Xuezhi hesitated. Judging from her personality, she should have been able to grit her teeth and decisively say that she didn't want the child.
But she couldn't bring herself to say it.
The thought of carrying Shangguan Tou's child made her completely unwilling to even consider such a thing.
Feng She felt that time was passing particularly slowly at this moment.
Xuezhi was renowned for her beauty and formidable martial arts skills; no one had ever described her as "weak." But never before had she looked so thin and frail, as if she were easily defeated.
Feng She thought for a moment and then smiled and said, "In that case, you can say that's my child."
Xuezhi had been lost in thought, momentarily distracted. When she suddenly realized he had spoken, she looked up in surprise: "Are you sick today?"
"If you and the child's father have any problems, I don't mind being a shield—but I don't know if Palace Master Xue would even consider someone like me."
Feng She didn't know what was wrong with him. He knew in his heart that the person was Shangguan Tou, but he just wouldn't say it.
"Xiao She, stop making things worse. I know how to handle this."
"It would be good if you really knew." Feng She clicked his tongue and patted her shoulder. "You rest first, I'll go back to my room to pack and get ready to go back to Shaolin."
Xuezhi nodded.
As soon as he stepped outside, Feng She covered his face and muttered to himself, "I'm an idiot."
Xuezhi suffered from insomnia that night.
She knew Shangguan Tou well enough to know what kind of person he was; he never liked being tied down by anyone. If he suddenly found out she'd accidentally gotten pregnant, he'd probably be even more upset than she was. But if she didn't contact him, she couldn't even imagine what life would be like in the future…
She needs to talk to Shangguan Tou. But Feng Zi's matter is still unresolved.
Early the next morning, Xuezhi and Fengshe rushed back to Shaoshi Mountain.
The second grand gathering was about to begin, and people from various sects came and went. Shaoshi Mountain was bustling with activity, its usual solemnity replaced by a lively atmosphere.
Xuezhi found a disciple of Chonghuo Palace and went straight to the point asking where Feng Zi was.
The disciple said that a few days ago, Young Master Shangguan came to see her, but she went to Moon Valley.
Xuezhi paused slightly, then asked, "She's already gone?"
At this moment, Liuli walked over and sneered, "She just returned an hour ago, and Shangguan Tou came with her."
Xuezhi dared not ask any further questions.
Liuli continued, "It is said that the marriage will be announced today."
"And then?" Xuezhi had no idea what she was saying; her mind was a complete mess.
"Then, of course, comes the wedding."
"oh."
"Is the Palace Master looking for her? I'll go and fetch her."
"No need, no need, we can talk about it later." Xuezhi walked quickly back to her room.
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After the snow, the Shaolin Temple, amidst a vast expanse of white, reveals patches of bright red walls.
Outside the temple, several monks were slowly sweeping snow at the entrance, a long path nestled in the boundless white expanse. Rows of withered trees lined the roadside, their dead leaves and light brown footprints adorning the white snow.
Lin Fengzi, wrapped in thick clothes, walked through the snow to Xuezhi's door and knocked a few times.
After a long while, Xuezhi finally responded from inside: "I have something to do, I'll talk to you later."
Lin Fengzi said through the crack in the door, "Sister, it's me."
Another long wait.
Finally, the door opened, and Xuezhi stood in the doorway, looking exhausted, with no intention of letting her in.
Feng Zi said, "I heard from Protector Liuli that you wanted to see me."
"Hmm," Xuezhi forced a smile, "I just asked because you weren't here. Nothing else."
"I went..."
"I'm still sleepy, I want to sleep for a while. Let's talk about it after I get up."
You don't look well, are you sick?
"Why are you talking so much? I'm going to sleep." With a bang, Xuezhi closed the door.
"Sister, wait, I have something I want to tell you—"
I called for a long time, but there was no response from inside.
It started snowing heavily again that night. The snow and wind seemed to have been relentless for the past few days; you could hear the howling, biting wind outside even through the window.
Xuezhi suddenly remembered the Yaoxue Pool of Chonghuo Palace.
The blooming season for red lotuses in Yaoxue Pond lasts longer than elsewhere. In winter, the pond rarely freezes, only a thick layer of snow blankets the withered leaves, creating a breathtaking scene. Many call it a celestial pond. Xuezhi's name comes from Yaoxue Pond, because it's where Chonglian and Lin Yuhuang first met.
In Xuezhi's opinion, mentioning anything related to her great-uncle seems to make her feel sad.
Over the years, the number of times she missed him only increased.
A gust of cold wind blew open the window, and a blast of cold air rushed in. Xuezhi quickly got up and went to the window, but was captivated by the swirling snow outside.
It seems that many of her most unforgettable memories also occurred in winter.
She suddenly had a strong urge to see Shangguan Tou. She didn't care about anything else; she just wanted to see him.
If possible, it would be best to hug him one more time, even if you can't be together in the future.
She quickly put on her cloak, opened the door, and went out.
She hurried out of the courtyard, her limbs freezing cold. Looking at the snowflakes falling from the dark sky and the dim red lanterns in the night, Xuezhi realized that she was doing something meaningless.
It's so late, who would come out and freeze for nothing but herself?
Moreover, even if she met Shangguan Tou, what could she say to him?
Revealing the pregnancy at this time will only complicate matters further.
Even so, she walked for half an hour in the wind and snow. She knew where Shangguan Tou's room was, and after lingering outside the courtyard for a while, she continued walking in the opposite direction.
Later, no matter how much she rubbed them, her hands lost all feeling, and she remembered that she should go back.
Actually, it would be better not to meet—she kept thinking that until she returned to her room and saw a tall, slender figure in snow-white clothing.
She recognized him at a glance, so she hesitated to go forward.
Shangguan Tou did not move; he simply stood outside the room, facing the closed window of her room, which was illuminated by candlelight.
He wasn't wearing a hat; the snowflakes, like falling feathers, landed lightly on his long, black hair and inside his white woolen hood. Three peacock feathers gleamed faintly in the snowy night.
Xuezhi originally thought he would knock on the door or leave. But a long time passed, and he remained motionless, like a statue.
Finally, she was so cold that she shifted her feet.
Shangguan Tou suddenly turned around: "Who is it..."