Chapter 25 – Abnormal

Seeing the white robe, Gu Qingyu thought at first that Mo Bai had turned back again, but she quickly recognized that it was actually Qi Yichen.

"Nothing much." Murong Zuoyu lowered his eyes, then walked out.

Qi Yichen gave Murong Zuoyu a quick glance as he walked into the room, "You feel cold, Brother Zhu?"

Gu Qingyu shook her head slowly, "… why?"

With a serene tone he spoke, "Just now, I felt a gust of frozen air hit me when that prince walked past me and it's even colder here inside…"

Only when Qi Yichen spoke in such tone did Gu Qingyu come back to her senses, she laughed, "Oh, really? I haven't noticed…"

She continued, "Also, why are you here?"

Qi Yichen looked at the leftovers on the table, "I thought that you had no appet.i.te earlier, so I went out to get some steamed buns for you…"

"Wow, thank you so much!" Gu Qingyu received the buns without the slightest hesitation, "I don't mind eating a bit more!"

Qi Yichen couldn't resist adding, "… Could it be that you were a pig in your past life?"

Gu Qingyu began to eat, slowly and methodically, "What? You also think so?"

"Also?" Qi Yichen supported his chin on his hand, "Besides me, who else could be this smart?"

Smart?

Alright, Gu Qingyu acknowledged this point.

In this current party, if one were to use common modern terms to describe them, Jia Qizhe was the equivalent to a warrior who protected his party, Qi Yichen was equal to a strategist, Mo Bai was the doctor, Little Qi was the one in charge of the everyday work and preparing equipments etc, and Murong Zuoyu was the one with privileges and the diplomat.

Then, lastly herself… she seemed to be the one doing all the odd jobs.

However, no matter what the rest had decided to do, they would always inevitably first seek for Gu Qingyu's guidance.

Gu Qingyu proudly thought to herself, "In that case, why don't I just regard myself as the captain/leader for the time being~"

"Who else?" Gu Qingyu repeated it again, "Our fellow Murong Zuoyu, of course!"

"Puu—," Qi Yichen laughed out loud, being caught off guard, "So, what are we going to do next? I reckon that the herb mission seems to be out of the question."

Gu Qingyu's face was filled with excitement, "Since we have nothing to do, just casually roaming around seems pretty fun too."

"You're talking as if you hit the jackpot," Qi Yichen rolled his eyes, "Since the day after tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, as far as regarding strolling around, it might not be impossible for you."

"…" For me? Oh well, I've already grown used to these kinds of tongue in-cheek comments.

Nightfall.

Gu Qingyu stared blankly at the empty and hollow room. Ultimately, she decided to open the door and walked out.

She could hear the grumbling of her empty stomach. Because she had eaten too much at noon, she didn't eat anything for dinner.

Where should I go?

Gu Qingyu gazed towards the blue curtains in the distant, and made her decision..

Gu Qingyu knocked on the door, "Jia Qizhe… are you inside? Jia Qizhe—Jia…"

"b.u.mp—"

The door slowly opened up. Jia Qizhe's voice could be heard from inside, "Do you need anything?"

The curtains had been pulled up, his voice sounded slightly m.u.f.fled, it seemed different than usual.

Gu Qingyu stepped carefully and gently through the door, it was very dusky inside the room.

"Jia Qizhe?" Gu Qingyu discovered a person lying on the bed, "You… what happened?"

How did the door open up by itself just now? Could it be that Jia Qizhe used some magic? Nevermind, now is not the time to pry further.

"I'm fine…" The person on the bed spoke in a hoa.r.s.e voice, "What's the matter?"

Gu Qingyu glanced cautiously towards the bed, "I was… thinking of asking you out for a walk."

"You…" The person on the bed let out a faint sigh, "Go and ask Mo Bai to go with you."

"Mo Bai?" Gu Qingyu moved closer, "Jia Qizhe, what's going on? You are-…" acting a bit strange.

