BOOM—
Screams echoed ceaselessly. Some students scurried out of the laboratory in a sorry state.
A chemistry experiment had exploded due to the careless operations of several students.
Unfortunately, Ye Qin, a brilliant chemistry professor, was caught in the blast.
The searing heatwave swept towards her like a force of destruction. Faintly, the nauseating smell of charred flesh lingered around her nose. Ye Qin suffered excruciating pain all over her body.
Before long, the intense pain gradually subsided, only to be replaced by an aching soreness as if every bone in her body had come apart.
"You're awake!"
Ye Qin was roused by this surprised and crisp voice.
She slightly opened her eyes and saw a light - gray bed curtain. In the warm, yellow - lit room, a pair of beautiful eyes like a lake rushed into her sight.
"The young lady has been in a coma for three days without eating a single grain. I've cooked some rice porridge. Do you want to get up and have some?" The owner of those eyes gently stroked her arm and had already felt her pulse while speaking.
Presumably, since her body was no longer in serious condition, the other person's tone was somewhat relaxed.
Where was this?
Was she dead?
In a daze, a flood of strange memories rushed into her mind.
It turned out that the owner of this body was Bai Zheng, a fifteen - year - old charming young girl.
Her grandfather was General Bai Qiying, famous throughout the land. Her father was Bai Yinan, the second son of the general's mansion, who was out of favor because he was indulged in literature and neglected his martial arts.
In the martial - oriented country of the Great Zhou, the branch of Bai Yinan was a laughingstock in the capital, Yongding.
Bai Zheng was originally engaged to Chu Feng, the second son of the prime minister's mansion. However, he had the audacity to fall for her second cousin, Bai Di.
Poor, infatuated Bai Zheng was verbally bullied by the two of them at a banquet the day before. Unable to bear the humiliation, she returned alone late at night. On the way, she encountered a bully trying to rob her. To preserve her chastity, she jumped off a cliff.
Bai Zheng gently held this soft hand and greeted the somewhat confused look of the other person with a smile. "I can't repay your kindness of saving my life. Thank you."
The other person also smiled. "I've only helped take care of you for a few days. It was my master who saved your life. Many people have lost their lives on this cliff. Since you've survived such a great disaster, you must be a blessed person."
Actually, Bai Zheng also had a vague impression of the night she was saved.
In the last moment before her life was about to fade away, she was faintly surrounded by an embrace with a light medicinal fragrance mixed with the smell of grass.
While in a daze, a bowl of lukewarm water was already handed to her. "The young lady can go back to the mansion after recuperating for a few more days. I imagine that your family must be very worried since you suddenly disappeared."
Bai Zheng nodded.
Because of this accident, her parents and two younger brothers must be extremely anxious. How could her already somewhat down - on - its - luck family bear the news of their daughter's disappearance?
Although she was reluctant to go back and face that mess, since she had been reborn in Bai Zheng's body, she had to shoulder the responsibilities that originally belonged to Bai Zheng.
However, it was really inappropriate to just go back like this.
Thinking of this, Bai Zheng sat up straight and nodded seriously. "I have another request. If your master is willing to help, I'm willing to offer three thousand taels of silver as a reward."
The other person was obviously startled by her generosity.
When the master saved her, he had already sent someone to investigate her background. She was just the daughter of a third - rank assistant minister. The annual salary of Minister Bai was only three thousand taels of silver.
Bai Zheng had her own hard - to - speak - of difficulties. Wasn't three thousand taels also an astronomical figure to her!
But seeing this maid's air of hiding her true capabilities, the "master" behind her must not be an ordinary person. If she wanted to ask him for help, a meager reward would not be enough.
Although the kindness of saving her life was beyond repayment, it was better not to owe favors if things could be solved with money.
...
Outside the door, the cold wind was biting, but inside the room, the burning red charcoal emitted a scorching temperature. The firelight reflected on the wall, making it as warm as spring.
A handsome and elegant man in red brocade slightly frowned. His well - defined fingers were pinching a white chess piece.
After hearing the report from the person who came, he dropped the chess piece with a "snap", raised his eyebrows and smiled. "Buy a cake? Three thousand taels? Lin Yuan, you've really saved a 'thousand - tael' young lady."
The man called "Lin Yuan" sitting opposite on the chessboard put down the chestnut he hadn't finished peeling. He just glanced at the chess game and then made a move.
The red - clothed man stared at the chessboard carefully and immediately wailed. "Feng Linyuan! Can't you play a little more leniently?"
Feng Linyuan gave a faint smile, revealing a face as if crafted by the gods. His temples were as sharp as if cut by a knife, his eyebrows were as black as ink, and his straight nose bridge made people notice that half of his face was hidden under a black mask, adding a touch of coldness.
"Miss Bai is actually so generous? It seems that the two hundred thousand taels of silver missing from the court might have something to do with Minister Bai."
Although that face carried a gentle air, his eyesight made people feel an inexplicable chill.
"Qingzhi, tell Miss Bai that this marquis agrees."
As Feng Linyuan said, he fed the peeled chestnut to a snow - white wolf beside him. The wolf seemed to understand the master's meaning. It bared its teeth at the maid named Qingzhi and then swallowed the chestnut in one gulp.
Qingzhi shivered. This Miss Bai... was probably in trouble.