819 14.95 Last Violet Star – (Past) Hiding

“Qiqi, who brought you to Senior Brother Yun’s courtyard?” Bai Wuan inquired about Bai Qiyin.

Bai Wuan posed this query with a serious look on his face after discovering that his younger brother doesn’t reside in the common disciples’ dormitory. Bai Qiyin was forced to give an honest response to his query.

Bai Qiyin replied as he fiddled with his fingers and looked down, “Hn? An elder from our sect does. He claims that this is a person from my last blind date with that person as a can… candidate.” He was so embarrassed and shy that his cheeks were scarlet.

Seeing their Senior Brothers’ grave expressions, Bai Lili, Lu Er, and Jin Shiyan were forced to suppress their laughter.

Bai Wuan inquired, “Do you feel uneasy staying with him? If so, I may ask the elders to shift you to the regular dormitory.”

Bai Qiyin speaks to his older brother while casting an uncertain glance in his direction, “N-no… no, I told him that I accept his pursuit… so I also committed to living there… Brother, can I still live there?”

“You can but promise brother that you cannot consent to the last base until you agree to attend Dao Ceremony with him, and no dual cultivation as well,” said Bai Wuan, making everyone blush.

He stared at Bai Lili and Jin Shiyan as he gave them the same warning, “You two as well!”

He also issued a warning to the young man and lady of the Jin and Bai clans. Even if they had an arranged marriage, they haven’t finished their Dao Ceremony since Bai Lili hasn’t reached legal adulthood. So far, their engagement is limited to a name. However, since everyone was aware of the positive connection between Jin Shiyan and Bai Lili, no one was particularly shocked to see Jin Shiyan escorting Bai Lili out of the female disciples’ dormitory. 𝒃𝙚𝙙𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝒍．𝒆𝒕

…..

“Yes, Senior Brother Wuan,” said the three of them together: Bai Qiyin, Bai Lili, and Jin Shiyan.

“So~ when is Brother Wuan going to find someone?” Lu Er teased, remarking that it appears that only he and the other Bai siblings are single.

Bai Wuan said, “Young man, you should worry yourself. You are already an adult and still haven’t found someone you like. Don’t make Brother Wang find you a partner.”

“Senior Brother Wuan, stop saying anything so ominous,” Lu Er said.

As his older brother was mentioned, everyone chuckled at his comical attitude. Although Lu Er greatly revered his older brother, he also feared him because it was his older brother who raised him after their parents passed away. He particularly loves his brother and reveres Lu Yi.

Bai Wuan remarked, “You guys have laughed enough, so what are the instructions you’ve received today?”

“Lessons and training would start the next day, therefore, today is meant to be free,” according to Bai Qiyin.

Bai Wuan said, “Same as mine. Let’s go to the market to get some essentials and change clothing. At least a few inner robes which can be used as pajamas in sleep. In addition, I need to buy a few ingredients to create some mooncakes.”

Bai Lili was astounded and inquired, “Dear Older Brother, is there a kitchen in your place?”

“Yes, there is a library, an alchemy chamber, and a hot spring. With these I can use them to prepare some treats and snacks for you as well as some medicines and pills for when we go on missions,” replied Bai Wuan.

Lu Er says, “Brother Wuan, leave the herb preparation for me.”

“I can handle the ingredients Brother Wuan needs,” said Jin Shiyan.

“Okay, since you are giving the herbs and ingredients then I will give you some snacks tonight. Don’t stay up too much or you’ll be late for class tomorrow,” said Bai Wuan before looking at Lu Er. “Xiao Tian, can you leave me some herb with untrimmed roots? I want to try replanting it in the garden.”

Lu Er said, “Leave it to me, Brother Wuan. But… Will the one who owns this place allow you to make a herb garden?”

“Don’t worry. I will ask for permission before doing anything. For now, let’s go to the market before sunset. There is a curfew for disciples to be out of Sect. We must be back before tonight’s banquet as well,” said Bai Wuan.

Bewildered, Bai Qiyin asked, “A curfew? This place has such a rule?”

“Yes, a disciple not on mission must be back in the sect before sundown. In short at 7 in the evening the Sect defensive formation would be activated. No one can enter and leave without permission of the elders,” explained Bai Wuan.

Jin Shiyan asked, “How did you know about this rule, Brother Wuan?”

“Ha? Didn’t you see the rules of the sect written near the gates? The tallest wall with engraved words on it. There should be at least a few hundred rules stated on the wall,” remarked Bai Wuan.

Jin Shiyan murmured, “More than hundreds of rules?”

Lu Er remembered seeing such a wall at the gates and commented, “That wall… So it wasn’t a monument for the dead but rules of the sect?”

“I… I didn’t even notice the wall,” said Bai Qiyin.

Bai Lili said, “That might be the content for the lesson on etiquette and mannerism.”

“We don’t need to remember all that right?” asked Lu Er, seeking hope for others.

“You should. I heard Elder Yun Xiayu would be leading the class for Etiquette and Mannerisms,” Bai Wuan said, “Haha~ good luck to you brats.”

They didn’t even notice Yun Xiajie observing and listening in on their chat until their party finally left. He didn’t reveal himself till after they had left. He murmured as he studied the aged wooden comb in his hands.

Yun Xiajie muttered as he abruptly left the area, “I can’t use such an old comb to help him with his hair. Must get a new one.”

