At the residence of the Xuan family.
Meili sat in the main hall, gazing at the light projection of a recording that showed her daughter's behavior. Xuan Ying'er walked with light steps, followed by Bai Tian, who was now dressed as a maidservant.
Meili's brows furrowed faintly. She lifted her teacup, staring at its rippling surface, as though trying to seek answers within. Yet the longer she looked, the less she understood what her daughter was doing.
"Ying'er… Ying'er… what exactly is in your head?" she murmured softly.
As a mother, she knew her daughter was intelligent, cold, and calculating. But her recent behavior—playing around with Bai Tian, flaunting him before the servants—made Meili sigh deeply.
At last, Meili lifted her slender fingers and activated a communication artifact. A faint light flashed through the air, and a short message drifted toward her daughter:
"Do not overdo it. Every living being has their own bottom line."
Once the message was sent, Meili slowly closed her eyes, leaning back against the carved chair. A soft breath escaped her lips, and a faint smile appeared—difficult to tell whether it was the weary smile of a resigned mother, or the cold smile of a woman who had endured much bitterness in life.
"I hope you know your limits, Ying'er…" she whispered faintly, almost like a prayer. Yet her voice carried an undeniable firmness. "…for if you don't, you will be the one to suffer again."
Rainbow Cloud Sect
In the long corridor of the sect, Xuan Ying'er's steps halted for a moment. A faint glow shimmered in the air, signaling a new message arriving through her communication artifact.
She raised her brows, then opened the message unhurriedly. Her gaze shifted—flat, though subtle ripples stirred within. A faint smile appeared at her lips. It was not a smile of joy, but one filled with irony—as though she was being reminded of something she wished to forget.
Behind her, Bai Tian, dressed as a maidservant, remained unaware of what was happening. He merely lowered his head, following the young miss obediently, though in his heart he felt increasingly suffocated by whispers and glances from others.
Xuan Ying'er closed the message, continuing to walk as if nothing had occurred. Yet inwardly, she murmured coldly:
"Mother… my bottom line has already begun to fade. That is exactly why I want to know… how long he can endure as my little dog."
She glanced briefly at Bai Tian, her smile playful once more, like a girl amusing herself. Yet deep behind that smile lurked danger—a challenge, testing how long he could last.
That day, the sky was clear, thin clouds drifting as though opening a path. Xuan Ying'er stepped lightly out of the sect, heading toward the nearest town. Her long black hair swayed gently, her eyes gleaming like those of a young girl stepping out for the first time to play.
She paused before roadside stalls, pointing at colorful trinkets, laughing softly whenever merchants tried to sell her goods. Every movement of hers seemed light, free, as if the burdens of the world had never touched her shoulders.
Behind her, Bai Tian could only bow his head, following closely with stiff steps. He wore the maidservant's attire as ordered, his face covered with a thin veil so as not to be easily recognized. Yet that did not hide him from people's gazes.
Whispers arose.
"A new servant, huh?"
"Quite pretty… but why does her gaze look tortured?"
"Ah, perhaps Young Miss Xuan is playing around again."
Those words pierced Bai Tian's ears, but he dared not lift his head. Every second felt like a test of patience.
Meanwhile, Xuan Ying'er turned back, looking at Bai Tian with a gaze mixed with amusement and satisfaction. A faint smile appeared, and she lightly pulled his arm.
"Come, follow me. Today I want to have fun, and you must accompany me."
Her voice was cheerful, like a child discovering a new toy. But to Bai Tian, the words sounded like another chain tightening around his freedom.
The nearby town bustled with life. The cries of merchants hawking their wares blended with the aroma of street food, creating a scene so different from the rigid, rule-bound sect.
Xuan Ying'er walked ahead, her steps carefree, as if she paid no mind to anyone around her. Now and then, she stopped at a stall, picked up a cheap jade bracelet, chuckled, then put it back. At another stall, she stared at brightly colored candied fruits, her eyes sparkling as though she were seeing the outside world for the first time.
