Chapter 53

A narrow escape, yet advantageous.

The night passed without incident, and the group set off early the next morning, making a brief stop to freshen up before continuing their journey.

They stayed on the official road, emerging from the forest and nearing Qianzhou Prefecture. It seemed quiet, perhaps because they had arrived too early in the day.

Upon entering the town, Red Ye complained of hunger. She and Qin Peng spotted a promising restaurant and hurried in for a meal.

Shimei mused that in some ways, the pair were quite compatible; if only they could overcome their prejudices, they might be very happy together.

As they settled on the second floor of the restaurant, someone exclaimed in surprise and delight, "Brother Bai, what a coincidence!"

Baisha recognized Fu Si's voice immediately. Turning around, he saw Fu Si sitting at a nearby table, accompanied by Fu Ying and a few of the Fu family's attendants.

In that moment, all Shimei and her companions could think was: indeed, enemies often cross each other’s paths!

Baisha nodded to Fu Si and sat down to order.

Red Ye and Qin Peng, famished, were unconcerned with the others. They ordered a feast of meat and fish, washing it down with several jars of fine wine, thoroughly enjoying their meal.

Red Ye, in particular, was impressively spirited, engaging in a lively tussle with Qin Peng over the dishes.

Shimei assisted her by pouring wine.

“Brother Bai, are you here for the birthday celebration of Elder Duan?” Fu Si suddenly inquired.

Baisha hesitated, unsure how to respond. He was unaware of any celebration for Elder Duan and had no close ties with the Duan family. Given his usual disdain for dishonesty, he found himself at a loss for words when the truth wasn’t an option.

In the brief moment of Baisha's hesitation, Shimei feigned displeasure and teasingly chided him, “Oh! So you claimed you were accompanying me to find spices, but you actually planned to attend someone’s birthday celebration. I'm just an afterthought!”

Baisha understood and was grateful for Shimei's quick thinking.

Qin Peng winked at Red Ye, who was busy eating, signaling – See that? That’s what a wise and supportive partner looks like!

Red Ye rolled her eyes, thinking Qin Peng was being ridiculous.

Baisha smiled and gently patted Shimei's head, whispering, “I really did come just to accompany you. There’s no birthday celebration I’m attending.”

Shimei was momentarily taken aback, thinking there was no need for Baisha to act so convincingly. A simple placation would have sufficed. Catching a glimpse of Fu Ying, who was glaring at her with clenched teeth, Shimei felt a sense of satisfaction at Fu Ying’s rare display of annoyance.

Fu Si, realizing he couldn’t pursue the matter further with Baisha's tone suggesting he was merely appeasing Shimei, decided not to probe further.

Fu Si smoothly changed the subject, providing an exit for himself, “Oh, it was presumptuous of me. Elder Duan’s birthday celebration is usually just a small family affair. I was sent by my father to deliver a gift. Brother Bai might not be aware, and Miss Chen shouldn’t be suspicious, don’t wrong a good man.”

Shimei nodded, sharing a knowing look with Baisha, aware of Fu Si’s initial intention of prying for information.

Fu Si then casually asked, “Where are you staying?” still seemingly interested.

Unfamiliar with the Qianzhong area and unable to reveal their intention to visit the Ghost Fox Forest, Shimei and Baisha remained cautious.

Red Ye unexpectedly interjected, “We're staying at my late brother’s villa. I have a vendetta against the Duan family and prefer not to associate with anyone connected to them. Please excuse us, Master Fu.” She then resumed eating.

Qin Peng looked at Red Ye, slightly taken aback.

Red Ye raised an eyebrow at him as if to say – See, it’s not that hard!

Shimei gently patted Red Ye’s back as if to comfort her, while discreetly high-fiving her under the table – a silent pact to end further questioning.

Qin Peng touched his nose, and Baisha poured him a drink, signaling him to focus on the meal, indicating that both girls were not to be underestimated.

After being publicly rebuffed by Hongye, it seemed unlikely that Fu Si could easily reconcile with them, unless he admitted that his family had no ties with the Duan family. Realizing this, Shimei smiled apologetically at him.

Fu Si sighed and shook his head. With one playing the good cop and the other the bad, not only could he not get any information, but it also made him irritable!

Fu Ying watched as Bai She occasionally served food to Shimei, their glances and laughter during conversation revealing a genuine closeness. Fu Ying couldn't understand what was so appealing about Shimei. Bai She, usually reserved and serious, seemed especially fond of her. Although Chen Shimei was undoubtedly beautiful, Bai She was not one to be swayed merely by beauty.

Fu Si and his party finished their meal first and took their leave.

Upon reaching the ground floor and mounting their horses, Fu Si noticed Fu Ying's displeasure and listlessness, and teased her with a smile, "What's the matter? Jealous?"

Fu Ying rolled her eyes at him and muttered to herself, "No taste!"

"Oh?" Fu Si teased her further, "Who's the one with no taste that upset my sister?"

Fu Ying’s face grew even darker, and she glared at him sharply, "And you're laughing!"

"Don't worry," Fu Si reassured her, patting her shoulder, "Bai She will be yours eventually."

Fu Ying was somewhat incredulous, "How do you know that?"

"I'll tell you a secret," Fu Si pondered. "This Chen Shumei... she's not the real Chen Shumei at all."

"How do you know?" Fu Ying was shocked, then realized, "Oh! She's supposed to be the Empress Dowager's daughter. I knew it; she's nothing like the rumors, as if she's a completely different person. It turns out she's an imposter. This is a crime of deceiving the emperor! If her death is linked to the real princess, that would be a crime worthy of exterminating her entire family!"

