Chapter 296: Master Yi Bai
After a while, Mu Bo arrived with Song Shang, followed by a few people.
“Cousin!” Wen Yu stood up.
Song Shang’s expression was serious as he responded with a hum.
“General Duanmu, this is Song Shang, my cousin. He also holds the title of Loyal and Diligent Earl. Cousin, General Duanmu is Princess Hui Duan’s son. He was the one who saved Master Qing…” After Wen Yu finished speaking to Song Shang, her eyes reddened again. She was feeling very vulnerable now.
Song Shang bowed deeply: “Thank you, General, for your assistance.”
Duanmu remained seated and simply nodded.
Song Shang said, “I had Doctor Huang look at the medical records. He said we can’t administer medication rashly and needs to examine him.”
Wen Yu looked at Duanmu, who called out, “Doctor Liang, lead them to have a look!”
Servants surrounded the area with a folding screen, and several doctors began their examination.
Song Shang didn’t ask Wen Yu what had happened, but went straight to the point: “Is everyone else alright? Do they need anything arranged?”
“Cousin, Zhu Zhu was at the inn today, right?”
“Yes, Mr. Hu was there too.” Song Shang had simply asked a question, but Wen Yu’s response told him that the situation was not simple.
Wen Yu pointed to the dart on the table and whispered a few words to him.
Song Shang also picked up the small dart with a cloth, examining and smelling it. “Heh, Ah Yu, who has Master Qing provoked?”
Seeing Song Shang’s reaction, Duanmu had the same question in his mind: What kind of trouble had this Wen Yu gotten herself into? And what kind of people surrounded her?
Song Shang… he didn’t look like much, how did he even recognize this?
Sitting there, Wen Yu couldn’t figure it out either: That old witch! When she was engaged to Wulang, Madam Qi had already told her about Tan Shi’s character and methods.
After marrying into the Qi family and meeting her in person, she realized that although Tan Shi’s schemes were endless, her motives always boiled down to one thing.
Spoiling Qi Youyi, making her own children and grandchildren suffer in the Northwest, driving a wedge between Madam Qi and Qi Xiao, repeatedly scheming against her, and targeting Xu Shi, Zhu Shi, and others… all of these were just paving the way for that one obsession.
It could also be: her bad nature, her narrow-mindedness, always wanting to stir up trouble and watch the drama unfold.
All of this was understandable. But how could she have this kind of person at her disposal?
Could it be the Marquis’s people?
Unable to figure it out, she honestly said, “Actually, I’m not too sure myself. General Duanmu, it’s late. We need to wait for them to return. If you would like to rest, please feel free to do so.”
Duanmu Hui knew Wen Yu wanted him to leave, but he wasn’t willing: “Now that I’m involved in this matter, I have to hear it out. Otherwise, how can I bear being targeted by such assassins for no reason? If there’s a secret you don’t want me to know, just give me a signal, and I’ll cover my ears.”
Wen Yu was helpless: “You’re joking, General. We would be most grateful if you, with your vast experience, could stay and help us analyze the situation.” Remembering this guy’s nickname, she really had to be careful not to offend him…
The doctors were still discussing, and most of Wen Yu’s attention was focused on them.
Song Shang, however, started chatting with Duanmu. Before long, the two of them were engaged in a lively conversation about some business opportunity in Duanmu’s stationed area.
After a while, Qi Wu returned. Behind him, Zhang Jiangqing and Li Jiang were supporting someone.
Wen Yu heard the commotion and walked a few steps towards the door. Seeing Qi Wu’s strange expression, she looked over and gasped: “Ah?”
If the man before her wasn’t dressed in men’s clothing and accompanied by them, Wen Yu would have really mistaken him for Concubine Xiu Yun… She stared blankly, momentarily unable to react.
“Madam.” Yi Bai addressed her proactively. “It seems my aunt was right. I do bear a striking resemblance to that Concubine Xiu Yun.”
Wen Yu was incredulous: “Not only do you look alike, but even your voices are similar.”
Concubine Xiu Yun’s voice was deep, while Yi Bai’s was clear and melodious. Hearing his voice, one would think he was a young man who had just gone through puberty.
Qi Wu said, “Ah Yu, how is Master Qing? Let Yi Bai take a look at her first!”
โฟโฟโฟ
“My cousin brought a doctor who is still examining her…”
Yi Bai was helped to Master Qing’s side. He didn’t cry, only a faint sadness lingered as he gazed at her, gently smoothing the sheet that covered her.
That scene was incredibly poignant, moving everyone present.
Song Shang said, “Let the doctors continue their discussion. Let’s sit over there and talk.”
Li Jiang helped Yi Bai, and after everyone was seated, Yi Bai solemnly expressed his gratitude to everyone, especially to General Duanmu.
