Chapter 42 It's a new year again, Ling Xun is seventeen...

“I adore her, I love her, I want to share everything with her, I want her to be happy and free. If she's willing, I want her to be the most honorable woman in the world,” Ling Xun said, looking down at the person in front of him.

His teacher, the renowned general Wei Yi, however, turned himself into a coward due to his many concerns.

That's a joke. As long as you have power, everyone will just bow down to you.

"Aren't you worried about Madam Bai? What will the world say about her? How will history record it?"

"Naturally, they are a perfect match, a match made in heaven." Ling Xun said decisively, then looked at Wei Yi with a subtle scrutiny in his expression, a hint of condescending smugness in the slight change.

“You don’t understand your sister-in-law.” He suddenly felt a surge of great joy.

Wei Yi's expression changed slightly. From the very beginning, no matter how arrogant Ling Xun was, even if he stood in front of him, he remained calm and composed, as unmoved as a mountain rock, steadfast and self-possessed.

Until I heard this.

He wanted to argue, but held back, though his gaze towards Ling Xun clearly showed his disapproval.

Ling Xun smiled; he felt he had won.

"Although my sister-in-law is gentle and dislikes trouble, she only dislikes it and is never afraid. She is gentle on the outside but strong on the inside. She is never afraid of what others say, and she will not put herself in shackles because of some unimportant people."

"As long as she is happy and at ease, what others say is none of her business."

"Gossip is a fearsome thing, it's a joke. Once she's made up her mind, my sister-in-law will only feel that this is forcing her, and she will never waver. In this respect, she is more resolute than some men."

Wei Yi was stunned.

In that short time, he thought a lot.

From the rumors of Bai Xuerou's childlessness over the years, to Ling Zheng's death, and now...

The rumors and gossip surrounding Bai Xuerou never diminished, but she... indeed, never showed any fear.

She just lived her own life.

"Am I supposed to lose sleep over people who are insignificant? That would be ridiculous."

Wei Yi couldn't remember when he heard Bai Xuerou say that, but she had indeed said that everything Ling Xun said was true. Why did he ignore it?

Ling Xun looked at him, and at this moment, he knew that Wei Yi was no match for him.

He may have truly admired his sister-in-law, but he never seriously tried to understand her. If he had, he would never have projected the thoughts that other women might have onto his sister-in-law.

Does he love his sister-in-law, or just a figment of his imagination?

Suddenly, Ling Xun noticed that Wei Yi's usually straight shoulders and back were starting to slump.

"You're right."

Wei Yi said.

But in the time it took to say that one sentence, Wei Yi almost immediately returned to normal and said, "But that's on the condition that she's willing."

“Of course, no one can force my sister-in-law to do something she doesn’t want to do, including me,” Ling Xun said.

No one knows the conversation that took place in the living room that day. Only Bai Xuerou noticed that Ling Xun was in an unexpectedly good mood during dinner and asked him a couple of questions out of curiosity.

Ling Xun smiled as he looked at her, casually describing his near-explosive argument with Wei Yi as:

"It's nothing, I just had an argument with my master about something, and I won."

Bai Xuerou couldn't help but laugh and said, "After all, you are my master, so you should be more polite."

Ling Xun should be right.

Throughout the entire New Year celebrations, the Prince of Zhenbei's residence was incredibly lively, as if all the important officials and dignitaries of Chang'an were coming here, trying every possible excuse to pay their respects.

This grand occasion lasted until after the Lantern Festival before finally coming to an end.

Bai Xuerou finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She enjoys watching excitement, but she doesn't like participating in it.

bother.

On the night of the Lantern Festival, the lantern market in Chang'an was as bright as day.

Bai Xuerou and Ling Xun went to admire the lanterns together and didn't return until midnight.

After the Lantern Festival, Bai Xuerou finally relaxed, and then suddenly received a message that Wei Yi was leaving Chang'an for the battlefield.

This happened suddenly; by the time she found out, Wei Yi was already about to leave.

After her initial surprise, she got up and looked for Ling Xun, asking if she should invite Wei Yi to a farewell banquet for him.

Ling Xun readily agreed.

Bai Xuerou then began preparations, and Wei Yi arrived as promised.

It's still cold in the first month of the lunar calendar, but since the snow before the New Year, the weather has been getting better and better, and today is a bright and sunny day.

It didn't feel so cold anymore.

The room was warm from the underfloor heating. Bai Xuerou sat to one side, watching Ling Xun and Wei Yi, master and apprentice, talk.

"Wishing the general a triumphant return," she said, raising her glass at the end.

"Thank you, Madam." Wei Yi expressed his gratitude.

The reason he stayed in Chang'an was to oversee the rear. He should have left after Ling Xun returned, but Ling Xun didn't say anything and left him in Chang'an for the New Year.

