That night, the courtyard was quiet, lanterns swaying gently in the breeze. Mei'yin crept along the stone path, glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one was following. She spotted Yuxi beneath a plum tree, his figure calm, bathed in the pale moonlight.
Her mischievous grin returned. "You know… I never got to say thank you."
Yuxi looked up, his gaze softening when it landed on her. "You don't need to thank me."
Mei'yin clasped her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels. "Still… thank you. You came back, eventually." Her cheeks warmed, but she tried to cover it with a teasing tilt of her head. "You're really ruining my chances of being the tragic heroine, you know."
A faint smile tugged at Yuxi's lips. "You? Tragic? Impossible. Mischievous, maybe."
She gasped in mock offense. "Mischievous?! I'm delicate and graceful!" Before he could answer, she stepped closer, lowering her voice shyly. "But… I was serious. I—"
"OH, HEAVENS ABOVE!"
The voice shattered the quiet, loud enough to wake the ancestors. Mei'yin froze, eyes widening, as Yuming stepped dramatically out from behind the courtyard gate, fanning herself like a performer on stage.
"WHAT'S THIS?" Yuming cried, hands on her hips. "A secret moonlit meeting? The delicate maiden running to her knight in shining robes? Lady Feng Mei'yin, you scandalous girl!"
Mei'yin's face turned scarlet. "Yuming! You—were spying on us?!"
"Spying?" Yuming gasped theatrically. "I was simply walking by! And imagine my poor, innocent eyes witnessing my dearest friend gazing at a man like that! Hah! You've hugged him in public, now you're sneaking off to whisper sweet nothings—next, what will it be? A wedding without us?"
Yuxi sighed quietly, Mei'yin stomped her foot, flustered. "Yuming! Stop exaggerating! I wasn't—I didn't—!"
Yuming leaned toward Yuxi, lowering her voice but not her grin. "Careful, Qin Yuxi. Mei'yin is like a wildfire. Once she clings, you'll never escape."
"YUMING!" Mei'yin shrieked, lunging at her sister, who darted away, laughing so hard she nearly doubled over.
Yuxi simply watched them, the corners of his mouth curving as he murmured under his breath, unheard by either sister—
"…I wouldn't want to escape."
The morning sun spilled gently through the windows of the Feng dining hall, casting golden light over the long table. Bowls of steaming rice, pickled vegetables, and freshly brewed tea lined the spread.
For once, everyone was quiet—except Mei'yin.
She sat in her seat humming softly, her chopsticks idly stirring her rice as a dreamy little smile tugged at her lips. Every so often she giggled under her breath, staring at nothing in particular.
Lingxi arched a brow, setting down her teacup. "Alright, spill it. What's with that ridiculous smile? Did you dream of fairies feeding you honey cakes or something?"
Mei'yin blinked, startled, then quickly waved her hands. "N-no! I just—um—the rice tastes good today!"
Yangguang smirked from across the table, leaning back with his usual lazy swagger. "Rice? you've eaten rice your whole life. Since when did plain grains make you blush?"
Mei'yin's face turned crimson. "I'm not blushing!"
"Oh, you are," Yangguang drawled, poking his chopsticks in her direction. "Don't tell me… someone made your heart flutter last night? Someone with the surname Qin, perhaps?"
"BROTHER!" Mei'yin slammed her chopsticks down, eyes wide with embarrassment.
Lingxi sighed dramatically, massaging her temple. "Honestly, you two are insufferable. Can we eat one meal without childish nonsense?"
But Xiao only laughed, her eyes sparkling as she watched. "It's fun! Look at Mei's face, she's red like a tomato!"
Mei'yin groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I hate all of you."
Yangguang grinned triumphantly, leaning closer to whisper just loud enough for everyone to hear. "Don't worry, Mei. I won't tell anyone about your little midnight prince under the plum tree."
Mei'yin gasped. "You—! You were spying too?!"
"Not spying," Yangguang said smoothly. "Just… observing. For the sake of the family, of course."
Lingxi nearly choked on her tea. "Unbelievable."
The table erupted into laughter, with Mei'yin caught between mortification and the undeniable warmth of being surrounded by her siblings.
