White Little Jade

"There's something I've been wanting to tell you."

As Zhang San was about to leave, Bai Fang stopped him.

Zhang San turned around, casting a puzzled look.

Bai Fang said, "Qing Ming told me in his letter to entrust Ming Qing, in the coming years, if there's a chance, to find a place in the countryside, the more remote, the better, safer than Tian Ruo City."

Zhang San furrowed his brows, leaving the city for the countryside? Safety? What did it mean?

Bai Fang explained, "Qing Ming said, the reason is that... the chaos in this world is not far off."

A casual remark, yet it felt like thunder in the sky.

Suddenly, Zhang San remembered something.

He had seen the shipping invoices of Lu Gaosheng, the huge amount had shocked him at first glance, and it was only last year's invoice.

Lu Gaosheng's Bai Lu Army was well-trained, well-equipped, but judging from the massive amount he managed in his maritime business, a force of one thousand men, though elite, was not his financial limit.

If his intention wasn't to demand everyone to be elite soldiers like the Bai Lu Army, he should have enough to raise a thirty-thousand-strong army and the necessary military supplies.

But Lu Gaosheng couldn't have early anticipated the chaos in the northern lands, Wang Jue's grain confiscation, and these series of unexpected events, then...

Why did he crazily accumulate wealth, train elite soldiers, and build Tian Ruo City so high? What was his next step?

What were his original plans, and how did he intend to overthrow Song YanShi?

All these... nobody knows, and there's no chance to know anymore.

Shaking his head, Zhang San asked, "Why are you telling me this?"

Bai Fang smiled gently, saying, "If what Qing Ming said is true, I hope you and Xiao Er prepare early. It shouldn't be a bad thing."

In the quiet room, the wind passed, leaving no trace.

In the courtyard behind the gate of the Ming Mansion, a girl as delicate as jade sat on the stone steps, quietly watching the closed gate.

Her expression was particularly serene, devoid of any emotion.

The two guards on the corridor behind exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.

Half a year ago, when the young master and the ethereal Miss Bai moved in, they brought this little girl along. After Ming Qing and Bai Fang officially married and had a status, Bai Xiaoyu naturally became the young mistress of the Ming Mansion.

With Ming Qing treating Xiaoyu as his own, and Xiaoyu's natural liveliness, all the servants and guards in the mansion adored her.

Until a month ago, when news of the new madam falling critically ill spread in the mansion, Bai Xiaoyu learned about it.

Except for when she was with her mother, everyone could occasionally see this lively girl trying hard to smile and not let her mother worry. No one has seen her smile since then.

The two guards watched Bai Xiaoyu's figure on the stone steps, feeling a pang of sadness.

"Ah..."

"Why are you sighing!? Keep your voice down, don't let the young mistress hear, she's already in a bad mood."

"I know, she can't hear us here. I just can't understand, how could such a celestial-like person get a terminal illness?"

"Who knows, it's all fate."

As the two talked quietly, they heard from outside the Ming Mansion, the distant crowing of... chickens?

Cluck cluck...

Cluck cluck...

This is a chicken with an exceptionally unpleasant crow.

One of the guards suddenly exclaimed, "Whose chicken is making such an awful noise? If it doesn't shut up, I'll slaughter it..."

But Bai Xiaoyu stood up and said, "Big Brother Lin, let me go check. And you guys, don't follow me!"

With that, Bai Xiaoyu ran out ahead.

At a corner near the Ming Prefecture's outer street intersection.

Wang Xiaoer pulled Bai Xiaoyu along, timing it just right when the street was bustling with people, easily dodging the two guards chasing after them.

Haha, trying to stop me from seeing Xiaoyu? Even my master couldn't do that!

The corner of the alley was quiet and serene, without a sound.

Following Wang Xiaoer here, Bai Xiaoyu's childhood friend whom she hadn't seen in six months, she just looked at him without saying a word.

Wang Xiaoer scratched the back of his head and chuckled, "Xiaoyu, haven't seen you for so long, don't you miss me?"

Bai Xiaoyu remained silent, expressionless, with only a hint of sorrow.

Wang Xiaoer's heart skipped a beat.

When they were at the dilapidated temple, Master had mentioned Bai Fang's impending death. At that time, Wang Xiaoer was surprised and saddened because although he always felt a bit fearful of the future cold-faced mother-in-law, occasionally, he would sense a familiarity with Bai Fang similar to his own mother.

At the same time, he also thought, what if Bai Xiaoyu knew about this news? What would happen then?

So, he had been trying every means to visit Ming Prefecture, and finally found the opportunity.

Looking at Bai Xiaoyu now, Wang Xiaoer knew he was probably right.

Wang Xiaoer quickly took out a bundle of oil paper from his pocket.

Inside the paper were candied haws. He remembered that the first gift he gave Bai Xiaoyu when they first met was candied haws wrapped in oil paper.

