Chapter 124

At the first light of dawn, Ning Bai ducked into the kitchen to busy herself with preparing a delicacy. Having failed to impress her master with lotus seed porridge last time, she had decided to try her hand at osmanthus cakes instead.

According to the master’s personal guards, he was fond of osmanthus cakes and ate them every single day without fail. Learning this, she had sought out a specialist in the village below the mountain and mastered the craft herself.

Once the cakes were steamed, Ning Bai lifted the lid to reveal a dozen plump, white, and fragrant treats. Taking a deep breath, she carefully arranged them in a delicate porcelain bowl.

Attracted by the aroma, Xiao Qing, a maid, hurried over and peered through the doorway, wiping drool from her mouth. "Miss Ning Bai, these osmanthus cakes smell divine! May I have a taste?"

Seeing her salivate, Ning Bai pulled the bowl away with a look of disdain. "Certainly not. These are for my master."

"Just one? Won't you even spare one? The master has a small appetite; he’ll be full after just one."

"Absolutely not. Not even one. If my cakes are delicious, the master will eat many. In any case, you are not to touch them!" With that, she walked off, beaming with joy.

Xiao Qing pouted in her wake, muttering to herself, "How stingy. It’s just one cake, for heaven's sake! I even let you eat the chicken leg I made earlier!"

Ning Bai carried the cakes to the place where Huo Tianqing practiced. He sat in a pavilion dressed in white, his head bowed over a book, surrounded by swirling mist like an immortal in a painting.

She had heard that the master favored purple robes, and that little vixen was always wearing purple to seduce him. Determined, she had also selected a beautiful purple garment from the village below. With a radiant smile and a graceful, alluring gait, she stepped into his presence.

"Master, I have prepared your favorite osmanthus cakes. You must be hungry, aren't you?"

Huo Tianqing, engrossed in his study of metaphysics, didn't even look up as he waved a hand. "I am not hungry. You may leave."

That shouldn't be right; the master loved osmanthus cakes above all else. Undeterred, Ning Bai set the bowl on the table in front of him. "Master, you have been reading for a long time. You should rest your eyes and have a few cakes to tide you over."

Huo Tianqing, who had initially intended to ignore her, grew irritated and waved his hand again. "I said I am not hungry."

Ning Bai felt a pang of sorrow. Why was her master always so cold toward her? She couldn't help but stand up and gently shake his shoulder, which only served to anger him further.

He fixed her with a gaze as cold as frost. "Ning Bai, do you not understand me? I told you to take them away. I do not like to be disturbed while I am reading. Are you truly unaware of such basic rules?"

Ning Bai trembled, a sense of grievance washing over her. She had put so much effort into making these treats, only to be met with this attitude. If it were that wretch Xie Yingying, she wouldn't have had to go to such lengths at all!

"Master, will you really not even try one? I spent such a long time making them."

"If you do not leave this instant, you can spend your time copying scriptures instead."

Knowing Huo Tianqing's temper, Ning Bai dared not linger. She retreated, carrying the cakes. "Yes, Master. I understand. I will bring them back once you have finished your reading."

As she walked away, her heart ached. She had gone to such great trouble to perfect these cakes, yet he refused them out of hand. It must be because that fox spirit had bewitched him. The thought that she had already poisoned Xie Yingying brought her a small measure of comfort.

She wondered how that wretch was faring. If she hadn't died yet, she would simply have to poison her again to ensure she perished soon. That way, no one would be left to compete for her master's affection.

Driven by this thought, Ning Bai headed toward Xie Yingying's quarters. She arrived and peered inside, but seeing nothing clearly, she knocked on the door. "Xie Yingying, are you in there?"

There was no reply. Ning Bai poked a hole through the paper window to look inside and found the room empty. This was her chance—to hell with her! Her delicate, beautiful face twisted into a mask of malice.

She stepped inside and scanned the room, settling on a cup of tea on the table; it looked as though it were drunk regularly. Ning Bai pulled a packet of powder from her sleeve and carefully shook it into the cup. The poison was colorless and odorless; it would be impossible to detect.

Having done the deed, she left with a triumphant smirk, entirely unaware of the many eyes watching her from the shadows.

After poisoning the tea, Ning Bai returned to Huo Tianqing’s pavilion with the cakes. He had finished his reading and was eating. He looked refined, his every movement elegant, even while he ate.

She walked over, but seeing the cakes already on his table, a wave of anger washed over her. Why would he eat cakes made by someone else, but not the ones she had made for him? It was infuriating!

Still, Ning Bai put on a radiant, ingratiating smile and tilted her head inquisitively. "Master, are you eating?"

Huo Tianqing did not answer, continuing to eat as if she were not there. Though Ning Bai was somewhat used to this, it still pained her. Why did he treat her so differently? Was it really so hard for him to spare her even a glance?

Just as she was about to speak again, he slammed his wine cup onto the table. Ning Bai jumped, her entire body trembling. "Master, what is wrong? Why are you so angry?"

Huo Tianqing turned, his eyes piercing like sharp blades. "It has been reported that you poisoned Yingying's medicine?" He strode over to her, his slender, pale hands gripping her jaw so tightly that she struggled to breathe.

"Master, what are you talking about? I don't understand a word of this."

"Do not try to be clever with me, Ning Bai. I have had secret guards watching over Yingying for a long time. Do not think I don't know."

Ning Bai had never imagined that the master would assign people to protect Xie Yingying. Jealousy and rage flared within her. "Master, how can you not trust me? How could I possibly poison a fellow disciple? I would never do such a thing. Please, Master, investigate this thoroughly!"

Huo Tianqing did not believe a word of it. He let out a sinister laugh. "Is that so?"

Ning Bai nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at grain. "Master, your disciple is not lying to you! There is no reason for me to lie! How could I be capable of such a wicked deed? Perhaps your subordinates have made a mistake?"

Huo Tianqing asked once more, "Is that so?"