, she noticed Fu Ying's continuous gaze, which made her a bit uncomfortable. Internally she muttered, 'What's the big deal? Haven't seen a beauty eat one basket and then three more? What's wrong with having two baskets?'

As the waiter brought over steaming hot buns and awkwardly filled Shi Mei's large steamer basket, Bai She paid for the meal and prepared to leave with her.

However, Fu Si interjected, "Brother Bai, are you free this afternoon?"

Bai She glanced at him inquiringly, "What's the matter?"

Fu Si smiled, "I've arranged a meeting with a few heroes to discuss dealing with Guan Luo Ri. Your assistance would be invaluable."

Bai She responded with a slight smile, "I'm not available."

Fu Si seemed to have anticipated this response and nodded understandingly.

Bai She then led Shi Mei downstairs, mounted their horse, and returned to the Fragrance Residence.

Fu Ying sipped her soup, sighing deeply.

"Why the sighs?" Fu Si asked with a smile.

"What's so good about that Chen Zhuomei? She's pretty, but she seems so clueless," Fu Ying seemed dissatisfied, "Just a pretty face."

Fu Si chuckled, "Women prefer women who are not as pretty but smart."

"What do you mean?" Fu Ying frowned.

"Men like women who are beautiful yet simple," Fu Si sipped his tea, "Besides, Chen Zhuomei is not simple-minded. She lacks cunning, but possesses profound wisdom."

"Yeah, right," Fu Ying laughed off his comment, "Such great wisdom, yet she ended up divorcing Qin Xianglian. That doesn’t add up."

"I've always been puzzled by that," Fu Si mused, resting his chin on his hand, "Chen Zhuomei doesn’t seem like someone who would engage in such absurdities. Maybe there's more to the story?"

"Brother," Fu Ying frowned, "You're not interested in her too, are you? I definitely can't get along with her!"

Fu Si smiled slightly, "I'm not interested in her. I'm just curious about Bai She’s choice... Aren't you?"

Fu Ying glared at him and then silently lowered her head, sulking as she ate.

"That attitude won't help," Fu Si tapped her tea bowl with a chopstick, "If you truly like him, fight for him. Bai She is a catch; I'd be more than happy to have someone like him as a brother-in-law."

Fu Ying's face flushed, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Fu Si smiled and continued to eat.

After a moment of thought, Fu Ying looked up at him and asked, "Brother, do I still have a chance?"

Fu Si studied his sister for a while and then asked, "What exactly do you like about Bai She?"

Fu Ying scoffed, "Then what exactly do you dislike about Bai She?"

Fu Si was taken aback, and after a long pause, he chuckled and shook his head, "Hmm, that's quite the Fu family spirit. But..."

"What?" Fu Ying propped her chin up and looked at him.

"To deal with your enemy," Fu Si stabbed a small bun with his chopstick, watching the thick soup slowly ooze out, and smirked, "it's best to first become their friend."

"Hmm..." Fu Ying nodded, "Is that why you always act brotherly towards Bai She? But what if he doesn’t respond to you?"

Fu Si's expression turned slightly cold as he spoke in a low voice, "Then it means, this person must be eliminated."

Fu Ying was shocked, looking at her own brother.

However, Fu Si burst into laughter, serving her a crab roe bun, "Just teasing you. Eat up, and when you’re done, visit the Fragrance Residence. Learn from those noble ladies, especially how to dress up elegantly. Only then can you get married."

Furious, Fu Ying glared at him and lowered her head to eat the bun, missing the fleeting harshness in Fu Si's eyes.

Bai She's horse stopped in front of the Fragrance Residence. As usual, he lifted Shi Mei down at the door, bid farewell, and then headed back to the Bai Residence.

Shi Mei, happily holding the basket, entered the gate and saw Xiang Er running towards her, “Oh, Sister Mei, you’re finally back! We were about to report to the authorities, thinking Bai She had abducted you.”

Shi Mei smiled and said, “Prepare some paper and pen for me, along with a boiled egg and some gauze!”

“An egg?” Xiang Er was puzzled, but promptly went to fulfill Shi Mei's request.

