Bai Linyan sat by the window, her hands folded neatly in her lap, eyes distant as if replaying the night at Fengming over and over.
A quiet knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Enter," she said, her voice steady, but there was a tension she couldn't quite hide.
The door opened, and Qin Yuxi stepped inside. His presence was calm yet commanding, his usual composed demeanor slightly softened by the weight of the night's events.
"Linyan," he began, his tone careful, measured. "I wanted to speak with you."
Linyan's eyes flicked up, her angelic mask in place, though her lips pressed into a thin line. "About Fengming, I assume?" she asked quietly.
Yuxi nodded, stepping closer, though maintaining a respectful distance. "Yes. I want you to understand."
She studied him carefully. "Understand what? That she claims you? That she forced the truth into the open?" Her voice was calm, but her eyes betrayed the hurt behind her polished facade.
Yuxi inhaled slowly, choosing his words. "Linyan… the past engagement, what we shared… it's nothing anymore. It ended long before Mei'yin came into the picture. You were young then, and I understand everything that happened."
Her brow furrowed slightly, disbelief flickering. "Nothing… anymore?"
He gave a firm nod. "Nothing. I cannot marry a heart divided. You were not free then, not in the way my heart required. And I… I cannot hold onto what is no longer there."
The quiet room seemed to hold its breath. Linyan looked down, her hands tightening in her lap. A fleeting shadow of regret crossed her delicate features.
Yuxi took a cautious step closer, voice softer now. "I do not want our past to hurt you further. Nor do I want it to define how we move forward. Mei'yin… she has my heart now. I need you to understand that fully, Linyan."
Her lips parted slightly, but no words came. The silence was heavy, yet gentle, like the first quiet moments after a storm.
"I… see," she whispered finally, voice thin. "Then… I will let it go."
Yuxi's expression softened, a rare warmth touching his eyes. "Thank you, Linyan. I hope you find happiness, truly."
She inclined her head, a small, sad smile forming. "And you… may you be happy as well."
For a moment, they simply stood in the quiet room, the air between them heavy with unspoken understanding, old wounds acknowledged but no longer defining the present.
Then, with a graceful nod, Yuxi turned and left, leaving Linyan alone by the window, the sun casting light on her thoughtful expression. She exhaled slowly, a weight lifted, yet the sting of the past remained—gentle, but real.
The soft rustle of skirts drew Bai Linyan's attention. She looked up to see Wu Ziyi approaching, her confident stride carrying a faint smirk.
"Well, well, Bai Linyan," Ziyi said, her voice laced with mischief. "I heard about Fengming. Quite the scandal, isn't it? Mei'yin throwing herself in front of Qin Yuxi… and you, left to watch." She tilted her head, eyes sparkling with amusement. "I wonder how long he'll stay loyal to her. After all, past feelings don't disappear overnight."
Linyan lifted her chin, her angelic smile serene but sharp. She didn't flinch, didn't let a hint of agitation show. "Wu Ziyi," she said softly, "I appreciate your concern. But time… will tell."
Ziyi blinked, momentarily thrown off by the calm composure. "Time will tell? That's all you have to say?" Her smirk faltered, replaced by a flicker of curiosity. "You truly think he'll remain hers?"
Linyan's gaze remained steady, almost regal. "I do not concern myself with what-ifs or petty arguments. What is meant to be revealed will be revealed in its own time."
Ziyi chuckled, shaking her head slightly. "You're far too composed for someone in your position." She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "But remember, Bai Linyan… even calm waters can hide storms."
Linyan's eyes didn't waver. "And storms, eventually, pass."
With that, Ziyi straightened and gave a small nod, acknowledging the unshakable poise of the young lady before her. She turned and walked away, leaving Linyan alone by the window once more, her expression serene, yet inside a quiet fire of resolve burned.
The hallway felt still after Ziyi's departure, the words lingering, but Linyan's calm certainty remained unbroken.
