She only knew that she was Xiao Qiyu’s junior sister, and as for Xiao Qiyu’s feelings towards her…
“Really, there’s no point in thinking about this!” Xi Fuhong softly scolded herself.
These matters had nothing to do with her.
The incident at the tomb that day shouldn’t have happened.
Since Xiao Qiyu couldn’t remember, why should she dwell on it? Anyway, once they reached Miaojiang, she and Xiao Qiyu would part ways and never meet again.
All the fates began with the Black Dragon Tail Ring and now end with it.
At night, Qin Ke Yun had everyone rest by the lake.
Ten disciples from Bi Xuan Palace lit a fire, gathered around it, chatting and laughing.
Among them, Fang Qi Er was second only to Xiao Qiyu and Qin Ke Yun in seniority, so she was considered a little senior sister among the disciples, teaching her junior sisters with a semblance of authority.
After handling some trivial matters, Qin Ke Yun walked towards Xi Fuhong’s carriage.
“Miss Xi, would you like to have dinner?” Qin Ke Yun called out from beside the carriage, but received no response.
Seeing this, she didn’t want to disturb her, thinking she was probably asleep, and then headed towards Xiao Qiyu’s carriage.
Skillfully lifting the curtain, she saw Xiao Qiyu resting her chin on her hand, looking down at a Taoist book.
But Qin Ke Yun knew Xiao Qiyu wasn’t focused because when she had asked earlier if they should stop for the night, Xiao Qiyu was reading this book, and two hours later, she was still on the same page.
“Senior Sister, it seems Miss Xi is already asleep,” Qin Ke Yun said softly, kneeling beside her.
“Mm, you’ve worked hard on this journey,” Xiao Qiyu blinked and smiled gently.
“You should rest early too.”
Hearing this, Qin Ke Yun didn’t leave.
She knelt beside her, her hesitant demeanor not matching her usual decisive nature, her expression somewhat uncertain.
Xiao Qiyu put down the book in her hand, sat up straight, and looked at Qin Ke Yun.
She knew this thoughtful junior sister must have some doubts about her, but her cautious nature kept her from asking.
“If you want to ask, just ask.
I won’t blame you,” Xiao Qiyu said calmly, her eyes serene.
“Did anything happen between you and Miss Xi when you went to the Ning Family’s underworld that day?” Qin Ke Yun asked seriously, raising her head.
“Since you returned, I’ve felt something strange, especially the way you look at Miss Xi.
It’s very unusual.
Why are you insisting on taking Miss Xi along on this journey?”
To repay a debt? That was just an excuse; keeping her was the main reason.
“Do I have any special feelings for Miss Xi?” Xiao Qiyu countered.
“Senior Sister is always kind to people, but you’re different with Miss Xi.
As for how you’re different, you know it yourself,” Qin Ke Yun lowered her head, subconsciously clenching her fists.
“For the matter of Tiger Dragon Cave, you’ve been away from the palace for a long time.
Master is very worried, but seeing your persistence, he kept silent.
Now that Tiger Dragon Cave has opened, I hope you won’t worry Master anymore.”
“I’ve been willful, truly unfilial,” Xiao Qiyu turned to look out the window, seeing only darkness.
“Master is getting old and hopes you’ll return to the palace to take over soon,” Qin Ke Yun stated the facts.
Xiao Qiyu had been obedient and respectful since childhood.
However, for the Tiger Dragon Treasure, she ignored Master’s advice and left the mountain for months without returning to the palace.
Master, helpless, thought she must have her reasons and let her be.
Now that things have calmed down, Qin Ke Yun’s task was to bring Xiao Qiyu back to Bi Xuan Palace safely.
Senior Sister Qiyu’s fate might be like that of a wealthy family’s daughter, beyond her control.
“Ke Yun…” Xiao Qiyu called softly after a long silence.
Qin Ke Yun frowned upon hearing this.
