Chapter 47

47 No matter how strong or dignified, she still needed someone to protect her Part I

Bai Yu did not realize what she had just said. She only knew that this embrace would protect her from everything. The image of blood pouring out of two eye sockets and an arrow in the middle of the forehead made her tremble.

Ouyang Wenrou held the smaller body in his arms. Though they had never been intimated before, the current situation was enough for him to feel concerned for Bai Yu.

A sheltered young lady facing this kind of situation, her being able to stay composed this much was already incredible. Luckily, he came across a butterfly while searching for an herb to use in an important elixir recipe and heard strange noises. If he came here a little later, this person in his arms would have to go through something even worse. It was fortunate that he could reach her in time.

Ouyang Wenrou whistled. Two men wearing all black with their faces covered up appeared at the shrill sound. It was their first time appearing like this in a few years. The Wei Wang who often sported a smile now had an unusually serious expression. He turned his gaze toward Bai Yu’s two maids, and the shadow guards immediately understood. They each carried the injured woman before heading to the Wei Wang palace that was located not too far from here. Their martial arts skill made their movement almost invisible to naked eyes.

After seeing that the maids were taken care of, Ouyang Wenrou looked down at the small frame in his embrace with worry. He gently stroked her hair when he noticed that she was still trembling. Gone was the elegance that others usually saw from her.

As a woman...no matter how strong or dignified, she still needed someone to protect her.

Ouyang Wenrou adjusted the cloak that was covering her body. She was much smaller and slender than he had thought, as his cloak could wrap her whole body up. Bai Yu had now fainted. Ouyang Wenrou carried her against his chest before using his martial arts to go back to his palace at the same speed as his two guards.

Even though there was a special guest, Wei Wang palace was still calm as ever as if nothing had happened in the period between late afternoon and nightfall. Because of Ouyang Wenrou and his men’s swiftness, no one knew that Bai Yu and her maids were brought here. The exception was his wet nurse, Madam Ruan, and her maids who were called to help with changing the guest’s clothes.

“What should we do next? What happened to Miss Bai was not a trivial matter at all,” the middle-aged woman asked after she had finished helping Bai Yu into a new dress. Since she had raised Ouyang Wenrou, she could talk to him about every matter without their statuses being an obstacle.

.....

“In order to protect her reputation, her being here must be kept secret.”

“Will you report what happened to the Bai family?”

“That...” Ouyang Wenrou deliberated.

“N...No need.”

A hoarse voice from the woman who was the topic of conversation interrupted them the moment she regained consciousness and overheard what was being discussed.

Right now, Bai Yu was in a light yellow dress made from good quality fabric. Her appearance was prim, opposite to her tattered dress that she came here in. Madam Ruan was the one that cleaned her up and changed her clothes.

Ouyang Wenrou moved to help when he saw the frail figure struggling to sit up, but Madam Ruan was faster. The wet nurse gave a strict glare at the gentle Wangye who had forgotten that he was an unmarried prince.

“Yu-er is grateful for Wangye’s sympathy, but if my maids have already regained consciousness then I would like to excuse myself.”

Her job as an actor had trained Bai Yu to always be calm and focused while being in a role. A while ago, she could compose herself perfectly in front of those bad men, but when she saw the face that was similar to her past lover, she felt safe and felt that she did not need to act strong anymore. That also made her unconsciously call the prince ‘Li Wenrou’ instead of ‘Ouyang Wenrou’.

Bai Yu knew full well that that man did not exist in this world, that she should stop thinking about him, and that she should not stay here for too long. She must repay her debt but in order to forget Li Wenrou, she also had to keep her distance from Ouyang Wenrou. Bai Yu did not want that face and that same gentleness to open the old scar she had been trying to suppress since crossing into this world.

“Benwang has doctors checked up on them already. They’re still unconscious.”

“Then, could Wangye please have someone carry them to the carriage and send us to the Bai mansion? I am afraid that gossip might spread if I return after dark.”

“About those men...” Kindness was boundlessly abundant in that soft, warm voice.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Bai Yu took a deep breath, restraining herself from being swayed by his care. She immediately interrupted. “Yu-er begs of Wangye, please keep it a secret.”

“I refuse”

Huh?

“If benwang was one step slower, further damage must’ve been done. And you want to let it go so easily?”

She did not want to let it go. She just wanted to keep him away from this problem, so that they would not have to be close. “I want to keep the matter a secret and deal with it quietly.”

“Can Bai family keep a secret better than Wei Wang palace?” His gentle voice showed a hint of sternness. Why was this woman so stubborn? Aid from the royal did not come so easily, yet this young lady just refused him without hesitation. Was it because she intended to rely on his third brother, so she did not care about his help?

“Benwang will arrange a carriage for Miss Bai and your maids as soon as they wake up. As for those men, as a royal who has an obligation to help citizens in need, benwang will handle it for Miss Bai.” He had to show her that this Wei Wang could help her as much as the Qin Wang she loved so much.

“But I...”

“Miss Bai please accept Wangye’s proposition. So that this matter can be kept an utmost secret.” The middle-aged woman who helped her sit up indirectly pressured her with the same gentle voice as the Wangye.

“Then...” How could she alone stand against the two of them? Eventually, Bai Yu caved and had to accept their help. “Yu-er will have to bother Wangye.”

“Does Miss Bai have any suspicion regarding the person behind this?”

“I still cannot think of anyone.”

Bai Yu lied to keep Ouyang Wenrou out of her problem. In truth, she not only knew but also was sure who sent those men to harm her. Other than Xu Peipei, there were very few people who dared to view her as an enemy, without fearing the Bai family’s influence.

“Benwang would like to examine your condition again.” Hearing that answer from the exhausted woman in front of him, he did not press her further. Ouyang Wenrou was feeling glad that she accepted his help. He walked up to her with a smile as he reached out to check her pulse.

The little heart beat faster as an automatic response. Bai Yu pulled her arm back, stunning the other person whose gentleness had comforted her.

“I am fine, Your Highness.”

“Why are you so stubborn?” Even while scolding her, his tone was still kind.

“Your Highness can check my magic current instead, to be sure that it is not in a frenzy like a sick person’s magic.”

Ouyang Wenrou stared at the beautiful face that was lowered, hiding her gaze every time she talked to him. His light brown irises showed surprise as he first witnessed the weak but stubborn side of the ever-graceful Miss Bai Yu.

“Alright. Benwang’ll not force you.” He smiled again. The man concentrated and inspected Bai Yu’s magic current for a brief moment before nodding to Madam Ruan as confirmation that she was well. She only fainted because of shock, as he had first assumed.

“Thank you again to Wangye.” She expressed her gratitude without even looking at his face. Her confidence truly became much lower than before.

“Lately Miss Bai is injured often. It’d be good to have followers who know martial arts.” He still had not given up on worrying about her.

Bai Yu sighed again. Could this man stop acting like her type?