Chapter 85: An Expert at Evasion

“Then what about my father?” Looking at Shan Yuanxi, lying on the bed and barely clinging to life, Shan Ziyao’s eyes brimmed with despair.

“If she’s not available, then it’ll be your turn,” Ou Xinlai replied, washing her hands and preparing for what came next.

“Can I save my father too?” Shan Ziyao’s eyes sparkled at the thought; if she could save her father, she would do anything! “Is it a life for a life?”

“No need,” Ou Xinlai shook her head. “I was just teasing you. I’ve just eaten my fill and need to digest, so I played a harmless little joke. More importantly, do you really think just anyone can save Lord Shan? Honestly, apart from you and me, I wouldn’t dare use anyone else here—especially not that Miss Shan just now.”

“Really?!” Upon hearing there was no need for Ziyao to die in order to save Shan Yuanxi, Madam Shan clutched Ou Xinlai’s hand tightly, nervous with hope.

“Really, truly.” Ou Xinlai inwardly thought, even if it weren’t true, there’s nothing you could do to me. But since she’d already had her fun at Shan Qing’er’s expense, Ou Xinlai decided it best not to take the joke any further.

“Moments ago, I only considered Miss Shan because she seemed so concerned for Lord Shan. That’s why I played such a convincing trick on her. But perhaps it was for the best; otherwise, we wouldn’t have realized she was poisoned.” With that, Ou Xinlai took up a length of tubing, rolled up Shan Ziyao’s sleeve, and had her lie down.

Ou Xinlai then used the syringe she had crafted, inserting it into the veins of both Shan Ziyao and Shan Yuanxi. She slowly guided Shan Ziyao’s blood into Shan Yuanxi’s body, carefully controlling the amount so as not to exceed what Ziyao could bear, thus replenishing Shan Yuanxi’s lost blood.

Gradually, color returned to Shan Yuanxi’s face, no longer as pallid and lifeless as before, while Ziyao’s own cheeks, once rosy, faded noticeably. Seeing this, Ou Xinlai immediately stopped, withdrawing the silver syringes from their veins.

“Is my father alright now?” Shan Ziyao sat up quickly, but the sudden movement left her dizzy.

“Don’t worry, he’ll live. Just make sure to prepare plenty of nourishing foods to help him recover.” Ou Xinlai began sterilizing the used needles. The medical standards of this world were nothing like those of her own, but when it came to sterilization, this world’s sages had it well in hand.

A healer came forward to check Shan Yuanxi’s pulse, and, finding it much stronger than before, nodded to Madam Shan. Madam Shan finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Miss Caicai, thank you so much for today.”

She had once doubted Ou Xinlai, but after what had just happened, her suspicions were all but gone.

If Ou Xinlai had harbored any ill will toward Shan Ziyao, she certainly wouldn’t have acted as she did while treating Shan Yuanxi—let alone made such sport of Shan Qing’er.

Thinking of how Ou Xinlai had, with such casual ease and laughter, held Shan Yuanxi’s life in her hands, Madam Shan’s heart, which had only just calmed, began to pound wildly once more. This girl had such an ordinary face, a slight, unremarkable figure, and wore plain, gray clothes—she seemed not yet grown. Yet such an unassuming child had such remarkable skill, and left Madam Shan feeling powerless. It was as though nothing in this world could truly interest her; the choice of life or death, healing or not, all rested on her whim alone.

The thought left Madam Shan convinced that Ou Xinlai was, indeed, a dangerous person.

“Ziyao, take Miss Caicai to rest,” she instructed. Even if Ou Xinlai was dangerous, her relationship with Ziyao seemed sincere. In fact, Ou Xinlai’s few words had nearly driven Shan Qing’er to despair.

But with Ziyao, Ou Xinlai never once made things difficult.

Based on this, Madam Shan felt sure that Ou Xinlai bore no ill will toward her daughter or the Shan family—though, as for Shan Qing’er…

Remembering Qing’er’s earlier behavior, Madam Shan’s face darkened. She had always believed the girl truly cared for every member of the family, but Qing’er’s reaction had proved otherwise; she clearly did not see them as her true kin.

Ziyao was willing to sacrifice her happiness for her father, but Qing’er’s devotion seemed to be only words.

Had it not been for Miss Caicai’s ruthlessness, today’s affair might well have been swept away by Qing’er.

