Though Bai Zhanfeng was reluctant to hear Xuan Yue's words, they did not entirely escape his notice. There was a great deal of truth in what she said. From the very beginning, he had known he could not provide his junior apprentice sister with the happiness she deserved. He had witnessed her change for his sake, enduring the scorn of the world, and he had seen her suffer and toil for him. He was not indifferent to her plight, yet he could not afford to be soft-hearted.
Sometimes, he found it perplexing why, despite their brief time together, he felt such profound emotions for Xuan Yue. Even when they were together, she had never shown him kindness. Was it during the Martial Arts Conference or at the Premier Tower? The words she spoke to Xiao Yu made him feel that she truly understood the situation. While others mocked Xiao Yu's shamelessness, some also chastised his cold-heartedness. Only she dared to voice such shocking truths.
All along, he had never considered inheriting the Bai family's affairs. This place was his root, yet its environment was wholly unsuitable for him. Moreover, the Bai family was filled with outstanding men, each far more suited to lead than he was. Yet, the old master had set his sights on him. If not for Xuan Yue's words, had she not spoken them in his presence, perhaps everything would have unfolded differently now.
Everyone should shoulder their inherent responsibilities and missions. It was for this reason he returned to the State of Chu, enduring an environment he disliked out of necessity. Following the old master's orders, he took on the role of head of the Bai family and married into the Chen family. He was almost on the verge of forgetting what he had once been.
After Xuan Yue's remarks today, he felt a similar resonance within himself. Chen Ruoxi was not Xiao Yu; it was his refusal that allowed his junior sister to find happiness. However, all of Chen Ruoxi's hopes rested upon him.
He had contemplated building a life with her, yet every time such thoughts arose, they were quashed by his resentment toward the old master. She was innocent, utterly innocent. Each time he saw the sacrifices she made for him, guilt welled within him. Yet she should not have subjected herself to such designs. Since that incident, he felt that the distance between himself and Xuan Yue had become insurmountable, as if even missing her would be a sacrilege.
Now, as he resolved to reconcile with her, yet faced with such a situation, Bai Zhanfeng felt a surge of anger rising within him, threatening to spiral out of control. He had warned her before to adhere to her role, yet it seemed she had never taken his words to heart.
With a darkened expression and a fierce demeanor, Bai Zhanfeng startled the servants, who quickly bowed and made way for him. Upon arriving at Chen Ruoxi's residence, the cool night breeze cleared his mind, easing some of his overwhelming fury.
Bai Zhanfeng stood at the entrance, taking a deep breath. If he rushed in now, he would only end up blaming Chen Ruoxi. He resolved to speak with her calmly.
He paced outside the door, and the maid on duty caught sight of him, her eyes widening in surprise before quickly brightening. She dashed to Chen Ruoxi's room. At this hour, Chen Ruoxi was sitting by the window in a daze. Hearing the hurried footsteps, she turned to the flustered maid and frowned, "Why are you in such a rush?"
The maid, still breathless, scurried to Chen Ruoxi's side, pointing towards the door. "Young Master—Young Master is—"
Before she could finish, Chen Ruoxi suddenly stood up, moving toward the door in the direction the maid indicated. "Has the Young Master arrived?"
The maid nodded eagerly.
A smile blossomed on Chen Ruoxi's lips, stretching from ear to ear. She lifted her skirts and hurried out, prompting Chun Tao to follow, calling, "Miss!"
Chen Ruoxi, momentarily lost in her excitement, turned to Chun Tao, touching her face. "Chun Tao, do I look alright?"
Chun Tao smiled and nodded. "Miss, you look beautiful no matter what."
In good spirits, Chen Ruoxi tidied her hair. Though Bai Zhanfeng returned home each day, he had always stayed in the study and had rarely visited her courtyard since their wedding. Following that incident, he seemed to have completely ignored her. Even when she sought him out, he avoided her, and when they did meet, he was engrossed in work, not even sparing her a glance, which was disheartening.
Bai Zhanfeng hesitated for a long time at the door, when suddenly, Chen Ruoxi called out, "Young Master."
He turned to see Chen Ruoxi standing at the entrance, her face alight with joy. He was at a loss for words, feeling a mixture of emotions. He was not one to indulge in such feelings, and his feelings for Chen Ruoxi were destined to remain unfulfilled.
Bai Zhanfeng simply murmured in acknowledgment, brushing past her as he stepped inside. Chen Ruoxi struggled to suppress her inner excitement and maintain composure, yet the joy in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.
Bai Zhanfeng settled at a table directly facing the door, and Chen Ruoxi followed suit, standing beside him. "Young Master, why are you back so early this evening? Have you had dinner?"
