Chapter 42: Departure

Chapter 42: Departure

"Hah, this kid, can't tell who's trying to help him!"

Baili He muttered after Shen Yuchao's retreating back. "I slaved over refining this medicine, there's only one bottle like this in the whole world, couldn't buy it with a mountain of gold. You don't want it? Fine, I won't give it to you then!"

He snorted and turned to enter the cave.

Qiu Shuiyi scooped a handful of clear water onto her face; the icy chill was shockingly refreshing.

After washing up, Qiu Shuiyi didn't dare go back into the cave, so she squatted by the pond to peer into it.

The pond water was clear, the fish were lively. With a flick of their tails, they swam far away in an instant,

incredibly agile.

Qiu Shuiyi hitched up her skirt, preparing to wade in and catch fish.

Back in Guo Family Village, she had often gone fishing in the river with the village girls, so she saw nothing wrong with it and didn't notice Shen Yuchao approaching.

Seeing her bend down to remove her shoes and socks, Shen Yuchao averted his eyes. "Second Miss, perhaps it's better if I do it."

Quickly letting her skirt fall back down, Qiu Shuiyi straightened up, hesitating, "But Your Highness's injuries..."

"It's nothing serious, don't worry."

Remembering his frighteningly powerful healing ability, Qiu Shuiyi closed her mouth and stepped aside.

She didn't try to dissuade him further. A hint of certainty flickered in Shen Yuchao's slightly darkened eyes.

Removing his outer robe and entering the water, his hands moved like lightning, accurately catching a fish.

The slippery fish went completely still in his grasp. Thrown ashore, it thrashed its tail wildly, splashing water droplets onto Qiu Shuiyi's face, causing her to jump back immediately.

Shen Yuchao worked quickly, catching five or six fish in no time.

Baili He came out, took a look, and said, "Hey, not bad, kid."

Qiu Shuiyi, remembering her persona, wore an expression of shared pride. "His Highness has always been impressive."

Baili He clicked his tongue twice but didn't reply.

Her gaze shifting to the exceptionally vibrant flowers and plants by the pond, Qiu Shuiyi asked, "Are those also poisonous herbs planted by Uncle Baili?"

Baili He puffed out his chest. "Of course, they're my treasures."

His proud expression softened slightly as he stared at Qiu Shuiyi, instructing her, "These are all highly toxic, you mustn't touch them."

If she touched any of those poisonous flowers or plants and ruined that lovely face of hers, it would be a disaster.

Recalling the Thousand Man's Drunk she picked yesterday, Qiu Shuiyi felt a wave of fear.

Luckily she hadn't touched these things, otherwise, by the time Baili He returned, she might have already been a goner.

Thinking of this, Qiu Shuiyi mused, "The more beautiful something is, the more dangerous it is."

"Indeed," Baili He said with the tone of someone who had seen it all. "Especially beautiful women."

Glancing at Shen Yuchao, he added, "Handsome men are just the same."

Qiu Shuiyi couldn't help but laugh, teasing, "Did Uncle Baili perhaps encounter such a woman before?"

Baili He's face instantly darkened, his eyes growing distant as if lost in memory.

After a few moments, he finally spoke, his voice weathered. "Let's not talk about it, they're all matters of the distant past."

Skipping over the topic, Baili He lifted his chin again. "That kid's coming up, I'll go prepare firewood."

Qiu Shuiyi turned around.

Shen Yuchao waded ashore, a few water droplets splashed on his face, rolling down his jawline and falling into the pond water without a ripple.

Qiu Shuiyi handed him a handkerchief. "Your Highness, quickly wipe your face."

Shen Yuchao gave a gentle smile. "Alright."

After wiping his face, he casually laid his damp clothes and the handkerchief together in the sunlight to dry.

Baili He came over carrying a bundle of firewood, threw a knife on the ground, squatted to arrange the wood, and instructed, "Go gut the fish."

Qiu Shuiyi hesitantly went to pick up the knife.

Shen Yuchao grasped the handle before she could. "This prince will do it."

Without hesitation, Qiu Shuiyi withdrew her hand, a sweet smile on her face. "Alright."

Perfect, she didn't want to get covered in fish smell anyway.

After Shen Yuchao finished cleaning the fish, Baili He tossed over a packet of spices.