“It’s not me who needs rest, but Second Miss Shan. As for me, I just got a bit too carried away earlier and now I’m hungry for meat buns.” At the mention, Ou Xinlai began to salivate. Ah, meat buns…

“Madam Shan, when you’re stewing up blood-nourishing dishes, don’t forget a portion for Second Miss.” Last time, Ziyao’s treatment had lessened her seizures, but her constitution was still frail and couldn’t be restored all at once.

“Thank you, Miss Caicai.” Madam Shan nodded, thinking it remarkable that Ou Xinlai could remain so calm and even-tempered in the midst of it all. Perhaps, she thought, this child was truly a good one.

She glanced at Ziyao, whose smile was so pure. Her daughter had never had friends since childhood, only Qing’er as company. Who would have thought that the first friend she found would be so capable, and, more importantly, so genuinely concerned for her?

Otherwise, Caicai would not have played that “prank,” to let them see Qing’er’s true nature.

Madam Shan breathed a long sigh. She was glad to know what kind of person Qing’er really was; had they continued to treat her as a true daughter, who knows when they might have been betrayed.

The Shan family possessed a very ancient tree—the exact number of centuries it had stood, no one could tell. Yet through all those years, it remained tall and lush, a symbol of vitality to all who saw it.

Now, as a resident of the Shan household, Ou Xinlai had climbed this treasured tree, meat bun in hand, chin propped on her palm, gazing into the distance.

“Ou Xinya, Ou Xinya—where in Vermillion Bird Nation are you now?” Ou Xinlai wanted to investigate who sought to harm the Ou family, even to the point of planting her in their midst.

But only upon arriving in Vermillion Bird Nation did she realize how naive her thinking had been. Even if someone here bore the Ou family ill will, it wouldn’t be broadcast all over the land. To ferret out the culprit, then, was no easy task. For now, she had no place to start.

Kicking her legs idly, Ou Xinlai watched the comings and goings below. The tree, she had to admit, was truly tall; from its top, she could see a great deal.

“Caicai! Caicai! Where are you?” Ever since Ou Xinlai had saved Shan Yuanxi, both he and Ziyao had grown healthier every day under Madam Shan’s attentive care; Ziyao was now full of life, while Shan Yuanxi, though still recovering from his grave injuries, was able to walk and bask in the sun.

Maybe it was for this reason that Ziyao clung to Ou Xinlai like glue, more persistent than the strongest adhesive, leaving Ou Xinlai at her wits’ end. In desperation, Ou Xinlai had learned to climb trees, hiding atop the great tree so Ziyao couldn’t find her.

The Shan family’s servants watched this daily drama with delight: their young lady searching high and low for Miss Caicai, while Caicai did her utmost to hide. The chase and pursuit led to many amusing incidents.

So, when Ziyao called out once more, everyone could not help but laugh.

Meanwhile, in her room, supposedly convalescing, Shan Qing’er was driven nearly mad by jealousy at Ziyao’s cries. She could not understand why Ziyao liked that Caicai girl so much. Caicai was plain, with a bit of cleverness and some skill, but her character was utterly disagreeable.

Remembering the way Caicai had toyed with her, Qing’er’s eyes clouded, the grievance burning in her chest.

She could feel Madam Shan’s attitude toward her changing.

Before, the Shan family had two daughters, and whatever Ziyao had, Qing’er received as well. But even then, Qing’er had not been content; if she were truly treated as a daughter, she thought, she should be treated exactly the same.

Qing’er knew that if Ziyao wanted to marry Ye Zifei, the Shan couple would be all the more attentive to her. But as an adopted daughter, if she failed to please them, she could forget about such a marriage.

Since Caicai’s arrival, everything had changed.

Though Madam Shan might still set aside two portions, the second share now went to Caicai instead of her.

Even recalling how Madam Shan sent fine clothes and jewelry to Ou Xinlai’s room, only for Ou Xinlai to ignore them and continue wearing her own plain attire, made Qing’er sneer.

That Caicai was a fool, and Madam Shan no better. Caicai was so cold, yet the family still tried to win her favor. Did they really think a smattering of medical skill would let Caicai have her way in all things? What a joke!

“Caicai! Caicai!” Ziyao ran all around, sweating from her exertions. “Father, Mother, have you seen Caicai?” she called, seeing her parents out in the sun.

