16. The Shared Past 3
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In Luoyin's nineteenth year, Xu Weiyan turned fifteen.
She had just earned the title of 'White Swallow' and was making waves in the Sect.
In the past, when Luoyin was still the genius successor, Lord Zhang hadn't liked the fact that a mere orphan of unknown origins was engaged to his successor, so when Zhang Cheng became the successor, Lord Zhang had been pleased that Weiyan was now engaged to his useless son.
But all that changed the instant Weiyan made an impressive name for herself.
Suddenly, Zhang Luoyin's betrothal had been cancelled, and Xu Weiyan was engaged to his brother!
But Luoyin had always loved Xu Weiyan...
Despite his new 'status' as the Zhang family trash, Weiyan had remained polite to him, and she had become his biggest drive in life.
So deciding to fight his fate, Luoyin intended to go and beg Lord Xu to allow his engagement.
But Zhang Cheng stopped him.
"Imagine if I fed you that grass again, and made you soil yourself in front of Xu Weiyan?" Zhang Cheng threatened. "Or if I showed her the many ways you've been embarrassed in this manor. Wouldn't she realize how useless you are?!
"And besides, just think about it. What can trash like you do for a girl like Xu Weiyan? Will you bring her into this family as the wife of something that should be thrown out?!"
Luoyin didn't think he could survive if Xu Weiyan ever witnessed him soiling himself, or if she saw the many things Zhang Cheng might do to him.
But even more heartbreaking was the fact that he found some truth in Zhang Cheng's words.
Wives in most households were afforded respect based on how much her husband was respected in the first place.
Xu Weiyan was already an orphan, so if someone like him married her, she may not be bullied because of Sect Leader Xu, but the Zhang family would always look down on her.
And if anything ever happened to Sect Leader Xu, then Weiyan wouldn't have an easy life within the Zhang household.
He remembered what he had heard as a child.
Back then, his status was supposed to provide Xu Weiyan with the roots and protection she needed, but the former Zhang Luoyin felt like a mere dream.
A fraction of a dream.
Someone like him couldn't even dare to taint Xu Weiyan's name!
'Elder brother is right! There is nothing I can do for her!' Luoyin concluded, as tears ran down his face.
After that, Lord Xu had come by himself to ask Luoyin his opinion, but Luoyin had boldly stated that he no longer wanted the marriage.
In the same garden where he had made his bold declaration, less than ten years before.
And that had been the last straw.
Luoyin never spoke again from that day, and went about like a soulless puppet...
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At present, Bailong sighed.
'Such a sad Love Story...' He concluded.
He wasn't heartless enough to hate Luoyin, but why did the boy's love have to be Xu Weiyan of all people?!
'Did I offend her ancestors in the past?!' He wondered.
And also, the Spirit-Binding Oath should remove every trace of the human except their bodies and memories, but Luoyin's emotions were affecting him beyond empathy.
He had felt so many emotions the previous night and had assumed it was an innate empathy for Luoyin.
But he wasn't so sure now...
And this new reaction to Xu Weiyan was an emotion he was all too familiar with...
"2nd Young Master Zhang?" Weiyan's calm voice reminded him that she was still behind him, making his heart- 'Luoyin's heart!' -beat faster.
"I've heard you." He said calmly. "It's the front garden, right? I'll lead the way, so keep your distance." He finished, already walking away.
Weiyan watched him leave.
Considering past events, she was the one who should be angry?
Yet Luoyin had ignored her through the years, and was now completely displeased in her presence.
She sighed and was about to follow, when a voice rang out.
"Little Sister!" Xu Linhua had arrived with her maid. She raised an eyebrow at the retreating Zhang Luoyin, and then at Weiyan who hurried over to greet her.
"Big Sister." Weiyan greeted her with a small bow. "What brings you here?"
Xu Linhua scoffed. "Hmph. I heard Mother and father are here, and I heard Cheng gē ge is coming back today."
The affectionate term made her maid snicker into her hand, but Weiyan merely raised a brow. "Let me take you to father now."
"Hmph! Are you already feeling like the Zhang Madam?" Linhua asked. "I was engaged to Cheng gē ge before you, so I know my way around without your help!"
