Chapter Eighteen: Holding Up Appearances

Watching these unwelcome interlopers suddenly appear, Xie Yingying rolled her eyes inwardly, cursing them under her breath—and included Bai Shengyun in her silent tirade.

“A woman as fickle and shameless as you, how could you ever be worthy of the young master? You’re nothing but a disgrace to him!”

Feigning composure, Xie Yingying responded meekly, “I come from humble origins and have made many mistakes. Your guidance is well deserved.”

She was anxious; if these elders caught wind of her intention to escape, her entire plan would be ruined. It had taken considerable effort to find a moment when Bai Shengyun was less vigilant, and now, just as she saw a chance to slip away, these killjoys had appeared.

Inwardly, she prayed for their swift departure, fearing that with every passing moment, her opportunity to flee diminished. If Bai Shengyun came back, everything would be lost.

“I won’t run off recklessly,” she continued, “and I am doing my best to correct my errors, seeking ways to make amends for the wrongs I’ve committed.” Though she appeared docile and repentant, her mind raged with curses; the longer they delayed, the closer Bai Shengyun’s return, and her hopes would be dashed.

The elders berated her until their mouths were dry, and Xie Yingying’s submissiveness only emboldened them.

“So you admit your faults now, but what good does that do? Born of low station and careless with yourself, women like you tarnish the reputation of our fox clan!”

“I advise you to know your place, have the sense to leave the young master of your own accord. Don’t wait to be driven out in disgrace!”

Hearing this, Xie Yingying rolled her eyes again, secretly scoffing. She wished they would throw her out, but their precious young master never granted her such an opportunity.

She mused bitterly—if only Bai Shengyun shared the elders’ views, none of today’s farce would have come to pass.

Alas, she was tormented by the power of the primordial source; whenever she entertained thoughts of escape, Bai Shengyun ensured she suffered for it.

Recalling the agony that followed every flare of that power, she shivered in fear, her whole body as if plunged into an icy abyss.

Just as the elders were reaching the climax of their admonishments, Bai Shengyun appeared in the distance, striding forward with a question, “What are you doing?”

He was dressed in pristine white, immaculate and dignified, like a noble deity descended from heaven.

But Xie Yingying felt no joy at his arrival; instead, she inwardly wailed, wishing she possessed the art of instant travel so she could vanish from his sight.

Yet Bai Shengyun closed the distance in the blink of an eye, standing before them.

He cast Xie Yingying a sidelong glance and let out a cold, ambiguous snort. “It seems the warnings I gave earlier were entirely ignored by the elders?”

He had previously cautioned these elders not to trouble Xie Yingying. She was his responsibility, and others had no right to interfere.

Yet, in the briefest absence, they had taken advantage and staged this confrontation.

The elders hadn’t expected Bai Shengyun’s sudden arrival, nor to be caught in the act; their faces were a tumult of emotions.

“The Celestial Fox Grand Ritual is about to begin. Why are the elders not focused on it, but instead opposing those under my protection?” Bai Shengyun declared his authority openly before Xie Yingying, implicitly warning the elders.

The second elder, anger flaring, shot Xie Yingying an impatient glance. “Young Master, why insist on choosing such an improper woman?”

Xie Yingying’s rise to favor through questionable means had long been the subject of their disdain. They had objected during the marriage negotiations, but Bai Shengyun had been adamant in keeping her.

Now, having encountered her by chance, they vented their frustration upon her, hoping to drive her away and make her life miserable.

But before they could say much, Bai Shengyun arrived.

At his appearance, Xie Yingying seemed rooted to the spot, head bowed. Out of sight, her face was stricken and tearless, inwardly cursing the elders.

They had intercepted her at the worst possible moment, and now Bai Shengyun’s presence made any hope of escape vanish.

If only she could have bypassed this route, she might have hurried off the mountain. Now, her plans were ruined by unforeseen events.

Bai Shengyun was deeply displeased by the elders’ actions and their words, which belittled and humiliated Xie Yingying. Without a word, he stepped forward, positioning himself so that she was shielded behind him.

“That’s enough. If she has erred, I will deal with her myself. You know nothing of the true circumstances—how can you be so certain your suspicions are reality?”

These elders had too much idle time; instead of attending the Celestial Fox Grand Ritual, they had quickly changed faces and sought out Xie Yingying in secret.

Yet this only heightened Bai Shengyun’s sense of offense; even in disciplining Xie Yingying, it was not for others to comment.

The elders exchanged glances, convinced Xie Yingying had bewitched him, using tricks to ensnare Bai Shengyun. They believed he was blinded by her and could not see the truth.

“Young Master, this woman hails from the evil sect, skilled in manipulating hearts. Do not fall for her schemes!”

“Young Master, we speak only out of concern for you. Please see her true nature, lest you be deceived!”

At these words, Bai Shengyun’s anger surged; he laughed coldly. “You elders are truly overzealous. But Xie Yingying has aided me in the past—she would never use such manipulative arts against me. You worry too much!”

Sheltered behind Bai Shengyun, Xie Yingying let the argument play out, awarding each statement with a silent roll of her eyes, absentmindedly digging at the earth beneath her feet.

In a short span, she had worn a small pit into the ground, and her clean shoes were dusted with soil.

But she cared little for that; her hopes had been dashed. With Bai Shengyun’s arrival, escape was out of the question.

Suddenly, Bai Shengyun’s presence intensified, exerting pressure upon the elders as a warning.

“You’d best hurry to preside over the Celestial Fox Grand Ritual. Don’t delay the proceedings and keep everyone waiting.”

The elders were figures of status; with the grand ritual drawing so many, their absence would be conspicuous.

Bai Shengyun’s pressure was direct and unrestrained, causing beads of cold sweat to appear on their foreheads.

They knew that persisting in their criticisms of Xie Yingying would truly provoke Bai Shengyun and make the situation irreparable.

Seeing no alternative, they hastily found an excuse and retreated.