Chapter Seventeen: Intercepted Along the Way

Bai Shengyun had spent a great deal of time discussing the wedding arrangements with the elders. By the time all the details were settled, the Heavenly Fox Ceremony had already been delayed. Noticing that the elders still seemed reluctant to let the matter rest, he finally lost patience. “Enough. We’ll discuss the wedding matters up to here. For the rest of the details, sort them out amongst yourselves. If it’s not important, don’t come to me.”

If they kept dawdling, the Heavenly Fox Ceremony would be postponed again, and if he missed the proper time, it would all be for naught.

The elders, well aware that the ceremony was to be held in the coming days, refrained from pestering Bai Shengyun any further, planning to resume discussions after the ritual was complete.

“Young Master, the Heavenly Fox Ceremony will attract a mixed gathering. Should we assign more people to accompany you?” one elder quietly suggested, seeing Bai Shengyun preparing to go alone. In his mind, he was already considering how best to arrange attendants for Bai Shengyun, lest the young emperor of the Heavenly Fox clan appear without due dignity.

Bai Shengyun lifted his eyes indifferently and replied coolly, “No need for such trouble. It’s only a ceremony.”

Indeed, there would be those with ill intentions among the attendees, but in such a public setting, even the most unscrupulous would not dare act rashly. There was little to fear. As for himself, just his presence would be enough to keep most at bay—who would have the courage to cause him trouble?

The elders realized they had overstepped and lowered their heads. “The Young Master is right. We were worrying needlessly.”

“That’s enough. The Heavenly Fox Ceremony is about to begin. Prepare quickly and don’t keep our far-traveled guests waiting,” Bai Shengyun said impatiently. After being pestered by these elders for several days, he truly had no patience left for their endless chatter.

Once the ceremony was done, it would be time for his and Xie Yingying’s wedding. If all these matters could be concluded quickly, he might finally be able to breathe easy. Now, everything was ready but the final push—he wondered what brilliance and unexpected talent would emerge in this gathering.

The elders dared not disobey and answered in unison, “The Young Master is right. We shall make ready for the ceremony at once and ensure this centennial Heavenly Fox Ceremony is completed without delay.”

Previously, when Bai Shengyun had returned with Xie Yingying in tow, they hadn’t paid her much mind—who would have thought she would be his chosen one? The awkwardness of Xie Yingying’s status had delayed the wedding discussions for days, and now, things could not be put off any longer.

As Bai Shengyun prepared to depart for the ceremony, Xie Yingying was not idle either. The moment he left, she seized the opportunity, planning to escape while his support was absent.

For days, she had acted cautiously, wandering and familiarizing herself with the grounds.

With so many attending the Heavenly Fox Ceremony, Bai Shengyun might not return for some time—plenty of time for her to make her escape. Once outside the boundaries, she would be beyond Bai Shengyun’s reach and regain her freedom.

Better to take her chances and run than remain by Bai Shengyun’s side, waiting for his favored beauties to do her in. Having barely escaped death once, Xie Yingying longed for a life of freedom and ease and had no desire for a man like Bai Shengyun.

She acted at once, but as she stepped outside, she was blocked by the guards. “Miss Xie, the Young Master has ordered you to remain in your room.”

Xie Yingying’s lips curled in disdain. “It’s too stuffy in there. I need some fresh air or I’ll suffocate.”

Even with Bai Shengyun away at the ceremony, he’d still left people to watch her—how meddlesome! Did they really need to keep her under such tight watch?

But today, she was determined to carry out her plan—no one would stop her.

She was not one of Bai Shengyun’s beloved concubines, willing to sacrifice herself for him. Having managed to keep her life, she yearned all the more for freedom and happiness, not a man like Bai Shengyun.

Still, the disciple blocked her way. “Miss Xie, please don’t make this difficult for us.”

Her mouth twitched in frustration. She spun around and slammed the door. Inside, she made a great racket, but the guards outside remained unmoved.

Glancing out at the empty courtyard, she continued her show of irritation, complaining loudly for a while. Then, in a flash, she slipped out the window.

She carried nothing with her, heading straight for the route she’d previously scouted. That area was lightly guarded, making escape easier. Unless something unexpected happened, she would be gone without a trace.

Xie Yingying was delighted at the prospect of freedom and a carefree life. Yet, just as she was about to make her getaway, fate intervened.

Down a narrow path, several elders approached. At the sight of Xie Yingying, their faces darkened.

The chief elder, foremost among them, quickly stepped ahead and blocked her. “Miss Xie, the Heavenly Fox Ceremony is about to begin. When will you learn to curb your habit of wandering everywhere?”

They had been on their way to the ceremony, never expecting to encounter Xie Yingying halfway there.

Instantly, the elders blocked every escape route, gazing at her intently.

“Miss Xie, since you are the Young Master’s chosen, you ought to behave appropriately. With the ceremony about to start, your running about is most improper.”

Xie Yingying forced a smile, her lips twitching with embarrassment. “Are you all on your way to the Heavenly Fox Ceremony?”

Inwardly, she groaned. She’d been so close to escaping, only to be thwarted by these unexpected variables.

If she didn’t come up with a convincing excuse, she would never get past them.

“Xie Yingying, spare us your innocent act. Someone as shameless and lacking in the most basic femininity as you is simply beyond redemption,” scolded the second elder, who, still smarting from Bai Shengyun’s rebukes, vented his frustrations on her.

“Shameless and unchecked, you don’t even care for the reputation of a woman!”

The elders could not bring themselves to utter truly coarse words, so they simply repeated variations of the same accusations. Their disapproval of Xie Yingying was clear—they believed she was utterly unworthy of Bai Shengyun.

Though Xie Yingying was attractive, there were plenty of beautiful female cultivators—she was nothing special.

“A woman like you would be punished in our clan, made to suffer for your wrongdoing. Don’t think that gaining the Young Master’s favor puts you beyond reproach!”

“If not for the Young Master’s insistence, you’d have been cast out long ago. You ought to be grateful for his mercy, not stirring up trouble everywhere you go!”

The elders vented all their anger on Xie Yingying, their words harsh and cutting, convinced she would never be worthy of Bai Shengyun. Her looks were nothing out of the ordinary among the many talented women in the clan.