Chapter Fifty-Two: Accumulated Resentment

Nalan Xin’er, with her adorable, doll-like face, rested both hands on her knees and gazed in confusion at the two enigmatic young men before her. Her large eyes blinked innocently, making her look especially cute. After a while, she finally couldn’t hold back and burst out, “Are you two out of your minds? Am I really that good-looking? You’ve been staring at me for the time it takes half an incense stick to burn! Hurry up and say something, or do you want to suffocate me with suspense?”

The two of them simultaneously turned their faces away, deliberately avoiding her gaze. The little witch’s temper flared. She couldn’t do anything to Mo Bai, but she certainly wouldn’t let Xiao Hua off the hook. With a deft movement of her hand, Xiao Hua suddenly felt a chill at his back and hurriedly said, “Miss, you were the one who said you were going to suffocate. Of course, we can’t look at you. Otherwise, how are you going to resolve your… personal dilemma?”

Nalan Xin’er exploded in rage.

Both young men burst out laughing. Mo Bai looked at Nalan Xin’er and said slowly, “Xin’er, haven’t you noticed anything strange about your sister Gan?”

Nalan Xin’er rolled her eyes. “Maybe she’s just nervous because she’s soon to be married. That’s perfectly natural. Besides, Sister Gan hasn’t even met her future husband yet. It must be hard for her.”

Mo Bai replied, “That’s not necessarily it. Your Sister Gan is definitely not the type to sit around waiting for her fate.”

Nalan Xin’er asked curiously, “Why do you say that?”

Mo Bai glanced at Wu Luohua and said, “Otherwise, she wouldn’t have stolen your Brother Hua’s jade pendant—or told us about it.”

Nalan Xin’er was shocked. She didn’t want to believe Mo Bai’s words, yet deep down she couldn’t dismiss his suspicions. “Brother Mo, are you joking? How could that be? I’ve heard Sister Gan barely ever leaves her house—”

Mo Bai changed the subject. “Xin’er, do you remember anything unusual that happened yesterday when you were with Miss Gan Yu?”

Nalan Xin’er thought for a moment. “Actually, yes. When Gan Ying brought me over and called to Sister Gan to open the door, she seemed a bit flustered. Later, when Gan Ying asked Sister Gan’s maid to prepare food and wine for us, the maid was nowhere to be found. Gan Ying was furious. Now that I think about it, that maid must have been Sister Gan’s personal attendant, so it was odd for her not to be by Sister Gan’s side.”

Mo Bai and Wu Luohua exchanged a knowing look. Xiao Hua chimed in, “Exactly.”

“What do you mean, exactly?” Nalan Xin’er had noticed something amiss, but hadn’t thought further.

Xiao Hua continued, “Right before you saw Gan Yu, she should have been at the Dubai Pavilion. In the midst of that chaotic fight, your Sister Gan used some clever sleight of hand to steal my jade pendant.”

Nalan Xin’er slapped her thigh. “I get it! So when we left the Dubai Pavilion and went to the Gan family’s inner hall, Sister Gan had just returned. That’s why she seemed so flustered, and why she sent her maid away. She wanted to protect Hong’er, so she stopped Gan Ying from scolding her.”

Mo Bai nodded. “Exactly. Only by sending Hong’er away could she move freely. That also explains why Hong’er wasn’t there.”

Nalan Xin’er nodded vigorously, then shook her head and asked, “But why would Sister Gan steal Brother Hua’s jade pendant? The Gan family isn’t particularly wealthy, but they have means. It’s so strange. I still don’t believe Sister Gan is a thief. How can you prove she’s the one who stole it?” She turned to Wu Luohua as she spoke.

Xiao Hua’s eyes grew vacant, as if he was remembering his earlier encounter with Miss Gan.

Mo Bai continued, “That jade pendant has been with your Brother Hua since childhood. He knows it inside and out, especially as it has a unique, subtle fragrance. Miss Gan would have noticed it too, which is why she said what she did.”

