The next morning, Bairan was woken by a gentle knock on the door.
Baian's happy voice came through, "Bairan-jie, are you awake? It's already late."
She opened one eye, yawning lazily. The room wasn't fully bright yet. She muttered under her breath, "Why should I wake up so soon…" and shut her eyes again.
Another knock followed. "Bairan-jie, Master Pei is downstairs."
This time, she opened both eyes, brows furrowing. "Okay… I'll be down soon."
Baian replied warmly, "Then I'll prepare some water for you to wash your face."
Without waiting for her answer, he ran off.
Bairan lay there without moving, her eyelids drifting shut again—until she suddenly threw off the blanket and stood up. Annoyed, she went to the window and pushed it open. Outside, the sun was only just peeking between the mountains. She yawned again. "Even the rooster hasn't—"
Right then, a rooster flew onto the roof and crowed.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"
Bairan: "…"
Shaking her head, she put on her outer garment neatly and tied her hair into a simple bun.
A knock came again
"Bairan-jie," Baian's voice called.
She opened the door to find him standing there, holding a bowl of water in both hands.
He carefully set down the bowl and the clean towel tucked under his arm before stepping back with a smile.
She looked at Baian and smiled. "Thanks for your hard work… You look so happy!"
Baian's face lit up as he began chatting excitedly."Yes! Uncle Fang and Auntie Chu were very good to me. They gave me a soft place to sleep and didn't make me do all the hard work by myself. And Auntie Chu—" he grinned, "—gave me so many sweet things to eat! I told them my name is Baian, not 'Boy,' and since then they've been calling me Baian."
Bairan washed her face while Baian talked. She said gratefully, "They are good people—they've treated us very well."
Baian handed her the towel. She took it, drying her face as she continued, "Remember, anyone who is good to you, repay them when you can. And never repay good with bad. Okay?"
Baian nodded.
Bairan smiled. "Good… Now, can you bring me a knife?"
Baian agreed and quickly left to fetch one.
Once he was gone, Bairan took out the small box hidden under her pillow. Opening it, she examined each item: the two letters written on bamboo slips, the red sachet, and the pendant. She placed the red sachet and one bamboo slip back into the box.
Baian soon returned, holding the knife he'd borrowed from the chef.
Bairan took the other bamboo slip, cut some of the strings so it came apart, and then slipped the first half into her left sleeve along with the pendant. She placed the other half back into the box, which she then tucked into her right sleeve.
Then she cut part of her waistband and handed the knife back to Baian, who looked at her with worry in his eyes.
Seeing his expression, Bairan laughed. "What? Are you scared I might hurt my hand?"
"Yes," Baian admitted. "I'm worried you'll get hurt. The chef said this knife is very sharp."
Bairan smiled and reached out to pat his head. "Don't worry, I'm cautious. Now, take it back to the chef and thank him for me. If he asks, tell him I cut part of my waistband to tie my hair. By the way, have you had breakfast yet?"
Baian nodded. "Yes, I ate with Uncle Fang and Auntie Chu. I'll go return the knife now. See you downstairs."
"Okay," Bairan replied.
Wearing a green wide-sleeved garment and with part of her hair tied back using the green strip of cloth, her appearance was simple—yet she remained strikingly eye-catching.
She spotted Han Yue and the cold man's table. Smiling, she walked over and saluted respectfully. "Master Pei," she greeted, then turned to the cold man. "Sir."
Han Yue responded warmly, "Miss Bai Ran."
The cold man only nodded.
Bai Ran noticed the untouched food and said apologetically, "Bairan is very sorry. I lost my manners and made the young masters wait."
Han Yue replied, "It's okay. Come, have a seat."
Bairan sat down, and they began eating.
After a while, Hanyue asked, "Did Miss Bairan have a good rest?"
Bairan replied gratefully, "Thanks to Master Pei's grace, yes." She then glanced over the dishes carefully.
