CHAPTER 532: CHAPTER 531: EARLY IN THE MORNING, TRULY A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST

By the time the Imperial Physicians had left, Yan Li’an finally emerged from behind the rockery.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

"I can’t cure the Princess’s illness, nor is there a way to cure it, so hurry up and follow me. Let’s go home," he said to Su Bai.

Su Bai shook her head.

Yan Li’an’s face darkened instantly, "You still don’t trust me, do you?"

"I’m not a three-year-old child who believes everything you say," Su Bai rolled her eyes.

Then she saw Yan Li’an unexpectedly pull out a dagger.

"What are you doing? Are you so embarrassed that you want to kill someone to silence them?"

Yan Li’an cut his own finger with the dagger, squeezing out Blood Beads, "Come, let’s do a blood test to recognize kin."

"Are you crazy?" Su Bai forcefully pushed his hand away, "Blood tests aren’t accurate."

"How do you know it’s not accurate?" Yan Li’an once again extended his hand, pulled out the dagger, and swiftly cut her index finger, causing Su Bai to wince in pain.

"You’re really sick; everyone has different blood types, and children can inherit varying blood types from their parents. Just because our blood mixes together doesn’t prove that we are siblings, and if it doesn’t mix, it doesn’t prove we aren’t, do you understand?" Su Bai pulled her hand back, putting her index finger in her mouth.

Yan Li’an stood still, calm and composed, "How do you know so much?"

"I—" Su Bai started to speak, but suddenly her mind went blank.

She tried to speak several times but couldn’t.

"I just do."

Finally, those few words came out with much difficulty.

She couldn’t explain it, but she just knew.

These things buried deep in her mind, just like the last time she talked about precautions for childbirth with Chen Qing and his wife, she just knew.

"Still saying you haven’t been brainwashed by that damn adoptive father of yours," Yan Li’an’s eyes flickered with a trace of murderous intent, he reached out and ruffled Su Bai’s hair, "Stop thinking about it, you’re frowning too much; it’s worrisome. Since you don’t believe it, as a brother, naturally, I can’t force you. Whenever you figure it out on your own, come home with your brother."

With brother... go home?

Su Bai felt something subtle in her heart.

Go home?

"Actually, I came today because I need your help," Su Bai shared what she had heard from Chu Yu the day before with Yan Li’an. "As soon as I enter the secret chamber and see the truth that Chu Yu mentioned, I’m sure my memory will come back."

"You don’t suspect this might be a trap?" Yan Li’an’s lips curled skeptically.

Chu Yu was no good person, everyone knew that.

Determination flashed in Su Bai’s eyes, "Even if it’s a trap, I have to see it." Without seeing, she wouldn’t know who she really was.

"What do you need me to do, brother?"

Surprised, Su Bai asked, "You’re going to help me?"

Yan Li’an laughed, "Didn’t you come to me seeking help?"

"But didn’t you say this was a trap?" Su Bai asked, her feelings becoming even more complicated.

Yan Li’an twirled a lock of her hair, clicking his tongue, "When have I ever not had your back during your whims?"

Su Bai felt a warmth in her heart, but her words were still tough, pushing his hand away, "Stop that, you’re messing up my hair!"

The two discussed the plan for the evening, revised it again and again, before finally settling on it.

After parting with Yan Li’an, Su Bai felt unexpectedly at peace.

Only on her way back, she was stopped by someone she expected.

The Mei Consort.

She had gone to the Imperial Garden to dine with Chu Qi today, and must have been aggravated by Mei Consort’s presence. Known for holding grudges, she would want to vent her anger as soon as possible.

Mei Consort’s sedan stopped in a corner, and the richly dressed Mei Consort stood before Su Bai, sizing her up and then revealing a scornful smile.

"Didn’t General Su leave earlier? From which direction are you coming then?"

Su Bai kept a straight face, "My stomach was upset, I went to the Imperial Medical Bureau for a check-up."

Mei Consort chuckled lightly, "Some meals aren’t meant for you."

Obediently, Su Bai responded, "You’re right, Mei Consort."

It’s better to mind one’s own business.

She still remembered when she was appointed as a General, with Master Mei and a group of court officials kneeling at the entrance of Emperor Chu Qi’s palace, kneeling an entire afternoon, asking Emperor Chu Qi to retract his orders.

In the end, her adoptive father dismissed them with a few words.

However, thereafter, whenever she attended the morning court, Master Mei would glare at her with distaste.

Seeing Su Bai standing before her with bowed head and compliant eyes, Consort Mei felt much better and thus spoke.

"General Su is a smart person. You know what thoughts one should and shouldn’t have. Don’t covet what’s in the pot while eating from your bowl. One can’t have it both ways, and you are old enough to understand that."

Consort Mei cautioned Su Bai not to try for both the former court and the imperial harem.

Advising her to harbor fewer designs on the Emperor.

Su Bai rolled her eyes inwardly upon hearing this.

Heaven and earth as my witness.

Even if Emperor Chu Qi stood naked in front of her, she would have no interest in him whatsoever, as he was not her type at all.

Just like a flirty fox.

Seeing that Su Bai remained silent, Consort Mei’s face darkened: "General Su, are you being absent-minded?"

"You’re right in your admonishment, Consort Mei." Su Bai lowered her head even further.

Consort Mei, seeing her respect, felt a bit surprised.

A few days ago, she had fought with Wuyang and broke his ribs; how could she be so meek today? Could she be harboring some ill intentions?

Consort Mei took a few steps forward and stood in front of Su Bai: "Lift your head," she commanded.

Enduring her irritation, Su Bai raised her head.

Consort Mei was not tall.

Su Bai was half a head taller than her.

Therefore, when she lifted her head, Consort Mei had to look up at her.

This feeling made Consort Mei somewhat uncomfortable.

"General Su really possesses the beauty of flowers and the glow of the moon, even looking at your face stirs my heart," she said.

She constantly wore a mask, showing only the lower half of her face, and still, Consort Mei could feel her charm, really playing the lover’s foolish heart.

"Since when have you seen my true face, Consort Mei?" Su Bai asked with a hint of a smile.

Consort Mei had naturally never seen it, but Emperor Chu Qi always appreciated beauty.

The Su Bai that he had pursued for three years could naturally not be ugly.

"General Su has an extraordinary demeanor, and your appearance must be attractive as well," said Consort Mei.

The next second, Su Bai removed her mask.

"Ah!" Consort Mei stepped back in shock.

On Su Bai’s fair face, there was a flesh-colored scar, extending from the right eye down to the bridge of her nose, resembling a twisted centipede, and it was truly horrifying!

Su Bai put her mask back on.

"Next time you compliment someone, Consort Mei, do it with sincerity," she said with a smile, "If there’s nothing else, I will take my leave now."

After saying this, she turned and walked away.

Consort Mei clutched her chest, barely calming her startled heart.

She had always thought Su Bai was a beauty.

But she had not expected her to be so hideous!

Did the Emperor know about this?

Could it be that the Emperor had also been deceived by this Su Bai?

If the Emperor knew that Su Bai was actually a hideous woman, then his attention should shift away from her!

Thinking this, Consort Mei felt it necessary to go back and probe around, and then have Su Bai remove her mask in public, letting everyone see her hideous face!

Excitement glinted in Consort Mei’s eyes as she hurried into her palanquin: "Back to the palace, back to the palace!" What a fruitful morning it had been.