Chapter 2200: Brilliance Unfading 2

On this day, the weather was fine, and there were no clouds in the sky.

The Baili Family in Gusu City was bustling with guests, most lively indeed.

Lady Baili loved opera and had booked the troupe early on to perform a full play in the garden.

All the city’s socialites dressed in their finest, wearing heavy makeup, hoping to catch a glimpse of the young Master Baili. If they were lucky enough to forge a good match with him, that would be ideal.

Looking at the guests who came to celebrate, there were girls with different styles: graceful and demure, gentle and elegant, straightforward and grand, as well as those being charming and seductive, making one’s eyes dizzy; Lady Baili couldn’t contain her laughter.

The young ladies secretly glanced at the young man standing beside Lady Baili. Even though they had long known what he looked like, their hearts couldn’t help but beat faster when he was right before them.

“This is a wild century-old ginseng from the top of Mount Changbai. I specially had it brought here to gift you for your birthday. If you take it, may you keep your complexion youthful and live a long life.” A young woman in a white dress offered a gift box, speaking gracefully. Her long, straight hair hung down to her waist, with a graceful figure and an innocent, charming smile.

“Good, good, Miss Luo, you are considerate. Aunt Chen.” Lady Baili smiled kindly, and Aunt Chen hurriedly stepped forward to receive the gift box with both hands.

“Madam, please just call me Miaoxue. My mother was a good friend of yours, and you even held me when I was little,” said Miss Luo.

Lady Baili’s smile deepened: “Later, your family went abroad, and I haven’t seen you since. Invite your mother over when you have time to catch up, as it’s been years since old friends met.”

“I will certainly relay the message to my mother when I return home.”

Lady Baili held her hand, saying, “Good child, come over here.”

Luo Miaoxue stepped forward; Lady Baili looked at this beautiful young face and smiled with satisfaction, casting her eyes at Baili Zhuo and said with a smile, “Zhuozhuo, this Miss Luo used to play with you when you were kids, do you remember?”

Luo Miaoxue shyly glanced at him, “Brother Baili, you always pulled my pigtails and called me a little crybaby when we were young. I’ve remembered it all these years.”

The other young ladies watched with clenched teeth and suppressed anger, thinking how despicable Luo Miaoxue was with her false performance, hoping Master Baili wouldn’t be fooled by her looks.

Baili Zhuo kept smiling gently but always seemed extraordinarily distant. Even amidst the bustling crowd, he seemed unattainable.

“It’s been too long, I don’t remember.”

Luo Miaoxue’s smile stiffened for a moment but quickly reverted to its original form. She said with a smile, “It’s okay not to remember, since it’s been so long.”

Baili Zhuo remained indifferent and never looked at Luo Miaoxue, nor did he continue the conversation. Watching Luo Miaoxue’s increasingly awkward expression, the other young ladies were secretly delighted.

“Let her pretend; Master Baili doesn’t even pay attention to her,” they thought.

“You just returned from abroad, unfamiliar with things here. Do come over and visit more often when you have time.” Lady Baili intervened to ease the awkwardness, subtly glaring at Baili Zhuo.

At this moment, the butler came in to report, “Madam, Master Fei Tan from Hanshan Temple has come to extend birthday wishes to you.”

Lady Baili’s face lit up with joy and she immediately stood up excitedly, saying, “Quickly invite him in.”

No one noticed that Baili Zhuo’s hands, hanging by his sides, quietly clenched tightly.

Fei Tan walked in at a leisurely pace, draped in a grey monk’s robe. Tall and lean, his shaved head accentuated his sharp features, exuding an extraordinary handsomeness. The young ladies whispered among themselves.

“This young monk is so handsome; what a waste for him to be a monk….”

“Exactly, if he renounced monasticism, I would surely pursue him.”

“Didn’t you fancy Master Baili? Why switch targets?”

“Master Baili is too popular; I wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Wait, who’s that following him, a nun? A monk and a nun appearing together, what’s going on?”

Everyone looked intently and saw a young nun walking in behind Fei Tan. Her grey robe made her appear even more slender. She wore a grey cap, her skin was fair, her features delicate, her demeanor serene, her steps unhurried. Although not as dazzling as the other women present, she was dainty and clean, giving off a very comfortable feeling.

The young nun held a box in her hands, following behind Fei Tan. The combination of monk and nun was unexpected, but their good looks indeed complemented each other beautifully.

She obeyed her master’s words, following her senior brother down the mountain to wish Lady Baili a happy birthday. This was her first time down the mountain in two years since taking the vows. Her life, aimed at clearing the mind and minimizing desires, had already smoothed out her edges. Walking among the bustling crowd, her heart remained calm and composed.