The blood is blue.

After more than half an hour, Bai Xian descended into Magnolia Valley, holding the white rabbit as she made her way toward the courtyard gate.

No sooner had she stepped through the entrance than she heard a sweet exclamation from Bai Ling, “Mother, you’re finally back! Are you all right? I was worried sick about you!”

Before the words had faded, Bai Ling flung herself into Bai Xian’s arms.

“Oh, Mother, you even managed to catch that wretched rabbit and bring it back! That’s wonderful—hurry, put it down for me.”

Catching sight of the white rabbit in Bai Xian’s arms, Bai Ling quickly snatched it away, set it on the ground, planted her hands on her hips, and, pouting, scolded sternly, “You dreadful thing, running about everywhere—you nearly got Zhao Liang and me killed, do you realize that? You even got Mother into a fight with that stinking snake, do you know that? And you scratched Xiaobai’s nose—did you know that? You… you… do you understand?”

The rabbit listened to Bai Ling’s tirade with its head buried against the earth, silent and motionless, the very picture of guilty contrition.

“All right, enough nagging. Let’s get inside,” Bai Xian cut in, seeing that Bai Ling showed no sign of stopping.

As the mother and daughter entered the courtyard, they saw Zhao Liang standing respectfully beneath the eaves of the main hall’s doorway.

Seeing them approach, Zhao Liang quickly bowed and saluted. “Aunt Bai, thank you for saving my life. Allow me to kneel and pay my respects.”

With that, he dropped to his knees with a thud.

Bai Xian hurried over and helped him up. “There’s no need for such formality. Ling’er owes her safety to your protection.”

Though Zhao Liang’s body was covered in welts from the serpent’s blows, after applying the Magnolia Powder, his wounds had mostly scabbed over, and some had already healed.

As she helped Zhao Liang to his feet, Bai Xian happened to glance at his injuries and was startled to see faint blue blood near the scars. Her heart gave a jolt, but her expression remained unchanged, and she smiled gently as she assisted him.

“Ling’er, you haven’t eaten yet, have you? I’ll go prepare a meal right now. You keep Zhao Liang company in the meantime—don’t let our guest go hungry.”

“Mother, now that you mention it, my stomach’s growling. Please hurry! And make plenty of good food—we need to reward Xiaobai tonight, too.”

With a graceful step, Bai Xian headed for the kitchen.

Bai Ling and Zhao Liang made their way to the main hall. Noticing the white rabbit still sitting motionless in penitence, Bai Ling couldn’t help but feel both exasperated and amused.

“Xiaobai! Xiaobai!” she called toward the back of the courtyard.

Xiaobai came dashing out like a gust of wind, ready to throw itself at Bai Ling in excitement, but the moment it spotted the white rabbit, it pounced with bared teeth, eager for revenge.

Bai Ling quickly grabbed hold of Xiaobai. “Behave, Xiaobai! I’ve brought you a little brother—look, it’s him.”

Pointing to the white rabbit, she said, “From now on, you’ll be called Erbai. Be sure to listen to Xiaobai, understand?”

The white rabbit lifted its head to glance at Zhao Liang, Bai Ling, and Xiaobai, then lowered it once more. Whether it was truly repentant or simply bowing to circumstance, none could say.

While Bai Ling and Zhao Liang chatted in the courtyard, Bai Xian had already entered the kitchen. Once inside, she quietly closed the door and took from her sleeve a blue jade vial.

The vial was nearly transparent, and within it something seemed to flash intermittently, as if the contents sensed her presence.

Seeing the flask emit a faint light, Bai Xian’s expression grew grave. She pondered for a moment, then carefully returned the vial to her sleeve.

Then, as if nothing had happened, she began to prepare the meal.

In less time than it takes for a stick of incense to burn, Bai Xian had finished a sumptuous dinner. After placing the dishes on the low table in the sitting room, she called Bai Ling and Zhao Liang in to eat.

The three of them sat casually around the table, chatting and laughing.

Raising her cup, Bai Xian said, “Today, Zhao Liang saved Ling’er’s life. This cup is for you.”

Zhao Liang quickly stood and respectfully raised his own cup. “This should be my toast to you, Aunt Bai. Without your timely rescue, I’d be snake food by now, not sitting here eating and drinking.”

Bai Ling chimed in, “All right, all right, Mother, Zhao Liang, no more trading toasts. Let’s just drink together—surviving disaster brings blessings after all!”

Bai Xian smiled at her daughter with gentle reproach. “And it’s all because of your mischief, little troublemaker. Never mind, let’s drink together.”

With that, the three drained their cups in unison.

After the meal and wine, it was already nearly three quarters past the hour of the dog.