In truth, the way she ate did not resemble that of a noble lady or someone from a wealthy family. She was casual, almost cautious, and inspecting each piece of food as though she had some hidden concern.
Hanyue noticed and smiled faintly. "Happy to hear that. You—"
At that moment, Bairan's brow furrowed. She had bitten into something, and her expression stiffened. Swallowing with slight difficulty, she quickly reached for the teapot and poured herself a cup of tea, drinking it in one breath.
Hanyue looked at her in surprise. "..."
Bairan laughed awkwardly. "Haha… I made a fool of myself. Sorry, Master Pei. I don't remember what I like and what I don't like, so sometimes I… have trouble."
Hanyue chuckled softly. "Miss Bairan, you are quite amusing."
Bairan laughed as well. "I think so."
Then she suddenly felt a heavy gaze on her. Turning her head, she met the cold man's deep, unreadable eyes.
Bairan set down her chopsticks, thinking wryly, Not everyone thinks I'm funny.
One of Hanyue's men leaned close and clasped his hands. "Master, everything is ready."
Hanyue nodded, then turned to Bairan. "Miss Bairan, would you like to come with us as well?"
Bairan thought silently, Would I like to… or must I? But she smiled politely and nodded. "Of course. How could I say no when Master Pei invites me himself?"
Hanyue's lips curved knowingly. "Then let's go."
He rose to his feet, and Bairan followed suit.
The cold man, however, didn't move. He seemed lost in thought, his gaze fixed entirely on the dish Bairan had just pushed aside.
"Master," Hanyue called to him gently.
The cold man finally shifted his eyes away, stood, and strode toward the door.
Hanyue glanced at the dish again but found nothing unusual. Turning back, he met Bairan's gaze and said, "Miss Bairan, this way, please."
They arrived at a place that looked like a store, though the atmosphere was far from welcoming. Several of Hanyue's men stood guard, their stances alert. One man at the door clasped his hands respectfully. "Master."
His gaze flickered toward Bairan, lingering for a moment as if hesitating, then he stepped aside and pushed the door open.
A faint metallic tang drifted out immediately—blood.
Bairan instinctively touched her nose twice.
Inside, the dim room revealed a grim scene. A young man was tied to a chair, his face and body marred by bruises and streaks of blood. A strip of cloth covered his eyes. Nearby, an older man knelt on the ground, trembling.
Bairan's eyes narrowed slightly. So… this is what Master Pei invited me to see. But why?
Hanyue glanced at her and smiled faintly. What a woman—she didn't even bother to pretend to be frightened.
He signalled to his man, who stepped forward and pulled the cover from the young man's eyes.
The prisoner squinted, struggling to open them fully. His breathing quickened, and he glanced at the three of them with confusion. When his gaze fell on Bairan, his eyes widened even more. Then, turning to Hanyue, he broke into desperate cries.
"Daren… Daren, I told you everything I know! Please let me go—please, Daren, please!" His voice cracked with panic.
Hanyue spoke calmly, almost coldly. "You said you only did what that monk asked—buying for him. Where did you take the food and herbs?"
The young man stammered, "Daren… I… I…"
Hanyue's gaze sharpened. "You'd better think carefully. This is the last time I'll ask."
Then, almost deliberately—or perhaps by chance—his eyes flicked toward Bairan.
Having endured a night of relentless beating, the man, seeing no other way out, trembled as he stammered, "It was… it was a cave."
Hanyue's expression didn't change. He didn't even ask which cave. Instead, his voice stayed steady.
"Tell me in detail—what kind of food and herbs did you bring him?"
"For the herbs… I don't know. He gave me a recipe. And for the food—most of it was dried goods."
Hanyue's tone sharpened slightly.
"Was there dried radish among them?"
At that, Bairan's eyes flicked toward him, studying his face with quiet interest. Hanyue met her gaze—and to his surprise, there was no fear, no confusion. Instead, a faint, knowing smile curved her lips, as if she were silently praising him for his move.
The young man hesitated. "I… I think so. I brought dried radish too."