Chapter 4: A Taste of Retribution

Yun Moyi’s eyes darkened as she saw Bai Jinxi’s refusal.

“It’s alright, Sister Xi. Just wear this. Your mother wouldn’t want you to be cold.” She pushed the cloak forward again, pretending to be concerned.

Bai Jinxi glanced at the gray squirrel fur cloak draped over Yun Moyi, her eyes reddening. She hesitated, then spoke timidly.

“My parents loved me dearly. Now that they’re gone, it’s my duty as a daughter to show my filial piety. A little cold is nothing. But… if I wear fur and silk during the mourning period, it would be disrespectful… Aunt Yun, you’re my mother’s close friend, but this gray squirrel fur cloak…”

Yun Moyi’s expression froze. This damn little brat was so troublesome!

“Ah, thank you for reminding me, Sister Xi. I was going to take off this cloak as soon as I came in. I forgot in my grief. Thankfully, you reminded me.”

With that, she naturally unfastened the cloak and turned to hand it to Tiandong, who received it smoothly. Her movements were swift and fluid, as if she had planned to take it off all along.

The wind howled on the way to the mourning hall. Bai Jinxi’s newly tied hair was blown loose, stray strands brushing against her face, causing a slight sting.

The winter in Liangzhou was particularly harsh. The temperature outside had already dropped to freezing. The servants scurried around, shivering in the cold.

Yun Moyi hadn’t planned to remove her fur cloak when she arrived at the Bai residence. While her elegant silk tunic was beautiful, it offered no protection against the wind. The journey had left her pale and shivering.

“Damn little girl, wait until I move in. I’ll show you!” She glared at Bai Jinxi with resentment.

The delicate, doll-like girl had her hair tied in double buns with white satin ribbons. Her thick white silk cotton jacket made her look like a ball. She clutched a small, openwork brass hand warmer, her cheeks rosy and warm, unaffected by the cold.

Bai Jinxi noticed Yun Moyi’s trembling but pretended not to see it. She lowered her head, hiding the icy glint in her eyes, and walked slowly.

Yun Moyi, since you enjoy playing the role of my mother’s childhood friend, I’ll indulge you. I’ll take you to my parents’ memorial tablet and let you kowtow!

This is what you owe them, and what you owe my Bai family!

Bai Jinxi lowered her eyes, her long lashes concealing the hatred in her gaze.

This is just a taste of retribution. The rest of the debt, we’ll settle it slowly!

The Yuanxi Hall was not far ahead. The plaque was covered with white cloth, and two white paper lanterns hung at the gate.

Bai’s father and mother’s memorial table was set up in the front yard, while the coffins were temporarily placed in the front hall.

Guests who came to offer condolences gathered there to burn incense and pay their respects…

Bai Jinxi heard faint sobs ahead and quickened her pace without a word.

As soon as she entered the mourning hall, Bai Jinxi knelt down on the cushion in front of the memorial tablet with a thud.

“Father, Mother, your daughter is unfilial. I’ve only come to see you today…”

She kowtowed three times, each bow as if expressing her pain and determination.

After the third kowtow, she didn’t get up immediately. She remained kneeling before her parents’ memorial tablet, her forehead touching the ground, silently vowing in her heart: “Father, Mother, your daughter is foolish. In my previous life, I mistook my enemy for a benefactor. I harmed Banxia, Uncle, the Bai family, and myself… I swear, in this life, I will protect my Bai family’s business. I will make Yun Moyi pay. Blood for blood!”

When her emotions calmed down, Bai Jinxi slowly stood up and moved aside. She nodded to Yun Moyi, making her intentions clear: it was her turn to pay her respects.

Yun Moyi walked forward, stopped in front of Bai’s father and mother’s memorial tablet, and bent down to bow.

Seeing that she didn’t intend to kneel, Bai Jinxi squatted down and “thoughtfully” handed her the cushion she had just used…

Yun Moyi paused for a moment, then nodded politely to Bai Jinxi and knelt down naturally.

