After several days away, the Feng siblings—Yangguang, Xiao, Lingxi, and Mei'yin—had been summoned by their parents to return to Fengming immediately. None of them knew the exact reason behind the sudden call, but the urgency in the message left little room for questions.
Upon arrival, they were allowed a short respite. The siblings settled into their respective chambers, stretching and taking a moment to rest after the long journey. Mei'yin leaned back on her bed, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite her curiosity. She had a feeling something big was about to unfold. Xiao and Lingxi, meanwhile, exchanged cautious glances, both silently preparing for whatever awaited them in the morning. Yangguang paced the room, frowning, his sense of responsibility already making him uneasy.
The next morning, the four siblings were summoned to the grand hall. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting long, sharp shadows across the polished floor. Their parents—Feng Lei and Madam Yan—stood at the head of the hall, their expressions calm yet firm.
"You've all returned safely," Feng Lei began, his voice measured, carrying both relief and authority. "But there is an important matter we must discuss."
The siblings straightened, each sensing the weight of the situation. Yangguang's eyes narrowed slightly, while Xiao and Lingxi remained alert, their hands clasped in front of them. Mei'yin tilted her head, curiosity and a hint of mischief flickering in her gaze.
Feng Lei's stern gaze swept across them before settling on Mei'yin. "We've received a report from Baoli Zong," he began, his voice calm but sharp. "It seems one of you has been neglecting your studies for months. Care to explain?"
All eyes turned toward Mei'yin, who instinctively straightened, hiding the faint smirk threatening to show on her lips.
Madam Yan's eyes narrowed, then softened slightly. "And why… why have your siblings allowed this to happen? Did no one notice?"
Xiao opened her mouth to answer, but Mei'yin held up a hand, shaking her head. "Mother… Father… I'll answer this myself." She took a deep breath, her voice carrying both honesty and a touch of defiance.
"I didn't want to drag my siblings into my stubbornness. I… I wanted to see the world outside the school, explore Moya, and… well, I had fun," she admitted, her mischievous grin peeking through. "I know it was wrong, and I should've been more responsible, but I didn't want anyone else to suffer because of me."
Madam Yan's eyes widened, a dramatic gasp escaping her lips. "Ahhhh! You were in Moya? Roaming around, huh! With… Yuxi? And all those—gossip—reports from the market head in Moya!" She clasped her hands in exasperation, shaking her head in disbelief.
Xiao glanced at Lingxi and Yangguang, silently shrugging. They had no idea who's the person Mei'yin with.
Mei'yin's cheeks warmed slightly, though she hid her blush behind a small, innocent smile. "I… I didn't mean to cause trouble, Mother."
Lingxi frowned, lips pressed tight, while Xiao simply exhaled, accepting Mei'yin's reasoning. Yangguang's jaw tensed, a mix of frustration and concern flickering in his eyes.
Feng Lei's stern gaze lingered on her for a moment before he spoke. "Very well. But let this be a lesson. Naughtiness and curiosity have their place, Mei'yin, but so does responsibility. Learn to balance them."
Feng Lei's piercing gaze shifted to Mei'yin, curiosity sharpening his tone.
"Mei'yin… tell me, what exactly is the relationship between you and Qin Yuxi?"
Mei'yin's face turned crimson the moment the name left her father's lips. A sudden wave of nausea struck her, and she clutched her stomach. "Ah… I—I need… a moment," she stammered before bolting toward the hall, leaving her family in stunned silence.
Xiao and Lingxi exchanged worried glances, while Yangguang's brow furrowed. But Madam Yan froze entirely, eyes wide, lips trembling in disbelief.
"She… she's… could it be… pregnant?" Madam Yan whispered under her breath, barely able to form the words.
The hall grew tense, silence heavy, as the parents' minds raced. Feng Lei's eyes narrowed slightly, trying to remain composed while his thoughts churned.
Unable to contain herself, Madam Yan reached for her communication device. "Qin Family!" she called urgently. "Yes… I need to speak with them immediately. It's… it's about Mei'yin and Yuxi."
Xiao stepped forward, placing a hand on her mother's arm. "Mother, let's not jump to conclusions. We don't even know for sure…"
But Madam Yan had already begun pacing, muttering about the audacity of youth, the consequences, and the urgent need for clarification.
Lingxi and Yangguang exchanged looks—they were worried, unsure whether to scold Mei'yin or follow their mother's panic. Mei'yin's sudden exit had thrown the entire hall into chaos.