"Don't worry." The person sat up, "I am very much fine, just a little tired."

Gu Qingyu tried to have a look at him, but his face part was very blurry.

Gu Qingyu nodded, "Okay, I… believe in you." She slowly retraced her steps back to the hallway, and closed the door.

Since Jia Qizhe doesn't want to go, I should just go and find someone else.

Mo Bai? Qi Yichen? Little Qi? Or perhaps… Murong Zuoyu?

Nah, I'll just go with Mo Bai. After all, he's a bit more easy going, so I might even have a better time with him than the rest~

So she decided and arrived in front of Mo Bai's room.

Just as she reached out her hands to open the door, she suddenly stopped…

Huehuehue.

Gu Qingyu smiled, feeling mischievous, "Why don't I tease Mo Bai a bit~"

She put on the black mask that she had bought earlier today at the market, then quietly opened his door.

The lights were on, but no one was to be found.

She sneaked in quietly, slowly and closed the door behind her.

Strange, there is a faint herbal fragrance lingering in the air… but I don't see Mo Bai…

Suddenly, Gu Qingyu felt a powerful surge of energy wrapping around her body, binding her on the spot.

She turned her head around, almost by reflex. She felt a sharp object pressing against her neck, "Who?!"

Gu Qingyu realized that it was Mo Bai. He had an unusually grim expression on his face.

She quickly raised her hands and took off the mask, "IT'S ME!"

Mo Bai was slightly taken aback when he saw Gu Qingyu's appearance under the mask, he immediately put down his hands and gradually smiled, "My apologies, Miss Gu."

Just now, his ice cold expression was completely different to this current soft and tender att.i.tude.

At this moment, he looked at her warmly and gently moved his hands, touching her neck, "Did you get cut? Does it hurt?"

Only then did Gu Qingyu notice that the object he pointed towards her neck was actually just a leaf.

So powerful! His aura just now was so intense, and it even contained killing intent!! But… after knowing it was her, that heavy killing intent disappeared immediately.

Gu Qingyu shook her head, smiling, "It's nothing. But… how come I never saw your earlier?"

"Oh, I was changing my clothes." Mo Bai smiled, and put down his hands, "It's quite late, Miss Gu. Why are you looking for me?"

"Late?" Gu Qingyu realized that Mo Bai was dressed in white nightclothes. She looked up towards the sky. In the modern times, it should only be around half past seven right now. "I don't think it's so late… could you keep me company for a walk? And also, stop calling me “Miss” all the time…"

"I'm sorry, I was the one being imprudent…" Mo Bai got interrupted by Gu Qingyu just as he tried to explain.

"No, I didn't mean it like that." Gu Qingyu smiled towards him, "Mo Bai, you have always been very good to me. You can just call me Yu'er in the future when there is no one else around us."

"Yu…" Mo Bai seemed to be blus.h.i.+ng, "Yu'er…"

Gu Qingyu stared at him, "Hurry up and get changed… oh, right! I almost forgot to ask, do you actually want to go out for a walk with me?"

Mo Bai nodded and gently smiled, "Of course."

Gu Qingyu kept staring at him, "Then feel free to change your clothes."

"…" Mo Bai seemed slightly stiff, "Yu'er, could you possibly… "cough"… wait for me outside…"

"Geez, are you chasing me out?" Gu Qingyu knitted her brows, "No~ I want to stay here."

Mo Bai gently smiled, "Mmm." He picked up his white robe and walked behind the part.i.tion screen. After a short while, he finished changing and walked out again.

As he stepped out from the screen, his long black hair swinging slightly with each step. Dressed in white, kind and gentle. He was like spring water on a thirsty day.

Gu Qingyu could only think of a single phrase, "Bearing that of unrivaled elegance and grace in the world, a beauty from the heavens."

Mo Bai looked a bit stunned when he looked at Gu Qingyu. He took out a white handkerchief from his sleeve and held it out to her.

