Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 573 A Moment of Grief... or Deception?

As the final rites drew to a close, the profound toll of the bell gradually faded into an all-encompassing silence.

The fragrant incense sticks had dwindled to mere remnants.

The solemn prayers had ceased.

The officiating dignitaries respectfully retreated.

And just like that, the Emperor's funeral rites were concluded.

One by one, the assembled factions began to disperse.

Some departed with quiet dignity.

Others cast lingering, uncertain glances backward.

A few were already conveying covert signals to their confederates.

Bai Zihan pivoted, preparing to depart as well.

He harbored no desire to prolong his stay.

All that required his attention had been observed.

However, his movement abruptly halted.

His gaze shifted, drawn to a particular individual nearby.

It was Yu Feiyan!

The esteemed Ninth Princess.

For a fleeting instant, his eyes narrowed subtly.

An inexplicable sense of unease washed over him concerning her.

Diverging sharply from her customary demeanor, she displayed none of that composed, almost calculating aura.

Nor did she exhibit the understated allure that she so effortlessly commanded.

Instead, she remained perfectly still and utterly silent.

Her expression… appeared uncharacteristically subdued.

A faint shadow of sorrow was perceptible in her eyes.

Moreover, the subtle redness that often accompanied weeping had not entirely subsided.

It was as if she had recently shed tears.

Bai Zihan's brows knit together slightly.

(What in the world is occurring?)

Yu Feiyan was not even her true self, nor did he perceive any significant connection between them – unless his understanding was flawed.

Even so, he found it difficult to believe that someone like Qin Lingxiao would resort to weeping.

(Is this an act?)

It would align perfectly with her capabilities.

A performance of feigned grief.

To garner sympathy.

And to diminish any arising suspicion.

These were tactics Qin Lingxiao was more than adept at employing.

And yet… a dissonant note resonated within the scene.

Her sorrow seemed so profoundly genuine; had he not possessed the certainty that she was not the true Yu Feiyan, one might easily mistake her for someone genuinely consumed by grief.

Nevertheless, he remained uncertain.

And for an individual like him, such ambiguity was an unwelcome state.

He would typically steer clear of her, recognizing her as a potential threat capable of dispatching him with ease. But on this occasion, apprehension did not deter him.

Firstly, his father and Bai Ren were present, even if both were demonstrably weaker than the Ninth Princess. Furthermore, under such public scrutiny, even if Qin Lingxiao harbored intentions to act, she would be severely constrained – unless her objective was to eliminate all witnesses, a drastic measure.

Without a second thought, Bai Zihan altered his course.

He began to stride directly towards Yu Feiyan.

His purposeful movement did not escape the notice of the onlookers.

"Bai Zihan… is actually approaching the Ninth Princess?"

"Is he attempting to offer his support?"

"That seems highly improbable! Didn't he publicly reject her previously? There should be absolutely no existing relationship between them."

"Then what is the meaning of this action?"

Numerous sharp glances were exchanged amongst the crowd.

Subtle shifts in their facial expressions became apparent.

"Could it be that she somehow managed to seduce him?"

"When could such a thing possibly have transpired?"

Astonishment!

Bewilderment!

Fierce speculation!

These sentiments spread through the assembled guests like an uncontrollable wildfire.

However, among the entire gathering, the individuals whose reactions were most pronounced stood behind Yu Feiyan.

Their eyes ignited with awakened hope.

A surge of exhilaration coursed through their veins.

(If Bai Zihan lends his support…)

A single, potent thought echoed collectively in their minds.

(Then ultimate victory is undeniably within our grasp!)

(Well done, Your Highness!)

Yu Feiyan only registered his presence when he had already arrived directly before her.

For a brief, startled moment, genuine surprise flickered across her features.

It was evident she had not anticipated his approach.

Bai Zihan halted his steps, maintaining a respectful distance of one pace.

