Night Exploration of the Bai Residence
As the sun dipped below the horizon and night gradually descended, the imposing structure at the heart of the camp rivaled the grandeur of the Upper Sun Palace of the Chu Kingdom. This ancient edifice, majestic in its presence, bore the two characters of "Bai Fu" prominently displayed above the entrance, exuding an air of strength.
Flanking the entrance of Bai Fu were not fearsome lions but two towering trees, each over a century old, their trunks thick enough to require five men to encircle. Originally standing apart, their branches had grown so dense and expansive, resembling large discs, that they intertwined and leaned upon one another. Due to their extensive age, the roots had gradually merged, making it appear as though the two trees had nearly become one, save for the space between them where two people might stand.
Xianyue perched atop one of the trees, observing the comings and goings of several young servants who wandered about. The scene was no different from that of other residences; the area was bustling with activity, and one figure, clad in gray but wearing fine fabric, appeared to be of similar stature to Bai Ao. With a friendly demeanor, he welcomed guests, laughing and chatting as he assisted them back to their carriages. Given the respectful attitudes of those around him, it was evident that this individual was the steward of Bai Fu.
As the lights began to twinkle, the vibrant red lanterns exuded a festive cheer, welcoming distinguished guests. A white silhouette leapt down with the swiftness of lightning.
"It seems someone just glided past me," remarked one of the gatekeepers to a passing individual, his voice laced with confusion, barely believing his own words.
"You must have seen a ghost," replied the other, jesting but lacking any hint of derision. This man had guarded the gates of Bai Fu for forty years; a decade ago, the old master had offered him a handsome sum to retire, yet he had chosen to remain, claiming he would only leave upon death or illness. He saw nothing; his aging eyes were too dim to discern much.
Xianyue stood atop the wall of Bai Fu, resembling a mischievous spirit of the night, her bright eyes sparkling with luminous brilliance as she surveyed her surroundings.
Large was her first impression of Bai Fu. She had expected the two ancient trees at the entrance to herald a verdant courtyard, yet the reality was starkly different. Within the estate, there were no towering trees; even if there were any, they would be mere shrubs. The eaves were adorned with hanging red lanterns that illuminated the surroundings with a brilliant glow. Standing on the wall, aided by the flickering lights, she could see everything clearly: no patrolling guards, no imposing palace defenses, and the air was devoid of any sense of danger. It was this very absence of security that stirred an unsettling tension within her.
Devoid of trees or even boulders to conceal oneself, should one intrude at that moment, they would be exposed to the glaring eyes of onlookers, with nowhere to hide.
Xianyue smiled, lightly tapping the wall with one hand, akin to a nimble swallow. With an air of nonchalance, she strolled out from the corner. Throughout her passage, busy servants bustled past her; their respectful demeanor recognized her noble presence, and none dared to impede her. Upon her approach, they would bow and remain still until she had departed, resuming their duties only after she was gone.
Bai Fu was expansive yet lacked the winding paths of a palace; the straight avenues seemed endless. While Xianyue appeared leisurely, her keen eyes discreetly observed her surroundings, each structure resembling the next.
"Where is the old master?"
Noticing a servant passing by, Xianyue quickly stepped forward, pointing to an elderly maid and inquiring.
"I am a friend of your young master. He has been confined to the Cangji Tower day and night without rest. If this continues, even the strongest of bodies will succumb. I wish for the old master to accompany me to the palace to persuade him."
Upon hearing that it concerned Bai Zhanfeng, the servant's expression immediately darkened. The old master had already attempted to persuade the young master several times recently, but it seemed he would not heed the elder's words. Despite her confidence and serene demeanor, the servant couldn't help but glance at Xianyue, perhaps believing she might succeed where others had failed.
"At this hour, the old master should be in the study at the back courtyard," replied the older servant, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
"I just saw the old master heading to the former eldest master's courtyard."
Another young maid continued to speak to Xianyue, "That place is accessible only to the master and the young master; no one else in the estate may enter."
Xianyue smiled lightly and nodded, "Then take me to the entrance, and I shall wait for your master there."
The eldest son of the Bai family, Bai Zhantang, is well-versed in both literature and martial arts and was the most cherished son of Bai Ao. He was once a source of pride, and his engagement to the daughter of the Murong family was sensational. However, the couple mysteriously disappeared without a trace, leaving no one to know their fate to this day.
Winding through a series of corridors, the two walked in a straight line for about fifteen minutes. The maid halted, gesturing towards a cluster of buildings concealed by lush greenery. "Up ahead lies the residence of the eldest master."
