"What for? To give you some ideas."
"I don't need it!"
"Yes, yes~~" The world is always better when it's a little chaotic; it's better to have more trouble than less!
Mu Yuan dragged the shouting Ning Xian out of the classroom. Long Jue heard the noise, came out to take a look, frowned and asked Yu Lin, "What's going on?"
"The Left Envoy of the Wood Sect must compensate Ning Xian and return to the Bai family..."
"Nonsense." Long Jue took a step to chase after her, but Yu Lin quickly stopped him, saying, "Left Envoy Mu also wants to help Ning Xian. You don't know, Ning Xian's husband doesn't treat her well... Otherwise, I'll go and keep an eye on things."
Long Jue frowned—was his husband's family treating Ning Xian badly? This was indeed a concern, but Yu Lin couldn't quite put her finger on it for the moment. However, one thing was clear—Mu Yuan wanted to help Ning Xian? That sounded nice, but only Yu Lin would believe it. That guy was simply stirring up trouble, even when things weren't chaotic enough. But… if Mu Yuan were there, Ning Xian wouldn't suffer any losses. He pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, please keep an eye on things and make sure the Left Envoy doesn't cause any trouble. I'll speak to the Blissful Heaven on their behalf."
"Okay." Yu Lin nodded and hurriedly followed.
Chapter 8 Cousins 1
One person leaves, three return.
Madam Bai looked at the two men who followed her daughter-in-law into the house with suspicion. One was a charming young man in white, and the other was a handsome young man in white. Both were outstanding and stood out from the crowd.
"Xuan'er, who are these two...?"
“Mother, these are my distant relatives from my maternal family, my cousin Qiu Muyuan and my cousin Qiu Yulin. They came to Zhancheng to handle some business matters. They are new to Zhancheng and haven’t found a place to stay yet—I would like to ask that they stay for a couple of days until they find a place to settle in…” Ning Xian specially changed the surnames of these two “cousins”—although they are distant relatives, she is a married daughter and should avoid any appearance of impropriety. However, having the same surname means being considered to be from the same clan, and although they are cousins, since they are from the same clan, their relationship is naturally different.
As expected, Madam Bai smiled and said, "Why be so polite? We're all family. The young masters of the Qiu family have come to Zhancheng, how can they stay outside? They should stay at home."
Mu Yuan had been waiting for Madam Bai to say this, so he bowed and said politely, "In that case, my nephew and brother will trouble you, Aunt." His skills were not only good with young men and women, but also with elders. Yu Lin was naturally likable, so it would be easy for the two of them to get along well in the Bai family.
Although Madam Bai was all smiles and kindness, she seemed a little uncomfortable around Ning Xian and her family. The bride was returning home, but the groom was nowhere to be seen. He had actually let his bride go back alone. This was unheard of. What would the Qiu family think of this?
The truth is, Ning Xian neither returned to her parents' home nor did the Qiu family elders remember the custom of returning home.
"You must be tired from the journey. Xuan'er, go back to your room and rest early. I'll have someone arrange rooms for your two nephews."
(Oops, the way I address you is so confusing, but please bear with it...)
As Ning Xian walked out of the front hall and was about to head to the backyard, Bai Mo came towards her. He paused slightly when he saw Ning Xian return, his brows furrowing slightly, but he didn't show it in front of Madam Bai.
"mother."
"No need to call me 'Mother,' just take good care of your wife." Madam Bai was clearly furious with her son; he was making the Bai family lose all face.
Bai Mo looked up at Ning Xian and said, "Mother, may I speak with Ning Xian in private?"
Madam Bai glanced at Ning Xian, then at Bai Mo, but couldn't discern anything, so she simply said, "Go."
Bai Mo pulled Ning Xian a few steps away. Once they were far enough apart, Ning Xian pulled her hand away. "Just say what's wrong. Why are you pulling and tugging at me?"
Bai Mo was slightly annoyed, but he held back and asked in a low voice, "You returned to your parents' home alone without waiting for me. What do you mean by that? Are you deliberately trying to make me feel bad?"
Ning Xian casually looked up, feigning surprise, and said, "What, didn't I make myself clear enough? I thought that since you rejected my conditions and wouldn't even take care of me, pitiful and alone in a foreign land, I had no reason to continue pretending to be your 'perfect couple.' Why should you get all the benefits while I get nothing?"—You're lucky that someone from the Demonic Sect is even willing to negotiate with you, and you dare to refuse? Unless she can leave the Bai family, she will never give him a peaceful life again!
Although the two were not speaking loudly, how could they escape the ears of Mu Yuan and Yu Lin, two martial arts masters with profound inner strength?
The two of them took the opportunity to observe Bai Mo from afar—was he Ning Xian's husband? He was as handsome and refined as a painting, but it was clear that he was a serious and stubborn fellow at heart—which was really... very much to Mu Yuan's liking!
—To embrace both husband and wife in one's arms... He has never tried such a difficult task before.
When Ning Xian returned, she saw Mu Yuan's sparkling eyes and her face immediately darkened—how could she have forgotten that Mu Yuan had a particular fondness for virtuous and beautiful women, and Bai Mo just happened to fall into that category? She warned in a low voice, "Don't do anything rash! He's still my husband in name only! Even if you want to lay a hand on him, you'll have to wait until I leave the Bai family!"
Mu Yuan squinted her amber eyes and replied, "Of course."
Do you believe what the members of the Demonic Cult say? Or do you not?
Ning Xian and Bai Mo's conversation ended unhappily, and Bai Mo disappeared that same day.
He probably had never seen such an "unvirtuous," "ungentle," and "petty" woman in his entire life, so... well, maybe, probably, he went to find his "little bird clinging to him."
She glanced at Mu Yuan, who had sneaked into her room to steal her watermelon, while Yu Lin, who was sitting next to her, was naturally following closely behind Mu Yuan because she was worried about her.
"Left Envoy Mu, don't you have watermelons in your guest room? Why did you have to come here to eat them?" If others saw a grown man in her room, would she still have a reputation? —Although she didn't care about reputation, with his skills, it was impossible for anyone to see him.
You know the saying 'other people's things are always better,' right?
"Don't lump everyone else together with your quirks!" Ning Xian glared at him, then her eyes darted around and she said, "Left Envoy Mu, you didn't come back with me just to eat watermelon, did you?"
"Of course." Mu Yuan wiped her mouth, finally remembering why she was there. She stood up, walked to the table, laid out paper and ink, and wrote in one swift stroke—then casually tossed the brush aside, completely oblivious to the ink splattering all over Yu Lin…
"Alright, take this. Make ten or eight copies of this, let the wind blow them all over the yard—and this... stick it on the door, hang it inside, put it wherever it's conspicuous. I guarantee your handsome husband will never have a peaceful day again." She shoved the papers into Ning Xian's hand, turned around gracefully, and there stood Yu Lin, handsome and refined in white, with his clothes covered in conspicuous ink spots...
"..."
"..."
"...Yulin, you're such a big kid, where did you go to play with all these black spots?"
Yu Lin remained silent.
Ning Xian ignored them, unfolded the paper to look at the words on it, and it said—
Love is like a wisp of smoke, and people are like drifting catkins. Tears fall silently as they gaze at each other in vain.
A stream of willows hangs down in a myriad of strands, yet there is no way to moor the orchid boat.
Wild geese fly past in the setting sun, grasses obscure the misty islet. Now, countless sorrows fill my heart.