Chapter Nine, the sound of the flute is melodious

Fully aware of his temper, Mo Yan and Li Xu did not dare to speak further, leaving in a dejected manner and closing the door behind him.

Mo Yan and Li Xu exchanged a glance, and they both felt that this method was feasible. Now that they have gradually grown up, they mostly wander in the Jianghu. Xiao Chen, due to his blindness, rarely leaves home. He has always had a solitary temperament, and moreover, he has no fondness for the official's daughter. It is certain that having him live under the same roof as Bai Yingyu would be quite unpleasant.

... then find someone to marry her, and this matter can also be concluded. " Xiao Chen finished the latter part of his statement

Even the boatman was a bit taken aback, looking around, and finally saw another boat through the mist, scratching his head and muttering to himself: "What a waste of time to come out on the river just to play the flute."

"Lady Bai, having escaped from drowning this time, the officials must surely believe you to be dead and will not pursue you any further. You could be considered reborn. What are your plans for the future? Feel free to share. Do you have any other relatives at home?" Xiao Chen spoke slowly, and now even Mo Yan and Li Xu understood his meaning.

She didn't say she wanted to rely on us either. Mo Yan racked her brains for a reason, "... wasn't the master the same when he took us in before..."

A few flute notes suddenly burst forth from the river breeze, clear and round, astonishingly melodious, instantly causing everyone on the boat to perk up their ears, looking at each other in confusion.

She stood there in a daze, looking blankly at Xiao Chen, contemplating her own future. The wounds that Mo Yan had already treated began to throb painfully at this moment, starting from her hands and feet, then surging up along her veins, and finally culminating in a sharp pain in her chest.

... ...

Seeing Bai Yingyu's expression somewhat dazed, as if still in shock, Mo Yan comforted her, saying: "We are currently at the inn, so you should rest well for a few days, and then we can set off for home. You have several blisters on your feet; I have already lanced them and applied medicine. The injury on your ankle has also been treated with healing ointment, and it will heal in a couple of days."

There is still some spirit left

However, it seemed as if the piper had grown weary of them, and the sound of the flute stubbornly faded away

"It's a small matter, actually not difficult at all." Mo Yan chuckled, while Li Xu shot her several disapproving glances

"This is very good, we can send the young lady back," Xiao Chen said immediately

"... ... Xiao Qi ... ... Li Daxia ... ... what has happened to you?" Bai Yingyu asked weakly, astonished.

Well, aside from the injury on my foot, there is nothing serious, and my mind is quite clear. Mo Yan emphasized the latter part of her statement, as she had indeed been worried that staying in the water for too long would damage Bai Yingyu's head.

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Chen interrupted him with a remark: "When our master took us in, we were all still children, in need of care and guidance. Can it be the same? Don't be so thoughtless!"

In fact, without her calling out, Li Xu had already walked towards the door, but he took a moment to jokingly scold her, saying: "Lazy girl, if you can take one less step, then do so."

... ...

"She has woken up?" Xiao Chen inquired, using an affirmative tone. He had already heard the sound of Mo Yan preparing the soup, which was naturally for Bai Yingyu to drink.

No, no.

Before that finger was shaken into four, Mo Yan was kicked aside, and in her place was Li Xu, who stared at her with a serious and almost stern expression: "Do you still remember who you are?"

However, one must save a person to the very end; one cannot simply abandon them like this

The river water, reeking of fish, rolled beneath her nose, causing her vision to blur, and staring at it so closely indeed made her feel somewhat nauseous... She hesitated and slowly leaned her head out...

The sound of the flute became increasingly clear, melodious and gentle, playing a tune that Bai Yingyu had never heard before. Or perhaps it was not a tune at all, but merely someone playing casually, without concern or seriousness, sketching out notes that captivated the entire boat of listeners.

The door was lightly knocked twice, and Bai Yingyu suddenly became tense, suspecting that the officials were pursuing her, her face turning pale as she stared at the door.

