Xia Miaomiao wiped away her tears and said, "Of course I'm happy, I was just really worried about you."
Su Mo stroked her head and said, "There, I'm fine, aren't I?"
"Sister Su, I'm sorry..." Yi said guiltily, his head lowered in self-reproach.
"What's the matter? Why are you apologizing to me?" asked Su Mo.
"I couldn't protect you or your friend..." Yi blamed himself, "My martial arts skills are too poor."
"Not everyone is cut out to be a martial arts master! You don't need to blame yourself, you were very brave!"
Yi remained silent with his head bowed.
Su Mo patted his head and laughed, "Just now I heard you call me Sister Su, what's this? Are you finally willing to call me sister?"
"If...you don't mind that I'm just a servant..." Yi said softly.
"How could I mind? Didn't I tell you, where we come from everyone is equal!"
"That's right, we've never treated you as just a servant!" added Xiao Han, "You and Fang Qing are our friends!"
Wu Ying, who was standing not far away, saw Su Mo stroke Yi's head, and his expression instantly darkened.
I knew she's like this with all men! He felt extremely uncomfortable inside.
Wu Ying glanced coldly at her before turning and walking away.
"Yesterday I really have to thank Wu Ying for saving me, otherwise who knows how long I would've been trapped there!" smiled Su Mo, "Although he usually seems rather cold, when it counts I feel very safe with him around!"
"Where is he now then?"
"Just over there!" Su Mo turned, about to look for Wu Ying when she realised he had disappeared, "Where did he go? He left?"
Su Mo ran over and looked around but couldn't find a trace of Wu Ying anywhere.
"Don't tell me he just left alone?" She pouted, somewhat let down.
...
When they returned to the Bai residence, Sang Li was relieved to see Su Mo back safe and sound.
"Mo Mo, are you really alright?" Sang Li looked her over and noticed she seemed a little pale.
"I'm fine, just some minor injuries," said Su Mo.
"Where did you get hurt?"
"My shoulder." Su Mo rotated her shoulder, "Wu Ying already helped treat the wound. Oh yes, have you seen Wu Ying come back?"
Sang Li shook her head, "I haven't seen him return to the Bai residence."
"He hasn't come back?!" Su Mo immediately stood up from her chair, "Then where did he go?"
"You still have the mind to worry about others? Come sit down and let me take a look at your injury!" said Xiao Han as he pushed her back into the chair and pulled her shoulder clothing aside.
"This wound looks somewhat similar to Fang Qing's. Hit by a dart?" Xiao Han asked.
"I think so."
"Weren't those darts poisoned? You could be..." Xiao Han exclaimed in shock.
"Wu Ying helped suck the poison out for me."
"..."
Su Mo laughed. "Let me tell you something amazing - he's immune to all poisons! Cool huh?"
"Nevermind, I won't even bother trying to show off!" Xiao Han joked as he pulled her clothing back over the wound.
"Not only is he immune to poison, he withstood an aphrodisiac attack! If I hadn't gone to soak in cold water, I don't know if I could've controlled myself..."
"You were just itching for a chance to throw yourself at him!" teased Xiao Han.
"Am I that easy?" Su Mo glared at him.
"Mo Mo, you were drugged with an aphrodisiac? From what you said it sounds really dangerous yesterday, thank goodness you're alright," said Xia Miaomiao with lingering fear.
"It's fine, you guys know my martial arts skills! Though Wu Ying's skills are even more powerful - even injured he was incredible. When he recovers I bet no one could beat him!"
Sang Li looked at her with exasperation. "From the moment you walked in it's been Wu Ying this, Wu Ying that. Go on, tell us the truth - you've fallen for him haven't you?"
"Hehe... Sister Sang Li sure is perceptive. After what happened yesterday, I do feel some attraction towards him."
"But weren't you always attracted to him?" Xiao Han asked, puzzled.
"That's different. At first I only lusted after his body."
"So now you don't lust after his body anymore?"
"Well not exactly, I still do, but..."
"But now it's not just his body you covet - it's also his heart!" Xia Miaomiao laughed.
But Sang Li was not amused. She looked seriously at Su Mo and said, "Mo Mo, don't blame me for not warning you - there's more to Wu Ying than meets the eye. He's no ordinary man, and...we'll eventually have to go back!"
"Aiya Sister Li, I know, we'll deal with that when the time comes. For now let's enjoy the present, no? It's tiring worrying so far ahead!"
"It's not that. I'm worried you'll end up getting hurt by him..." Sang Li started but Su Mo cut her off.
"Alright, Sister Li, I'm tired. I want to rest a while." Su Mo went over to the bed and lay down.
Sang Li sighed.
Xiao Han and Xia Miaomiao exchanged looks seeing the tension between them. Xia Miaomiao quickly pulled Sang Li aside, "Sister Li, you know Su Mo has always been like this. Don't worry too much. Who knows, Wu Ying may have fallen for Su Mo too?"
