Volume One, Chapter 10: The Eve of the Banquet

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Yun Qinghe had earned her place a year ago, so she, too, addressed Baili Xingchen as Senior Brother.

Baili Xingchen smiled and nodded. “Junior Sister Yun.”

“The banquet hasn’t begun yet. Have you eaten, Senior Brother Baili? Why don’t I take you to get something first, so you can fill your stomach?”

Yun Qinghe gazed at Baili Xingchen with eager anticipation, her eyes brimming with deep affection.

“Thank you, Junior Sister, but there’s no need.”

A trace of disappointment crossed Yun Qinghe’s face, but it vanished almost at once. She smiled and said, “It’s all right.”

Watching her own younger sister, Yun Qingqing pursed her lips. She could not understand why Qinghe insisted on throwing herself at someone when it was obvious they were not meant to walk the same path.

“Master Baili, how many places has the Yun family been granted to enter Galan this year?” several disciples from the Yun family’s branch cautiously asked.

“There will be one more place than last year.”

Baili Xingchen smiled faintly, his entire bearing as refreshing as a gentle breeze.

The Yun family’s female disciples were instantly enchanted. As the rumors claimed, Master Baili was indeed refined and gracious, approachable and entirely free of airs.

There had been three places last year, which meant there would be four this year. For Master Baili’s sake, they absolutely had to fight for one.

Yun Qinghe frowned and cast an displeased glance at the disciples behind her.

“A bunch of lovestruck fools!”

Yun Chu’s voice was neither loud nor soft, but everyone present heard him. Since he was the eldest young master, no one dared say a word. They could only silently retreat to the side.

In his eyes, only his elder sister, Yun Zhaojun, was worthy of standing beside Baili Xingchen.

“What are you all doing?”

A voice like the tinkling of silver bells rang out.

At the doorway, everyone’s eyes were drawn to a girl dressed in a purple-sky gown embroidered with golden patterns and a hundred butterflies. She had an exceptionally clear and beautiful face. As she slowly approached, an aura of natural grace and spiritual charm seemed to surround her. When she smiled, two shallow dimples appeared in her cheeks. She was not breathtakingly beautiful, but her freshness and sweetness made her especially endearing.

Beside her walked a man with a handsome, jade-like face and a tall, heroic figure. His phoenix-shaped eyes lent him an additional touch of allure, while his crimson robes accentuated his dashing elegance and otherworldly grace. With merely a faint smile, he captivated countless young women.

They were Feng Zhiyue, the Feng family’s legitimate daughter, and Feng Jingmo, the Feng family’s eldest legitimate son.

The Feng family had originally been the second-ranked aristocratic clan. It was also Madam Yun’s maternal family. But after Madam Yun’s brother, Feng Junlin, married the daughter of the lord of Baiyue City, his status rose with hers, and before long the Feng family stood on equal footing with the Yun family.

Everyone stepped forward to greet them. By custom, anyone of legitimate descent had to address the two as Cousin, while everyone else could only use respectful forms of address.

“Brother Feng. Junior Sister Feng.”

“Senior Brother Baili, you arrived early too.”

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Feng Zhiyue looked at Baili Xingchen with a half-smile.

“I had nothing else to do, so I came a little earlier.”

Although Baili Xingchen’s fondness for Yun Zhaojun was no secret, Feng Zhiyue’s knowing gaze still made him feel somewhat awkward.

“Cousin, you’re here! Where are Grandmother and the others?”

Yun Chu stepped forward to ask.

“They’ve all gone to the rear courtyard to see Cousin Zhaoyan.”

Yun Chu’s face darkened at once. With a cold snort, he said, “What’s there to see in a good-for-nothing?”

The fact that Yun Chu hated Yun Zhaoyan had spread throughout the Yun family three days earlier, but Baili Xingchen, Feng Jingmo, and Feng Zhiyue were completely bewildered.

What was going on? Judging by his tone, something unpleasant must have happened.

And what did he mean by calling her a good-for-nothing?

“Cousin, no matter what, Zhaoyan is still your own elder sister. How can you speak of her like that?”

Feng Zhiyue frowned. Her cousin was good in every way, but he was far too childish.

