An Unexpected Epiphany

“That’s how it all happened…”

Bai Yuan and Qian Ying returned to the Golden Bamboo Courtyard together, settling into the hall.

Seeing that Bai Yuan was truly unaware of the specifics, Qian Ying recounted the entire sequence of events in meticulous detail, like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.

“That pair, the father and daughter, are now in our custody,” Qian Ying explained. “We’ve clarified the situation; someone indeed paid them to deliberately extort Qian Tong. The Rumor Hall has already dispatched scouts to track the black-clad figures, and I expect we’ll receive news soon…”

To think, such hidden complexities lay behind this incident.

Bai Yuan sighed inwardly. She had never imagined that her interference would divert this matter down an entirely different path.

Qian Tong remained unharmed. Although Yang Xuan had intervened, his actions were precise and restrained, preventing any major conflict. In fact, it seemed the Drunken Daoist might even come to apologize.

While she wasn’t privy to how this commotion concluded in her past life, she surmised it certainly hadn’t ended so perfectly.

Considering this, had she, at last, done a good deed?

Bai Yuan’s spirits lifted slightly with this thought, and she smiled at Qian Ying. “Indeed, with Hall Master Pei’s capabilities, I imagine it will only take three to five days.”

The two women chatted and laughed, their relationship growing noticeably closer without them realizing it.

As the sun climbed higher, Qian Ying noted the time and prepared to take her leave.

Bai Yuan knew that Qian Ying had just returned from a distant expedition and must have a multitude of tasks awaiting her, so she didn’t press her to stay, escorting her to the door.

Just then, two elderly maids entered the courtyard, carrying a rattan chair.

“Madam Yuan, your rattan chair has arrived. Where would you like us to put it?” one of them respectfully inquired.

“This is—”

Qian Ying gazed at the rattan chair, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

“Just put it over there,” Bai Yuan said, gesturing casually to an empty spot. She then turned to Qian Ying, a soft smile gracing her lips. “I made it myself when I was idle. I usually put it in the courtyard to bask in the sun.”

“Oh? Little Sister Yuan, you made this yourself?”

Qian Ying’s eyes lit up. She hurried closer to examine it meticulously, exclaiming in wonder. “It looks incredibly intricate! I never knew you possessed such a skill, Little Sister Yuan.”

“When I first arrived, I wasn’t quite accustomed to such an unrestrained life. I was so bored in the courtyard that I decided to try my hand at some craft to pass the time.”

“All the materials were sourced from within the courtyard. These bamboo poles and old vines, I cut them myself. Then, while cultivating, I slowly polished and altered their inherent properties with my internal energy, before weaving them one by one. It took a considerable amount of effort. Thankfully, the final result turned out quite well.”

Bai Yuan explained to Qian Ying, her fingers tracing the green rattan strands. Her words held a distinct note of self-satisfaction.

Watching Bai Yuan, Qian Ying suddenly felt a pang of unease in her heart.

‘Bored in the courtyard… to pass the time.’

Bai Yuan spoke lightly, but before coming here today, Qian Ying had specifically visited Bai Yuan’s original courtyard. It hadn’t yet been cleaned, retaining its former appearance.

That place…

It was truly desolate and dilapidated. She had only stayed in that courtyard for a short while before feeling a sense of gloom, and it took a long walk to shake it off.

Yet this woman had lived there for three years without a single word of complaint…

What had she endured during those three years?

For a moment, the image of the proud, arrogant, ruthless prodigy, like a blazing sun in the sky, struggled to reconcile with this serene woman who now somewhat proudly displayed her handiwork.

“Oh, Sister Ying, would you like to try it?”

Bai Yuan suddenly looked up, her tone laced with a hint of temptation. “Lying on it to sunbathe is absolutely a top-tier indulgence.”

“Oh?”

Meeting Bai Yuan’s clear gaze, Qian Ying found it difficult to refuse. Moreover… a rattan chair personally woven by Bai Yuan sounded rather extraordinary.

She was always decisive in her actions and never hesitated, so she sat down directly.

“Yes, lie back like that, perfect…”

Bai Yuan’s voice drifted down from above.

The bright sunlight warmed her face, and Qian Ying squinted. It was just as Bai Yuan had described. Lying on the rattan chair, every curve felt perfectly aligned, fitting her body flawlessly. There wasn’t a single spot that felt uncomfortable; it was far superior to her own chairs.

She couldn’t help but let out a contented sigh, her mind unconsciously relaxing.

“My actions, Little Sister, have always been centered around myself. When I made this, I only thought of my own comfort, so all the material properties were adjusted according to my preferences. Some parts might appear overly intricate, perhaps too complex, and certain aspects of the material’s properties might not have been fully utilized, but that doesn’t matter, as long as it satisfies my needs.”

Bai Yuan’s voice beside her seemed somewhat ethereal. ‘Wait, why is she suddenly talking about this?’

Qian Ying’s mind instantly became a little muddled.

“However, if the Master were to make this, it would be entirely different.”

“Oh—”

Qian Ying’s heart skipped a beat, but she was immediately drawn back by Bai Yuan’s leisurely voice.

“The Master’s cultivation has always emphasized, ‘I can conform to the sword, but the sword cannot conform to me.’ So, if he were to make this rattan chair, he would certainly fully bring out the inherent characteristics of these rattan strands and bamboo pieces. The resulting chair might not perfectly align with ‘my’ needs, but it would undoubtedly be the most harmonious with the Way of Nature, achieving the unity of heaven and man.”

Qian Ying’s eyes snapped open. She looked at Bai Yuan’s profile, graced with a faint smile, and a flicker of understanding seemed to dawn upon her.

Was this…

In the next moment, Bai Yuan suddenly turned her head and winked at Qian Ying. “Oh, if Sister Shuang were to make it—”

“Shuang’er?”

Qian Ying’s thoughts were now completely led by Bai Yuan.

“Hmm, if it were Sister Shuang—she wouldn’t make it at all. She would merely toss out two pills and say, ‘Tsk, come make one for me.’”

‘Is she… mocking Shuang’er?’

However, that did sound exactly like Shuang’er’s style.

Qian Ying looked at Bai Yuan’s teasing smile, and suddenly, a corner of her heart was touched—it was a cultivation bottleneck that had troubled her for far too long.

For a moment, she sat rigidly in the rattan chair, her eyes unfocused, lost in a trance.

“…Madam Yuan, Sister Ying, she?”

A moment later, Biyan cautiously approached from not far away.

Having always followed Qin Wanzhao, she was somewhat experienced and, seeing Qian Ying’s state, had a faint suspicion.

“Hmm, Sister Ying has had an epiphany,” Bai Yuan nodded, instructing. “Be careful. Seal off the courtyard. Don’t let anyone move around, and don’t let anyone enter. Such a rare opportunity must not be disturbed.”

“Yes.”

Biyan cast a respectful glance at her new mistress before carefully retreating.