Madam Shan took a kerchief and wiped Ziyao’s brow. “We haven’t seen her. Caicai likes peace and quiet, but you’re always stirring up trouble—it’s no wonder she hides from you.” Though she liked Ziyao’s lively nature, she couldn’t deny that a girl should be more like Caicai: lively when appropriate, quiet when needed.

Though Ou Xinlai had shocked her with her ruthlessness that day, aside from her medical work, she was just an ordinary girl.

“Mother, you’re wrong! Caicai likes me a lot—she’s just playing hide-and-seek!” Ziyao protested. Caicai might be cleverer at hiding, but she’d found her before! “No more talking—off to find Caicai!”

“You child!” Madam Shan could only laugh helplessly as Ziyao dashed off again.

Shan Yuanxi patted her shoulder knowingly. “No need to worry about Ziyao. Haven’t you noticed how much more lively she is since Caicai arrived? Her health seems better, too.”

At his reminder, Madam Shan realized it was true. They had encouraged Ziyao to cultivate powers in hopes of strengthening her frail body, but even so, she’d often fall ill from excitement.

Now, thinking about it, she realized Ziyao hadn’t had an episode in quite some time—not even minor ailments.

“So, Caicai is a sensible child. Let Ziyao play with her.” Qing’er was too quiet, lacking the energy of youth. When Ziyao and Qing’er were together, something was always missing.

With Caicai around, Shan Yuanxi finally understood what that was: Qing’er lacked vitality.

Qing’er, ever so quiet, was a beautiful but lifeless doll—no matter how lovely, such things eventually fail to inspire lasting affection.

Caicai was different. Though not as pretty as Qing’er, she knew when to be still. Yet, looking at her, you knew she was alive—brimming with energy, movement, and life.

To Shan Yuanxi, this Caicai girl was truly remarkable. Ordinarily, he wouldn’t remember someone so plain, so quiet, so reluctant to stand out. Yet this child left a strong impression.

“Caicai, where are you?” Ziyao was bewildered. She had grown up in the Shan household and knew it intimately—so why, whenever Caicai hid, was it so hard to find her? Unless Caicai revealed herself, she was nearly impossible to locate.

Was this really her home, or was it Caicai’s?

Watching Ziyao pant with exertion, Ou Xinlai shook her head. That frail body needed more training.

With a swoosh, Ou Xinlai leapt down from the tree. Ziyao felt a gust of wind at her ear and suddenly saw her. “Caicai! So you were here! Just now—” Ziyao pointed at the big tree, and Ou Xinlai nodded.

“Caicai, you’re so daring! That tree is my parents’ treasure, and you dared climb it!” Ziyao stared at her in disbelief.

Ou Xinlai rolled her eyes. “It’s just a tree. Even if it’s special, I didn’t harm it. Why can’t I climb it? Besides, if you’d stop yelling, no one would know.” She truly couldn’t understand what the fuss was about.

“Hush, hush!” Ziyao quickly hushed her. “If my parents find out, you’ll be scolded for sure.” She sighed—her mother claimed she was the troublemaker, but really, even when she tried, she couldn’t match Caicai’s silent mischief. See? Caicai had climbed the precious tree without a sound. Clearly, she was the well-behaved one!

“Pfft, do you need the privy? It’s over there.” Ou Xinlai pointed to the outhouse.

Ziyao nearly tripped over herself. “No, I don’t!” she protested, stamping her foot in frustration. Why did she always feel so powerless speaking with Caicai?

“By the way, I want to go for a walk. Will you show me around?” Ou Xinlai asked. Ziyao was a native of Vermillion Bird Nation, and her family was prominent; with Ziyao as a guide, she’d be far more effective than blundering around alone.

“Yes, let’s go out!” Ziyao’s eyes sparkled with excitement. She was the hostess here; surely Caicai couldn’t be more familiar with Fan City than she was. Besides, Caicai didn’t know anyone in the city. With her along, she could protect Caicai from any bullies.

“Come on, come on—it’s so lively outside right now!” Ziyao grabbed Ou Xinlai and dragged her out.

Ou Xinlai was exasperated; she was the one who wanted a walk, so why was Ziyao more excited than she was?

Shan Yuanxi, hearing that the two girls were going out, simply ordered some servants to follow and protect them discreetly.

Thus, for the first time, Ou Xinlai set out to explore the capital of Vermillion Bird Nation—Fan City.