Yun Qianyue came only to ruin Qi Siqing's plans.
Seeing that Madam Duan had stood up, she quietly turned to leave.
"Young Master, the wind is strong," a soft voice reminded.
She paused. That voice didn't belong to her.
Turning, she saw a young man in white standing under the rosewood tree, sunlight falling on his calm, snow-pale face. His features were too gentle, the kind that time itself seemed afraid to disturb.
"Don't worry about me," he said, a faint smile curving his lips. "I'm fine."
"Your identity was exposed long ago," his attendant said quietly, concern hidden behind his respectful tone.
The youth brushed his fingers across the tree's bark. "It doesn't matter. I've always been a good-for-nothing anyway."
"Please don't say that, Young Master," the attendant sighed, lowering his head.
Bai Rui smiled again, that same calm, heartbreaking smile. "It's not anyone's fault. I was born this way."
"If you can live," a voice interrupted softly from behind, "then live well. There are many who wish to live but find it far too difficult."
Both men turned.
Yun Qianyue stepped forward, her veil fluttering in the breeze.
Bai Rui's brows drew together. He already knew what had happened in the front hall the exposure, the humiliation, the mask that had cracked.
"If we can live," he replied quietly, "who doesn't want to live well?"
The words stirred something deep in Yun Qianyue. A memory surged; her last life, her dying breath, the pain and the warmth of a voice she thought she'd never hear again.
"Don't be sad. You were going to die anyway. The poison in your body had already entered your bones. You died to save your friend. That life was worth it."
"Silly girl, don't cry. You're beautiful, scars or not. Even scarred, you outshine those who pretend to be flawless."
"If you can live again… live well."
She could still remember his voice. Every word of it.
When she opened her eyes again, the sunlight seemed brighter. "What if I could cure your poison?" she asked suddenly, her tone steady, confident. "Bai Rui, I have that ability now."
The attendant stiffened immediately. "Young Miss, Qi Siqing is your cousin. How do we know this isn't another trick between you two?"
Yun Qianyue tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Did what happened in the hall look like a performance to you?"
The attendant fell silent.
Bai Rui didn't speak, but something shifted in his gaze. His heart, which had long been silent, responded before his lips could.
Yun Qianyue continued, her voice calm but sure. "The poison in your body came from your mother's womb. It's been with you since the day you were born. I can't lie about that, can I?"
The young man's expression flickered for just a moment, but enough.
She was right.
"For now, I can't remove it completely," she admitted, "but I can stabilize your body. Within three days, your health will recover. Within half a month, you'll be strong enough to compete and win. You'll enter the sect not by pity, but by your own strength."
Bai Rui froze. The words 'by your own strength' pierced deeper than any blade.For years, pity had been his shadow; people bowed to his weakness, not his will.
The attendant swallowed, voice low. "Young Master, her words are too beautiful. She might be lying."
"She didn't take my pulse," Bai Rui said after a pause. "How would she know the origin of my poison?"
The attendant brightened. "Exactly! A liar's trick"
"Golden Elixir Silver Needle Technique," Yun Qianyue said lightly.
Both Bai Rui and his attendant went rigid. The name alone was enough to make the air grow heavy.
The servant's eyes darted around nervously. "Miss, that… that's a forbidden art!"
"Come with me," Bai Rui said quietly.
He led her and his servant into his private flower hall a space filled with the scent of medicine and faint sunlight filtering through paper windows.
Once inside, Yun Qianyue removed her veil.
Bai Rui and his attendant froze.
Her skin was like moonlight over fresh snow, her lips the color of dawn, and her eyes…those eyes seemed to hold an entire galaxy.
For a moment, silence reigned.
Bai Rui forced himself to look away. "The Golden Elixir Silver Needle technique was lost long ago. To speak of it so carelessly… do you realize what danger that brings?"
Yun Qianyue smiled faintly. "You are my friend."
He blinked. "Friend?"
"The enemy of my enemy is a friend," she said softly. "You heard what Qi Siqing said in the hall. I was foolish once, I treated a snake as a sister. Now I simply refuse to be bitten again."
Her tone hardened, but her smile remained calm, beautiful, and ruthless.
"You're smart," she added, meeting his gaze directly. "You know Qi Siqing and Bai Fu are working together. You don't truly believe she can cure you. You just want Madam Duan to be happy. After all…" Her voice softened. "You never believed you'd live past twenty."
Bai Rui's breath caught.
Every word struck true.
"Bai Rui," she said gently, "I can cure you. You won't die at twenty. Do you believe me?"
He looked into her eyes. There was no hesitation this time.
"I believe you."
The servant, Bai Man, stared in disbelief. His master; cautious, calculating, wise beyond his years and was never one to trust easily. But now… one look from this girl and all his defenses melted.
Yun Qianyue smiled, satisfied. "Good. That's all I needed, your trust."
"What do you want in return?" Bai Rui asked. "I don't like owing favors."
She tilted her head thoughtfully, then her eyes lit up with a spark of mischief. "Help me persuade Madam Duan to recommend Qi Siqing for the selection."
Both Bai Rui and Bai Man were stunned. "What?"
Yun Qianyue's smile was pure mischief, fox-like and cunning. "The higher her hope, the harder she'll fall. Qi Siqing thinks she's lost her chance today. But if Madam Duan suddenly gives her another opportunity, she'll cling to it desperately. When I defeat her in front of everyone… her fall will be spectacular."
Bai Man's jaw dropped. "No wonder people say you should never offend a woman."
Bai Rui, however, was studying her, really studying her. "What about you?" he asked quietly. "Don't you want to enter the sect yourself?"
Yun Qianyue laughed softly. "It doesn't matter. If fate wants me in, I'll be in. Whether I go or stay depends on my mood."
"You're quite arrogant," Bai Man muttered, half admiring, half exasperated.
She smiled. "Arrogant? Maybe. But arrogance backed by skill is called confidence." She rose, adjusting her veil once more. "I'll bring you the pills in three days."
And just like that, she was gone; her steps light, her confidence unshakable.
The moment she left, Bai Man finally exhaled. "Young Master… was that really Yun Qianyue? The same girl everyone said was spoiled and fragile?"
Bai Rui didn't answer.
After a long silence, Bai Man spoke again, hesitant. "Young Master, there's a rumor spreading. They say the Third Prince and Yun Qianyue fell for each other at the blessing banquet. That she doesn't even want to join the sect anymore,she's preparing to marry him. Is it true?"
Bai Rui's hand stilled.
Marry… the Third Prince?
He stood slowly, his eyes unreadable. "I'm tired," he said softly, and turned away.
Outside, the sunlight had begun to fade.
And just as Yun Qianyue was about to return to the Yun residence, she caught sight of a familiar figure ahead. one she hadn't expected to see again so soon.
Her lips curved into a knowing smile.
"So fate still has more games to play…"