He Actually Yelled at Me?

He was waiting for me?

Bai Yuji's fingertip kindled a flame, and she lit the candle. Watching him warily, she said, "If you're planning to do something indecent to me, I hope you'll consider your health."

Qin Muye curled his lip. "As if I'm in the mood for that."

Only then did Bai Yuji sit down across from him. Curious, she asked, "Then what do you want?"

Unconcealed irritation showed in Qin Muye's eyes. "I just took out ten thousand taels and gave them to an organization with a blood feud against the Qin Family. Am I not allowed to ask how you plan to deal with us?"

Bai Yuji: "..."

At a loss for words, she fell silent for a moment before asking, "Since you know that, why did you hand over the money?"

What the hell?

So there really was something going on!

Qin Muye felt a twinge in his gut. He'd only meant to have a heart-to-heart with Bai Yuji late at night.

But just now, when she first looked at him, she'd seemed to avert her eyes.

So he'd tested her.

Damn it! He'd let his guard down, thinking they'd only use the money to keep their own people in check.

But she really did intend to use it against the Qin Family?

There were only two of them from the Qin Family in the Capital City!

This little minx was pretty wicked!

He drew a deep breath. "Because the Nanzhao imperial family was nearly wiped out, and I feel guilty."

"That's the only reason?"

"What else?"

Qin Muye furrowed his brow. "Don't tell me you really think I've fallen for you and gave you those ten thousand taels as a betrothal gift? Surely not, surely not?"

A nameless anger suddenly flared in Bai Yuji's heart. "You..."

"What about me?"

Qin Muye stood up and braced both arms on the table, leaning forward slightly as he looked down at her. "Bai Yuji, I don't want to get involved in politics. Emotionally, I feel I owe you, so I'm willing to pay something to make amends.

"Of course, I know it won't make much difference. It'll only make you think I'm a fool.

"But I've got a temper too!

"I'm not easy to deal with!

"Don't take me for some goody-two-shoes!

"You can go after my father; I won't say a word, because I'm alive right now only because you're trying to kill him with Gu.

"But if you try to hurt my aunt, don't blame me for showing you no mercy. If it comes to that, none of us will make it out alive!"

Bai Yuji: "!!!"

A few days ago, when his life had hung by a thread, he hadn't spoken so harshly.

And now...

She grew even angrier. "You yelled at me?"

Qin Muye glared at her. "So what if I yelled at you? She's my aunt! Don't you know how she's treated you these past few days?"

"I never planned to hurt her!"

"Then who did you plan to hurt?"

"..."

Bai Yuji felt as though her chest were stuffed tight. This plan wasn't meant to kill Qin Yanying, but it was indeed aimed at her, and the Great Elder had a son's death to avenge.

But what gave you the right to be so harsh with me?

She gave a snort. "If you were really so filial, you should kill yourself right now, so we can't use you to get at your father. Why use your aunt as an excuse to make up for your cowardly filial piety?"

"How is that the same?"

"How is it different?"

"I've been in the Capital City all this time, and my aunt's the only one who's ever looked after me."

"And before you came to the Capital City? Didn't your father look after you?"

"He did!"

Qin Muye gave a self-mocking smile. "But after I came to the Capital City, he never wrote me a single letter. He didn't even come to see me when he returned to the capital to argue with the emperor. Then, less than a year later, my mother died. My mother—the one who encouraged me to donate my marrow to save my father. I hadn't seen a single letter from her that whole year."

"Ah!"

Bai Yuji suddenly felt as if she'd shrunk half a head. "Why?"

Qin Muye let out a cold snort. "I'd like to know that myself! So when you forced me to raise Gu, I couldn't even be bothered to resist. At most, I was worried that if my backing fell, life would get uncomfortable. But! Don't! Touch! My! Aunt!"

Bai Yuji: "..."

She wanted to say something else.

But Qin Muye was already gone, and no amount of calling could bring him back.

Looking down, she noticed a plate of pastries and a pot of fruit wine on the table. She hadn't even seen them before.