Sang Li replied coolly, "If that's truly so, then it's even more troublesome."
Xiao Han and Xia Miaomiao shared another look but said nothing.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Xiao Han quickly said, "I'm going to check on Fang Qing and see how his injuries are."
After he swiftly left the room, Xia Miaomiao took Sang Li's hand to change the subject. "Sister Li, do you think Stepmother Bai killed Old Master Bai?"
Sang Li hesitated before asking back, "What do you think?"
"Based on the shoulder ring clue, it does seem to be her. And Old Master Bai started showing symptoms of poisoning over a year ago while she married in two years back - the timing seems suspicious."
"But we need evidence. Now the pharmacy owner is dead while yesterday Stepmother Bai didn't leave her room either. I suspect she has accomplices. There aren't that many sword wielders in the Bai household..." Sang Li rubbed her temples. "Miaomiao, let's go find Stepmother Bai's personal maid."
"Alright."
The two happened to encounter Stepmother Bai's maid, Qiu Ju, halfway. She was holding a bowl of medicine to bring to Stepmother Bai.
Seeing Sang Li and Xia Miaomiao, Qiu Ju was unfriendly as they had not been cordial with her mistress yesterday night.
"Girl, is this for Stepmother Bai?"
"Humph! What business is it of yours? What are you trying to do now?" Qiu Ju was far from accommodating.
"We don't mean anything. We just want to ask you some questions," Sang Li gave her a light smile.
"Why should I tell you anything?!"
Sang Li wasn't bothered. She took out a beautiful hair accessory from her sleeve. "Girl, we just have some simple questions. Answer them truthfully and this ornament will be yours."
Seeing the hairpin, Qiu Ju's eyes lit up eagerly - all observed by Sang Li.
"What...do you want to know?"
"We'd like to ask, who has Stepmother Bai been especially close with since she married into the Bai family?"
"Why, the Old Master of course!"
"Other than Old Master Bai, has she been particularly intimate with any of the servants?"
Qiu Ju considered before shaking her head. "Other than me as her personal maid, she hardly interacts with anyone else. She seldom goes out either. She may be rather taciturn but she treats me well."
"I see. Then what about yesterday? Did she meet with any servant yesterday?"
"Yesterday? I don't think so. These past days my mistress has been keeping vigil at Old Master Bai's side, her eyes were swollen from crying. She only went to rest in the rear garden yesterday!"
"Were you by her side the whole time she was in the garden?"
"Of course!"
"You didn't leave for a second?"
Qiu Ju pondered before seeming to recall something. "Ah wait - when my mistress was resting in the garden yesterday, her handkerchief fell into the pond. I left to find help retrieve it. When I returned, my mistress was thanking that masked swordsman who came to the residence with you for fishing out her handkerchief. The quiet man who always wears a mask."
Sang Li and Xia Miaomiao exchanged knowing looks.
Sang Li smiled at her and gave her the hairpin in her hand, "Thank you."
Qiu Ju happily accepted the hairpin, and her tone improved somewhat, "Then I'll leave first."
After Qiu Ju left, Xia Miaomiao asked, "Sister Li, aren't you afraid that she and Third Auntie are in cahoots by asking her so directly?"
"If Third Auntie was smart, she wouldn't use her personal maid who is always by her side. That would be too easy to expose! I asked Bai Yunhan about it yesterday. Qiu Ju has been in the Bai family for a long time, even before Third Auntie arrived. Also, she wasn't lying to me just now, I can tell."
"Then...is there really something wrong with Wu Ying?"
Sang Li paused for a moment, "Based on my observations of Wu Ying these past few days, I don't think he would help Third Auntie pick up a handkerchief. Also, Wu Ying uses a sword, which happens to match what happened last night when he went out."
"Should we tell Su Mo about this?"
"Let's not tell her for now. She's head over heels in love right now. I'm afraid she would alert them if we tell her."
"Sigh..." Xia Miaomiao let out a sigh, "I feel this case is getting more and more convoluted. If Wu Ying is really involved, do you think they have bigger conspiracies?"
"They killed Master Bai yet are still staying in the Bai family. That means their goals haven't been achieved yet..."
...
After discussing for a while, the two of them returned to the guest courtyard.
As soon as they entered the yard, they saw Su Mo holding a bowl of something, smiling as she stood in front of Wu Ying.
"Did you go find this for me?" Su Mo raised her eyebrows at Wu Ying.
"Are you sure this is edible?"
Wu Ying looked puzzled. He had picked one and taken a small bite when he found them. He wasn't afraid of poison anyway since he was immune to all poisons.
But he had barely chewed it a few times when he felt his soul leaving his body. He felt like his tongue and mouth didn't belong to him anymore!
This was more unbearable than being poisoned!
She actually liked eating this thing?
"Of course it's edible! And so delicious!"
"..."
"Miss Su, you have such a unique palate. This thing...is the most awful thing I've ever eaten."
"Pff..." Su Mo couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Don't tell me you just picked it and ate it raw?"