Chapter Thirty: Punishment

Shen Ruru was unconcerned, her face brimming with disdain. "She's nothing more than a member of a demonic sect, her cultivation so pitifully low—how could she possibly be worthy of you, Young Lord? I simply can't stand her and wanted to vent my frustration!"

Bai Shengyun's eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, his piercing gaze cutting straight to her core, as if he were laying her heart bare and reading every hidden thought within. "Is it truly just to vent your frustration?"

Shen Ruru's face turned even paler, but she stubbornly clung to her words. "It is only that!"

"She is under my protection now. Even if you beat a dog, you must first consider its master—much less my future consort. The distinction between ranks and status..." Bai Shengyun's oppressive aura surged forth, severing her meridians with invisible force. "You'd best learn your place."

Shen Ruru gritted her teeth, lifting her gaze to him. Her eyes brimmed with unwillingness and resentment, with a murderous intent that threatened to overflow. "Xie Yingying belongs to a demonic sect. Those heretical cultivators have always been at odds with our immortal sect, practicing all manner of bizarre, shortcut-seeking techniques, and have slain countless innocents. They are irredeemable and deserve to die—"

Bai Shengyun's murderous intent flared even more fiercely, and with a single blow of overwhelming demonic force, he left her gravely wounded.

Shen Ruru wished to speak further, but not a sound escaped her lips.

"And what is your status?" Bai Shengyun's golden eyes narrowed. "I told you: know your rank and station."

Shen Ruru's nose reddened, tears threatening to fall. Her delicate sorrow was enough to move even the most highly trained shadow guards to a moment's distraction.

"Why can't it be me?" Shen Ruru choked on her words. "Not only is my cultivation higher than hers, but my reputation is far better. If you marry her, you'll only become a laughingstock behind closed doors!"

Bai Shengyun gave her no answer, simply turning away and leaving with utmost finality.

Hatred contorted Shen Ruru's face, twisting her features into something almost grotesque.

The lake's surface was calm as glass, broken only occasionally by playful fish leaping above the water, blowing a little bubble before diving to hide beneath some unknown stone.

At that moment, Bai Qirui stood in the pavilion over the lake, scattering a handful of feed into the water. Instantly, a school of fat koi surged forth, scrambling for the floating morsels.

A seductive disciple in white approached, her eyes shimmering with autumn allure. She offered Bai Qirui a graceful salute and spoke softly, "Master, the Young Lord has sent an invitation to his wedding."

At her words, Bai Qirui turned his head, a trace of confusion crossing his face. "A wedding invitation?"

"Yes," the disciple replied, handing over the red-gold letter and casting him a flirtatious glance in passing.

Such a glance would have delighted almost anyone else, but Bai Qirui was long accustomed to such things and paid it no mind, accepting the invitation and reading the gilded characters at his leisure.

When he finished, he shook his head with a soft "tsk tsk." "I never expected the two of them to marry so soon."

He slipped the invitation into his sleeve and looked back at the disciple. "Go to the Treasure Pavilion and bring them that set of blue-and-white porcelain tea ware as a gift."

The disciple accepted the order and withdrew with graceful steps.

Retrieving the tea set from the Treasure Pavilion, he mounted a magical artifact and set off to find Bai Shengyun and Xie Yingying.

Before long, he arrived at the mountainside of Gu Feng Mountain, treading a familiar path to Bai Shengyun’s study. He knocked lightly and called out in a gentle voice, "Young Lord, Master Qirui has sent a gift."

He waited some time but heard no reply from within.

Puzzled, he recalled that he often delivered things to Bai Shengyun under Bai Qirui's orders and knew that the Young Lord usually spent his leisure hours reading in his study. Why was he absent today?

Just then, a maid happened to pass by. The disciple stopped her and asked, "Is the Young Lord in?"

The maid, taken aback by his striking beauty, blushed and replied shyly, "The Young Lord left early this morning. I don't know where he went."

He pressed on, "Then where is the lady the Young Lord is to marry?"

The maid pointed him in the right direction, and he followed it, soon finding a quiet courtyard lush with greenery and songbirds sharing the branches. Servant girls were few, and there were even shadow guards standing watch.

He paid this no mind and approached, explaining his purpose to the waiting maid.

She was reluctant to disturb Xie Yingying, but mindful of the etiquette owed to the Celestial Fox Clan, she went inside and roused the sleeping girl.

Xie Yingying, still drowsy, wondered who besides Bai Shengyun would ever come looking for her. She rubbed her eyes, yawned, and as she let her hand fall, she saw a young man before her.

He was of an androgynous beauty, his long black hair loose about his shoulders, eyes as blue as the vault of heaven, lending him a captivating allure. Were it not for her time in this world learning to distinguish the strong from the weak—and the fact that he made no effort to conceal his cultivation—Xie Yingying might have mistaken him for someone easily bullied.

"I am Master Qirui’s disciple," the youth said with a charming smile, presenting the carefully wrapped blue-and-white porcelain. "Master Qirui sent me to congratulate you and the Young Lord on your upcoming marriage, wishing you a hundred years of happiness together."

Xie Yingying accepted the porcelain, instantly recognizing it as a treasure of immense worth, worth at least a fortune. She marveled inwardly at Bai Qirui’s generosity.

Her eyes sparkled. She waved the youth over with a smile. "Thank you for your trouble. Let me treat you to some tea—please, come in."

The youth, indeed a bit thirsty, entered.

While pouring tea, Xie Yingying swiftly wrote something on a strip of cloth, then tucked it into an ordinary folding fan.

She handed the fan to the youth. "I have nothing suitable as a gift for your master—please give him this from me."

He smiled and nodded, accepting the fan.

Dusk was falling. After tea, the youth took his leave. Xie Yingying could barely hide her eagerness for him to depart and deliver that fan to Bai Qirui as soon as possible.

In his study, the incense burner sent curls of blue smoke into the air. Bai Qirui was enveloped in the rich aroma of sandalwood, which nevertheless cleared the mind.

He opened a book, making notes in the margin. The youth called from outside, and Bai Qirui admitted him.

The youth presented the folding fan. Bai Qirui opened it, and a strip of cloth fluttered to the floor.

Puzzled, he picked it up and read the message: I do not wish to marry Bai Shengyun. Help.

"Did Xie Yingying give you this?" Bai Qirui frowned.

The youth nodded lightly. "Yes."

Bai Qirui felt conflicted. He was uncertain whether to help or not. Bai Shengyun's power now loomed over everything; his word was law. Even if Bai Qirui wanted to help, there was little he could do.

Besides, Bai Qirui thought the two of them were quite well-matched.

He pondered for a long time, then burned the strip of cloth, finally glancing up at the indifferent youth and reminding him, "We know nothing of this matter."

The youth indicated his understanding.

Fearing Xie Yingying might try to escape, Bai Qirui wrote a letter and entrusted it to the youth, sending him off once more.

The youth, delighted to be out and about, cheerfully took the letter and set off, savoring the scenery along the way.