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Meanwhile, Xu Furen still boiled over the fact that Xu Weiyan had 'stolen' her daughter's fiance!
Linhua had been engaged to Zhang Cheng first, but once Weiyan became seen as a rare genius, Lord Zhang had personally asked for Weiyan instead.
It was enough to make Xu Furen turn inside-out with anger, and she bit her lower lip in frustration.
She had secretly instigated the elders to send Weiyan to Caoyang, but Weiyan still returned victorious!
Zhang Furen shook her head. "Little Sister, I like Linhua, and already think of her like my own child." She said, gingerly lifting her teacup.
Her pinky finger was adorned with a golden claw ornament, and it stuck out elegantly as she sipped from the cup.
"If my A-Cheng brings that rootless orphan in as a wife," She continued, saying the word orphan like it was a dirty thing. "...then I will be forced to bring in Linhua as a concubine."
"Big Sister!" Xu Furen protested, but Madam Zhang held up her golden-clawed hands.
"Little Sister, by that time the orphan will be in my hands, so what you are trying to avoid will eventually happen. Your hesitation will only lead to Linhua's temporary shame as a concubine!"
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Back at the Pine.
"I was engaged to Cheng gē ge before you, so I know my way around without your help!" Linhua declared with a condescending scowl.
"My apologies, Big Sister. I only meant to show which of the gardens we were being hosted in." Weiyan apologized to Linhua.
"Nonsense! I know it would be one of the frontal courtyard gardens. Wait till you're the Zhang Madam before you attempt to guide me!"
Weiyan fell silent, deciding it was best to let Linhua calm down.
Meanwhile, Bailong had slowed his steps a distance away, so he could hear Xu Linhua's words.
'Hmph! Xu Weiyan dared to challenge the 'Black Dragon', but can't utter a single word here!'
He intended to just keep walking, but much like how he had come out in the first place, his feet forced him to turn and go back to the two sisters and the maid.
He leaned down and grabbed Weiyan's wrist, making Linhua and her maid gasp at the improper contact.
Bailong felt a sharp pain from his wrist.
'The Spirit-binding Oath reacted to her!' But Bailong quickly ignored it for the moment, turning to Weiyan.
"You said Sect Leader Xu came here to thank me, right?" He threw a disgusted look at Xu Linhua. "Let's go see him together, and ignore those who have no business with the family nor the occasion."
"You-!" Linhua began, but Bailong ignored her and dragged a surprised Weiyan away.
"How dare you speak to the Xu 2nd Miss like that?!" The maid yelled out, and Bailong stopped suddenly without turning.
"Xu Linhua, if you don't discipline your maid at once, the entire Zhang family will hear how she spoke to the future 'Lady' and her brother-in-law."
"You -!!"
Weiyan couldn't resist a shocked look.
She tried to pull her hand away from his, but Bailong subconsciously strengthened his grip.
"I'm waiting." He said to Linhua. "Because, if you don't do this now, how will you sneak in here as a concubine later? The Zhang household is known for strict discipline."
Xu Linhua scowled darkly, but she raised a hand and slapped her maid across the face.
"2nd Miss!" The Maid held her assaulted cheek.
"Know your place!" Linhua yelled.
"Wah! The 1st Xu Miss really understands discipline!" Bailong declared. "All that's left is for the maid to fall on her knees and apologize."
Linhua gritted her teeth. "Kneel!" She yelled, and her maid knelt.
"I humbly apologize to the Xu 3rd Miss, and to the Zhang 2nd Young Master!" The Maid quickly said, bowing her head.
"Hmph." Bailong exclaimed as he continued walking, dragging Weiyan away.
Linhua watched them leave, gritting her teeth in anger.
"2nd Miss, are you okay?" Her maid stood up and took her arm, but,
"Let go!" Linhua shook her off. "That girl has become bolder! And how dare that Zhang trash embarrass me this way?!" She raged.
"Call Head Servant Ye right now!"
"Y- yes Miss!" Her maid replied and hurried off.
'Little Sister, You're the one who took what was mine and taunted me! Since you've not cut ties with that trash, don't blame me for taking advantage!'
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