Everyone was busy with preparations for the celebration to be held in honor of the leaders of the four clans who had come to visit Baoli Zhong.
Yuming walked over to Yijun, who was occupied playing his flute.
"Hey! Where's Yuxi, your brother?" she asked him.
Yijun paused for a moment before turning to her. "Probably out getting some fresh air. He needs it too, especially since he's always stuck with you. What a headache." Yijun said with sarcastic irritation.
Yuming just rolled her eyes. "Why are you even playing? Are you part of the performers?" she asked.
"No. Yuxi changed his mind again and didn't want to perform, so I just took his place," Yijun replied.
"That Yuxi, really unbelievable!" Yuming exclaimed—just then, they spotted Feng Lingxi. She walked with a serious expression, but her face softened into a smile as she greeted the people she passed by.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Yijun suddenly asked, making Yuming turn to him. He was still staring intently at Feng Lingxi.
Yuming smirked and teased, "You… oh, I see! You've already fallen for Master Lei's second daughter, haven't you?"
Yijun narrowed his eyes at her before trying to shoo her away.
"What's your problem!" Yuming complained.
"Just go look for Yuxi instead. Don't hang around here—you're disturbing me," Yijun snapped.
~~~~~
Yuxi stood calmly by the riverside, his hands clasped behind his back, eyes closed as he immersed himself in the silence, listening to the gentle flow of the water. His eyes slowly opened when he sensed a presence behind him.
"Are you calming yourself here, Yuxi?" asked Bai Linyan, who had approached from behind.
He glanced back and gave a small nod. Bai Linyan stepped closer, stopping at his side.
"You were supposed to be my partner later—why did you back out?" she asked again.
Yuxi let out a quiet breath before answering. "Because I can't… not yet. I made a promise to myself that I would only play for the person I love."
His reply pierced Bai Linyan's heart. "Even now… you still haven't forgotten," she murmured.
The peace Yuxi felt moments ago faded, replaced with irritation. He was about to leave when Linyan suddenly spoke again.
"Do you truly feel something for Yuming? Why are you different whenever you're with her?" she asked, her voice heavy with sadness.
"Don't you dare drag Yuming into things that have nothing to do with her," Yuxi cut in firmly.
Mei was on her way back to Baoli Zhong, carrying her bow, arrows, and the birds she had caught. She stopped in her tracks when she caught sight of Yuxi and Linyan by the riverside. Curious, she lingered to watch.
"Do you really love that woman that much?" Linyan asked, her voice calm but tinged with bitterness.
"Shut up," Yuxi snapped.
Linyan stepped closer, facing him directly. "Why are you like this, Yuxi? I can't understand the way you act." Tears welled in her eyes, words heavy on her tongue but too painful to speak. Yuxi averted his gaze—he didn't want to see her cry. He hated seeing anyone cry in front of him.
But Linyan could no longer hold back; her tears finally spilled.
"Please, just notice me, Yuxi. Do you know how jealous I am of Yuming? She can spend the whole day with you, talking and laughing. She makes you smile in ways I never could." Her voice broke as she sobbed. "Didn't you say you'd never replace the first person you loved? Then… why not me instead?" Her head dropped, overcome by sorrow.
From her hiding place, Mei's eyes widened. "She's jealous of Yuming? What's between them?" she whispered to her birds. When she glanced back, her breath caught—Yuxi was gently stroking Linyan's hair, pulling her into his chest to comfort her.
Mei didn't know why, but a sharp ache bloomed in her heart, as if she herself was hurting from the scene before her.
The time for celebration had arrived, and the four leaders had arrived. Feng Yangguang made his way to the room where his sisters were getting ready. He knocked and entered, "Sisters Xiao and Ling, Father and Mother have arrived. Hurry up, they're eager to see us."
Xiao smiled and replied, "We're ready, Yang. Thank you. Let's go."
"But Mei isn't here yet," Ling mentioned.
"Mei never attends celebrations. You're used to it by now," Xiao said.
"We shouldn't let her get away with it," Ling replied.
Xiao Yun understood, so she turned to Yang, "Go get Mei from her room and convince her." Yang nodded and left.
When he arrived, he found Mei drinking liquor and immediately took the bottle away, throwing it out.
Mei pouted, "What's wrong with you, brother Yang? I just bought that one bottle, and you threw it away!"
Yang said with concern, "Liquor is forbidden for women, Mei!"
Mei looked down, her face buried in her arms on the table. Yang asked, "How many bottles have you had?"
Mei replied, "Not even half! You threw it away!"
Yang asked again, "Why are you drinking?" Mei faced him, suddenly bursting into tears like a child. "What's wrong, Mei? What's happening to you?" Yang asked with concern.
"I feel... I feel... I don't know! I think I'm inlove." Mei said. Yang's eyebrows rose at Mei's words. "It's true! At first, I didn't feel it, but the more I see him, the faster my heart beats, and I feel nervous and excited," Mei confessed.
"Shouldn't you be happy to have found someone you love? Why are you drinking?" Yang asked.
Mei sobbed, "He doesn't like me; he likes someone else!"
Yang comforted her, "You shouldn't waste your tears on someone like that, Mei. But I understand, this is your first love. Stop crying."
Mei composed herself and wiped her face. Yang asked, "Can I know who he is?" Mei hesitated before answering, "It's... it's Qin Yuxi." Yang wasn't surprised, "You're one of those infatuated with him, aren't you?" He smiled.
"Get ready, and let's go see Father," Yang said.
Mei panicked and stood up, "No, I won't go! I'll go see Father after the celebration. Please, brother, let me stay here."
Yang nodded, "I won't force you, since you've been drinking." Mei defended herself, "I'm not drunk!" Yang said, "Fine! Stay here and sleep off the drunkenness!" Yang left after that.
