When the White Moonlight Holds the Script - Chapter 24.1

Zhu Zhihan once again experienced the luxury of a major sect after a long time.

Rows upon rows of pavilions stood with their eaves elegantly upturned, glazed tiles shimmering faintly under the sunlight.

As she walked along the lengthy corridor, she could see a pond depicting nine dragons frolicking with a pearl, while the courtyard was adorned with meticulously cultivated rare trees and exotic flowers.

This was the Heavenly Mirror Sect’s magical artifact, “Water and Sky Merge into One.”

When stored away, it was a miniature courtyard no larger than a palm, but when released, it transformed into an exquisite estate capable of housing a hundred people. Moreover, it was equipped with a spirit-gathering formation, making cultivation within it twice as effective.

This was precisely why major sects like the Heavenly Mirror Sect did not set up camp alongside smaller sects not only to flaunt their status but also because, with such artifacts at their disposal, they had no need to rent large tents.

Zhu Zhihan followed behind Bo Mingwei.

Behind them trailed two rows of maidservants.

Bo Mingwei walked at a leisurely pace, and at every turn, she would casually explain the scenery and benefits of each location to Zhu Zhihan.

Her voice carried its usual haughtiness, making it easy to believe she was merely “mentioning it in passing.”

But Zhu Zhihan had known Bo Mingwei for over a decade and was all too familiar with her ways.

This person was deliberately showing off, much like a bird subtly flaunting its beautiful tail feathers, “I’m this impressive, why aren’t you friends with me yet?”

Zhu Zhihan’s gaze swept over Bo Mingwei’s tightly pressed lips and the side of her face straining to maintain an air of authority. She let out a soft, derisive laugh and turned her attention to the rare beasts kept in the courtyard enclosure.

How could she not be familiar with the scenery inside this “Water and Sky Merge into One”? In her previous life, Bo Mingwei had already shown it to her as if presenting a treasure.

But now, standing in the same place, her state of mind was entirely different.

Once, she had hoped to soften and grow closer to Bo Mingwei. Seeing Bo Mingwei act this way would have struck her as awkwardly endearing.

Now, however, she wanted nothing to do with this person.

Whatever actions Bo Mingwei took, what did they have to do with her?

She only wished to stay here quietly for a while before returning to the Blade Sect.

Returning to where Luan Wu, her martial uncle, and her senior brothers were.

The winding corridor came to an end.

Before them stood the main courtyard, reserved for the estate’s owner and honored guests.

Bo Mingwei dismissed the maidservants following them and turned around. Her face was stern, but her dark, luminous eyes seemed to hold a warm sea within them.

In a reserved tone, Bo Mingwei said, “Do you like it? If you do, how about I give this ‘Water and Sky Merge into One’ to you?”

After speaking, Bo Mingwei fell silent, her gaze drifting indifferently over Zhu Zhihan’s face before quickly shifting away, as if she were intently admiring a nearby potted plant.

Zhu Zhihan watched Bo Mingwei.

For a moment, she felt a sense of disorientation, as if the present had overlapped with a moment from the past.

The same backdrop, the same face, the same words.

In her previous life, Bo Mingwei had done something similar after offending her.

Back then, after asking the same question, Bo Mingwei had also pretended to be nonchalant and casual.

But Zhu Zhihan understood that, deep down, Bo Mingwei was actually anxious and uneasy.

Bo Mingwei hoped she would accept it, hoped she would like it this was, this stubborn person’s subtle way of lowering her head to apologize.

Such was the way of these major sects: offering a gift, and the other party’s acceptance signified the matter was resolved.

Of course, Zhu Zhihan knew Bo Mingwei wasn’t trying to buy her off with wealth. She simply didn’t know any other way only this awkward, clumsy method of showing goodwill.

Now, given a second chance, Bo Mingwei remained unchanged.

She probably also felt that what had just happened had angered Zhu Zhihan and wanted her forgiveness.

How had she responded in her previous life? Zhu Zhihan recalled.

It seemed her anger had completely dissipated, replaced by a sense of helplessness. She had pretended to be upset, raising her hand to tap Bo Mingwei’s head and scolding her, “I won’t accept it. If you keep this up, you’ll squander your family’s fortune sooner or later, do you understand?”

Bo Mingwei didn’t get angry after being tapped. Instead, she turned her face away, a slight smile curling at the corners of her lips.

Now, seeing Bo Mingwei with a similar expression, it felt as if time had reversed, as if none of the past events had ever happened, and they were still that close pair of good friends.

Unfortunately, even with rebirth, some things were ultimately different.

Facing Bo Mingwei’s expectant gaze, Zhu Zhihan’s expression remained unchanged from start to finish, her tone indifferent.

“I am not familiar with the Young Sect Leader, nor do I wish to accept gifts from a stranger. If the Young Sect Leader wants to play the part of a generous benefactor, perhaps you should find someone else?”

Not familiar. A stranger.

Bo Mingwei froze.

She hadn’t expected such a response.

“No! I…” She suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

That wasn’t what she meant, but she didn’t know how to explain.

And…

A faint sense of grievance welled up inside her.

This person shouldn’t be reacting like this, a voice inside her insisted.

This person shouldn’t look at her with the eyes of a stranger, or even with hostility. This person should see through her awkward exterior, understanding and effortlessly handling everything, never making her feel uncomfortable or embarrassed.

“Does the Young Sect Leader have anything else to say?”