The Qin brothers sat beneath the shade of a tall pine, the morning air cool and clear. Yuxi leaned against the stone railing, quiet and thoughtful, while Yijun remained poised with a teacup in hand.
Then came Mo Yuming, sweeping into the space with her usual mockery.
"Honestly," she sighed, dropping onto the bench beside them, "you two are like statues. One broods, the other reflects. No wonder people say the Qin brothers are handsome but boring."
Yuxi smirked lazily. "And yet you still sit with us."
"Because," Yuming replied sweetly, turning her teasing eyes on him, "someone has to keep you awake. Especially since you go red at the mere mention of Mei'yin—"
"Yuming!" Yuxi's voice was sharper than usual, a faint blush creeping across his ears.
Yijun set his cup down, expression flat. "You never tire of nonsense."
"Oh, I never do," Yuming said brightly, her smirk widening.
But before she could throw another jab, a soft voice drifted into the courtyard.
" Yuxi."
All three turned.
Bai Linyan stood near the entrance, dressed in pale golden robes that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. She carried a small tray of tea with both hands, her posture gentle, her eyes lowered in modesty. Compared to Yuming's sharp edges, she looked like a delicate painting come alive.
"I noticed you didn't drink much earlier," she said softly, stepping closer. "So I brought this for you."
Yuxi straightened slightly.
Yuming arched a brow, watching like a cat ready to pounce. "Ohhh… look at this. A devoted angel delivering tea." She tilted her head, mock-innocent. "Tell me, Yuxi—how does it feel to be adored?"
Linyan only smiled gently, as if Yuming's words couldn't touch her. "It's nothing. Yuxi works hard. He deserves care."
Yuxi cleared his throat, "…I appreciate it."
Yuming smirked, leaning back. "My, my. Mei'yin should be careful. With angels like this floating around, even troublemakers might lose their place."
The words hit sharp, but Linyan said nothing—only lowering her gaze again, serene as ever.
Yuming smirked, ready to throw another jab.
That was when two new figures appeared at the archway.
Feng Yangguang, arms crossed, sharp eyes scanning the scene. And beside him—Mei'yin.
At first glance, Mei looked the same as always: playful spark in her eyes, lips curved in a mischievous smile. But Yangguang, who knew his sister better than anyone, caught the faint tremor in her lashes, the way her steps slowed as she took in the sight of Yuxi with Linyan.
"Ah, Feng Yangguang, Lady Mei'yin," Yijun remarked coolly, setting his cup down.
" Nice to see you all here," Mei chirped, her tone bright—too bright. She clasped her hands behind her back, swaying slightly as if nothing weighed her. "I just came to steal my brother from this boring tea party."
Yangguang gave her a sidelong glance, sensing the thin veil she wore.
Yuming leaned forward, smirking like she'd just found a new toy. "Well, well, look who decided to join. Mei'yin, you missed it—our Bai fairy here just brought Yuxi tea. So thoughtful, isn't she?"
Mei's smile didn't falter, though her grip tightened on her sleeves. She tilted her head, eyes playful as always. "Oh? Then I should thank her. After all, if Yuxi gets pampered, maybe he'll stop being so grumpy all the time."
Her words danced with mischief, but Yangguang saw the sadness tucked deep in her eyes—the sadness she'd never admit, not here, not now.
Beside them, Bai Linyan only bowed politely, her expression serene, as if oblivious to the storm her small gesture had stirred.
Mei'yin laughed lightly, tugging Yangguang toward the path. "Come on, brother."
But as she turned, she allowed herself one fleeting glance back at Yuxi—her smile playful, her eyes aching.
Bai Linyan excused herself softly, bowing with that angelic grace before slipping away from the courtyard. The quiet she left behind was sharp—too sharp.
For a moment, Yuxi only stared at the empty space where she had been, his thoughts tangled. But the sound of light footsteps fading away drew his mind elsewhere—Mei'yin's retreat with Yangguang.
Yuming leaned back with a grin that was far too knowing. Her eyes cut toward Yuxi, gleaming with mischief. "You saw that, didn't you?"
Yijun, calm as ever, followed her glance and set his cup down with deliberate grace. His sharp gaze lingered on his younger brother. "She's obviously jealous."
Yuxi frowned.