The leaders were introduced, and one by one, the musicians and dancers showcased their talents as a welcome to the arrival of the leaders. The celebration area was divided, with the leaders and their entourages inside the Baoli Zhong hall, while the common people were outside. The last to perform were Yijun and Bai Linyan. They took their positions in the center and smiled at the leaders.
"I thought Qin Yuxi was supposed to be her partner," Ling said in a soft voice.
"He backed out, so Yijun took his place," Xiao replied. Both of them glanced at Yuxi, who was quietly standing beside Yuming. Yang arrived and stood beside them.
"Where's Mei?" Ling asked.
"She's tired, so she's sleeping," Yang replied briefly.
"Maybe you should have woken her up—"
"Be quiet, they're about to start," Xiao interrupted Ling.
Yijun began playing the flute, creating a soothing sound that was pleasant to listen to. A few seconds later, Bai Linyan started singing, her voice sweet and lovely. The leaders were smiling, enjoying the performance. Yuming couldn't help but glance at Feng Lingxi and Wu Ziyi, who were both staring intently at Yijun. She grinned and nudged Yuxi, "Look at my brother's fans, they're drooling!".
Yuxi shut her up with a death glanced.
Yuming teased Yuxi, "You're staring at Bai Linyan, are you regretting backing out?"
Yuxi replied curtly, "No."
Yuming looked around and noticed something, "Where's Mei? It seems she really didn't want to attend the celebration." Yuxi also looked towards the Feng family, and Yuming noticed, grinning again, "Admit it, you like Feng Mei?" Yuxi just rolled his eyes.
Mei exited her room and noticed the lack of people, as everyone was attending the celebration. She headed towards the exit of Baoli Zhong to visit the liquor market. Two guards were stationed there, blocking her path with their spears. "Where are you going, Lady Feng Mei?" one of them asked.
"I just need to buy something," Mei replied.
"It's not allowed; the celebration isn't over yet, and you can't leave without permission," the guard said.
"But I really need to buy something for my father!" Mei insisted.
"It's not possible," the guard replied.
Bai Chengxing, who happened to be passing by, intervened, "Let her. I'll take responsibility for informing the leaders." The guards didn't dare disobey Chengxing's orders.
Mei looked at him with surprise. "Thanks, I appreciate it," she said before leaving.
Chengxing smiled and instructed the guards, "Make sure she doesn't come in again."
Mei headed back, but she remembered she was carrying liquor, which was forbidden. So, she went to the mountains instead, where she could drink and gather firewood.
At Baoli Zhong, the performance had ended, and everyone had started eating. Yuxi left to get some fresh air.
"A wonderful performance, thank you. We're truly delighted," Master Lei said with a smile.
"Only the talented and skilled ones can do it justice, especially under the leadership of masters like you," Xie Huang, the guardian of Baoli Zhong, replied.
"Thank you for the warm welcome," Master Jian said.
"We won't prolong the discussion. We're here because we want to know if there's been any improvement in the heirs," Master Bai asked, referring to their children.
Xie Huang smiled, "The Young Masters are talented, and I'm sure they've mastered everything. The Qin siblings are particularly impressive, and the Bai siblings are also skilled. Master Mo Xiang's sister is talented too, but what's most impressive is the Feng siblings' discipline and leadership."
The leaders were pleased with the news. "If that's the case, we have nothing to worry about when the time comes for them to take over," Master Xiang said.
"I have a question about my daughter, Feng Mei. How's her behavior? Has she improve?" Madam Yan asked eagerly.
The Feng siblings, Yuming, and Yijun exchanged glances, knowing how stubborn Mei was. Xie Huang hesitated before responding, "Ah, yes, Madam Yan, Feng Mei'yin has become more disciplined over time, just like her siblings."
Madam Yan smiled and looked at her children, who avoided her gaze, causing her to frown.
"Excuse us, Master Xie. We'd like to ask a favor of you," Master Lei said. Xie Huang nodded in response. "We'd like to ask you to exempt the male Young masters from participating the class, so they can help and lead our troops against the scattered enemies," Master Lei said directly.
Everyone was concerned about the news. "I've heard rumors about this, so I knew you'd bring it up. I agree," Xie Huang said, which pleased everyone.
Outside Baoli Zhong, a group with dark spirits, led by Ye Yubao, was gathering. Ye Yubao sneered, "I can hear the noise of their celebration. Let's see how long it lasts." He turned to Su Yeng, "Release the spirit." Su Yeng obeyed, and the others followed.
"Follow me," Ye Yubao ordered his remaining followers.
They approached the guards, "Let us in."
"Do you have an invitation? Who are you?" the guards asked. Ye Yubao's face twisted in anger, and he used his power to strangle the guard, "Get out of my way!" The guards fell, and Ye Yubao entered Baoli Zhong. "Clear the way, eliminate what's necessary, hurt who needs to be hurt," he ordered.
On a mountain near Baoli Zhong, Mei was drinking liquor and watching the celebration grounds. "This celebration is weird. The high-ranking people are inside, and the commoners are outside. What if it rains? They'll get wet," she complained to herself before taking a sip.
Suddenly, she smelled something foul and covered her mouth. "It smells bad." She grabbed her bow and arrows and headed towards the source of the smell. As she approached, the stench grew stronger, and she heard footsteps and presence on the air. Mei was about to retreat when she bumped into Su Yeng, "Lost, little lady?" he sneered.
Mei didn't flinch and fought back with her small knife to escape. She was surrounded by Su Yeng's followers, but she didn't back down. Although she was wounded, she continued to fight. Su Yeng decided to release a spirit to attack Mei from behind, causing her to fall and spit blood. "Damn!" Mei cursed before collapsing.