Duanmu, no longer lazy or flippant, looked at him with curiosity. Such a person was truly rare in this world. He even spoke politely: “You’re welcome. Since your leg is injured, please sit down and talk.”
Yi Bai sat down, his long hair simply tied behind him. His hands rested on his legs, his back straight, inexplicably beautiful.
Wen Yu composed herself and said, “Last time, your aunt went to the Qi residence. Afterward, she only told me that she found Concubine Xiu Yun familiar, fearing she might be an old acquaintance of the Bai family. She wanted me to help inquire about her. But she didn’t mention that you look exactly like Concubine Xiu Yun. Why don’t… you tell us what you know first?”
Yi Bai nodded: “Yes. I wasn’t born when the Bai family was destroyed. My mother was pregnant with me and was locked up with several aunts. When she gave birth to me, she learned that my father and brother were no longer alive… She couldn’t accept it and took her own life.”
“Everything I know was told to me by my aunts later. After my mother died, my three aunts took me to a brothel. The two older ones… they didn’t commit suicide. They endured humiliation just to raise me.”
“When my youngest aunt reached the age to serve clients, the brothel owner forced her to drink a contraceptive potion. Unexpectedly, after she drank it, her body swelled and festered, and she couldn’t speak. The owner thought she was going to die and threw her in the backyard, ready to have her carted away.”
“A customer saw her, took pity on her, and bought her with silver. After a few years, she secretly returned. By then, she had become Boss Liu’s concubine and was helping him manage his business. My two aunts, seeing that she had settled down, asked her to continue caring for me… Then, they just…”
He paused. These human tragedies, recounted from his mouth, sounded as if they were stories about someone else.
“Later, when I was twelve, I refused to be arranged to serve clients by the brothel owner, so I jumped from a building. But I didn’t die…” He gently stroked his leg.
“The owner tortured and beat me, but I wouldn’t yield. He endured for a long time before finally deciding not to kill me. From then on, I entertained guests with music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, earning silver for him. The owner kept a tight rein on me. Although I earned a lot for him, I didn’t have a single coin and couldn’t leave my room on ordinary days. My youngest aunt would always secretly send me silver, which I used to maintain relationships within the brothel, preparing for the day when I could escape. Finally, I waited for Mr. Song to rescue me.”
“I know the immense kindness shown to me by Miss Wen and Mr. Song. I only hope that in my next life, I can repay you by serving as your ox or horse.”
Song Shang nodded: “We’re practically family, so there’s no need to dwell on such matters.”
Yi Bai looked at Wen Yu: “It’s by the blessings of our Bai family ancestors that we, aunt and nephew, have met Miss Wen. In the past two years, my aunt’s brow has unfurrowed, she smiles more often, and she looks much younger. Not to mention me…”
“Last time my aunt returned, she mentioned that the Concubine Xiu Yun in your residence looks exactly like me. She suspects there might be a connection to the Bai family. But after much analysis, she couldn’t figure out who this person could be.”
“I told my aunt that even if she has a connection to the Bai family, in our current situation, acknowledging it would be of no benefit. We should inquire slowly and not rush things. My aunt also said that she’d see if she could figure something out when she meets Madam Hou.”
After everyone finished listening, they fell silent for a moment. Qi Wu said, “Concubine Xiu Yun is a relative from Old Madam’s maternal family. She entered the residence at the age of six or seven. Old Madam has treated her well.”
Wen Yu nodded: “My mother also said that if it weren’t for the Empress’s bestowed marriage, my father might have married Concubine Xiu Yun.”
Yi Bai said, “The Bai family was charged with colluding with bandits. This accusation is laughable. You must have heard the saying: ‘West Bai, East Hu.’ The Bai family accumulated its immense wealth through its endless array of skills. If they had wished, they could have even become high-ranking officials…”
Qi Wu said, “I know a thing or two about the Bai family’s metalworking, especially their bows and crossbows. My mother also acquired a soft armor in the south for a high price. It’s light, soft, and impervious to swords and spears. It was made by the Bai family.”
Duanmu Hui couldn’t help but touch the hidden arrow mechanism on his sleeve, which he never took off, even when sleeping. It was engraved with the character “Bai.”
Hearing this, Yi Bai’s chest swelled with pride. “Therefore, how could the Bai family possibly collude with bandits? Someone must have framed them.”
Wen Yu’s mind raced. This method seemed familiar…
Song Shang, sitting beside her, felt a jolt in his heart. Falsely accusing someone of colluding with bandits and seizing their family property โ wasn’t this the method Wen Yu had mentioned that Yang Xiangdong would use to harm him?
Publish first, then edit if there are errors. Too busy! %
