Chapter 422 - 420: If Only My Sister Were Here
The melodious and light voice rang out, causing the anger on the face of the Third Elder on the other side of the Transmission Stone to instantly freeze.
On the opposite side of the stone, the slightly scolding voice suddenly came to a halt.
"Yaoyin, what did you just say?"
Bai Lan stepped aside with the Transmission Stone, his dignified face still showing traces of irrepressible excitement.
Bai Yaoyin immediately repeated the words she had just spoken.
This time, Bai Lan finally confirmed that he hadn’t heard wrong.
"Which master repaired the Ancient Array?"
Bai Lan took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and asked.
The several elders nearby also perked up their ears, fearing they might miss the name of the master.
"I’m afraid I don’t dare call myself a master in front of the Third Elder."
Bai Yaoyin sneered coldly.
She hadn’t forgotten how aggressive the Third Elder was earlier, even leaving her father speechless.
"Yaoyin, don’t speak recklessly."
Bai Lan lightly rebuked, but his eyes were smiling, not showing the slightest hint of reprimand.
"For a hundred years, the only one who could repair the Ancient Array was the supreme being of Great Qin. In the presence of such individuals, I dare not be presumptuous."
The Third Elder quickly spoke up, fearing he might be accused of disrespecting a master.
"Father, I didn’t speak recklessly; it was clearly the Third Elder who said it."
Bai Yaoyin said.
"The Third Elder said that?"
Bai Lan was taken aback, then as if he thought of something, he asked, "The master you mentioned is..."
"Qin Yu, Qin Keqing."
Bai Yaoyin nodded and said.
"Him?!"
Bai Lan was stunned, no wonder Bai Yaoyin harbored such resentment, even angrily retorting the Third Elder.
Apparently, before, the Third Elder indeed showed some disrespect towards Qin Yu!
"Qin Keqing?"
The Third Elder was also taken aback on the spot.
How could this be possible?
The name of Qin Yu reached the Ancient Race Bai family during the tributor banquet.
After that, there was no intelligence about Qin Yu at all, until a few days ago when Bai Yaoyin suddenly informed them that this young Royal Court Tributor had been pulled in by her to become a Guest Minister of the Carefree Pavilion.
However, in the eyes of these elders, this was just a pretext Bai Yaoyin used to evade a family marriage.
An inexplicably appearing Royal Court Tributor who had never shown any skills their ancient race valued—they even suspected this might be a play the Clan Leader paid a high price for, involving the Great Yan Empress, to help Bai Yaoyin get through.
But now Bai Yaoyin actually said that Qin Yu repaired a damaged Ancient Array?!
If it truly were an act, the Clan Elders would hope that Bai Lan could do more of such acts.
It would be best if the grand array of the Bai family’s ancestral land could be fully repaired. By then, even if the Emperor of the Nine Immortal Countries came, they might not be able to break through their Clan Protection Array!
"Hasn’t he... only become a Guest Minister for not even half a month?"
Bai Lan seemed to have thought of something, suddenly asked.
Repairing an Ancient Array, and not just one or two array patterns, but restoring it entirely, is not something that can be accomplished in a short time.
Could it be that Qin Yu had already been studying the Ancient Array in the Carefree Pavilion long before he became a tributor?
Then why had he only recently become a Guest Minister of the Carefree Pavilion?
Could he be an array maniac?
However, from the intelligence Bai Yaoyin sent back, it didn’t quite seem like it.
"He completed the repair of the Ancient Array in just one night!"
Bai Yaoyin’s voice was almost bursting with excitement when she said this.
She was the sole witness to it all, having personally witnessed that incredible miracle.
Unknowingly, an indescribable sense of pride quietly rose in her heart.
"One night?"
Bai Lan froze, his whole being as if petrified.
His first reaction was that it was absolutely impossible!
Originally wanting to cover for his daughter, however, Bai Yaoyin’s expression didn’t look like it was all an act.
Could it be... real?
After a brief silence, the Third Elder reacted, yet didn’t dare directly question, merely saying, "Yaoyin, you shouldn’t speak recklessly about this matter."
Obviously, he was also aware that Bai Yaoyin wouldn’t likely lie about something like repairing the Ancient Array.
It’s just the time taken for the repair...
Of course, that’s actually not important, what’s important is that the Ancient Array was repaired!
If repairing the Ancient Array could be done by spending time, the Bai family’s grand array would have long since been repaired.
"If the Third Elder doesn’t believe it, he can come over personally to ask the Qin Keqing whom you looked down upon."
Bai Yaoyin’s face suddenly turned cold.
The wrinkles on the Third Elder’s, old face twisted together with embarrassment, wondering what madness this was, this little girl remembered too many grudges!
If this word reached Qin Keqing’s... no, no, Qin Master’s ears, how would he face him in the future?
"You misunderstood, I didn’t mean to doubt Qin Master..."
The Third Elder simply felt it was hard to explain, at the end opting to step aside, leaving the space of the Transmission Stone to Bai Lan.
"Third Elder, I think Yaoyin’s contribution this time is significant enough to exempt her from family marriage. What do you think?"
Beside, an elder asked.
As soon as the words fell, several elders agreed.
Originally, if a Bai family disciple wasn’t exceptionally gifted, for instance, having an exceptional Spiritual Power aptitude or possessing an Innate Dao Spirit Body, they had to comply with family arrangements, either entering the Carefree Pavilion’s industries or engaging in other business fields.
Of course, those like Bai Yaoyin and her sister, who were extremely beautiful, were top choices for marriage alliances.
