The woman on the throne was silent for a long moment before sneering, “You really are a saint. To play the hypocrite to this extent, have you managed to move even yourself?”
“Very well. In that case, I will grant you your wish.”
Wen Xianyin, standing to the side, cautiously lifted her eyelids to peek at her sect master’s unpredictable expression, then let them fall again in exhaustion.
Miss Yan, don’t think too highly of yourself. The Sect Master, she—
Jiang Xidai withdrew her gaze, turning over on the soft couch to prop herself up slightly.
When the Sect Master is angry—
Jiang Xidai walked over to Yan Huirou, her red robes flowing like a waterfall, every step like a blooming lotus.
When the Sect Master is angry, she’ll kill people—
Jiang Xidai seized the girl’s chin.
When the Sect Master is angry, she’ll kill people and leave no survivors—
Before the thought could fully form in her mind, Wen Xianyin blinked, staring in bewilderment at the inexplicable scene before her.
Jiang Xidai’s expression was cold, but she only pressed her thumb with slight force, leaving a nail mark on Yan Huirou’s lifted chin.
“Go kneel outside. You are not to get up without my command.”
She released her hand, flinging Yan Huirou away. She walked through the crowd of kneeling figures and out of the main hall, the tails of her robes fluttering loudly, leaving only a graceful red silhouette behind.
Wen Xianyin: “…” Just kneeling?
A colleague next to her quietly leaned in and whispered, “Why has our Sect Master’s temper become so gentle these days? What do you call that? All thunder and no rain.”
Wen Xianyin glanced at Li Xinghe’s miserable state and mentally rejected the suggestion, looking away. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
It wasn’t that she had become gentler, but rather that Miss Yan was special to her.
Wen Xianyin dismissed the deeply disappointed disciples and slowly had the contraptions in the hall put away. As for Li Xinghe, the Sect Master had not yet specified how to deal with him, so for now, he would be imprisoned.
She walked past Yan Huirou. The slender girl knelt on the ground, her face showing no trace of resentment. She blinked her long lashes, her curious gaze following Wen Xianyin as she called out, “Senior Sister Wen.”
“In the future, don’t be a smart-aleck and try to guess the Sect Master’s thoughts.”
Being watched by the young girl’s clear, bright eyes, Wen Xianyin couldn’t bring herself to say anything too harsh, only offering a light warning, “If you want to live a little longer.”
Yan Huirou said, “I understand.”
She knelt quietly before the hall, watching as the people around her slowly dispersed, eventually leaving her all alone.
A gust of wind rustled through the osmanthus tree in front of the hall, followed by the soft, whispering sound of falling leaves.
Yan Huirou smelled the damp earth. Looking up, she saw that it had started to rain.
At first, it was a fine drizzle, but soon dark clouds rolled in, spreading like a bruise on fair skin. A torrential downpour suddenly began amidst flashes of lightning and claps of thunder.
She knelt under the eaves of the hall, which perhaps shielded her from half the wind and rain. But the raindrops hit the roof and bounced off randomly, and a few stray drops always splattered onto her clothes.
Little by little, they accumulated, and her clothes became increasingly soaked.
When the wind blew, it felt even colder.
Her figure trembled slightly in the autumn wind, like a fragile blade of grass.
This scene was taken in by Jiang Xidai, who stood in the distant maple forest.
Jiang Xidai frowned.
Reading her expression, Wen Xianyin said from the side, “When does the Sect Master plan to let Miss Yan get up?”
Let her kneel to death, the disobedient thing. Jiang Xidai’s brow furrowed even deeper.
But Jiang Xidai felt an ache accumulating in her own knees, one that was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
“What’s wrong with you?”
Jiang Xidai’s legs hurt when she walked. She stumbled slightly and frowned. “It’s nothing. Bring me a chair. The view here is quite nice.”
It was pouring rain at the moment, but the Sect Master seemed to have a particular fondness for admiring the scenery during a downpour. Wen Xianyin, used to her eccentricities, followed her command and brought her a chair, taking the umbrella from her hand as she did.
Jiang Xidai didn’t feel much more comfortable even after sitting down. The ache in her knees followed her like a shadow, so she could only cross her legs to press down on it. In her youth, she had always been showered by blades and arrows, and had suffered countless injuries.
Others thought she never cared, for Crimson Illumination always killed with an unchanging expression, or even a smile.
But Jiang Xidai was actually afraid of pain. Because injury meant weakness, and another step closer to death.
She had wanted to live, so she instinctively detested pain. Naturally, she often retaliated against her opponents in the same way. For her, this kind of persistent, dull ache was worse than a direct stab.
Unfortunately, she was in a bad mood today and didn’t feel like letting Yan Huirou off lightly. This dull ache, she actually endured it.
Jiang Xidai only frowned slightly, resting her forehead on her hand propped up on the arm of the chair, watching the rain beat against the maple leaves nearby, blurring them into afterimages.
The heavy rain lasted for a long time.
When the rain stopped, the mountains looked fresh and vibrant.
“If there’s nothing else, you may leave.”
