She Was About to Get Engaged

"Actually, I know you don't have feelings for my little brother. The one you love is Young Master Qingya. But Sister Bai, when it's time to sever ties, you must sever them!

"As for family background, though my Xiao family is no longer involved in court affairs, our students are everywhere under heaven. As for looks, learning and character, my little brother surely isn't much inferior to him. Marrying my little brother would be no hardship for you."

Bai Mo understood everything she said. "Sister Xiao, I understand what you mean. Since I've said I'll marry him, I'll treat him well. Don't worry."

"Ah~~ I want you to love him, respect him and protect him, not marry him merely because you're pressured by his reputation. My little brother is simple-hearted and has never had any dealings with women. Now he's throwing himself at you with all he has. I'm afraid he'll lose so utterly that, given his temperament, he surely won't be able to go on living. He's my only brother."

Xiao Yiliu's eyes were slightly red. Her words were heartfelt and sincere, every one of them striking at the heart.

When Bai Mo encountered a villain, she would naturally be even more vicious than they were. But it was people like the Xiao sisters whom she was utterly helpless against!!

"Don't worry, Sister Xiao. If he doesn't let me down, I won't let him down either."

"My little brother surely won't. No one values love and loyalty more than he does. He doesn't covet glory or wealth; he loves only books and learning. Besides, we'll prepare an extremely generous dowry for him. We won't leave you shortchanged."

"Mm, I want nothing else now. I only hope to live my days in peace. If he can be with me, that would naturally be good."

Xiao Muzhi really was a very good choice for a husband. She believed they could treat each other with the respect due an honored guest for the rest of their lives.

It wouldn't be too much to call him a model among men. Marrying him really would be marrying above her station.

If only she had never met Shen Qing...

"All right, Sister Bai. With your word, I can rest easy. I'm entrusting my little brother to you. I believe in you."

Seeing Bai Mo give her word brought Xiao Yiliu a little comfort.

Xiao Yiliu picked up her teacup and took a small sip, a glimmer passing through her eyes.

Bai Mo seemed extremely clever, but in truth she was softhearted and valued affection. As long as she was given a little guidance and the two of them had more time together, Xiao Yiliu believed she would come to love her little brother.

After the two said goodbye, Bai Mo returned to the Residence of the Earl Who Protects the State.

Xiaohan sat outside the carriage and squabbled with Lichun over the position of study attendant, but the two girls couldn't settle the matter.

At the Grand Preceptor's Residence, Yun Wu accompanied Shen Qing through lunch.

Yun Wu had been watching him all day, but Shen Qing couldn't have been more normal. He showed no sign of sorrow and never mentioned Bai Mo once.

Yun Wu couldn't shake the feeling that something was strange. His young master was not such a heartless person. Just yesterday, his eyes and heart had been full of Eldest Miss Bai.

"Yun Wu, play a game of chess with me."

"All right, I'll go prepare the chessboard."

The two walked beneath the crape myrtle tree.

Yun Wu was also an excellent chess player. Back at the Green Grass Pavilion, he had been trained as its leading star, and had studied the zither, chess, calligraphy and painting.

When the game ended, Yun Wu had actually won.

Shen Qing remained quiet and expressionless throughout.

On the second and third days, Yun Wu stayed with Shen Qing. He was no different from any other refined young man of a great family, drinking tea, playing chess, reading and painting, except that he was especially quiet.

Then Xiaotian came to report, "Young master, Eldest Miss Bai is going to the Xiao residence tomorrow to propose marriage."

Xiaotian knew about what had happened between his young master and Eldest Miss Bai, and he was furious. He didn't know the reason behind it and thought Eldest Miss Bai had had a change of heart. The whole Capital was buzzing, everyone talking about the happy union between the Bai and Xiao families.

When Shen Qing heard Xiaotian's words, he pressed his thin lips tightly together. His eyes gradually reddened, and a chill seeped from their sinister gaze. His normally aloof bearing suddenly turned vicious and hostile.

A trace of resolve flashed in his eyes. With a sweep of his robes, he headed straight for his room.

Bang! He slammed the door shut.

"Young master."

Xiaotian and Yun Wu were both a little frightened. They hurried after him and were just about to open the door.

Bang, crash...

The sound of objects shattering came from inside the room.

Immediately afterward came Shen Qing's furious roar. "Get out! All of you, get out!"

Neither of them dared go any closer, their hearts burning with anxiety.

Afterward, the room fell silent.

Inside, Shen Qing was bracing himself against the table with one hand, like an ice sculpture radiating cold. After a long while, he let out a soft laugh through his nose. "Heh, heh, heh, hahahahaha."

It was filled with undisguised mockery.

Bai Mo was sitting in a daze in the Xiao family courtyard when her heart suddenly felt as though it were being twisted by a knife.

She pressed a hand over her heart. Shen Qing again...

She had almost rushed over again without a thought for anything else, worried about him... wanting to see him...

She forced herself to stop.

What right did she have to go? Why should she go? He had already recovered and was safe and sound. Did the reason matter to her?

Bai Mo looked back at the hall, where the elders of both families were discussing the marriage.

Bai Mo felt her heart beating faster and faster. She was still so worried. Should she go take a look?

She could return his token of love to him...

As she hesitated, Xiao Muzhi came over carrying a plate of pastries, smiling at her.

"I heard you're very fond of peach blossom mille-layer cake, so I tried making some. But at this time of year, there are no peach blossoms to be found in the Capital, so I used osmanthus. Try it and see what you think."

Bai Mo's thoughts were in turmoil, and her gaze wandered a little as she looked at Xiao Muzhi.

Seeing the pastries held out to her, she picked one up and stuffed it straight into her mouth. She didn't even know what it tasted like as she chewed slowly.

"It's very good. Muzhi, you're such a good cook. Thank you for the effort."

Xiao Muzhi watched her eat the pastry, stuffing a whole mouthful in at once and chewing with her cheeks puffed out. She looked so amusing that his eyes curved into a smile.

"Muzhi, Momo, your grandmother is calling you in to discuss where the bridal chamber will be."

Bai Mo drew back the foot she had just lifted.