It had been a long time since Senior Sister called her by name, ever since that incident…
“Are you worried that because of Xi Fuhong, I’ll make another mistake?” Xiao Qiyu looked at Qin Ke Yun’s lowered head, her tone unusually calm, as if discussing someone else’s affairs.
“The term ‘young and reckless’ no longer applies to me at this age.
Now, treating Xi Fuhong well is just to make up for some mistakes… No, it’s not even a mistake, just a bit of pity for that child who got caught up in this.”
“I think Miss Xi would be very sad to hear that,” Qin Ke Yun raised her head, meeting Xiao Qiyu’s gaze.
“Perhaps…” Xiao Qiyu relaxed her stiff back, pulling her coat tighter.
“How can someone like me take over?”
Pretending to be gentle and kind, how could a hypocrite like her manage Bi Xuan Palace after taking over?
“If only…” The hoarse voice suddenly stopped, Qin Ke Yun frowned, hoping Xiao Qiyu wouldn’t continue.
But the choked words still echoed between them.
“If only Ling Xue were still alive.”
This morning, everything changed.
Xi Fuhong sat in Xiao Qiyu’s carriage because she had given her carriage to a Bi Xuan Palace disciple who fell ill last night.
Perhaps because of her young age and never having traveled far, spending the night outdoors in the cold wind gave her a cold.
So when Xi Fuhong heard the young disciple was ill, she immediately gave up her carriage.
She said she could ride a horse, but Qin Ke Yun suggested she share a carriage with Xiao Qiyu to avoid catching a cold herself.
Thus, she faced Xiao Qiyu, and the atmosphere was awkward.
“Miss Xi, there’s no need to be restrained,” Xiao Qiyu said with a gentle smile, which only made Xi Fuhong more nervous.
Nodding, Xi Fuhong moved to sit closer to the window.
Although it was also a carriage, Xiao Qiyu’s was much simpler, without the luxurious decorations or soft bedding of hers.
There were only a few quilts, a low table, and fifty or sixty books of various sizes.
She casually picked up an old book at her feet and flipped through it, finding it full of words and images she couldn’t understand.
“Is Miss Xi also interested in spirits?” Xiao Qiyu’s steady voice came, with a hint of amusement.
“?!”
Startled, she dropped the book, not daring to flip through it again.
Xiao Qiyu picked up the discarded book, her fingers brushing over the old, yellowed pages, the writing already somewhat blurred.
Xi Fuhong said she was afraid of ghosts, but what about herself? Having been with spirits since childhood, did she have the choice to fear or not? She only remembered doing whatever Master said, and her journey had been smooth, but…
When Ling Xue first entered Bi Xuan Palace, she also couldn’t adapt to the talk of ghosts.
“No worries,” Xiao Qiyu said, setting the book aside, not speaking further.
Xi Fuhong watched her sit alone at the small table reading, her serene profile glowing in the light.
She had to admit, Xiao Qiyu’s calm and composed demeanor was indeed very attractive.
Just looking at her made one feel at ease, as if any difficulty could be overcome with her by your side, making you want to trust and follow her.
Xi Fuhong averted her gaze, frowning in frustration.
She knew it was all an illusion, constantly reminding herself not to be deceived…
Yet she still found herself looking at her.
“…Sigh.” Only after parting in Miaojiang could she truly relax.
“Why is Miss Xi sighing?” Xiao Qiyu asked, looking at Xi Fuhong.
Her gaze was unflinching, and Xi Fuhong felt as if her thoughts were being seen through by those dark eyes.
“It’s nothing… I just…” Xi Fuhong bit her lower lip, hesitating to speak.
Seeing this, Xiao Qiyu only responded with a smile.
It was this gentle smile, like a poison, that tormented Xi Fuhong’s heart.
“Miss Xiao is very beautiful, and her smile is very lovely…” It also troubled her.
“Thank you, Miss Xi is also quite beautiful,” Xiao Qiyu said with a slight smile, squinting her eyes.
Hearing this, Xi Fuhong immediately shook her head, regarding beauty and ugliness.
