Chapter 78: Rebirth

“Mu Bai, come with me,” Yan’er finally broke the silence, having regained her composure.

“What?!” Bai Li Mu Bai stared at Yan’er, unable to believe the depth of her words. Did she mean she wanted him to align himself with Guan Canghai?

“I’m serious.” Yan’er lifted her gaze. She couldn’t do without Bai Li Mu Bai; he had helped her so much. With him by her side, she could keep a close eye on Pan Yueyang, and she could never be too wary of Guan Canghai—after all, this child wasn’t his. If the truth were ever exposed, she could rely on Bai Li Mu Bai. How could she ever let him go?

“I never expected this! You’d be the first traitor!” Bai Li Mu Bai clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white.

“Step outside for a moment. I wish to speak with Mu Bai alone.” Yan’er didn’t look at Guan Canghai, feeling guilty inside.

Guan Canghai was surprised that Yan’er would leave with Bai Li Mu Bai. If he could bring this man under his wing, it would be a great gain. Nodding, he turned with elegance and left.

Once Guan Canghai was out of earshot, Bai Li Mu Bai stared incredulously at Yan’er. “What’s wrong with you? You love Senior Brother—why, the moment he appears, do you want to leave with him?”

“Hush, Mu Bai.” Yan’er, afraid Guan Canghai might overhear, quickly pressed her hand over his lips.

He brushed her rough hand away. “He’s gone far enough—he can’t hear us.”

Relieved, Yan’er sat back down. “Mu Bai, it’s for the child.”

“For the child? You’d betray Senior Brother for the child? Let his child call another man father?” Bai Li Mu Bai glanced at Yan’er’s belly. “Did he see you’re pregnant? Is he trying to use the child as leverage?”

“Mu Bai.” Yan’er struggled for words. She couldn’t reveal what had happened with Guan Canghai; she had to protect her innocence, yet still persuade Bai Li Mu Bai to trust her.

“Mu Bai, I know Tianfeng and Panlong are about to go to war. I cannot let this child be harmed in any way. I intend to leave with Guan Canghai precisely to help Yueyang.” Yan’er, uncertain how to continue her fabrication, paused to gauge Bai Li Mu Bai’s reaction.

Bai Li Mu Bai trusted Yan’er deeply, almost blindly. He nodded gravely; her reasoning was sound. “But, Yan’er, you’ll be in great danger. You’re putting yourself in the enemy’s camp. If anything happens to you—”

“That’s why I need you to come with me,” Yan’er interrupted, seeing that he believed her. The burden in her heart lightened a little.

“I won’t go.” Bai Li Mu Bai held firm.

“Mu Bai, to ensure Panlong’s safety, someone must go deep into enemy territory and report Tianfeng’s every move to Yueyang. Guan Canghai is interested in me—he wants me close. Now that I’m pregnant, I can guarantee my chastity until the child is born.” Yan’er closed her eyes, then opened them, fixing him with a steady gaze. “I need you. The moment the child is born, you must take the child and flee from Guan Canghai as quickly as possible. Only you can do this—do you understand?” Yan’er was surprised at how easily lies came to her now; she almost admired herself.

“So you’re truly set on giving yourself to Guan Canghai?” Bai Li Mu Bai looked at her coldly.

“Yes.” Yan’er met his gaze unwaveringly.

“Then I’ll kill him,” Bai Li Mu Bai replied, mimicking Guan Canghai’s devilish smile. Yan’er barely recognized him.

“Go ahead. If you can deal with Guan Canghai today, all of Panlong will hail you as a hero, build you a monument, sing your praises for generations,” Yan’er replied, colder than ever.

“Yan’er.” Bai Li Mu Bai couldn’t believe how much she’d changed. Once docile and obedient, she’d been like a kitten eager to please its master. Now her words were sharp, her claws ever ready to strike.

“Mu Bai, since I met Pan Yueyang, you’ve seen it all. I won’t judge what kind of man he is, but you know how weak and ineffectual he’s been regarding me. Yet I’ve always followed and trusted him. Now, too, I can only do what I must for him. I can’t serve him here in Saizhou, but because I care, I’ll go with Guan Canghai. I’m already a ruined woman; if I don’t leave today, I’ll remain a slave in Saizhou forever, veiled for life! When war breaks out between Panlong and Tianfeng, you’ll surely go to the front lines, unable to protect me. Am I to wander the land with your Senior Brother’s child, not knowing what fate awaits me?” Yan’er voiced her selfishness. Yes, she would no longer live for others, nor bow to fate’s whims. She wanted to live, and live well—one must climb to survive.

