Xing Yuan’s mood was excellent as she looked at Bai Qingyue’s appearance. As long as she could stay by her sister’s side, she was willing to do anything.
“We’re here!” Despite their reluctance, the two arrived at Cheng’an Temple at the appointed time.
Cheng’an Temple was built on a mountain, and to show their sincerity, pilgrims had to climb it on foot.
The temple was bustling with people; nobles from the capital also enjoyed visiting Cheng’an Temple to offer incense. Cheng’an Temple catered to almost all walks of life, with people praying for success in their careers, for good marriages, for good health, and so on. They might not have all believed in these things, but often, people acted simply to find peace of mind.
Bai Qingyue also prayed devoutly. Shortly after her engagement, she had come to Cheng’an Temple hoping she wouldn't have to marry Feng Liyan. Now that her wish had been granted, for whatever reason, she had to return to fulfill her vow. Otherwise, what if the Buddha ignored her next time she had a request?
Xing Yuan didn’t believe in such things. Even if there truly was a Buddha, in the end, it was just a deity. She had always been unwilling to place her hopes on ethereal things. After all, there was an old saying: “It’s better to rely on oneself than to ask others.”
The two stayed at Cheng’an Temple for a few days until they received a letter from Prime Minister Bai, prompting their return. They bought a carriage at the foot of the mountain and embarked on their journey back to the city.
“Do you think Father is so eager to have us return for a reason?” Bai Qingyue felt a vague sense of unease, always feeling that Bai Yulin wouldn’t simply be urging them back for no reason.
Xing Yuan shook her head. Seeing Bai Qingyue’s nervous expression, she gently comforted her, “It’s alright. No matter what he wants to do, with me here, he won’t succeed.”
Hearing this, Bai Qingyue felt a little more at ease. Xing Yuan was a master of the martial world; if she didn’t agree, Xing Yuan would surely help block it.
A thought flashed through Bai Qingyue’s mind about not returning, but in ancient times, filial piety was paramount, with even punishments for unfilial conduct. Bai Qingyue lacked the confidence to withstand such pressure.
As expected, as soon as they returned, Bai Yulin announced his intentions: he had found a marriage for his daughter.
Although Bai Qingyue had some premonition, she still couldn’t fathom her father being so heartless. Less than half a year after Feng Liyan’s departure, he was already impatient to sell his daughter for profit.
A dark glint flashed in Xing Yuan’s eyes. Hmph! How could her sister marry someone else without her permission?
Bai Yulin was her sister’s biological father, so she couldn’t act directly. However, when it came to others, things were different.
As night fell, Xing Yuan, in the darkness, went to break the legs of the man who had agreed to the engagement with Bai Yulin. Bai Yulin was currently weak, and the families he could find to marry off his daughter to were not good prospects. Either their sons had physical defects, or they were dissolute in their conduct.
These people, who previously wouldn’t have qualified to even associate with ordinary noble ladies of the capital, saw this as a windfall from heaven and naturally couldn’t let it go. Since Bai Yulin had this idea, he had naturally approached more than one family.
She would beat one up. If he still didn’t behave, she would continue the next day until he broke off the engagement. For those who only had physical defects but good character, Xing Yuan also gave them a chance, personally arranging a marriage for them.
If they remained obstinate, she would continue to act. With Feng Liyu supporting her from behind, no one dared to cause them trouble. Over time, the reputation of Bai Qingyue being a jinx for husbands gradually spread through the capital. Bai Yulin’s schemes fell through, and he would rage impotently all day.
Bai Qingyue didn’t care much about her reputation. If it could solve the problem once and for all, a few careless words from others wouldn’t harm her. Let them say what they wanted.
One day, Xing Yuan had just finished beating up a persistent fellow when Bai Qingyue, who was going out, bumped into her before she could hide. Their eyes met, and the atmosphere became subtle.
Xing Yuan reacted first, dropping the stick and running to Bai Qingyue’s side, looking at her pleadingly. Then, she shifted the blame, “This fellow was rude to me first, that’s why I acted.”
Bai Qingyue glanced at the face that was already beaten into a pig’s head, then at Xing Yuan, whose hands weren’t even red, and fell silent. How desperate must he have been to actively seek a beating? However, the pig’s head had already been beaten unconscious, and there were no witnesses present.
So, Bai Qingyue reluctantly said, “Mm,” and was the first to leave the scene of the crime.
Xing Yuan nodded to the few assassins behind her who had no heirs. The group instantly dragged the pig’s head away, quickly cleaning up the scene.
Bai Qingyue pulled Xing Yuan into the room, intending to have a serious talk with her about this matter. Beating someone was one thing, doing it in the street was another, and more importantly, the stick didn’t feel natural in her hand!
“Sister, I was wrong!” As soon as they stepped into the room, Xing Yuan began to act cute.
Bai Qingyue’s prepared speech died in her throat. For some reason, whenever Xing Yuan admitted fault, she couldn’t bring herself to be angry.
“Where were you wrong?” Bai Qingyue deliberately put on a stern expression.
“I shouldn’t have hit someone in the street. I should have found a secluded place to do it.”
Bai Qingyue’s brow twitched fiercely. Was that the point? Wasn’t the point that she was hitting someone?
“Then why did you hit him?” she continued, warning, “Don’t try to fool me with any nonsensical excuses.”
Xing Yuan stood up and approached Bai Qingyue, who was sitting on the bed, her eyes filled with a smile. “Sister, you really don’t know?”
Bai Qingyue’s heart fluttered, realizing something was amiss. She instinctively gripped the bedpost, her voice lacking confidence, “I, how would I know?”
Xing Yuan sighed, her eyes filled with undisguised affection. She gently traced Bai Qingyue’s face with her fingertip, leaning forward, and placed her other hand directly on the bed.
“Sister, do you understand now?”
Bai Qingyue lay half-reclined on the bed, her entire body as red as a shrimp just out of the pot, her mind filled with Xing Yuan’s “Do you understand now?”
She desperately wanted to say she didn’t understand, but her body’s reaction was undeniable. She understood.
Xing Yuan looked at Bai Qingyue’s reaction, her eyes twinkling with laughter. She lightly kissed Bai Qingyue’s lips, her voice husky, “Sister, I love you!”
Bai Qingyue’s mind went blank, as if she had lost the ability to think. But as Xing Yuan was about to proceed further, she suddenly pushed her away.
“No, this is not right! We…” Bai Qingyue felt she could no longer control herself.
“What’s wrong?” Xing Yuan half-reclined on the bed, as if merely expressing confusion. “Why can’t we?”
“Sister, dare you say you don’t like me?”
“No! It’s just… it’s too sudden. I need to think about it properly!” Bai Qingyue stammered, then ran out of the room. To this day, she didn’t understand how a simple conversation with Xing Yuan had escalated to this point.
Xing Yuan’s eyes held no trace of sadness from rejection. In fact, now wasn’t the best time to confess. But it had been too long, and she couldn’t wait any longer.