"This is so sweet, look!" she said, holding up a stick of candied fruit glistening under the sun. Casually, she offered it to Bai Tian's lips.
"Open your mouth."
Bai Tian froze. Under the stares of passersby, his body stiffened. Yet Xuan Ying'er's gaze, though smiling, was sharp. At last, reluctantly, he opened his mouth, letting the candy touch his tongue.
A soft laugh escaped Xuan Ying'er.
"Look at your face, as though you were forced to swallow poison. You really are… entertaining me."
Passersby glanced over, some even covering their mouths to stifle laughter. They saw the scene not as humiliation, but as a little drama between Young Miss Xuan and her pitiful servant.
But to Bai Tian, each second was like a whip tearing at his pride. Still, he remained silent, bowing even lower, suppressing all the turmoil within.
As if unconcerned, Xuan Ying'er skipped toward the next stall. Her hands filled with trivial items—ribbons, hairpins, even a few wooden toys. She laughed freely, truly like a carefree young girl.
And Bai Tian… could only follow behind, carrying all the purchases, as though he were nothing more than a servant.
After wandering through the market to her fill, Xuan Ying'er stopped before a lively restaurant. The aroma of roasted meat and spiced soup drifted out, luring them in.
"Hmm… I'm hungry. Let's go in," she said lightly, giving Bai Tian no chance to reply.
They sat at a table near the window. From outside, the afternoon sun streamed in, casting light upon Xuan Ying'er's beautiful face as she hummed softly. She looked so alive, so cheerful—as though she had never known pain.
Several waiters hurried over, serving them politely once they realized who their guest was. In an instant, the table was filled with dishes: fragrant soup, roasted meat, stir-fried vegetables, and fresh fruit drinks.
Xuan Ying'er picked up a piece of meat, and without hesitation, held it out to Bai Tian with her chopsticks.
"Eat."
Bai Tian hesitated, staring at the morsel. It felt strange—less like being fed, more like being tested. He swallowed hard, then slowly accepted it, chewing without expression.
Xuan Ying'er giggled playfully, as if teasing. But to Bai Tian, it pierced like thorns.
Other customers in the restaurant began sneaking glances, some whispering softly.
Bai Tian lowered his head, letting the words pass by. His hands clenched beneath the table, holding back the storm inside.
Meanwhile, Xuan Ying'er seemed indifferent. She ate heartily, her eyes sparkling like a child discovering a colorful world. Now and then, she offered Bai Tian food again—not out of care, but more as a game that amused her.
"Tomorrow we'll go to another town," she said brightly, in a commanding tone.
Bai Tian straightened his posture, staring at the plate before him. A faint smile curved on his lips, yet his eyes were empty.
"As the young miss commands."
Three days had passed since Bai Tian officially became Xuan Ying'er's servant.
In that time, they had visited several towns—markets, restaurants, toy shops, and small colorful stalls.
Today, they entered a jewelry shop glittering with necklaces, bracelets, and rings adorned with captivating gemstones. Xuan Ying'er walked among the displays with sparkling eyes, examining each piece as though she had found a dazzling new world.
Bai Tian could only follow behind, his body stiff, his gaze fixed on the young miss's every move—her hands brushing over gems, her small smiles as she admired them. Occasionally, his eyes flickered toward others in the shop, aware of their curious stares, recognizing him as the maidservant beside the daughter of the Xuan family.
Suddenly, a loud voice rang from outside the shop, a command that could not be ignored:
"Xuan Ying'er! Return to the sect immediately!"
Xuan Ying'er turned, her brows lifting slightly, her face calm though a glint of question flickered in her eyes. Bai Tian swallowed hard, recognizing that voice—her uncle's, which always signaled that sect duty and rules could no longer be delayed.
Xuan Ying'er sighed softly, gazing for a moment at the jewel in her hand before lowering her head toward Bai Tian. A faint smile returned to her lips, though this time tinged with bitterness.
"Come, let's go home," she said.
Bai Tian could only bow obediently, suppressing the turmoil in his chest. Once again, the free world outside the sect had to be replaced by the inescapable weight of duty.