Song Qingchao watched Bai You'an nod.
The last sliver of hope in her heart vanished.
"Since the General of the Left is looking for you, you should go quickly."
She concealed her desolation and turned to leave.
But as they brushed past each other, Bai You'an gripped her forearm.
It was a possessive hold, yet he was careful not to hurt her, his palm a gentle pressure.
"Chaochao."
"Yes?" Song Qingchao didn't turn back. "Mr. Bai, is there something else?"
Bai You'an fell silent.
"If there's nothing else, I must leave. It's almost dawn."
"Chaochao..."
The word, uttered by Bai You'an, seemed to traverse mountains and rivers.
"You... be careful."
"You too, Mr. Bai."
Song Qingchao replied crisply. With a slight flick of her arm, she easily broke free.
Then, she strode forward like a north wind.
Zhou Si, passing Bai You'an, glanced at him.
He saw Bai You'an clenching his fist, veins bulging.
But he didn't speak up.
Song Qingchao was walking too fast. She had always been quick, but not like this.
Her speed was like that of someone being chased by a fierce dog.
Zhou Si shook his head as he followed.
He never imagined that the sought-after Mr. Bai would one day be the "fierce dog."
Bai You'an, the recipient of this epithet: "???"
Bai You'an turned to watch the master and servant disappear, a knot of emotion tightening in his chest.
He slammed his tightly clenched fist against the wall.
Whether it was the wall's hardness or its chill, Bai You'an felt the blood flowing from his fist congeal.
"Master."
Seeing his self-inflicted injury, a figure hidden in the shadows emerged to express concern and move to tend to his wound.
But Bai You'an dodged.
"No need. Let's leave quickly."
With that, he hurried towards Shuiyunjian without looking back.
He had expected the contact person to arrive in a few more days.
He hadn't anticipated trouble erupting so soon after Wanyan Xiyin's arrival.
"Master, reports indicate that along with Wanyan Xiyin, two youths mentioned by the madam two days ago have also disappeared."
"Those two?" Bai You'an's brows furrowed. "Have you seen them?"
"No."
"I see. Let's go."
As he spoke, the black-clad figure vanished into the falling snow.
As he neared Shuiyunjian,
Bai You'an slowed his pace to appear less hurried.
He was indeed summoned by Zuo Suiran this time.
Though, he had already intended to go.
His long fingers pushed open the wooden door, and the wind and snow swirled in with him.
"Mr. Bai, you've finally arrived."
Upon seeing Bai You'an, Zuo Suiran hurried over.
"Quick, there's still someone breathing."
Bai You'an snapped his fan shut with a "da" and secured it to his waist. "General Zuo, you sent for me in such haste. What is the matter?"
He feigned ignorance, his feet not moving an inch.
Zuo Suiran was so frustrated he wanted to carry the man away.
"Let's talk as we walk." Zuo Suiran was sweating profusely. "Hurry up, or this person won't last."
"What exactly has happened to make General Zuo so flustered?"
He knew, but he still had to ask.
"Has the young lady hidden in Shuiyunjian fallen ill? Given our relationship, you should have spoken up sooner. To let the girl suffer this way… rest assured, Mr. Bai will do his utmost to treat her."
"Oh, my Mr. Bai, while we can joke about other matters, today, please don't tease me."
Zuo Suiran strode forward, devoid of his usual levity.
"You really need to hurry."
Bai You'an followed behind him, his brow furrowed.
This time, he did not interject.
He knew the situation inside; his subordinate had already briefed him.
However, upon seeing the scene,
He couldn't help but be shocked.
The work was indeed clean and efficient. The people on the ground clearly hadn't struggled.
Without needing to crouch for a closer look, one could tell from the cut of the wounds that the perpetrator was no soft-hearted individual.
But what drew his attention most was another, peculiar wound.
"Mr. Bai! What are you thinking about? Hurry and save them!"
Bai You'an responded with a "yes" and hurried over, setting down his medicine box.
This person's wound was different from the others.
The others had their necks slashed, a swift end to their lives.
But this person had a dagger plunged into their chest.
It appeared to be a waiter from the establishment.
And judging by his fallen position, he must have seen the killer.
Such a wound was not difficult for Bai You'an.
After taking a pill, he first stopped the bleeding, then swiftly and accurately pulled out the dagger.
"There. Carry him down and let him rest well."
Zuo Suiran, who had been observing the room, clicked his tongue. "We really needed Mr. Bai. Our military doctor wouldn't even dare to pull out this dagger."
He withdrew his gaze from the bed, walked towards Bai You'an with his hands behind his back, and took the dagger from him.
He narrowed his eyes, holding it and examining it for a moment.
He was so surprised that his eyes widened.
But perhaps thinking of Bai You'an's presence at the scene, he immediately wore a look of smug satisfaction, like an old fox.
"Thank you, Mr. Bai, for today."
He directly tucked the dagger away behind him, unconcerned by the bloodstains.
"Without you, Mr. Bai, I truly wouldn't have known what to do."
He didn't give Bai You'an a chance to speak, only smiling as he ordered his subordinate, "Come, escort Mr. Bai back to rest."
Zuo Suiran extended his clean hands towards the door.
Though seemingly polite, it was a clear dismissal.
"I truly don't know how to thank you, Mr. Bai. I'm extremely busy today. Feel free to take whatever you need from my residence another day. Whatever Miss Zhong'er likes, please take it."
The way he waved his hand was reminiscent of a nouveau riche throwing money around.
Bai You'an didn't call him out.
He also smiled and told Zuo Suiran, "You're too kind," and "It's nothing."
With each exchange, Bai You'an was eventually escorted out.
Standing at the grand entrance of Shuiyunjian, Bai You'an looked down and rubbed the bloodstains from his fingers.
If he wasn't mistaken, that dagger was from the imperial palace.
He wondered only which camp its owner belonged to...
But that specific wound... it must have been from a Zi Wu Yuan Yang Yue.
For such an obscure weapon, as far as he knew, only one person wielded it...
Connecting this with seeing her in a rush that morning,
Was she truly coming out because she saw him enter Shuiyunjian?
If so, it was too much of a coincidence.
Chaochao...
What exactly are you planning...
"Mr. Bai?"
Bai You'an was jolted back to reality by a subordinate soldier.
"The snow is heavy now, let's take a carriage. Please get in."
Bai You'an nodded in agreement, tightened his greatcoat, and got into the carriage.
Little did he know, on the third floor of Xiyun Pavilion, a pair of eyes were silently watching him.