The matter between Hu Tao and Baizhu was temporarily resolved.
After she learned from Mu Yang the reason her great-uncle left back then.
Her resentment toward Baizhu lessened a lot.
Finally knowing Baizhu had no ill intentions, she left reassured.
"Baizhu, Changsheng, if convenient, let's catch up outside."
The one speaking was Jiangli.
Baizhu didn't respond, just followed behind.
Changsheng also slithered from Mu Yang's side over to Baizhu's body.
Lumine didn't go out; she watched with interest in the room as Qiqi was 'lecturing' Jialiang.
As a zombie senior, naturally had to give some guidance to the junior.
"First, don't forget, soft gymnastics um..."
"Second, don't forget..."
Jialiang nodded like pounding garlic, awaiting Senior Qiqi's teachings.
Qiqi tilted head biting finger, "...forgot."
[Hahaha, really want to rub Qiqi little cutie's head]
[Forgot. —Excerpt from "Don't Forget"]
[Being able to hold it in on site is also a god]
Mu Yang could still hold it in, after all he had anticipated.
Lumine and Paimon covered mouths quietly snickering.
On Baizhu's side.
After walking out, Jiangli started non-catch-up mode.
"Since parting in the vale, unknowingly, so much time has passed ah, Changsheng is still the same, hasn't changed a bit."
Changsheng had actually changed a lot; this time treating Jialiang, her power recovered considerably.
She knew it was thanks to Mu Yang putting in a lot of effort.
After all, relying only on what Baizhu researched from God Remnants.
It absolutely couldn't achieve the current effect.
However, regarding Mu Yang and Chenyu Vale matters, she didn't plan to drag Jiangli in.
So she replied, "You've changed quite a bit though."
Jiangli sighed to herself, "...Yeah, back then I never imagined there'd be such a day."
"...Also never imagined even you Baizhu would become like this."
Baizhu still didn't answer.
The two walked to the pavilion, away from the crowd.
Jiangli continued, "...I've also seen your immortality medicine; its pharmacology has some similarity to the poison I refined."
Baizhu was quite frank.
"Using toxin to tether the pre-death state is indeed a brilliant idea. Senior Sister isn't going to blame me for imitating without permission?"
Jiangli shook head upon hearing, "How could I, with your talent, even without precedent, given time, you could deduce it yourself."
"From meeting Jialiang until now, mere few days, yet researching this poison so thoroughly."
"Even using him to improve the original formula—this isn't explainable by talent alone."
Though Jiangli's words were questioning and blaming.
The concern in her eyes couldn't be hidden.
"Baizhu, tell me truthfully, you... did you personally test the poison?"
[Ah? So hardcore?]
[A doctor who can go this far is indeed a bit outrageous]
[This is already saint-level]
"Ha, I knew you couldn't hide it long." Changsheng watching drama not minding big trouble.
Back then she and Mu Yang had both advised, but couldn't persuade.
So let this former Senior Sister properly talk some sense into him.
Baizhu smiled bitterly, "As expected, can't hide from Senior Sister."
"Changsheng's secret arts, besides guiding vitality, can also transfer toxins and diseases."
Turns out, on the night of the second treatment of Jialiang.
Baizhu had transferred part of the toxin into his own body.
One aspect to lighten his burden.
Another aspect, also beneficial for deeply researching its toxicity.
"Currently all remaining toxins have gone with the God Remnant; Senior Sister need not worry anymore."
Baizhu said it lightly.
In Jiangli's ears, it was a different flavor.
"This is too risky; if the God Remnant wasn't removed then, even your own body would—"
Being stared at by Baizhu like that, her words couldn't continue.
After all, what qualification did she have to lecture Baizhu?
Hadn't she herself risked her life, entering alone a cave full of God Remnants to gather herbs?
Both fell silent.
After a long while, Jiangli faintly spoke.
"Back then the reason I distanced from the school, avoiding meeting, was not wanting Master with few days left to continue depleting lifespan to treat Jialiang."
"Yet unexpectedly in the end I risked refining poison, similarly trading life for life."
"And you testing poison on yourself... one by one, all walking the old path of Master and them."
Jiangli said a lot in one breath.
Finally sighing, "Is this the fate of our lineage?"
"For the obsession to save people, short-lived end; fixated on defying the miracle of life and death... unable to extricate."
Baizhu didn't agree with Senior Sister's view, "Talk of fate shouldn't come from a healer's mouth ah."
This was his stance, already said on the road to rescue Jiangli.
If pushing everything to fate.
Simply accepting fate is easier than anything.
But facing life and death, how many can claim their allotted span ended, abandon hope of 'life'?
Just Qiqi alone, frozen between life and death.
Never growing up, no sense of taste, short-term memory...
These are all flaws.
But she still wants to live well.
That's desire for life, not simply accepting fate.
"You... can you still stop?"
This sentence's tone was very weak.
Jiangli knew no matter what she said she couldn't persuade this junior brother.
But still wanted to try.
She could see, these years, Baizhu had used the contract to transfer many illnesses and poisons to himself.
Among them many Jiangli had never heard of.
Baizhu spread hands, "Senior Sister, you know, everyone in our lineage has this personality."
"Hey—Dinner's ready!" Paimon's shout came from afar.
"Mom, come eat, Brother Mu Yang and Sister Lumine cooking smells so good!"
Ayu ran to Jiangli's side, like seeking praise.
"They also taught me to make many dishes, saying even Dad can taste the flavor, you come try too."
Jiangli patted her son's head, "Okay okay, Mom's coming..."
"Aiya, run slower!"
Jiangli watched her son run far, eyes full of tenderness undiminished.
She looked at Baizhu, "I know I can't persuade you, but... please don't forget, if you're not here..."
"Qiqi, Ah Gui... all relatives and friends will grieve for you."
"Senior Sister need not worry, I have a sense of proportion."
[You also have proportion?]
[Good good good, learned bad from Mu Yang huh]
[Teyvat's two most proportionate people both save others with their own lives]
"Sigh... hopefully so."
Jiangli said and turned to follow her son's steps.
Passing by Lumine, she signaled with eyes, seeming to want Lumine to persuade again.
Another tsundere with sharp tongue soft heart.
"Baizhu good... Jiangli just said, if you're not here, what does that mean? You, you shouldn't have something wrong right?"
Lumine also wanted to ask, what exactly was the fate of their Chenyu Vale pharmacists.
Changsheng cleared throat, "Better let me explain."