Overwhelmed by grief, her tears flowed endlessly—until she felt a gentle touch of a hand upon her shoulder. Raising her tear-stained face, she met Bairan's calm gaze. The latter's voice was soft yet steady.
"I told you, I don't remember what happened. So I have no reason to blame you."
A faint smile curved her lips as she continued.
"But now that I've come back, help me find out what really happened to your sister, Ruolan."
Ruoyu murmured, "You need my help?"
Bairan inclined her head. Her eyes shone with a ray of light.
"Yes."
Ruoyu stared at her, astonished. When did my sister become so composed, so steady?
Her eyes brimmed anew, fresh tears as she wondered how much suffering Ruolan must have endured in just one month to change like this. What really happened to her that night?
Finally, she nodded firmly.
"Yes, Ruolan-jie. Ruoyu will help you."
A gentle, genuine smile touched Bairan's face.
"Then tell me in detail—who are these people, and what kind of relationship do they have with me?"
Ruoyu nodded gently.
"Very well, Ruolan-jie. Who should I begin with?"
Bairan settled back into her seat, her gaze drifting toward the door.
"Start with these two maids."
Time passed as Bairan and Ruoyu spoke for so many hours. Beyond the door, Bao'er grew restless. She clasped and unclasped her hands, glancing repeatedly at Qing'er.
"Qing'er… why are they speaking for so long? Could it be… could it be that our Miss truly does not remember us?" Her voice trembled, eyes moist with worry.
But Qing'er was absent-mindedly thinking deeply about something; she didn't hear Bao'er's question.
"Qing'er!" Bao'er's voice rose, edged with both anxiety and irritation.
Startled, Qing'er flinched. "Eh? Yes? What did you say?"
Bao'er frowned, her tone was annoyed. "What's wrong with you? You've been so absent-minded today. Every time I speak, I must repeat myself." Her lips pressed into a thin line, her voice lowering, tinged with sorrow.
"…Are you worrying about our Miss?"
Qing'er did not reply. She merely nodded, thinking what's making her worried is not their Young Miss—it was something else.
At that moment, footsteps sounded steadily along the corridor. Baian came upstairs and approached, his shadow stretching under the lantern light. As he drew near and saw two young girls waiting outside Bairan's chamber while the door remained tightly shut, the smile on his face vanished.
His heart clenched with unease. Could someone be scheming to take Bairan-jie away again? Should he call Master Pei?
His voice came sharp and hurried, betraying his nerves.
"Who are you? Where is my Bairan-jie?"
Bao'er and Qing'er both stared at him in shock, not understanding his words.
Bao'er frowned, her tone hurt and defensive.
"Hey, child, what nonsense are you shouting? We don't know who your Bairan-jie is. Go away!"
Qing'er, however, narrowed her eyes, her gaze sweeping over Baian from head to toe.
Baian's body trembled, his face pale with alarm.
"You… you want to kidnap my Bairan-jie?" His voice rose, thick with panic. "I won't allow it!"
Before the two maids could respond, he darted forward toward the balustrades.
The girls were left stunned, anger flaring.
"What's wrong with this boy—has he gone mad?" Bao'er exclaimed.
But before anyone could claim him,
Baian's shout cut through the air like a blade.
"Master Pei! Help us!"
A split-second later, the sound of two sharp swishes sliced through the silence—hoo-sho, hoo-sho!
The door to the chamber burst open with a crack at the same time.
"Baian, don't—!" Bairan's voice rang out, urgent and hurried.
But it was already too late.
Two figures landed soundlessly before them—one clad in pure black, the other in a dark green hanfu.
The air seemed to still. The maids instinctively stepped back, their faces paling. Rouyu froze mid-step, her breath caught in her throat.
Bairan's gaze went first to the fluttering red ribbon swaying like a restless wave against the black figure's long hair, then meeting Zhouyan's steady, unwavering eyes.
"So, even you bothered to come? How wonderful," she thought, her lips curving faintly.
Her eyes moved to Han Yu who, standing at Zhouyan's side, looked alert at first, but when his eyes confirmed she was unharmed, his tense shoulders loosened.
Bairan let out an awkward smile, a trace of embarrassment flickering across her face.
Baian was the first to break the silence. He rushed forward, his steps unsteady but urgent.
"Bairan-jie!" he cried, voice trembling with both fear and worry. "Are you all right? Did they hurt you?"
Bairan let out a soft sigh, though her eyes were filled with tenderness.
"Ayah, Baian… they did not hurt me." She rested her hand gently on his head, then turned her gaze toward Ruoyu. "They are my family."
Zhouyan's eyes flickered briefly to the hand resting atop the boy's hair. For a moment, something unreadable passed through his gaze—then he turned away, as if uninterested.
Baian blinked, startled.
"They… they are your family? I… I thought they wanted to hurt you…"
His cheeks flushed scarlet, and he lowered his head in embarrassment, fidgeting with his sleeves.
Bairan chuckled softly. "It's alright."
Then, with both hands clasped together, she turned and bowed toward Zhouyan and Han Yue.
"Bairan is truly sorry for troubling the two gentlemen."
Zhouyan remained silent, his expression unreadable, but Han Yue's lips curved into a gentle smile.
"No worries."
Yet Bairan did not rise at once. She lowered her head a little more, her voice sincere.
"You are my saviours, and you have helped me greatly. I… I truly do not know how I could ever repay your kindness."
Han Yue bowed his head slightly in return, his tone warm.
"We did not do all that much. What matters is that you have now found your family."
Hanyue looked at Bairan for a moment before he spoke,
"Perhaps...it is time for farewells."
Bairan's lips parted, "This… this…" She hesitated, then steadied herself and said,
"How could I simply bid farewell and allow you gentlemen to remain at an inn? Would that not make me appear ungrateful? I do not know if my family's courtyard would suit men of such bearing as yourselves, but if I failed to extend an invitation, they would surely scold me for lacking proper manners."
Her eyes shifted toward Rouyu.
Rouyu stepped forward, her movements measured and refined, her voice carrying the grace of a young lady.
"Gentlemen, I truly do not know how to express our gratitude for saving my elder sister. Please, come back with us. My family will be honoured to meet you in person."
Han Yue looked hesitant. "But…"
Before he could refuse, Bairan interrupted quickly, her tone earnest.
"Master Pei, I must insist."
Han Yue exchanged a meaningful glance with Bairan, then let out a quiet sigh, his lips curving faintly.
"…Very well."
Baian's eyes lingered on Bairan all the time.
Bairan smiled at him and said warmly,
"Baian, go and pick up your things. We're leaving."
Baian's face lit up. He nodded quickly.
"Okay! Bairan-jie."