"Second brother, what exactly are you plotting?" Bai Mo had calmed down. He couldn't think of any way he had offended his younger brother in the face of Bai Yan's obvious provocation.
Bai Yan smiled but didn't answer his question. Instead, she moved closer and asked, "Brother, don't you want to know where my sister-in-law and I went today? My sister-in-law is truly an extraordinary woman. You are so lucky to have a virtuous wife at home and a beautiful companion outside. But I wonder how even the most extraordinary woman would react if she saw her husband with another woman?"
"You—" Bai Mo frowned slightly, "You're taking her to see Yue Ji?"
Bai Yan's smile deepened. "Isn't Big Brother curious about what that scene will be like? Poor Yue Ji might be in trouble now—"
"Bai Yan." Bai Mo sighed softly, interrupting him helplessly, "You don't need to waste your energy anymore. I know what you're saying is impossible."
Bai Yan's pupils contracted slightly. "Isn't elder brother being a bit too complacent? She's your lawfully wedded wife, yet you neglect her at home—"
"No, things aren't as you think. It's just that Ning Xian really wouldn't hurt Yue Ji because of me..." How could Bai Yan understand the situation between him and Ning Xian? He wasn't being complacent; he knew all too well that Ning Xian didn't care about him at all. How could such an unrestrained woman consider herself a wife? Moreover, back in the Bai family, no matter how unpleasant things were between them, even if she schemed against him behind his back, she never showed it to the elders, never hurting their feelings, not even when she left the Bai family to "return to her parents' home." He was always grateful for this; he believed that even living in the environment of the Demonic Sect, she remained kind.
Bai Yan looked at Bai Mo with confusion. Bai Mo's expression when Ning Xian was mentioned was not what he had expected.
"Second brother, don't do anything unnecessary." Bai Mo sighed softly, deciding not to question him further about today's events. He had always been somewhat puzzled by Bai Yan. That subtle, almost imperceptible, tension wasn't just his imagination.
He had always known that Bai Yan had been orchestrating his encounter with Yue Ji from the very beginning. He knew that even if he fell in love with Yue Ji, it would be difficult to marry her, not just because of his parents—she was a good girl, but her background destined her to never be his principal wife. Status, rules, too many things stood in the way, and he was a man living within those rules.
Even though he didn't understand Bai Yan's intentions, he was still grateful for the encounter.
He glanced in the direction of Ning Xian's room, then looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh. But why did he have to meet such a woman again and become husband and wife? Something he had never doubted for over twenty years was beginning to waver and be questioned.
...
Inside the Misty Rain Pavilion, Ni Chang casually plucked the strings of her zither twice and said to Yue Ji, who stood quietly before her, "As sisters, I shouldn't have been so ruthless, but—now I can't keep you here."
"Miss Ni Chang!?" Yue Ji panicked and said, "Why? What did Yue Ji do wrong? I have nowhere to go if I leave here..."
"That's your problem then. Wherever you go, as long as you don't stay with me..."
—What about Lord Jialing's "love rival"? How can she be allowed to stay? What if she brings trouble back? Lord Gandharva's teachings are good: nip trouble in the bud. If there's trouble, get rid of it. Even if it's just the possibility of trouble.
How could she not feel regret? Such a promising young lady, she thought she would easily snag a good sugar daddy, but who knew that Lady Jialing would marry Young Master Bai instead.
In this Misty Rain Pavilion, Ni Chang is ostensibly the most beautiful courtesan, but in reality, she holds the real power. If she wants Yue Ji to leave, who dares to stop her?
"Miss Ni Chang..."
"There's no need to say anything more. Actually, I didn't want you to leave either, but—you wouldn't understand. Your presence would get in the way of someone I can't afford to offend. Go now, but don't let me see you at the Misty Rain Pavilion again before evening."
Yue Ji didn't understand what had happened, nor did she need to understand much. She understood what Ni Chang was saying: people of their status should indeed avoid trouble, and who would protect whom?
She just didn't understand. Who would she have offended for no reason? And where could a weak woman like her go after leaving the Misty Rain Pavilion...?
As darkness fell, the gates of the Bai residence were already closed, but someone gently knocked on them.
Someone answered the door and, seeing the delicate, graceful woman standing there, asked with a puzzled look, "Miss, who are you looking for?"
"Young master, could you please inform Young Master Bai... Yue Ji... that she has urgent business to discuss with him?"
Yue Ji? The gatekeeper was taken aback. Even if no one had ever seen her, surely everyone here knew her name? But why had this woman come knocking on the door? And... the young mistress was still in the manor.
But the woman before him had none of the seductive charm of a courtesan; her expression was melancholy and anxious, so delicate that one couldn't bear to refuse her.
"Wait a moment, I'll go ask the young master."
"Thank you, sir."
Before long, hurried footsteps could be heard from the inner courtyard...
Chapter Forty-Four: Uncle Bai Yan
Bai Mo invited Ning Xian to dinner. She didn't like eating alone anyway, and she was in a good mood today. She also found Bai Mo somewhat agreeable. As it turns out, one's level of likability can change depending on the environment and the person being compared to. She readily agreed and went to dine with the Bai brothers.
She didn't know when it started, but Bai Mo seemed to have stopped interfering with her so much. Although it didn't seem like he had given up on her, there were obviously fewer restrictions. He no longer acted like a mother hen, saying this was bad and that was wrong.
As long as he doesn't spout a bunch of grand theories, Ning Xian doesn't think there's anything wrong with him.
After she sat down, she was enthusiastically picking up some stir-fried bamboo shoots when Bai Mo prepared an extra pair of chopsticks and put some stir-fried liver tips into her bowl.
"...I don't eat liver tips."
"I know."
Then came a mouthful of leek sprouts.
"...I don't eat leek sprouts either."
"I know. Mother said you don't like to eat these things when you're eating."
"So you're deliberately trying to make things difficult for me?"
“Being a picky eater is not a good habit. You should eat all kinds of grains and cereals. That’s good for your health—you’re not a child anymore.” He said calmly, continuing to pile the dishes that Ning Xian didn’t like into his bowl until it was full.
Ning Xian raised an eyebrow. "You, surnamed Bai, are you trying to force me to flip the table and leave?"
Bai Mo said seriously, "Then you need to change not only your picky eating habits, but also your temper."
She suddenly slammed her hand on the table and stood up, one leg on the stool, ready to unleash her fury, but a wave of dizziness and weakness washed over her, and she fell back down. Bai Mo pushed the bowl towards her and said calmly, "Don't be picky about food, eat more so you'll have energy. The gandharva said you'd better not get too excited, or you'll easily get dizzy."
—That damned monster!
Ning Xian sat there, covering his forehead, and turned his head away in a huff, refusing to eat. Bai Mo simply said, "If the food gets cold and then reheated, it probably won't taste as good." Then he ate his food, which made Ning Xian so angry that his knuckles turned white from clenching his fists.
Bai Yan sat at the same table with them and originally wanted to help Ning Xian and Bai Mo to disagree, but when he looked at the two of them, he gradually frowned and ultimately did not speak.