At the main residence of the Xuan family,
Meili—an elegant woman and also the mother of Xuan Ying'er—sat in her private room.In front of her lay a jade box that had just been delivered by her daughter.
With careful movements, she opened the box. Inside was a sealed pill bottle, accompanied by a thin letter carrying a floral scent. Meili picked up the letter and read it slowly.
"My dearest mother, this pill is called the Health Pill. Its use is to strengthen the body's resistance. There are twelve pills in total. Please keep fighting, Mother."
Meili's eyes shimmered softly, her lips curling into a faint smile. She knew that even though her daughter's words sounded light, they were a rare display of affection from Ying'er.
"That child…" she whispered, unsure whether she felt touched or amused.
But that tender smile slowly turned slightly mischievous as she closed the jade box. Her gaze shifted toward her husband, who was reading a scripture on the other side of the room.
With the familiar mix of annoyance and affection unique to a wife, Meili stood and approached, her fingers brushing against her husband's shoulder.
Her husband looked up in confusion, but before he could speak, Meili had already changed her tone.
"Prepare yourself. Tonight, I will enjoy you in my own way."
Her voice was enticing, yet carried a subtle pressure that made her husband only able to smile bitterly.
In the chamber, Meili sat sweetly beside him. But her smile slowly faded as she shifted topics, her tone becoming more serious.
"By the way… what about the engagement?"
Her husband fell silent, slowly closing his scripture. His usually calm face turned slightly grim.
"That engagement is not a simple matter. Ying'er is too stubborn. She rejected every candidate offered by the great families. And now… she has encountered misfortune and is close to a man of uncertain origin."
Meili frowned, her gaze sharpening.
"You mean that young man named Xiao Tian?"
Master Xuan nodded slightly.
"I don't know what Ying'er sees in that boy. But if that relationship continues, our family will be looked down upon."
Silence unsettled the room. Meili stared blankly at the pill bottle, then gave a faint smile. "Our daughter is becoming harder to read… but I know, deep down, she feels lonely."
Her husband took a deep breath, then nodded.
"That is why we must be cautious. This engagement… could be a shield, or it could become a shackle for Ying'er."
Meili gently slapped her husband's hand, her faint smile charming, her gaze tender yet filled with a mother's firmness.
"In that case… let her spend a little more time there. In nine months, Ying'er will turn twenty."
She lowered her head briefly, looking at the pill bottle in her lap, then shifted her gaze back to her husband. A different smile appeared on her face this time—not only the smile of a worried mother, but also the mischievous smile of a wife.
"And you…" she whispered seductively, "let us continue."
Xuan Hong could only let out a long sigh, gazing at his wife with a helpless expression.
"Meili… you are truly frightening."
Meili chuckled softly, then leaned closer with graceful movements, her delicate fingers ready to once again "torment" her husband in her own way. Outside, the servants could only lower their heads, pretending to be deaf to the soft voices and muffled sighs beginning to echo from the Xuan family's main chamber that night.
At the modest residence of Bai Tian.
Since he had agreed to the title "little dog" given by Xuan Ying'er, his body had truly suffered. For the past five days, he had been nothing more than a plaything for the young lady. Physical pain mixed with psychological pressure forced Bai Tian to restrain himself, afraid of offending the niece of the ruling sect master.
The seventh day,
Bai Tian sat stiffly in the corner of the room. His body still felt weary, but he forced his gaze to remain firm. Meanwhile, Xuan Ying'er seemed to be enjoying herself, spending her time freely without burden, releasing the fatigue of cultivation—like an ordinary girl tasting brief freedom.
As midnight approached, the courtyard bathed in moonlight. Xuan Ying'er, who had been laughing softly, suddenly turned toward him. A faint smile curved on her lips—a smile Bai Tian could not decipher, whether it was a good sign or a bad one.
She lifted a woman's outfit from beside her, then tossed it lightly toward Bai Tian.
"Tomorrow," she said softly, yet full of command, "be my servant. Accompany me outside the sect."
Bai Tian stared at the clothing for a long time, then slowly lifted his head. A turmoil stirred in his chest—between resignation, fear, and a trace of curiosity. He knew refusal was not an option. But to follow this girl outside the sect… could be the beginning of something beyond his imagination.
He kept staring at the clothing, as if the simple garment had transformed into a heavy burden pressing upon his shoulders. Bitterly, he sighed in his heart.
Little dog, plaything, and now a servant… how much lower must I bow myself?
Yet beneath that bitterness, there was a strange stirring he could not deny. With Xuan Ying'er, though filled with suffering, there was something different. Like a distant light shimmering in the night sky—impossible to grasp, yet impossible to turn away from.
He gripped the clothing tightly, then closed his eyes.
Xuan Ying'er watched him briefly, smiled faintly, then turned away, leaving with her servants without another word.
Morning.
Beneath the gentle sunlight, Bai Tian stood stiffly in front of Xuan Ying'er's pavilion. His body now wore the dark servant's attire given to him the night before. That simple costume truly made him look like a mortal servant, no longer a sect disciple.
Xuan Ying'er stepped out lightly, her hair partially untied, her face fresh without excessive adornment. Her smile bloomed like a flower. Seeing Bai Tian in that outfit, she paused briefly, suppressing her laughter.
"Not bad," she said teasingly. "My little dog actually looks quite fitting as a servant."
Bai Tian bowed his head, enduring the shame and bitterness stabbing into his chest.
Xuan Ying'er giggled softly, then strode ahead.
"Come. Today, I want to see the outside world. Don't stray too far from me."
Following her light steps, Bai Tian could only stare at the girl's back. Each step felt heavy, as if he were walking toward a destiny he could never truly understand.
But their journey did not escape the eyes of others. Along the outer pavilion corridors, several sect servants witnessed the strange sight: the young lady walking with full confidence, while behind her trailed a stiff-looking "woman" in servant attire.
It did not take long for whispers to spread.
"Hey, did you see that? Who's the girl behind the young lady?"
"Girl? Are you blind? That's the new disciple who offended her… and ended up forced to become her little dog servant."
"What?! So it's true? Why does he look like a maid then?""Shh… don't be loud! If the young lady hears, your head will roll."
Some servants covered their mouths, stifling laughter. Others only shook their heads, not daring to comment further.
Xuan Ying'er, walking in front, pretended not to hear—but her lips curved faintly, a smile full of meaning. She knew exactly what people thought, and for some reason, she enjoyed it.
Meanwhile, Bai Tian, his head slightly lowered, could feel those stares piercing him like needles. His face flushed, torn between shame and anger, but he bit his lip, enduring. He knew very well—if he offended Xuan Ying'er even slightly, his life would become far worse than just being the subject of gossip.