"Tonight, I suspect we might have a guest arriving around midnight..." Bai Xifeng murmured, her gaze fixed on the moon.
Only half of the lunar disk was visible, yet it hung beautifully in the sky, casting a pale, silver glow over the quiet courtyard.
"A guest? Who would be coming at such an hour, Young Miss?" Xiao Li asked, her eyes widening in surprise. As she processed the words, her mind immediately began to race with dark assumptions.
'No one comes at midnight with good intentions. If someone is coming, they must have improper motives. Oh, no! I have to protect her!' Xiao Li looked at Bai Xifeng with fierce determination. "Young Miss, do not worry. I will protect you with my life!"
Bai Xifeng smiled and reached out to pat Xiao Li gently on the head. "Don't worry so much. Nothing bad is going to happen."
After they finished dinner, Bai Xifeng headed toward her bedroom. she urged Xiao Li to go to her own quarters and get some rest, but the maid stubbornly insisted on guarding the door.
Bai Xifeng felt a flicker of regret for mentioning the midnight visitor in front of Xiao Li. She made a mental note to be much more careful with such remarks in the future to avoid worrying her loyal maid.
Once at her door, Bai Xifeng paused and stood still for a moment. She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small, unassuming pill. With a sharp flick of her fingers, she crushed it. The pill instantly vaporized, releasing a faint, deceptively sweet aroma into the air.
"What exactly are you doing?" Baishe asked, his voice echoing in her mind.
"Just ensuring someone gets a very deep, instant sleep." Bai Xifeng replied.
Baishe sounded genuinely confused. "And for what purpose?"
"I want Xiao Li to fall asleep so she doesn't get involved in tonight's mess." Bai Xifeng explained as she carefully cracked the door open.
Sure enough, the sleeping vapor had worked its magic. Xiao Li had already slumped over, fast asleep.
"Baishe, transform into your human shape and carry her inside." Bai Xifeng ordered.
"What? Why on earth should I have to do that?" Baishe frowned, his pride clearly pricked.
"Fine. Then transform into your python form and drag her in. The choice is yours." Bai Xifeng said, offering him essentially the same task.
"Fine... fine..." Baishe grumbled.
He shifted into his human form and reluctantly scooped Xiao Li up, carrying her into Bai Xifeng's bedroom and placing her safely on the bed.
"So, what is the next step in your grand plan?" Baishe asked, crossing his arms.
"Hmm... sleep." Bai Xifeng replied, letting out a long yawn.
"What? You're just going to let them come?" Baishe asked, feeling completely dumbfounded.
He had fully expected a confrontation or a strategic ambush. He didn't mind the prospect of a fight, in fact, he almost welcomed it. But now, she simply wanted to go to bed?
"Yes. They won't find anything of value anyway." Bai Xifeng yawned again, her eyes fluttering shut. "Why should I waste my precious energy on them? It's much better to sleep and recover."
"Aren't you even a little worried that they might try to harm you?" Baishe pressed, baffled by her nonchalance.
Bai Xifeng opened one eye and flashed a wide, confident smile at him. "Why should I be? You're here. You can protect us." She finished the sentence with a playful wink.
"..."
Baishe was left speechless. This girl truly knew how to use people to her advantage, and she did it with terrifying ease.
***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. It breaks my heart when someone steals my hard work. Can you consider reading it on the original website for those who read my novel on another website besides w e b n o v e l .c o m, as your support to me? Thank you, from, your shameless author, ZerahNeko***