Had he... come to talk with me?

He must have guessed something from the way I'd averted my eyes.

He was clever. He knew everything, yet in front of me, it seemed he couldn't hide anything at all.

He'd taken out ten thousand taels without hesitation, hoping to make amends for his guilt, but nothing had changed.

And I'd even challenged him about why he hadn't held himself back?

He must be furious, then.

But I hadn't even agreed to the plan!

And he'd already rushed over to yell at me!

Bai Yuji was a little angry, but when she thought about it, it made sense.

Their sides had a blood feud that could only end in death. Even if she couldn't bring herself to go through with it, the tide of events would eventually force her to choose. When that day came, what would she do?

She stood dazed for a while.

Then she suddenly realized she was already standing outside Qin Muye's room, knocking on the door.

Huh?

Why was I knocking?

"Creak!"

The door opened.

Qin Muye looked displeased. "What is it?"

Bai Yuji racked her brain and finally figured out why she'd come. As the leader of a revenge organization, she obviously needed to placate her useful pawn, or he might refuse to cooperate later and cause trouble.

Right!

That had to be it!

She drew a deep breath. "It's not what you think. Don't be angry."

Qin Muye shot back, "Then what is it?"

Oh no!

I haven't thought of an explanation yet!

Bai Yuji turned her face aside, her tone a little harsh. "If you're willing to understand, then you'll understand. If you aren't, there's no point in explaining. Believe what you want. I'll fry some bugs for you tomorrow. Stop letting your imagination run wild."

Qin Muye: "..."

Your tone's so harsh, it can't even cover up how guilty you feel.

You're not cut out to lead a revenge organization, you know?

"Are you going to eat or not?"

"I am!"

"Good! Then get to sleep. You can eat them in the morning."

Bai Yuji thought she was pretty impressive. She'd managed to calm him down so easily. Letting out a sigh of relief, she hurried back to her room.

Qin Muye: "..."

He grimaced, feeling a twinge in his gut. He vaguely guessed that the Nanzhao Remnants must have been filling the little minx's head with talk of hatred again. Those Mountain Folk were really radical!

He had no connections in the Capital City, so he needed to cling to Li Xingluo as soon as possible. Otherwise, he really wouldn't have any way to fight back.

The outskirts of the city.

Changqing Elegant Pavilion.

Li Runyue reclined against a soft couch, drinking wine. Her court robes were disheveled, and her long, pale legs were exposed to the air, but she seemed oblivious.

Her eyes were hazy, her cheeks flushed with drink.

She parted her red lips slightly, tipped back the flask, and drained the last drop of fine wine.

Then she waved a slender hand.

Seeing this, her maid hurried to replace the flask with a full one.

Pu Mingzhu shook her head helplessly. "Grand Princess, the Imperial Princess has fulfilled her promise to you. News of the Puppet Assembly will spread throughout Great Gan within three days. Seven days will be more than enough for the top puppet masters to arrive."

"Excellent!"

Li Runyue chuckled. "Thank little Xingluo for me. She's been a tremendous help this time!"

Pu Mingzhu rose and bowed respectfully. "If there's nothing else, this servant will take her leave!"

"Go on!"

Li Runyue waved languidly. Once Pu Mingzhu had left, she looked toward the screen. "Old Nanny! I've already agreed to what you asked. Why are you still hanging around?"

He Xifeng stepped out from behind the screen. "Grand Princess, our Nanzhao Gu Puppets are peerless too. Since you want puppets, why not hand those two thousand spirit stones directly to us?"

Li Runyue laughed mockingly. "Oh? You Mountain Folk have gotten so brazen that you'll beg with your heads held high now?"

He Xifeng was instantly furious. "You..."

Li Runyue covered her mouth with a light laugh. "If you really want those spirit stones, then show your true skills at the Puppet Assembly. You have a genius puppet master who's always wanted to be the Consort of the Fallen Nation. This is the perfect chance to prove his ability to your ill-mannered little princess."