Wake My Attendant Lord

Bai Mo had never expected to find two more people in the gap in the rockery: Shen Qing and... Yun Wu?

"Why are you here? What happened to Shen Qing?"

Yun Wu was dragging Shen Qing with considerable effort, pressing close against the wall. Shen Qing's face was pale, and he was swaying on his feet.

Bai Mo hurriedly took Shen Qing from him and sent her ability into him to examine him.

Yun Wu was startled when someone suddenly rushed in...

The woman snatched Shen Qing away and held him in her arms. Yun Wu was so frightened his legs went weak, and he nearly cried out. Fortunately, he recovered his senses and recognized Bai Mo, then hurriedly clapped a hand over his mouth.

"What on earth happened?"

There was a note of reproach in Bai Mo's voice.

Yun Wu panted softly. Hearing the footsteps outside draw closer and closer, he grew even paler.

"Miss, there are too many people outside to explain. Let's talk once we've escaped. This young master seems to have suffered a sudden bout of palpitations. He looks unwell. What should we do?"

Bai Mo glared toward the outside and said no more, concentrating on treating Shen Qing.

What on earth happened? It couldn't have been anything good, to make him so anxious that he fell ill...

The more Bai Mo thought about it, the angrier she grew, but for now, she could only wait and see how things unfolded.

"Your Highnesses, I swear on my life that the third princess's attendant lord was dragged into this room by Eldest Miss Bai. I saw it with my own eyes. The two of them... they were engaged in an illicit affair...

"I was afraid they would run away, so I made a point of locking the door. Our princess kindly invited everyone here as guests, yet Eldest Miss Bai could do something so filthy. She has truly gone too far."

An unfamiliar woman's voice rang out, leveling accusation after accusation.

She must be the maid who just left, right?

"Is Bai Mo truly so bold? My attendant lord drank too much just now and came here to rest for a while, yet she dared to do this...

"Whether those two have been carrying on in secret for a long time, or my attendant lord was defiled by that wastrel, I will have an explanation."

The third princess spoke extremely loudly, as though she wanted everyone present to hear what Bai Mo had done.

Hearing her third sister spread the story without even finding out the truth, the fifth princess frowned deeply. She tugged at the fourth princess's sleeve and said, "Imperial sister, I don't think Sister Bai is that kind of person. She was just having a pleasant conversation with Miss Xiao and had no dealings with anyone else."

The fourth princess patted her younger sister's hand and soothed her softly. "Don't be afraid, Little Five. Let's first see what happened. With such a commotion, I'm afraid this Miss Bai will have a hard time escaping disaster."

The Xiao siblings stood at the back, a little way apart from the crowd. Even so, both of them took in everything that happened. Xiao Yiliu felt that although Bai Mo had a carefree disposition, she was upright and honorable and would never do such a thing. She must have been framed. Xiao Yiliu was wondering whether to ask their grandmother for help.

When Xiao Muzhi saw his sister wanting to leave, he knew she intended to seek their grandmother's help and hurriedly stopped her.

He whispered, "Eldest sister, you mustn't. Grandmother absolutely cannot interfere in this matter. Asking her to come would only make things worse. Grandmother has only just taken Bai Mo as her disciple. How could she make a choice in front of so many people?

"Even if something really has happened, it's still only a matter between those of our generation. At most, the scholars and literati will say that youth is wasted on those who do not indulge in romance.

"The main hurdle is the third princess. Let me think. I'm determined to help Eldest Miss Bai. She helped me once before... I'll go think of something. Eldest sister, act according to the situation."

The siblings exchanged a glance. Xiao Yiliu nodded to her younger brother, and Xiao Muzhi turned and left. No one noticed him.

The rockery was not far from the group, and Bai Mo's hearing was several times better than an ordinary person's, so she heard their entire conversation. She had not expected the Xiao siblings to show her such goodwill, and she was somewhat touched.

Most of Bai Mo's attention was on Shen Qing. Seeing his expression relax and a trace of color return to his face, she ached for him.

"I certainly couldn't tell that Eldest Miss Bai was a person of such character."

"Exactly. I don't believe it either. How could someone so talented and unrestrained have such poor character?"

"I thought the rumors were mistaken today. It seems she's used to acting without a care."

"Where is the princess? Why don't we hurry and open the door to see?"

Everyone's eyes gleamed with the desire for gossip as they whispered among themselves. Many young masters felt it was a pity: Miss Bai was truly too much of a philanderer and was by no means a good match.

"The princess is here."

Bai Mo could not see the expressions of those outside and could only hear their voices. The princess had arrived; the show was about to begin!

"Hurry and open the door! She dares do something so filthy in my residence? I want to see just how bold this Bai Mo is."

"Yes."

As soon as the lock clicked open, the third princess rushed into the room just as she had the first time, with Princess Ping'an close behind. A particularly tall and brawny maid immediately stepped forward, ready to seize them.

Several maids secretly extinguished the incense in the burner, while others outside went around to unlatch the windows.

Some time had passed, and little of the fragrance remained. After the windows had been open for a short while, the aphrodisiac dispersed completely.

A few noble young ladies and male candidates also followed them inside. Those who were timid stood at the doorway, watching hesitantly, and some young masters even raised their sleeves to cover their eyes.

"Where is Bai Mo?"

The third princess's furious shout came from inside the room.

"Wake my attendant lord and ask him what happened."

Yun Wu raised his eyes to Bai Mo, a questioning look in them.

Just then, Shen Qing slowly awoke, his eyes full of confusion. Seeing Bai Mo looking at him with worry in her eyes, he said hoarsely, "Why are you here? I went to the princess's courtyard. Don't misunderstand; I rejected her..."

"Shh." Bai Mo pressed a finger to his lips.

Shen Qing's heart thudded hard. He studied Bai Mo's expression, and only when he saw that she did not look angry did he breathe a sigh of relief.

He turned his head and was startled to see another man beside him.

Knowing this was not the time for much talk, he composed himself and steadied himself on his feet.

Slap! The sound of a heavy slap came from inside the room.

"Third Princess, the attendant lord is awake."

The man pretending to be Shen Qing had a flushed face and a dazed, lustful look in his eyes. Anyone with eyes could tell something was wrong, but no one said much.

"Speak! Did you have an illicit affair with Bai Mo and hide her away from me?"

The third princess looked at him sternly, fury rising in her heart. She refused to believe Bai Mo could be so lucky as to escape disaster every time. Today, she had to make the accusation stick.

Seeing the fierce look on his princess's face, the man sobered a little from the effects of the drug. He hurriedly considered his own situation, then gritted his teeth and said, "Eldest Miss Bai and I are in love. I hope Your Highness will grant us your blessing."

A series of gasps rang out.

The crowd began whispering again, thinking Bai Mo had been far too brazen to lay a hand on a princess's attendant lord. Now there was no escaping disaster.

Xiao Yiliu pondered briefly, then stepped forward and entered the room.