Bai Youan looked up and saw a woman dressed in a flashy manner.
The woman looked at him and curtsied shyly.
Bai Youan merely frowned, "You, come here."
Upon hearing his words, the woman's face instantly turned red. She fidgeted and said, "My lord, this is not proper, is it?"
"What is not proper?" Bai Youan took the clothes from the table and walked over, thrusting them into her hands. "Help the person inside change. Remember, she has an injury on her left shoulder. Be very careful."
The woman, who had been shy moments ago, was stunned. She looked at the clothes in her hands and asked uncertainly, "The person inside?"
"Yes." Bai Youan walked past her and stood by the door to guard it. "Remember to be extremely careful."
A moment later, a woman's startled cry came from inside.
Bai Youan, with his back to her, asked, "What is it?"
"Young master, this young lady has woken up." The woman gasped. "Young lady, please let go. I mean you no harm."
"Are the clothes changed?"
"Yes, they're changed. Young master, hurry!" The woman's voice grew increasingly anxious.
Bai Youan strode inside and saw Song Qingchao, her face cold, gripping the woman's wrist.
Her face was pale, but her spirit was strong.
His eyes held a hint of weariness, and his gaze was filled with amusement. "She was merely helping you change clothes, Miss Song. There's no need to be so cautious."
Song Qingchao curled her lips into a smile, then gently loosened her grip, flinging the woman to the ground.
The woman, sprawled on the floor, cried out in a delicate voice, "Young master, look at her!"
"Young master?" Song Qingchao raised an eyebrow and glanced at the expanse of white revealed on the woman's chest. "Your taste is indeed excellent."
Bai Youan chuckled, his interest waning. "You should leave now."
He walked to Song Qingchao's bedside and sat down, reaching out to take her pulse, but his hand grasped at empty air.
"Stop playing games, you have an injury on your shoulder."
This time, Song Qingchao didn't dodge. She allowed him to take her pulse. "My injury is fine."
Bai Youan merely hummed in response, then brought over a bowl of medicine. "Drink this."
Song Qingchao tilted her head to look at him but refused to open her mouth.
Bai Youan knew Song Qingchao all too well. He spoke in a gentle tone, as if coaxing a child, "They are outside."
Song Qingchao remained silent, took the bowl of medicine, and drank it.
She handed the bowl back directly, but her mind was filled with the sight of that dazzling white.
"You..."
Before she could finish, her mouth was stuffed with a piece of candied fruit, swallowing her words.
Bai Youan lowered his head and placed all the candied fruit in his hand into Song Qingchao's palm. "Qingmu would be worried."
Song Qingchao rolled her eyes at him.
She lay back on the bed, grabbed the quilt, and turned away from Bai Youan.
Closing her eyes, her mouth was filled with the sweet and sour taste of the candied fruit, and all her dissatisfaction was dispelled in that moment.
With a creak, the door was pushed open from the outside.
Shouhou and Liu San'er, bickering noisily, walked in.
Bai Youan bowed respectfully. "This humble subject pays his respects to Your Excellencies. May I ask what business you have?"
"I'm here to investigate the crime scene," Liu San'er spoke first.
Shouhou was not to be outdone and said in a deep voice, "Mr. Bai, you don't need to mind us. Please focus on treating the patient."
The two men walked around and finally sat on the only two remaining chairs.
"Has the person concerned woken up?"
Bai Youan shook his head. "Miss Song has narrowly escaped death. It is not advisable to disturb her yet."
"Not advisable to disturb?" Liu San'er's face contorted. "Then, should I wait until she wakes up?"
He raised his hand to slam the table, only to find it overturned. He then stood up, his face flushed red, and pointed a finger at Song Qingchao, "Find a way to wake her up!"
Shouhou frowned in disapproval. "It's not just Miss Song. What are you doing?"
Liu San'er became even more animated. "But she's the only one who can speak!"
As the two argued, they were about to fight when Gao Songmo pushed the door open, and they released each other's collars.
Shouhou's face was grim. "I'll ask. Nod if it's yes, shake your head if it's no."
Gao Songmo quickly nodded.
"Were you attacked?"
Gao Songmo nodded and then shook his head.
"Was it with a hidden weapon? Did you see his appearance?"
Gao Songmo shook his head.
"Why were you in Miss Song's room so late at night? Greed?"
Gao Songmo continued to shake his head.
Liu San'er slapped his thighs and leaned in. "Then it must be lust!"
Gao Songmo was so frightened that he sat down on the ground, shaking his head like a rattle drum.
Tears streamed down his face. He truly had grievances that he could not express!
Initially, he had only wanted to please Mrs. Hu, and he himself could also have some fun. He never expected to encounter such a situation.
Now, both his hands were crippled, and his throat was unable to speak.
In his current state, even if he returned to his post, he would be a burden.
Realizing this, Gao Songmo knelt on the ground and fumbled for Shouhou's trouser leg, smearing his snot and tears all over it.
Shouhou disgustedly pulled his leg away and looked at the crying, oblivious Gao Songmo with utter exasperation.
Liu San'er tutted a few times. "Then what was he doing here?"
He put his arms across his chest and bumped Shouhou with his shoulder, almost knocking Shouhou over. "If you ask me, he was most likely driven by lust. This person is useless to me. You can take him back to the capital."
Shouhou glared back fiercely. "Get lost!"
"Why are you getting angry? So stingy." Liu San'er's expression changed instantly, and he mumbled, "One hundred percent, he was watching the girl bathe and wanted to barge in with improper intentions, then was rescued by a chivalrous person."
"Why are you talking so much!" Shouhou suddenly roared, then kicked Gao Songmo in the shoulder. "Useless!"
At this moment, Song Qingchao, huddled in the corner, had her back to everyone.
Her eyes were clear, and a mocking smile played on her lips.
Did they really think her money was so easily obtained?
She retracted her smile, coughed weakly, and pretended to be sick. She was very good at this.
"The young lady is awake?"
Bai Youan, sitting beside her, frowned and remained silent. Song Qingchao herself slowly sat up.
In the end, Bai Youan could not bear to see her appear so weak and offered his hand to help her.
Song Qingchao looked at the hand in front of her, hesitated for a moment, and then placed hers in it.
She leaned against Bai Youan's broad chest, her nose filled with his scent, which was inexplicably reassuring.
"Your Excellencies, please calm your anger. The cause of the incident is that this humble girl was bathing here when suddenly a bandit broke in. Lord Gao, who is next door, heard my cries for help and came to assist me. Unfortunately, he was injured by the bandit. This humble girl feels extremely sorry..."
She spoke while wiping away tears, her pitiable appearance making her exceptionally charming.
Shouhou stepped forward, his hands behind his back. "Did you see the criminal's appearance?"
"The person was masked, wearing black. The fog was too thick, so I couldn't see clearly. I only noticed he was tall."
Song Qingchao covered her mouth and coughed twice. Her wound began to bleed again. "I suppose I displayed too much wealth during the day, attracting the attention of surrounding villains, thus causing this disaster."
Seeing their doubtful expressions, she leaned forward. "This gentleman was injured saving me. Please, officials, do not blame him."