章 83: Transaction
Xianyue gazed at Bai Ao, whose white hair contrasted with his vigorous demeanor. She did not respond verbally but merely nodded slightly, her clear eyes reflecting an unwavering determination that indicated her resolute choice could not be swayed.
One does not die with a heart unyielding to the Yellow River. For her, even knowing the torrent of the river's waters was unstoppable, she would still leap into its depths without hesitation, fully aware of the potential for destruction. This was her decision, for only through such an act could she live without regret in the future.
Bai Ao took the blue rose from Xianyue's hand and casually sat down on the steps at the entrance. "Both Zhantang and Feng'er despise staying in the State of Chu, loathing the daily social engagements with officials at the Bai residence. Instead, they have roamed the martial world. Zhantang fell in love at first sight with Wanan and returned to urge me to propose to the Murong family. The Murong clan was a prominent family in the martial arts community, and our Bai family was renowned in Chu; the two families were well-matched, leading to a swift marriage. They were newlyweds, and by the following year, Feng'er was born."
Xianyue quietly observed Bai Ao, finding a place beside him to sit in silence, her gaze lost in the dark night sky. She sensed that the man beside her yearned for someone to confide in, perhaps due to years of repression, or perhaps he was reminiscing about the past, seeking a conversational partner.
"I was the one who harmed Feng'er; it was my fault that Zhantang encountered misfortune."
Bai Ao sighed. He had wished to voice these words to Bai Zhantang countless times, yet each attempt had faltered on his tongue.
"Among the feudal lords, Chu is the weakest. The Bai family has a family motto that if one can unravel the mystery of the Valley of Death, immense wealth can be acquired, revitalizing Chu. This secret is known only to the heads of each generation. The King of Chu lived lavishly, and the officials indulged in pleasure, putting the state in peril. During that time, Zhantang, noticing my constant worry, volunteered to venture forth. At that time, his skills were among the best in the martial world, comparable to those of the former martial arts leader, Nian An, both trained under the same master. I had believed in his capabilities and even employed some of the most renowned martial artists. Yet, I never expected he would perish in that place. The martial world claims he vanished without a trace, but I know he died there, in that very spot."
Bai Ao turned the blue rose in his hand. "At that time, Feng'er was only five years old. Wanan waited here for five months. In truth, she need not have waited that long; we discovered the outcome by the second month. During that time, she accompanied Feng'er daily. The night before her disappearance, she held him tenderly as they slept. The next morning, she donned a blue dress, looking like a youthful maiden. I still vividly remember her words; she was worried about me but even more so about Feng'er. She was the epitome of a perfect daughter-in-law. At that moment, something felt off, but I didn't ponder it deeply. By noon, the servants reported that the young mistress was missing. My heart sank. When I rushed to that place, I found her embroidered shoes at the edge of the cliff, adorned with blue roses. I realized that five months had already exceeded her limits."
Bai Ao's expression was filled with sorrow, and Xianyue sensed that he too had endured his share of emotional turmoil. Otherwise, he wouldn't have shown such understanding toward Murong Wanan, who had abandoned Bai Zhantang.
Xianyue hugged her knees, lifting her gaze to Bai Ao. Noting his silence, she straightened up and cleared her throat forcefully, leaning closer to him. "Master Bai."
Bai Ao turned slightly, his brow furrowed, his eyes carrying the weight of painful memories, radiating a sharp, cold light, clearly displeased.
Xianyue smiled gently, propping herself up with one hand, raising an eyebrow as she grinned. "You do not wish for me to be with Bai Zhantang."
She fixed her gaze on Bai Ao, her smiling eyes filled with certainty, her demeanor earnest. "You surely understand why I would venture into the Valley of Death."
After a pause, Xianyue suddenly stood up, brushing off her backside with an air of defiance, and faced Bai Ao. "I am a princess of the Phoenix Kingdom, and my heart belongs solely to the prince of my land and the responsibilities he carries. If ever faced with a choice in the future, it would be Chu and Bai Zhantang that I would sacrifice."
"You are well aware of your grandson's temperament. If he were to be with me, and if I harbored intentions to exploit him, regardless of whether he realized it or not, you must know how he would respond. I believe your heart is as clear as day."
Bai Ao glared at Xianyue, his eyes blazing with fury as though they could ignite her. She stood her ground, blocking the light from the lamp across the Jade Lake, the white of her skin casting flickering shadows on her face.