Bai Li Mu Bai was silent for a long time, staring at Yan’er without blinking. Her heart quailed under his gaze. She got up and began to tidy her bundle on the kang, though it was nothing but a threadbare cotton coat and a few changes of clothes. With a swift motion, she tossed her meager belongings at Bai Li Mu Bai’s feet. “Look for yourself—this is all I own. If I don’t leave today, this is my life. No matter how much Yueyang loves me, three, five, ten years from now, when he sees me again, what joy will he find in a woman reduced to a beggar?”

“For wealth and glory,” Bai Li Mu Bai sneered.

“For peace and prosperity.”

Bai Li Mu Bai bent down, picked up her clothes one by one, and packed them away. “Peace and prosperity—fine words. Let’s go, then.”

Yan’er hadn’t expected those very words would be what finally made Bai Li Mu Bai yield—peace and prosperity.

“Hmph, if we’re leaving, what use are these rags?” On second thought, Bai Li Mu Bai tossed the bundle aside.

Yan’er gazed at him in surprise, a little bewildered by his sudden change.

“Yan’er, let’s go!” Bai Li Mu Bai seized her hand and led her out. With his profound martial skills, he quickly sensed Guan Canghai’s energy nearby. He scooped Yan’er into his arms. “Hold on tight.”

They soared into the sky. By the cliff’s edge, Guan Canghai gazed at the scenery. Turning, he saw Bai Li Mu Bai carrying Yan’er and felt a surge of displeasure. Still, what choice was there? How else was a woman far along in pregnancy to travel?

“Let’s find a place to rest,” Guan Canghai said, his eyes running over Yan’er—a message meant for her.

“If I leave, what will become of this place?” Yan’er looked back at the horse farm. If she vanished without a trace, word would reach the imperial capital, surely stirring up trouble.

“I’ll handle the aftermath. Let’s go,” said Guan Canghai, ever notorious for his use of poison. He strode ahead, then glanced back at Yan’er and Bai Li Mu Bai, tearing the cloth from Yan’er’s face.

That night, a great fire engulfed the horse farm, burning down the cottages. The people were grateful the huts housed only two women, and they themselves had escaped harm. When the flames died, aside from the many warhorses injured—bred for Panlong’s wars—a woman’s body was found. She had died face-down, half her face burned beyond recognition, the other side spared by its closeness to the ground. The villagers, suppressing nausea from the stench, turned over the corpse. The character “Slave” was branded clear on her left cheek, shocking all, along with a charred scrap of cloth that had once veiled her face.

“Sister Su Lan, come quick—this must be the disfigured woman,” a burly man said, shaking his head as he turned the body over, his voice muffled by the hand over his nose.

Su Lan hurried over, glanced at the body, and nodded, “Yes, it’s her. Bury her.”

“How did a fire break out so suddenly?” Steward Li eyed the ruins, his shrewd gaze glinting.

“Anyone else injured?” a constable asked.

“Only two women lived here—both assigned by Su Lan. One mute, one…” Steward Li gestured at the corpse.

“Why look at me? The mute’s always been daft but obedient here. This newcomer’s only been around six months—I don’t know her well,” Su Lan grumbled, brushing ash from her clothes.

“Did anyone find the mute’s body?” Steward Li doubted this was an accident.

“No,” the villagers cleaning up shook their heads. “Only found one woman, no sign of anyone else.”

“Isn’t it obvious? That wildflower was only pretending to be mute. I once saw her talking to herself at the water bucket,” a slave, squatting nearby, accused.

“What? Wildflower can talk?” All eyes turned to the slave in astonishment.

And so, on that one remark, the matter was settled: the constables concluded that Wildflower had set the fire and escaped, leaving Yan’er an accidental casualty. But the death of a slave would cause little stir.

Meanwhile, Yan’er luxuriated in a bath at the inn, feeling refreshed. She dabbed her hands with fragrant balm, something she hadn’t used in ages. Picking up her clean clothes from behind the screen—though not as fine as the silks and satins she once wore in the capital, still fabrics only the wealthy could afford—she was reminded of her days in Suhe Prefecture, when most of her dresses were cut from such cloth. She casually pinned up her long hair and stepped out.

Guan Canghai and Bai Li Mu Bai were already waiting for her downstairs with food.

When Yan’er appeared, both men were taken aback. Dressed in the lotus-pink gown prepared by Guan Canghai, its color radiating nobility, her hair still damp and loosely pinned, a few mischievous strands escaping to brush her neck with every step, Yan’er embodied feminine allure in all its myriad forms.

“What is it?” Yan’er asked with a shy smile, her cheeks—rouged—concealing the tan she’d acquired. She smoothed her belly and sat, secretly amused. In this moment, she felt utterly transformed.