“I see that the Sect Master is not looking well.” Wen Xianyin’s gaze shifted back and forth between her and Yan Huirou in the distance. She said considerately, “Why not pardon Miss Yan from kneeling—”
Miss Yan this, Miss Yan that.
Jiang Xidai felt a vein throb at her temple. She couldn’t help but rub it. Her other hand, resting on the armrest, pressed a shallow dent into the wood out of a flicker of annoyance.
The person in question didn’t notice, but Wen Xianyin immediately lowered her gaze and fell silent.
In her opinion, the Sect Master was staring at Yan Huirou with such displeasure most likely because Miss Yan had offended her earlier. The kneeling was to vent her anger.
But punishing her had only made the Sect Master herself unhappy, which probably meant she had started to care.
Wen Xianyin secretly thought that if she wasn’t mistaken, the Sect Master would probably find an excuse to let Yan Huirou off later.
“Yes, I will take my leave.”
A few steps after Wen Xianyin left, Jiang Xidai slightly lifted the hem of her robes. On her bent, pale knees, two livid bruises were shockingly visible.
Even a light touch of her fingertip sent a sharp sting.
“…”
“Wen Xianyin.”
“What are the Sect Master’s orders?”
The footsteps stopped.
“Tell that little girl to get lost.” The voice from behind sounded casual. “…She’s an eyesore.” After speaking, Jiang Xidai tilted her head slightly.
“Yes.”
Wen Xianyin’s lips twitched. She turned around and bowed respectfully.
Her clothes were soaked, clinging tightly to her body.
Yan Huirou knelt before the hall, pulling at the large, waterlogged patches of fabric to keep her body from growing even stiffer.
Her knees naturally hurt a great deal, but after years of torture, this small pain seemed like nothing in comparison.
Before it became unbearable, Senior Sister Wen, who was always by the Sect Master’s side, came over.
“Get up.”
Yan Huirou was somewhat surprised. “That’s it?”
Wen Xianyin scolded, “You—” She sighed and glanced inexplicably towards the maple forest.
At this distance, the Sect Master shouldn’t be able to hear. After all, Miss Yan’s words are utterly provocative, as if she hasn’t kneeled enough.
Knowing Jiang Xidai’s temperament, if she found out, she would surely “grant her wish” and make her kneel until tomorrow.
She helped Yan Huirou up and instructed, “Watch your words and actions.”
Yan Huirou thanked her softly and stood where she was. She waited until the soreness and numbness in her legs subsided and she felt the blood circulating again before she started to walk.
Wen Xianyin thoughtfully waited for her for a while, then supported her arm from a respectful distance.
Yan Huirou was observant. Within a few steps, she noticed something different.
This Senior Sister Wen had always been very kind, and had helped her walk several times. But for some reason, the way she offered her arm this time seemed overly polite and courteous—even a little distant.
Yan Huirou thought, Perhaps it’s because I made Jiang Xidai angry.
It’s only natural that the disciples of this sect wouldn’t want to get too involved with me.
It’s natural. So she didn’t pay it much mind.
Wen Xianyin supported her all the way today, dutifully escorting her to her door.
During this period of time, Yan Huirou had been living in an inconspicuous side courtyard of the Shasheng Sect, a long walk from the main hall.
Most of the people living around were also miscellaneous disciples who were not involved in important matters. Their work consisted of menial tasks like sweeping, moving things, purchasing, and washing.
The conditions were ordinary, even a bit spartan.
This was Wen Xianyin’s arrangement. Jiang Xidai’s attitude towards Yan Huirou was unclear, and Wen Xianyin, unable to gauge it, had cautiously placed her here.
The Sect Master had not asked about it since, so she had not been moved.
Just as Yan Huirou was stepping through the door, she heard a voice from behind, “Miss Yan, please pack your things. We will be moving you today.”
She looked back in surprise. “Hmm?”
Senior Sister Wen explained politely, “It will get colder as we head into winter. Miss Yan has no cultivation, so I’m afraid you will get cold. A courtyard has recently become available behind the main hall of the Shasheng Sect. It will be warmer there.”
Yan Huirou said, “Recently become available? Did someone move out?” She blinked. “This place is already very good. I don’t want to cause any more trouble.”
She meant it. After all, someone who had been locked in a dark, damp cave for so long would not be picky about any environment.
Wen Xianyin smiled to herself. The young girl is truly naive. Most of the area behind the main hall was empty. Where would a suddenly vacant courtyard come from? It was just a pleasantry.
Ultimately, it was because the master of the Shasheng Sect seemed to have taken a special liking to her, and it was somewhat inappropriate for her to continue living in a place like this.
“The lighting is better, and the scenery is beautiful. A beautiful view for a beautiful person, it will naturally suit Miss Yan better.”
Yan Huirou had initially thought it was unnecessary, but upon hearing “the lighting is better,” she was suddenly tempted.
Having stayed in dark places for so long, she had grown to love the light, especially on a clear, sunny day.
Looking again, Wen Xianyin’s attitude didn’t seem like she was consulting her, so Yan Huirou readily agreed, “Alright. Thank you, then.”