The sound of the flute suddenly ceased without warning, and the people on the ship were momentarily taken aback, straining their ears to listen, convinced that the melody would surely return.

Bai Yingyu slightly lowered her head and said softly, "It won't trouble everyone, I can go back by myself"

The blow to the head was indeed painful, and Mo Yan covered her head, knowing that she could not possibly argue with Xiao Chen. She looked at Li Xu for help.

Having obtained the permission of the crew, Bai Yingyu slowly rose and moved to the edge of the ship. The vessel was rocking violently, and she had to grip the railing tightly with her hands to maintain her balance

Xiao Chen ignored her and continued towards Bai Yingyu, asking in a calm and unremarkable manner: "Do you want to go home with us?"

Mo Yan returned to the table, busily preparing soup for her to drink

I knew you, girl, were unreliable in your work. You didn't even let her take a breath in between. What if she loses her mind and wakes up as an idiot?

"Xiao Qi, open the door." It was the voice of Xiao Chen

Li Xu also felt a bit anxious: "Second Master, isn't this rather inappropriate?"

Bai Yingyu slightly moved her leg, but did not hear the creaking sound of the iron chains: "Iron shackles..."

The subordinate nodded impatiently and said, "Go ahead, be careful, hold on tight"

The door latch was pulled open, and Bai Yingyu turned her head to look. Xiao Chen stepped in, his expression calm, still wearing a slightly worn blue robe.

Xiao Chen grew impatient and issued an eviction order

Xiao Chen had said everything he needed to say and was too lazy to respond to them. He stood up and said淡淡道: "That's it, let's rest for two days, and we will send you back to Lushan." After saying this, he left the room on his own, and Li Xu hurriedly followed him out.

Before the boatman could speak, he had already heard and hurriedly shouted: "If you want to vomit, do it over the side of the boat, don't dirty the boat!"

Mo Yan and Li Xu stared at each other in astonishment. After a while, Mo Yan slowly said: "We must find someone she likes; we cannot hastily marry her off just because it is troublesome. Second brother, that would... not be very considerate!"

"The iron shackles on your feet will be removed by me, and I will casually throw them into the river. What, do you still want them?" Mo Yanqi asked.

Li Xu licked his lips and said: "Second Senior Brother, looking at her appearance, it is clear that there is no one left in her hometown. How will she survive alone when she goes back? If it comes to the point where she has to sell herself, then wouldn't our efforts to save her be in vain?"

Li Xu was quickly pushed aside by Mo Yan, who simultaneously shouted, "Look, she recognizes us, her mind must be fine." She helped Bai Yingyu sit up, touching her face and head as she fussed over her, "You are okay, right?"

"Second Master, this matter..." Li Xu also wanted to speak

Bai Yingyu took the soup bowl and forced herself to smile at her

I didn't delay for long, besides, I was venting my frustration at her

After a moment, Xiao Chen spoke: "If there truly is no one left in her hometown, then let us find a house for her to stay in at the small town at the foot of our mountain."

Xiao Chen said impatiently: "I naturally have a plan"

It is precisely because of the grace received that one would extend a hand to save her

The sound of the flute continues, casual and leisurely, as translucent as jade beads, pleasing to the ear. It brings a faint smile to the faces of the crowd, and the originally hurried hearts gradually relax. However, only Bai Yingyu becomes increasingly tense.

I ... ... '' Bai Yingyu was at a loss for words, and she had not yet had the chance to think about what would happen next

"I am fine," Bai Yingyu forced a smile, "Thank you so much. It must not have been easy to save me in such rushing water. This is already the second time you have saved me." She still remembered that she had merely pushed her hand lightly and had fallen into the water, unable to see anything, with the sound of water buzzing in her ears. The iron chain on her feet was very heavy, pulling her down, as if someone was pulling her up, or perhaps it was the current; she could not see at all, and soon lost consciousness.

