Baoli Zong
Qin Yuxi stood at the edge, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture as straight as the blade at his side. He rarely sought quiet places, but after the sparring chaos earlier, silence was all he wanted.
A soft rustle of silk interrupted his thoughts.
"Yuxi."
Bai Linyan stepped into the pavilion with her usual ethereal grace, dressed in pale robes that shimmered faintly under the moon. To any passerby, she was the picture of innocence, the clan's gentle jewel. But Yuxi had long learned that her words often carried hidden blades.
"You seem restless tonight," she said, her voice like warm honey.
Yuxi did not turn immediately. "Not restless. Just…thinking."
Linyan's lips curved into a faint smile as she glided closer, the soft scent of jasmine trailing after her. "Thinking about today? About how certain people cannot seem to hide their feelings, no matter how much they try?"
His brow furrowed slightly. At last, he faced her, his gaze steady. "If you have something to say, Lady Bai, speak plainly."
Her laughter was soft, almost musical. "Plainly? Very well." She stepped closer, her eyes never leaving his. "That girl… Feng Mei'yin. She looks at you as though the world itself hangs on your words. And you—" her head tilted just so, her angelic smile never wavering "—you don't seem to push her away."
The air between them stilled, charged.
Yuxi's expression didn't falter, but his silence was telling.
Linyan's smile deepened, though her eyes carried a glint far sharper than her tone. "Careful, Brother Qin. Attention like that… draws envy. And envy can be dangerous."
For the first time, Yuxi's eyes hardened. "Is that a warning?"
"No," she said sweetly, stepping back with the grace of an angel retreating to the heavens. "It's simply… advice."
Before he could react, Bai Linyan wrapped her arms lightly around him, her golden sleeves brushing his robe as though the gesture were both tender and fragile. Her voice was soft, touched with practiced sincerity.
" Yuxi… people like you make this world less frightening. I don't know what I would do without you."
From the shadows beyond the pavilion, Mo Yuming halted, her eyes narrowing. She had come quietly, intending to tease Yuxi again, but the sight before her stilled her steps. Bai Linyan saw her that's why she suddenly hugged Yuxi.
Linyan's face glowed under the lantern light, her embrace almost divine—delicate, innocent, angelic. To anyone watching, she looked like a saint finding solace in someone unshakable.
Yuming's usual mocking grin flickered, replaced by a sharp frown. Her gaze darted back toward the path—where she caught sight of Mei'yin hurrying toward them.
Her stomach twisted. Quickly, Yuming stepped forward, intercepting her. "Mei—" she began, her tone unusually tight, "don't go closer."
But Mei'yin, puzzled, sidestepped her easily. "Why? What are you—"
Her words faltered when her eyes landed on the pavilion.
She froze.
Bai Linyan in Yuxi's arms. Yuxi standing still, brows faintly furrowed but not moving to push her away.
For a moment, Mei'yin's mischievous smile cracked, the brightness dimming from her face. Something tugged inside her chest, sharp and unwelcome.
Yuming reached out again, almost desperate to tug her back. "Mei'yin—"
But Mei'yin only shook her head and whispered firmly, more to herself than anyone else:
"Our engagement is private… and unclear. I don't have the right to stop them."
Her voice was steady, but her fingers clenched at her robe's hem, betraying the tremor beneath her calm.
Yuming's lips parted, stunned. For once, she had no mocking retort.
And in the pavilion, Bai Linyan lifted her eyes just slightly, as if she enjoy the moment seeing those girls standing not far from them.
Yuxi finally looked up—and his eyes found her.
For a moment, everything else vanished: Bai Linyan's embrace, the lantern light, the lotus pond. His gaze sharpened, his breath tightening when he caught that faint flicker of hurt across Mei'yin's face.
Linyan's arms tightened delicately around him, her voice sweet as nectar. " Yuxi… why do you look so distant?"
But Yuxi's expression had already shifted. He didn't answer her. Instead, his brow arched ever so slightly, a silent storm gathering beneath his calm as he kept his eyes on Mei'yin.
Mei'yin, catching his stare, quickly forced a smile—mischievous again, but weaker, as though painted over cracks and with that, she dipped her head, ready to walk away.
Bai Linyan, noticing, tilted her chin toward Mei'yin with an angelic innocence, though the faint glimmer in her eyes was sharper than silk. She nestled just a fraction closer to Yuxi, as if declaring possession without words.