"Bai Zhantang and I are ill-suited. He should seek a gentle and virtuous woman, wholly devoted to him, someone who matches the stature of the Bai family, possessing wisdom and resourcefulness to manage the affairs of the Bai household. Such a woman would enable Bai Zhantang to bear the responsibilities of the Bai family and ensure that the Bai family remains steadfast amid the turmoil of the world." Xianyue's words were deliberate, each syllable resonating. Bai Ao maintained his gaze upward. At that moment, Xianyue exuded confidence and composure. This woman before him understood Feng'er, and suddenly, Bai Ao grasped why Feng'er held her in such high regard. Yet, this realization only deepened his sense of helplessness; the fury in his eyes dissipated, replaced by a measure of admiration.
"Master Bai, I cannot become that woman."
Xianyue knelt on the ground, gazing intently at Master Bai. Bai Ao retracted the admiration from his eyes. "Are you attempting to use Feng'er to strike a deal with me?"
His tone carried a distinct reprimand, yet Xianyue maintained a gentle smile. "I am a woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Today, I might come to you to broker a deal behind Bai Zhantang's back, and tomorrow, I could very well destroy the entirety of Chu for the sake of my brother. I am here for him. It is well-known among the people of Chu what Bai Zhantang has done for me. If something unfortunate were to befall me, only Heaven and Earth, you and I would know. My brother is reasonable and would not hold you accountable. Bai Zhantang's affections for me are but a fleeting fancy; should I vanish for a time, or completely from this world, he would soon forget me and shoulder the responsibilities of the Bai family, starting anew."
Bai Ao remained silent, his gaze scrutinizing Xianyue. He sighed inwardly; she was a calm and intelligent woman, a princess of Feng Kingdom, and her noble status met every standard for a daughter-in-law of the Bai family. Moreover, Feng'er had feelings for her. For both the Bai family and Feng'er himself, she seemed the ideal choice. Yet, her heart did not lean towards Feng'er. These advantages swiftly transformed into disadvantages. Her high status allowed her to manipulate Chu, and Feng'er's affection would lead him to indulge her every whim. Her sharp wit could easily leave the men of the Bai family under her heel. While they might encounter many women throughout their lives, they would only ever truly fall for one; forgetting and moving on to father children with another would not be so easily accomplished.
Bai Ao stood, facing Xianyue directly. His tall and straight stature loomed over her from a higher step, exuding a chilling air that commanded obedience, cold yet formidable. "I will not tell you."
Unlike Bai Zhantang's frantic demeanor, Bai Ao spoke with an eerie calmness, yet both conveyed an unmistakable firmness, leaving no room for compromise. His subsequent words only confirmed Xianyue's thoughts.
"From an elder's perspective, I indeed disapprove of you. Feng'er cares too much for you, yet I see no sign of affection or concern from you in return. I worry that he may invest too much of his heart, only to gain nothing in the end, or even be exploited by you. You can disappear, which might be your desire, but I will not reveal anything to you. You are correct; it is your insistence on entering the Valley of Death that leads him to act so devotedly. Even if something were to happen, Feng Jiulan could not retaliate against us. However, I cannot divulge anything to you."
"Because of me, Feng'er lost his parents. No matter how much I love him, it does not change the fact that he has long been absent from the Bai residence. He has endured much hardship by Nian An's side, preferring to wander the martial world alone rather than return to Chu. You are the woman he loves, and I cannot push you toward ruin. While you may be willing, I cannot allow Feng'er to harbor hatred for me. You may use him, you may hurt him, but he can endure that. If the woman he cherishes is harmed by his closest kin, should sorrow be unavoidable, I only wish to minimize the damage."
Stripped of his earlier sharpness, Bai Ao now exuded an unprecedented sincerity. It seemed that even if he gained the entire world, he could not find happiness if Bai Zhantang remained unhappy.
Xianyue's smile never faltered. Suddenly, she produced an exquisite little box from her bosom and handed it to Bai Ao. "Bai Zhantang has a good grandfather."
Though he lacked parents, he was not without those who truly cared for him—Nian Xiaoyu, who loved him dearly, Bai Ao, who always looked after him, and his fellow disciples.
Bai Ao glanced down, his sharp gaze darting toward Xianyue. She stood with her hands clasped behind her back, holding the unique key to the Bai family's secret vault, a New Year's gift from Bai Zhantang at Qinghuan Palace.
"This item does not belong to me. Please return it to Bai Zhantang and ensure he gives it to the true mistress of the Bai residence in the future. A man should bear his responsibilities. As for me, regardless of what may come—be it life or death—if he can forget me, let him forget. If he cannot, then he shall keep me in his heart forever."
With that, she turned and briskly brushed off her hands, leaving behind a carefree silhouette, as though she had accomplished what she had long sought to achieve.
Bai Ao closed the small box in his hand, forming a fist and resolutely calling out, "Stop."
Xianyue turned back, only to find that his previously cold and stern face had softened into a surprisingly warm smile. "Little girl, you are not entirely heartless. I trust you with Feng'er."
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