"I can disguise myself!" Xiao Fang answered with a smug face.
Uncle Qiu, "..."
What was the difference between her new idea and her previous one? Wasn't those two things the same? Both of the ideas were about how she would disguise herself as a maidservant or servant, right? Uncle Qiu was quite surprised by her naivety. He was pretty sure if she was the one who came along with him --- she would be found out in a flash. After all, her disguise skill was also quite lacking.
He had to admit that his best friend really spoiled this daughter of his and she was good at four arts skills, but not for other things. However, judging from Xiao Fang's family condition, she needed to be trained and toughened up a little bit. What if something happened to him and her father?
Should he agree with her request? Uncle Qiu had never felt so conflicted in his life ah~!
"Let me think about it for a day!" Uncle Qiu finally relented. "I will let you know later, okay?"
Xiao Fang nodded happily. At least, she got him to think about it and she was pretty sure that she would get a positive answer.
Uncle Qiu suddenly remembered something, "Where is your friend, Yao Ling?"
Xiao Fang looked up in surprise by the sudden question, "Why are you asking about her?"
Uncle Qiu furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and asked her back, "Didn't she want to play with Bao Bei? I already told her that I will bring Bao Bei out for a ride today, so why didn't she come along with you? I almost forgot about it!"
Xiao Fang almost forgot about this too! She heard about their conversation yesterday, thus, she answered, "I'm not sure about that. Let me check on her! What time will you take Bao Bei out for a ride?"
Uncle Qiu answered, "Around Shen Shi [modern timing: 3 pm- 5 pm], so the weather won't be too hot."
Xiao Fang nodded in understanding. After that, Xiao Fang decided to go back to Yao Ling's room and asked them what kind of excuse she should use to avoid Uncle Qiu's suspicion. She just hoped that Uncle Qiu would buy her reasoning.
Once she went back to Yao Ling's room, Lin Jian and Yao Ying were still waiting for her there. They nodded in agreement when they heard that Xiao Fang wanted to meet along Aunt Yue because it seemed like she was the only one who knew what was going on --- probably she also understood what made Yao Ling faint until now.
Yao Ying didn't forget about the Crescent Moon birthmark on the back on Yao Ling's neck. He started to connect the dots, even though he didn't really sure about his guesses. Was she one of those Bai Yue people? He felt a headache coming because of this confusing matter.
Yao Ying asked Lin Jian, "Is it wise to tell Uncle Qiu that Yao Ling is sick?"
Lin Jian sighed while looking at Xiao Fang. "We can trust Uncle Qiu, but what about the others? If someone knows something about the glowing symbols, won't they also know the effect for the person who triggered the glowing symbols?"
Yao Ying nodded. "This is what I'm afraid of. Yao Ling was very healthy yesterday. If she gets sick around this time, there is a possibility that the involved people will start to become suspicious of her. I'm afraid... it will be hard to cover up this matter!"
"If she doesn't appear at the designated time, Uncle Qiu will feel suspicious as well. After all, Yao Ling was the one who begged him to bring her along," Xiao Fang said.
Yao Ying got an idea, "You don't need to tell him that she's sick!"
Yao Ying smiled, "Just tell him that she's suddenly feeling unwell. When she smells a certain smell, she feels like vomiting. I'm pretty sure that Uncle Qiu will be able to guess what it is all about."
Lin Jian and Xiao Fang understood what he meant --- this was the only explanation that was safe! Sure enough, when Uncle Qiu heard what Xiao Fang said, he laughed heartily. "It seems like there will be a piece of good news soon!" Uncle Qiu said cheerily.
Xiao Fang tilted her head to the side, "Why?" She pretended to be oblivious.
Uncle Qiu shook his head. "Nothing! I merely guess but I don't know whether it's true or not. It should be better if they are the ones who tell you later..."
This reasoning indeed made no one become suspicious of Yao Ling's sudden disappearance. The latter was currently sleeping soundly without any symptoms that she would wake up anytime soon.
Yao Ying stayed vigilance by her side, waiting that some kinds of miracles would happen soon. He didn't know what he would do if she didn't wake up forever... Yao Ying was afraid of losing her. They just professed their love from each other and yet, something like this happened. How could he not feel that his heart was broken?
He caressed her face slowly and said, "Ling-er ah~! When will you wake up? You won't leave me all alone, right?"
Yao Ying hoped that there would be a sign. Any sign! A flutter of her eyelashes... a tear... a twitch of her finger... anything! However, there was nothing. She was still laying on the bed quietly.
Yao Ying could only sigh helplessly... What should he do to make her wake up? He had tried several ways --- wiping her face with a cold towel, trying to tickle her, and he even tried a few stupid ways! And... nothing worked!
His only hope was that Aunt Yue... If the latter didn't know anything or didn't want to tell them anything, then there was nothing else that they could do ah~!
Looking at Yao Ying's haggard face, Lin Jian and Xiao Fang pitied him. However, they could only wait for Uncle Qiu's decision. Xiao Fang didn't dare to force him to let herself follow him, because she knew how stubborn Uncle Qiu was.
At the evening, Uncle Qiu sent one of his subordinates to call Xiao Fang over. Because of Yao Ling's predicament, he also postponed Bao Bei's free time. He made a special arrangement to take Bao Bei out for the day because Yao Ling had asked him. However, because Yao Ling couldn't come, he decided to follow Bao Bei's usual schedule. Who knew that Yao Ling would already feel better at that time?
Xiao Fang asked him directly when she finally met Uncle Qiu, "How is it, Godfather?"
Uncle Qiu looked at her excited face and smiled, "I will bring you along tomorrow, but you are not allowed to talk at all! Is that okay?"
Xiao Fang pouted when she heard Uncle Qiu's requirement, however, beggars couldn't be choosers. She agreed outwardly but feeling indignant inwardly. She would definitely need to ask several questions to Aunt Yue.
"I will let my people prepare your disguise. I will send her to your courtyard in the morning and you should be careful. Don't let anyone find out that you are gone around the time when I visit Aunt Yue. Can you do that?" Uncle Qiu asked.
Uncle Qiu gave a warning for Xiao Fang, so she could manage her people to cover up her disappearance too! Xiao Fang nodded in understanding, "I can!"
Uncle Qiu nodded in relief. He decided to bring her along after long deliberation.
They just need to prepare themselves for the next day!