Chapter 63

Truth and fiction, all played out as planned.

Shi Mei could actually cry quite easily, although she rarely did. She had learned this skill from a young age. Initially, she was stubborn, not crying even when scolded by her father or bullied by her sisters. But later, some sympathetic old women taught her that showing vulnerability at the right times was a way to protect oneself when powerless, not a loss of dignity.

Mei Zi remembered this advice. Whenever she was bullied at home, she would run to a crowded place and cry. Her father, caring about his reputation and fearing neighborhood gossip about mistreating his child, would usually intervene. Thus, after learning to cry, the bullying Shi Mei faced lessened... although, at heart, she was someone who disliked crying and did so less as she grew stronger.

Now, she had a surefire way to make herself cry – just thinking about the possibility of returning to her old life, separated from Bai She, would bring tears to her eyes.

Bai She, watching from behind, frowned slightly – he felt a twinge of pity.

The two old women witnessing this scene initially paused in confusion, but as Shi Mei's crying intensified, they too felt helpless. Old Tree Granny asked, "What are you doing? Our plight is not as bad as yours, why are you crying?"

"Indeed," Poison Granny also inquired, "Did that man mistreat you?"

"You only think of men!" Shi Mei retorted angrily, "How many years have you wasted over a man? And what is he now but a handful of yellow soil? My mother has been captured, my brother is about to be killed, the world is in chaos, and here you are, still fighting over yellow soil!"

Old Tree Granny and Poison Granny looked at each other, their faces awkward. They assessed each other's appearance – neither human nor ghost... truly a pitiful sight.

Hearing Shi Mei's crying, the two women suddenly lost their appetite for arguing. Perhaps, the resentment that had sustained them all these years dissipated after seeing each other's state and venting their frustrations, vanishing like smoke.

Bai She came over to lift Shi Mei up, gently wiping her tears. He turned to Old Tree Granny, "Where is the treasure?"

Scratching her head, Tree Granny remained silent.

Shi Mei also looked at her expectantly.

With some reluctance, Old Tree Granny admitted, "I... I don't know."

Shi Mei's eyes widened in disbelief, and Bai She frowned.

"But you said you knew!"

Old Tree Granny sighed, "I was just deceiving you to deliver a message for me. The treasure has been gone for a long time! Someone had already dug up the grave site. It seemed there was nothing left, just an empty, collapsed pit. Whether they found anything, I don't know."

Shi Mei turned to Bai She, her eyes filled with urgency.

Bai Yu Tang, however, seemed quite composed and nodded, "Hmm... After all, the treasure of a defeated noble, from years ago, might not have been much. Besides, which famous treasure hasn't been stolen before?"

Shi Mei felt somewhat better hearing this but still disheartened. Although the treasure didn't attract her, the thought of everyone fighting over it, only to end up with nothing, seemed such a waste.

Then, Shi Mei asked Poison Granny about the emperor's illness.

Poison Granny mentioned she hadn't seen the person, so she was unsure of the specific illness. After a pause, she said, "I've grown quite fond of you, girl. My unique fragrance powder techniques will die with me if not passed on. I'll teach them to you, and you can figure out a way to save the emperor and your mother."

Naturally, Shi Mei was overjoyed, seeing a glimmer of hope. Time was of the essence, so she began learning day and night without rest.

The old woman imparted to Shi Mei many secrets of fragrance powders she had never heard before. Sometimes, just a few sentences were more helpful than a month of her own research. Mei Zi, intelligent and eager to learn, sat with her continuously, learning day and night.

Bai She took care of everyone while maintaining contact with Qin Dai about the outside world.

On the afternoon of the third day...

Bai She went out to catch some game and hurried back not long after, telling Shi Mei, "Qin Xiang Lian has sent people to search the mountains."

"What?" Shi Mei tensed up, "A search?"

"We need to lead them away," Bai She said, patting Shi Mei's shoulder gently. "This is the perfect opportunity to execute your mother's crucial plan."

Shi Mei's heart skipped a beat—the Empress Dowager's letter had mentioned that saving the emperor required making Qin Xiang Lian underestimate them. The best way was to fake Bai She's death and for Shi Mei to return to Qin Xiang Lian's side, then swiftly move to the next step of the plan. However, the thought of using this strategy and faking Bai She's death caused her immense heartache.

"How... how will you play it?" Shi Mei clutched Bai She's arm. "Isn't it dangerous?"

"Don't worry!" Bai She reassured, "I've already discussed everything with Qin Dai. There will be no problems, and your safety is ensured. I have people arranged inside Qin Xiang Lian's residence!"

"But still!"

"I'll be by your side," Bai She said, gently touching Shi Mei's neck to comfort her. "We must resolve this quickly. Every day Qin Xiang Lian holds power is another day of danger for your mother."

"I understand." Shi Mei nodded resolutely, her heart heavy. "Please be careful!"

Poison Granny, observing their heartfelt goodbye, felt a twinge of envy, "Ah... such good fortune for this girl."

Shi Mei turned to her, a thought striking her. She cozied up to Poison Granny, "Master, do you have any treasures? Bring them all out to save your disciple's life."

Poison Granny's jaw dropped, "You audacious girl, trying to divide your master’s possessions before even completing your apprenticeship?!"

Shi Mei smiled sweetly, "I'll be good to you in the future!"

Poison Granny thought, since everything would be Shi Mei's eventually, why not give it to her now? She searched herself and indeed handed over many treasures to Shi Mei, explaining their uses. Shi Mei joyfully hid them away.