Yuming clenched her fists, muttering under her breath. "That girl…"
But Yuxi took a slow breath. Then—unexpectedly—he placed his hand gently but firmly on Linyan's shoulder and eased her away. His voice was calm, yet it carried weight.
"That's enough, Miss Bai."
Linyan's smile faltered. " Qin Yuxi?!"
But Yuxi wasn't looking at her anymore. His eyes were fixed on the retreating figure of Mei'yin, disappearing into the shadows of the garden.
But before he could take more than two steps—
"Qin Yuxi!"
Yuming darted in front of him, spreading her arms wide like a barrier. Her usual playful grin was gone, her eyes blazing.
"Do you even realize what she just said? She's hurting—and you let that angel act fool you so easily you didn't notice until it was too late?"
Yuxi froze, his jaw tightening. "Move, Yuming."
"No." Yuming's voice cracked like a whip. "You'll only make it worse if you go after her now. Do you think Mei'yin wants to see you right after you've been standing there, letting Bai Linyan drape herself all over you?"
At that, Linyan stepped forward, her voice as soft and radiant as always, though the edge beneath it was sharp. "Ms. Mo, your words are unnecessary. I was only offering comfort." Qin Yuxi frowned, " Yuxi did not resist, so—"
"Comfort?" Yuming snapped, whirling on her. "Don't pretend innocence with me. I saw you tighten your arms when Mei'yin appeared. Don't act like it was some accident."
Linyan's serene smile remained, though her lashes lowered delicately. "If Lady Feng is unsettled by something so small, then perhaps her heart isn't as steady as it should be."
"You—!" Yuming's voice rose, her fan snapping open with a sharp flick as if it were a blade. "You think being calm and angelic makes you superior? Mei'yin may be mischievous and reckless, but at least she's honest. You—" her eyes narrowed, "—you hide claws beneath silk."
The air crackled with the unspoken challenge.
Yuxi's gaze flicked between the two women, his patience fraying. His voice cut through, low and commanding:
"Enough."
Both women fell silent, though their glares didn't waver.
Yuxi exhaled slowly, his eyes dark. He stepped past them both, his stride heavy with decision, heading toward the path Mei had taken.
"Don't you dare to go after her." Yuming warned him.
The Feng residence in Baoli Zong buzzed with quiet activity. Servants carried trunks to the waiting carriages, while the crisp scent of morning dew clung to the air.
At the center, Feng Xiaoyan, eldest of the siblings, oversaw everything with calm precision. Her voice was even but carried authority as she instructed the servants. "Secure the jade chest separately. Handle the scrolls carefully—they must not be damaged during travel."
Beside her, Lingxi tightened the strap of her sword and surveyed the preparations with her usual sharp eye. "Double-check the supplies. I won't tolerate delays once we're on the road."
Yangguang, leaning lazily against the carriage, yawned. "Between you two, it feels like we're heading into a battlefield instead of going home." His grin tilted, sly and amused. "Though, I suppose for Mei, it is a battlefield of sorts."
Mei'yin, who had been fussing with a bundle of clothes, spun around, her cheeks pink. "Brother! Don't start!"
Xiaoyan's lips curved in the faintest smile, though her tone remained composed. "Yang, stop teasing. Mei has enough on her mind."
"On her mind?" Yangguang's grin widened, deliberately provoking. "Oh, you mean a certain Qin—"
" Feng Yang." Lingxi's sharp voice cut him off, her glare silencing him.
Still, the damage was done. Mei'yin's hands trembled slightly as she tied the last knot on the bundle, her usual mischievous smile failing to reach her eyes. She muttered, "You're all impossible," before turning toward the carriage.
Xiaoyan stepped closer, resting a gentle hand on her youngest sister's shoulder. Her voice was low, firm but kind. "Ignore them, Mei. Once we're home, things will settle."
Mei looked up at her eldest sister, managing a small smile. But as her gaze drifted past the gates of Baoli Zong, toward the distant halls where the Qin brothers resided, that smile flickered—soft, wistful, and fleeting.
The Feng siblings crest shimmered proudly on their horses pawing impatiently against the cobblestones as servants loaded the last of the luggage.
From a distance, the Qin siblings stood with Mo Yuming at their side, their steps halting when the sight of the Feng carriage came into view.
Yijun's expression was calm as ever, his hands folded neatly behind his back. "So… they're truly leaving for a week."
