After tending to her wounds, the maid curled up quietly in a corner, eyes vacant and dim. Seeing this, Bai Qingqing handed her a flatcake. “Don’t worry. Our lord is incredibly capable—he’ll definitely bring your lady back.”
The maid didn’t take the cake. She sat there, dazed, clutching her knees as though her soul had been frightened out of her body. After a long while, she murmured, “Even if she’s saved, her reputation is ruined…”
A woman taken by bandits—even if she returned alive—would likely live the rest of her days under scornful eyes and whispered judgments. Some, to protect their family’s honor, were even forced to take their own lives.
It wasn’t unheard of. Bai Qingqing didn’t know how to console her. Instead, she went to the incense burner, changed the calming incense, and sat quietly beside her.
Waiting was the hardest part—especially for something so harrowing. As the sky gradually darkened, Bai Qingqing’s anxiety spilled over. Again and again, she asked Wen Jiang, “Are they really all right? The bandits are cruel and ruthless. Is the group Lord Ning took with him enough? This is their territory, what if there are traps in the mountains?”
Frightening thoughts raced through her mind, draining all color from her face. Wen Jiang quickly tried to reassure her. “Don’t be afraid. Our lord never acts without preparation. These bandits have been on his list for some time. He knows exactly how many of them there are, how strong they are, and every hiding place in these mountains. He might just be delayed because he’s rescuing people. By my calculations, he should be back any moment now.”
Seeing the calm confidence on Wen Jiang’s face, some of her fear finally subsided—but she still refused to pull her head back inside. Her eyes stayed wide open, scanning the forest in hopes of catching a glimpse of Ning Yan’s figure.
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Before the sky turned completely dark, they finally returned.
Ning Yan rode out of the deepening dusk, and Bai Qingqing jumped down from the carriage to run toward him. But before she could get close, a thick stench of blood hit her, making her head reel.
She hadn’t seen clearly before due to the fading light, but now, as she drew near, she saw that Ning Yan’s armor and robes were soaked in dark red. The stains were so heavy and dense they nearly covered his original colors entirely.
Her mind went blank. Was Ning Yan injured? Her hand trembled as she reached out—wanting to touch, but afraid of finding a wound. Even her voice wavered. “All this… blood?”
Ning Yan frowned, barely perceptibly. “Didn’t I tell you to stay in the carriage? Why did you get out? Don’t touch me—I’m not clean.”
The blood and flesh of those wretches had no business touching Bai Qingqing.
Mu Shu stepped forward from behind him. “Don’t worry. None of this blood belongs to the lord. It’s all from the bandits. He’s unharmed.”
Bai Qingqing lifted her eyes, trembling, as if she wanted to pierce through his armor to confirm Mu Shu’s words. “Really? None of it’s yours? You’re not hurt? That’s… that’s such a relief…”
Tears were already brimming in her eyes from fear. Once she was sure Ning Yan was safe, she asked about the girl. “Did you save her? She must’ve been terrified… Where is she? Is she walking slower, still behind?”
Mu Shu’s expression darkened slightly. He stepped aside.
A few armored guards approached, carrying someone covered by a cloth. Just as they laid the figure on the ground, the maid rushed over and dropped to her knees, trembling hands reaching to lift the shroud.
Bai Qingqing caught sight of an arm dangling from beneath the cloth—just a glimpse, but it was enough. It was covered in bruises, deep and shallow, terrifying in their number and shape.
The moment the cloth was lifted, a blood-smeared hand reached out and blocked her view.
“Don’t look. You won’t be able to bear it…”