Madam Duan's calm eyes swept over Yun Qianyue. She gave a single nod, saying nothing more.
Yun Qianyue turned slowly, her gaze locking coldly onto Qi Siqing.
"Qi Siqing," she said, her tone as sharp as a blade. "Your parents died the moment you were born, and it was my mother who raised you in the Yun Family. Even as a mistress's daughter, what have you ever lacked? You were dressed, fed, and taught as one of us. Even Yun Qianyin did not have half the treasures you possessed. And yet…" Yun Qianyue's voice lowered, every word cutting like ice, "you dare speak as if you were pitied, as if you were dependent on others? Is that what you call gratitude?"
Madam Duan's brows furrowed. Having grown up within the sect, she knew the sacred bond between disciple and master. For someone to belittle that relationship as Qi Siqing had moments ago,it revealed arrogance and ingratitude.
"Sister," Qi Siqing stammered, forcing a fragile smile. "There must be a misunderstanding. You probably didn't hear clearly earlier. We were speaking in haste, perhaps my words were taken wrongly."
"Oh?" Yun Qianyue's lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. "A misunderstanding, you say?"
Qi Siqing's heart skipped. Something about Yun Qianyue today was… different.
The cousin she once knew was soft-spoken, easily appeased, never one to argue. In the past, a single word of apology would calm her temper. But this Yun Qianyue her presence felt colder, sharper, almost unfamiliar.
Qi Siqing took a small step back. "Sister, perhaps we should return home and talk privately. After all, this is the Bai residence."
She hesitated midway through the sentence. A sudden realization struck her.
Wait,why was Yun Qianyue here?
After the Blessing Gathering, her cousin had vanished without a trace. Qi Siqing had searched for days before finding a way into the Bai family estate… and now Yun Qianyue appeared out of nowhere? Her chest tightened. Something was off.
Yun Qianyue smiled faintly, the expression unreadable. She stepped forward and drew a small, silk-wrapped bundle from her sleeve. "I saw that you left in such a hurry earlier and forgot the item I prepared for you. I thought I'd deliver it out of kindness."
She placed the bundle on the table, her tone deceptively gentle. "I never expected to find such an entertaining performance instead,my dear cousin slandering the Yun Family before outsiders. How heartbreaking."
Qi Siqing's expression froze. Her temples throbbed.
Since when did Yun Qianyue speak so shrewdly? So dangerously?
Suppressing her irritation, Qi Siqing reached for the bundle with a forced laugh. "Sister, I don't understand what you mean."
She unwrapped it and her face drained of color.
The faint fragrance of herbs escaped. Spiritual Lime.
Qi Siqing's hand trembled.
Yun Qianyue's eyes glinted. "Ah, so it wasn't yours? My mistake." She reached out casually and took the bundle back. "Such a pity. Spiritual Lime is quite a rare treasure. It can suppress internal toxins, you know."
Qi Siqing's breath caught. She knows!
Her mind raced. Yun Qianyue must have been following her? no, observing her. How else could she know about the poison affecting Young Master Bai Rui? Even the Bai family kept that secret hidden!
Qi Siqing turned instinctively toward Madam Duan. As expected, the older woman's expression had grown stern. Doubt flickered in her eyes.
Cold panic spread through Qi Siqing's limbs. Only now did she notice, the title "sister" was no longer returned.
"Yun Qianyue, stop spouting nonsense!" Bai Fu, standing protectively near Qi Siqing, finally lost patience.
"For example?" Yun Qianyue's tone was light, almost amused.
Bai Fu stepped forward, pulling Qi Siqing behind him. "The Yun Family is truly shameless!"
"Oh?" Yun Qianyue's eyes sharpened. "The Yun Family is the head of the six great houses. I wonder, Young Master Bai, where did you hear such slander?"
Her words were calm, but her presence was overwhelming. The air around her seemed to thicken.
Bai Fu hesitated but pressed on, mistaking his recklessness for bravery. "Does everyone not know? During the Blessing Gathering, that little scandal involving Yun Qianyin".
Qi Siqing's eyes widened in horror. No, stop talking!
Bai Fu continued proudly, "To hide your shame, the Yun Family tried to force Yun Qianyin into the Luochan Sect, breaking the rules! Because of that, the Yun Family lost its qualification to participate in this year's selection. You're no longer eligible! And now you dare come here, framing Qi Siqing just to beg for Madam Duan's favor?"
Qi Siqing cursed silently. Idiot! This was a closely guarded secret! Yun Qianyue didn't even know until now.
But instead of outrage, Yun Qianyue laughed softly. "Is that so? Then if I am truly unqualified, what reason would I have to beg Madam Duan's recommendation?"
Bai Fu blinked. "You"
"It's not that I can't enter the sect," Yun Qianyue said, her gaze piercing, "it's that the sect cannot refuse me."
Her aura surged. For a heartbeat, the entire hall seemed to bow beneath it. Even Bai Fu stumbled back, his bravado crumbling.
Qi Siqing swallowed hard. This was not the same girl she used to look down upon.
Trying to regain control, Qi Siqing stepped forward with a gentle tone. "Big Sister, please don't force yourself. I know entering the sect has always been your dream. I only hoped to help you if I am chosen, I can speak for you in the future."
Yun Qianyue's laughter broke through the tense air. It wasn't warm,it was sharp, mocking, and filled with disdain.
"Qi Siqing," she said slowly, "you truly are skilled at twisting words. Tell me, if our Yun Family treated you so cruelly, why are you so eager to 'protect my face'? Since you had nothing, where did your cultivation come from? From what well of generosity did your strength spring?"
Qi Siqing's breath faltered.
Yun Qianyue took a step closer, her voice growing colder. "You claim you can enter the sect? That you can help me? Tell me, where did you gain such confidence?"
Qi Siqing's lips trembled, but no words came.
Yun Qianyue tilted her head slightly. "And your medical skills how curious. Even Madam Duan herself might not know the full properties of Spiritual Lime. Yet you do. Who taught you, Qi Siqing?"
Qi Siqing stumbled back several steps, her face turning ashen.
The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating.
Finally, Madam Duan rose. Her voice was quiet but firm. "Enough. The Yun Family's affairs are their own."
The judgment in her tone was unmistakable.
Qi Siqing's knees gave out, and she fell to the floor, panic and humiliation warring in her chest.
"See the guests out," Madam Duan said simply.
Without another glance, she turned and left the room.
Qi Siqing remained frozen in place, trembling. When she finally looked up,Yun Qianyue was gone.
The hall was silent save for the faint echo of Yun Qianyue's laughter lingering in the air,cold, elegant, victorious.
For the first time, Qi Siqing realized she had completely lost control of the game.