Lin Tao and Ji Yun silently followed the shop attendant as they walked past several private rooms on the third floor of the Golden Leaf Pavilion. Finally, the attendant stopped at a door and knocked twice.
Ying Jin Yuan's clear voice came from behind the door, "You may enter."
The shop attendant smiled and opened the door for the two children, "Please go ahead, honorable guests."
Revealed from behind the door was the pavilion manager, Ying Jin Yuan, drinking tea with a handsome young man.
Ying Jin Yuan smiled politely, "Please have a seat, honorable guests."
Lin Tao and Ji Yun silently nodded before taking the two empty seats at the table.
The shop attendant silently shut the door without entering the room.
Ying Jin Yuan directed a hand towards the young man's direction, "This is Bai Ru, the elder brother of the late Bai Lian."
Lin Tao and Ji Yun critiqued Bai Ru. Although a cultivator's appearance wasn't a good indicator for their real age, he appeared to be in his early twenties. The shape of his eyes gave him a naturally gentle appearance. However, the coldness within his eyes told a different story. Just like the two children critiquing him, Bai Ru was closely observing the two short, black-cloaked figures before him.
Putting his hand down and turning towards Bai Ru, Ying Jin Yuan continued, "These two are the ones who have been selling the Black Lotus Brand medicines for the Black Lotus. Now that I have properly introduced both parties, I'll be taking my leave. If you need anything, there will be an attendant outside the door. Please converse without worry. This room is soundproof."
He waited a few seconds to assure both parties had no questions for him before politely exiting the room. After the door properly shut, the first to speak up was Bai Ru.
"Although Ying Jin Yuan has already introduced me, allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Bai Ru. Upon hearing medicines originally developed by my dear sister have appeared on the market, I immediately inquired about this old friend of my late sister. Naturally, any friend of my sister is a friend of mine. I am truly thankful to have been able to meet up with the two of you."
His smile was gracious and his words were polite. However, his message was clear, 'I have properly introduced myself. Please do the same.'
Lin Tao and Ji Yun recalled the guardian spirit's warning, 'You must not allow anyone to know you're associated with the Black Lotus and her medicines.'
Hidden under his cloak, Lin Tao frowned as he pondered, 'Although she wanted us to meet with Bai Ru, she never said she wanted us to reveal our actual identities. But then again, she was clearly thinking about the crown prince when she said that warning. Granny seems to have a deep attachment to Bai Lian and she was quite eager to meet this Bai Ru...'
Interrupting Lin Tao's thoughts, Ji Yun removed her hood and beamed, "We are disciples of the Black Lotus. We have met with you today in order to express granny's wishes to meet with you. We'll guide you to her!"
'Granny? So it really isn't her. There was never a body, so I thought there was hope…' Bai Ru's smile crumbled as undisguisable disappointment was displayed on his face. Within seconds, he swiftly composed himself once more and smiled gently. However, the coldness in his eyes was much more apparent than before.
"You have my utmost gratitude. I look forward to meeting her."
Lin Tao narrowed his eyes, 'This man's eyes are so cold. Is it really a good idea to let him meet granny?"
Ji Yun ignored the coldness in Bai Ru's eyes as she continued, "Before we leave, I have a question for you."
"Go ahead and ask."
"What kind of person was Bai Lian?"
"Couldn't you ask your master that? Isn't she an old friend of my sister?"
"I don't want to ask granny. She always seems so sad when she speaks about Bai Lian. I don't want to hear granny sounding so sad. I don't know you that well, so I would prefer hearing you speak sadly about Bai Lian."
Bai Ru studied the girl's face, 'She's not lying.' A chuckle escaped Bai Ru's mouth as the coldness in his eyes slightly dissipated, "A good answer. You see, my little sister…"
Bai Ru stopped and pondered for a bit, trying to find the right words to describe her. All traces of coldness in his eyes had morphed into a mixture of warmth and sorrow. His gentle smile was tinged with regret as he spoke softly, "She was a stupid liar."
Seeing the young girl's confused expression, he elaborated, "She would put up a gentle smile and speak politely towards those who mock her. When studying about plants or medicines, she would smile happily as though, in her eyes, there was nothing more fun. Nowadays, people like to call her a genius who could think of medical recipes no one else could."
Bai Ru chuckled coldly, "When she was alive, they would all mock her and our Bai family for coming up with the obvious lie that she who could not cultivate somehow became a genius doctor. Now that she's gone and her medicines left the markets, people can't help but speak of what a shame it was for such a genius to die... A genius, huh?"
Bai Ru's gaze lowered as he stared solemnly at his teacup, "Unfortunately, only an idiot would try hiding things from her own loving family. She never complained once to us. She lied to our faces in order to assure us that she was happy so we wouldn't worry about her. Doesn't she know that as her family, we're supposed to care and worry for her? Sometimes, I couldn't help but feel the only thing that was keeping her moving was her love for her family… As her brother, I have really failed her."
Bai Ru's sorrow had long infected the two children as they stared solemnly at their own teacups. The children wanted to speak some comforting words. However, they had no idea how to comfort someone who had lost a loved one.
Feeling he had nothing else to say, Bai Ru composed himself once more. As he gazed at the room, he realized the atmosphere had become terribly depressing, 'My bad?' The black-cloaked Lin Tao naturally appeared solemn due to the cloak. Lin Tao's face could not even be seen clearly so Bai Ru directed his gaze towards Ji Yun
'She's a good girl,' Bai Ru smiled gently at the crestfallen little girl, "My apologies. I got carried away and spoke too much."
Ji Yun tried to smile, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. She sheepishly laughed, "No need for apologies. Thank you for answering my question so seriously."
"Any more questions? If not, I would appreciate it if you guided me over to your master, the Black Lotus."
Ji Yun shot a glance at Lin Tao. Lin Tao silently nodded. His suspicions towards Bai Ru and the coldness in the young man's gaze had diminished after hearing him speak of his sister, 'Those emotions weren't fake.'
Ji Yun raised her hood over her head once more, "Alright, we'll guide you to granny!"