Wait for Me

When Shen Qing woke, it was already noon the next day.

"He's awake! Master is awake! Quick, quick, call Physician Ding!"

Xiaotian hurried to his feet and shouted toward the door.

"Xiaotian, where is Miss Bai?"

Anxiety showed on Shen Qing's face as he hurriedly looked for Bai Mo.

Shen Qing knew full well that the poison had been purged from his body. It would be no exaggeration to say he felt as light as a swallow.

"Master, eldest miss Bai is in the next room. You scared me to death! Yesterday, when I heard no movement in the room for a long time, I went inside and saw your clothes in disarray, and eldest miss Bai was holding you, unconscious on the bed..."

"Did eldest miss Bai do something to you?"

"It's all my fault. How could I have forgotten she's a shameless rogue..."

Xiaotian was so anxious that tears spilled from his eyes. He blamed himself bitterly. After all these days together, he had actually forgotten eldest miss Bai's true nature...

Seeing Xiaotian like this, Shen Qing felt a little displeased and hurriedly interrupted him. "No. Take me to her, quickly."

"Master..."

Shen Qing glared at him. "I told you, it's not what you think. She was saving me all along. I'll go see her myself. Don't follow me."

Shen Qing strode into the adjoining room in a few long steps. One glance was enough to break his heart. The woman lay quietly on the bed, her face as white as paper, without a trace of color.

He desperately wanted to know what had happened.

Wasn't he supposed to be well after the final treatment?

Why had they both fainted, and why had Bai Mo still not woken up?

"Bai Mo."

"Bai Mo."

Shen Qing hurried to sit on the edge of the bed, took Bai Mo's hand, and pressed it to his face.

A clear tear fell into her palm...

Their hands rested one atop the other, the back of her hand feeling the chill of his face.

Bai Mo had merely exhausted her ability. Her body could not withstand it, and she had fainted.

When she opened her eyes again and saw Shen Qing sitting unharmed before her, she froze.

"Are you all right? You nearly scared me to death..."

Bai Mo's face was filled with anxiety.

"I'm fine. My body feels very well now. I don't know what happened either. Why did you faint?"

"I..." That's hard to explain...

Bai Mo hurriedly clasped Shen Qing's hand in return and sent her ability probing into him.

The moment her ability entered his body, it seemed that two streams of energy intertwined and resonated with each other.

"This... why does it feel as though they're resonating with each other?"

Bai Mo stared at Shen Qing in a daze.

Shen Qing was also very puzzled, but he could indeed feel the two forces seeming to resonate with each other.

It was as if he could sense her. It was a wonderful feeling...

Bai Mo smiled and gestured for Shen Qing to dismiss Xiaotian, who was at the door.

"Xiaotian, you may withdraw. Close the door behind you."

Xiaotian's eyes were full of worry, but he had no choice but to obey and withdraw.

"Yes, master."

Bai Mo pulled Shen Qing close and spoke softly. "You suddenly coughed up blood and fainted, and your life was slipping away. When you were close to death, I was desperate enough to try anything, so I transferred my internal energy to you.

I sent it into your heart meridian. At the time, I didn't know whether it would work, but it seems I managed to save you."

A look of concern appeared on Shen Qing's face. "You used your internal energy to save me. Did it harm you?"

Bai Mo shook her head. "I'm fine. As long as you're all right, that's enough."

"Perhaps the energy was too powerful. It passed through your heart meridian and some remained in your body. That's why there's a certain resonance between us, like the telepathy twins often share. Isn't it wonderful?"

Seeing Shen Qing lower his eyes in thought, Bai Mo chuckled softly. "This works out perfectly. My energy can nourish your body. That's a good thing."

Shen Qing was no ordinary person. After a moment's thought, he understood it all.

He looked at Bai Mo and said with utmost seriousness, "I know what you're thinking, and I'm willing. You saved my life. As long as I live, I'll stay by your side."

"My body has already recovered. But you-why don't you skip tomorrow's academy exam? Besides, neither of us returned home yesterday..."

Bai Mo hurriedly shook her head again. "No, I'm fine. I only need to recuperate a little. I'm definitely taking the academy exam tomorrow. I still have to marry you."

Shen Qing wanted to stop her, but seeing the determination in Bai Mo's eyes, he was moved.

"Master, Physician Ding is here."

Footsteps sounded outside the door.

"Come in."

Shen Qing hurriedly rose, straightened his clothes, and stood to one side.

A white-haired old woman carrying a medicine chest slowly entered the room.

The old woman looked at Bai Mo on the bed, then stepped forward to take her pulse.

A moment later, the old woman spoke slowly. "There's nothing seriously wrong with her. It may have been caused by excessive studying. She only needs a good rest."

"Does she need any medicine?" Shen Qing asked.

The old woman raised her eyes and looked at Shen Qing. "Then I'll prescribe two doses of restorative medicine. She's in reasonably good health, so there's no need to worry."

Shen Qing let out a soft breath and courteously saw the old woman out.

Once everyone had left, the two exchanged a smile, and the atmosphere in the room grew much more relaxed.

"I'll take the exam tomorrow. If I pass, I'll come ask for your hand."

"All right."

"If your family objects, don't worry."

"All right."

"If you come with me, I won't treat you poorly."

"All right."

Bai Mo beamed, got up, and straightened her clothes.

She walked up to Shen Qing, gently took his hand, and teased, "Truly, one glimpse of Shen Qing ruins a lifetime."

Shen Qing tightened his grip without a word and simply held her hand.

Shen Qing had always been someone who felt deeply insecure. Now that the two could sense each other a little, he felt immensely satisfied.

In that instant, a glimmer of hope appeared in his world.

"I'll return home first. I need to pay my mother a visit and make preparations for tomorrow's exam, as well as for the marriage proposal."

"Mm. Then I'll go home and wait for you."

The two parted ways there. Bai Mo spurred her horse all the way back to the residence of the Earl Who Protects the Nation. She had lost a day because of her unexpected fainting spell, and there was still much she had to prepare. She was about to take an ancient examination, and she felt a little nervous.

"Eldest miss, you're finally back! The family head sent for you yesterday."

"Sister Lichun came back last night too."

Bai Mo had just stepped through the courtyard gate when Xiaohan hurried over to greet her, reporting one thing after another.

Lichun was the most favored senior maid at Bai Mo's side. She had gone home to visit her family some time ago, and Bai Mo had nearly forgotten about her.

Bai Mo had just returned to her courtyard and sat down when she gave her instructions. "Lichun has only just returned, so let her rest for now. I'm taking the academy exam tomorrow. Lixia, prepare the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone I'll need for the exam, and some food as well. I'll have to eat lunch at the examination compound."

"Report to me at once when Mother returns."

"Yes, eldest miss. I'll go right away."

The two acknowledged her orders and withdrew. Eldest miss was actually going to take an exam, and Xiaohan was the most excited of all. She felt that her eldest miss had made something of herself and was going to become a scholar. She too would finally be able to hold her head high. Once eldest miss became the top scholar, she would be able to swagger about sideways.

Xiaohan had no idea how much luster this notion of hers, which others would have considered sheer nonsense, would one day bring her.