A Burden of Guilt and a Somber Bath

Yu Lian did not see Yixiya appear until well after lunch. This was highly unusual. Given Yixiya’s obsession with Bai Muya, she should have rushed over at the break of dawn.

Yet, not only had the entire morning passed, but lunchtime was over, and Yixiya was still nowhere to be seen.

Something felt amiss.

Yu Lian recalled Yixiya’s aloofness and chilling indifference when she had left the previous night. Could it be that Yixiya was angry and hadn’t come because Yu Lian had spoken a word too many?

As this thought crossed her mind, a heavy burden of guilt settled upon Yu Lian. If she had indeed deterred Yixiya from coming, her actions were truly regrettable. After all, she had promised to facilitate the relationship between Yixiya and Bai Muya—to play matchmaker and act as Yixiya’s secret accomplice.

“Miss Yu Lian, I’ll take the dishes now,” Bai Lingyi said, gathering the service. “When the Second Miss wakes up, please have a maid outside inform me.”

“Oh, alright.”

Bai Lingyi departed, carrying the trays.

Left alone, Yu Lian sat at the table, pondering Yixiya’s absence. Bai Muya, having enjoyed her massage, had drifted back into a peaceful slumber on the bed, showing no signs of waking.

“Forget it. Whether she comes or not, what does it matter to me? The only one who loses out is her. Let her do as she pleases, hmph.”

Yu Lian shook her head, her long hair swaying behind her. She picked up the unfinished “treasured book” and began to read with great relish.

‘The uncensored versions are truly superior…’

‘I always felt those earlier editions didn’t flow well. It turns out they were tampered with.’

The rustling of turning pages and the soft sounds of breathing intertwined, creating a melodious rhythm within the quiet room.

Night fell.

A luminous moon hung high in the sky.

Yu Lian, accompanied by a maid, arrived at the bathroom door. She stood outside, not entering immediately. The maid guarding the entrance informed her that Bai Muya was currently bathing and asked her to wait.

‘Wait for what? It’s not like I haven’t seen her body before,’ Yu Lian thought, recalling the morning’s accidental view. ‘Moreover, we share an intimate wifely relationship. To block me like this—do they truly consider me her wife?’

Yu Lian felt a flicker of dissatisfaction but said nothing. These maids were merely following orders; making things difficult for them would only make her look petty.

She leaned against the door, bored.

Sounds emanated from within the bathroom. Yu Lian could clearly hear Bai Muya’s and Lingyi’s voices; they were both bathing inside. In the past, Yu Lian might have felt a pang of jealousy, but now, she almost welcomed it. She hoped Lingyi and Bai Muya would truly grow close, perhaps eroding that “red energy” of jealousy.

As she pondered this, Yu Lian’s thoughts drifted to Yixiya, the one with whom she had shared a kiss. She wondered how Yixiya would feel upon seeing Bai Muya and Lingyi together. Perhaps Yixiya would simply grab a blade and clash with Lingyi.

A showdown between two “afflicted” individuals.

Tsk, why am I strangely anticipating that?

Meanwhile, inside the bathroom.

What Yu Lian hoped for was not happening. Bai Muya sat in the tub as a pair of hands slowly glided from her chest down to her abdomen. She spoke calmly, without a ripple of emotion, “Lingyi, do you have a goal? Is there something you would pursue with all your might, even if it meant throwing caution to the wind?”

Bai Lingyi stood behind Bai Muya, towel in hand, meticulously washing her mistress’s body. Her eyes held no improper gaze, no hidden affection; she was simply performing her duties.

She replied, “I have no such goal. If I must give an answer, my only goal is to serve the Second Miss well—to ensure you can pursue your own happiness and joy.”

Bai Muya leaned her head back, resting it against Lingyi’s shoulder, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Are you certain?” Her gaze was as sharp as an eagle’s, carrying immense pressure.

Bai Lingyi remained composed. She lowered her head, meeting Bai Muya’s gaze, and responded firmly, “I am certain.”

Bai Muya watched her for a long moment, then let out a soft sigh. “Lingyi, you have a bright future ahead of you. Why persist in staying with me? Wouldn’t it be better to pursue your own desires and see the wider world?”

Raising a hand to her right shoulder, Bai Muya lowered her head. Images flashed through her mind before withering like fading flowers.

“Between the wider world and the Second Miss, I know which is more important. My answer is singular, and can only be singular.” Bai Lingyi raised her hand, pressing it over Bai Muya’s hand on her shoulder. “Second Miss, for once, please consider escaping the Bai Estate. I will help you leave. You don’t have to sacrifice yourself for Madam or the Eldest Miss.”

“Don’t speak of this again.” Bai Muya shook her head, pulling her hand away. “I am not doing this for Mother, nor for my sister. I am doing it for the Bai Estate. If the future of the clan requires me, then what does a little sacrifice matter? I am the Second Miss; for the estate’s sake, I would even give up my life.”

Bai Lingyi lowered her head, her voice tinged with grief. “But if that happens, you will only have one year left to live! Even if not for yourself, please consider Miss Yixiya. If she returns from her cultivation to find you gone, her grief will surely destroy this place.”

“Precisely. So, the Bai Estate will depend on you. If I… am no longer here, then seek out the immortal master who wished to take you as a disciple. Strive to become stronger and help me protect the Bai Estate. Prevent Yixiya from causing any trouble.”

Bai Lingyi offered no response, her silence heavy with sorrow.

Bai Muya’s finger traced her right shoulder, just above her breast, where a tiny, faintly glowing purple mark resided. As her finger touched it, she closed her eyes in pain, her alabaster shoulder trembling slightly.

‘They’ve been washing for far too long. I’m almost falling asleep,’ Yu Lian thought, staring suspiciously at the door. ‘Are they really doing something indescribable in there?’

While she hoped they would bond, the thought that one was her “husband” (socially speaking) and the other her crush created a knot in her heart. Even if the marriage was in name only, she didn’t want to be made a fool of.

Just as she was about to force her way in, the door finally opened. The two women walked out, now fully dressed.

Yu Lian subconsciously sniffed the air, then immediately scolded herself. What am I doing? I wouldn’t even know what to smell for!

Yu Lian glanced at Bai Muya, whose expression was unreadable. Then she looked at Lingyi, who seemed deeply dejected. Had they argued? Yu Lian couldn’t figure it out.

“Go quickly and wash up,” Bai Muya commanded as she walked past. “Then come warm my bed and sleep beside me.”

‘I’m not some heating pad!’ Yu Lian glared at Bai Muya’s departing back.

“Miss Yu Lian, should I—”

“Ah, no need. Lingyi, you go rest. I’ll wash myself.”

Bang.

The bathroom door closed.