“Sister Rong, you have a good daughter. Don’t worry, I will take good care of her, just as I did for you.” As she spoke, a mocking smile curved her lips, which Bai Jinxi, who was watching her intently, didn’t miss.

Bai Jinxi’s fists clenched tightly, the veins on her hands bulging.

How dare she?!

Others might not understand the meaning behind her words, but Bai Jinxi, having experienced her previous life, understood perfectly.

Bai Jinxi, who had initially planned to lie low and gradually change her fate, was now red-eyed.

All thoughts of patience and gradual progress were forgotten.

She just wanted to tear off Yun Moyi’s hypocritical mask and wipe that smug smile off her face!

Bai Jinxi lowered her head, her face contorted with hatred. She suddenly rushed forward and slammed her head into Yun Moyi’s waist…

Fortunately, her sanity hadn’t completely vanished. Amidst the gasps of the people around her, she secretly pinched her arm and then tightly hugged Yun Moyi, bursting into tears.

Yun Moyi was admiring the memorial tablet of Bai’s parents when she suddenly felt a powerful force slam into her from behind.

Losing her balance, she fell heavily to the ground.

Since Yun Moyi’s hands were tightly held by Bai Jinxi, her head slammed onto the bluestone floor with a thud. The sound was painful to hear.

Yun Moyi’s mind was a blur. She didn’t know where she was or what she was doing. All she felt was pain in her waist and an even worse pain in her head. She lay on the ground for a while, unable to recover…

The people around her gasped, and the Bai family servants rushed forward to help.

“Pfft…”

When everyone saw Yun Moyi’s current state, even though they knew it was inappropriate, some couldn’t help but laugh…

The silver hairpin on her head had fallen far away. Her elegant bun was now loose and disheveled, her hair covered in incense ash. She looked like a crazy woman. A large red bump had formed on her forehead, swollen and prominent. Tears streamed down her face from the pain, making her look both pathetic and ridiculous…

Yun Moyi’s consciousness gradually returned, and she wanted to scream! She wished she could throw the little girl clinging to her waist away!

This was so embarrassing!

Noticing the people around her looking at her with suppressed laughter, Yun Moyi felt a fire burning inside her.

Although she couldn’t see her own reflection, she could clearly feel the swelling on her forehead.

“Aunt Yun, Xier will repay you for your kindness to my mother, just like you did for her!”

Bai Jinxi, whose face was streaked with tears, sobbed, pretending to be touched.

But to Yun Moyi, those words sounded like they were squeezed out through gritted teeth.

Calming herself, Yun Moyi reached out to tuck her loose hair behind her ear. As she did, the movement pulled on her injured waist, contorting her face slightly.

She forced a look of concern, squatted down, and wiped Bai Jinxi’s tears.

“Aunt Yun knows you’re heartbroken, but don’t think too much. Your parents would be heartbroken to see you like this!”

Seeing the genuine affection in Bai Jinxi’s eyes, Yun Moyi thought she was overthinking. What could a ten-year-old child understand?

She reached for a handkerchief from her waist. The movement pulled on her injured waist, causing a slight distortion in her face.

She tried to force a look of concern, squatted down, and wiped Bai Jinxi’s tears.

“Aunt Yun, Xier must find the thief who killed my parents and avenge them! Please be a witness for Xier today, in front of my parents’ memorial tablet.”

Bai Jinxi stopped crying and looked up at Yun Moyi with red eyes. Her pupils were black as a deep pool, slightly shimmering with a faint glow from the tears she had just shed, as if containing endless emotions…

Yun Moyi stared at Bai Jinxi, feeling a strange discomfort in the little girl’s gaze, sending shivers down her spine.

Was this the kind of look a ten-year-old girl should have?

Perhaps it was because of the environment today… Maybe she was overthinking…

Yun Moyi didn’t want to stay there and make a fool of herself any longer. She hurriedly said goodbye and left.