Chapter Twenty-Six: Bai Shengyun is Angry

Upon hearing this, Xie Yingying fixed her gaze on him, worried he might torment himself again if she misspoke, and said, “But I belong to the demonic sect, and you are the young emperor of the Celestial Fox clan. Our statuses are worlds apart. If word gets out, won’t people gossip about you behind your back?”

Hearing her address him so formally, Bai Shengyun’s mood improved. He understood what Xie Yingying was thinking and did not become angry.

“So what?” He looked at her sidelong.

Seeing his expression unchanged, Xie Yingying breathed a sigh of relief and put on a look of concern. “I’m afraid your reputation will suffer.”

Bai Shengyun turned his gaze back to the window, his tone suddenly cold. “And so?”

“So… could you perhaps rescind your order?” Xie Yingying’s eyes held a glimmer of hope. “Your first time shouldn’t be wasted on someone of my ilk, should it?”

Bai Shengyun turned to her, his face darkening completely. He leaned in slightly, his golden eyes growing shadowy, the hint of danger in his mesmerizing gaze deepening, as if Xie Yingying were being ungrateful.

Countless women in the world were enamored of his looks; only Xie Yingying kept her distance to the extreme. At times, he even felt she regarded him as a nuisance.

“You truly do not wish to marry me?” Bai Shengyun asked sharply.

Faced with his intensity, cold sweat broke out on Xie Yingying’s brow. She waved her hands frantically in denial. “No, no, not at all! Marrying you would be the luck of eight lifetimes. I just don’t want to harm your reputation—or that of Gu Fengshan!”

Bai Shengyun let out a laugh, the gold in his eyes flickering.

Xie Yingying swallowed nervously, bracing herself for his wrath, but Bai Shengyun only flicked his sleeve and strode out of the room. His voice, carried by spiritual power, echoed in her ears: “Xie Yingying, don’t even think of leaving.”

The tone drilled straight into her mind, just as the maidservant had done before. But this time, it made her ears ache and her head spin, as though something in her skull wanted to claw its way out.

When the pain finally subsided, Xie Yingying realized she had collapsed to the floor, her robes now covered in dust.

She stood, dusted off her ceremonial gown, and hurried to take it off. Only then did she feel at ease.

Outside, the bright moon was slowly veiled by dark clouds, like a peerless beauty shrouded in a black veil—a face obscured, all the more mysterious and alluring.

Bai Shengyun’s expression was now darker than a midnight pool. His face was cold and severe, frightening even the passing maidservants, who dared not linger to admire him.

At that moment, Ning Qingqing was in a foul mood, irritated by the thought of Bai Shengyun and Xie Yingying’s upcoming wedding. Wandering aimlessly, she vented her frustration by crushing wild grass beneath her feet.

A droplet fell from the eaves, striking her cheek. She grew even more irritable and wiped it away with the back of her hand.

Turning the corner, Bai Shengyun saw Ning Qingqing brushing her face, catching the glint of a raindrop from the corner of his eye. He thought she was crying and raised an eyebrow.

Noticing him, Ning Qingqing’s expression changed, a faint blush blooming on her cheeks. Her voice turned soft and melodious. “Young Emperor.”

He was about to walk past her when her words caught him off guard. Seeing the shy flush on her face and the tender affection in her eyes, his mood lifted a little.

But thinking of Xie Yingying’s constant rejection, he felt a pang of confusion. Why did every other woman gaze at him as if he were a mortal Adonis, while Xie Yingying seemed to wish he’d disappear?

“Young Emperor, it’s cold tonight,” Ning Qingqing said, tucking a stray lock behind her ear and raising her luminous eyes. “Weren’t you visiting… the Young Consort just now? Why did you leave so soon?”

At the mention, Bai Shengyun’s face darkened.

Ning Qingqing saw his reaction and felt a secret delight, knowing Xie Yingying had provoked his ire again.

If things continued like this, wouldn’t she have a chance to rise in status?

“To let you catch a chill—how could she?” Ning Qingqing changed her tone, as if genuinely aggrieved for him. “How could she act this way? She’s about to be your wife, yet she gives not a thought for your well-being.”

Bai Shengyun’s gaze grew icy. “Oh? Then tell me, how should she care for me?”

Hearing this, Ning Qingqing thought he agreed with her. She was secretly overjoyed, though on the surface she still appeared indignant on his behalf. “On a night like this, she should have asked you to stay, shouldn’t she? How thoughtless! Young Emperor, you—”

With a sweep of his sleeve, wind roared. The silver embroidery on his robe dazzled under the moonlight.

Ning Qingqing’s words broke off as she was sent hurtling dozens of meters away.

“Me? How?” His golden eyes flashed with dangerous allure. “Have you forgotten her current status? Even you must bow before her. She is my betrothed now. I’ve not uttered a word of complaint—yet here you are, gossiping in front of me.”

Ning Qingqing crashed to the ground with a thud, scattering stones. She struggled upright, only to cough up a mouthful of blood.

Bai Shengyun approached at a measured pace. Seeing his cold, stern face, Ning Qingqing instinctively recoiled.

But Bai Shengyun couldn’t even be bothered to glance at her. He walked around and left, ending with a scornful laugh.

A mist of tears welled in Ning Qingqing’s eyes, making her look pitiful and fragile. Her hands clenched in the mud, nails digging into her palms until blood seeped out, mingling with the rainwater.

A torrent of jealousy and resentment—directed entirely at Xie Yingying—swelled in her heart.

“Xie Yingying…” She ground out the name through clenched teeth, more blood oozing from her fingertips. “It’s all your fault!”

Ning Qingqing forced herself to stand, blood dripping from her chin. She wiped it away roughly, then staggered toward Xie Yingying’s quarters.

Her steps were unsteady, her injuries clearly severe.

After some time, Ning Qingqing finally reached the entrance to Xie Yingying’s courtyard. Seeing the light still burning, she knew her rival had yet to retire.

Inside, the candlelight flickered, casting long shadows on the wall.

Xie Yingying sat on a chair, her face full of frustration as she stared at the purple-gold bell.

She had racked her brains but found no way to undo her contract with the bell. She had even tried to destroy it, prying at it with her teeth and a knife, but to no avail—she had only succeeded in dislodging a few jade beads from the hair ornament, separating it from the bell, and nothing more.

Looking at the battered hairpiece and the undamaged bell, she could only sigh inwardly.

It seemed the bell was impossible to destroy.

After a moment’s thought, Xie Yingying decisively fastened the purple-gold bell around her ankle, as if in silent defiance of Bai Shengyun.

Just then, the door creaked open. She looked up in surprise to see Ning Qingqing—a most unexpected visitor.

Given Ning Qingqing’s usual aversion, she would never visit without cause. Otherwise, both would end up unhappy—a case of mutual harm with no gain.