After deceiving the villain, I was forced to love him.

Chapter 189 Her and His First Year

While Lu Jian was busy preparing for the impending drought, He Yao was also extremely busy in Qucheng.

Because the doctors sent to the hospital were robbed and killed on the way, and because it was not advisable to let too many people know that they had the "medicinal ingredient," the process of preparing the antidote did not go smoothly.

Fortunately, He Yao had enough knowledge of Gu poison, and the antidote was eventually developed.

"Madam He truly deserves all the credit!" Li Yuanzheng exclaimed with delight as he looked at the table full of antidotes.

Now, not only Qucheng, but also the people within a radius of a thousand miles are saved.

"He Yao did nothing but lend a hand; it is Lord Li who has made the greatest contribution."

“Hey,” Li Yuanzheng waved his hand, “I can’t accept those four words. If you ask me, the greatest credit goes to the young lady.”

"If I had the chance, I'd like to meet her and become sworn brothers with her!"

"Hahaha..." He Yao couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"You are truly extraordinary, sir. This is the first time I've ever heard of someone thinking of becoming sworn brothers with a young lady."

"Oh, what's the big deal?"

"Although I have never met her, the young lady's actions are truly those of a hero among men, worthy of admiration."

He is a hero among men, not a heroine among women.

In Li Yuanzheng's view, as long as they can serve the people, regardless of gender, they are all good people!

"However, there is one thing that I still do not understand, and I would like to ask Madam He to enlighten me."

He Yao's heart sank; she knew she couldn't avoid it. "What is it?"

"Why is your understanding of Gu poison far greater than what His Majesty described in his letter?"

"..."

Seeing that He Yao didn't answer for a while, Li Yuanzheng didn't press her further, nor did he suspect anything.

Instead, he frankly told her, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. Although I am not very capable, I have never made a mistake in judging people."

“I have seen clearly what kind of person you are over this period of time.”

"I only want to remind you that even if you have been 'poisoned' by Gu, you should not know so much about Gu poison."

He was certain that He Yao was a good person.

Otherwise, she could have simply pretended not to know, or acted as if she wasn't very clear about the poison, since the imperial court would definitely send someone else to assist in preparing the antidote.

But she didn't.

Even knowing that this would arouse suspicion from others, He Yao still cooperated fully.

This shows that she has a strong sense of justice and is a person worth befriending.

However, He Yao's understanding of Gu poison was so profound that it made people think she was the one who used Gu poison.

If the person in charge wasn't Li Yuanzheng, then right now, she would either be in prison or being attacked by the people.

"..." He Yao felt that no words could adequately describe her current feelings.

For so many years, the things she dared not even tell Qiu Niang and her daughter or Lu Jian were simply covered up by an old man with a casual remark.

Moreover, it's a cover-up without asking why.

Even knowing that "thank you" was too pale and powerless, at this moment, all she could do was bow deeply and say, "Thank you."

After receiving this gift, Li Yuanzheng immediately let the matter drop, saying, "We in Qucheng can't possibly use up all these antidotes."

He Yao, her spirits lifted after the rain, continued, "Next time Lin Fusi sends someone through this area, let him take some with him."

"exactly"

......

Unlike those in the Central Plains, when Baili Ce was with the Xianbei, they did not celebrate the Lunar New Year's Eve.

Although the Xianbei people also had their own festivals, which were grand and solemn, Baili Ce still didn't like the atmosphere of a large group of people gathered together. It was lively, but it was very tiring.

After dancing a few dances, I felt like I wouldn't want to move for a month.

Not to mention the annual wrestling events, wolf hunting games, and horse lassoing competitions.

It truly makes one realize what gender equality and treating everyone equally means.

Therefore, she felt very happy to be able to sit quietly at this moment and watch the flowers and silver blossoms bloom in the air.

"Bang—" Another burst of iron sparks flew everywhere, and sparks flew down.

Bai Li Ce rarely thought about anything; he just focused intently on watching.

"Bang, bang..." The extremely hot molten iron bloomed into a hollow red lotus under Wang Qingyan's highly skilled striking technique.

In an instant, it transformed into golden rain, dazzlingly scattering across the lake surface, gradually overlapping with the magnificent scene in Baili Ce's memory.

Just a moment ago, she was cursing Wang Qingyan for insisting on making her stay up all night on New Year's Eve, calling him a jerk.

But now...

Taking advantage of Wang Qingyan turning around, he took three steps forward and stretched his hand out of the pavilion.

Aaaaaaahhhhhh, it hurts!

Before her mind could even process what was happening, the scalding sensation instantly jolted her awake.

Oh dear... Aside from walking around with his arms crossed, jumping up and down, scratching his ears and cheeks, he had no other thoughts at all.

Especially when you see the large blisters that suddenly appear on your hands, the beauty of the iron flower performance vanishes instantly.

I just feel—

It's an absolute environmental pollutant, a waste of resources, extravagant, unsightly, vulgar, monotonous, and a nuisance!

Even after Wang Qingyan handed the iron-making tools to Jiu'er and came to her with a radiant smile, Baili Ce was still inwardly grimacing.

"How could you be so careless?" Seeing the burn on her hand, Wang Qingyan couldn't utter any of his usual sweet nothings.

To be honest, Baili Ce was probably hit by the most crucial molten iron, and even now the wound is still burning like fire, and he can't get over it for a long time.

This is after it has cooled down from being scattered in the air. If it were to come into direct contact with it... it would truly be a Predator, achieving victory in a second.

He quickly had someone bring her burn ointment and carefully applied it. Wang Qingyan had lost his mood. "I'm sorry, I thought you would like it."

"It's because I like it so much that I couldn't help but accept it."

"Nonsense, who would be like you, knowing this stuff is so hot?"

"I don't want your feelings to be in vain."

“…” Wang Qingyan was immediately stunned.

Even knowing she was just using sweet talk, I couldn't help but feel a surge of unease. "The truth?"

Bai Li Ce leaned in and kissed him on the corner of his mouth... paused for ten breaths, then deliberately moved closer to his ear and breathed teasingly, "Really~"

But the little deer in her heart, oblivious to its own mortality, had already been tamed by her. Before taming it, she had slapped it a few times and stomped on it a few times.

"..." Wang Qingyan's icy expression instantly melted away, his heart fluttering as she stirred his emotions.

Just as he was about to take it a step further, he immediately left, saying, "You've been practicing this for a long time, haven't you?"

A gentle, tender smile appeared on Wang Qingyan's face, a blend of pride and obedience.

From the first year after she left, he would perform ironwork at his place of residence once a year.

Is it any better?

Seemingly too lucid, Wang Qingyan gently blew on the broken skin, and the coolness clearly reduced the burning pain a lot, but she could only think of the four words "water, life, fire, heat".

Sigh... As expected, someone like her is only suited to a life of solitude and immense wealth.

But that didn't stop her from acting cute, saying, "It hurts so much!"

"Serves you right, who told you to be so careless?" he complained, but his hands moved even lighter.

"Then...can you call me again next year at this time?" No matter what, we still have to get through New Year's Eve properly.

Wang Qingyan looked up. "Just next year?"

"Heh, look at you, you stingy little thing!"

Carefully avoiding the wound, she sat down beside him, stretched out her arms, and half-wrapped them around his neck. "Of course, it's year after year, may every year bring this day again!"

Wang Qingyan raised an eyebrow smugly, "That's more like it~"

After hugging for a while, he said, "Hey, let's go release some river lanterns."

"Are you alright like this?"

"Let me see it," she said confidently.

"Okay~" she replied spoiledly.

This is their first year together, and the rest of their lives will only get better.