"Xiaoyu, these are two large skewers of candied haws. They're from your favorite vendor, their candy coating is especially thick. I bought them specially from the southern city."

Bai Xiaoyu looked at Wang Xiaoer, her facade of strength crumbling.

She hugged Wang Xiaoer tightly, her jade-like cheek pressed against his shoulder, and said in a low, suppressed voice, "I dare not cry..."

Wang Xiaoer still held the bundle of oil paper, taken aback by this sudden turn of events, his hands open, not daring to hug Bai Xiaoyu.

"I dare not cry, because... I'm afraid if I cry, Mother will be even more heartbroken. I don't want to make her sad, Xiaoer, do you know? I don't want Mother to be sad, so I endure it, always endure it..."

Wang Xiaoer didn't know what to do, so he could only say, "You're doing great... you're very strong, Xiaoyu."

"But what good does that do?" Bai Xiaoyu held onto Wang Xiaoer tightly, in this place where no one else could see, the girl finally burst into tears, "They said my mother is going to die! Xiaoer, my mother is going to die!"

Wang Xiaoer couldn't see Bai Xiaoyu's face, but he felt his shoulder getting wet.

Her cries were so heartbreaking.

And I am powerless.

Master said it's an incurable disease, what can I do?

But...

Perhaps I can comfort her.

Yes.

Wang Xiaoer's clever mind immediately started working, thinking that being so smart, he could surely find a way to make her feel better, stop crying.

But as Bai Xiaoyu cried harder and harder, Wang Xiaoer felt his mind going blank.

This wasn't taught by the master!

The master knew everything, but never taught me how to comfort someone.

Wait, did any of those books I've read have something? Let me check quickly.

"Star Sea Sword Manual"

"Righteous Internal Energy Techniques"

"Five Poisons Doctrine"

"Disguise Technique"

"Suppressive Stealth Steps"

And the master's own creation, "Assassin's Career Record."

In the blank little mind, flipping through one book after another, the much-needed answers are nowhere to be found.

"What should I do! Xiao Er..."

"I don't want my mother to die... What should I do..."

As Bai Xiaoyu cried even more intensely, holding him tighter.

What else could be done?

Wang Xiaoer dropped the oil-paper packet in his hand and embraced her.

"I don't know what to do, I can only give you a hug."

"I'm here," Wang Xiaoer said to the girl in his arms.

"You being here is of no use!"

Bai Xiaoyu scolded, punching Wang Xiaoer's back.

"I'm here," Wang Xiaoer said.

"I said, being here is useless!"

Bai Xiaoyu's emotions became more agitated, repeatedly hitting and punching Wang Xiaoer's back.

Wang Xiaoer endured the pain, using a gentle tone, "I may not be useful, but... I'm here."

In the narrow alley, the loud cries gradually turned into sobs.

...

...

In the afternoon, not far from the city gate, a small tea shop for passersby to quench their thirst, now almost empty.

Zhang San, carrying a pile of letters and harboring thoughts he must not let Wang Xiaoer discover, arrived at the agreed-upon tea shop. He saw an empty outdoor tea shop, and Wang Xiaoer was grimacing, rubbing his back.

"What happened to you?" Zhang San questioned.

Only then did Wang Xiaoer notice his master had come close. He quickly stood up, pretending nothing was wrong, and said, "Nothing, just tripped a while ago. The outskirts have too many stones, and I fell pretty hard."

However, the truth was, Wang Xiaoer was astonished to find that Bai Xiaoyu's strength had increased remarkably compared to half a year ago. Even with his righteous internal energy protecting him, after a dozen punches, it hurt a lot and even left some bruises.

Wang Xiaoer thought, at that moment, he was only focused on how to comfort Xiaoyu, and he hadn't had a chance to ask why. Looking at Xiaoyu's appearance, she probably wasn't aware of the changes in her own body.

But in the end, a sudden, significant increase in a girl's strength, even surpassing same-aged boys, was unusual. Just to be safe, next time, he should check her pulse.

While Wang Xiaoer was thinking, Zhang San furrowed his brows, having some suspicions about Wang Xiaoer's explanation.

"You..."

"Uh, Master, why did it take you so long?" Wang Xiaoer quickly asked.

With a guilty conscience, Zhang San, having prepared a prior excuse, said, "Had a little dispute with the people from the Five Directions Sect. Looks like I'll have to change my identity again next time."

After saying this, Zhang San quickly changed the subject, asking, "What about you? Did you gather any information? Any recent rumors in the martial world?"

Wang Xiaoer felt a jolt in his heart, thinking to himself that he didn't have so much free time after all.

But with his acting skills intact, Wang Xiaoer immediately put on a smile and said to his master, "Nothing much, Master. The recent happenings in the rivers and lakes and the Great Martial Nation... all is peaceful and calm!"

"Then let's head back."

"Alright, Master. Let's go back."

And so, with each harboring their own thoughts and secrets, the master and disciple, under the setting sun, embarked on their journey home.