After arriving at the reception pavilion, Bai Luochu understood that it was going to be a serious discussion when Pei Qingfeng dismissed everyone.
“Alright, speak. What are you here for?” Bai Luochu was the first to speak.
“What’s wrong? Can’t I look for you when I’m bored? If I say that I am looking for you because I miss you, will you believe me?” Pei Qingfeng opened up his folding fan and acted all romantic.
Bai Luochu was a little creeped out and replied, “Your Highness, your joke isn’t funny. Please conduct yourself properly… People might misunderstand.”
When Pei Qingfeng saw that Bai Luochu was still as indifferent as before, he couldn’t help but feel a little defeated. After all, he was one of the most eligible bachelors in the capital city. Moreover, he wasn’t a womanizer like his Third Brother... How could Bai Luochu not develop any feelings for him?
But now wasn’t the time for this matter as there were more important things to speak about.
“Did you find out all that you had to know?” Pei Qingfeng asked abruptly. Others might not understand, but Bai Luochu understood the meaning behind Pei Qingfeng’s words.
It seemed like Pei Qingfeng had also carried out a secret investigation on her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t ask her that question.
“En, Pei Rumo told me everything. I came back in order to find the truth. I am going to investigate the reason behind my appearance in the Bestial Battle Arena.”
“Will you investigate even if the answer is a cruel one?”
“That’s right, no matter how cruel it is, I am still going to get to the bottom of it. Furthermore, I already roughly understand the situation. I am only trying to prove my conjecture.”
Pei Qingfeng shook his head. This lass was really obstinate and stubborn. She only roughly knew what was going on, yet, she willingly entered the tiger’s den.
“From what I saw today, you don’t seem to be doing too well...”
“This is something you don’t have to bother yourself with.” Bai Luochu heard this statement and knew that Pei Qingfeng probably wanted to offer his assistance. She might not know the reason he was always trying to help her, but she didn’t wish to owe him anything. It was simply part of her nature.
“Nonsense! I can’t just leave you to your own devices. In the future, I will still have to depend on Divine Physician Bai to treat the poison in my body? What if you fall into the schemes of these vile people? Won’t everything go down the drain? I’ll be the good guy who helps you out and if something happens to me, I hope that Divine Physician Bai will remember our friendship and offer your help.”
“First, you have yet to finish your treatment for the Empress Dowager. If you head out from the general's residence, everyone will start to suspect something. Therefore, whenever you have to provide treatment for the Empress Dowager, I will come early in the morning to pick you up and drop you off near the First Prince’s residence. You can enter the palace yourself and this will make things much easier.”
Bai Luochu completely forgot about this point and it was true that the Empress Dowager’s treatment wasn’t complete. If she were to disguise as Divine Physician Bai and leave the general’s residence, she might face some trouble.
Bai Luochu nodded to indicate her agreement. She then raised her hand and as a sign for Pei Qingfeng to continue.
“Secondly, you know about your situation in the general's residence better than me. It is highly possible that your family is the reason you appeared in the Bestial Battle Arena. If there is a first time, there will definitely be a second. It is hard to guarantee that they won’t make a move on you again. It is impossible for you to use Divine Physician Bai’s status. Neither can you rely on Pei Rumo. This means that you cannot use these two backers. Right now, you need someone to suppress your family and I am the best candidate for that.”
“Your status is enough to intimidate my uncle and aunt. However, as for my cousin… it might make my days in this residence even harder.” As Bai Luochu spoke, she looked at a rockery that was not far from the reception pavilion. If she wasn’t wrong, her cousin was hiding there to spy on them.
Pei Qingfeng naturally understood Bai Luochu’s meaning. He then explained, “As long as it is effective against your uncle and aunt, it will be enough to keep you safe.. A mere cousin isn’t a match for you.”
Bai Luochu had to admit that she had never once placed her uncle and his family in her eyes. She agreed to Pei Qingfeng’s proposal because she didn’t want to alert them. If someone harder to deal with were to replace them, the losses would outweigh the gains.
“Thirdly, now that you have left the First Prince’s residence, you are definitely lacking medicinal ingredients. With my help, you will be able to obtain as much medicinal ingredients as you want. Are these reasons enough to recruit you to my side?” Pei Qingfeng raised his brows and quietly waited for Bai Luochu’s answer.
“Why do you want to recruit me? I am just an orphan girl who can’t provide you with substantial support. Don’t you think you are making a loss?” When Bai Luochu heard the word ‘recruit’, she felt that it was rather hilarious.
I'm not trying to make use of you… I only want to keep you by my side. I already know that you are a phoenix in the sky and eventually soar up to the nine heavens in the future. No matter what, I still want to keep you with me, even for the shortest period of time.
Of course, these words could only be said in Pei Qingfeng’s heart. If he were to say it out, with Bai Luochu’s personality, she would immediately distance herself from him. He would probably never be able to see her again.
“I am naturally leaving a path of retreat for myself. If you make use of your identity as Divine Physician Bai properly, your status will be equivalent to that of the imperial clan. By then, the resources you can obtain will be hundreds or thousands of times better than what you have now. Your path of cultivation will become even smoother and there is a higher chance for me to be cured. After all, everyone is doing things to benefit themselves.”
Whenever Bai Luochu tried to dig out the reason behind his goodwill he would always pull out the same reason. Would she still believe him this time?
Bai Luochu muttered for a moment and finally replied, “I will believe you for the time being.”