A few moments later, Bai Tian arrived at the main hall of the Mu residence…
Bai Tian stepped into the main hall of the Mu residence. The atmosphere inside felt heavy—like the air itself was holding its breath. On the main seat sat the Head of the Mu Family, eyes sharp yet burdened with thoughts. On his right sat the representative of the Xio Family, face stiff and full of vigilance. On the left, the representative of the Lu Family, along with Lu Yan, sat with upright posture, yet Lu Yan's gaze was clearly fixed on one person—Mu Xingyue.
Mu Xingyue herself sat quietly in her place, her eyes calm as if nothing mattered at all.
As Bai Tian entered, all heads slowly turned toward him. The sound of his steps echoed clearly on the polished wooden floor. He bowed respectfully to the Head of the Mu Family, then greeted everyone present.
The Head of the Mu Family nodded slightly."Xio Tian, please sit," he said in a neutral tone, though his gaze scrutinized every move Bai Tian made.
Bai Tian took the seat near Mu Xingyue. For a moment, their eyes met—briefly, yet Bai Tian knew that nothing seemed important in Mu Xingyue's eyes.
The Lu Family representative opened the discussion, his voice heavy yet full of conviction."Xio Tian, I know this may be impolite, but I must be honest. Young master Lu Yan has liked Miss Xingyue since the first time he saw her. He has sought permission to propose. Therefore, we come with good intentions."
The room fell silent again. The Xio Family representative shot a sharp glance at Lu Yan, while Lu Yan himself stared at Bai Tian, as if silently challenging him.
Bai Tian gave a thin smile, but it was tinged with bitterness."I understand your intention," he said slowly. "However, Miss Xingyue is my wife. This marriage is already legitimate in the eyes of our families and heaven. No third party should interfere."
The Head of the Mu Family leaned back in his chair, observing both sides."Xio Tian, what you say is correct. But…"—his gaze deepened on Bai Tian—"…the world does not always follow the rules. Sometimes, for the greater good, one must let go of certain things."
Those words made Bai Tian's chest tighten. He already knew the direction of this conversation. He glanced at Mu Xingyue once more, and this time their gaze lingered—a mixture of uncertainty.
Lu Yan leaned slightly forward."I do not wish to take her in an unfair way. If Xingyue is happy with you, I will step back. But if not… I will do everything to make her happy."
The words pierced Bai Tian's heart, yet he showed no anger. Instead, he exhaled slowly, as if trying to release an unbearably heavy burden.
"Very well," Bai Tian said quietly but firmly, eyes fixed on the Head of the Mu Family."Head of the Mu Family, what is your opinion?"
The Head of the Mu Family replied in a calm tone, as if wanting to end the discussion."I do not wish to interfere too much in the affairs of the young."
Bai Tian shifted his gaze to the Xio Family representative."And you, representative of the Xio Family?" he asked.
The Xio Family representative remained silent. Then he looked at the Head of the Mu Family, as if his attitude said: "This matter will not affect the relationship between the Xio and Mu Families."
Seeing the cold reactions of both parties, Bai Tian exhaled deeply. In his heart, he had already made a decision. The only thing he wanted now was to return to his adoptive parents' residence.
With a slow yet decisive motion, Bai Tian raised his hand. In his grasp appeared a scroll—the marriage certificate. Without this document, he and Mu Xingyue had no legal bond.
He turned to Mu Xingyue. His steps were calm yet heavy as he approached her. When he reached her, he handed her the scroll without a word.
Then he turned to the Head of the Mu Family."Head of the Mu Family, my business here is finished. I wish to return to my adoptive parents' residence immediately. Thank you… and goodbye."
Without waiting for a reply, Bai Tian stepped out of the hall. The large doors closed slowly behind him.
Silence filled the room. No one spoke—as if words had lost their meaning in the heavy atmosphere.
The large hall doors closed, leaving only the echo of Bai Tian's steps gradually fading.
Mu Xingyue remained seated, holding tightly the marriage certificate just handed to her. Her fingers trembled as she stared at it without blinking—as if it were the last link between her and Bai Tian.
The air in the hall grew even heavier. The Head of the Mu Family closed his eyes for a moment, saying nothing. The Xio Family representative let out a faint sigh, while Lu Yan glanced at Mu Xingyue with curiosity.
Suddenly, the Head of the Mu Family broke the silence with a calm yet firm voice."Xingyue, what is your opinion?"
All eyes in the hall turned toward Mu Xingyue. Their gazes fixed on the scroll in her hands, waiting for her response.
Mu Xingyue raised her head slowly, eyes looking straight ahead."Every life has its own causes and consequences. Let time prove it," she replied softly but firmly.
Without warning, she stood up."I am bound by nothing," Mu Xingyue continued, lighting the marriage certificate on fire in front of everyone.
The flames consumed the paper until it turned to ash. Yet in reality, the original certificate had been safely kept elsewhere—known only to her.
Without waiting for permission, Mu Xingyue walked swiftly to the door, leaving the room. Her steps were steady, emotionless. After a short while, the meeting was dissolved.
Outside, Bai Tian stood, instructing the servants to prepare the carriage for his journey. The servants hurriedly obeyed, while Bai Tian gazed at Mu Xingyue's residence for the last time.
Before boarding the carriage, he looked back once more, lips moving softly."Goodbye…" he murmured.
In her room, Mu Xingyue, lying on her bed, suddenly opened her eyes. She felt as if she had heard that voice. Without hesitation, she rose and walked to the window.
Behind the curtain, she saw Bai Tian's carriage moving away, leaving the Mu residence's courtyard. Her eyes followed Bai Tian's back until it vanished around a bend, then she returned to bed.
Time passed…
Rumors began to spread throughout the city, like fire on a dry field. Gossip about the attack on Bai Tian's parents and the news of Mu Xingyue's "divorce" became hot topics in the markets, teahouses, and noble households.
Although these events did not affect the official relationship between the Xio and Mu Families, the news remained a huge sensation. People talked with curiosity, adding twists and embellishments as the story traveled from mouth to mouth.
Some considered the divorce merely a political decision, while others believed there was a dark secret behind it. But one thing was certain—the names Bai Tian and Mu Xingyue became an endless topic of discussion, like ripples expanding across a lake even after the stone had long sunk.
At Mu Xingyue's residence…
Mu Xingyue sat in the garden pavilion, accompanied by a cup of tea that was slowly cooling. In the distance, she could faintly hear the servants whispering while occasionally glancing her way. Even though they tried to cover their mouths as she passed, their eyes revealed that they knew something.
"The gossip… has spread this far already," she murmured softly, staring at the rippling tea. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm her heart, yet the memory of Bai Tian walking away that day haunted her once more.
Meanwhile, on Bai Tian's journey…
Inside the gently rocking carriage, Bai Tian leaned back, staring out the window. The wind carried the voices of merchants talking along the roadside. He did not intend to listen, yet fragments of sentences reached him clearly:
"Did you hear? Miss Mu burned the marriage certificate in front of everyone… truly brave.""Poor Bai Tian… I heard his family was attacked while he was away."
Bai Tian closed his eyes, his grip tightening on his knees. He inhaled deeply, trying to dispel the pain in his chest. So this is how it feels… when the world talks about you, yet no one knows the truth, he thought.
The carriage continued its journey, leaving the city filled with endless voices and stories behind.