When they finally reached Fengming. Its towering gates rose before them. Yet for Mei'yin, the familiar sight weighed heavier than stone. Her steps slowed, her face hardening, as if she were bracing against an unseen storm.
Yuming noticed and, after a brief glance at the guards posted near the walls, leaned closer. "Mei'yin… maybe Dushen should stay outside the walls. The Feng guards are restless, and if they see him, they'll sound an alarm before you even speak."
Dushen gave no protest, only folded his arms, his sharp gaze already scanning the perimeter as if he expected trouble.
Mei'yin's lips pressed into a thin line. She turned to Yuming, her tone low but firm. "If he stays, then you stay with him. I trust you, Yuming. Keep him safe... Please."
Yuming held her eyes for a moment, then gave a faint nod. "Alright. You can count on me."
The gates of Fengming Hall groaned as they opened, the heavy wood and bronze shifting under the push of armored guards.
Mei'yin froze for just a heartbeat. Her chest tightened, and she drew in a deep, steadying breath before stepping forward. Yuxi moved beside her, silent but solid.
Inside, the great hall stretched wide, lanterns burning along its carved pillars. At the far end stood her family—faces she had once called home, now sharpened by mixed feelings, worry, discourage, suspicion and mistrust. The Masters of the clans sat in solemn rows, their gazes cold and unyielding, heavy with judgment.
The air thickened, every step Mei'yin took echoing like a drumbeat in the charged silence.
Her mother's hand twitched, as though to reach for her, but stilled halfway. Whispers stirred among the Masters. She didn't turn to face her siblings, it might break her in tears.
The tension coiled tighter, wrapping around the hall like a suffocating shroud.
Mei'yin lifted her chin, her expression unreadable—but inside, her heart hammered against her ribs.
"It's her."
"The traitor who shielded the murderers of Master Lei…Her own father!"
"She dares return?"
The words stung, each one a dagger, but Mei'yin kept her head high. Her expression was unreadable, but Yuxi caught the slight tremor in her hand as it brushed against her sleeve.
Madam Yan rose slowly, her voice cutting through the hall.
"Feng Mei'yin. How does it feel after betraying your blood? After turning your sword against justice to shield those who slew your father?"
The accusation thundered in the silence. Mei'yin's breath hitched, but she forced herself forward. Her eyes met her mother's, unwavering.
"I did not betray anyone," she said, her voice steady despite the storm within. "I saved them because it was not murder—it was an unjust attempt. My father's death was not their doing alone. And deep in my heart, I know… he would never want me to stain his name by spilling more innocent blood."
The Masters stirred at her words, some scoffing, others whispering to one another.
"You call them innocent?" Master Yue demanded. "The very men who attempted to kill your father?"
Mei'yin's eyes glistened, but her tone sharpened, steady and cutting.
"I call them pawns. Pawns in a scheme larger than any of us. Blaming them alone is easy—it feeds your grief and silences your doubts. But I will not condemn those caught in a web of shadows without seeking the truth."
The hall fell into a tense hush.
From the side, Qin Yuxi's gaze lingered on her, his chest tightening at the fierceness in her voice.
For the first time in years, Mei'yin was no longer the fugitive—she was standing before them as her father's daughter, defying them with the same fire Master Lei once carried.
"I've told you everything," Mei'yin said, her words echoing through the hall. "She was forced to attempt it by Ye Xuan, who held her people captive. If she didn't comply, they would suffer."
Madam Yan's face was a mask of grief and anger. "How can we believe you, Mei'yin?"
Mei'yin's jaw clenched. " I'm standing up for justice. And I won't let her be punished for something she didn't truly intend."
Feng Lingxi stepped forward, her voice laced with frustration. "Mei'yin, you can't seriously expect us to believe Ms. Ye's story. She's a traitor in our eyes."
"I don't expect you to believe me," Mei'yin replied, her voice firm.
The argument escalated, with Mei'yin's siblings and the Masters of the clans voicing their disbelief and outrage. Mei'yin stood firm, her resolve unwavering.
Finally, she spoke up, her voice ringing out across the hall. "I have one condition for freeing Ms. Ye. I want to give up my background as a Feng. I want to cut off all ties to this family and clan."
The hall fell silent, with everyone stunned by Mei'yin's ultimatum. Madam Yan's face turned pale, her eyes wide with shock and anger.
"Mei'yin, you can't be serious," Madam Yan whispered. "You're willing to give up your family, your heritage, for… for her?"