"Don't play dumb," Yuming teased, propping her chin on her palm.
At that, Yuxi's composure faltered. He remembered the fleeting glance Mei gave him before leaving—the smile that seemed the same as always, yet wasn't. Something underneath it hurt.
Yijun and Yuming exchanged a knowing glance—two sets of eyes quietly pressing a truth he refused to voice.
The river near Baoli Zong rippled quietly beneath the late afternoon sun, its waters catching glimmers of gold. Birds darted low over the current, their wings brushing the surface before scattering into the sky.
On the bank, Mei'yin crouched with a small net in hand, her brows furrowed in exaggerated concentration as she tried to catch one of the darting swallows. Her laughter rang soft each time she missed, a playful melody against the hush of the river.
"You're still chasing birds?"
The deep voice made her jump. Mei'yin spun around to see Yuxi standing a few paces away, his hands tucked neatly behind his back, posture straight, face set in that unreadable seriousness that always seemed to follow him. But his eyes… his eyes held a trace of amusement.
She pouted. "I wasn't chasing them. I was… observing."
"Observing?" Yuxi's lips curved faintly. "Is that what you call sneaking out of Baoli Zong just to wander by the river?" He stepped closer, gaze steady. "Or… was it to see me?"
Her heart skipped. "W-what? Of course not!" she stammered, heat rushing to her cheeks. She turned away, waving the net quickly. "Don't flatter yourself, Qin Yuxi!"
He let the silence hang a moment before speaking, voice low, teasing but edged with something heavier.
"…Is that how much you miss me?"
Mei'yin froze, her grip tightening on the net. She glanced back, flustered, her lips parting before she snapped them shut again. Her blush deepened.
Yuxi's faint smile softened as he stopped just beside her. "You don't have to go to Moya for me. I would've come back."
She bit her lip, her playful façade slipping. "I know. But…" Her voice faltered. She stared down at the water, watching the ripples chase each other. Then, softly:
"About… our engagement."
Yuxi stilled.
Mei'yin forced a little laugh, though it cracked at the edges. "If—if anything becomes clear later, if you don't want it… you can cancel it. I won't be mad." She turned quickly, hiding her face, pretending to chase another bird.
The breeze stirred. Yuxi's eyes sharpened, then softened. He stepped closer, his voice steady, low.
"…I wouldn't cancel it."
The words struck like thunder beneath her ribs. Mei'yin froze, the net slipping from her fingers into the grass. She turned slowly, eyes wide, lips parting but no sound escaping.
For a breath, the river seemed to hush with her silence.
But then, unbidden, another image surfaced—Bai Linyan's angelic smile, golden robes shimmering, the way she offered Yuxi tea, hugged him as if she had every right.
The warmth in Mei's chest twisted. Her blush remained, but her smile faltered. She puffed her cheeks in a pout, turning away abruptly. "You say that now… but there are angels like Bai Linyan fluttering around you. Who knows what you'll think later."
Yuxi blinked, surprised at her sudden shift. He studied her profile — her lashes trembling, her lips pursed in that childish stubbornness that barely hid her hurt.
He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Mei'yin… what does Bai Linyan have to do with us?"
She stiffened, refusing to answer, her silence louder than any denial.
Yuxi's gaze lingered, unreadable, the weight of his unspoken thoughts pressing against the space between them.
The silence between Mei'yin and Yuxi lingered, heavy as the river's mist. Mei'yin still pouted, refusing to meet his eyes, when sudden footsteps crunched against the gravel path.
"Mei'yin!"
She startled and turned—Lingxi and Yangguang emerged from the trees, Lingxi's expression sharp, Yangguang's lazy grin already forming.
Lingxi crossed her arms the moment she reached them. "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you not to wander off again?" Her gaze flicked toward Yuxi, cool and deliberate. "And you—" she tugged Mei'yin's wrist, pulling her closer to her side, "—don't stand so close. Others don't know about your… arrangement. Do you want rumors spreading?"
Mei'yin flushed, caught like a child scolded, while Yuxi's brow arched slightly at Lingxi's choice of words. Arrangement?
