Chapter 45: Standoff in Spring Sword Pavilion Part 2

Xiao Yuxie fell silent for a moment before speaking the truth. “You gave the invitations to the young ladies of the Lin Family and Zhao Family. With your personality… I figured you wouldn’t feel at ease letting them come to the Xiao Family with the special invitations I gave them.”

“So your guards just now mentioned them on purpose—it was at your instruction, right? Just to make me worry about them and force me to come see you?” Lu Mingyi almost wanted to applaud how well Xiao Yuxie understood the human heart. “Patriarch Xiao, you’re as calculating as ever.”

Hearing the unmasked sarcasm in Lu Mingyi’s voice made Xiao Yuxie’s chest tighten. “I just… I just wanted to see you again…”

Tonight was a grand, crucial evening. She should be seizing the time to mingle with representatives from the sects and clans, solidifying the Xiao Family’s connections.

Yet a voice deep in her heart kept pulling her focus, and before she knew it, she’d sent someone to find Lu Mingyi.

All that rationality and scheming had crumbled far faster than she’d imagined.

Lu Mingyi found it baffling. “See me? What exactly do you want?”

Silence hung in the Peach Grove for several breaths. Xiao Yuxie, burning uncomfortably from the alcohol, reached out to stroke the trunk of the tree beside her and murmured, “…The first time you came to the Peach Blossom Source, you fell asleep leaning against this tree.”

The first time Lu Mingyi had come to the Xiao Family with Xiao Yuxie, the Peach Blossom Source hadn’t been this expansive—just the core area.

As family head, Xiao Yuxie had countless household matters to handle upon returning, so Lu Mingyi didn’t want to disturb her. She wandered the Peach Blossom Source, and with nothing else to do, found this sunny spot with water and trees to rest.

“Little Yi, Little Yi.”

She didn’t know how long she’d slept when a gentle voice woke her.

Still groggy, Lu Mingyi opened her eyes to find Xiao Yuxie leaning over her, her jet-black hair swaying in the breeze, a few strands brushing Lu Mingyi’s face. Her delicate features wore a soft, gentle smile. “How did you fall asleep here?”

“If you want to rest, come sleep in my pavilion.”

“Don’t worry about the family matters. You’re already in the Peach Blossom Source—it’s fine if you listen in.”

“Would you like to meet my mother? She’d love you.”

Lu Mingyi closed her eyes, shoving those memories aside. Now she knew that all of Xiao Yuxie’s kindness and favoritism had stemmed from Lu Mingyi’s face resembling Xie Shiji’s.

She opened her eyes again, emotionless, and said flatly, “Sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about, Patriarch Xiao. If you’ve gone to all this trouble to find me just to spout useless nonsense, then I’ll take my leave.”

Xiao Yuxie pressed her lips together. Those memories she’d savored repeatedly over a century, dismissed by Lu Mingyi as “useless nonsense”—it pierced her heart like a venomous needle for an instant, making it pound even faster.

She continued, “I know… you still can’t forget the past…”

Lu Mingyi frowned. Why was Xiao Yuxie still clinging after she’d said at the Tianyan Sect that very night, “All grudges written off”?

Impatient, she cut her off. “Patriarch Xiao, you nobles forget things easily, don’t you? I’ve already said I won’t dwell on the past. We’re even now—why keep bringing it up?”

Xiao Yuxie’s breath hitched. Her pale hand clenched on the tree trunk, and fueled by the alcohol, she finally voiced what was in her heart. She took a few trembling steps forward. “But I… I can’t let it go!”

Lu Mingyi’s brows furrowed tighter, a thick sense of absurdity washing over her. She shot back, “Can’t let it go? What is there for you to hold onto?”

Xiao Yuxie had sought her out originally for that face resembling Xie Shiji’s—and now, after Lu Mingyi’s rebirth, she had no ties to Xie Shiji. Later pursuits might’ve linked to the soul Xiao Yuxie kept summoning, but hadn’t Xiao Yuxie just told her mother she’d found someone suitable?

Their past grievances, the Secret Realm disputes—they should’ve ended with that shot from Billowing Waves!

Faced with Lu Mingyi’s question, Xiao Yuxie’s breathing quickened. Even with the alcohol, she instinctively calculated what to say next.

That razor-sharp mind, that silver tongue—right now, they were utterly powerless.

Lu Mingyi had no patience to wait. She turned her head away coldly. “Patriarch Xiao, I know you’re worried about your and the family’s reputation. But I said it’s written off, so I naturally won’t meddle in your affairs!”

