Nalan Yanran's expression froze, and a flicker of panic crossed her eyes. She said urgently, "Xiao Yan, I know this puts you in a difficult position, but other than you, I truly can't think of any other way. Yun Leng brought this upon himself, and I understand that Teacher, as the Misty Cloud Sect's leader, cannot escape blame. But she taught me and is the person closest to me. I truly can't bear to watch Teacher suffer such an undeserved calamity."
Xiao Yan remained silent. His gaze lingered briefly on Nalan Yanran's anxious face before slowly shifting toward the rolling mountains in the distance, countless thoughts churning in his mind.
The girl who had once been so brazen before him, proudly breaking off their engagement, was now humbling herself so completely for someone else. The twists of fate were truly lamentable.
Only after a long while did Xiao Yan slowly speak. "Nalan Yanran, my brother and I share a brotherly bond, but in this matter, he has his own judgment and stance. What Yun Leng did brought tremendous pain to the Xiao Clan. This debt cannot simply be erased."
"Nalan Yanran, I'm sorry. This is the one matter where, though I may wish to help, I cannot."
"I know. I know all of that. But... I can't just watch Teacher blame herself for Yun Leng's mistakes, only to be condemned by the man she loves."
Nalan Yanran's eyes reddened as she clasped her hands over her chest, looking toward where Yun Yun and Xiao Yao stood, her heart filled with worry.
"Sigh, you need to calm down. Perhaps things between them aren't as bad as you imagine."
Xiao Yan sighed softly, complicated emotions stirring within him.
He still harbored resentment over what had happened with Nalan Yanran, yet seeing her