Nalan Xin’er suddenly understood. “So her words revealed her heart—she really was the thief. But… why?”

At that moment, Xiao Hua muttered to himself, “This flower, this jade—the rain brings the blossom to bloom.”

Nalan Xin’er rolled her eyes at him. “Brother Hua, stop daydreaming! Sister Gan didn’t fall in love with you at first sight. You think she stole the jade so she could run away with you?”

Mo Bai said, “It’s your Brother Hua who’s smitten with your Sister Gan. But whether these lovers can be together in the end depends on what we do next.”

Nalan Xin’er was surprised. “Brother Mo, you’re not going to break them up for your brother’s sake, are you?”

Mo Bai smiled and shook his head. “Not at all. We’re not here to separate the lovers, but to save them.” Seeing Nalan Xin’er still confused, he explained, “Xin’er, let me ask you: if someone injured your grandfather, what would be your first reaction?”

Nalan Xin’er thought of her grandfather, Master Yun Jin, and couldn’t help but smile proudly. “That’s a bad example, Brother Mo. Nobody could hurt my grandfather—he’s the head of the Cloud Sky Sect!”

Mo Bai felt a brief pang in his heart, but it passed in an instant. He smiled. “All right, all right. Suppose it was me who was hurt—what would you do then?”

Nalan Xin’er immediately shook her little head like a rattle drum. “No, no! That would never happen. Brother Mo, your skills are unmatched—such a thing is impossible.”

Mo Bai sighed helplessly. “My little witch, I was only giving an example. I have to use someone, don’t I?”

Nalan Xin’er grinned mischievously and turned her gaze to Wu Luohua. When Xiao Hua met her violet eyes, he broke into a cold sweat. “Why are you looking at me?”

Nalan Xin’er raised her slender fingers. “Him! Let’s use him.”

Xiao Hua’s face darkened. “Why me?”

Nalan Xin’er ignored his protest. “Just him, just him. Brother Mo, go on.” She looked at Mo Bai with eager anticipation, like a child listening to a story, paying no heed to Xiao Hua’s pained expression.

Mo Bai was taken aback. “Go on? It’s your turn.”

Nalan Xin’er realized her mistake. “Oh, right. If it were Brother Hua… hmm…” Her eyes darted about. “I’d stand by and cheer him on!”

With a thud, Xiao Hua toppled off his horse.

Nalan Xin’er giggled. “Just kidding! Whoever it is, as long as they’re by my side, if they’re hurt, I’d have only two reactions. First, I’d rush to their side to check on their injuries. Second, I’d be filled with rage and fight whoever hurt them. But for girls, the first reaction is more likely.”

Xiao Hua slowly climbed back up. “Are you sure you’re a girl?”

Nalan Xin’er glared at him. “None of your business. Go pine for your Sister Gan.”

Xiao Hua rolled his eyes, thinking, What kind of jealousy is this little brat eating?

Mo Bai laughed. “But what did your Sister Gan do when her father and brother were struck down?”

Nalan Xin’er was astonished. “She… she actually bowed to Brother Hua and exchanged idle words.”

Xiao Hua corrected her. “They weren’t idle words. They were words of affection.”

Mo Bai ignored him and continued, “Exactly. That’s not how a normal person would react. If Miss Gan helped Xiao Hua, it shows she’s kind-hearted. If she was ashamed of attacking her brother, it makes sense not to show concern. But for her elderly father to spit blood and for her to ignore him entirely—that’s completely wrong. So—”

Nalan Xin’er finished, “So the only explanation is that Sister Gan must have some misunderstanding with her father.”

Mo Bai gave a bitter smile. “Could a misunderstanding really go that far?”

Xiao Hua spoke thoughtfully. “It’s resentment—a grudge that’s been festering for a long time. Gan Yu must have been carrying it for a while. Or maybe, under the pressure of the arranged marriage, she sought us out as a way out. That’s why we have to go back!” Resolve shone in Wu Luohua’s eyes as he spoke.