May Those in Love Be United at Last

"I had intended to leave the Capital. After all, I had nothing to my name and not a soul to turn to there. Then an old friend happened to ask me for help. He said the princess's residence was holding a flower-viewing poetry gathering and needed a dancer..."

Yun Wu spoke slowly, his voice soft, and Shen Qing listened with great patience.

"At the time, I didn't know it was the princess's courtyard, and I didn't know you either, young master. I saw you enter the courtyard, and a maid sneakily sent your attendant away. I sensed something was amiss, so I approached the courtyard and heard...

"Then someone hurriedly called the princess away, and you nearly fainted. I was afraid something would happen to you, so I took it upon myself to take you to a physician.

"On the way, I heard a commotion in the residence. I thought the princess had sent people to catch you, and with no other choice, I hid in the rockery."

Yun Wu raised his eyes slightly. His ink-blue pupils held not a trace of another color, clear and pure.

"Thank you so much for today. If you hadn't been so careful, I'm afraid something would have happened to me by now."

Shen Qing gave him a kindly smile, and Yun Wu felt reassured at once. He had been terribly afraid that his good intentions had caused trouble.

"You needn't thank me, young master. The lady is my benefactor, and I heard you mention her... so I..."

"I hope you won't take offense, young master."

Shen Qing made no comment. He chuckled and shook his head. "There's no need for that. I won't eat you. You really are a little too timid."

Shen Qing suddenly asked, "Why was she beside me when I woke up?"

"She came in not long after we entered the rockery. At first, I didn't know why either, but later I learned someone had set her up. It seemed they were saying she was having an affair with the Third Princess's consort. I don't know whether she managed to settle things on her end. She isn't that kind of person, young master. You must believe her."

Yun Wu grew more anxious as he spoke, and his eyes reddened.

Shen Qing's face darkened at once. It seemed Princess Ping'an had long known that he and Bai Mo had feelings for each other. Had she confessed her love to him today merely to lure Bai Mo into a trap?

When Yun Wu saw that Shen Qing said nothing and looked terribly grim, he thought Shen Qing had misunderstood Bai Mo and hurried to explain, "The lady really isn't such a vile person. You must believe her, young master. She's kind and upright and would never do such a thing. And I saw for myself how sincere and earnest she looked when she protected you. I wouldn't dare deceive you."

Seeing how anxious the man before him was, Shen Qing didn't know whether to call him foolish or innocent.

He clearly loved Bai Mo, yet here he was pleading on her behalf. Shen Qing didn't know how to respond to such kindness, and he felt a little jealous too.

"I know she isn't that kind of person, and I know how she feels. You don't need to tell me."

The man opposite him lowered his head even further, looking so aggrieved!

Shen Qing felt his own attitude had been less than kind. After all, Yun Wu had saved him. He sighed deeply, and his tone softened a little.

"I didn't mean anything else by it. You needn't be afraid. Bai Mo and I love each other. Once she passes the examination and becomes a xiucai, she'll come to my residence to propose. In my eyes, she's my future wife. We're devoted to each other, with no doubts between us."

Yun Wu felt as though his heart had been fiercely squeezed, but he knew his own place all too well. He neither dared nor should have entertained the slightest hope...

Only someone like the young master before him was worthy of her, suited to growing old at her side.

As long as she was happy, that was enough.

Yun Wu raised his eyes, pressed down all the bitterness in his heart, and smiled and nodded at Shen Qing.

"May you and the lady, two people in love, be united at last and live in peace and happiness."

"Thank you. I'll make sure she lives in peace and happiness."

They smiled at each other, each lost in his own thoughts, and said nothing more.

They soon reached the Grand Preceptor's residence. After Yun Wu got out of the carriage, he was dazed for a moment. How had he ended up coming along? This wasn't a place he should have come to...

He hurried forward to take his leave.

"Thank you for giving me a ride, young master. Yun Wu will take his leave now."

Shen Qing was so perceptive that he could see everything the man before him was thinking at a glance. He was a pitiful soul too.

"Where do you intend to go, Young Master Yunwu?"

Yun Wu's body stiffened for an instant.

"I'll go back to Mountain Forest Town, I suppose."

Seeing Yun Wu's predicament, Shen Qing felt somewhat helpless too. For the sake of the favor Yun Wu had done him today, he might as well offer a little help.

After all, this was also someone she had helped time and again.

"You're all alone, young master. How will you make a living when you return?"

"I... I haven't thought it through yet."

"Why not be a guest at my courtyard for a while?"

Without waiting for Yun Wu to refuse, Shen Qing turned and entered the Grand Preceptor's residence.

Yun Wu stood stunned, looking at the grand gates and walls before him, unsure whether he should follow.

Seeing the young master standing there so foolishly, Xiaojing went up to him. "Young master, won't you hurry and follow?"

"Oh."

Yun Wu lowered his head and hurried after Xiaojing.

They had only just entered the Pure Elegance Courtyard when Shen Qing could no longer hold out, and his steps faltered.

Yun Wu rushed forward to support him.

Seeing this, Jiang You hurried over. "What happened to you, young master?"

"I'm all right. Father Jiang, arrange a room for this young master and take good care of him. I'll go back to my room and rest. We can talk about anything else tomorrow."

Shen Qing waved a hand and went back to his room on his own.

Jiang You was very worried and pulled Xiaojing aside to ask what had happened. Xiaojing reported everything he knew.

Jiang You was deeply grateful to Yun Wu. He promptly settled him in the west side room and attended to him with every courtesy.

After entering his room, Shen Qing fell straight onto the bed.

The medicine bottle in his hand had grown warm from his grip. Without a second thought, he opened it and drank the contents.

A delicate sweetness slipped down his throat, and before he knew it, he had fallen into a deep sleep.

Bai Mo endured her mounting irritation through the evening meal and took her leave with the crowd. Just as she left the princess's residence, she ran into Bai Yuanshuang.

That idiot was blocking Xiao Muzhi's carriage again, keeping him from getting in and tugging at him.

"Second Miss Bai, please conduct yourself with propriety."

"Propriety when it comes to me? Weren't you chatting and laughing with Bai Mo? Last time, you bumped into my carriage, and I didn't hold it against you, yet you treat me so poorly. Did Bai Mo say something to you? She's a notorious wastrel. I wouldn't want someone as outstanding as you to be made a fool of by her."

"Second Miss Bai, mind your words. Please step aside. I need to get into my carriage."

Bai Mo hadn't wanted to interfere. Her mind was full of worry about Shen Qing's condition, and she had intended to slip over to the Grand Preceptor's residence to see him, but then she heard Bai Yuanshuang blabbering on...

Wasn't this slow-acting poison a little too slow?

"Bai Mo this, Bai Mo that. My name rolls right off your tongue, doesn't it, second sister? I'm your elder sister. Have you forgotten even how to address me?"

Bai Yuanshuang turned and saw Bai Mo, and her expression went awkward for an instant. Speaking ill of someone wasn't so frightening; the frightening part was doing it to their face...

When Xiao Muzhi saw Bai Mo, his eyes flickered, and he gave her an extraordinarily gentle smile.

"What are you saying, elder sister? I merely speak my mind and say what I think."

Bai Mo rolled her eyes. "Tsk. What do you mean by blocking Young Master Xiao's way like this, second sister? Is this how a noble lady behaves?"