Chapter 109: The Miao Maiden

When Bai Ranhe saw Bai Xiaoli being slapped, he frowned and quickly stood up, pulling Li Xiaojuan aside. Glaring at her, he said, “Li Xiaojuan, control your emotions. This has nothing to do with Xiaoli.”

Li Xiaojuan snorted coldly, not even glancing at Bai Xiaoli.

With tears welling in her eyes, Bai Xiaoli looked at Bai Ranhe and said, “Father, please persuade Mother. You know me—I will never marry anyone but Piyangxi.”

Bai Ranhe said nothing. He merely glanced at Liu Zhongguo, then fixed his gaze on me and spoke, “Your friend just now made a valid point. The Bai family is not one to break their word.”

Just as I thought Bai Ranhe was going to stand up for me, he suddenly shifted his tone. “However, Piyangxi, if you are marrying into the Bai family based on your grandfather’s betrothal, then according to our customs, you should now change your name to Bai Yangxi. But if you marry Xiaoli under the Bai family’s ‘Canal Marriage’ tradition, then my wife’s argument is not without merit: as long as you bring a proper bride price, the wedding can proceed, and you would not need to change your name.”

“Father, are you selling your daughter?” Bai Xiaoli was taken aback by Bai Ranhe’s words. Her face was full of shock, and tears spilled uncontrollably.

Seeing Bai Xiaoli like this, my heart ached deeply.

I knew Bai Ranhe’s roots were those of a nouveau riche. Though wealthy now, he still looked down on me and wanted to use Bai Xiaoli to secure a marriage truly equal in status.

“Heh, Piyangxi, if you can’t come up with a bride price, then obediently change your name and marry into the Bai family. Don’t waste everyone’s time here. There are many prominent people present, and lots of business waiting to be handled,” Chen Yetian said sarcastically.

“Looks like everyone’s time is more precious than mine, Shadow Art. In such a rush to leave?”

Just as I was about to turn and walk away, a cold voice suddenly rang out from outside the hall. At the mention of “Shadow Art,” everyone at the banquet stood up in unison, craning their necks to look toward the door.

Shadow Art—the mysterious figure behind Yellow River Manor and the most enigmatic presence in Duhe City.

Both the feng shui and business circles of Duhe City sought to curry favor with Shadow Art, but Shadow Art treated everyone equally, never accepting invitations. In fact, most people had never seen what Shadow Art looked like.

This was Shadow Art’s first public appearance. Except for Liu Zhongguo and his group at one table who showed no reaction, everyone else stood and looked toward the source of the voice.

Upon hearing Shadow Art had arrived, Chen Yetian’s aged face brightened with renewed spirit. He looked proudly at Bai Ranhe and said, “Seems this old face of mine still holds some weight in Duhe City. Shadow Art truly came at my invitation.” With that, Chen Yetian smoothed his sleeve and briskly strode to the door.

Bai Ranhe recovered and quickened his pace to follow.

Just as Chen Yetian reached the door, Shadow Art and her entourage entered.

It was my first time seeing Shadow Art. She wore a black Miao pleated skirt, with a silver Miao headdress crowning her head. The crescent-shaped ornament on the hat gleamed coldly under the full moon.

Though she appeared to be in her twenties, her icy face exuded an aura that made her seem unapproachable.

Most captivating was the Miao skirt embroidered with golden thread, adorned with exquisite patterns that hinted at the unique mystery of the Miao people.

These intricate designs added an extra layer of enigma to Shadow Art’s presence.

Everyone in Duhe City had heard of Shadow Art’s youth, but none expected this mysterious woman to be not only young but also stunning. Moreover, no one anticipated that the owner of Yellow River Manor was a Miao maiden.

Miao witchcraft was renowned in the feng shui world, and combined with Yellow River Manor’s influence in the region, the gazes cast at Shadow Art grew even more peculiar.

According to Miao customs, such elaborate attire was reserved for the most important occasions. That Shadow Art wore this outfit today showed how much she valued the wedding. Could it be that she truly came to show support for Chen Yetian?

Behind Shadow Art walked a woman in a white shirt with an alluring figure—Mu Xiaoxiao, whom I and Lu Jiu had met at the Duhe Wharf. Mu Xiaoxiao held a box carved from golden nanmu wood, its fragrance reaching me from afar—a captivating, haunting scent.

From the aroma of the golden nanmu alone, I could tell the box was an artifact at least two thousand years old.

If the box itself was a relic from over two millennia ago, what could be inside it?

My curiosity about the contents grew.

After Chen Yetian reached the door, he straightened his sleeves before stepping forward and saying, “Master of the Yellow River Manor, you have arrived just in time. The banquet has yet to begin. Thank you for gracing this old man with your presence and honoring Brother Bai…”