Chapter 121: Peril—Identity Unmasked

After Lou Xinyue’s leap off the cliff, her body was never found—turns out she was still alive, and astonishingly, living among the Northern Di tribe. Judging by how she addressed Helian Cheng just now, the two seemed quite close; it appeared she was faring well here.

Shen Qianmo felt as if a bucket of melodrama had been poured over her head. If one wished to die, falling off a cliff was a terrible choice—since it often didn’t result in death. Look at this: Lou Xinyue hadn’t died, and neither had she.

But if she didn’t leave soon and was recognized by Lou Xinyue, death would be inevitable.

Though she longed to reclaim the exquisite Blood Jade—prized not only for its unparalleled ability to cure all poisons but also as the very first gift from Meng Yuanheng, holding deep personal significance—she carefully weighed the situation and concluded that exposing her identity now was unwise.

Since Lou Xinyue’s whereabouts were now known, the matter of retrieving the Blood Jade could be planned for later.

Lowering her head, she silently gave Baili Xiao a subtle glance, signaling him to quickly bid Helian Cheng farewell. She feared Lou Xinyue might recognize her voice, so she avoided speaking aloud.

However, Baili Xiao’s thoughts were clearly elsewhere; he stared in awe at Lou Xinyue as she entered, utterly entranced.

Shen Qianmo’s teeth itched with frustration. This odd fellow—was he really going to act lovestruck at such a moment?

Seeing Lou Xinyue arrive so gracefully, Helian Cheng’s usually sharp brow furrowed faintly before returning to its usual calm. With a pale expression, he said, “Your information is swift, but my mother just took her medicine and has fallen asleep. She has been tormented by illness these days and hasn’t rested well. Since she’s finally asleep, don’t disturb her.”

Lou Xinyue obediently nodded and then turned her smiling gaze toward Shen Qianmo and Baili Xiao standing nearby. “These must be the miraculous doctors who treated Madam Helian. May I know your names?”

Lou Xinyue’s gentle smile and initiative left Baili Xiao utterly mesmerized. Hastily, he introduced himself: “You flatter me, miss. My surname is Baili, and my given name is Xiao. As for this one here…”

He gestured to Shen Qianmo beside him. “This is my brother, Xie Qianbai.”

Lou Xinyue covered her mouth to laugh, her voice like silver bells, enchanting and clear. “What unique names for the two doctors. But Doctor Xie, why do you keep your head bowed? Are you embarrassed to see me?”

Her teasing words made Shen Qianmo’s lips twitch involuntarily. She hadn’t expected Lou Xinyue to be so self-absorbed.

Helian Cheng’s expression darkened at Lou Xinyue’s words. His sharp gaze swept toward Shen Qianmo, who still kept her head lowered, and he said coldly, “Doctor Xie, raise your head.”

Shen Qianmo sighed inwardly, knowing there was no way to avoid it today. She slowly lifted her head and met Helian Cheng’s gaze calmly and confidently.

A brief silence followed, then an unsurprising exclamation burst forth—from Lou Xinyue.

“Shen Qianmo! You… you were supposed to be dead! How are you here?”

Shen Qianmo was not surprised that Lou Xinyue recognized her so quickly. Back then, she had been madly infatuated with Meng Yuanheng, desperate and heartbroken when she couldn’t have him, and in despair had leapt off the cliff in fury. The hatred Lou Xinyue harbored was understandable; even disguised as a man—or turned to ashes—she would recognize her.

Inside the Helian family dungeon, Shen Qianmo sat against the cold wall, hands and feet bound, beside Baili Xiao, who was similarly restrained.

The dungeon was airtight, cold, and damp, with a thin layer of dry grass covering the floor, emitting a foul musty odor that made Shen Qianmo nauseous, causing her to gag a few times.

“Brother Xie, are you alright?” Baili Xiao inched closer with difficulty, despite being bound, and asked with concern.

Shen Qianmo shook her head, leaning against the wall, answering faintly, “I’m fine. I’ve dragged you into this trouble.”

