C32

The plot twists are always misleading. Where did that cool, aloof, and commanding Dongfang Bai go?!

Hey, system, do you know?

And how did the heroine know about the grass allergy?

Did Yao Dayong know everything from the start, and was Yao Yiling aware of it all along?

This is truly a head-scratcher.

Aren't heroines supposed to be all about justice? Isn't this a martial arts world? My worldview is shattered!

If it weren't for being in the City Lord's Mansion, if it weren't for Dongfang Bai's weirdness, and that old eccentric Dongfang, Yiyue would love to drag Yao Yiling over and get to the bottom of things right now.

Of course, there's no guarantee she'd spill the beans.

After a relatively calm dinner, Yiyue finally managed to shake off the clingy Dongfang Bai and was escorted to the guest room by the maids of the City Lord's Mansion.

The moment the guest room door closed, Yiyue started plotting her escape, rubbing her hands together in anticipation.

Dongfang Bai insisted on tagging along, and now was the perfect chance to ditch him, haha!

Unfortunately, just as she climbed out the window, someone blocked her path.

"Please return, Miss Yiyue." The dark-faced guard was clearly unhappy about being assigned to watch over this young woman.

Still, seeing her attempt to leave, he dutifully stepped in.

You think I'll just go back because you told me to?

Yiyue rolled her eyes, ready to fight at the drop of a hat.

The shadow guard continued, "The Young City Lord said if Miss Yiyue leaves, he'll go to the Poison Doctor Valley to propose, claiming... Miss Yiyue took something and won't admit it!"

Yiyue was stunned. What did she take?!

Seriously?! And not owning up to it?!

Dongfang Bai, come out here, I promise I won't beat you to death!

Thinking of using this tactic to threaten her? Not a chance!

Just as she was about to continue with her previous plan, a sharp pain shot through her neck, and everything went black.

"In the middle of the night, and you're not sleeping properly," Dongfang Bai yawned, holding Yiyue. The shadow guard looked on with a mix of confusion and fear as Dongfang Bai carried Yiyue back to the guest room, and they didn't come out again.

A man and a woman alone in a room, sparks flying...

The shadow guard couldn't even imagine. Better report this to the City Lord.

And so, the news of Yiyue and Dongfang Bai spending the night together spread through the City Lord's Mansion.

Yiyue had no idea that in the dead of night, Dongfang Bai would still be watching over her. When she woke up and saw him holding her, she raised her hand and slapped him.

"You creep!"

Dongfang Bai was bewildered by the slap first thing in the morning, but recalling what he did last night left him even more confused.

Half-awake, he noticed his shadow guard moving, so he stealthily followed, saw Yiyue trying to leave, and decisively knocked her out.

Then what happened?

He just forgot.

When Yiling heard they spent the night together, her fingers turned white from clenching them so hard.

The two maids noticed something was off and, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire, found excuses to leave the room, closing the door behind them.

To Yiling, this action felt like the maids believed she was about to lose her status as the future lady of the house, so they started distancing themselves from her.

A gentle breeze blew, suddenly opening the tightly shut window.

"Who's there?!" Yiling turned her head, ready to shout, but a calloused hand gently covered her lips.

"Did you miss me?!"

A deep voice, warm like a breeze, whispered close to her neck.

Yiling shivered slightly, feeling a rush of warmth spread through her, her cheeks flushing as if she were drunk.

"Heh." The man behind her chuckled softly, his hand slipping under her skirt. "Seems like you missed me too..."

Meanwhile, Yiyue had no idea that the leading lady and gentleman were having their moment.

After delivering a wake-up slap to Dongfang Bai, she was invited to the living room by the lord of the house.

The lord looked at his son, who still had a handprint on his face, with a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

"Don't worry, Yiyue," he said. "This rascal will take responsibility, for sure."

The City Lord's first words made Yiyue's face darken instantly. Who on earth asked him to take responsibility for her?! All Yiyue wanted to do was slam the table and storm out. She took a deep breath to calm herself and spoke earnestly, "Everyone in the city knows that Yao Yiling is the rightful lady of the mansion. Are you suggesting I become the other woman?"

"This..." Of course not!

But Yiyue didn't give him a chance to finish. "Even if that's not what you meant, I can't be the one to ruin someone else's relationship, right? So let's just forget about this responsibility nonsense." She thought to herself, better to pretend it never happened.

Of course, she wouldn't dare say that out loud. Was she joking? If she did, would she even make it out safely? She still had to return, even if her frail body might not last much longer. Everything here was just a simulation to her. How could she possibly get married?

Resolutely, Yiyue refused to listen to anything else the City Lord had to say. Ignoring Dongfang Bai's wistful gaze, she strode out of the hall.

Dongfang Bai wanted to follow her, but he had a lot of explaining to do first.

What was Yiyue up to? With such a golden opportunity, she was making a quick getaway! By the time Dongfang Bai finished explaining things to his father and came out, Yiyue had already left the city half a day ago.

As for where she went? Yiyue made sure no one noticed her leaving, so naturally, there was no trace to follow.

Dongfang Bai gritted his teeth, feeling a bit resentful towards the City Lord, but he still decided to try his best to win back his wife. So, by the time the City Lord realized what was happening, his son had already run off with someone.

In Yao Yiling's room, Cheng Xuan held the woman beside him, his fingers lazily tracing patterns on her smooth skin.

"What's wrong? Something bothering you?" he asked in a low voice, the warmth of his breath making Yao Yiling shiver again, still sensitive from their earlier encounter.

She reached up and wrapped her arms around Cheng Xuan's neck. "A woman showed up at the City Lord's Mansion. She's the daughter of those two from the Poison Doctor Valley."

"Oh? The daughter of the Miracle Doctor and the Poison Master actually left the valley?" Cheng Xuan raised an eyebrow, a curious look in his eyes. "Are you upset because of her?"

Yao Yiling opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Cheng Xuan's. "That Poison Master is my mother too."

"Hmm?" Cheng Xuan clearly hadn't expected Yao Yiling to say that.

"She abandoned my father for the Miracle Doctor. That woman, Yiyue, shouldn't even exist. Why does she get to have a mother, and I don't?" Yao Yiling's eyes seemed distant, as if lost in memories.

After a moment, a glint of determination flashed in her eyes. She flipped over, straddling Cheng Xuan. "If you help me get rid of her, I'll go with you."