In the pond, Bai Xiaoxiao cried out, "Bai Qing, stop! You stop! You can't leave. How dare you treat me like this? Do you know who I am?"
Gu Qianying ignored her, leaving with a flourish, not even a phantom trace remaining.
But the place was unbearably foul.
Behind her, Bai Ziyun and the others wailed, too terrified to function.
Bai Xiaoxiao trembled with rage.
She shrieked at those behind her, "Can't you all shut up? We're all from respectable families. Are you content to be tormented by such an ordinary woman?"
Bai Ziyun, covering her nose, sobbed, "What can we do? This Bai Qing seems so powerful."
Bai Xiaoxiao tilted her head high, took a deep breath, and then said maliciously.
"We can't deal with this person directly, but that doesn't mean we can't deal with her indirectly. We need to use our brains, understand?"
Bai Ziyun paused, looking surprised. "What do you mean?"
Bai Xiaoxiao smiled, "Since this woman is so famous in front of Master Bai, let's make Bai Qing lose all face in front of Master Bai."
Bai Yangping taught in the academy every day.
He was diligent and conscientious, never delegating his work.
When he returned to his room, he was already exhausted, his eyelids drooping.
He removed his clothes, preparing to bathe in the tub.
Just as he stepped in, something cold suddenly appeared beside him.
The creature's scales were chilling, its triangular eyes fixed on him, its forked tongue flicking as it lunged forward.
Bai Yangping, engrossed in his books, was not skilled in martial arts. Seeing the venomous snake, he tried to flee in a panic.
However, he stumbled and fell.
The venomous snake advanced madly, coiled around him, and bit him fiercely before leaving with satisfaction.
The spot where Bai Yangping was bitten turned purplish-blue, clearly showing two fang marks.
His lips were pale, his body trembling, and he felt his life force being drained away.
Then, all his strength vanished, and he collapsed backward.
At that moment, the door to Bai Yangping's room was kicked open by Gu Qianying.
Gu Qianying looked panicked. She had just learned from Bai Xiaoxiao about the plan with the venomous snake.
She hurried to Bai Yangping's place, but it was still too late.
Gritting her teeth, Gu Qianying took out her silver needles and pricked the surrounding acupoints, successfully squeezing out the poisoned blood.
Bai Yangping, weak and trembling, thanked her profusely.
"Thank you, young lady. I didn't expect you to know medicine."
Gu Qianying's expression stiffened, then she smiled sheepishly.
"My spiritual power isn't very strong, so I thought I'd learn other things. I didn't expect it to be useful."
After Gu Qianying finished, the outside suddenly became noisy. Bai Xiaoxiao and the others arrived, their eyes filled with malice.
They stepped forward and pointed directly at Gu Qianying.
Several of them stated emphatically, "Master Bai, please don't believe this person. She's doing this deliberately to gain your trust."
Gu Qianying sneered.
These people's hearts were truly vile. To make themselves look good, they directly attacked Bai Yangping. It was disgusting.
Bai Yangping didn't immediately suspect, but quickly propped himself up and said softly.
"Don't be ridiculous. How can you speak ill of others without proof?"
Bai Xiaoxiao looked aggrieved. "Master, why are you always siding with this person? Bai Qing is the one who harmed you. She did it deliberately."
As she spoke, a flush of anger crept onto her face.
Bai Xiaoxiao was extremely resentful.
Why did Bai Yangping trust Gu Qianying so much!
What was so good about this woman? Compared to her, she couldn't even touch Gu Qianying's shadow.
Gu Qianying clicked her tongue in amazement. She didn't argue further with Bai Xiaoxiao, but simply extended a finger and beckoned towards a corner.
A venomous snake instantly appeared in her hand.
Gu Qianying approached expressionlessly, gradually closing in on Bai Xiaoxiao.
"How about this? You said I harmed Master, didn't you? Then explain why your aura is on this venomous snake."
Gu Qianying took out a silver needle, pricked the venomous snake, and extracted a lightning-like substance.
This lightning was identical to the purple lightning on Bai Xiaoxiao. It seemed to be a trace left behind when Bai Xiaoxiao had snatched the object.
Her eyes widened, and she retreated in panic.
She looked at Bai Yangping for help, "It wasn't me."
Gu Qianying chuckled, "Not you? Then explain why you knew Master Bai was poisoned when the incident hadn't been reported. Tell me."
"Furthermore, the matter of Master Bai being poisoned is of great importance. Instead of showing concern for Master Bai, you've been accusing me of wrongdoing. Are you trying to find a scapegoat or seeking justice for someone!"
Gu Qianying spoke word by word, her expression stern, silencing Bai Xiaoxiao and the others.
Seeing their nervous expressions, Bai Yangping understood the whole story.
He shook his head in disappointment, "My dear young ladies, you must not act rashly. Being too extreme will only harm yourselves. I've taught you these lessons, why haven't you remembered them?"
Bai Xiaoxiao glared at Gu Qianying resentfully.
Then, she feigned helplessness in front of Bai Yangping, her eyes tearing up.
"Master, we won't dare to do it again. Please forgive us."
Bai Yangping was a gentle person. Once his body had recovered, he didn't dwell on their actions.
"Alright, alright, I won't hold this against you today. But remember, never do such things again. Do you understand?"
Bai Xiaoxiao mumbled a reply.
"Understood."
Gu Qianying clicked her tongue.
"Truly boring."
However, since Bai Yangping didn't hold it against them, Gu Qianying didn't say much more. After all, she wasn't the one who was poisoned.
Gu Qianying had been at Shuyu Pavilion for several days.
Little Yihao missed her dearly but couldn't go out openly. He had to seek help from his uncle, Duan Xifeng.
He grabbed Duan Xifeng's sleeve and pleaded.
"Uncle, I know you're the kindest to me. I beg you to go and inquire about news. I haven't seen Mother for a long time, and I miss her terribly."
Duan Xifeng, who already doted on Little Yihao, was also worried. He quickly left home to gather information about Gu Qianying.
After much searching, Duan Xifeng finally got news of Gu Qianying.
He rushed back from outside, quickly closed the door, removed his veil, and whispered to Little Yihao.
"Your mother seems to have disguised herself and gone to Shuyu Pavilion for some reason. That place is for women to study. It's probably difficult for us two men to get close!"
Little Yihao looked troubled. "What should we do? Will I never see Mother again? I really don't want that."