Zhu Zhihan curled her lips into a perfunctory smile.

Bo Mingwei seemed stung by that smile and turned her face away.

After a moment, her slightly hoarse voice broke the silence, “Nothing.”

She turned and stepped onto the stairs, pushing open the intricately carved sandalwood door. When she turned back, she had regained her authoritative demeanor. “You’ll live here from now on.”

Zhu Zhihan didn’t defy her, nodding indifferently before following Bo Mingwei inside.

The room’s decorations, potted plants, screens, and desk were all exquisitely crafted. Even though no one had lived here before, it was impeccably clean, without a speck of dust.

Bo Mingwei guided Zhu Zhihan to sit and then busied herself, clumsily preparing tea.

But a young lady born with a silver spoon in her mouth had never done such a thing before. Not only did she spill the tea, but she also scalded herself.

Though cultivators don’t get injured, hot water splashing on the skin still stings.

Pursing her lips, she glanced at the young woman sitting not far away, harboring some inexplicable, secret hope.

The commotion she had made was obvious, and anyone could guess what had happened. Yet, the young woman didn’t even spare her a glance, her eyes downcast, her expression devoid of emotion, like a statue of jade.

This person truly doesn’t care about me. Bo Mingwei suddenly realized.

Swallowing the inexplicable bitterness rising in her heart, she placed two cups of tea on the desk in front of Zhu Zhihan.

“Would you like some?” Bo Mingwei paused, trying to justify her actions. “I noticed you were holding a hand warmer earlier, seeming quite sensitive to the cold. I thought you might need this?”

Zhu Zhihan: …

The way she said that was so irritating.

Back when she still considered Bo Mingwei a friend, she hadn’t noticed it.

Now, hearing it from an observer’s perspective, Zhu Zhihan couldn’t help but ask herself: How had she endured it back then?

She said, “It’s as warm as spring here in ‘Water and Sky Merge.’ There’s no need for that.”

“Oh.”

Bo Mingwei lowered her head slightly, the oppressive atmosphere around her nearly overflowing.

Zhu Zhihan paid her no mind.

Unfortunately, even if Zhu Zhihan remained still and quiet like a wooden puppet, Bo Mingwei would still stir up trouble, now asking if Zhu Zhihan needed this, then asking if she wanted that.

Zhu Zhihan didn’t want anything from Bo Mingwei, so she had to come up with various excuses to refuse, a real headache. Bo Mingwei was extremely stubborn; if she wasn’t given a convincing reason, she would force things into your hands.

After trying various methods and failing to spark Zhu Zhihan’s interest, Bo Mingwei seemed to finally sense her resistance.

The silver-haired girl sat there quietly, neither fiercely resisting nor accepting, as if she had built walls of ice around herself.

Bo Mingwei gave up this roundabout way of trying to please with some frustration, having exhausted her tricks, and fell silent.

The two sat quietly facing each other.

Zhu Zhihan lowered her gaze to the few tea leaves floating in her cup and suddenly found it somewhat amusing.

Bo Mingwei didn’t know how to lead a harmonious, comfortable conversation. In their previous life, Zhu Zhihan had mediated and lightened the mood, so the two appeared to get along well without awkward silences. But now that Zhu Zhihan was unwilling, Bo Mingwei had no way to handle it.

It suddenly occurred to her that even without the existence of that “female lead,” Su Siyue, their friendship might still have ended up problematic in the end.

One-sided understanding and forbearance couldn’t last forever. In the past, Zhu Zhihan had been willing to interpret Bo Mingwei, but what if one day she no longer was?

Then they would only fall into a stalemate and eventually break apart.

Moreover, all the closeness and help in their previous life had been forced upon Bo Mingwei by Zhu Zhihan. Perhaps Bo Mingwei hadn’t actually needed or wanted any of it in the first place?

Before Zhu Zhihan appeared, Bo Mingwei had lived just fine, perhaps even more freely.

So be it.

The two didn’t remain silent for long.

Soon after, Bo Mingwei received a message from the sect leader of Tianjing Sect and had to leave temporarily.

At this time, Bo Mingwei’s position wasn’t yet secure. Although she was the young sect leader, several half-siblings were eyeing her position covetously below her, and she couldn’t ignore her father’s orders.

Zhu Zhihan breathed a sigh of relief.

Closing the door to shut out the outside world, she felt much more at ease.

“System,” she called out silently from her heart as she sat on the stool.

The system lady quickly responded.

[Host. How can I assist you?]

Zhu Zhihan shared her suspicions with the system lady.

Danqi Zhenren had shown extraordinary patience upon their first meeting. While part of it could be attributed to her Xuan Yin physique and Danqi’s desire to investigate, it still felt somewhat off.

Now, even someone as guarded as Bo Mingwei was showing concern for her, someone she had only met once that couldn’t simply be explained by ulterior motives.

The system lady was silent for a moment before giving her a confirming reply: [Yes. Do you remember what I mentioned back at the standby point? The person who harmed you in your previous life, after your death, suddenly realized their mistake and was filled with regret.]

[They desperately tried to bring you back but never succeeded.]

【Now that the world has been reset and memories wiped clean, their feelings remain unchanged. So?】

Zhu Zhihan nodded. “I understand.”

No wonder.

But still…

Zhu Zhihan sighed, her expression shadowed and unclear. “If that’s the case, why didn’t they act sooner? Regretting only after someone has died, isn’t that just absurd?”

She could never forget those three days.

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