Yuxi's eyes lingered on the smallest figure by the carriage—Mei'yin, laughing softly as Yangguang tugged her sleeve while Lingxi scolded him. For a fleeting moment, his stern gaze softened.
Beside him, Yuming folded her arms, watching the scene with a crooked smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Leaving already, huh? Baoli Zong will be too quiet without their chaos." She tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing when she caught Yuxi's glance drifting too long toward Mei'yin.
Yijun's voice cut through the silence. "It's better this way. Fewer distractions will remain here."
Yuming scoffed under her breath. "Distractions, hm?" Her gaze flicked from Mei'yin to Yuxi, then back again. "Strange how the word 'safe' doesn't always fit the heart, does it?"
Yuxi didn't respond, jaw tightening ever so slightly. His silence only made Yuming smirk, though the glint in her eyes carried an edge of mockery—and something else, almost protective.
The Feng carriage began to roll forward, the wheels crunching against the stones. The carriage disappeared past the gates, leaving only dust and silence in its wake.
Fengming bustled with a rare liveliness. Green lanterns hung from the tall gates, fluttering lightly in the breeze, while servants hurried through the streets with rolls of silk, crates of incense, and stacks of scrolls for the upcoming event. The usually serene courtyards of the Feng clan were filled with the sounds of hammering wood, laughter, and the constant calls of preparation.
Inside one of the side halls, Madam Yan was giving sharp instructions, her fan tapping against her palm in irritation.
"Not there! The banners must hang evenly—do you want the Feng name to look crooked before the other clans? And those flower arrangements—replace them at once! We are not hosting a funeral!"
The servants scattered at her voice, bowing hurriedly before rushing to correct their mistakes.
At the same time, in a quieter chamber of the estate, Ms. Ye, sat with her satchel of herbs open, sorting carefully through bundles of ginseng and dried lotus petals. Her brows knitted slightly, concern softening her otherwise composed face.
"Master Lei must not overexert himself during the ceremony," she murmured to an attendant. "Even if the preparations tire the clan, his health cannot be risked. Remind him—three doses a day, no less."
The attendant bowed and departed quickly with the medicine, leaving Ms. Ye to sigh softly, her fingers brushing over the rim of the teacup at her side. She, too, could hear the bustle outside—the anxious excitement of an event that would draw eyes from all four clans.
But amid all the energy, one matter still unsettled Madam Yan.
She stepped into the main courtyard, her eyes narrowing at the empty space where the Feng siblings' carriage should have arrived by now. Folding her fan sharply, she muttered under her breath:
"Xiaoyan, Lingxi, Yangguang, Mei'yin… where are those children? Everyone is waiting, and they choose now to delay?"
Her sharp gaze swept the gates as though she could summon them by sheer will.
The servants whispered nervously. Without the Feng heirs, the event's opening would lose its brilliance—and worse, the other clans might take it as a sign of weakness.
The gates of Fengming Manor opened wide, banners of scarlet and gold swaying in the breeze. Servants and guards lined the courtyard, bowing low as the Feng carriage rolled inside, its wheels grinding softly against the stone.
When it stopped before the main steps, the doors opened one by one.
First came Feng Xiaoyan, steady and composed, her every step reflecting her role as the eldest. Next was Feng Lingxi, her sharp eyes sweeping over the courtyard with calm precision. Feng Yangguang followed, his familiar grin tugging at his lips, relaxed even amidst the formality. Last came Feng Mei'yin, bright-eyed, her playful smile hiding a heart still heavy from Baoli Zong.
At the top of the steps stood Master Lei and Madam Yan, waiting.
"Father! Mother!" Xiaoyan's voice was steady as she led her siblings forward. All four bowed deeply in unison, their voices rising together:
"We have returned."
Master Lei's stern expression softened at the sight of them. "At last, my children." His tone carried weight, but there was unmistakable warmth beneath it. He placed a firm hand on Xiaoyan's shoulder, nodding in approval before his gaze swept over Lingxi, Yangguang, and finally Mei'yin.
Madam Yan's fan snapped closed as she stepped forward. Her eyes, sharp yet tender, lingered on each of her children as though counting them home. "Fengming has been waiting. And now…" her lips curved faintly, "…our family is complete again."
Yangguang grinned, scratching the back of his neck. "Complete, yes—but if Mei hadn't insisted on stopping so many times, we might have been complete a little sooner."
"Brother!" Mei'yin gasped, stomping her foot.
Lingxi sighed, tugging Mei closer. "Ignore him."
