Bai Qingqing found Qiyue, who quickly pulled her into a private room and brought out a tray from the back.
"Everything you asked me to keep an eye out for last time is here. Take a look."
She lifted the cloth covering the tray. On the edge lay a small, unassuming dagger, its dull gray surface making it easy to overlook. Qiyue picked it up, weighed it in her hand, and passed it over.
"Don’t be fooled by its looks. This dagger was crafted by a master. It cuts through metal like mud. The key is that it’s small and inconspicuous—you can hide it on your person, and no one will notice. It’s perfect for self-defense."
Bai Qingqing accepted it. It was lighter than she’d imagined. Gripping the hilt, she drew the blade with ease, and the cold gleam along the edge shimmered like snow.
“It’s a fine piece.”
Though she was a woman, her father’s influence had given her some familiarity with weapons. One glance told her this dagger was anything but ordinary.
The rest of the items included essential medicines for travel, disguises to confuse the eye, and some specialized powders with various effects.
“They’re all for your protection,” Qiyue said. “The dangers you’ll face out there are far worse than you imagine. Even with adults around, never let your guard down. And those incense blends you made earlier—some of them are very useful. Bring them all.”
“Thank you, Sister Qiyue. I’ve already prepared quite a few.”
She’d made various incense blends, each with a different use, ready for whatever might come.
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“You went to such trouble to gather these. I won’t forget it. I’ll have someone bring the silver over shortly.”
Qiyue smiled lightly. “No need. These are from me. All I ask is that you return safe and sound.”
“That won’t do.”
Bai Qingqing refused. “You work for Suiyun Pavilion. How can I let you spend your own money? No, absolutely not. You mustn’t be polite with me—I really do have money!”
Qiyue licked her lips hesitantly. “Truly, there’s no need. Our Pavilion Master... he's a great benefactor. After hearing about your situation, he specially instructed me to gather these things for you. I didn’t spend a single coin of my own.”
Bai Qingqing tilted her head, puzzled. “But the Pavilion Master of Suiyun Pavilion is said to be someone detached from worldly affairs, unconcerned with the dust of the mortal realm. Why would he...?”
“Oh, those are just stories. Our master is actually a very kind person.”
The more Qiyue spoke, the more fluent she became, piling on praises until she’d practically turned the Pavilion Master into a living bodhisattva. By the end, she almost believed it herself. “In any case, just take these. The southwest is full of towering mountains and rushing rivers—the road ahead is dangerous. Please, take good care of yourself.”
Bai Qingqing was touched, and solemnly promised she would.
Just as she was about to leave, she saw Die’er enter with her arms full of delicate trinkets, all clearly meant for women.
Qiyue gave them only a glance before instructing her to set them aside. Something stirred in Bai Qingqing’s mind. “Sister, has the eldest young master of the Fu family come looking for you again recently?”
“He hasn’t, thankfully. Only then has this place returned to its former peace.”
As Qiyue spoke, she frowned slightly. “But now and then, he still sends little gifts. I already sent word that I don’t need anything, yet he persists.”
Bai Qingqing walked over to take a closer look at the gifts Fu Xiao had sent. Whether a gift carried true sentiment was often easy to tell. The items were rare and carefully chosen, but what stood out most was a porcelain jar of snow-white medicine, its scent gentle yet deeply soothing.
“What’s this?”
Die’er, standing nearby, replied, “The man who delivered it said that Young Master Fu heard of the old injury you sustained from dancing, one that left a lasting ailment. This medicine, he said, was specially sought out and is particularly effective in treating such lingering wounds.”