Outside the hall, Mei'yin gripped her stomach, trying to steady her breathing, cheeks burning—not from pregnancy, but from embarrassment and her body's unexpected reaction.
Master Lei's calm but commanding voice cut through the chatter. "Mei'yin, sit next to him." His eyes, steady and serious, landed on her. "Now."
Mei'yin hesitated for only a heartbeat before obeying, her playful smile still lingering as she moved to sit beside Yuxi at the center. The proximity made her heart flutter ever so slightly, though she tried to hide it with a mischievous tilt of her head.
At the sides, Master Jian and Qin Yijun walked with measured steps, their expressions unreadable but clearly attentive. Madame Yan, however, could not conceal her emotions—her worry, her astonishment, and perhaps a touch of frustration all mingled in her gaze as she looked between Mei'yin and Yuxi.
The interrogation began. Questions came fast, sharp, and unrelenting. Gossip in Moya, rumors about their relationship, whispered encounters—everything was laid bare.
Mei'yin listened, her brow furrowed, cheeks flushing with indignation. They completely misunderstand, she thought. None of this is what they think…
Yuxi's expression remained composed, calm as ever, but his hand briefly brushed hers—a silent reassurance. Mei'yin, sensing it, felt a flicker of courage and steadiness amidst the storm of questions.
Madame Yan's voice trembled with emotion as she asked, "How could you roam Moya like this? And why are you always seen together?"
Mei'yin's tongue felt tied, her usual words of mischief replaced with careful reasoning. "It's not what it looks like," she said softly, glancing at Yuxi. "We… we were working. That's all. I didn't want to involve anyone else or cause worry."
Master Lei's gaze softened slightly, though he remained firm. "Explain yourselves clearly. No more games."
Mei'yin nodded, trying to maintain her composure, though her playful spirit still peeked through in the way she gave Yuxi a quick, sideward glance. He knows the truth, and that's enough for me, she thought.
The doors of Fengming Hall slid open, and Yuming entered with three people from Moya's market: an elderly lady, a sturdy laborer, and a farmer. Their presence immediately drew the attention of everyone in the room. Yuming's eyes flicked toward Mei'yin and Yuxi, and she gave them a teasing glance, a hint of mischief dancing in her expression.
The farmer stepped forward first. "I've seen them," he said firmly. "Walking together in the forest, back and forth. Frequently."
The laborer followed. "In Moya, everyone knows them as a married couple. They even have a child." He nodded toward the elderly lady, confirming his words.
The old lady cleared her throat and spoke in a calm, almost knowing tone. "Mei'yin herself told me they're married. She said they have two children—one is five years old, and the other… still in her tummy."
A ripple of shocked murmurs spread across the hall. Some exchanged bewildered glances, others raised eyebrows in disbelief. Madame Yan's hand flew to her mouth, while Master Lei and Master Jian froze in quiet surprise.
Mei'yin felt a warmth in her chest, a mixture of mischief and satisfaction. Oh, they're melting over my lies, she thought, a small, triumphant smile tugging at her lips.
Yuming, standing beside the witnesses, merely smiled—quietly amused. She knew the truth, of course, but she enjoyed watching the reactions unfold.
Yuxi, ever composed, looked down at Mei'yin, the corner of his lips twitching ever so slightly. His calm presence contrasted sharply with the chaos her words had caused.
The other attendees could hardly believe what they had just heard. Some whispered to each other, trying to reconcile the ridiculousness of the tale, while others simply stared, mouths agape.
Mei'yin opened her mouth, trying to explain, her voice firm but pleading. "Mother, it's not what it seems! There's nothing between—"
Madam Yan waved her hand sharply, cutting her off. "Enough, Mei'yin! Whether you have a child in your tummy or not, Yuxi will marry you. You two are meant to be engaged, and that is final!" Her eyes blazed with certainty, the conviction of a mother who had already made up her mind.
Xiao interjected, her voice calmer but edged with concern. "Mother, it's too early. Mei'yin is still young, and this—this isn't something to rush into."
But Madam Yan was not swayed. "I don't care about too early! A marriage like this will secure both families and protect our children. You will obey, Xiao, and let this happen!"
On the Qin side, Master Jian and Qin Yijun exchanged worried glances. They tried to mediate, speaking carefully. "Madam Yan, perhaps we should—"
"No!" Madam Yan's voice cut through the room, sharp as a whip. "I have spoken. Nothing more to discuss!"
