( Fengming Hall )
"Thank goodness your siblings arrived on time last night, or it would have been a complete disaster," Mother said sternly, her voice laced with worry and frustration.
"Mei, if you know you're wrong, humble yourself and apologize sincerely," Father advised, his tone firm but gentle.
"I'm sorry," Mei whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Don't just say sorry to us, Mei. You need to go apologize to Master Xiang's sibling and Qin Yuxi in person," Mother instructed, her expression stern but with a hint of sadness.
Mei's face scrunched up in defiance as she looked at her mother, her voice rising in a childish whine. "No! I won't do it! It's not faaaaair! I didn't do anything wrong! They're the ones who were mean to me! They provoked me! If only they listened to me, none of this would have happened!" Mei stomped her foot and crossed her arms, pouting.
The parents exchanged a knowing glance, and let out a deep sigh, their faces etched with concern and disappointment.
"Mei, no matter how you look at it, you're still wrong. You need to learn to understand and be humble. Not everyone knows you there, so you shouldn't just barge in like that," Xiao calmly scolded, her voice firm but laced with empathy.
"And fix your tone, Mei. You're talking to your parents with such disrespect," Yang added, his voice tinged with disappointment.
Mei's lower lip jutted out, and she looked down, her shoulders slumping in a sulky posture.
"Enough, let's talk about other things," Father said, his voice softening. "In five days, you'll be going back to school, so prepare what you need."
"Father, can Mei come with us? So she can start studying too?" Ling suggested, her eyes shining with hope.
"I agree with Ling," Xiao said, her face lighting up with enthusiasm.
"That's a good idea. She's at the right age," Father agreed, a warm smile spreading across his face.
Mei's eyes widened in shock, and she stamped her foot again. "Nooooo! I don't wanna go to school! I hate studying! I'm not like you all, I don't have any special abilities!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in a tantrum.
"Don't be stubborn, Mei. It's for your own good," Ling said, her voice soft and encouraging.
"What do you want? To stay here and inherit bird-catching and animal-trapping skills in the woods?!" Yang asked, his voice tinged with exasperation.
Mei glared at him, her eyes flashing with anger. "This is your fault for what happened last night! If you haven't broken my nets, I wouldn't have gone there!" Mei said, her voice bitter and still whiny.
"Enough of this pointless discussion. Tell us, Mei, why don't you want to study?" Mother asked, her voice gentle but probing.
"Because that kind of studying is for those with special abilities... and I don't have any," Mei said, her voice cracking with sadness and vulnerability. "I'm just not like you all," she added and looked down.
The siblings exchanged sympathetic glances, their faces filled with compassion.
"Mei, my daughter, abilities aren't limited by age or time. We don't know what hidden talents you might discover when you study," Father said, his voice warm and reassuring.
"Father's right, Mei. When you learn more, you'll find out you can do more than you think," Xiao added.
"Trust yourself, Mei. " Mother said, her voice soft and encouraging, her eyes shining with love and support.
(Yunjian Pavilion)
By the window of the pavilion, the breathtaking scenery of Moya unfolded like a painting. Mo Xiang's wife, An'ran, sat serenely, her slender fingers deftly chopping vegetables, while Mo Tian played with the red tassel given to her by Qin Yuxi.
"Mo Tian, where did you get that thing? It's so beautiful," An'ran asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"This? Yuxi gave it to me to put on my sword," Mo Tian replied, her eyes lighting up with fondness, a soft smile still playing on her lips.
An'ran's expression suddenly turned serious, her brow furrowed with concern. "Mo Tian, your brother told me to remind you to avoid meeting Qin Yuxi too often. You two are becoming the talk of the town again, just like last night," she warned.
Mo Tian's smile faltered for a moment, before she shrugged nonchalantly. "Ah, is it the Bai family again? Let them think what they want. As long as I'm not doing anything wrong, it's fine," she said, her tone casual, but a hint of defiance underlying her words.
An'ran's concern deepened, her voice soft but firm. "We're just reminding you, Mo Tian, because we don't want you to get involved in the misunderstandings between the two families. You know how complicated it can get," she said.
Mo Tian nodded, her expression softening. "Yes, sister ran, I know. Thank you... By the way, why weren't you in the hall last night?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
An'ran's face relaxed into a gentle smile. "Your nephew fell asleep early, so I stayed in his room to watch over him," she replied, her voice filled with warmth.
Mo Tian smiled, and stood up, her movements fluid. "I'll go ahead. Don't ask me where I'm going; you know anyway. Goodbye," she said, her voice light, with a hint of mischief.
