Speaking up to this point, Ye Chenghong’s hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, inadvertently revealing his inner restlessness.
"During that time, the entire Medicine Sect seemed to be thriving. My relationship with Xiao Yu was getting better and my master, seeing this, was pleased. One day, he personally went to talk to Xiao Yu on my behalf, intending to find out what she thought. If she was willing, my master wanted to arrange our marriage. However, no one could have anticipated that all the tragedy began from there."
An Yiqing’s expression became stern as she looked towards Ye Chenghong with solemnity in her gaze.
"That day, my master called Xiao Yu into the inner hall and subtly inquired about her thoughts. Unexpectedly, Xiao Yu, who was always so straightforward, started to hesitate and stammer. Just as my master was puzzled, the door was violently burst open, and Yu Hai rushed in from outside," Ye Chenghong closed his eyes slowly, his clenched hands betraying his unease, "Without a word, Yu Hai, ignoring my master’s calls, grabbed Xiao Yu’s hand and left the Medicine Sect. At that time, we were all confused, thinking Yu Hai must have had some urgent matter, but it wasn’t until several days later, when neither of them had returned, that we realized something had gone wrong!"
Ye Chenghong’s hands began to tremble violently, and upon seeing this, An Yiqing quickly stood up and walked over, her hands firmly grasping Ye Chenghong’s calloused ones.
"Master, don’t speak anymore, I don’t want to hear it. It’s all in the past now, all in the past, master." An Yiqing gripped Ye Chenghong’s hands tightly, constantly comforting him.
The inner hall was eerily quiet, the four Great Elders and Nie Shan sat on their chairs, their faces heavy as they watched Ye Chenghong and An Yiqing, too upset to speak.
After a long while, Ye Chenghong’s emotions gradually stabilized, and his hands shook less intensely.
"Ah! Brother, let me tell it instead, hurting you too much by speaking of it yourself," the Great Elder sighed, taking over the conversation. He looked at An Yiqing and said in a low tone, "After Xiao Yu and Yu Hai disappeared, our Medicine Sect sent many people to search for them, but all came back empty-handed. It wasn’t until half a month later that one day, Xiao Yu suddenly appeared at the gates of the Medicine Sect. Her clothes were torn and tattered, exposing her neck and face, which were covered in bruises and bloodstains; blood smeared all over her clothes and trousers, her complexion pale, and her figure extremely weak. At the time, we were all shocked by her appearance and hurriedly carried her inside. Your master, upon hearing of it, immediately returned and personally examined Xiao Yu."
The Great Elder paused, took a deep breath, his tone filled with a grinding anger: "After your master finished examining Xiao Yu, those of us who had been waiting outside only heard suddenly the sound of porcelain shattering inside the room. We were all startled and rushed in, then were stunned by the sight of the broken porcelain shards and your master’s bloodshot eyes. We..."
"Big Senior Brother, let me tell it myself,"
Ye Chenghong suddenly interrupted the Great Elder, speaking softly, "I will have to face this sooner or later, let me say it."
The Great Elder looked at Ye Chenghong, hesitated and opened his mouth, but at last, he could only sigh helplessly.
Ye Chenghong’s gaze fell on An Yiqing; the grief in his eyes sent a jolt through her heart. Such a look, she had never known her own master to possess. In An Yiqing’s mind, Ye Chenghong had always been a person of integrity and open-mindedness, a lofty figure. This look of being trapped by emotions, resembling a caged beast, was something An Yiqing had never seen before.