Watching the decisive silhouette of Xuanying depart, Ye Ziling's heart trembled. She hastily covered her mouth and coughed twice, feeling a pang in her chest.
It was very uncomfortable.
The pain on her lips lingered, the lingering scent of cold white plum and blood intermingling, suffusing a faint aftertaste.
Coupled with her already weakened state, her pale lips made her appear frail and dying, like a delicate beauty.
Ye Ziling closed her eyes and sighed, inwardly cursing the person for actually biting her.
Unwilling to stop until blood was drawn, his old habits hadn't changed one bit.
Sensing Ling Xi had left, Yu'er continued forward with the bowl of medicine, stopping by the bedside and placing the bowl on the table.
Ye Ziling's thoughts returned. Seeing Yu'er approach her shyly, her eyes deliberately avoiding hers.
Realizing her momentary lapse in composure, Ye Ziling reached for a handkerchief to wipe the bloodstains from her lips, her gaze remaining indifferent.
"Miss Ye... did you and Young Master Ling have a fight?" Yu'er could tell the two were sulking, but it didn't quite seem like it, and she asked in confusion.
Ye Ziling paused upon hearing this, her eyes brightening. Looking at her serene face, she hesitated and repeated, "A fight?"
Were her interactions with Ling Xi considered a fight?
Yu'er blinked and nodded, "Miss, can't you see that Young Master Ling cares about you?"
The girl looked at the fresh wound on her lips and forced a smile, "...I've never seen Young Master Ling be so impolite to anyone."
Ye Ziling took the bowl of medicine and tilted her head back to drink, her mind still pondering this statement.
As the medicine went down her throat, the bitterness spread, only to be followed by a faint sweetness after a long while.
Yu'er only knew that Ling Xi was terrifyingly proper.
He was usually aloof and rarely smiled, not even glancing at others. She had initially thought he was always like this.
This time, he had uncharacterishly asked her to lie and had spoken the most words he ever had.
Ye Ziling nodded slightly, looking at Yu'er's flushed cheeks. She instantly understood the girl's thoughts and chuckled softly, her tone placating, "Does Miss Yu'er like him?"
Ye Ziling admitted that Ling Xi's appearance was indeed captivating, and he had only ever been so rude to her. He was the only one who dared to be so impolite.
Upon hearing this, Yu'er hurriedly shook her head and quickly explained, "Yu'er was merely saved by Young Master Ling by chance, I wouldn't dare to harbor any improper thoughts..."
Seeing Yu'er's nervousness, Ye Ziling rarely showed a faint smile, her eyebrows slightly raised, her tone laced with amusement, "What are you afraid of, Miss Yu'er? I have no relation to him."
Yu'er's small face furrowed, and she dared not look up at Ye Ziling.
Ye Ziling's expression remained indifferent, finally changing the subject, "You said earlier that you saved me, was that also at his instruction?"
The young girl before her was petite and lacked the ability to protect herself, she wouldn't have had the means to intrude into Qing Bai's chambers, nor would she have been able to rescue her from Fu Qu.
Even lying, she should put more thought into it.
"...Yes." Yu'er hesitated for a moment, unable to withstand Ye Ziling's pressing gaze, and finally admitted it.
Ye Ziling stood up and walked step by step towards the door. Seeing the girl following her, she stopped, "Miss Yu'er need not attend to me. I won't die anytime soon."
Yu'er felt a bit mortified but still held the medicine bowl and retreated with small, hurried steps.
The buildings here were stilted structures. Looking up, one could see the blue sky and white clouds above the high walls. Beneath their feet was a path paved with bluestone, a straight line extending into the distance.
The roadside was lined with various flowers and trees, making it look like a paradise.
Ling Xi must have been recuperating here before.
"The Divine Maiden has a good disposition."
A voice came from behind. Ye Ziling turned around and saw a man in white standing not far away, a faint smile on his lips, watching her leisurely.
His figure was tall and straight, and there was an inherent aristocratic bearing in his demeanor.
"Bai Yu? How did you find this place?" Ye Ziling asked with a frown.
