Heart Under the Moon

After weeks of relentless exertion, this meal represented the most sumptuous feast for Xuan Yue in quite some time, replete with exquisite dishes and fine wine. 

As soon as the twenty-year-old rose wine was uncorked, the dining hall was filled with its rich aroma. The moment Xuan Yue caught a whiff of it, she felt herself almost levitate with intoxication. 

She licked her lips, stood up, and snatched the wine from Bai Zhanfeng's hands, holding it to her nose to inhale its fragrant bouquet. The scent was intense, the color clear and pure; it was evident that this was a rare vintage, proving that the longer it aged, the more exquisite it became.

"Is this all you have, Old Master Bai?" 

Xuan Yue cradled the wine jar in her hands like a treasure, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Bai Ao. She was known for her stinginess, particularly when it came to fine food and drink. Though the wine wasn't hers, she was keen to hoard it for herself.

Bai Ao regarded Xuan Yue with a warm smile, his chopsticks in hand, silent. Bai Zhanfeng chuckled and attempted to reclaim the wine, but she nimbly dodged him. 

"I have a few more jars. If this one runs dry, I'll fetch more," Bai Zhanfeng said, grinning at Xuan Yue. His demeanor was unusually generous, devoid of the usual lecturing, which made Xuan Yue's eyes crinkle with delight. "Bai Zhanfeng, you truly are the epitome of a warm and hospitable host. You deserve full marks!"

Without using a cup, she offered a large bowl to Bai Zhanfeng. 

"Old Master is happy, so let's have a drink together. After we've had our fill, you can rest here, and I'll have someone bring over two large jars for you." 

Xuan Yue insisted, "Bai Zhanfeng, I can't sip lightly. Let me drink my fill! To set an example for others, I haven't touched a drop of alcohol in over a month. The moment I caught that scent, I simply couldn't resist." 

As she spoke, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, her expression one of rapture. Bai Zhanfeng, unable to bear it, waved off the servants, who stifled their laughter.

"Everyone, please step aside," he commanded, keen to preserve his dignity.

"Zhanfeng, it's fine. Let her drink with us," Bai Ao said. 

Xuan Yue opened her eyes, smiling at Bai Ao before turning to Bai Zhanfeng. "Indeed, I was planning to drink straight from the jar! I'm only exercising restraint now."

Bai Zhanfeng, with no choice, filled a large bowl of wine and prepared to hand it to her, but she had already risen to fetch it herself. Before she could sit back down, she tilted her head back, and a few audible gulps later, the bowl was emptied and set back on the table, not a drop left behind. 

With satisfaction, Xuan Yue licked her lips; the delicate scent of roses lingered, smooth and long-lasting, easily rivaling Lan Yi Xuan's plum blossom wine. It had been a long time since she had tasted such fine wine. Xuan Yue felt a deep sense of contentment—pure bliss.

"Miss Xuan Yue certainly has a remarkable capacity for alcohol," Bai Ao chuckled, lifting his cup in admiration as he watched her drink. Being in her company made one feel invigorated, as even the most restrained individuals found themselves wanting to indulge. 

"My tolerance has always been quite impressive," she replied, smiling as she handed the bowl back to Bai Zhanfeng while deftly serving herself more dishes.

The culinary offerings varied across the six kingdoms, with many dishes on the table whose names Xuan Yue could not even pronounce. However, the flavors were exquisite, not merely a testament to the chef's skills. While Lei Yun might lack the experience, his cooking could compete with anyone's finesse. These dishes undeniably suited her taste.

Chu, situated by the sea, often experienced rainy weather and humidity. Consequently, the locals had developed a penchant for spicy cuisine, as spiciness countered the dampness. Among the six kingdoms, the Chu people had the highest tolerance for heat, and Xuan Yue was no exception. The intoxicating effects of the wine mingled with the spicy flavors coursing through her stomach, creating an exhilarating warmth that she had never felt before.

With Xuan Yue around, even the largest jar would not suffice; as she kept him company, Bai Ao found himself sipping a few more cups than usual. By the time they had finished eating, he was already feeling slightly lightheaded.

"Miss Xuan Yue, I feel quite ashamed before you," Bai Ao said, his wrinkled face reflecting a profound sense of regret tempered by a light drunkenness. 

"On the day you fell off the cliff, I turned a blind eye, yet afterward, I repeatedly called upon you for assistance. Without you, our Chu state, and the entire Bai family, would have perished long ago." 

His voice wavered, and Xuan Yue understood the depth of his sentiment. His love for the Chu state and the Bai family was evident. His confessions were not solely out of guilt; he needed to express these thoughts. When sober, he felt a pang of remorse, and in his inebriated state, he was finally able to articulate his feelings. This elder had bottled up far too much without an outlet.