“No, it’s not that!” Xiao Yuxie blurted out. Under the liquor’s influence, instinct bypassed her calculations. She grabbed Lu Mingyi’s wrist, desperate to confess everything and keep her there.

But before she could, a furious, gritted-teeth roar cut through:

“Xiao Yuxie, is this how you said you’d handle it?!”

Xie Muqing’s figure in her wheelchair emerged slowly from the depths of the grove, her gaze dark and ominous as she stared at the two.

“Mother…” Xiao Yuxie murmured, but she didn’t release Lu Mingyi’s hand.

Lu Mingyi, spotting Xie Muqing, felt a massive headache. Clearly, she’d misunderstood something, so Lu Mingyi decisively shook off Xiao Yuxie’s grip.

The scene stung Xie Muqing’s eyes even more.

Xiao Yuxie’s words that afternoon, her odd behavior at the banquet—they’d left Xie Muqing uneasy. After the feast, she’d trailed her daughter. When Xiao Yuxie tried to send her off to rest early, Xie Muqing’s wariness peaked.

She’d hidden herself, telling herself it was probably nothing—yet sliding into fears of her daughter bringing home some stray dog.

That dissolved into towering rage when Xie Muqing saw Xiao Yuxie’s vulnerable expression, her words laced with pleading.

Her daughter, the Xiao Family’s youngest and most brilliant head, the most influential figure in the southwest—bowing and scraping to some no-name woman with no status or shame?!

Xie Muqing wheeled closer bit by bit, her eyes icy with menace. She unleashed her pressure without hesitation. “Xiao Yuxie, I’m asking you a question. Do you even know what you’re doing?!”

Though crippled by old wounds, Xie Muqing was still at Soul Transformation Peak. The cross-realm pressure bore down mercilessly, and as a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, Lu Mingyi struggled under it.

But she gritted her teeth and endured, not making a sound.

Xiao Yuxie’s attention stayed on Lu Mingyi. Seeing her face pale, she hurriedly erected a spiritual barrier with her power and urgently told Xie Muqing, “Mother, I’ll explain everything about this!”

Seeing Xiao Yuxie shield the woman so fiercely only fueled Xie Muqing’s rage.

Yet she calmed slightly, realizing her daughter was drunk—overreacting might make her pity the woman more.

Xie Muqing eyed the still-rigid Lu Mingyi. Ordinary looks, but remarkably young with Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer cultivation—truly a once-in-a-generation talent.

Her anger ebbed greatly. She withdrew the pressure and adopted an elder’s tone. “There are still so many honored guests ahead. You just up and leave like that—what will people think of the Xiao Family?”

The opener framed her earlier questions as aimed solely at Xiao Yuxie, easing Lu Mingyi’s guard. Then Xie Muqing turned to her. “Child, what’s your name?”

Lu Mingyi took in Xie Muqing’s shift, sneering inwardly at the once-kind elder she’d long lost fondness for. She replied evenly with a fib, “Liu Er.”

“Liu Er?” Xie Muqing’s brows knit harshly—the name too plain. “From a branch of the Jiangnan Liu Family?”

“No, the Jiangxia Liu Family.”

“Oh… And do you have any family elders here with you today?”

“No. I’m here alone.”

“…”

Xie Muqing’s eyes widened. At this point, how could she not see the woman was toying with her?

Brazen, utterly lacking manners—a stray dog among strays!

Her admiration for Lu Mingyi’s talent turned to fury at the humiliation and her daughter’s choice of a background-less mutt. Xie Muqing wanted to send Xiao Yuxie away for a personal dressing-down. “Yuxie, you’re the family head with matters piling up. Go handle them.”

“Mother, I’ll take you back with me.” Xiao Yuxie wouldn’t leave her alone with Lu Mingyi.

Xie Muqing saw through her daughter’s intent. After a moment’s thought, she narrowed her eyes. “Fine. Then head straight back to Spring Sword Pavilion with me. Young Mistress Wang is still waiting in the room.”

“W-Wang… Wang Ting?” Xiao Yuxie blinked.

“Exactly. The young mistress of the Huabei Wang Family. She’s here today to propose marriage again.” Xie Muqing said smugly.

Mentioning Wang Ting served two purposes: reminding Xiao Yuxie to drop this or come quietly; and warning Lu Mingyi of her place—no random cat or dog could touch the Xiao family head!