Fu Si smiled faintly, "As far as I know, she doesn't have any family."

Fu Ying was stunned, "Ah! That's right. Brother, if she's just a girl with no background, no matter how well she makes fragrances, she wouldn't be so favored by the Empress Dowager. Could the rumors be true that she's the Empress Dowager's biological daughter? My, this is a royal scandal! The Empress Dowager would surely abandon her to protect herself from this vulnerability."

After hearing this, Fu Si suddenly shook his head and asked, "Ying'er, do you really like Bai She that much?"

Fu Ying blushed slightly, "Why do you ask that?"

"Oh... loving someone can blind you," Fu Si brushed his hair blown onto his shoulder by the wind and advised softly, "I've taught you countless times... one must understand the situation and not be swayed by emotions. Doing what's most beneficial for oneself, that's what smart people do."

After hearing this, Fu Ying whispered, "Didn’t I say... Chen Shumei is doomed."

"Why should we doom her?" Fu Si countered, "Keeping her alive allows us to threaten the Empress Dowager. Her identity, under our control, is more advantageous than exposing and having her entire family executed. Once she's dead, she's of no use to me."

"I..." Fu Ying fell silent and sighed, looking away.

"Being ruthless is good; it's easy to be taken advantage of otherwise," Fu Si lifted his hand, gently whipping the horse, "But being too ruthless is not attractive in a girl, no man would dare to want her." With that, he spurred his horse forward.

Fu Ying glared at Fu Si and reluctantly gathered her thoughts to follow, reminding herself not to be unsettled. Chen Shumei, let's wait and see!

……

Not long after Fu Si and his party left, Shi Mei and the others were almost finished eating.

"Are we really going to your brother's old house?" Shi Mei asked Hong Ye.

"Yeah... if you don't mind, let's stay there. It's probably quite simple though, my sister-in-law and nephew live there," Hong Ye said softly.

"That's perfect, you haven't seen them in a long time, it's good to go home for a visit."

"Yeah..." Hong Ye seemed to be touched by memories, becoming melancholic.

Qin Dai paid the bill and waited at the door, instructing the attendant to bring out the horses. He saw Shi Mei leading Hong Ye out of the inn, with Bai She following behind.

Hong Ye's eyes and nose were red, as if she had been crying. She looked pitiful getting into the carriage. Shi Mei followed, continuously comforting her.

Qin Dai was somewhat dumbfounded, wondering to himself what was happening. Even the usually wild Hong Ye had her moments of tears?

"Let's go," Bai She mounted his horse.

"Oh..." Qin Dai glanced back at the carriage and just then Hong Ye, wiping her tears, looked up. Seeing Qin Dai staring at her, she glared fiercely, pulled the curtain down, and blocked her face from his view.

After mounting his horse, Qin Dai, still concerned, moved closer to Bai She and asked, "Hey, boss, why is that girl crying?"

Bai She looked at Qin Dai blankly and asked, "Who's crying?"

Qin Dai's mouth twitched slightly, "Never mind... let's get moving."

This left Bai She somewhat puzzled. Who was crying? He hadn't noticed.

As the carriage journeyed on, Hong Ye cried all the way.

Shi Mei, feeling quite sympathetic, said, "Hong Ye, don't cry. Shouldn't seeing your family make you happy? They wrote saying everything at home is fine, and the kids miss you, right?"

"But all my brothers are dead. If only I hadn't been deceived by that despicable man, things wouldn't have turned out this way," Hong Ye lamented, feeling remorseful and believing that no amount of silver she sent home could make up for it.

"Don't be too hard on yourself. You said it yourself – your eldest brother was used as a scapegoat because he wanted to prove his connection to the Duan family," Shi Mei comforted, patting her back. "We must stand tall and show those who look down on us!"

"Mm-hmm," Hong Ye nodded, and Shi Mei wiped away her tears.

At that moment, Qin Dai was riding close to the carriage window and, hearing their conversation, furrowed his brow, then sped up to Bai She, asking, "Hey, does that crazy girl really have a grudge against the Duan family?"

Bai She couldn't help but chuckle, "Do you think she was joking?"

"Seeing her acting all crazy, I didn't expect her to be so deeply principled," Qin Dai admitted with admiration.

"If you feel sorry for her, help her seek revenge."

Qin Dai raised an eyebrow, "Are you serious? Don't tease me, I really want to help!"

Bai She shrugged indifferently, "It's worth a try."

Qin Dai narrowed his eyes, "What are you planning?"

"Why do you think Fu Si came here?"

"Not to mention the pretext of celebrating Elder Duan's birthday... that's just an excuse?"

"Fu Si used to avoid me whenever possible. If it weren't for my serious injury, I might have been a match for him. I doubt he would seek me out on his own," Bai She said as he gently patted the horse's neck. "This man, always opportunistic, is now at odds with Duan Yan. Both are equally powerful, but Duan Yan is more low-key. I fear he will be astonishingly formidable once he decides to act."

Qin Dai chuckled and nudged Bai She, "Ah, you're finally thinking clearly, not spacing out anymore?"

Bai She glanced at him sideways, "I'm trying to find a way for you to avenge your beloved. If you don't want to listen, pretend I never said anything."

"I'm listening! Keep talking," Qin Dai quickly interjected, "Do you mean Fu Si came here for the fragrance estate? Not... for Xiao Mei?"

Bai She raised a finger and swayed it lightly, "Fu Si isn't so petty. He always aims high, preferring to look at the bigger picture."

Qin Dai frowned, "Could he possibly be..."

"Yes," Bai She nodded with a cold smile, "He's interested in Shi Mei's identity and the power of the royal family."