Someone called out to her from behind. Bai Qingqing stopped and turned to see Mo Kexin chasing after her.
Mo Kexin quickly caught up and stood in front of Bai Qingqing, the tassels of her headpiece swaying with every step.
"You didn't want to compete with me today, so when would be a good time? I'll accompany you anytime."
Bai Qingqing said nothing. "I don't like competing with others."
"Are you looking down on me? I know Princess Ping favors you, I can see it, but so what? I don’t think I’m any worse than you. What you can do, I’m sure I can do just as well!"
Bai Qingqing realized she didn’t feel the slightest bit of anger, and even found herself feeling a bit of pity for Mo Kexin.
She sighed softly, her tone gentle as flowing water. "You’re certainly no worse than I am, I think so too." She glanced down and noticed the fragrance pouch at Mo Kexin's waist, sold by Suiyun Pavilion. "I’ve always believed that those who love fragrances are both delicate and brave, but... your taste doesn’t compare to mine."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Have you not heard about the son of Princess Ping and his cousin? I have no intention of stealing anyone’s affection. You don’t need to see me as an enemy. I actually quite like you."
The shock on her face was impossible to conceal, but Bai Qingqing’s candid expression made her feel at a loss for words, something rare for her.
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"What... What are you saying?"
"I'm being honest. You're so beautiful, with a good family background and talents. You should be the one and only person in someone’s heart. I just think it’s a pity."
Mo Kexin, hearing her speak more and more absurdly, forgot that she had originally come to challenge Bai Qingqing. With an awkward expression, she hurriedly left.
Bai Qingqing was in an exceptionally good mood, feeling like she had done a good deed. Although it had nothing to do with her, she didn’t want any woman to follow the same path she had walked!
Bai Qingqing had been strolling around the garden for a while, her feet starting to feel tired. She thought it was about time to leave when she suddenly heard Zidai call out behind her.
Turning around, Bai Qingqing saw Zidai had been bumped by a maid holding a tea tray, and half of her skirt was soaked, with tea leaves scattered on it.
The maid’s eyes were filled with tears, and she crouched on the ground, frantically wiping at Zidai's skirt with a handkerchief. "I didn’t see clearly, I made my sister suffer, it’s all my fault…"
The maid appeared to be no older than eleven or twelve, and Bai Qingqing could tell it was an accident, so she told Zidai to go change into another skirt while she found a place to rest and wait for her.
After Zidai left, a servant led Bai Qingqing to a warm room where guests could rest.
"Miss, please rest here for a while."
The servant bowed respectfully and left. Bai Qingqing was indeed tired, so she pushed open the door and went in.
The room was faintly scented, though Bai Qingqing couldn’t quite tell what the fragrance was. Perhaps it was from the incense in the Perfume Pavilion earlier, but it didn’t smell particularly pleasant—just bearable.
However, soon she felt something was wrong, especially when she heard a sound from the inner room. It startled her so much that she jumped up from the bench, instinctively heading for the door.
But the door was locked.
A wave of panic rushed through her. She called out several times, but there was no response. Biting her lip hard, she used the sharp pain to force herself to calm down.
Her blood felt cold, but she hurried to the inner room, where she saw someone lying on the bed—it was Fu Yi!
But something was off about Fu Yi. His eyes were tightly shut, his face unnaturally red, an alarming hue. Bai Qingqing's mind raced, and in an instant, she remembered something—this state, she had seen it on Ning Yan before!