Her soft inquiry was accompanied by her bright, almond-shaped eyes filled with deep affection as she poured him a cup of tea and offered it to him.
"I have already dined."
Bai Zhanfeng gestured for her to take a seat beside him.
Chen Ruoxi sat where he indicated. "Then I'll have the servants prepare some of your favorite pastries for dessert."
"No need." Bai Zhanfeng refused outright, not even pausing to think. Chen Ruoxi stared at him, her smile faltering, but she quickly regained her composure.
She gazed at Bai Zhanfeng, realizing she loved him deeply. That was why she had defied her family's objections and married into the Bai household without hesitation. Even now, feeling such neglect, she had no regrets; at least she could still look upon him. If she gave up this chance and married another man, she would forever feel unfulfilled. From an outsider's perspective, she was the matriarch of the Bai family, and Bai Zhanfeng was her husband—a fact that could not be altered. Even if Old Master Jiang took a concubine, she remained the wife, and her position in the Bai household was unassailable.
In fact, there are times when she finds herself wishing he would take a concubine. To her, the notion of a man with multiple wives is utterly commonplace. What she detests most is the current state of affairs. She is not inherently domineering; although she harbors no affection for Feng Xianyue, she cannot bring herself to speak against someone her beloved cherishes. She does not dare to wish for him to completely forget her; she merely hopes for a small place in his heart—nothing more.
Bai Zhanfeng remained silent for a long while, contemplating how to broach the subject. Since the old master had stationed guards at the Rose Courtyard, he must be aware of what transpired. Even if Chen Ruoxi were to remain tight-lipped, the old master would not be able to keep it from him if he desired to know. What he urgently wanted to uncover was what had transpired during the hour she spent with Xianyue at the Rose Courtyard.
"Did you visit the Rose Courtyard today?"
Chen Ruoxi froze, her hand holding the cup becoming rigid, the smile that had just returned to her face instantly vanishing. Her starry eyes, once filled with excitement and joy, now brimmed with anxiety, which she swiftly suppressed.
Bai Zhanfeng's gaze was sharp as a blade, fixated on Chen Ruoxi. With just one look, he discerned that she was concealing something from him. His tone was not particularly harsh; today, he wished to avoid any quarrel with her and endeavored to remain calm. Had it been earlier, in the heat of his temper, he would have undoubtedly scolded her.
"What did you discuss with Xianyue?"
When Chen Ruoxi did not respond, Bai Zhanfeng pressed on.
Under his penetrating gaze, Chen Ruoxi felt as though she could hardly breathe. What had she shared with Xianyue? Her panic was instinctual. Today, her purpose in seeking out Xianyue was not only to apologize but also to urge her to leave. To a third party, such sentiments could easily be construed as driving someone away, and indeed, that was the truth. She had told herself she would leave by tomorrow; had she disclosed this to herself and shifted the blame onto her?
"What did Xianyue say to you?"
Chen Ruoxi asked cautiously, her eyes locked onto Bai Zhanfeng's.
After fear and anxiety came anger. It was evident that he had just returned from the Rose Courtyard. Whenever he returned, his first destination was always there. Xianyue must have been having dinner at that hour. What exactly had she said to Bai Zhanfeng? Chen Ruoxi's smile evaporated, and the lively beating of her heart felt doused in icy water, chilling her to the core.
Bai Zhanfeng furrowed his brows. "Xianyue is not one to gossip or speak ill of others."
Chen Ruoxi's heart clenched violently, as if a sharp needle had pierced her chest. Though there was no visible wound, the lingering pain drained the color from her face.
Such unwavering certainty in his tone was a testament to his trust in her. He, her husband, unconditionally believed in another woman. In an instant, Chen Ruoxi felt as if her heart were trampled beneath someone's foot. Despite her sacrifices, he still seemed indifferent to her; nothing could change that.
"Why would the old master send his trusted aide to the Rose Courtyard for no reason? The guards reported that in the evening, you and Chuntao went to the Rose Courtyard together. Not long after entering, Chuntao knelt before Xianyue."
Bai Zhanfeng did not elaborate. In truth, his visit today was not intended to embarrass Chen Ruoxi. However, he felt it essential to understand the situation. If she had indeed crossed any lines, he felt it necessary to issue a warning—not merely because of Xianyue but also due to her esteemed position, which made her untouchable by anyone within the Bai family.
Chen Ruoxi, however, disregarded these thoughts. Suddenly standing, her pale face was alarming, and her usually gentle voice trembled. "Did you come today just to ask these questions?"