The cicadas outside hummed lazily, as though the world had grown quiet in the months since the shadow of the " Ye" disappeared. Within the wooden halls of Ye Dushen's residence, scrolls lay scattered across a low table—reports of health checks, guard patrols, and grain distribution. It was quiet, almost too quiet.
A servant entered, bowing deeply before presenting a sealed letter.
"From your sister, Master Dushen."
Dushen broke the seal immediately. Ye Dohua's neat calligraphy stretched across the parchment:
" Ye shen, Baoli Zong's healers are strained. Deliver the prepared medicine you've promised. Do not delay."
He exhaled, nodding.
Before he could stand, another messenger rushed in, sweat dripping from his brow. "Message from Ye Shanying, urgent!"
Dushen's eyes sharpened. He broke the smaller scroll quickly—its words written hastily, almost uncharacteristically for the usually precise Shanying.
"I have circled the Bad Ye residence. No sign of movement. No rituals, no patrols, no voices. Not even smoke from their villages. They are not defeated—they are waiting. Their silence is not peace. It is a warning."
Dushen's fingers tightened around the parchment. He rose to his feet, voice low but steady.
"Waiting wolves… hidden fangs. They want us lulled into thinking they've vanished."
The silence of the room pressed in, heavy with the unspoken truth.
At that moment, the cicadas stopped humming. The stillness outside was eerie—like the world itself held its breath.
Dushen looked toward the horizon, eyes narrowing.
"Something is coming. And it will not be small."
In Baoli Zong
The late afternoon sun slipped through the canopy, casting shifting shadows on the forest floor. Mei'yin crouched silently by the undergrowth, her eyes fixed on a bright-feathered bird perched on a branch. She held her breath, inching closer with a mischievous grin.
Just as she was about to leap, a crisp voice broke the silence.
"Pathetic," Bai Chengxing scoffed from behind, arms crossed.
Mei'yin startled, the bird fluttering away in alarm. She spun around, glaring. "What did you just say?"
Chengxing stepped forward, his robe immaculate even in the woods. "You waste your time chasing birds like a child. No wonder your cultivation lags. While others train their minds and swords, you play games."
Mei'yin straightened, brushing dirt off her hands. "At least I live, Chengxing. Not like you—walking around as if the world revolves around your family name and your 'perfect discipline.'"
His lips curled in disdain. "And what has your 'living' brought you? Reckless stunts, shame in public, and dragging others down with you. Do you think freedom is an excuse for incompetence?"
Mei'yin's fists tightened, her playful tone gone. "Better incompetent than heartless. At least I don't treat people like tools to prove I'm better than them."
The air between them crackled with tension, their words sharp as blades. For a long moment, neither moved, the forest holding its breath.
Finally, Chengxing turned slightly, his voice low but cutting. "Keep chasing birds, Feng Mei'yin. When real storms come, we'll see if you can still laugh."
Mei'yin's eyes burned as she shot back, "And when storms come, Bai Chengxing, let's see if your arrogance will shield you better than wings."
Leaves whipped violently through the air as Bai Chengxing raised his hand, a rush of spiritual energy bursting forth.
Mei'yin's eyes widened, but instead of panicking, she moved—ducking, twisting, rolling over roots. Her breath came sharp, every nerve alert.
Too fast… too many! she thought as Chengxing sent another wave, then another. Each blast shook the forest floor, scattering birds into the sky.
Mei'yin gritted her teeth. I may not wield wind like my siblings, but I won't fall to you that easily!
She dodged again, but the onslaught was relentless. Her legs faltered; her focus wavered for just a heartbeat—enough for one powerful blast to surge toward her chest.
"Mei'yin!"
In a flash, a figure stepped between them. Bai Yujing's arm rose, a shimmering barrier of qi absorbing the strike. The forest shook, branches snapping under the pressure.
"Enough, Bai Cheng!" Yujing's voice cut sharp as a blade. His usually composed face burned with anger. "Have you lost your mind? Attacking her like this—what do you gain?"
