Bai Ruoshu faced Xi Qingyue’s scrutiny with complete composure. She got straight to the point and explained why she had come.
“I know you resent me and think I stole your father away, but there are some things I need to make clear. I only learned of your existence a short while ago.”
Xi Qingyue’s expression did not change at all. She simply did not care about any of this. Xi Daniu had been dead to her for a long time.
Still, she did not interrupt Bai Ruoshu and let her finish.
Bai Ruoshu then told them everything that had happened to her four years ago. She felt that the Xi sisters had the right to know the truth.
Xi Weilan listened seriously with her big eyes wide open, though no one knew how much she had actually taken in. She munched on potato chips as she listened.
As Bai Ruoshu spoke, she also observed the two children. When she saw that Xi Weilan was about the same age as her son and was so obedient and sensible, she could not help feeling envious. If only her son were even half as well-behaved.
After she had finished explaining everything, Xi Qingyue responded calmly, “Mm. We understand.”
That was all?
Bai Ruoshu was somewhat surprised. How could they be so calm?
She looked toward Xi Weilan again, only to see the little girl eating some kind of thin slice while drinking water from Lu Qianning’s hand. She looked completely unaffected.
Xi Qingyue spoke again. “You don’t need to look at Lan'er. She’s never known what her father looks like since the day she was born. She has no affection for that so-called father of hers. We won’t be returning to the Duke’s residence. Since you’ve made everything clear, I’ll make my position clear as well. If the Duke’s residence comes looking for trouble again, I won’t hold back. Since you chose Xi Daniu, keep an eye on them so you don’t get dragged into this later.”
She did not feel any hatred toward the woman in front of her. Bai Ruoshu was merely a pitiful person. Meeting Xi Daniu had been her good fortune at the time; at least he had saved her in a moment of danger. But at the same time, he had ruined the rest of her life.
Xi Qingyue simply had not expected that her nominal father would be even more despicable than she had imagined. Perhaps he had taken advantage of Bai Ruoshu because he was attracted to her beauty. Or perhaps he had realized that she came from an extraordinary family and had seized the opportunity, hoping to obtain wealth and glory in the future.
As it turned out, he had actually gotten what he wanted by sheer accident.
Xi Qingyue had not yet decided how to deal with that scumbag of a father, but acknowledging him was certainly out of the question.
Bai Ruoshu looked at the sisters’ calm expressions and began to question herself. Were these really two children?
Seeing Bai Ruoshu’s bewildered look, Lu Qianning pushed a cup of tea toward her. “Miss Bai has said so much. You must be thirsty. Have some tea and rest for a moment.”
“Thank you, Princess!”
Bai Ruoshu picked up the teacup and drained it in one go.
Then she rose to leave. “Now that everything has been explained, this wife will take her leave!”
Lu Qianning nodded indifferently. “Mm. You’d better keep an eye on the people in the Duke’s residence. Little Lan'er has been getting quite temperamental lately.”
Bai Ruoshu glanced at Xi Weilan once more, then thanked Lu Qianning before leaving.
Xi Weilan, however, pursed her little lips in displeasure. “Big Sister Lu, I’ve always had a good temper. If you don’t believe me, ask Big Sister.”
Xi Qingyue smiled and nodded. “Mm. Our Lan'er is the best-behaved girl in the world. Big Sister Lu is only teasing you.”
Lu Qianning merely smiled without saying anything. She always felt that Xi Weilan had a far greater potential for destruction than she appeared to.
After all, when Xi Qingyue killed someone, she drew her sword, giving people some warning. Xi Weilan, on the other hand, could kill without anyone seeing it coming. She was still young, and whenever her temper flared, she could take someone’s life at any moment.
Even after Bai Ruoshu left the room, she could still hear the laughter inside. She did not regret coming here.
Whether it was the sisters’ decisive ruthlessness when they killed the Grand Tutor or Xi Qingyue’s reputation as a Miracle Doctor, Bai Ruoshu had to make everything clear.