Mei'yin nodded, her eyes flashing with determination. "Yes, Mother. I am."
The silence in the hall was oppressive, with everyone staring at Mei'yin in shock and dismay. It was clear that Mei'yin's decision had changed everything.
Then, Feng Yangguang spoke up, his voice laced with incredulity.
"Mei'yin, have you lost your mind?" he asked, taking a step forward. "You're willing to give up everything we've worked for, everything Father built, for someone who tried to kill him?"
Mei'yin turned to face her brother, her eyes flashing with determination. "I'm not doing it for her. I'm doing it for justice. Why you have to punish her? You all knew she didn't kill Master Lei! What's the difference between death and suffer? If she face the punishment it could kill her, suffering before death!"
Feng Xiao, who had been watching the exchange with a mixture of sadness and concern, stepped forward. "Mei'yin, please... don't do this. You're our sister, our family. We can't lose you like this."
Mei'yin's expression softened slightly as she looked at her sister, but her resolve remained firm. "I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do. And I won't back down."
Madam Yan's face was a mask of pain and anger. "Mei'yin, you're making a grave mistake."
Mei'yin stood tall, her voice steady. "I'm not making a mistake, Mother. It's hard to explain when everyone is covering their ears."
The tension in the hall was palpable, with everyone aware that Mei'yin's decision had changed the dynamics of their family and clan forever.
Feng Yangguang's face twisted in frustration. "Fine. If that's how you feel, then maybe you shouldn't be a part of this family anymore. Maybe you should just leave."
Mei'yin's eyes flashed with anger, but she remained calm. "Maybe that's exactly what I should do."
Master Yue's face darkened, his voice dripping with disdain. "You think you can just walk away from your family and clan, Lady Feng Mei'yin? You think you can abandon your responsibilities and obligations so easily?"
Master Jian's expression was equally stern. "Feng Mei'yin, you're making a grave mistake. You're not thinking about the consequences of your actions. You're putting your own desires above the needs of the clan."
Master Mo's voice was laced with disappointment. "Mei'yin, we've known you since you were a child. We've watched you grow and develop into a strong and capable young woman. But this decision... this decision is a betrayal. You're betraying your family, your clan, and everything we've taught you."
The Masters' reactions added to the tension in the hall, with Mei'yin facing opposition from all sides.
Despite their disapproval, Mei'yin stood firm, her resolve unwavering.
With a resolute step, Mei'yin turned her back on the hall. She walked away carrying the weight of her decision.
The doors of Fengming Hall creaked shut behind her, symbolizing the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Mei'yin took a deep breath of the cool night air, her eyes fixed on the horizon. She walked away, leaving behind the shadows of her family's legacy.
Yuxi tried to go after her but Qin Yijun hold him, shaking his head. " Not now." he said.
. Dushen leaned against a nearby wall, his eyes fixed on the gates.
"Mei'yin changed," Dushen said, his voice low and thoughtful. "But when we're traveling up to here, the old Mei'yin came back."
Yuming nodded, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Maybe it's because of me or Yuxi... or maybe just me." She grinned, her tone confident.
Dushen's gaze flicked to Yuming, his expression unreadable. For a moment, Yuming thought she saw a glimmer of something in his eyes, but it was quickly masked.
As they stood there, Yuming couldn't help but notice the way Dushen's eyes seemed to linger on Mei'yin, even when she was engaged to Yuxi. Yuming's heart ached slightly.
Yuming decided to leave Dushen's side for a moment, walking away to give him some space. As she walked, dushen noticed a guard roaming around, his eyes scanning the area.
The guard spotted Dushen and began to approach him. Dushen tried to act nonchalant, turning away and pretending to be interested in the surroundings.
Just as the guard was about to reach him, Yuming appeared out of nowhere, a big smile on her face. The guard's eyes widened as he recognized her, and he bowed deeply. "Lady Mo Yuming," he murmured, before hurrying away.
Yuming chuckled and turned to Dushen, handing him a big bread and a waterskin. "Here, "
Dushen took the bread and water, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm not a beggar," he said, his voice dry.
Yuming grinned. "I'm not saying you are. But you look like it, and that bread is so big, you should give me half. It's not just yours, after all."
Dushen raised an eyebrow. "You want half of my bread?"
Yuming nodded, her eyes sparkling. "Yeah, I'm starving. And besides, I'm the one who saved you from that guard."
Dushen's lips twitched, and he handed her half of the bread. "Fine, but don't expect me to thank you."