Before Bai Yu could reply, Ye Jingxian, standing behind her, stepped forward and said, "Immortal Lord Bai Yu possesses immense divine abilities. Are there any places in Yun Zhong Ling that he cannot find?"
Upon seeing Ye Jingxian, Ye Ziling quickly stepped forward and tugged at his sleeve.
"Is Second Brother injured?" Ye Ziling's eyes flickered as she immediately asked with concern.
Hearing his sister's rare display of concern, Ye Jingxian revealed a gentle smile, then raised an eyebrow meaningfully, "I wouldn't dare to be injured and worry the Divine Maiden. That would be my fault."
Ye Ziling suddenly looked at Bai Yu beside them. Seeing him hook his lips and remain silent, her heart skipped a beat.
She guessed right away that Bai Yu had already revealed her identity to Ye Jing, but it didn't matter, as it was bound to be exposed sooner or later.
She just hoped this blabbermouth could keep quiet.
"I think that Emperor Lord is not that great either, not even half as handsome as Immortal Lord Bai Yu! Where can one find good grass in the world, why be infatuated with a stoic weirdo?" Ye Jingxian teased with a smile, covering his mouth with his fan, he continued, "If you want to pluck the cabbage from my garden, ask me first."
"Where did Second Brother hear such rumors?" Ye Ziling calmed her thoughts and looked up indifferently.
" Accidentally, I heard some heavenly soldiers talking. If it's false, Sister can just ignore it," Ye Jingxian said softly, fanning himself.
Ye Ziling paid no mind, merely turning to look at Bai Yu. She took out a military token from her sleeve and handed it to him, solemnly saying, "I'll have to trouble Immortal Lord Bai Yu to keep the military token."
After this incident, she felt she might not be able to protect the military token.
"Also," Ye Ziling glanced at Ye Jingxian beside them, seeing him casually fanning himself without a care, she felt relieved to hand the military token to Bai Yu.
After all, her foolish brother knew nothing; he probably didn't even know what a military token was, so she had nothing to hide.
"Sister, your complexion isn't good. Have you been injured these past few days?" Ye Jingxian's fan suddenly stopped. Although he only cared about food, drink, and entertainment, he was still from the Sacred Doctor clan; he couldn't possibly not see this.
Upon hearing this, Bai Yu's gaze also shifted to her, his eyes darkening.
Being stared at by two grown men made Ye Ziling somewhat uncomfortable. She said indifferently, "A minor injury, no need to worry, I won't die."
Bai Yu and Ye Jingxian exchanged a glance, their eyes holding mixed emotions.
Ye Ziling sighed softly and fell silent. Before long, her sleeve was gently tugged.
"Come with Brother," Ye Jingxian grabbed her arm and pulled her outwards.
"Where to?" Ye Ziling asked, confused, not moving her feet.
"Back to the valley for treatment."
Ye Ziling panicked for a moment upon hearing this, pulling back her sleeve. She tightly gripped the railing with one hand and shook her head, "I'm not going back."
A few days ago, she had been reprimanded by her elder brother for being injured. It had only been a few days! If she returned to the valley now, wouldn't she be scolded to death?
Where would her dignity be?
"How can we not go back? If that great philanthropist Ye Jinghuai knows I brought you back like this, won't he chop me to death?" Ye Jingxian insisted, his brows furrowed.
Ling'er was brought out by him this time. Not only was she injured, but if even a single strand of her hair was out of place, Ye Jinghuai would scold him to death.
Seeing this, Ye Ziling pursed her lips, "Just don't tell him. He doesn't know anyway."
"What are you afraid of? Second Brother is here, Second Brother will protect you!" Ye Jingxian patted his chest and vowed confidently. Even if he were scolded to death by Ye Jinghuai, he wouldn't let his sister suffer. At worst, he would take the scolding for her.
Ye Ziling pursed her lips, still showing no intention of letting go of the railing. Protect her? What nonsense!
Ye Ziling cursed inwardly. Her second brother could barely protect himself; what could he do for her?
He would probably receive even more scolding than she would.