Xi Daniu was their father. They probably would not kill him outright, but if she did not explain the truth, she and her son—outsiders who had broken apart another family—could find themselves in danger.
Such things were not uncommon in the capital. There were plenty of cases where the children of a first wife took revenge on a mistress or stepmother. Although Bai Ruoshu had not done it intentionally, the fact remained that she had become involved in their family. She did not want to be killed for no reason.
After leaving the Princess’s residence and reaching the carriage, the maid waiting beside it finally let out a sigh of relief.
“Young Madam, you’re finally out! This servant was worried sick.”
Bai Ruoshu climbed into the carriage before speaking. “When we get back, pack up your things. I’ll go bring Qian'er back, and then we’ll stay at the Minister’s residence for a while.”
The maid froze for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, Young Madam.”
Only after Bai Ruoshu had left did Xi Qingyue ask Xi Weilan, “Lan'er, did you understand what she said just now?”
Xi Weilan nodded repeatedly. “Mm, Big Sister, I understood. She said her brain was broken, and then someone tricked her. The person who tricked her was Xi Daniu, and he’s our dad.”
“And what do you think about it?” Xi Qingyue asked with a smile, gently patting her little sister’s head. She really wanted to know what was going on inside that little head of hers.
Xi Weilan thought for a while, then scratched her head in distress. “Big Sister, I’ve never seen what he looks like.”
“Do you want to meet him?”
“Mm. I want to know how tall he is. I’m afraid he might be too short, and then I won’t grow tall either.”
At that, Lu Qianning rolled her eyes. What a strange child. She really was unlike anyone else.
Xi Qingyue smiled and comforted her. “Lan'er, there’s no need to worry. You’re sure to grow tall. Haven’t you noticed that you’ve gotten just a little taller?”
Xi Weilan’s eyes lit up. “Big Sister, you’re not lying to me? I really have grown taller?”
“Mm, really. I’m not lying. You’ll definitely grow taller than Big Sister Lu one day.”
The moment she finished speaking, Xi Weilan shot onto the table. Standing there, she compared her height with Lu Qianning, who was seated in a chair, and beamed with delight.
Lu Qianning was speechless. Why was a three-year-old so obsessed with height? She was standing on a table and comparing herself to someone sitting in a chair, yet she was still thrilled.
Besides, Lu Qianning was only sixteen. She would continue to grow too.
She immediately changed the subject. “By the way, Yue, have you decided how you’re going to negotiate with Father tomorrow when we enter the palace?”
Xi Qingyue smiled faintly. “I have. Lan'er and I want to be made commanderies’ princesses. There’s no need for us to continue pretending to be county princesses. Having a proper identity will make it more convenient for us to travel wherever we want, and it will also help us shake off the trouble from the Duke of Anguo’s residence. If I want something else later, I’ll ask for it then.
“I’ll make him look radiant and restore his vitality, but I’ll also leave a hidden problem in his body. It will flare up after a year. That should give you more than enough time to take care of your own affairs.”
Her wood-element ability could be used to heal injuries or as a poison. It was incredibly convenient.
Lu Qianning shook her head with a smile. “A year won’t be necessary. I estimate that someone else will lose patience and make a move within six months.”
Her father had plenty of sons. Losing one or two would not matter much; the others would simply continue fighting for the throne.
Xi Qingyue did not care about any of that. Whether the Emperor lived or died had nothing to do with her. With her strength, there was no need for her to fight for the throne. Working herself to death all year was far less appealing than taking Lan'er out to travel.
Besides, if anyone dared to harm her, she could simply strike back.
“Big Sister Lu, are you going to lead people in an attack on Beiyue?” Xi Qingyue asked curiously.
Lu Qianning nodded. “Mm. I may not be the one to go personally, but my people will certainly strike back. Beiyue will have to be dealt with sooner or later.”
After hearing this, Xi Qingyue nodded thoughtfully.
