Yin Xuan waited until Qing Yao was fast asleep, then recalled Hua Wenbo’s earlier words. Her Ugly Face Gu could be cured. A single drop of blood from someone who truly loved her would cure her. If that person’s heart held even a shred of impurity, they would be harmed by the counter-gu, suffering greatly.
Could his blood be the cure? Yin Xuan gently embraced her, asking himself the question.
He was confident his blood was the most potent antidote, for his heart seemed to reside entirely with her. As they spent more time together, he found himself increasingly unable to pull away from her radiance. Her appearance no longer mattered to him. Yet, he knew it mattered to her, otherwise, she wouldn’t have veiled her face. Women, by nature, were vain.
Yin Xuan’s gaze deepened, a smile playing on his lips. He raised his hand to his mouth, bit his finger with force, and let the blood well up. Without hesitation, he placed his hand into her mouth, the blood spreading into her oral cavity.
She, however, remained blissfully unaware of all this.
True love, offered with sincerity, seeks no return.
He only wished for her happiness. Whether she knew it or not was unimportant.
He withdrew his hand, gently taking hers and pressing it against his cheek. Slowly, word by word, he whispered, “Yao’er, you must be happy in this life. If what I can give you means betraying heaven, I will do so. But if I cannot give you what you deserve, I hope in the remainder of your days, you will find someone who loves you wholeheartedly.”
As he spoke these words, a smile graced his face, though his heart ached with profound pain. Yet, so many people and events were predestined. He didn’t know if he could persevere until the end.
His eyes were filled with tender affection as he held her tightly, sighing softly.
“But Yao’er, do you know my deepest wish? I wish to know your past life, to know who you truly are. I want to give you a grand wedding, not as Mu Qingyao, but as your true self. I know that is the real you…”
Yin Xuan held her close, watching her and speaking to her all night, witnessing the red blemishes on her face slowly recede, transforming into flawless, translucent skin. Her delicate face, like a fragrant petal, captivated the eye. When she was peaceful and quiet, one felt an urge to cradle her in their hands, unwilling to let go. How painful would it be to release her then?
As dawn broke, Yin Xuan carefully placed her down and quietly departed, returning to his own room to rest.
Early the next morning, Xiao Yu’er dashed into Qing Yao’s chambers. She had kept vigil outside all night, finally falling asleep near dawn. Mo Chou had carried her into the room to rest, but the moment she lay down, she awoke again, terrified that something had happened to her mother. If anything truly happened to her mother, she swore she wouldn’t live another day.
On the grand bed in the chambers.
Her white undergarments clung to her graceful, slender figure. Her hair, as dark as ink, fanned out on the embroidered pillow like a blooming flower. Her face, with brows like delicate willow branches, was framed by long, thick eyelashes that concealed an icy glint. Her nose was perfectly sculpted, her lips a lovely pink. Her skin was as smooth as satin, or even finer jade. She was as beautiful as a favored child of God, with not a trace of the red blemishes. What was happening?
Xiao Yu’er suspected she was mistaken and blinked furiously. Finally, confirming her eyesight was fine, she called out towards the screen, “Mo Chou, come in quickly, quickly!”
Those outside, thinking something had happened, hurried in. They saw Xiao Yu’er’s mouth agape, pointing at their mistress on the bed. Mo Chou and Bing Xiao’s hearts tightened, believing something dire had occurred. They swiftly raised their heads to look, and soon, they too were stunned. The red blemishes on their mistress’s face were gone. She had healed inexplicably, as if by magic. How could this be?
In the chamber, the three of them blinked for a long time, speechless.
However, Xiao Yu’er’s earlier cry had stirred the person on the bed. She slowly opened her eyes. What luminous eyes they were, shimmering with the brilliance of pearls, yet holding the deep, dark glow of the sea. She frowned slightly. Beautiful as she was, even this simple gesture was incredibly elegant. Combined with her innate aloof demeanor, a single glance was enough to captivate anyone.
“What is it?”
Qing Yao spoke slowly, her internal energy flowing. Last night, Yin Xuan had helped her circulate her energy. After a night’s rest, she felt no abnormalities, only confusion as to why the three women in the room were gaping as if they had seen a ghost. She touched her face curiously. What was wrong with her face? Had the red blemishes worsened?
“Mistress, something strange has happened.”
Mo Chou walked to a nearby dressing table, fetched a bronze mirror, and presented it to Qing Yao.
Qing Yao instinctively shied away. Ever since she had been afflicted with the Gu, she rarely looked in mirrors. Ancient mirrors were somewhat blurry, and coupled with the disfiguring red blemishes on her face, she looked even more terrifying in the reflection. She didn’t even want to frighten herself.
But today, why was Mo Chou being so thoughtless? Qing Yao mused silently, her eyes casually glancing at the mirror. In it, she saw a woman with a face like a ripe peach, her bright eyes sparkling and full of life, possessing an innate beauty. There wasn't a trace of any red blemishes. Qing Yao touched the mirror in confusion, “Is there something wrong with this?”
“No, Mistress. The red blemishes on your face are truly gone. They’ve vanished for no reason.”
“Yes, Mother, you’re so beautiful,” Xiao Yu’er excitedly rushed to the bedside, reaching out to touch her face. Now her mother wouldn’t need to cover her face with thin gauze. She was her beautiful mother again.
“They are really gone?”
Qing Yao immediately became overjoyed. She picked up the bronze mirror again and examined it closely. It was indeed her face, her skin fair and smooth, transparent like jade, without any imperfections. Let alone such large red blemishes, this was wonderful! What exactly had happened?
While delighted, Qing Yao couldn’t help but feel puzzled. She carefully recalled the events of the previous night.
Yin Xuan had helped her circulate her energy to heal her injuries. Afterwards, she was too exhausted and had rested in his embrace for a while. Later, she fell asleep and nothing unusual had occurred. Could it be that Yin Xuan had cured her Gu? That was impossible. Hua Wenbo was her mortal enemy; why would he give her an antidote?
Qing Yao was utterly bewildered. Finally, she stopped thinking and looked up at Mo Chou and Bing Xiao in the chamber, “When did Yin Xuan leave?”
“Just before dawn. This subordinate saw he was very tired. He should be resting now.”
“Yes, do not disturb him today,” Qing Yao instructed with concern. Bing Xiao nodded. Mo Chou stepped forward to attend to her mistress, who no longer needed to hide herself. She was already a delicate and tender woman.
However, today, she would likely surprise the soldiers. Who would have thought their commander was such a beautiful young woman?
But General An and the other vice-generals should be the most astonished. They had witnessed their mistress’s true appearance last night, and today, a celestial being had appeared. Mo Chou chuckled softly at the thought.