Chengxing lowered his hand, his expression twisting into a mocking smirk. "So, you'd protect her? Over your own brother? Interesting…"
Mei'yin, chest heaving, stared at Yujing's back, a mix of relief and confusion flickering in her eyes.
Yujing stepped forward, his glare unwavering. "Discipline doesn't mean cruelty. If you want to prove your strength, do it in the right way—not by breaking those weaker than you."
Chengxing let out a sharp laugh, turning away with a flick of his sleeve. "You can dress it up with noble words all you like, brother. But one day, siding with her will cost you."
He strode off into the shadows of the trees, leaving behind the crackle of tension in the air.
Mei'yin exhaled shakily, brushing her hair out of her face. She muttered under her breath, almost childlike, "Tch… I had it under control."
Yujing glanced at her, his expression softening. "No… you almost didn't."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, the forest slowly calming as if releasing a long-held breath.
Mei'yin still caught her breath, brushing dirt from her sleeve. Her lips curled stubbornly, even as she avoided looking directly at Bai Yujing.
"I didn't need saving," she muttered, crossing her arms.
Yujing raised a brow, his tone calm but edged with firmness. "You would've been injured, Mei'yin. Don't mistake pride for strength."
Her cheeks puffed slightly, half in embarrassment, half in defiance. "Tch… you talk like my eldest sister."
That earned the faintest smirk from him. "I take that as a compliment. After all, she's to be my wife."
At that, Mei'yin finally looked at him, narrowing her eyes. "Don't use your status as my sister's fiancé to scold me."
But her voice betrayed her—just a hint of childish frustration, making her sound less like the proud Feng daughter and more like the youngest sibling being teased.
"Ugh… you're annoyingly serious, big brother Jing!" she grumbled, plucking a stray leaf from her hair to distract herself.
Yujing only let out a small chuckle, the sound low but genuine, before turning his gaze in the direction Chengxing had stormed off. His voice hardened again.
"Stay away from him when he's like this. He won't stop until someone teaches him restraint."
Mei'yin didn't answer, but she stayed close as they walked back toward Baoli Zong—her silence a small, stubborn admission that she was grateful.
The moon hung high above Baoli Zong, its pale glow spilling across the quiet courtyard where Mei'yin stood, arms crossed, brows still furrowed. The earlier clash with Bai Chengxing clung to her like a shadow she couldn't shake off.
She was muttering to herself when footsteps approached. Slow, steady, unmistakably calm.
"A'yin," Qin Yuxi's voice carried through the night, low but cutting through her thoughts.
She glanced over her shoulder, trying to look unbothered. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with the others, studying or pretending you don't care about anything?"
Yuxi stopped a few steps away, his usual coldness softened by the moonlight. "I heard what happened in the forest."
Her lips curved into a half-smirk. She looked away, her voice brittle. "I managed, didn't I?"
Yuxi's brow arched, his silence pressing into her more than words could. Finally, he said, "If Yujing hadn't arrived in time, you could've been seriously hurt. Do you always throw yourself into danger without thinking?"
Mei'yin turned sharply, fire in her eyes. "And what? Wait for someone else to rescue me? I don't need a savior."
For a moment, neither spoke. The only sound was the rustle of bamboo in the night wind. Then, unexpectedly, Yuxi stepped closer, his gaze steady.
"You're right. You don't need saving," he said quietly. "But that doesn't mean I won't worry."
Her breath hitched, the fight draining out of her. The words—simple, unadorned—struck deeper than any grand confession.
Mei'yin forced a chuckle, trying to hide her blush.
Yuxi's lips twitched, the faintest trace of a smile.
The tension between them lingered, fragile but warm. Mei'yin looked up at him, her heart racing, but instead of speaking, she flicked his sleeve lightly. "Next time, don't look at me like I'm fragile. Or I'll prove you wrong again."
---------------
The inn's lanterns glowed warm, the air filled with clattering bowls, sizzling food, and the rowdy energy of the Feng siblings gathered together with their friends.
