Just then, Xie Yun's voice reached them, and judging by its volume, he wasn't far.
"Brother Xie!" Qin Jiujiu quickly turned her head towards the direction of the voice and, as expected, saw Xie Yun and Bai Qianluo walking towards them from not too far away.
Both were dressed in white. Qin Jiujiu looked closely and realized that Xie Yun's attire was clearly mourning clothes.
As they approached, Qin Jiujiu noticed that both of them seemed to have lost a lot of their vitality, and the atmosphere between the four of them felt a bit strange.
Qin Jiujiu took the initiative to speak, "Brother Xie, my condolences!"
Her expression was solemn. Although she hadn't met any members of the Xie family before, she would have felt saddened by such an event happening to anyone.
Xie Yun nodded at her, his face etched with sorrow, though he managed to hide most of it.
Xie Yun had always been a person of integrity and righteousness, a pillar of strength in normal times. At this moment, he was still holding up.
"Xiao Jing, the mourning hall is set up in the別院. Go and kowtow to your parents, tell them we're back..."
Xie Jing nodded and met Xie Yun's gaze. Looking at his younger brother, Xie Yun's expression finally softened a little.
The Xie family's funeral lasted for seven days. The Xie family was prominent in Huayang. Although they had fallen on hard times, they were still considered a reputable family.
Therefore, many people attended the funeral.
Xiang Wei, along with Bai Qianluo, helped Xie Yun and Xie Jing manage the funeral arrangements. The Xie family owned several properties. Even though the main Xie residence had been burned down, they still had a別院 where people could stay.
The funeral was also held at the別院.
Rain had been falling continuously for seven days.
Winter had set in, and a cold wind blew, mixed with the icy rain, chilling the mourners to the bone.
Qin Jiujiu and Bai Qianluo were not members of the Xie family, and according to Xie family rules, they could not attend the procession. Thus, they remained in the別院.
Sitting around the charcoal fire, Qin Jiujiu asked, "Sister Bai, you and Brother Xie... did something happen?"
Bai Qianluo's expression froze, as if she hadn't expected Qin Jiujiu to notice the awkwardness between her and Xie Yun so easily.
It wasn't exactly awkwardness, but after what had happened to the Xie family, Xie Yun had wanted her to leave.
Recently, Xie Yun's attitude towards her had clearly changed, and he spoke much less. Bai Qianluo felt hurt but also believed that this matter shouldn't involve outsiders.
So, she kept it to herself, unwilling to tell anyone.
She hadn't expected Qin Jiujiu to see through it so easily.
She had no choice but to tell Qin Jiujiu the truth.
"Sister Bai, you can't leave! If you leave, Brother Xie won't be able to cope alone!"
Qin Jiujiu, having heard about what had happened between them, felt that whether it was for her mission or because she considered them friends, she didn't want them to part.
Bai Qianluo, however, frowned, still troubled.
"But..."
Before Bai Qianluo could finish her sentence, she saw Xie Yun and Xie Jing enter the room.
Bai Qianluo's eyes flickered, and she immediately shifted her gaze from Xie Yun to Qin Jiujiu's face.
"Brother Xie!"
Xie Yun nodded. His gaze swept over Bai Qianluo, but he ultimately said nothing, only stating, "Xiao Jing and I will be heading to the imperial city tomorrow. Jiujiu, you should return to Shangyang Town!"
Before Qin Jiujiu could respond, Bai Qianluo had already stood up and walked straight out the door.
Qin Jiujiu had no choice but to follow Bai Qianluo's retreating figure.
"Brother, Ah Jiu must stay by my side!"
Xie Yun's shocked gaze fell on Xie Jing. He moved his lips, wanting to say something, but before he could, he heard Xie Jing say, "I know what you're worried about, Brother. It's undoubtedly the fear that those who harmed our Xie family will continue to target us, and this journey is extremely perilous..."
His gaze became more resolute. "But I am different from you. When I cherish someone, I want to see her with my own eyes. If I am alive, she must be by my side. If I die..."
Xie Jing didn't finish. A scarlet glint flashed in his eyes. The thought of this hypothetical situation was unbearable.
If he died, even as a vengeful spirit, he would follow Ah Jiu!
Xie Yun's expression shifted repeatedly. Finally, he sighed and said, "If that is the case, then protect her well!"
He was speaking to Xie Jing, but also to himself.
Just then, Bai Qianluo and Qin Jiujiu entered the room.
Xie Jing's gaze was fixed on Qin Jiujiu, while Xie Yun's attention was drawn first to Bai Qianluo.
"Brother Xie, Sister Bai has something she wants to tell you!"
Bai Qianluo turned her head towards Qin Jiujiu in shock, clearly this sentence hadn't come from her.
Xie Jing understood at once, a slight smile playing on his lips. He figured Ah Jiu no longer had the same feelings for Xie Yun as before.
"Very well! I was intending to have a chat with A'luo. We've been in Huayang for a few days, and I haven't taken you around yet. How about we go for a stroll today?"
The former brilliance returned to his eyes. Upon hearing this, Bai Qianluo looked up, a faint smile gracing her lips.
"Okay!"
"The imperial city truly lives up to its reputation as being under the emperor's sway; it's the most prosperous place I've seen so far!"