"…??" Gu Qingyu looked at the handkerchief questionably.

Mo Bai gave her a faint smile, "Yu'er, your nose is bleeding."

Gu Qingyu immediately felt fl.u.s.tered. She took the handkerchief and buried her nose, then turned around, "s.h.i.+t, s.h.i.+t, s.h.i.+t… My G.o.d! I actually started nosebleeding from watching Mo Bai…"

"Yu'er, are you okay? Would you like me… to have a look?" Mo Bai had a look of deep concern as he asked.

"Ah~ no need~" Gu Qingyu quickly wiped off some blood, "Hehe, I might've been suffering from a lot of internal heat recently. Mm, yeah, internal heat! Um… Mo Bai, I think we should get going, otherwise it'll be very late before we get back…" Without waiting for Mo Bai to reply, Gu Qingyu just grabbed him straight away and ran downstairs.

They arrived shortly on the main street, it was still very lively during the night.

Gu Qingyu looked left and right, and finally found the sign.

In three large letters, it read—

Happy Spring Tavern!

"This is it!" she exclaimed. Gu Qingyu appeared exhilarated in high spirits, "Let's go in, Mo Bai."

Mo Bai hesitated, "Yu'er… are you sure… but you are-…" a lady.

"Aiyo~ Don't be so shy~" Gu Qingyu covered her face with her hands and gave him a shy, bashful look, "Although, I knooooow that they are not as beautiful as me~ But, it should be fine if we just go and have a little look once in awhile~" "Since I've already come to the ancient times, wouldn't it be a waste if I never checked out the pleasure quarters? Ohoho~"

Mo Bai smiled faintly, "Okay then." He patted her on the head, "Since Yu'er want to go, then let's just go."

"Mm!" Gu Qingyu pulled Mo Bai along and walked in.

As soon as they entered the front door, they were greeted by a woman, "Greetings, Young Masters. I hope you've been well~"

Gu Qingyu took out a fan from who knows where and cast a faint glance at the woman, pretending to be all mysterious and charming, "Beauty, bring your young-… master some good wine and meat!"

The woman laughed in a charming voice as she clung on to Mo Bai, "Young Master, you've been quiet since, towards this lowly servant, did I do something wrong~"

You dare disregard this young master?

Mo Bai were staring at Gu Qingyu the whole time, his eyes were gentle and warm… but also at a loss. He even seemed to be disgusted with that woman's behavior.

Didn't he just force himself to come here because he was afraid of agitating her, right? And afraid of making things difficult for her so he didn't get rid of that woman?

Gu Qingyu started to somewhat regret everything.

Gu Qingyu walked up to that girl and pushed her away, then put her arms around Mo Bai's and turned her head towards that girl, "Young lady, could you bring us some food already?"

The embarra.s.sment filled the girl's face, she stared at Gu Qingyu's arm that was wrapped around Mo Bai's body, "You two…"

"Is it very strange?" Gu Qingyu raised her eyebrows, "Forgive us, ah, young lady. But, us two brothers have no interest in women, did we let you down, huh?"

"Ah… absolutely not!" Panicked, the girl took two steps back, "Then Liu'er shall take her leave. Young Masters, please help yourself-… Ah!"

The woman was pinned towards the wall by Gu Qingyu before she got the chance to finish her sentence.

Gu Qingyu glared at her. She said one word at a time slowly, "Bring. Your. Young. Master. Some. Wine!

The woman frantically nodded, and ran away.

Gu Qingyu turned her head around so fast it b.u.mped into Mo Bai's smiling eyes.

"M-Mo Bai…" Gu Qingyu gave him a big smile, "Did something just happen?"

Mo Bai was slightly stunned, then shook his head, "Nothing at all, but I let you get angry, Yu'er."

Actually, Gu Qingyu didn't like these kind of flamboyant places either, but Venerable Flame had told her yesterday that there was another method if she wanted to conceal the scent of the Bloodlife Jade. That is to find a certain person.