"Dead?" Bai Xifeng echoed, her eyes blinking in surprise. The weight of the word seemed to hang heavy in the shimmering air of the mirror world.
"Yes. It happened over a thousand years ago. To be honest, I have long since lost count of the centuries," Baishe replied, his deep voice thick with a melancholy that resonated through his massive frame. He looked away, clearly haunted by the memory of his previous mistress's passing.
Bai Xifeng fell silent. Behind her cynical mask, she understood the hollow ache that came with losing someone precious. Even in her past life as an orphan, she knew the sting of being left behind.
"I'm sorry. But look, don't call me 'Master,'" she said, shaking her head firmly to clear the heavy mood. "It makes me feel like some ancient, wizened old man. It's definitely not a vibe I'm going for."
Baishe tilted his massive head, his ruby eyes blinking at her in confusion. "Then... what should I call you?"
"Just call me Xifeng," she stated with a nonchalant shrug.
"Very well, Xifeng," Baishe agreed, bowing his head slightly.
Their solemn moment was suddenly interrupted by a sharp, rhythmic sound. Bai Xifeng's lips twitched as her face heated up. Baishe lowered his gaze, focusing pointedly on her midsection.
"What are you looking at?" Bai Xifeng snapped, her cheeks flushing crimson with embarrassment as her stomach let out another loud, insistent growl.
Baishe's massive coils shook slightly, he clearly wanted to laugh. However, seeing the dangerous glint in her eyes, he wisely bit back his amusement. "It seems your physical form requires sustenance."
"I want to go back out and eat." She muttered, effectively ordering him to return her to the real world.
"Xifeng, simply touch the birthmark on your wrist and visualize your desire to leave. The mirror will respond to your will," Baishe instructed.
"I see. Let's give it a try." Bai Xifeng concentrated, pressing her fingers to her wrist. In an instant, the shimmering world dissolved, and the environment shifted. The air grew stale and cold as she found herself standing once again in the middle of the dusty storage room. However, she jumped in fright when she realized Baishe was still looming behind her in his full, gargantuan glory.
"What are you doing here?" She hissed, looking around frantically.
"I wish to follow you," Baishe replied simply. "I have no intention of being separated from you again."
"You can't! You're the size of a building!" Bai Xifeng rolled her eyes, exasperated. "People will lose their minds if they see a mythical white python sliding through the courtyard. It's not exactly a 'discreet' look."
"I can alter my form," Baishe said calmly. With a soft shimmer of white light, his massive body shrank and condensed until he transformed into an elegant white jade hairpin. "How is this, Xifeng? You could wear me in your hair."
Bai Xifeng plucked the hairpin from the air, examining it with a critical eye. She wasn't particularly fond of traditional hair ornaments; they felt too stiff and formal.
"It's pretty, but it's not really my style for daily wear. Can you do earrings instead?" she asked.
The truth was, Bai Xifeng was a hardcore earring enthusiast. In her previous life, she had amassed a collection of thousands—ranging from priceless gems to cheap, quirky street finds. She didn't care about the price tag; if they caught her eye, she had to have them. Thinking of the vast collection she had left behind in the modern world made her want to weep. 'If I ever find a way back,' she thought, 'those better still be in my jewelry box.'
"Earrings? As you wish." Baishe's form shifted again, splitting into two intricate, gleaming earrings.
They were stunning, lustrous white pearls accented by tiny, brilliant red diamonds. As Bai Xifeng held them up to the light, she noticed something unsettling: the red diamonds seemed to be moving, swiveling within their settings as if they were tracking her movements.
"What the heck...?" She whispered, her skin crawling.
"Xifeng, those are my eyeballs," Baishe's voice echoed in her mind.
The realization was as wicked as it was fascinating. It was a macabre, high-fashion masterpiece.
"Is this... acceptable?" Baishe asked tentatively when she didn't respond. He sounded worried that she might find his eyes repulsive. "I can change the design if it bothers you."
"No... no! Don't you dare change a thing," Bai Xifeng said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "This is delightfully twisted. I love them." She quickly hooked the earrings into her lobes, feeling a strange, comforting warmth radiating from them.
"Young Miss! Young Miss, where are you?" Xiao Li's panicked voice echoed from outside. "Please don't scare me like this! Answer me!"
Bai Xifeng stepped out from the shadows of the storage room. "Xiao Li, why are you shouting enough to wake the ancestors?"
Xiao Li practically lunged at her, grabbing her arms and checking her for injuries. "You're alright! Thank the heavens, you're actually okay!"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Bai Xifeng frowned, though she felt a soft spot for the girl's genuine concern.
"I was terrified that the Old Madam had sent someone to 'discipline' you after the scene you caused in the main hall," Xiao Li cried, her eyes brimming with tears.
'Ah, right. 'Discipline,' Bai Xifeng thought bitterly. Memories of the body's previous owner surfaced—the "old hag" had frequently used that word as an excuse for torture. The original Bai Xifeng had been a pitiful victim, but this version was different. Even as an orphan in the modern world, she had never allowed anyone to mock or bully her. She believed in eye-for-an-eye justice.
"Xiao Li, dry your tears. I won't be their punching bag anymore," Bai Xifeng said with a sharp, cold smile. "Now, more importantly, did you get the food?"
"I did, Young Miss! It's a miracle!" Xiao Li's face brightened. "The kitchen staff was strangely polite today. They gave me the best rice and several side dishes!"
Bai Xifeng smirked. The Old Madam was clearly rattled. She was terrified that Xifeng would carry out her threat and report the abuse to the Great General Bai.
"Let's eat, then. I'm starving."
Instead of retreating to her cramped, gloomy room, Bai Xifeng insisted they eat outside in the small courtyard. She pulled a small table into the sunlight.
"Come here and sit down. You're hungry too, aren't you?" Bai Xifeng said, grabbing Xiao Li's hand.
"No, Young Miss! I cannot!" Xiao Li protested, looking horrified. "I am a servant, and you are my mistress. We cannot sit at the same level. It is my duty to stand and serve while you dine."
As if on cue, a thunderous growl erupted from Xiao Li's stomach. The girl's face turned a shade of red that rivaled Baishe's eyes. Bai Xifeng let out a melodic laugh.
"Listen to that. Your stomach is calling you a liar," Bai Xifeng teased, pulling her down into a seat. "There's no one here to see. Just eat."
Overwhelmed by Xifeng's persistence, the two of them began to dive into the meal. To Xifeng, the food was mediocre at best, she had been a foodie in a world of Michelin stars but, Xiao Li ate as if it were a divine feast, repeatedly claiming it was the best thing she had ever tasted.
Bai Xifeng felt a pang of sympathy. 'Don't worry, Xiao Li. Once I get my power back, I'll show you what real food tastes like.'
However, the peaceful moment was shattered. A sudden, violent force slammed into the entrance of her courtyard. There was no warning, only a deafening CRACK as the heavy wooden doors were pulverized into fine splinters and dust
*** This novel is a work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If it is not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, then it has been stolen. It breaks my heart when someone steals my hard work. For those who read my novel on another website besides w e b n o v e l .c o m, can you consider reading it on the original website? As your support to me. Thank you, for your shameless author, ZerahNeko***
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