If Baili Xiao hadn’t accompanied her to Jingzhou, he might have already gathered the precious Chonglou herb and returned to Shuangxi Village, rather than being trapped in this pitch-black dungeon, facing unknown dangers.

“Brother Xie, you shouldn’t say that. It was my fault for meddling and causing you to be in danger,” Baili Xiao said, unusually serious for a moment before reverting to his usual irreverence. “But Brother Xie, I really didn’t expect you to be the Princess of Xuan who made King Xuan’s hair turn white overnight and even rebelled just to avenge you.”

His scrutinizing gaze seemed to say, “With that appearance, how could you possibly be a femme fatale?”

Shen Qianmo’s eye twitched slightly. Fortunately, she had gradually grown accustomed to Baili Xiao’s occasional absurdity over these days and simply ignored him, closing her eyes to rest.

She wondered how Helian Cheng would deal with her. And Lou Xinyue definitely wouldn’t let this golden opportunity to torment her slip by easily, so Shen Qianmo had to devise a strategy.

The dungeon was heavily guarded, and the Helian family had troops stationed nearby. Escaping would be no easy feat.

But sitting and waiting for death was a dead end. She couldn’t just be locked up doing nothing—she had to hurry to Jingzhou to see Meng Yuanheng.

Ah Heng, do you know I’m still alive? I miss you so much…

Footsteps approached outside the cell, accompanied by faint fragrances and the jingling of jade ornaments. Shen Qianmo remained still, eyes closed in meditation, though a faint smile curved her lips.

She knew it was Lou Xinyue. Could she really not bear to wait even this short while?

Lou Xinyue slowly approached and ordered the jailer to open the cell door. Seeing Shen Qianmo sitting quietly and composed on the floor, her eyes blazed with fury, the earlier charm vanished completely. She strode forward, crouched to meet Shen Qianmo’s gaze, and glared at the woman who had stolen the man she adored, clenching her fists as if she wished to crush her throat. Through gritted teeth, she hissed, “Shen Qianmo, why are you still alive? Why haven’t you died yet?”

When she first heard the news of Shen Qianmo’s death by falling, she had been overjoyed. Clutching the exquisite Blood Jade always worn around her neck, she believed her curse had taken effect. Later, upon learning that Meng Yuanheng had rebelled against the world just for this woman, she only gave a cold smile. No matter how infatuated you are, in this life, the two of you are doomed to be separated by life and death, never to be together.

Her sneer was laced with deep resentment. What was so special about this woman that Meng Yuanheng would be so devoted to her?

But she never expected that woman to still be alive—and now attempting to unite with Meng Yuanheng in Jingzhou. Impossible. While Meng Yuanheng remained unaware of Shen Qianmo’s survival, she could not allow them to meet!

Shen Qianmo opened her eyes, serene and profound, as if Lou Xinyue could see her own reflection in two still, undisturbed pools.

With a sharp slap, as if infuriated by such calm composure, Lou Xinyue struck Shen Qianmo loudly.

Blood slowly trickled from the corner of Shen Qianmo’s mouth; bound as she was, she could only let it flow.

Baili Xiao shifted his body, placing himself in front of Shen Qianmo, shouting, “Hey, how can you be so brutal? Gentlemen use words, not violence. Why did you hit her right away?”

At first meeting, Baili Xiao had found Lou Xinyue charming and pleasant, but now, overnight, the ethereal girl had turned into a fierce vixen, leaving him somewhat stunned.

Lou Xinyue shoved Baili Xiao aside fiercely. “Get lost! Who do you think you are?”

Baili Xiao was pushed back onto the ground and couldn’t get up immediately, red-faced and shouting curses. But Lou Xinyue ignored him completely. Her heart held only one goal: to prevent Shen Qianmo and Meng Yuanheng from meeting, so that the curse she had laid with her own life would continue to take effect.

“Guards, break this woman’s legs,” Lou Xinyue ordered coldly, looking down at Shen Qianmo’s bloodied mouth with a cruel gleam in her eyes.

She wanted to see how Shen Qianmo would manage to get to Jingzhou to meet Meng Yuanheng with two broken legs.