Shi Mei then turned to Old Tree Granny.

Startled, Tree Granny exclaimed, "I don’t have any treasures here!"

Shi Mei, disbelieving, approached her, "I'll be good to you too!"

Bai She looked away, admiring Shi Mei’s directness and ease with people.

Old Tree Granny hesitated, then retrieved a short black stick from a tree hollow.

Shi Mei's face fell, seemingly unimpressed.

"You ungrateful girl!" Old Tree Granny scolded, "This is a treasure!" With that, she drew out the stick to reveal it was a dagger with a black blade, exceptionally sharp.

Old Tree Granny lightly struck a hard rock nearby with the dagger. With a crisp snap, the rock split in two, revealing the dagger’s extraordinary sharpness, able to slice through iron like mud!

Shi Mei quickly accepted the dagger, expressing her gratitude to the elders with a bow. She advised them to stay in the mountains without quarreling or fighting, promising to come back for them. After bidding farewell, she left with Bai She.

Leaving the two elders behind, the story now follows Shi Mei and Bai She.

Emerging from the dense forest, they immediately spotted soldiers with hunting dogs spread out below, methodically searching up the mountain.

Shi Mei's heart raced with fear, realizing their hiding place would soon be discovered with such a thorough search.

Bai She, pulling Shi Mei along, ran... but their movements were quickly detected by the hunting dogs.

"Ah!" Shi Mei cried out upon seeing the dogs close on their heels, her voice alerting the soldiers below.

Bai She scooped Shi Mei up and dashed deeper into the forest.

Qin Xiang Lian, upon hearing the report of their discovery, felt a surge of joy. They were indeed in the Da Yu mountains.

"Chase them!" Qin Xiang commanded his men. "Surround them! Kill Bai She but don’t harm the princess!"

"Yes!" The soldiers, a massive swarm, dispersed to pursue.

Familiar with the mountain terrain, Bai She knew a cliff was near. While running, he reassured Shi Mei, "Mei Zi, Qin Xiang Lian fancies you, so he shouldn’t hurt you. But if he dares touch you, strike him. I’ll come to rescue you immediately."

Shi Mei chuckled at his words, hugging him tightly, "I'll handle it. But be careful yourself, especially of Fu Si, the most cunning of them all."

"I understand," Bai She replied, setting Shi Mei down as they continued to run hand in hand.

Reaching the cliff's edge, they found themselves surrounded.

Dismounting his horse, Qin Xiang Lian laughed heartily, "Princess, why suffer in these mountains? Come, let me take you back to the palace."

Shi Mei glared at him, silently cursing.

Qin Xiang Lian then turned to Bai She, "Even with your skills, you can't defeat an army. And swords are blind; don't risk injuring the princess. Be wise and surrender!"

Bai She stood protectively beside Shi Mei, eyeing Qin Xiang Lian coldly with a faint smile.

Bai She’s demeanor always irked Qin Xiang Lian. Apart from winning Shi Mei’s heart, Bai She’s exceptional abilities were a source of envy for him. Qin Xiang Lian, considering himself a kingly figure, appreciated capable men but not those who overshadowed him. Bai She’s superiority and his disregard for Qin Xiang Lian had always been unsettling. He was determined to eliminate Bai She.

"Bring the princess back and capture that villain!" Qin Xiang Lian commanded. Shi Mei quickly moved to shield Bai She...

But at that moment, a "whoosh" sound pierced the air... An arrow, shot from an unknown location, aimed directly at Shi Mei.

"Watch out!" Bai She pulled Shi Mei back, dodging the arrow, only to be met with several more, all targeting Shi Mei.

In his attempt to protect Shi Mei, Bai She couldn’t evade in time and was hit by an arrow.

Simultaneously, a figure in white flashed at the edge of the crowd.

Shi Mei caught a glimpse of a familiar white figure sweeping past, wearing a mask—it was the impostor who had been impersonating Bai She!

The figure suddenly launched a kick towards Shi Mei.

Already weakened by an arrow, Bai She was at a disadvantage. The attacker, fixating on Shi Mei, had evidently found a weak point to exploit.

Pushing Shi Mei aside, Bai She evaded the kick but was caught off guard by another assailant who emerged from the crowd and struck him from behind…

"Bai She!" Shi Mei cried out, her heart leaping to her throat, unsure whether Bai She was truly injured or it was part of their ruse. She saw him slip and fall off the cliff.

"Ah!" Shi Mei, forgetting all about acting or strategy, was convinced by the realism of the moment. The final blow to Bai She was delivered by Fu Si, who harbored deep hatred for him and would naturally strike to kill.

"Bai She!" Shi Mei attempted to jump after him, but Qin Xiang Lian swiftly grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back.

Screaming frantically, Shi Mei struggled to reach the cliff's edge. Perhaps it was too convincing; no one suspected this was a ploy... Even Shi Mei herself wasn't sure, but a sliver of rationality reminded her to trust in Bai She's strength.

"Fire arrows!"

However, Qin Xiang Lian was more ruthless than Shi Mei could have imagined. At his command, thousands of soldiers rushed to the cliff and unleashed a barrage of arrows. If Bai She had fallen to the bottom, he would surely be riddled with arrows.

Shi Mei felt her head buzzing, her heart hollowed by despair, but a voice within kept reminding her—Bai She must be alright; he was stronger than anyone!

Overwhelmed, Shi Mei's mind blanked, and she fainted.