—

In the Market Place…

At the hub of the river market, Bai Wuan, his siblings, and friends were taking advantage of the celebratory mood. As their older brother was present to make payments, the Bai siblings bought anything that struck their sight, whatever they were hungry for, and everything. On the other side, Jin Shiyan and Lu Er acted as servants by carrying the items the young lady had purchased. Jin Shiyan can’t possibly carry everything on his own and Lu Er had no choice but to help.

Bai Wuan wanted to help but none of the store owners dared to pass the things into his hands. He doesn’t look like an ordinary young master after all but instead a fairy. So all the items that were bought fell into Lu Er and Jin Shiyan’s hands. They were too embarrassed to ask their Senior Brother for help and let the things fall into their hands after it was handed to them,???????????????????e??. co??

Bai Lili drew her brother forward, saying, “Erge, look at the hairpins. Let’s choose which would match Dear Elder Brother the most.”

“There are too many options. Choose something simple in jade instead of anything gaudy,” said Bai Qiyin.

Bai Lili said, “No, Dear Older Brother is so attractive that even a girl’s hairpin would fit him.”

“Stop bickering, you two. I have no intention of purchasing a new hairpin. If you want to purchase anything, please do so for you two. Next, let’s go get some plush mattresses because the hardwood beds in the dormitory are uncomfortable for you two to sleep on.” remarked Bai Wuan.

The Bai siblings asked their older brother to choose a hairpin for them after giving up on choosing one for their little brother. Because he was accustomed to situations like these, Bai Wuan assisted his siblings in choosing hairpins that would fit the two of them.

For Bai Qiyin, Bai Wuan chose a deep purple jade with silver linings. It is a jade hairpin that both men and women may wear. He chose a blue hydrangea-themed hairpin for Bai Lili in the meanwhile. His siblings really liked these two options, so they eventually exited the stall. Bai Wuan took a closer look at the black hairpin with a snowflake pattern before they left. Sadly, the snowflakes were white, but it was unusual to see obsidian-colored ones.

“Brother, don’t pick that. I heard the hairpin maker made a mistake in selecting a jade. He should have used white jade design snowflakes, after all, there are no black snowflakes in this world,” Bai Qiyin said.

“I was just looking. It was also my first time seeing black-colored snow,” said Bai Wuan as he placed down the black hairpin and paid for the ones his siblings had chosen. “How much are those two hairpins?”

The hairpin merchant remarked, “Three silver coins apiece, but since the lord is so handsome, simply two silver coins will suffice.”

Bai Wuan grinned and disregarded the young seller’s advances. Despite the merchant giving him a discount, he still paid six silver pennies.

“Young man, you still have to support your own life; there’s no need to give money away just because of a passing fling.”

Then he went with his friends and brothers. The group quickly forgot about the incident because many of the shops and stalls they had stopped at had a similar reaction when they saw Bai Wuan’s arrival.

“Don’t tell me all the shops we would go into would treat Brother Wuan that way. Don’t they realize he is a man and a cultivator?” Lu Er grumbles. “This is the third time already.”

“Well, with the way Brother Wuan looks, it is harder for people not to notice him. Just him standing in one corner is enough to attract people. Just get used to it already. We’re going to dine in my restaurant, so there shouldn’t be any more scenes like this there,” remarked Jin Shiyan.

Bai Lili calls out, “Brother Yan, Senior Brother Tian, where are you going? We’re going to wait to relax for a little while first.”

“If you guys continue to remain there, we’ll have to leave you behind!” said Bai Qiyin.

“Ah! Wait for me, I’m famished too,” Lu Er remarked.

Yun Xiajie abruptly emerged in front of the hairpin kiosk after the party had already gone to Jin Shiyan’s restaurant. Everyone in the city was familiar with the Yun brothers. So the seller instantly recognized Yun Xiajie when he saw him.

“Second Young Lord Yun! It’s actually you. I’m very glad you’ve finally come out of your seclusion.”

“Um!”

Yun Xiajie just nodded at the pleasant vendor while gazing at the black hairpin with a snowflake pattern. This is the same hairpin that caught Bai Wuan’s attention.

The marketer asked, “Young Lord, do you like this hairpin? But if you wear it on your black hair it would not be visible at all because of the same hue as Young Lord’s hair. If it were the handsome young man just now, it would absolutely fit instead. Why don’t you select a different design?”

Instead of responding straight away, the second young lord of the Lan Zhuayun Sect took a close look at the hairpin in his palm. He appears somewhat uncaring because of his constant lack of emotion, but in actuality, he is simply a guy of few words. Everyone in the city was familiar with his character and was unable to persuade him to change his opinion any longer. Instead, they simply waited in silence for him to speak.

Yun Xiajie inquired, “Is it possible to request a few alterations to this hairpin? I wanted to add a few little ruby jewels to it. I would pay as much as you want to personalize the design.”

“Of course! Anything is possible. However, we don’t have any rubies or red jewels to use as an arrangement, and it would take some time to complete it.” said the merchant.

Suddenly, they received a handful of crimson jewels from Yun Xiajie. These are premium fire stones, and by just carrying them with you, you may maintain your usual state of being year-round, regardless of the weather.

“Do you accept my request?” Yun Xiajie said, “Use these fire stones. I don’t care about the rest. All I want is that you to make the design I want and have it done within this month. The faster it was made, the greater commission I would pay.”

The stall owner was initially taken aback, but when he saw what a major business this was, he quickly consented. With the money from the down payment, Yun Xiajie purchased a black jade comb decorated with crimson snowflakes. He then departs after that.

The hairpin vendor said, “Young Lord, please come back in two weeks. I will absolutely complete your orders.”