Madam Yan shook her head, though her eyes softened with fondness. "Enough quarreling. You are home now. Take a rest. We will talk tomorrow."
Afternoon in Fengming – The Arrival
The once-quiet courtyards of Fengming pulsed with life. Carriages lined with silk banners rolled through the gates, wheels crunching against stone. Servants hurried to and fro, carrying chests and scrolls, while guards in fine armor stood as living pillars of prestige.
From the high balcony of the main hall, Madam Yan and Master Lei welcomed their guests.
First to arrive was the Bai clan—their banners of gold and silver gleaming in the sunlight. From the first carriage descended Master Yue and Madam Su. From the second came Bai Chengxing, his gaze sharp and posture flawless, followed by the angelic Bai Linyan. Whispers rose among the gathered attendants: heirs of power and poise. Bai Yujing was absent, for she was soon to be wed to Feng Xiaoyan.
Next came the Mo clan, their carriage darker, lined with crimson trims. Master Xiang emerged with a faint smirk, ever the watchful one. Behind him followed his wife, their son, and Yuming.
Daughters and sons of captains and generals soon arrived—faces young but already marked with pride and expectation.
Finally, the Qin clan entered the courtyard. The air itself seemed to tighten when Qin Yijun and Qin Yuxi stepped out with Master Jian. Their arrival drew the longest stares, a mix of admiration and calculation lingering in every glance.
Servants bowed low. Masters greeted one another with guarded smiles. The settlement event of Fengming had officially begun.
Far from the chatter and formality, Mei'yin wandered into the nearby mountain slopes, her hair unpinned and her steps light across moss and stone.
She carried a small woven net in one hand and a satchel over her shoulder. The air here was cool, scented with pine, so different from the suffocating weight of ceremonial halls.
Mei'yin crouched low, carefully untying the sparrow from her net. She giggled softly when it pecked her finger before fluttering back into the sky. The mountain air was calm, clean, and blissfully free of chatter.
"Much better than pretending to smile at people I don't even like," she muttered, dusting her hands.
But her peace didn't last.
A voice, smooth yet laced with mocking amusement, drifted through the trees.
"Well, well… so this is where the elusive Feng Mei'yin hides while the world gathers below."
She straightened quickly, feathers scattering from her hands, and turned to see Mo Yuming standing there with her arms folded. Her long sleeves swayed in the mountain breeze, and her smile was just a little too amused.
"I asked the servants where you went," Yuming went on, stepping closer. "Instead of the gathering, you're here… chasing birds?"
Mei'yin shrugged with a playful grin. "Better than watching boring people drink tea and talk too much."
Yuming's lips curved slyly. "Won't you come? Yuxi is there."
Mei'yin froze mid-movement, the grin slipping. "H-he's there?" Her cheeks warmed instantly. "Why? He's… he's engaged to me. Why is he at something like that?"
Yuming tilted her head, voice dripping with mockery. "Because your engagement is private, unclear, and untold. He has to appear like everyone else. Unlike you, exempted little bird-catcher." She leaned closer, her eyes gleaming. "And… Bai Linyan is there too."
That struck harder than any tease. Mei'yin's smile faltered, just slightly, her fingers tightening around her sleeves. But she straightened again, forcing a mischievous smirk back onto her lips.
"Well then," she said lightly, though her voice carried a faint tremor, "good for them. After all, a private engagement is as good as no engagement at all."
Yuming narrowed her eyes, studying her, and for a flicker of a moment the teasing softened into something more curious—almost pity.
But Mei'yin only turned back toward the trees, laughter dancing on her lips though her eyes betrayed the ache she fought to hide.
Then suddenly, Mei'yin spun around, grabbed Yuming's wrist, and blurted out—her cheeks still flushed.
"I like that kind of dress you wear! Help me fix myself!"
Yuming blinked, startled. "What—?"
Mei'yin puffed her cheeks stubbornly, tugging her closer. "You heard me. You're always dressed like a perfect little fairy—mean, sharp-tongued, but… still beautiful. I don't want to look foolish if I go there." Her voice cracked between irritation and shyness. "So… help me."
Yuming tilted her head, then let out a short laugh. "Ahh, so that's it. You do care about what Qin Yuxi sees."
Mei'yin's face burned brighter. "N-no! I just don't want people saying I look like a wild girl all the time!"
Yuming smirked knowingly but said nothing.
The two girls started down the mountain together, their banter echoing between the trees—half rivalry, half reluctant sisterhood.