"Second brother, she is a weak woman, all alone and very pitiful." As Mo Yan stepped through the door, she hurriedly spoke on behalf of Bai Yingyu, "Did you not say that she has been kind to us on the mountain?"

As soon as he entered the room, Xiao Chen heard the footsteps closely following him and slightly frowned.

The servant outside the cabin raised his head and asked the boatman, "Who is this person?"

Xiao Chen did not immediately knock on his head, seemingly deep in thought. Mo Yan cast a look of approval at Li Xu, who clearly regarded it with disdain.

Bai Yingyu waved her hands repeatedly. In fact, she initially wanted to ask Mo Yan if she had the key to unlock the shackles. However, upon further reflection, she realized that Mo Yan and her companions were people of the martial world, and they must possess many skills and knowledge that she did not understand. Asking would likely yield answers she could not comprehend, so she decided not to inquire further.

"Second Brother!" Mo Yan exclaimed anxiously, "She is a weak woman, without any skills at all. What should she do if she is bullied?"

Mo Yan said, turning her head to Li Xu and shouting: "Fifth Brother, hurry up! I am holding the soup in my hands"

I once heard my grandfather say that our hometown is a small town located by Mount Lu. That is the place where Bai Baozhen was born, but Bai Yingyu has never been there herself, because Bai Baozhen once mentioned that there is no one left in the hometown, and he himself has not returned there either

Li Xu hurriedly pulled a chair for him, and Xiao Chen sat down, nodding: "This is good." The soft sound of breathing could be heard from the bed, and he turned towards Bai Yingyu's direction, "Miss Bai, may I ask what your plans are next?"

Unable to bear witnessing her embarrassment, Mo Yan gently tugged at Xiao Chen's sleeve, wanting to speak on her behalf, but was brushed off by Xiao Chen's hand.

"Second Brother..." Mo Yan became somewhat anxious

You eat first, I will be back soon

Mo Yan placed the soup bowl in Bai Yingyu's hands and said, "You must drink the duck soup first, and you must finish it all. I instructed the kitchen to simmer it for two hours."

Mo Yan interjected, "Second Brother, she can come home with us."

Mo Yan also hurriedly followed Xiao Chen out, not forgetting to close the door properly again

The soup bowl on the table emitted swirling steam, and his face was partially obscured by this heat, yet it sent a chill to the depths of one's heart. This was not a question, but a rejection; it was evident that he did not wish for her, an outsider, to accompany him. Bai Yingyu, having grown up in a government official's household and having interacted with those concubines for many years, could hardly fail to understand such words. She was momentarily taken aback, unsure of how to respond.

Where is your hometown

She should be fine, right

"Second brother," Mo Yan interjected, "she can live in the same room as me..."

That is good

Almost as soon as she opened her eyes, Mo Yan rushed towards her, joyfully saying: "You are awake! Do you still recognize me? Can you tell me who I am? ... And also, how many is this? One or two?" A finger was vigorously waving in front of her eyes, almost appearing to be three.

Along with the fading sound of the flute, there was also Bai Yingyu

Bai Yingyu covered her mouth and hesitantly looked towards the constable

The boatman shook his head: "I don't know, I've never heard of it before." He rested his hand on the awning, squinting to get a better look at the boat shrouded in mist, but the more he tried to see clearly, the less he could.

Before she could finish her sentence, she was interrupted, and the one who interrupted her was not Xiao Chen, but Bai Yingyu: "Xiao Qi, thank you for your kindness. I think there may still be people in my hometown, so it would be better for me to return home."

Go out, I want to rest

Despite being in such a predicament, Bai Yingyu still maintained her small sense of pride. She was unwilling to shake her head, yet the reality forced her to nod—aside from those aunts whose whereabouts were unknown, she truly had no other relatives left

Bai Yingyu slowly opened her eyes and looked at the two people chattering in front of her

Arrived

Xiao Chen said coldly: "The so-called help in emergencies does not extend to helping the poor. Are we to assume that saving her would lead her to become dependent on us?"