Mei'yin sat stiffly, trying to enjoy her food in peace, but she was surrounded—on her left, Yuxi calmly placed dishes into her bowl; on her right, Yangguang leaned in with a mischievous grin that spelled nothing good.
"Careful, Mei," Yangguang piped up, loud enough for half the inn to hear. "If you keep eating like that, Yuxi will regret getting engaged to you!"
Mei'yin's chopsticks froze, her face heating. "BROTHER !Shut up!"
But Yuming, seated across the table, tilted her head with a sly smile. "He does have a point, Mei. You've always been fierce over food. Poor Yuxi—do you even get a chance to eat, or does she devour everything before you?"
The table burst into laughter. Even Bai Yujing, normally reserved, smiled faintly as he poured tea for Xiaoyan.
Qin Yijun chuckled under his breath, though his eyes often flickered toward Lingxi rather than the chaos.
Yuxi, unbothered, calmly added more vegetables to Mei'yin's plate. "It's fine. I don't mind sharing with her."
Yuming covered her smile behind her sleeve, voice cool and sweet. "Don't worry, Mei. If you keep chasing him around with chopsticks, he might actually get used to it."
Lingxi sighed, sipping her tea.
On the far side of the inn, Bai Chengxing and Bai Linyan watched from another table, their expressions stark contrasts.
Chengxing scoffed, eyes narrowed. "Pathetic. He lowers himself with them."
But Linyan only watched quietly, his gaze lingering. "Or perhaps he's found a place where he belongs. Just don't mind them."
Yangguang leaned back, arms crossed smugly after his last jab. "Already acting like Yuxi's wife, Mei. Should we start calling you Madam Qin?"
Mei'yin nearly choked on her rice. "You brat!!" Her cheeks burned crimson as she spun toward her eldest sister. "Sister Xiao! Did you hear him? Say something! Tell him to stop!"
Feng Xiaoyan, calm as ever, dabbed her lips with a napkin before speaking. "Yang, enough teasing."
Mei'yin smirked triumphantly at her brother—only for Xiaoyan to continue, voice smooth as water. "Besides… it's true. Mei does act like a wife already."
"WHAT?!" Mei'yin slammed her chopsticks on the table, scandalized. Her siblings burst into laughter, even Lingxi hiding a small smirk behind her cup.
Across from her, Yuming arched an elegant brow, sipping her drink. "I must say, I agree with Xiaoyan. Mrs. Qin, you're so quick to demand Yuxi's attention, it's almost… charming."
Yangguang cackled, clutching his stomach. " You're hopeless, Mei!"
Mei'yin buried her face in her hands, groaning. "Ughhh! I hate you all!" She peeked out from between her fingers, glaring at Yuxi. "And you! Why aren't you saying anything?!"
Yuxi calmly placed another dish in her bowl, utterly unfazed. "Because… I like it this way."
The table went silent for a beat—then erupted into howls, whistles, and teasing chaos. Mei'yin wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
On the other side of the inn, Bai Chengxing's jaw tightened, his expression dark. Meanwhile, Bai Linyan simply shook his head.
After the teasing and laughter quieted down, the group focused on their food again. Lingxi reached for a dish, but the platter was just out of reach. Without even glancing, Yijun smoothly slid it closer to her side.
"Thanks," Lingxi said, her voice calm as ever. She picked up a piece and placed it neatly into his bowl before taking her own.
For a heartbeat, nobody spoke. Chopsticks froze in midair.
Yangguang was the first to lean back, eyebrows raised. "Ohhh… feeding each other now?"
Mei'yin clasped her hands dramatically under her chin. "How thoughtful!"
Yuming, smirking, tapped her chopsticks. "Very casual. Very natural. Very suspicious."
Yujing only chuckled softly, glancing between them with amusement.
Lingxi remained unbothered, sipping her tea as if nothing unusual had happened. "It was just closer to him," she said simply.
Yijun, however, was pink around the ears, shifting in his seat. "R-right, it's nothing."