On the bed.
The unconscious Master Bai stirred his eyelids weakly, his face deathly pale.
"Father!"
Bai Hongyu rushed forward, calling out anxiously.
The breathing of the Bai family members in the room quickened noticeably, their gazes fixed on Master Bai.
"Cough cough!"
Master Bai gave a low cough and struggled to open his eyes.
Madam Bai's eyes misted over with excitement. She bit her lip and tightly held Master Bai's hand, "Master, you're finally awake!"
The Bai family members finally breathed a sigh of relief and gathered by the window.
Seeing the familiar faces before him, Master Bai couldn't help but show a knowing smile, "I am the patriarch of the Bai family, and my health has always been robust. I won't be in trouble. You've all been worried."
"Madam Bai, although the poison has been cleared, it has been in Master Bai's body for a long time. His body is very weak and requires spiritual medicine to nourish it. He should not be disturbed. Let him rest well," Feng Ninghe said, her clear voice echoing in the room.
Only then did everyone gradually leave the room, leaving a maid to attend to Master Bai.
Bai Qianqian's legs trembled, and she stared at the scene before her with trembling lips, disbelieving.
That damned woman had actually cured Master Bai!
Then wouldn't she lose face...
She was Bai Qianqian, showered with affection, yet now she had to kowtow and apologize to an outsider?
No!
Bai Qianqian turned and wanted to run.
As long as she ran fast enough and couldn't be found, after the storm passed, no one would remember her!
However, a figure stood firmly in front of her.
Feng Ninghe, dressed in white and wearing a veil, her phoenix eyes slightly cold, was calmly looking directly at her.
This chilling gaze sent shivers down Bai Qianqian's spine. She instinctively swallowed, her face looking ugly, "I... I have something to do, so I'll take my leave!"
After all, she was from the Bai family. If she lost face by apologizing in public, how would she conduct herself in the future?
But as soon as she took a step, her hands were tightly bound by a rope.
Feng Ninghe's expression was icy, and she glared at Bai Qianqian, "You cannot escape today."
The Bai family members had reservations but dared not speak out.
The bet was made by the two of them in public.
Now that Bai Qianqian had lost, she should accept the consequences of her bet.
It was just...
This time, the Bai family's reputation would be tarnished.
"Miss, why don't you change the method of her apology? She is, after all, a member of the Bai family..." The Great Elder of the Bai family looked at her hesitantly.
Bai Qianqian quickly nodded, "That's right, change the method of apology. Whatever compensation you want, I'll give you anything I have!"
Compared to her reputation, these external possessions were nothing.
Bai Niannian let out a muffled hum and spoke to stop them, "Cousin, you were the one who insisted on gambling. Now you're scared and afraid. If outsiders know, they'll think our Bai family is cowardly!"
"Niannian is right. This is your private matter, and we shouldn't interfere. Qi Mu almost cost Father his life. If it weren't for this young lady, it's unknown if Father would have survived!" Bai Hongyu said solemnly, a hint of fearlessness on his face.
Bai Qianqian became anxious and quickly turned her gaze to Madam Bai, "Aunt, this is indeed a private matter, but making me apologize in full view of everyone will only disgrace the Bai family."
Recalling how Qi Mu had almost killed Master Bai just now, Madam Bai's eyes turned colder.
"Qianqian, Qi Mu was brought by you and almost killed Master. Fortunately, the disciple of the Valley Master of the Medicine Valley saved him."
"I believe you meant no harm. For the sake of our past relationship, we will not pursue today's matter, but the bet you made must be handled by you."
With that, Madam Bai turned and left.
Bai Qianqian became desperate, her delicate face flushed red, "Aunt, only you can help me!"
Madam Bai acted as if she hadn't heard, and continued to walk away.
Feng Ninghe looked at Bai Hongyu, "Qi Mu impersonated the disciple of Old Man Shanjian, unaware that Old Man Shanjian and the Valley Master of the Medicine Valley are the same person. May I have permission to deal with this person as well?"
"Nonsense! How could Old Man Shanjian and the Valley Master of the Medicine Valley be the same person!" Bai Qianqian was the first to retort. Before she could finish speaking, her mouth was gagged, and no matter how hard she tried to speak, only muffled sounds came out.
Bai Hongyu nodded heartily and, with a wave of his hand, ordered a servant to bring the bound Qi Mu.
Qi Mu, his mouth stuffed with a rag, stared with wide eyes, unable to express his plight.
"You two will accompany me to the city gate," a cold female voice slowly came from Feng Ninghe.
She pulled the rope, dragging the two of them away.
Feng Ninghe's departure caused a stir among the crowd.
"We've only heard that the disciple of the Valley Master of the Medicine Valley is Miss Feng Ninghe of the Feng family, but we haven't heard of anyone else. This person's medical skills are superb and not to be underestimated!"
"She woke up Master with one move. I wonder who is stronger between this young lady and Miss Feng, as they are both disciples of the Valley Master of the Medicine Valley."
Bai Niannian's eyes sparkled with light, and her heart pounded in her chest.
She had never seen someone so straightforward and decisive in her life.
Others might have let it go for the sake of the Bai family's reputation, but Feng Ninghe was different; she would avenge any wrong.
Bai Niannian excitedly pulled Bai Hongyu, "Fourth Brother, let's go and watch! Cousin is usually arrogant and overbearing. This is the first time anyone has dared to discipline her in her life, we can't miss it!"
She had been bullied by Bai Qianqian often.
She had endured it because they were all members of the Bai family.
Now, Feng Ninghe's appearance made her feel a surge of excitement and fervor.
Before Bai Hongyu could react, he was already being pulled away.
Many people from the Bai family, seeing that there was a spectacle to behold, rushed over.
Qi Mu had almost caused Master Bai's death, and it was all his own doing.
As for Bai Qianqian, letting her gamble.
If the Bai family members couldn't even keep their word after a bet, they would be unworthy of the surname Bai!
On the street.
Feng Ninghe flew on her sword, her figure soaring, her white robes appearing noble and unstained.
She held a rope in her hand, with Qi Mu and Bai Qianqian tied to the end.
The two were being dragged along.
Many cultivators walking on the street recognized their identities.
"Isn't that Bai Qianqian of the Bai family? Usually so aloof and arrogant, why is she now bound and tied in the street? And who is the white-robed woman in front?"
"Look closely, the man beside her seems to be called Qi Mu, who claimed to be Old Man Shanjian's disciple. How could such a person be bound and dragged through the streets?"
The onlookers, fearing that the world would not be chaotic enough, craned their necks to stare ahead.
Bai Qianqian felt her face being trampled underfoot, and her heart was uneasy.
She lowered her head forcefully, trying to conceal her face and identity.
But no matter how she lowered her head, people could recognize her.
The adopted daughter of the dignified patriarch of the Bai family, abandoning her usual arrogant demeanor and being dragged through the streets and alleys in such a sorry state, became the subject of much gossip.