Lu Zhu and Gao Tianshou waited outside the dungeon, expecting Gu Qianying to emerge with Xiao Yihao.
"Gao Tianshou, stay here and guard him. Lu Zhu, follow me," the sect leader commanded.
Gao Tianshou glanced inside, a tremor of fear in his heart, but he dared not show it.
"Yes, Master," they both replied in unison.
Upon exiting the dungeon, Madam Song, accompanied by the butler and a few servants, awaited Gu Qianying and Xiao Yihao.
Seeing Gu Qianying approach, Madam Song dismissed everyone around her.
"Qianying, I have your favorite pastries and two new outfits for Xiao Yihao. Take them with you," Madam Song handed a bundle to Gu Qianying.
Xiao Yihao stood beside Gu Qianying, looking at Madam Song with a head full of questions. Gu Qianying also looked at Madam Song. Lu Zhu was pushed aside. Not only did Xiao Yihao find Madam Song's behavior inexplicable, but Gu Qianying also frowned.
"I know you must be wondering why I'm like a different person than yesterday. Alas, Qianying, I know you are a good child. In the time we've spent together, I've come to know your character well and have gradually come to consider you my goddaughter. However... I also know there are many doubts surrounding my son's death."
"But you ask me not to hate the Baili family, and I truly cannot. However... Qianying, rest assured, as long as you find Baili Jingxuan and bring him back to reveal the truth, I will not harm Baili Su before then." This was the greatest concession she could make.
Yesterday, she had been too impulsive. After calming down, she had thought a great deal. If the true culprit was indeed Baili Jingxuan, then their Song family would retaliate in kind. They would not harm the innocent. When Song Gang was alive, he had committed many wicked deeds as the City Lord. Now that Song Gang was dead, her elder son was in such a state, and her younger son was missing. Sometimes, she wondered if their Song family had committed too many sins to be suffering so. With this thought, she spent her days hiding in her room, chanting scriptures. Because of this, she was even less likely to harm the innocent.
Madam Song's demeanor surprised Gu Qianying. In her eyes, after spending time with the Song family, she had come to regard Song Wuji as a dear friend, and Madam Song and Song Yu'er as her friends as well. If not for yesterday's events, she imagined they might be sitting together, drinking and chatting.
Thinking of this, Gu Qianying took out a small white bottle from her medicine pouch and handed the jade bottle to Madam Song. She then took out a pre-written prescription from her person. She gave both to Madam Song.
"The medicine in this bottle is the antidote for the poison Miss Yu'er was afflicted with, and this prescription is for your illness, Madam. Take them both, and I will give you the truth about Brother Wuji's situation!" Gu Qianying promised Madam Song.
Madam Song looked at the items in her hands, her eyes reddening. Yesterday, after seeing Gu Qianying side with Baili Su, she had felt that there was little hope for her and her daughter's health. She had not expected Miss Gu to still remember their medical conditions. She was touched.
As Gu Qianying and her party left the Song residence, Song Yu'er, who had been recuperating in her room, also came out. Supported by a maid, she was weak and unsteady, unable to walk steadily. Her face was very pale.
"Wait, Sister Qianying, wait a moment." Her voice was weak. Seeing Gu Qianying, holding Xiao Yihao, had already stepped out of the gate, she quickly let go of the maid and rushed to catch up. Her already weak body stumbled and fell after only a couple of steps.
"Miss!" The maid exclaimed and rushed to help her up.
Gu Qianying, hearing the calls from behind, turned to see Song Yu'er being helped up by the maid, her dress soiled with dust, looking rather disheveled. She then put Xiao Yihao down, turned around, and stepped back inside.
"Miss Yu'er, are you alright?" Gu Qianying walked up to Song Yu'er, showing concern.
After regaining her footing, Song Yu'er motioned for her personal maid to step aside. With tears in her eyes, she looked up at Gu Qianying.
"Sister Qianying, Yu'er knows that you have been kind to our Song family. Yu'er also knows that you genuinely care for Yu'er and Mother. Sister Qianying, you are leaving, and Yu'er will miss you." The more Song Yu'er spoke, the more tears flowed.
"Sister Qianying, Yu'er doesn't know if Young Master Jingxuan is the culprit, but Yu'er knows clearly that you are a very important person in Yu'er's eyes. Sister Qianying... promise Yu'er, no matter how this matter unfolds, can you not ignore Yu'er, okay?" Song Yu'er's eyes were red from crying.
Gu Qianying looked at her, remaining silent.
"Sister Qianying, Yu'er knows that you and Baili Su are fond of each other. Yu'er's previous interactions with Baili Su were merely due to arrogance. Yu'er actually doesn't like him. However... seeing you and Baili Su together, Yu'er is genuinely happy for you both."
"Sister Qianying, no matter what, please don't break off your relationship with Yu'er because of the Baili family's affairs and our Song family's matters, alright?" After experiencing certain events, Song Yu'er had gained much clarity. She did not want Gu Qianying to sever ties with her due to the Baili family.
"The antidote I prepared has been given to Madam Song. You can have someone fetch it," Gu Qianying finally spoke after listening to Song Yu'er's lengthy explanation. She did not understand why Song Yu'er would suddenly say all this to her. She surmised that Song Yu'er was perhaps reminding her that her poison had not yet been cured.
"Qianying, Sister... you..." Song Yu'er never expected that after all she had said to Gu Qianying, Gu Qianying would think she was merely acting so earnestly for the sake of her own poison! Her heart ached. Song Yu'er turned and ran away, unwilling to explain. The maid quickly followed her.
Watching Song Yu'er run away in tears, Gu Qianying turned to look at Xiao Yihao, who was leaning against the large door with his arms crossed.
"What... what is this?" Gu Qianying was very confused as to why Song Yu'er suddenly ran off. However, Xiao Yihao behind her had some idea.
"Mother, Sister Yu'er probably has feelings for you." Xiao Yihao walked over with small steps.
Gu Qianying: "..."
Seeing Gu Qianying's disbelief, Xiao Yihao pouted his little lips, tugged at her clothes, and babbled a great deal. The conclusion he reached was... his mother was charming, not only attracting Uncle Baili Su but also being "bent" by a young lady of her acquaintance. Gu Qianying tapped Xiao Yihao on the head: "Don't talk nonsense!" Xiao Yihao stuck out his tongue and followed Gu Qianying and Lu Zhu as they left the Song residence.
Song Yu'er, who had run far away, did not go far. She hid behind a pillar, watching Gu Qianying depart. As Gu Qianying and her group's backs gradually faded from view, Song Yu'er, with her maid, finally emerged from the residence. Standing outside the gate, she looked ahead at the figures who had long since disappeared. Song Yu'er's eyes reddened again. In her eyes, Gu Qianying was like her own sister, not only taking good care of her but also giving her a sense of kinship. She was reluctant for Gu Qianying to leave. However, she knew that no matter how much she tried to keep her, Gu Qianying could not stay, and she was well aware of this. Still... she hoped that there would be a truth to her brother's situation.
As she withdrew her gaze and prepared to re-enter the residence, a carriage slowly approached. After the carriage stopped, a man alighted from it.
"Sister!"