His own expression remained composed, yet his gaze was intently fixed upon Yu Feiyan.

Then, he spoke, his voice imbued with a gentle, measured tone.

"Your Highness… please accept my sincerest condolences."

He paused briefly.

"His Majesty's passing represents an immense and irreplaceable loss to the Empire."

His words were impeccably formal and fitting for the occasion.

Yet, an underlying nuance seemed to be conveyed beneath the surface.

"However, the past cannot be altered."

His voice deepened slightly.

"You must endeavor to take care of yourself… and bravely move forward from this."

As he uttered these words, a subtle yet discernible sense of shared understanding seemed to resonate between them.

Yu Feiyan stood momentarily frozen.

Her lips parted slightly.

But no sound immediately emerged.

"Th-thank you… Young Master Bai…"

Her voice emerged soft and delicate.

A faint tremor could even be detected within its cadence.

She lowered her gaze discreetly.

Her fingers subtly tightened their grip on the fabric of her sleeves.

Her demeanor was one of politeness and propriety, though her words were hesitant – yet one could easily interpret this as a sign of her being overcome by grief.

(If this is an act, then she is undoubtedly deserving of an Oscar!)

Bai Zihan mused internally as he closely observed her.

"Hmmm…"

Something was decidedly amiss.

Regardless of an individual's acting prowess, the palpable surprise and the almost fearful trembling she displayed were exceptionally convincing.

It was almost as if –

Precisely as this nascent thought was coalescing in his mind, a figure abruptly stepped forward.

"Thank you, Clan Leader Bai, for your profound concern shown towards Her Highness."

The voice delivering this statement was respectful yet bore an underlying calculated tone.

It belonged to Yu Feiyan's personal attendant.

She positioned herself slightly forward, subtly interposing herself to interrupt the unfolding interaction.

Her posture was flawlessly maintained.

Her expression remained perfectly composed.

"With His Majesty's untimely passing, Her Highness has been deeply and profoundly affected."

She continued speaking in a gentle, measured tone.

"It is indeed fortunate that someone as thoughtful and considerate as Young Master Bai would personally grace us with his presence to offer solace."

Though her words were uttered with ease, their underlying meaning was unmistakable.

To all the onlookers, a different narrative began to form.

One suggesting familiarity.

Hinting at intimacy.

As though Bai Zihan and Yu Feiyan shared a bond far deeper than apparent.

A shrewd political maneuver!

The murmurs in the crowd swiftly transformed.

"I had a feeling... there was something between them..."

"So the rumors are true..."

"Is Bai Zihan truly backing the Ninth Princess?"

A wave of excitement washed over Yu Feiyan's supporters.

The faint hope they had clung to now felt tangibly real.

Bai Zihan's gaze gradually shifted.

Moving from Yu Feiyan...

To the attendant standing nearby.

He observed her silently.

His eyes remained inscrutable.

Then, a subtle smile touched his lips.

(Ah, I see now.)

In that precise moment, understanding dawned upon him.

The Yu Feiyan before him was the genuine article – not Qin Lingxiao in disguise.

And Qin Lingxiao... was this very attendant.

Despite the stark differences in her appearance, he sensed the same disquiet he had felt when he last conversed with Qin Lingxiao.

Initially, he had conjectured that Qin Lingxiao might have eliminated Yu Feiyan and assumed her identity.

However, the situation appeared to diverge from his initial assumption. Recalling how Qin Lingxiao had escorted Yu Feiyan to see her father previously, their relationship seemed amicable, suggesting Yu Feiyan was complicit with her.

Qin Lingxiao adopting the role of an attendant was likely a strategic move to support Yu Feiyan from the periphery.

After all, there was no guarantee that other princes or princesses wouldn't make a move immediately after the funeral concluded.

Given Yu Feiyan's comparatively limited influence, she would be utterly outmatched.

And should she perish...

All of Qin Lingxiao's meticulous planning would become utterly futile.