Lu Mingyi could guess Xie Muqing’s intent with her toes—thinking Lu Mingyi was Xiao Yuxie’s target. She played along. “Oh, Young Mistress Wang? I did see her in Patriarch Xiao’s room just now.”

Xie Muqing’s brow twitched. Lu Mingyi’s reaction wasn’t flustered as expected—it even carried a hint of spectating the drama?

Had her daughter fallen for this stray?!

Xie Muqing’s gaze sharpened on Xiao Yuxie. Her face, flushed from drink, had drained white at Lu Mingyi’s words. Xie Muqing’s heart sank.

She’d been young once, known love—she knew that reaction meant:

Pain for the one in her heart not reciprocating.

Her voice trembled as she shouted, “Go… Xiao Yuxie, get out of here!!”

“Mother!” Xiao Yuxie cried back. “How could you bring someone to Spring Sword Pavilion without permission?!”

Xie Muqing hadn’t expected that to be her concern. She slapped the wheelchair arm. “How could I not? Are you going or not?!”

Xiao Yuxie couldn’t bear to look at Lu Mingyi beside her.

Her shoulder wound burned again, a reminder of the “write-off’s” price.

Logically, she should soothe Xie Muqing first, then pursue Lu Mingyi gradually. As long as Lu Mingyi was investigating the Spirit-Devouring Gu, they’d have chances to meet—no need to rush tonight.

But would those chances succeed?

Their past had already built a chasm-like rift. Now with Xie Muqing’s marriage prospects deepening the misunderstandings?

What sobered Xiao Yuxie to agony was realizing Lu Mingyi truly didn’t care anymore.

Indifferent to their century of companionship, her drunkenness, or her pairing with another. She’d likely just say, “Patriarch Xiao, such fine scheming,” if she knew Xiao Yuxie’s efforts.

She truly meant to “write it off.”

Even the master schemer could only feel the sour ache and pain in her chest now.

Her mind a whirlwind, Xiao Yuxie couldn’t think straight. She followed her heart alone and refused her mother. “Mother, I can’t go with you!”

Xie Muqing’s eyes widened, her hands clenched tightly as she trembled and said, “You… you… Are you trying to anger me to death?!”

If not for not wanting to lose face in front of an outsider, she would have surely slapped this rebellious daughter again—or even a few more times—to knock some sense into her!

Yet, in the face of Xie Muqing’s furious scolding, Xiao Yuxie merely lowered her gaze and endured it.

Standing to the side, Lu Mingyi watched the mother-daughter standoff, a strange feeling surging in her heart.

What is Xiao Yuxie doing with this attitude…?

If she was dissatisfied with Wang Ting, she didn’t need to put on such a pitiful show in front of Xie Muqing, right?

And what was the point of sticking around here?!

Lu Mingyi raised a hand to touch her face, and a particularly absurd thought suddenly flashed through her mind: The person Xiao Yuxie mentioned to Xie Muqing this afternoon… could it be this face of mine now?

After all, back in the Secret Realm, Xiao Yuxie had eagerly tried to grab her upon seeing this face!

But as soon as the thought surfaced, Lu Mingyi recalled Xiao Yuxie’s words about “wanting to be together for life,” and her chest tightened uncomfortably, prompting her to quickly dismiss the idea—Xiao Yuxie couldn’t possibly do something like this even after learning my true identity, right?

The three of them stood in the Peach Grove, each harboring their own thoughts, the atmosphere utterly bizarre.

Fortunately, someone flew over on a sword, and Lu Mingyi felt like she’d been granted a great pardon upon seeing the arrival, hoping to escape this eerie place.

“Senior Sister Xiao.” The newcomer was actually Qi Yinxue.

She wore a white robe, her delicate face flushed slightly, though her eyes remained clear and bright—she’d clearly had a bit to drink.

Seeing Qi Yinxue, Xiao Yuxie raised an eyebrow and asked, “Junior Sister Qi, what brings you here?”

“Master sent me to find you. I asked your family’s servants and learned you were over here,” Qi Yinxue explained.

“Master…” Xiao Yuxie murmured. Hearing Jiang Liuzhao’s name instantly cleared most of the chaos in her mind.

Her expression shifted slightly, and she was about to ask something when a blinding light suddenly illuminated everything before her eyes!

In the distance, a crimson-golden sword beam shot into the sky, tearing through the night and bathing the entire Peach Blossom Source in dazzling radiance. The power contained within that sword beam was immeasurable.

Lu Mingyi quickly gauged the direction and realized the sword beam had originated from the Osmanthus Tree!