An'ran couldn't help but smile and shake her head, a mix of amusement and exasperation on her face. "You're so stubborn," she whispered to herself, as she watched Mo Tian walk away.
*(At Fengming)*
Yang hurriedly made his way to the riverbank, where he was supposed to meet his sweetheart, Ye Duhua, the young doctor of his parents. Their relationship was kept private because Yang, as the heir to lead Fengming, wasn't allowed to be involved with anyone yet. When he saw Duhua standing by the tree, a smile spread across his face.
"Dohua!" Yang called out, and Duhua immediately turned around and smiled at him. As Yang approached, he quickly wrapped his arms around Duhua.
"I'm so glad to see you again," Yang said, his voice filled with excitement.
Ye Duhua chuckled at Yang's enthusiasm. "I'm glad to see you too," she replied, hugging Yang tightly.
After a few minutes, they sat down under the tree, with Duhua leaning against the trunk and Yang lying on her lap.
"How was your vacation? You took so long to come back," Yang asked, his words spilling out in a rush. "As soon as I knew you were back, I came here because I couldn't find you in the hall."
Duhua gently stroked Yang's hair. "You're really eager to see me... My vacation was great. I taught some people about medicine, which made me stay longer than expected."
"Did you think of me while you were away?" Yang asked, his voice filled with longing.
"No, I was too busy and didn't have time to think of you," Duhua teased.
"You're so mean. Tell me you're just joking. Tell me you couldn't sleep because you were thinking of me," Yang said, his voice playful.
"I won't!" Duhua replied, laughing.
Yang gently took Duhua's hands in his, intertwining their fingers. "Let's stay like this for a while. I really miss you," Yang said, his voice sweet and gentle.
"You're always on my mind, Yang," Duhua said, her voice soft and sincere.
*(Qinshan Villa)*
In the serene surroundings, Yuxi decided to play his erhu (Chinese violin), his fingers gently caressing the strings. However, just as he was about to begin, a sudden thought crossed his mind, and he hesitated. His brother, Yijun, who had been standing at the door, noticed the change in Yuxi's demeanor and raised an eyebrow, curiosity etched on his face.
"Why didn't you continue?" Yijun asked, his voice laced with concern and a hint of surprise.
Yuxi turned to him, his expression softening slightly, but still tinged with a hint of melancholy. "I just didn't feel like it," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper, his words laced with a sense of resignation.
"It's been a long time since I last heard you play," Yijun said, a hint of wistfulness in his voice, his eyes filled with a deep longing. "Are you done preparing your things?" he asked, his voice gentle, but with a hint of urgency.
Yuxi nodded silently, his gaze drifting away, lost in thought.
"We'll be going back to school soon, and you'll see her again," Yijun mentioned, a sly smile playing on his lips, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
Yuxi's face remained impassive, as if he hadn't heard the comment, his expression unreadable. Just then, a burst of energy entered the room, a four-year-old boy running towards Yuxi with infectious enthusiasm, his little legs moving rapidly as he exclaimed:
"Papa!" The boy threw his arms around Yuxi's waist, his face alight with joy, his eyes shining with excitement.
Yuxi's face lit up with a warm smile as he stroked the boy's hair, his touch gentle and soothing. "You're running too fast, Qin Zhen. You didn't see Uncle Hao, did you?" Yuxi reminded gently, his voice filled with warmth and concern.
The boy stood up straight, his little hands clasped together in a perfect bow, his face serious and focused. Yijun chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, his voice filled with amusement.
"You're growing up, Qin Zhen. You're learning manners. Where have you been, and who were you with?" Yijun asked, his voice filled with curiosity and warmth.
"I was with him!" Mo Tian's voice boomed from behind Yijun, her presence commanding attention, her voice confident and assertive.
"You're always popping up unexpectedly, Yuming. " Yijun complained, a mixture of exasperation and amusement in his voice, his eyes rolling in mock frustration.
"What?! I just brought Qin Zhen here because they finished studying with my nephew," Mo Tian replied, a hint of defensiveness in her tone, her voice rising slightly.
"You've dropped him off, thank you. You can go home now," Yuxi said calmly, his words directed at Mo Tian.
"Hm! Really, Yuxi? Thank you?! You're so mean. Don't you even want to offer me a seat and some food? As the sister of a leader, shouldn't you treat me better?" Mo Tian protested, her voice rising in indignation, her face reddening with mock offense.
"You're here every day, and the food in my kitchen is running out," Yuxi retorted dryly, his voice laced with sarcasm.
"Well, if you don't have any food to give me, at least let me sit down," Mo Tian chimed in, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"There are many chairs outside," Yijun said, his voice laced with sarcasm, his eyes rolling in mock exasperation.
