The pale moon illuminated the nearing rider's outline, their visage indiscernible as they flew closer and closer, until finally, a distinct appearance became revealed to the observing eye.
A flash of displeasure flitted across Li Meirong's countenance upon discovering the identity of the approaching rider, whom, to her great disappointment, was neither Xiong Mei nor Zhu Qingyue.
Similar to the ancient tales of a glorious beauty falling down from the heavens, Shu Qianqian's long flowing robes fluttered around her feminine curves as she dismounted from a flying crane in mid-air. She performed a brilliant Qinggong technique, gliding through the sky as though she descended upon a translucent staircase.
Li Meirong attempted to keep a small smile on her face and failed. Intoxicated as she was, it was that much harder to control her expression under the circumstances.
"Sister Meirong, long time no see." Shu Qianqian smiled, waving from afar as she strode forward.
Li Meirong's eyebrows rose up. She remained unmoving. "Why have you come?" She asked in a tone tinged with indifference.
Shu Qianqian's smile disappeared without a trace. She reached Li Meirong in a hurry, standing only a few steps away, seemingly out of breath, yet still maintaining the appearance of a regal and matchless beauty.
Out here, in the outer sect disciples' courtyard, Shu Qianqian's extravagant dress and expensive jewellery made her seem completely out of place as she stood there, with a pig pen stationed right behind. The strong mixing stenches of booze and animal feces permeating the air did nothing to help her visage to blend in.
Though it seemed as though none of it mattered to her. Her expression appeared quite stressed, as though whatever she had to say was a matter of life or death.
"I know we had a falling-out, but I hope that what happened between us won't make you a disloyal friend," Shu Qianqian's eyes shimmered in the night with unshed tears as she spoke. Her every step was that of a frail, distraught young lady. "I really need your help!" She begged.
Li Meirong snorted loudly, unfazed by the display. "Tell me, why should I help you now? Didn't you call me a slut? Didn't you say I don't care about anything?" She folded her arms together in a condescending manner, and added, "Didn't you say I don't deserve your friendship? Well, I don't care enough to help you."
She knew that she should be more careful with her pretenses, however, being drunk had made her grow bolder, more honest, and perhaps, more foolish. "I suppose that does indeed make me a disloyal friend." she added.
Despite her addled state of mind, the memory of Shu Qianqian's disdainful gaze as she hurled insults her way was etched too deep inside her heart to be erased.
Contrary to Li Meirong's expectations, Shu Qianqian didn't back down after being rejected. Instead, she clutched the fabric of her silken robe right at the area of her heart, her voice trembling. "I regret what I said, I really do. But right now, I'm not here for me, but for our dearest friend who's in dire need of your help!"
Her desperate response made Li Meirong hesitate. She frowned and asked, "Who needs my help?"
"It's Brother Jing!" Shu Qianqian cried out, "He's in terrible danger!"
'Mo Jing? Why would he be in danger? He almost never leaves his division's island…' Li Meirong pondered in silence. The image of the sharp-mouthed youth she had known for all those years, suffering and agonizing for whatever reason, troubled her.
Once upon a time, Li Meirong would have rushed ahead and offered whatever assistance she was capable of, heedless of the danger. Shu Qianqian was, after all, a girl whom she had known for many years, a friend she had once shared her meals with, listened to her troubles, lent her own shoulder to cry on.
But now, after being schemed against time and time again, she was no longer willing to follow others blindly.
"W-wait a moment." Li Meirong staggered as she stepped back, closing her eyes. She felt a little too dizzy and really regretted swallowing that final cup of rice wine.
While she was so unsettled, she failed to notice Shu Qianqian's triumphant smile.
Shu Qianqian's eyes narrowed down, assessing Li Meirong's drunken state with utmost satisfaction. Honestly, the disfigured Captain Liang's spies were quite the meticulous bunch. She couldn't have found this girl at a better time.
However, her confidence took a staggering blow when a cute looking toddler suddenly materialized out of thin air!
"W-who? What?"
Shu Qianqian gaped, unable to properly voice the question of where, from seemingly out of nowhere, this… this thing just came from? Or rather, what was this thing?
The toddler ignored Shu Qianqian and turned to glare at Li Meirong with obvious discontent, as though she just woke him up from his comfortable nap. "Why did Master summon Chou again? Can Master stop being silly and go home to rest?!"
Li Meirong's midnight lashes fluttered open. She crouched down to Chou's eye level and whispered in his ear, "Can you stop complaining for once in your life!? I need you to tell me if she's lying!"