However, with such a huge contribution, Bai Yaoyin could naturally be exempt from family arrangements.
The Third Elder remained silent but didn’t deny it.
At present, he was more concerned about how to face the Kong Family.
Bai Yaosha ran away. Although no trace could be found, anyone could guess that Bai Lan was secretly protecting her.
Now, Bai Yaoyin has brought such great merit to her family. Clearly, she will no longer heed their marriage arrangements.
However, they cannot ignore the Kong Family.
At this moment, the Third Elder only felt a tingling sensation on his scalp.
"Bai Lan gave birth to a good daughter indeed, she can bring out such a master!"
"Yes, I’ve long said that Bai Lan should be the Clan Leader. My lineage fully supports this."
"Third Elder, why are you silent?"
Amidst the discussions, the Third Elder’s expression became increasingly uneasy.
"Enough, you’ve worked hard. Go and rest for a while."
"By the way, regarding Master Qin, no matter what demands he makes, you must try to fulfill them. If not, you can transmit messages to me anytime."
Only after half an hour had passed did Bai Lan cut off the transmission.
The elders, who had been in a heated discussion, instantly turned their gaze towards him.
"Elders, regarding whether Yaoyin should return to the clan, there shouldn’t be any more discussion, right?"
Bai Lan swept his gaze over the clan elders and asked.
"Naturally, from now on, the Carefree Pavilion in the Great Yan Imperial Capital will be managed completely by Yaoyin."
"In my opinion, it’s somewhat inappropriate. Yaoyin shouldn’t have to worry so much, let her remain behind the scenes."
"Exactly, if Yaoyin could persuade Master Qin to act again..."
"You shouldn’t think too much about it, right?"
The elders continued their discussions, no longer casting any doubts on the Clan Leader’s words.
Bai Lan didn’t say anything in response but comfortably sat back at the main seat.
After a whole night of being troubled by these clan elders, he had a bitter heart, only to receive such good news from Bai Yaoyin early in the morning.
Looking at the elders, mentioning Master Qin repeatedly, Bai Lan almost couldn’t help but laugh.
The stone that had been weighing on his heart finally dropped.
Seeing the elders like this, should he consider Bai Yaosha’s matter instead?
Surely, he can’t let this girl be hidden away all her life, right?
But, the Kong Family’s eldest son has been eyeing the sisters. Once they appear, they will inevitably face pressure from the elders.
Surely, we can’t ask Master Qin to repair another Ancient Array?
How could that be possible?
"What does Father mean?"
Bai Yaoyin stared blankly at the Transmission Stone, her father’s instructions still echoing in her mind.
All requests must be fulfilled as much as possible?
Just having Qin Yu become a Guest Minister had already cost her... a lot.
If Qin Yu were to truly find out, he would certainly make even more demanding requests.
Should she agree... or refuse?
Even when she thought of those overly demanding things, Bai Yaoyin found that she had no aversion in her heart.
Qin Yu is truly special.
He is like a sun; merely being by his side brings a peculiar sensation.
Indescribable.
No, no!
Bai Yaoyin suddenly realized.
What on earth is she thinking?!
She mustn’t satisfy Qin Yu’s demands.
That guy is so bad, how could everything go as he wishes!
Moreover, moreover... he has several other wives as beautiful as national treasures, not to mention how even the Empress Dowager and the Princess are close to him.
Would such a person really take a fancy to her?
Or is it... just putting up an act?
Thinking of this, Bai Yaoyin’s smile diminished slightly and inexplicably, she felt some gain and loss.
Ah.
If only my sister were here.
With my sister’s charm, Qin Yu wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off her!
No, no!
Qin Yu has already kissed me, I surely can’t let him bully my sister, otherwise, what would that mean!
Suddenly, Bai Yaoyin shivered, even developing goosebumps on her skin.
Ugh.
What am I even thinking!
Bai Yaoyin, wake up.
On this day.
Bai Yaoyin was full of mixed thoughts, hearing the requests to meet from outside now and then, she simply activated the array of the small courtyard, isolating all the sounds.
Although she was indeed the Chief Steward of Carefree Pavilion, each floor of the Pavilion had higher-ups stationed, and its normal operation didn’t need her personal attention.
As for explaining who repaired the Ancient Array...
Bai Yaoyin’s mind was a tangled mess at the moment, she had no leisure to deal with these things.
Within the courtyard, peach petals fluttered gently with the wind, finally drifting down to form a pink carpet. She sat quietly among them, resting her chin lightly in her hands, her gaze passing through the swirling peach blossoms, fixating on the distant, hazy horizon.
Occasionally, a smile would silently appear on her lips, who knows what she was thinking, while sometimes turning her cheeks red, like the rosy clouds at the edge of the sky. Occasionally she would sigh softly, as if her heart was full of unsaid words.
In the bustling Imperial Capital, this small courtyard stood as an isolated corner, blocking off the lively scene outside, creating a perfect picture of contemplation.
Daybreak, nightfall...
Bai Yaoyin sat quietly in the courtyard, time passed silently in a day.
Until the sky turned completely dark, her bewildered eyes shimmered with fluid light, regaining their usual agility.
At this time, Qin Yu should be about to come to the Carefree Pavilion, right?
Bai Yaoyin stood up, instinctively wanting to walk towards the Carefree Pavilion, yet suddenly stopped as if recalling something, she took her time to tidy up her appearance, finally picking off two bright peach blossoms, gently placing them on her lips like lipstick.