"Shut up!" Mo Tian snapped, her eyes flashing with annoyance.
"You're just saying that because you want to see me, right?" Yijun teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Are you crazy?! Get lost!" Mo Tian shot back, her face reddening with irritation.
As the two began to bicker, Yuxi turned to Qin Zhen, his voice softening, his eyes filled with warmth. "Cover your ears, don't listen to them," he instructed, his voice gentle and soothing.
"Yes, Papa," Qin Zhen replied obediently, his little hands covering his ears, his face serious and focused.
.*(At Fengming)*
Bai Yujing visited Fengming and knocked on the door of the library where the siblings Ling and Mei were studying. "Come in," Ling called out from inside.
The siblings were surprised to see Bai Yujing enter the room. "Good day, Feng Lingxi and Feng Meiyin. I'm here to visit your sister, Xiao," Bai Yujing said with a smile.
"Sister is not here, and besides, we're going to Lantian near your place next day. You're really eager, aren't you?" Mei said with a teasing tone, her voice playful and mischievous, like a spoiled child.
Ling sighed and rolled her eyes at her sister's behavior. "Don't mind her, Brother Jing. Sister is not here; she's in the mountains training with Father and Yang," Ling explained patiently, her voice calm and collected.
"Thank you. Is it far from here?" Bai Yujing asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"It's not far. Do you want me to call them for you, Big Brother? " Mei offered, her voice sweet and innocent.
"No, thank you. I'll just ask one of your servants to accompany me, if that's okay," Bai Yujing replied, his smile polite and appreciative.
"Of course." Ling said, her nod gracious.
"Thank you very much. Goodbye," Bai Yujing said, his voice respectful.
The siblings nodded in response, their faces courteous. As the door closed behind Bai Yujing, Mei let out a dramatic sigh. "Love."
Ling shot her a stern look. "Be quiet, Mei."
Mei pouted but remained silent.
As Bai Yujing left the library, he asked one of the servants to accompany him to the mountains where Xiao was training with her father, Master Feng Lei, and Yang. The servant nodded and led the way, and they began their ascent up the mountain. As they climbed higher, the air grew cooler and the scent of pine trees filled the air, invigorating Bai Yujing's senses. He breathed deeply, feeling refreshed and revitalized by the fresh mountain air.
After a while, they reached a clearing where a group of people were training in various martial arts techniques. Bai Yujing spotted Xiao among them, her movements swift and precise as she practiced her swordplay. Her face was flushed with exercise, and her eyes shone with focus. Bai Yujing couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for her dedication and skill.
As Xiao noticed Bai Yujing's arrival, she approached him, a smile spreading across her face. "Jing, why are you suddenly here?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. Bai Yujing smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I came to visit you, Xiao." His voice was warm and sincere, and Xiao's eyes lit up with enthusiasm.
"I'm glad you came to visit me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Bai Yujing's smile broadened, and he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair out of Xiao's face. "I couldn't stay away," he said, his voice low and sincere. Xiao's cheeks flushed deeper, but she didn't look away, her eyes locked on his. The air around them seemed to vibrate with tension, filled with unspoken emotions.
Just as the moment was becoming increasingly intimate, Yang faked a cough. "Ehm, ehm!" Xiao shot him a side eye, her expression a mix of annoyance and amusement. Bai Yujing chuckled, his eyes never leaving Xiao's face.
Master Feng Lei approached them with a warm smile on his face. "So you're here, Bai Yujing," he said, his voice filled with warmth. Bai Yujing bowed respectfully. "Master Feng Lei, Feng Yangguang. I'm delighted to see you both. I'm here to visit Xiao." Master Feng Lei nodded, his eyes twinkling with knowing.
"We know that," Yang chimed in quickly, his tone lighthearted.
Master Feng Lei chuckled and nodded. "Would you like to talk? Go ahead, Xiao. Yang and I will handle things here." Xiao nodded, her face still flushed.
"Okay, Father. Thank you."
Bai Yujing bowed again. "Thank you, Master Lei."
Master Feng Lei nodded, his expression benevolent.
As they walked away from the training area, Bai Yujing and Xiao shared a look that spoke volumes about their connection. The tension between them was still palpable, but now it was tinged with a sense of excitement and possibility. They walked in comfortable silence, their footsteps synchronized, their hearts beating as one. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the warm sunlight cast a golden glow over them, illuminating their faces and casting a sense of happiness over the scene.
Bai Yujing and Xiao's connection grew stronger with every step, their bond deepening as they walked together in harmony.