Qiu Shuiyi picked out the usable ones from inside and sprinkled them on the fish.

Roasted over a fierce fire, the aroma soon wafted out.

One fish was enough for Qiu Shuiyi, Shen Yuchao had three, and Baili He directly ate five.

Glancing at the pile of fish bones on the ground, Qiu Shuiyi thought to herself, did this prince perhaps go hungry the entire night?

Out of ten fish total, only one remained in the end.

Baili He tossed away the fish bones and patted his stomach. "Full and satisfied. Let's go, I'll see you out."

Qiu Shuiyi wiped her hands dry. "You can just give us directions, we can find our own way out."

"Without my guidance, you won't get out, and people from outside can't get in either."

Baili He rested his arms behind his head and ambled leisurely ahead.

If they couldn't get in, then where did the spices come from? And the bedding in the cave looked new, yet Baili He seemed to have lived here for quite some years.

Qiu Shuiyi was puzzled.

The thought passed through her mind and then dissipated.

They were just chance encounters after all, why bother about it.

...

Baili He's words were not false.

It didn't take long before Qiu Shuiyi noticed something odd about their surroundings.

No matter which way they walked, it felt like they were circling the same spot, with even the number of fallen leaves on the ground remaining unchanged.

A thick fog had rolled in at some point, filling their view with nothing but white.

In the mist, nothing was visible, only the voice of Baili He by her ear, constantly telling her which way to go.

After a long while, Baili He said, "We're here."

Her slightly muddled mind cleared in an instant.

Sunlight shone through, dispersing the clouds and mist.

The sound of temple bells drifted through the bamboo forest, reaching her ears.

Baili He showed them the way, "Go ahead. Through this bamboo forest, and you'll reach the back hill of Chengming Temple."

Qiu Shuiyi curtsied, "Shui Yi thanks you, Uncle Baili."

"It's nothing much. Go on."

Baili He waved his hand dismissively.

Shen Yuchao nodded, saying simply, "Thank you."

This kid, he really thought he wouldn't say thank you.

Baili He looked at him, amazed.

Watching Qiu Shuiyi and Shen Yuchao walk off together, supporting each other, he leaned back against a thick bamboo stalk.

As soon as he leaned on it, slender bamboo leaves showered down all over the ground.

Slowly and deliberately, he plucked a bamboo leaf from his shoulder. Gazing at the patches of light filtering through the dense green bamboo, Baili He heaved a faint sigh.

"...I'm actually going to miss them a bit."

...

Crossing the bamboo forest, they immediately saw a storage hall. Skirting past the winding corridor, they arrived at the courtyard where visitors rested.

Qiu Shuiyi was about to bid farewell to Shen Yuchao, "Your Highness..."

"Have you checked here?"

Accompanied by hurried breathing, a young monk burst into view.

Seeing the two of them, he froze, his eyes darting back and forth between Qiu Shuiyi and Shen Yuchao.

Qiu Shuiyi's words were cut off as she looked at him in confusion, opening her mouth to speak. But before she could, the young monk nearly jumped up, turned around, and ran outside, shouting loudly.

"Found them! Senior Brother, we found them! They're here!"

This shout was like cold water hitting hot oil, instantly causing an uproar.

"Where? Where?"

"Hurry and inform the Marchioness, Second Miss has been found!"

"And His Highness the Prince, His Highness is here too!" the young monk shouted breathlessly.

Before long, quite a crowd had gathered at the back hill.

Xin Tao and Xin Liu escorted Lady Mei through the crowd.

Upon seeing Qiu Shuiyi safe and sound, tears immediately streamed down Lady Mei's face. She almost ran to Qiu Shuiyi's side, pulling her into a tight embrace and weeping without a care for decorum, "Yi'er, my Yi'er, I thought I'd lost you again, that I'd never see you again..."

Qiu Shuiyi's heart clenched at her sobs. Holding Lady Mei's trembling shoulders, she spoke softly and gently, "Mother, I'm not lost. Look, I've returned safely."

Under Qiu Shuiyi's soothing, Lady Mei gradually calmed down. With Xin Tao and Xin Liu screening her, she composed herself, then stepped back two paces, carefully examining Qiu Shuiyi from head to toe.