Although the rumors from more than a decade ago had not been favorable to Cousin Zhaoyan, in Feng Zhiyue’s view, the two girls were twin sisters. Since Cousin Zhaojun was so outstanding, Zhaoyan naturally could not be lacking by much.

“Do you mean Cousin Zhaoyan can’t cultivate?” Feng Jingmo asked curiously, his expression carrying its usual roguish edge.

The moment he spoke, Feng Zhiyue turned around and glared fiercely at her elder brother.

“Cousin Jingmo, Big Brother was telling the truth. Second Sister really can’t cultivate.”

Yun Qinghe spoke softly, carrying herself like a well-bred young lady. The people around them could not help developing a favorable impression of her.

Feng Zhiyue, however, had never liked her. She always felt that Qinghe was putting on too much of an act.

“Even so, she is still your second sister.”

Yun Chu let out another cold snort. The thought of being beaten by his father because of her still made him furious.

As more and more guests arrived, the group tactfully ended the subject.

—

“Miss, it’s so lively outside. I hear that many important figures have arrived,” Qiu Yue said with a smile.

The occasion was so grand that it was obvious Second Miss still held a high position in the Yun family. As long as their mistress was doing well, their lives as servants would improve as well.

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When they had gone out earlier, all the servants who had once mocked the two sisters had treated them with utmost respect. Who would have thought they could now walk through the estate with their heads held high? The feeling was indescribably satisfying.

“Yes. I passed through the square just now, and it was packed with guests. There was also plenty of delicious food…” As she spoke, Qiu Ju swallowed hard.

Just then, a burst of footsteps sounded outside.

Before long, an aged face appeared at the doorway. The old woman had kind eyes and brows and was dressed in elegant, luxurious clothing. She hurried toward Zhaoyan.

“Yan’er, my darling, you’ve finally come home.”

As she spoke, the old woman took Zhaoyan’s hand. “My child, you’ve suffered. It’s all Grandmother’s fault, all my fault. If I had known, I never would have entered seclusion back then. I let you suffer for eighteen years in the countryside.”

Zhaoyan stared blankly at the woman before her.

Grandmother?

It seemed this person was the original owner’s maternal grandmother—the Old Madam of the Feng family.

“Yan’er?”

When Old Madam Feng saw that Zhaoyan did not respond, tears immediately streamed down her face. She pulled Zhaoyan into her arms and said sorrowfully, “My poor child. It would be bad enough if you couldn’t cultivate, but you’re even mute…”

“But don’t be afraid. With Grandmother here, I’d like to see who dares bully you.”

This old lady certainly had a vivid imagination. Still, she genuinely seemed to like Zhaoyan and did not mind in the slightest that she was a good-for-nothing who could not cultivate.

In her previous life, Zhaoyan had grown up beside her master in the Ling Tian Sect from the moment she could remember. She had never experienced familial affection. Yet now, she felt a trace of unfamiliar warmth from this old woman.

“Mother? Who did you say was mute?”

Having heard that her mother had come to see Yan’er, Feng Shuangling hurried over. She had just entered when she heard her mother call Yan’er mute, and she could not help feeling puzzled.

The moment Old Madam Feng heard Feng Shuangling’s voice, her expression fell. Unhappily, she said, “Shuangling, I’m not trying to criticize you, but how could you be so heartless as to leave Yan’er alone in the countryside for eighteen years without asking after her? Is that fair to her?”

“Mother, it’s a long story. Besides, I sent Aunt Yun to see her every year.”

A trace of discomfort crossed Feng Shuangling’s face as she offered her explanation.

Zhaoyan gave a cold laugh inwardly. If Feng Shuangling had ever truly cared about the original owner, the girl would not have suffered for eighteen years—and she certainly would not have died.

“Oh, stop it. Don’t think I don’t know. You all listened to some outsider’s words about her being an ill-starred calamity. In my opinion, the Imperial Preceptor is the real calamity…”

Feng Shuangling’s face changed in alarm. Before Old Madam Feng could finish, she covered her mother’s mouth.

“Mother, the Yun estate is filled with guests from every faction right now. You mustn’t speak recklessly about the Imperial Preceptor.”

Old Madam Feng pulled her hand away and looked at her daughter with profound disappointment.

“Shuangling, ever since you married Yun Wuhen, you’ve truly changed.”