Yuming grinned, taking a bite of the bread. "Oh, I'm counting on it." As they ate, Yuming couldn't help but steal glances at Dushen, her heart fluttering with unrequited feelings.
As they stood there, munching on the bread, Dushen's gaze drifted back to the gates of Fengming. Yuming followed his gaze, her expression softening.
"You're worried about Mei'yin, aren't you?" Yuming asked, her voice low.
Dushen's eyes snapped back to hers, his expression unreadable.
Yuming nodded, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're always looking out for her."
Dushen's gaze narrowed slightly, but he didn't respond. Yuming's grin faltered for a moment, before she continued.
"Hey, Dushen? You know, I think Mei'yin appreciates having you around. You're like a... a protective shadow or something."
Dushen's expression didn't change, but Yuming could sense a hint of dry amusement behind his eyes. "I'm not a shadow," he said, his voice low.
Yuming chuckled.
Dushen's gaze flicked to hers, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
As they stood there, the silence between them grew comfortable, punctuated only by the sound of their breathing and the distant hum of activity from within Fengming's walls. Yuming felt a sense of ease with Dushen that she didn't often experience with others, despite the underlying tension between them.
As Yuming leaned in to grab a piece of bread from Dushen's hand, their lips accidentally brushed against each other when dushen turned to her, sending a spark of electricity through both of them. The sudden touch was like a jolt of surprise, leaving them both frozen in place.
Dushen's eyes widened, his gaze locking onto Yuming's as if searching for something. Yuming's face flushed a deep shade of pink, her heart racing with embarrassment. The warmth of Dushen's lips lingered on hers, making her skin tingle.
"Sorry," Dushen muttered, a low, husky tone to his voice. "If you want a bite, you should ask for it, not just grab it." His words were laced with amusement, but his eyes betrayed a hint of surprise and curiosity.
Yuming's laughter was a bit too loud, a bit too forced, as she tried to brush off the awkwardness. "Oh, um, yeah. I guess I wasn't thinking," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
The moment hung suspended, the tension between them palpable. Yuming felt like she was walking on eggshells, unsure of what would happen next. What to say or react. As Mei'yin walked out of Fengming Hall, Dushen and Yuming fell into step beside her. They walked in silence for a moment, the only sound being the crunch of gravel beneath their feet.
"Mei'yin," Yuming said softly, breaking the silence. "What happened in there? You look...."
Mei'yin took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on the path ahead. "I made a decision, Yuming. I'm leaving the Feng family and clan. I'm cutting ties with them."
Dushen's gaze snapped to hers, his expression unreadable. "You're serious?" he asked, his voice low.
Mei'yin nodded, her jaw set. "Yes, I'm serious. I won't stand by and watch an innocent person suffer for something they didn't intend to do."
Yuming's eyes widened in shock. "Mei'yin, giving up everything you have is not a best solution."
Mei'yin's gaze turned inward, her eyes flashing with determination. "I'm doing it because it's the right thing to do, Yuming."
As they continued walking, Mei'yin turned to Dushen. "Ye shen, we should head back now."
Dushen's gaze flicked to Yuming, and for a moment, Mei'yin thought she saw a glimmer of something in his eyes. But it was quickly masked.
Mei'yin smiled faintly, her eyes meeting Yuming's. "Thank you, Yuming. I appreciate it. Send my appreciation to Yuxi as well."
With that, Mei'yin turned and walked away, Dushen falling into step beside her. They walked in silence, the only sound being the crunch of gravel beneath their feet. As they disappeared into the night, Yuming watched them go, a mixture of emotions swirling in her chest.
------
The night hung heavy over the Feng family, the weight of Mei'yin's decision still pressing down on them. In the quiet of their chambers, the remaining family members gathered, their faces lit only by the soft glow of candles.
Madam Yan sat at the head of the table, her expression a mix of sadness and determination. Feng Yangguang and Feng Lingxi sat beside her, their faces somber. Feng Xiao sat quietly, lost in thought.
"How could she do this to us?" Madam Yan asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "After everything we've done for her, she just walks away."
Feng Yangguang's face twisted in frustration. "She's being stubborn and foolish. She doesn't understand the consequences of her actions."
Feng Lingxi spoke up, "But maybe there's more to it than we're seeing. Maybe she's trying to tell us something."
Madam Yan's gaze turned to her daughter. "What do you mean?"