Yangguang leaned lazily against the railing, his grin sly. "Arrangement or not, our little Mei looks awfully flustered. Tell me, mei…" His voice dipped, playful and wicked. "How does it feel… marrying the man who was the reason you got drunk that night months ago?"
Mei'yin gasped, face flaming. "BROTHER!"
Her hands flailed as if to swat him, but Yangguang only laughed, the sound deep and amused. Yuxi, however, tilted his head slightly, brow furrowed. "...?"
Mei'yin froze. "N-nothing!"
Yangguang smirked wider at her panic before finally straightening. "Enough fun. We should head back before anyone else starts whispering." His gaze slid toward Yuxi, losing its humor. "And you—Qin Yuxi."
Yuxi met his eyes calmly.
Yangguang's smile faded into something sharper, his tone edged with protective steel. "You're going to be my brother-in-law. So hear this—don't get too close to my sister. Not unless you're ready. There are plenty of girls who already adore you, and if you're careless, they'll might tear her apart."
The words cut clean and heavy in the air. Mei'yin's lips parted, her embarrassment now mixed with a flash of hurt, but she said nothing.
Yuxi's expression didn't falter, though his eyes darkened just slightly, as if weighing every syllable.
In a private chamber, the four Masters — Bai, Mo, Qin, and Feng — gathered for discussion.
Master Yue stood and began to speak.
"Lantian is safe now. No spirits are wandering about, and none of Ye Xuan's men remain!"
"The same goes for the whole of Louyang," added Master Jian. "Life has become clean and comfortable for mu people and villagers."
"Let us not be complacent," Master Mo Xiang interjected. "Especially since, the moment we began purging Ye Xuan's scattered men, they suddenly vanished."
"Hmph! Shouldn't you be happy about that?" Master Jian cut in sharply. "It only proves Ye Xuan fears us. He's hiding because he's a coward."
"Best not to dwell on his sudden disappearance," Master Jian went on. "What matters is that everything has returned to normal."
"Do not worry," said Master Lei. "I have my men patrolling around Ye Xuan's territory, and no troubling reports have reached me. It does seem he has vanished altogether. But even so, we must remain cautious."
The sun slanted low over Baoli Zong, bathing the courtyard in a quiet golden glow. From the veranda, the faint sound of disciples training echoed in the distance.
Inside one of the quieter chambers, Bai Linyan sat by the window, her hands folded neatly in her lap. Her golden robes shimmered faintly as the breeze stirred, though her eyes were fixed far beyond the glass — thoughtful, almost troubled.
Wu Ziyi leaned lazily against the wooden pillar, arms crossed, his expression calm but sharp. "You've been distracted lately, Linyan. Is it about Qin Yuxi?"
Linyan's lips curved in a faint, polite smile, though her fingers tightened slightly over her sleeve. "Qin Yuxi… is admired by many. That is nothing new."
Ziyi's eyes narrowed. "Admiration is one thing. But attention… real attention, that's different. And I've seen where his eyes linger." He tilted his head, voice low and deliberate. "If it's not Mo Yuming… then it must be Feng Mei'yin."
At the name, Linyan's lashes fluttered. She lowered her gaze, hiding the brief flicker in her eyes. "You think so?"
"I don't think," Ziyi replied coolly, stepping closer. "I know. You've seen them together, haven't you? The way he shields her, the way she clings to him without hesitation." His voice softened into something edged with disdain. "She has no power, no refinement… but somehow, she dares to stand at his side."
Linyan was silent for a moment, her composure unbroken — though in her heart, images played too clearly: Mei'yin's mischievous smile as she hugged Yuxi after the fight, Yuxi's rare softness when he looked at her.
Her hands curled slightly in her lap, hidden by the folds of her robe.
"Perhaps," she said at last, her voice serene, angelic as ever. "But feelings are fleeting. Attention can shift." She turned her gaze to Ziyi, eyes calm like a still pond. "And if Mei'yin truly is the one he notices… then all the more reason she must be careful. Yuxi's world is not kind. The girls who adore him…" her words trailed off, gentle but firm, "they are not merciful."
Ziyi smirked faintly, sensing the quiet steel beneath her softness. "Spoken like an angel, but thinking like a tactician."
Linyan only lowered her gaze again, her serene smile never faltering — even as a faint, unspoken storm stirred behind it.