"You are a rare gem of a girl. In my many years, I have encountered countless refined ladies, but you are the only one who earns my admiration. At such a young age, you possess poise and consideration for others. Although I watched Ruoxi grow up, treating her as my own granddaughter, I must admit, she pales in comparison to you. While Ruoxi is gentle and virtuous, she lacks your breadth of understanding. Not every situation is within her comprehension, despite her keen intelligence. I worry for her." 

Bai Ao sighed, his tone laced with concern. His worries would later prove valid, as Xuan Yue's actions would lead to turmoil for both the Bai family and all those around her—an indelible scar.

Xuan Yue offered a faint response, recognizing the significance of his words. He had aligned himself with her, hoping that if one day she stood at the pinnacle of power among the six kingdoms, she would treat the Chu state with kindness and continue to support the Bai family. He longed for the legacy of the Bai family to endure within the dynasty she would establish. He hoped that Chen Ruoxi, the woman she had never met, would be educated and capable. After all, Old Master Bai would not have chosen her as the head of the Bai family otherwise. 

This was his way of giving himself a safety net, hoping she could embrace Chen Ruoxi with generosity and understanding. Such magnanimity was not possessed by every woman, especially when it came to their husbands. People were inherently selfish, and emotions were no different. It was only natural for someone like Chen Ruoxi to harbor feelings for Bai Zhanfeng and to be less fond of Xuan Yue. After all, even Xuan Yue herself would struggle with the same sentiment.

Bai Zhanfeng watched Xuan Yue, supporting Bai Ao, speechless.

Old Master Bai suddenly turned to Bai Zhanfeng, patting him on the shoulder. "Zhanfeng, I owe you an apology."

This apology felt heavier than the previous one.

As a grandfather, he had indeed always considered Bai Zhanfeng's well-being. He had encouraged him to train in martial arts from a young age, knowing that he did not favor the manipulative world of power plays. After Bai Zhanfeng had achieved his skills, he did not immediately return to inherit the family business. He had done his best to support Bai Zhanfeng's aspirations, but in the end, he succumbed to the weight of his responsibilities.

No one would willingly allow a centuries-old family to fall into ruin on their watch. After all, Old Master Bai had fought valiantly for so long.

"I know you resent me for holding you back, but Zhanfeng, I am your grandfather. I cannot bear to watch you march toward your demise!" 

By the end of his words, he was choked with emotion. Though the details of what had transpired were unclear, it was evident that Bai Zhanfeng held deep resentment toward his grandfather due to the incident in the Valley of Death.

Xuan Yue suddenly recalled Bai Zhanfeng's earlier question—if he had been the one to fall off the cliff with her, would the outcome have been different? If he and Lan Yi Xuan had both grasped her hand, would he have had a chance? Such questions were ones she could not answer now.

Perhaps if Bai Zhanfeng had fallen with her, gratitude might have led her to marry him; after all, he was more suited to be a good husband than Lan Yi Xuan. However, it would never have been for love. When Lan Yi Xuan had accompanied her down, she had not felt moved but rather shocked and delighted. That fervent surprise had revealed her deeper feelings for him—feelings she had fought to suppress.

Old Master Bai's actions were entirely natural; he was his beloved grandson, his most cherished heir. Anyone would have acted similarly. If Bai Zhanfeng allowed this event to create a rift between himself and Old Master Bai, it would be unreasonable. Yet, emotions were unpredictable.

In the conflict between familial love and romantic love, Bai Zhanfeng chose the former; however, it now seemed he had forsaken both. He finally comprehended the magnitude of Bai Zhanfeng's transformation—perhaps his heart had withered away completely.

"Feng'er, please forgive your grandfather," Old Master Bai murmured, his figure slumping against her.

Xuan Yue gazed at the elderly man in her embrace. He must not have been intoxicated before, or he would not have allowed himself to drink so freely. Perhaps he simply sought to indulge in drink, hoping to find a way to reconcile with Bai Zhanfeng. Such sentiments, when sober, would likely remain unspoken. In her memories, he had always been a figure of authority, embodying the dignity of an elder.

Bai Zhanfeng looked at Xuan Yue, caught in a state of confusion and unease. 

"Xuan Yue," he called softly. 

She smiled gently, saying, "The old master is intoxicated. Let us help him to rest. Find someone to care for him properly, and when you return, please bring me a few jars of fine wine; let it stir his heart."

Friendship cannot fill the void left by lost love; he hoped Bai Zhanfeng would learn to cherish this bond of kinship.