Chapter 151: Petals

Could knowing the relationship between the Yellow River Lady and Bai Xiaoli really terrify me so much that I wouldn't dare to stay with her? Was that really an exaggeration?

Prompted by the Yellow River Lady's words, my curiosity about Bai Xiaoli's true identity grew even stronger. I told her that I loved Bai Xiaoli with all my heart and could accept her no matter what her origins might be.

The Yellow River Lady looked at me as I made my earnest vows, her expression completely unchanged. She merely said faintly, "Even if I told you, I'm afraid you wouldn't believe it. There is someone who knows the connection between Bai Xiaoli and myself, and you both know her. Why don't you go and ask her?"

Hearing this, I instantly guessed who she meant. Who else could it be, other than Granny Wan?

"Is it Granny Wan?" I asked just to be safe.

The Yellow River Lady did not deny it. After a few seconds of silence, she said, "Wan Yishou is quite bold, daring to meddle in the affairs of the Netherworld. She thinks she can help you, but in truth, she is only spelling her own doom."

"Granny Wan will be in danger because of me?" I understood the implication of her words.

"Three days from now, Bai Xiaoli's fiancé will kill both you and that Wan Yishou, trapping your souls eternally in the dark depths of the Yellow River to suffer endless torment," the Yellow River Lady said.

A wave of fear washed over me upon hearing this, though not for myself—I could not bear the thought of dragging Granny Wan into this mess simply because of my relationship with Bai Xiaoli.

Knowing that the Yellow River Lady must be acquainted with Bai Xiaoli's so-called fiancé, I pleaded sincerely, "Yellow River Lady, it is I who wish to take Bai Xiaoli as my wife, and this has nothing to do with anyone else. Whatever entity in the Yellow River holds a grudge can come directly after me."

Hearing my words, the look in the Yellow River Lady's eyes shifted slightly. After a long silence, she said, "Granny Wan once showed me a kindness. Pass this message to her on my behalf: three days from now, the heir of the Yellow River Lord will take a bride. If she wants to save her life, she should go to Pi Family Village." With a lingering, profound look at me, she added, "And please remember your promise: until the Love Gu is dead, you must not consummate your relationship with Bai Xiaoli."

Having said that, the Yellow River Lady turned toward the window. The full moon hung like a disc of jade, casting its illumination into the third-floor room. This woman, who had lingered in the Yellow River for a millennium, began to softly chant that desolate river ballad once more.

"Wide are the waters of the Yellow River, weeping maidens stand upon the shore. The River Lord seeks a consort, choosing a maiden yet unwed. A fisherman's daughter of rare beauty, in both melody and face. Wrapped in scented silk, she is cast into the waters with none to mourn. A thousand years amidst the surging waves, sleepless through the moonlit nights."

As the song ended, a brightly colored river bird flew in from outside the window. It circled once in the moonlight, and the Yellow River Lady leaped out of the window, mounting the bird to vanish into the boundless night sky.

I remained lost in the profound gaze the Yellow River Lady had left behind. Her words—"Three days from now, hide in Pi Family Village if you want to live"—echoed in my mind.

I knew that warning was not meant for Granny Wan alone; it was meant for me as well.

At the very end, the Yellow River Lady must have been swayed by my words. Surely she did not wish to see Bai Xiaoli follow in her tragic footsteps.

If Granny Wan could take refuge in Pi Family Village when the Yellow River heir took his bride three days hence, why couldn't Bai Xiaoli and I do the same?

With this realization, a heavy stone was lifted from my heart. Three days from now, when the Yellow River heir wed, if we could survive this ordeal, I could finally settle down and nurture a genuine bond with Bai Xiaoli in peace.

By the flickering candlelight, I turned my gaze back to Bai Xiaoli. Dressed in her phoenix coronet and embroidered ceremonial robes, she lay quietly on the bed, sleeping with absolute serenity.

Realizing how uncomfortable it must be for the young woman to sleep in such heavy attire, I set about removing the cumbersome garments. But the moment the outer robe came off, a blush rushed instantly to my cheeks.

Beneath her ceremonial robes, Bai Xiaoli was not wearing a single stitch of clothing. It suddenly dawned on me that this was a custom in Duhe City: on the wedding night, the bride was to shed all her garments, wearing only the outer robe to make the consummation more convenient.

Suppressing the sudden surge of heat in my chest, I reached out to pull the crimson quilt over her, only to notice a tiny red dot just below her navel. The dot was shaped like a delicate flower petal. At the sight of it, I froze in place, a storm of complicated emotions churning within my heart.