Entering the courtyard, Zan Yue and Hong Ye were busy with drawing and accounting. Seeing her return, they too breathed a sigh of relief.

Hong Ye jumped up and exclaimed, “What’s Bai She’s intention? Taking a lady out overnight without even being married!”

Shi Mei scratched her face and placed the crab roe buns on the table to ease the tension.

Zan Yue curiously asked, "Where did this steamer basket come from?"

Shi Mei, with a beaming smile, walked into the room holding the basket, followed by Xiao Fu Zi meowing behind her.

After setting the basket on the table, Shi Mei took the egg and gauze from Xiang Er and made an imprinting tool. Dipping her brush in ink, she lightly brushed the bottom of the basket and gently laid a thick sheet of Xuan paper over it. Using the egg to press down lightly, she soon created an imprint.

Carefully drying the imprint, Shi Mei folded it and placed it into an envelope, instructing Xiao Xi Zi to deliver it directly to Bai She’s residence.

Only after Xiao Xi Zi returned and reported the successful delivery did Shi Mei finally relax.

"Mei Zi, what's all this about?" Hong Ye leaned in curiously.

Shi Mei looked around, closed the door, and gathered the maids on the bed to share the story in whispers.

"What did you say?" Hong Ye and Zan Yue reacted with shock and excitement, "Bai She said you're his beloved and even took you to pay respects to his master?"

Shi Mei couldn't help but smile, "Aren't you guys curious about the Buddha statue...?"

"Who cares about a Buddha statue?" Hong Ye waved her hand, releasing a faint fragrance of osmanthus, which Shi Mei found delightful.

"Mei Zi!" Hong Ye asked seriously, "Did you agree to him?"

Shi Mei blushed and fiddled with her hair, "I... didn't say anything."

"Why didn't you agree?" Hong Ye sprang up, "Go for it first, and then see how it goes! Bai She looks like he's got the whole package!"

Shi Mei's cheeks reddened even more, and in panic, she pushed Hong Ye, "Stop talking nonsense, it's embarrassing!"

Zan Yue, more composed than Hong Ye, held her back, "Hey, don't tease her." Then, turning to Shi Mei, she inquired, "What do you think? Do you like him?"

Shi Mei couldn't quite respond, but the subtle smile in her eyes gave away her feelings to Zan Yue and Hong Ye — there's a chance!

"Ah..." Zan Yue nodded, "That's good, Bai She is indeed a suitable match."

Shi Mei, hugging Xiao Fu Zi, sat on the bed lost in thought. Having had little interaction with men her whole life, she was unsure how to handle this new situation.

In the midst of her contemplation, Shi Mei saw Xiang Er burst in, storming through the door with a fervor, "Sister Mei Zi!"

The sudden entrance startled all three maids.

"Oh my," Hong Ye clutched at her chest, "Xiang Er, what's the matter? You look ready to pick a fight."

"Ming Fu is here again!" Xiang Er huffed, hopping from one foot to the other.

Shi Mei was taken aback.

"I'll go and send her packing!" Hong Ye, still irked by Ming Fu's previous visit in mourning attire, was ready for action, "She's really pushing her luck after we've been so accommodating!"

"Wait a moment," Shi Mei, knowing she couldn't let Hong Ye confront Ming Fu, intervened and asked Xiang Er, "Why has she come?"

"Ming Fu says she's here to see you," Xiang Er replied, "She mentioned she has something to discuss with you."

After a moment's thought, Shi Mei nodded, "Serve her some tea and ask her to wait. I'll just change my clothes and be right there."

"You really going to deal with her?" Xiang Er had been hoping Shi Mei would let her chase Ming Fu away with a beating.

"It's alright," Shi Mei said with a smile, "If she causes a scene, we can still throw her out." After saying this, she ushered everyone out and closed the door to change her clothes.

Once the door was shut, Shi Mei looked around for a place to hide the steamer basket. She finally settled on a large camphor wood chest in the corner of the room, opening it to tuck the basket underneath some clothes.

After everything was in order, she considered taking a bath but realized there wasn’t enough time. Shi Mei quickly picked out a pale yellow gown from her wardrobe and hurriedly changed into it before going to meet Ming Fu, curious about the new trouble she might bring this time.