Gu Qianying, having some history with her, smiled as she saw the person approach. "What's wrong? You were scared out of your wits just now, but now you've recovered!"
Bai Yulan, in her usual simple and foolish manner, could only offer a wry smile. "Please don't tease me!"
Gu Qianying withdrew her gaze, her tone very light. "But I see you're troubled, as if you have something to tell me!"
Bai Yulan opened her mouth, scrunched her nose, and looked troubled. She twisted the handkerchief in her hands, unsure where to begin.
Gu Qianying slowed her movements, shrugging her shoulders with a hint of helplessness. "Speak up! Don't keep it bottled up; I feel uncomfortable for you!"
Bai Yulan gritted her teeth and said very cautiously, "Then if I tell you, don't be angry with me."
Gu Qianying frowned, her curiosity piqued even more about what this person was about to say. She pointed to her earlobe. "If you're afraid it's awkward, lean closer and tell me. I won't mind!"
Bai Yulan pondered for a moment, then finally mustered her courage and quickly walked over. She quietly revealed her thoughts. As it was unspeakable, the more Bai Yulan spoke, the more embarrassed she felt. By the time she finished speaking, the edges of her earlobes were tinged with a faint blush.
Gu Qianying's maintained composure shifted to shock upon hearing Bai Yulan's confession. Heaven knew! Her past disguise as a man had actually led to such romantic entanglements. Gu Qianying's eyes widened in alarm, and she pointed at herself. "Is this true?"
Bai Yulan had just told her that when she was disguised as a man, Bai Yulan had secretly fallen for her for a period. But Gu Qianying, at the time, had only wanted to please Bai Yufeng and had been completely unaware. Receiving this news so suddenly, her eyes were filled only with shock.
Bai Yulan finally had an opportunity to tease. "Didn't you just say you wouldn't mind? Besides, you were disguised as a man back then; this is perfectly normal!"
Gu Qianying didn't know whether to laugh or cry, only managing a bitter smile and waving her hand awkwardly. "That's true!" However, the past was the past, and the words spoken had drifted away like the wind, not lingering in people's hearts. The two quickly cast aside their awkwardness and continued chatting and laughing, becoming like sisters once more.
Gu Qianying led Bai Yufeng's parents and finally met up with Du Chun and the others. Bai Yufeng was playing with the young Yi Hao on the ground. Upon seeing three familiar figures, he was particularly surprised. "How did you all get here?" A hint of astonishment surfaced on his usually stern face.
Li Yujie, upon seeing Bai Yufeng's haggard appearance, couldn't hide her grief and began to weep again. "My son, how did you become like this? You've worried your mother so much." Li Yujie rushed forward, examining Bai Yufeng's body. Realizing that he had only lost his spiritual power but his body was unharmed, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Bai Jue and Bai Yulan were speechless. As long as they saw that Bai Yufeng was alright, they didn't want to say much more. Gu Qianying, however, was indignant and had no intention of concealing the truth. She proceeded to reveal what the Great Elder of Qingshan had done!
When the actions of this scoundrel were publicized, everyone present was astonished! Duan Xifeng rubbed the goosebumps on his arm and continuously scorned the Great Elder of Qingshan. "What a hypocrite; he's not even worth mourning in death." Du Chun added beside him, "To have you sent here to die, is this what they do? How interesting!"
Duan Xifeng picked up the long sword beside him. "If you have the guts, send someone here directly. You're too cowardly to charge forward yourselves, so why send this weak family here!" Duan Xifeng and Du Chun were both filled with indignation.
Seeing that Bai Yufeng's emotions were unstable, Gu Qianying quickly shouted to the side, "You two, stop talking!" Bai Yufeng's emotions had reached a breaking point. When he had handed over the spiritual pill, he should have thought of his parents, his family. If all of them fell into the hands of the Great Elder of Qingshan, he was the one who had pushed these three people into the abyss! It was all because of him. He clenched his fists in anger and slammed them against the wall, his body slumping down. "I'm sorry, I'm just a useless person, I'm sorry!" He wanted to go back and get revenge, but without the spiritual pill, without spiritual power, he was just a useless person.
"Brother, we don't blame you at all. As long as we see you alive, we are already relieved!" Bai Yulan's eyes were filled with tears. She was always clumsy with words and didn't know how to comfort him.
Bai Jue only sighed. This was his son's own choice. He had considered stopping him, but he couldn't. The matter was settled! They had fallen into a forbidden place. He truly did not blame Bai Yufeng! "Son!" Bai Jue patted Bai Yufeng's back and said earnestly, "It's your father who is useless; you can't be blamed at all. It has nothing to do with you." However, these words, when they fell into Bai Yufeng's ears, made him feel even heavier. He felt too ashamed to face his father and could only hastily stand up and quickly retreat to a corner. "Let me be alone!"
Bai Jue was about to follow, but Gu Qianying stopped him. Gu Qianying stepped in. "Uncle, let me go over then! Seeing you might make him feel even more guilty!" Bai Jue raised his arm, attempting to speak. But recalling his son's dejected appearance, he immediately relented. "You try to persuade him well!" Gu Qianying pursed her lips and nodded.
Duan Xifeng stepped forward to settle the elders. "Don't worry, your son is listening to her now; he'll get through this soon!" Bai Jue sighed. "Thank you all!"
Bai Yulan did not sit down immediately, standing there hesitantly. The elders had been settled, but there was no place for her. The only remaining space was a corner next to a handsome man. This person was exceptionally good-looking, like someone from an ink painting.
Nangong Li also noticed this person's strangeness. That gaze had been lingering on him for a long time. He frowned and looked back. He saw this petite, timid-looking woman. Nangong Li suddenly understood. He quickly moved his body aside and patted the flat stone stool next to him. "Sit here! What time is it? Why are you still being so particular? It's good enough that there's food and drink."
Bai Yulan saw that this person looked gentle and thought he was a peaceful person, but after hearing his words, she was instantly disappointed. His speech was so crude; she disliked it immensely. Nangong Li didn't notice the change in her expression and patted the stool impatiently. "Are you going to sit or not?"
Bai Yulan gritted her teeth, tightened her grip on the handkerchief, and sat down with a thud. The commotion was so loud that Nangong Li tutted beside her. "You're not a lady either! Why were you being so affected earlier?" Bai Yulan took a deep breath. She simply turned her head away, ignoring the person in front of her. Nangong Li still didn't understand. "Why aren't you speaking!" Du Chun finally couldn't stand it and threw a stone at him. "Shut up! Why are you talking so much?"