Feng Lingxi hesitated before speaking. "Maybe Mei'yin is trying to show us that there's more to justice than just punishing those who have wronged us. Maybe she's trying to make us see that there's a bigger picture here."
Feng Xiao spoke up, her voice soft. "What's the difference between death and suffering? Aren't they both just punishments? Death is not for Ms. Ye, then maybe suffering is the next best thing. But Mei'yin wants to sacrifice her heritage just to let Ms. Ye free. Because she thinks that death has no difference to suffering. Suffering will also lead you to death."
Feng Lingxi nodded thoughtfully. "The punishment is not about death, but about suffering. Maybe Mei'yin is thinking that suffering after death is worse than being killed directly."
Feng Xiao's eyes widened. "If I were Ms. Ye, I'd rather choose death than suffer."
Feng Yangguang face was a mask of pain and anger. "Mei'yin knows that if we let Ms. Ye suffer, it might cost her life. That's what Mei'yin doesn't want to happen."
The room fell into a somber silence, with each family member lost in their own thoughts. The candles flickered, casting shadows on the walls.
Feng Yangguang spoke up again, his voice filled with frustration. "But what's the point of punishment if not to make them suffer? If we don't make them suffer, they'll just do it again."
The night wore on, the Feng family members each lost in their own thoughts, trying to make sense of Mei'yin's decision and what it meant for their family. The candles burned low, casting a warm glow over the room.Mei'yin and Dushen walked side by side, their footsteps quiet on the dusty path under the moonlight.
After a while, Dushen gestured to a nearby clearing. "Let's rest for a bit," he said, his voice low.
Mei'yin nodded, and they sat down on a large rock, their backs against a tree. The moon cast a silver glow over them, illuminating their faces.
Mei'yin closed her eyes, feeling the cool breeze on her skin. "It's peaceful here," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Dushen nodded, his eyes fixed on her face. "Yes, it is."
They sat in silence for a moment, the only sound being the crickets chirping in the distance.
Mei'yin opened her eyes and looked at Dushen. "Thank you for being here with me," she said, her voice sincere.
Dushen's expression softened. "I'll always be here for you, Lady Mei'yin."
Mei'yin smiled faintly, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him. They sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the peacefulness of the night.
As they rested, Mei'yin couldn't help but think about the events that had transpired. She knew she had made a difficult decision, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that she had done the right thing.
Dushen seemed to sense her thoughts, and he reached out, his hand brushing against hers. "You're doing okay?" he asked, his voice low.
Mei'yin nodded, feeling a sense of comfort at his touch. "Yeah, I'm fine."
They sat there for a while longer, enjoying the peacefulness of the night, and the company of each other.
Dushen turned to Mei'yin, his eyes filled with concern. "You shouldn't have to do this, Mei'yin," he said, his voice low and serious. "You shouldn't have to sacrifice everything just to protect us."
Mei'yin's gaze met his, her eyes searching for understanding. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice soft.
Dushen's expression was intense. "I mean, you don't have to give up your family, your heritage, everything that matters to you. There's got to be another way."
Mei'yin's smile was faint. "There isn't, Ye shen. This is the only way I can ensure they're safe. I have to do this."
Dushen's face twisted in frustration. "But it's not fair. You're being forced to choose between what's right and what's important to you. You shouldn't have to make that choice."
Mei'yin's eyes locked onto his, her gaze steady. "I know it's not fair, but I have to do what's right. I have to stand up for what's just, even if it means sacrificing everything."
Dushen's eyes searched hers, and for a moment, they just looked at each other, the only sound being the crickets chirping in the distance.
Mei'yin's eyes gazed into the distance, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "My family loves me, I'm important to them, and I know that. But they don't understand me. They don't see things from my perspective."
Dushen listened intently, his expression empathetic.
"I've made my decision not just for you, your people or for Ms. Ye," Mei'yin continued. "It's for the sake of my family. If I stay with them, the other Masters will see me as an enemy, and I don't want my family to get involved in my actions. That's why I cut everything."
Dushen nodded slowly, understanding dawning on his face. "You're protecting them," he said softly.
Mei'yin nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "Yes, I'm protecting them. I don't want them to suffer because of me. I don't want them to be hurt because of my actions."
Dushen's face softened, and he reached out, gently taking Mei'yin's hand in his. "You're a good person, Mei'yin," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "You're willing to sacrifice everything for the people you care about."
Mei'yin's gaze met his, and for a moment, they just looked at each other, the connection between them palpable.