Chapter 142: The Past of Bai Shengyun

Bai Qirui walked a short distance before deciding to turn back.

In truth, he still wished for Bai Shengyun to return to how he once was. Forcing someone to cultivate a path that did not suit them would most likely lead to them falling into a state of inner demons. He did not wish to see Bai Shengyun become such a person—after all, he was his only biological younger brother.

Inside the room, the shy and agonizing process of applying medicine had finally concluded. Xie Yingying kept her head lowered, her face flushed and heart racing as she dressed the man, before fleeing the room in a flurry.

Watching her run, Bai Shengyun felt as though something were chasing her, and he could not help but curl his lips into a smile. Xie Yingying was actually shy; what a rarity! Bai Shengyun did not even realize that upon noticing her shyness, a surge of sweetness flooded his heart.

Xie Yingying rushed out, gasping for fresh air once she was outside, only then feeling a sense of relief. She patted her heart, which was thumping wildly against her ribs.

*Xie Yingying, you are truly hopeless,* she thought, sighing and shaking her head helplessly. Just as she stepped away, she ran straight into someone coming from the opposite direction. She was stunned. "Third Brother? Why are you here? Haven't you left yet?"

Bai Qirui looked at her flushed face and racing pulse, a playful smile flickering in his eyes. "Sister-in-law, it seems you and Third Brother are getting along quite well!"

Hearing the teasing, Xie Yingying’s face turned even redder. She said with a touch of shyness, "Third Brother, what are you saying!"

Seeing her bashful demeanor, Bai Qirui felt quite satisfied. Then, as if remembering something, his expression darkened. He smiled faintly and said, "Yingying, there is something I would like to discuss with you. Let us find a place to talk."

Noticing the gravity in Bai Qirui’s tone, Xie Yingying realized that whatever he had to say must be important. She nodded slightly. "Very well."

She followed Bai Qirui to the edge of the flower garden. He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the lotus pond, his eyes filled with complexity. Xie Yingying watched him silently, not rushing him, simply waiting.

Suddenly, Bai Qirui spoke. "Yingying, you know that Third Brother was not always like this. When he was young, he was very handsome, and his personality was mischievous, innocent, and lovable." He gazed into the distance, as if recalling the past, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

Xie Yingying felt a sense of disbelief. Could the Bai Shengyun that Bai Qirui was describing really be the same person she knew? It didn't seem to match at all.

Seeing the doubt in her eyes, Bai Qirui offered a bitter smile. "Honestly, if that incident hadn't occurred, I would never have believed my brother could become the person he is today."

"In our Heavenly Fox clan, the Fox Emperor had a beloved prince—our eldest brother. He studied various arts from a young age and was the most promising member of our clan. The Emperor raised him as the heir to the throne." As Bai Qirui spoke, a trace of pride appeared in his eyes. It was clear their eldest brother had been truly exceptional.

*No wonder,* Xie Yingying thought. *Like father, like son; how could the children of such an outstanding person be anything less?*

"And then what happened?" Xie Yingying asked.

"Then..." Bai Qirui gripped his fingers tightly and spoke slowly. "Then, our eldest brother fell in love with a human woman, and he died because of her. The Fox Emperor, devastated by the loss of his beloved son, changed completely. Soon after, Bai Shengyun was born. When the Emperor discovered he had inherited the golden-eyed lineage of the fox clan, he projected his grief for our eldest brother onto him. He forced Third Brother to follow the same rigorous training, keeping him under our eldest brother's shadow."

"As Third Brother grew, the Emperor marveled at his talent, which even surpassed our eldest brother’s, yet he feared that Third Brother would fall into the same trap of love. Not wanting him to follow the same path, he forced him to cultivate the Path of Heartlessness. But Third Brother’s nature was never suited for it, and that is why he became so volatile and unpredictable."

Bai Qirui sighed heavily. "If the Fox Emperor had not forced him to cultivate that path, he might not be like this today."

Xie Yingying felt a whirlwind of emotions. She never imagined that the impulsive, unpredictable Bai Shengyun had such a history. To be born and immediately shrouded in the shadow of a dead man, then forced to cultivate such a distorted path! That so-called Fox Emperor was truly heartless—to let one son die and then make the other miserable! What kind of father was that? Xie Yingying cursed the Fox Emperor in her mind.

"Yingying!" Bai Qirui turned to look at her earnestly. Xie Yingying was startled and blinked, asking tentatively, "Third Brother, what did you want to tell me?" Even if the Fox Emperor was detestable, it felt wrong to insult a father in front of his own son. She coughed awkwardly.

Bai Qirui, oblivious to her inner turmoil, said earnestly, "Yingying, Third Brother has truly suffered a great deal. His bad temper is not something he chooses. I hope that after you are married, you can be more tolerant and understanding of him. I can tell that he cares for you deeply."

Xie Yingying felt conflicted. *Bai Shengyun cares for me? That has to be a joke!* However, knowing the history of that "dog fox," she could understand why he had developed such an extreme personality, and a sudden wave of pity washed over her. She did not refute Bai Qirui, but nodded slightly and said sincerely, "Third Brother, I understand. I will take good care of him, don't worry."

Satisfied with her assurance, Bai Qirui felt a sense of relief. This girl’s personality would perfectly complement his brother’s; they were a perfect match.

The next day, Xie Yingying arrived early and saw Bai Shengyun struggling to get up to pour some water. She rushed over to help him back onto the bed, saying gently, "If you wanted water, why didn't you just ask? You need to rest peacefully now."

After placing a cup of water by his side, she began to change his bandages. Seeing her so attentive, Bai Shengyun felt entirely out of his element and remarked sourly, "Xie Yingying, what has gotten into you? Did you lose your mind in your sleep yesterday?" Her attitude was a complete reversal from the day before; what could have happened?

Xie Yingying felt a flicker of annoyance at his words, but remembering what Third Brother had told her—and knowing that his wounds were caused by her—the anger vanished instantly. As she unwrapped the bandages, she saw the wound was still black and worsening. Her brow furrowed. She decided to brew a decoction; it would be more effective than the pills and would surely help him recover quickly.

Without delay, she hurried off to find the herbs.