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The Third Madam collapsed onto the floor, her long black hair cascading wildly around her. She wore a large red garment haphazardly draped over her. The light streaming in through the open door was blinding, and she instinctively buried her face in her hair.
Upon seeing the person standing at the door, she quickly scrambled to her feet and rushed towards Ting Yu, her hands gripping Ting Yu's neck tightly. Her pale face twisted with rage as she exclaimed, "You shameless woman! Do you think that by seducing the master, you can become the lady of the house? What a delusion! I wondered why you were so nice to me; it turns out you were always trying to entice him! Now you're happy because he wants to marry you and have children with you, while he despises me for not being able to bear him any!"
As her voice trailed off, it turned into a choked sob. Wan Shaobai seized the moment and dashed forward, pulling Ting Yu behind him.
Madam hurriedly intervened, pulling the Third Madam away and softly coaxing, "Third Sister, that's not Cui'er, it's not Cui'er!"
The Third Madam looked at Madam with bloodshot eyes and suddenly screamed in terror. She called out several times but collapsed from exhaustion.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief; Wan Shaobai had not expected the Third Madam to be so completely unhinged.
Madam instructed someone to carry the Third Madam to bed. It was then that Wan Shaobai realized he had been holding Ting Yu's hand tightly and had kept her securely behind him.
Seeing Ting Yu's expression of delight, a flush crept across Wan Shaobai's face, and he immediately released her hand.
The Third Madam fainted, leaving Ting Yu unable to glean any information from her. The two had no choice but to return to find Bai Haoran.
Madam stopped at the entrance of the Third Madam's courtyard as she sent them off. "I apologize for frightening you both. You still need to discuss matters with the master. As a mere woman, I cannot accompany you further."
"Madam, please wait." Ting Yu spoke up. "I would like to ask how the Third Madam became this way."
"You heard what was said earlier. Third Sister's temperament changed drastically because she cannot bear children. After the master married Fourth Lady, he wanted to marry Xiao Cui as well. Third Sister couldn't accept such a reality and went mad. Alas..."
Madam rubbed her temples in frustration, seemingly unwilling to dwell on such distressing matters any longer. Ting Yu had no choice but to bid farewell along with Wan Shaobai and head towards Bai Haoran's study.
Upon learning that they hadn't uncovered any crucial information, Bai Haoran felt an overwhelming sense of urgency.
If it weren't for the matter of the Shark People, perhaps he could have slept soundly. But now that he knew one of them might have transformed into human form and infiltrated his household—potentially one of the two ladies—Bai Haoran could hardly sit still as he paced back and forth in his study, anxiety etched on his face.
Wan Shaobai glanced at Ting Yu. With their mutual understanding, he knew what she intended to do next. He quickly turned to Bai Haoran and said, “Although our gains today are minimal, we have not come away empty-handed. At the very least, we know that if the Shark People are indeed responsible, it is likely one of the two ladies. Now, Old Master Bai, please remain calm; if we startle them, the consequences could be dire.”
Bai Haoran nodded helplessly but still asked anxiously, “Is there any way to determine which one is a Shark Person? I can’t find peace of mind right now!”
Just as Ting Yu was about to speak, Wan Shaobai interjected, “We will only have a method once we return; after all, the opponent's strength cannot be underestimated. It’s best to proceed with caution. We will provide you with an answer by tomorrow.”
After leaving Bai Residence, Ting Yu glared at Wan Shaobai in frustration and questioned, “Didn’t we agree on this? If I can’t identify them, then we stick to the plan. Let Old Master Bai marry me; I’ll act as bait to lure out the Shark People.”
“You can’t even handle a madman; how can you deal with the Shark People? I think it’s unwise,” he replied.
“We can’t have you dressing up as a woman, can we? Aren’t you supposed to protect me? Or do you lack confidence in me or in yourself?” she retorted.
Wan Shaobai looked intently at Ting Yu and said seriously, “I can’t risk your safety.”
The moment those words left his lips, both were taken aback. The usually playful Ting Yu felt her cheeks flush instantly; she turned her head slightly and asked, “What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing… Nothing at all,” Wan Shaobai stammered, his gaze evasive.
“I have Double Pupils; it’s easy for me to make you tell the truth. Will you say it yourself or should I?” Ting Yu insisted, gripping Wan Shaobai’s sleeve.
Looking at her, Wan Shaobai slowly took her hand and asked firmly, “Do you really have to go?”
Ting Yu nodded solemnly, her eyes filled with determination. Wan Shaobai sighed and tightened his grip on her hand as if trying to convey strength to her. “I have faith in both you and myself. I promise I will do everything in my power to protect you.”
Five days later, Wan Shaobai sat under the peach tree at Ting Feng Pavilion with Ting Yu. The table was set with fine wine and delicacies while a gentle breeze caused peach blossoms to flutter down like snowflakes.
“I’ve spoken with Old Master Bai and the Magistrate; tomorrow our plan will commence. Old Master Bai will send a Flower Palanquin to marry you in the morning. Are you truly prepared?” Wan Shaobai asked with concern as he looked at Ting Yu, who still appeared nonchalant.
Ting Yu shot him a glance, nonchalantly saying, "It's all set, it's all set. The phoenix crown and the colorful robes have been delivered, and the matchmaker will come early tomorrow to do the hair and makeup. Everything is ready."
Wan Shaobai paused, his eyes filled with concern as he replied, "You know that's not what I meant."
"What do you want to ask then?" Ting Yu tilted her head in curiosity, and before he could respond, she continued, "I have only one wish. It's a wish, not a condition; you can refuse it."
"Go ahead."
"I want you to ride the chestnut horse and accompany me on that day."
Time seemed to freeze for a moment as their gazes locked. Wan Shaobai looked at the earnest expression on Ting Yu's face, and a warmth spread through his heart like the tide filling a shore. He quietly gazed at her, gently taking her hand that rested on the table, and softly said, "Alright."
Ting Yu smiled gently, a blush rising on her cheeks, but her eyes sparkled with joy. Wan Shaobai returned her smile with tenderness, a smile that seemed capable of dispelling all the gloom in the world.
The night breeze brushed past them, carrying with it a faint melody that reached Ting Yu's ears. Still smiling, she softly said, "The Shark People will surely appear. Tonight, they are singing again."
Wan Shaobai furrowed his brow slightly. Noticing this, Ting Yu reached out to smooth his furrowed brow and comforted him gently, "With you here, everything is alright. I'm not afraid; you need to believe in yourself too."
Seeing the faint smile on Ting Yu's face filled Wan Shaobai with an unprecedented sense of reassurance.
As they exchanged smiles amidst the song of the Shark People, the melody no longer felt so mournful; instead, it took on a more enchanting quality.
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