Xianyue nodded and casually found a spot to sit. After waiting for what felt like an incense stick's worth of time, and still no sign of Bai Ao, she stood up, brushing off the dew from her bottom, and stretched, "Why hasn't he come out yet?"
Feigning drowsiness, she turned to the maid beside her, "It's too late; I can't wait any longer."
The maid, whose eyelids seemed to droop, suggested, "Perhaps the young lady should return tomorrow; maybe the young master will come to his senses by then."
Her naïveté matched her thoughts perfectly.
After they both left, Xianyue didn't actually depart; instead, she found a corner to hide until the guiding maid was gone and the area was deserted. Then she stepped out, retracing her path into the estate.
As she ventured deeper, the trees grew denser, their greenery reminiscent of spring buds, lush and vibrant. Xianyue gazed at the imposing stones standing two meters tall, arranged in perfect alignment with barely a meter of space between each. They formed a circle, surrounded by trees of varying heights and thicknesses—some tall, some short, and others as slender as fingers—swaying gracefully in the gentle night breeze. Their brilliant green shimmered under the moonlight, casting dazzling flashes.
Leaning against the great stone, Xianyue squinted, appearing leisurely; yet, her gaze radiated a sharp, icy brilliance. With a soft smile, she crouched down, her eyes focused on the towering stone, circling it once. Returning, she found a stone the size of her palm, which she weighed thoughtfully before hurling it into the heart of the stone circle. It arced gracefully through the air, landing with a series of sharp, explosive sounds that echoed through the night. One by one, the low bushes succumbed, and Xianyue clapped her hands in satisfaction, stepping lightly over the fallen branches. As she moved to the other side, her eyes widened in astonishment. She felt as though she had entered a paradise untouched by winter or the impending turmoil of war in the Zhou dynasty.
Everywhere she looked, roses bloomed—purple, white, and deep red—yet the most vibrant among them were the blue ones, dominating the area before a door. The trees, only waist-high, complemented the vibrant colors, highlighting the delicate beauty of the flowers. Directly ahead lay a vast lake, flanked on three sides by artificially arranged rocks. These stones formed a perfect blooming rose when viewed from Xianyue's perspective. When she shifted positions, it still resembled a rose in full bloom—an exquisite creation. On the opposite side stood a long stone bridge leading to a two-story bamboo house.
Could this truly be Bai Zhantang's residence? Had she stumbled into the wrong place? Was Bai Zhantang truly the father of Bai Zhantang?
It was hard to reconcile such a man, who could adorn his small courtyard to resemble a paradise, with the single-minded and tedious Bai Zhantang.
Xianyue pulled back her astonished gaze. Under every eave hung large red lanterns, decorated with roses of various colors. In front of the flowers stood a great tree, and the main house had its lights ablaze, with windows facing the courtyard wide open.
As Xianyue approached the entrance, the steps were adorned with blue roses—deep in color, resembling a vortex that seemed unfathomable, symbolizing despairing love.
Crouching down, she reached out towards a petal, intending to pluck a flower, when the door in front of her suddenly swung open with a creak. Bai Ao, dressed in blue, stepped out, his piercing gaze sharp as a dagger, locking onto Xianyue. Under the light, the lingering traces of sorrow were unmistakable.
Xianyue smiled, pausing her actions as she plucked the flower, bringing it to her nose to inhale its fragrance. She turned to Bai Ao, grinning, "It smells delightful."
Bai Ao pushed the door open and approached Xianyue, surveying the sea of flowers in the courtyard. Upon noticing the sparse trees, his stern gaze softened, ultimately landing on the blue rose in Xianyue's hand. "That is Wanan's favorite flower."
Murong Wanan, Bai Zhantang's wife and Bai Zhantang's mother, was a paragon of both beauty and talent, renowned as a legendary heroine. After marrying Bai Zhantang, she vanished from the martial world, her whereabouts unknown.
Xianyue bypassed the usual pleasantries and approached Bai Ao, bowing deeply, her demeanor entirely respectful, her expression tinged with flattery and deference. "Master Bai."
Bai Ao entirely disregarded Xianyue's smiling face, gazing out into the pitch-black night sky, his face taut and his wrinkles furrowed in deep lines.
Xianyue stepped behind him, following his gaze into the impenetrable darkness, as if waiting for something.
After a prolonged silence, Bai Ao suddenly turned around, his eyes, sharp as blades, fixed on Xianyue's face. His voice, tinged with resignation, echoed, "Is it absolutely necessary?"