Mei'yin's shoulders slumped, the fight draining from her. "I… I don't want to be tangled in this…" she muttered, her voice soft, almost lost in the heavy air of the hall.
Yangguang, who had been watching silently, finally stepped forward, his tone sharp and commanding. "Don't be choosy, Mei'yin! Whatever you want to say, don't forget that your family is thinking of your safety and future. You can't keep dodging responsibility for fun."
Mei'yin blinked, caught between her mother's insistence, Yangguang's scolding, and her own rebellious spirit. She looked at Yuxi, who sat quietly, expression calm but his eyes steady on her.
Just as the tension in the hall reached its peak, Yuxi finally spoke, his voice calm yet firm, carrying across the room like a ripple through still water.
"I… agree," he said simply.
The words were short, precise, but the weight behind them was immense. The hall froze. Conversations died mid-sentence, eyes widened, and every gaze turned toward him. Even Madam Yan's fiery expression faltered for a moment.
Mei'yin blinked in shock, her mouth slightly open. "Y-Yuxi…?" she whispered, unsure if she had heard correctly.
Master Lei raised an eyebrow, tilting his head, trying to gauge the situation. Qin Yijun's lips pressed into a thin line, surprise flickering across his composed face.
Madam Yan's eyes sparkled with triumph, her hands clenching in excitement. "Finally! That's what I wanted to hear!"
Xiao and Lingxi exchanged uneasy glances, both silently questioning whether this was truly what Mei'yin wanted—or if the weight of everyone's expectations had forced it.
For a moment, the entire hall held its breath, the quiet charged with the mix of shock, relief, and anticipation. Mei'yin's heart raced—not from fear, but from a strange, warm certainty.
Outside the hall, Mei'yin stormed forward, her little fists clenched in mock outrage, eyes flashing as she chased after Yuming.
"You!" Mei'yin shouted, jogging to catch up. "You brought those three here on purpose, didn't you? You knew exactly what you were doing!"
Yuming turned, spinning around with her usual teasing grin, hands on her hips. "Oh, come on, Mei. Don't act like you didn't enjoy it a little. Admit it—you thrive on chaos."
Mei'yin narrowed her eyes but couldn't suppress the twitch of a smile. "I do not! I just… I didn't expect my mother to go full-fireball on me. You know how she gets!"
Yuming laughed, a light, melodic sound that made Mei'yin forget, even for a moment, the embarrassment inside. "That's why you need me around—to stir the pot, keep life interesting, and make sure you don't suffocate under all that family pressure."
Mei'yin huffed but laughed despite herself. "You're lucky I like you, Yuming… or you'd be running for your life right now!"
Yuming tilted her head, her teasing grin softening. "Lucky me, huh? I think I've always been lucky to have you as trouble magnet-in-training. Congratulations you're officially engaged!" she said burst into laugh.
The heavy doors of the hall closed, muffling the bustle outside. Inside, Master Lei, Madam Yan, Master Jian, and Qin Yijun took their seats around a low, polished table. Candles flickered, casting solemn shadows across their faces.
Master Lei began, his voice steady. "Today's events leave us little choice. Mei'yin has… drawn attention, and the connection with Yuxi cannot be ignored."
Madam Yan nodded, her expression firm. "Regardless of gossip or misunderstandings, it is clear that these two have a bond. It is in their best interest—and the family's—to formalize the engagement quietly, before outside whispers grow louder."
Master Jian leaned forward, adjusting the sleeves of his robe. "We concur. The matter should remain private for now. The children themselves may not fully understand what this entails, but it is necessary to preserve dignity and order."
Qin Yijun, seated beside his father, added softly, "I will ensure Yuxi understands the responsibility. The engagement will be respected, but it will not interfere with the girl's spirit or freedom."
Madam Yan's eyes softened slightly, though her voice remained firm. "It is a protective measure. Mei'yin may be mischievous, but she must be guided. Yuxi's presence is the safest path, and we trust his judgment."
Master Lei concluded, "Then it is settled. The engagement is formalized privately. The families will handle the announcement at an appropriate time. For now, this remains between us."
All four nodded in agreement, the weight of responsibility and expectation settling in the quiet room. Outside, the world went on unaware, while inside, the elders ensured that the children's future—entwined and delicate—was secured with care.