The words spoken left the two people in front of them somewhat stunned. They were already on the verge of fighting with the Song family, so why would they be rushing to give gifts?
"Doesn't the eldest young master invite me in for a sit?"
Song Wuji stood outside with the gift box. Behind him, the guard Qingsong swept his eyes over Baili Jingxuan and Baili Mengran, sensing something was amiss.
"Young Master Song's visit is naturally a distinguished one. Please, come in."
Baili Jingxuan paused for a moment before finally smiling and saying.
Although he was a bit reckless, he was by no means ignorant of the situation.
Seeing the two walk inside side-by-side, Baili Mengran became anxious.
The moon was already high in the sky. If she didn't go to the back garden soon, it was likely that Xiao Yihao's mother would leave. This attempt would fail again.
Baili Mengran watched the two enter the house, feeling a surge of annoyance. She stomped her foot, and the maids behind her began to persuade her.
"Miss, perhaps we should return. The dew is heavy now. If you catch a cold, it won't be good. Shall this servant go back and inform Miss Gu, alright?"
Baili Mengran was the little ancestor of the entire Baili family. If she were to get even slightly injured, they, as servants, would likely be flayed alive.
Therefore, the maids behind her pleaded earnestly.
Baili Mengran, however, paid no heed. She turned and ran into the house, only to see Baili Jingxuan and Baili Jingxuan discussing a sword with great interest. Looking at Baili Jingxuan, it was clear he was quite taken with this sword.
"Big Brother, I need to talk to you."
Baili Mengran called out twice before Baili Jingxuan finally turned his head, a look of confusion on his face. "What is it?"
Upon seeing this, Baili Mengran understood that her elder brother had once again become engrossed in these swords.
"I, my stomach hurts."
In her haste, she had no other recourse but to resort to this lie, though it was obvious even at a glance how false it was.
Song Wuji, seated opposite Baili Jingxuan, gently fanned himself. A gust of wind blew past outside, caressing his face and causing a few strands of hair to flutter, making him appear like an immortal banished from heaven under the moonlight.
Yet, Baili Mengran inexplicably felt he was appraising her, and that he knew she was lying. A shiver ran down her spine.
"Third Miss is feeling unwell. Quick, Qingsong, go outside and find a physician, preferably one skilled in treating children."
A smile played on Song Wuji's lips, hidden behind his fan. He then instructed the guard standing by to carry out the task.
The guard bowed and was about to leave when Baili Mengran suddenly stood up, biting her lower lip. "No need."
She then glanced at the two, then at Baili Jingxuan, like a venomous snake chillingly flicking its forked tongue.
She felt a chill spread through her entire body. She gave a slight bow.
"Big Brother, Young Master, I think it is late now. Let's not trouble ourselves with coming and going. I will go back and have the maids boil some ginger water for me."
With that, she ran out, paying no mind to Baili Jingxuan's thoughts behind her.
"Young Master, this sword is named..."
Song Wuji slowly withdrew his gaze, his smile fading slightly, and asked.
...
In the back garden on the other side,
"Son, weren't you supposed to watch the moon tonight?"
Gu Qianying felt a bit cold, rubbing her arms. She turned and asked Xiao Yihao again.
Xiao Yihao looked at the moon now hanging high above the willow branches. Soon it would be late at night. Why hadn't Baili Jingxuan and Baili Mengran arrived yet?
He frowned, finding it rather strange.
"Mother, oh, I hurt so much!"
The more he thought about it, the more he felt something was amiss. He needed to find Baili Mengran to see what was going on. In his haste, he found an excuse.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Xiao Yihao suddenly groan and even bend over, Gu Qianying was alarmed and quickly stepped forward to show her concern.
"It's nothing, Mother. I might have eaten too much cold food. I need to go to the latrine."
Xiao Yihao was becoming increasingly skilled at lying, his face not flushing and his heart not skipping a beat. It was as if it were true, but there was nothing Gu Qianying could do but nod and agree.
In just a moment, she was left alone in the vast back garden.
Looking at the clear, solitary moon in the distance, she felt her mind becoming increasingly tranquil.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, and the sound of footsteps came from behind.
Gu Qianying thought it was Xiao Yihao returning. However, when she turned, she saw a masked man in black, holding a dagger, stealthily approaching her. He hadn't expected her to turn around suddenly, and now the man in black quickened his pace.
Gu Qianying was startled. Seeing the man in black so close, she quickly dodged backward, but she was still a beat too slow. The dagger in the man in black's hand had already cut her right arm.
She clutched her arm, her brows furrowed. Just as she was about to draw her sword to fight the man in black, she realized her right arm was completely unable to exert force. In the ensuing fight, she found herself at a disadvantage.
Gu Qianying struggled, breathing heavily at a safe distance, large beads of sweat on her face.
Her gaze turned cold. The dagger was poisoned.
Just as she felt her strength draining and the man in black was about to strike, Gu Qianying's eyes flashed with coldness. She fiercely threw her sword, which struck the attacker's shoulder. Just as the man in black was about to make a final blow, a figure in dark blue appeared from behind and stood in front of Gu Qianying.
Seeing the man in dark blue with an unfriendly expression, the man in black decisively chose to retreat.
Watching the man in black disappear, Baili Su stepped forward to support Gu Qianying.
"Are you alright?"
Baili Su looked at Gu Qianying's frail figure crouching on the ground, feeling a pang in his heart, a strange feeling inexplicably rising within him.
He couldn't sleep tonight and had intended to go for a walk, but he hadn't expected such a turn of events. Seeing the fighting in the back garden, he had thought his elder brother was unable to sleep and was out practicing his sword.
After walking only a few steps, he saw the woman he saw every day fighting with a man in black and getting injured.
He disregarded his own recent recovery from illness and strode out. Fortunately, the attacker left upon seeing someone arrive.
"Are you alright?"
Baili Su looked at the woman in his arms and asked again, but she showed no reaction.
He looked down and, as expected, saw that she had fainted.
His palm felt sticky, and he was greatly alarmed.
He no longer cared about gentlemanly etiquette and directly picked up Gu Qianying, walking out of the garden.
His personal guards were waiting outside.
"Young Master, what happened?"
The guard was bewildered. Upon approaching to get a closer look, he was glared at by Baili Su and wisely stopped looking.
"There was an assassin outside. Go pursue them. Whoever it is, kill them directly."
Looking at the person in his arms, her pale face, a cold glint flashed in Baili Su's eyes.
"Yes, Young Master."
The guard chased after them, searching the surroundings, but the assassin had escaped.
When he returned to report, the door to the house was closed. The guard dared not enter and could only guard the outside.