Wu Qing flashed a smile, his expression as gentle as the morning glow. He spoke softly, "It's fine, don't be sad. I'm alright."
As soon as he finished speaking, Qing Feng broke free from Yin Xuan's support, staggered over, and knelt with a thud.
"This is all my fault. I harmed our young master. Miss Mu, I apologize to you. I only beg for your forgiveness. I am not afraid of death, clinging to life; it's because our young master has no one to care for him. If you truly cannot forgive me, then I have no choice but to die."
Having spoken, Qing Feng began to kowtow repeatedly. Before Qing Yao could say anything, Mo Chou rushed forward, grabbed his arm, and roared furiously.
"Do you think a few kowtows will fix everything? If Yin Xuan hadn't arrived in time, where would you be now to beg for mercy? Regardless, don't expect our master to forgive you."
As Mo Chou's words fell, Qing Feng's expression stiffened. He shook his hand forcefully, his body moved, and he drew his sword, aiming it at his own throat.
Qing Yao sent a palm strike, knocking the sword from his hand. She glanced sideways at Mo Chou. Mo Chou understood his mistress's intention and quickly stood up and retreated to the side.
Qing Yao reached out and helped Qing Feng up. Because he had kowtowed so rapidly and hard, blood was already welling on his forehead. Qing Yao spoke softly.
"I don't blame you at all. On the contrary, I think you are a loyal person. You were originally Wu Qing's subordinate, loyal to him, which shows you have a sense of righteousness. I just want to know why I would harm your young master, even to the point of costing him his life? What are the reasons for all this?"
As Qing Yao finished speaking, the air grew tense. Qing Feng was startled and dared not mention anything further. He spoke fearfully.
"That was my ill-considered remark. It was because one morning, I overheard you saying you were unsure of your feelings for our young master, and I became angry. Because the young master liked you so much, and I felt sorry for him, I took poisonous action."
A flicker of doubt crossed Qing Yao's eyes. Was it really because of this? Yet, she felt this matter was not so simple. She turned to look at Wu Qing. He was gazing at her gently. Looking at his untainted, ethereal face, the shock of his white hair struck her eyes, causing her great heartache.
"Forget it, what's past is past."
Qing Yao was not a magnanimous person. On the contrary, she was always vengeful. In the past, she would show no mercy to anyone who harmed her.
However, Qing Feng was different. Because Wu Qing needed his care, and he had already become this way, if Qing Feng were truly to meet misfortune, even if Wu Qing said nothing, he would still be heartbroken.
The storm passed as if by a miracle. Qing Yao and Wu Qing looked at each other, and it seemed as if everything around them ceased to matter.
Yin Xuan walked over from behind, approaching Wu Qing directly. His eyes, sharp as torches, locked onto him. The gazes of the two men met in the air, collided, and finally, they exchanged a knowing smile. Yin Xuan turned to look at Qing Yao and spoke slowly.
"May I speak with him for a moment?"
Qing Yao did not know what they were going to discuss, but seeing that there was no great animosity between the two men, she nodded in agreement.
Qing Feng walked over, pushed his young master, and followed Yin Xuan to the lakeside. He quietly withdrew.
The lake water was clear and transparent, with warm vapor rising from its surface, hazy as if covered by a light veil.
The two men remained silent for a long time. Finally, Wu Qing spoke slowly, "Did you save her? Thank you."
"Saving her is my own business." Yin Xuan suddenly turned around. His eyes were as deep as a pool of the sea, filled with heartache, so deep and intense. Wu Qing's heart gave a start. Could this man also be in love with Qing Yao? It seemed he was no less so than himself.
"Originally, I wanted to take her away. But in the moment she was on the verge of death, I suddenly understood. As long as she lives happily, that is enough. And now, the person she fully focuses on is you, only you. Therefore, you must give her happiness."
Hearing Yin Xuan's words, Wu Qing's eyes lit up, his face filled with radiance. Despite his white hair, it only added to his ethereal aura, like an immortal banished from the heavens. He did not appear unsightly at all; on the contrary, he was exceptionally captivating.
"I will."
Towards such a man who loved her, he had no reason to reject him. It only proved she was a special woman, so special that many men liked her.
"Also, do not let those beside you harm her. Although you do not harm her, it does not mean those around you cannot. This time?"
Yin Xuan paused here. Both men seemed somewhat stunned. This time had been a close call. If something had truly happened, both of them would have been heartbroken.
"From now on, I will never let anyone harm her again."
Wu Qing promised.
Yin Xuan smiled at his lips, his gaze deep and unreadable. He finally took a deep breath, adjusted his emotions, and turned to look at Wu Qing.
"I must leave now. She is your responsibility from now on. Perhaps I will return to see if she is living well. If she is not living well, I will definitely take her away."
"Good."
The two men shook hands. Both were exceptional men in the world, and because of a woman, they could speak so calmly.
Yin Xuan smiled, released his hand, and turned to walk back. Qing Feng walked over to push his young master.
Yin Xuan strode up to Qing Yao, his eyes, dark as ink, fixed on her. He spoke slowly, his heart aching, "I'm leaving. You must be happier from now on."
"I will be."
Qing Yao nodded. Yin Xuan reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her firmly. Qing Yao remained still. She knew his heart ached. For this him, she felt guilt and a trace of sorrow. After all, he had saved her.
"Don't forget to promise me not to drink."
"Alright, I remember." Yin Xuan released her, smiling brilliantly, dazzlingly bright. The crabapple blossoms seemed almost ready to bleed.
After speaking, he led his subordinates and turned to leave. Yet, in his eyes was pain, and in his heart, suffocation, which made his steps unsteady. He mounted his horse, spurred it into a gallop, and the wind blowing against his face felt like something wet, quickly drying.
Qing Yao stood behind him, watching his unrestrained departure. A smile touched her lips, tinged with pride.
She knew he was meant to be that kind of person, unrestrained, able to let go when necessary. Heaven would surely let him meet a woman a hundred times better than her, no, a thousand times better.
Wu Qing stood behind her silently. Qing Yao turned her head and looked at him with a beaming smile.
"We should return to Wu Qing Valley."
"Good," Wu Qing nodded. They should return to Wu Qing Valley. Their revenge was complete. Now they would bring Mei Xin back to Wu Qing Valley for burial.
Thinking this, Qing Yao scanned her surroundings. She noticed that this place was very close to where Mei Xin was last buried. The group walked on foot and soon found Mei Xin's grave. A year had passed, and the new grave had become old, buried amidst the weeds.