Seeing that she was indeed unharmed, Lady Mei's heart, which had been suspended all night, finally eased.

"Yi'er, where have you been all night? And why..."

Why were you with Prince Duansu?

"She was saving me."

Shen Yuchao suddenly spoke up.

Qiu Shuiyi and Lady Mei both looked over.

Zuo Yi and Shang Ze had also arrived, standing guard on either side of Shen Yuchao.

He said apologetically, "Last night, I encountered assassins and Second Miss Qiu happened to see me. To save me, she fell off the cliff with me. I put the Marchioness through a night of worry and fear. It was entirely my fault. Please, Marchioness, do not blame her."

Upon hearing this, Lady Mei exclaimed in shock, "Assassins?"

She turned and grasped Qiu Shuiyi's arm, asking anxiously, "Yi'er, are you injured?"

"Mother, I'm fine," Qiu Shuiyi replied softly. "It was His Highness who was injured."

Lady Mei was taken aback.

Glancing at Shen Yuchao and then sweeping her gaze over the surrounding crowd, she sighed helplessly in her heart.

Regardless of the reason, Yi'er had spent an entire night alone with Prince Duansu.

A man and a woman alone together naturally invited gossip.

Upon returning this time, she would definitely pressure the Marquis to discuss marriage with Prince Duansu.

So her Yi'er could have her wish.

Pushing aside a flood of thoughts, Lady Mei smiled and said, "Your Highness worries too much. That Yi'er has such a kind heart only brings me joy. How could I blame her?"

"It was my own narrow-mindedness. Please do not take offense, Madam," Shen Yuchao said apologetically.

"It's nothing. Your Highness is also concerned for Yi'er," Lady Mei replied with a light smile and a shake of her head. "We have troubled the masters all night. Please forgive us, Abbot."

Mingjing, the abbot of Chengming Temple, intoned a Buddhist chant, his expression kind and gentle, "It is good that they are safe."

After expressing their thanks and bidding farewell, Lady Mei took Qiu Shuiyi back to the manor.

Yesterday, Xin Tao and Xin Liu had returned in tears with the news of Qiu Shuiyi's disappearance. Lady Mei had nearly fainted, and in her state of shock and distress, her actions had inevitably drawn attention. Many people knew that the Second Miss of the Marquis of Yun'an's household was missing.

It was likely that news of Yi'er spending the night with Prince Duansu would spread before long.

She needed to hurry back and consult the Marquis.

...

"Amitabha." Mingjing stated calmly, "Your Highness has violated the precept against killing."

"They deserved to die." Shen Yuchao said, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips.

His features were exquisitely painted, gentle and refined—like the bright moon or a pine clinging to a cliff.

Mingjing sighed, "Your Highness's killing intent runs too deep."

He took off the prayer beads wrapped around his wrist. "Since the beads are broken, this humble monk will give you another string."

"No need."

Shen Yuchao declined Mingjing's kindness. "Prayer beads cannot suppress the demonic aura in my heart. The Abbot need not waste them."

He nodded. "I take my leave."

With that, he strode away.

Zuo Yi and Shang Ze hurriedly followed.

Watching the three figures fade into the distance, Mingjing lowered his head. A murmur was scattered by the wind.

"...All is karma."

...

"Your Highness, Physician Mu is already waiting at the manor. Just hold on a little longer." Zuo Yi whispered, helping Shen Yuchao into the carriage.

Now hidden from prying eyes, Shen Yuchao furrowed his brows. The pain he had endured all night finally broke through, a few faint groans escaping his lips.

"Shang Ze, hurry back to the manor." Unable to relieve his suffering, Zuo Yi could only urge Shang Ze, who was driving the carriage.

"Understood."

Shang Ze replied.

"Wait."

Shen Yuchao suddenly called out, closing his eyes to steady himself.

A moment later, he opened his eyes, not a trace of vulnerability remained within them.

He pulled aside the carriage curtain, Shen Yuchao called out in a certain direction, "Why are you following me?"

A figure emerged from the shadows.

The man spoke with a roguish drawl, "I'm the finest physician under heaven. If you want treatment, come to me."

Shen Yuchao said coldly, "No need."

Baili He wasn't angered and laughed, "What if I said I can cure you?"

Shen Yuchao's gaze froze.