Now that the New Year is over, he should set off. Otherwise, if such a great general stops in Chang'an instead of staying, people will surely speculate.

Ling Xun watched the two quietly, thinking to himself that no matter what, as long as Wei Yi left, nothing would happen.

The banquet was a success, and both hosts and guests enjoyed themselves.

The next day, Wei Yi led his troops to the battlefield.

Since the start of the war, seriously wounded soldiers have been sent to the rear to recuperate from time to time, while those who have recovered or are newly trained have been sent to the battlefield.

It's unknown when this war will end.

Bai Xue Rou's life gradually returned to peace, but Bai Qing Rong became busy.

In March, after the Spring Festival, he and his fellow students who were staying at the Bai residence studied diligently and prepared for the imperial examinations without any slackening.

Bai Xuerou was very supportive of such an important matter, keeping an eye on things like food and clothing so that everyone could focus on their studies.

Ling Xun also began to be busy with official duties.

Before we knew it, it was February.

As the chill gradually fades, spring arrives silently with the melting snow and ice, and the desolate mountains and fields, which have been barren all winter, gradually come to life with greenery.

It was another beautiful day, and the magnolias in the courtyard had sprouted flower buds.

Bai Xuerou was in a very good mood, so she took out her pipa and prepared to try it out.

At the New Year's banquet, Ling Xun mentioned wanting to hear her play the pipa, but he never brought it up again. However, she remembered it and decided to practice first.

The pipa's sound was clear and melodious, flowing from Bai Xue's soft fingers.

She always modestly said that her pipa playing was ordinary, just not bad-sounding, and not as good as the masters. But how many masters are there in the world? In fact, she had already played extremely well.

Ahead, Ling Xun was handling matters in his study when he heard the sound of the pipa. An idea struck him, and he quickly finished the tasks piled up on his desk. He then got up, found his usual sword, and went to Zhiwei Courtyard.

When Jin Tao and the other maids saw that he had brought a sword, they were surprised and couldn't help but ask, "Why did Your Highness bring a sword?"

Swords are weapons of mass destruction, and they were going to see Bai Xuerou, so it was inevitable that they would feel uneasy.

"I've already agreed with my sister-in-law that I'll perform the sword dance for her," Ling Xun said in a very good-natured manner.

The maids were slightly surprised, but immediately became quite excited.

Sword dance!

It was the prince himself who danced!

After they went inside, Bai Xuerou hadn't even put away her pipa when Ling Xun came over with a sword, smiling, "Sister-in-law, please continue. I'll perform a sword dance to entertain you, how about it?"

"That would be wonderful, of course." Bai Xuerou, recalling Ling Xun's sword dance at the New Year's Eve banquet, also became interested and smiled.

Then the sound of a pipa began, and the tall, lithe young man moved about in the courtyard, sword in hand.

When he wielded his sword, his waist was slender and strong, and his handsome face revealed a sharp edge that he usually kept hidden due to the focus in his eyes. His whole person was like the long sword in his hand.

Beautiful and sharp.

Bai Xuerou stared intently, her eyes filled with admiration.

It's a new year again, and Ling Xun is seventeen.

He has been growing taller every year. Now, Bai Xuerou only reaches his shoulder, but judging from the current situation, he will grow even taller, and who knows how tall he will be.

Unlike the sword he borrowed casually at the New Year's banquet, the long sword in his hand was a birthday gift that Bai Xuerou had given him last year.

Cast by a famous craftsman during the Han Dynasty, later used by a renowned general, and then carefully collected, she specially sought it out for Ling Xun's birthday. Ling Xun liked it very much and had always kept it in his study, but this time he brought it out as well.

The song ended, but the sword dance continued.

Ling Xun had been cooperating with Bai Xuerou's music, but now that he was free from restraint, his swordplay became even more ferocious, yet he subtly concealed his killing intent, simply to showcase his skills and to perform.

Finally, he sliced ​​the tip of his sword across the winter plum tree, cut off a small branch of plum blossom, and with a flick of his wrist, the plum blossom fell onto the sword. Then he held the sword and presented it to Bai Xuerou.

Bai Xuerou, holding her pipa, watched with a smile. Upon seeing this, she reached out and carefully picked up the sprig of winter plum.

Suddenly, a delicate fragrance wafted over.

"Great! That was a wonderful dance." She clapped her hands in praise.

Ling Xun sheathed his sword and stood still, his eyes and brows full of smiles. He said, "If you like it, sister-in-law, I'll dance for you again when I have time."

“Okay,” Bai Xuerou immediately agreed.

Ling Xun's sword dance was a feast for the eyes; she had just finished watching and was already looking forward to the next time.

With nothing to do, Bai Xuerou, perhaps having had too many leisurely days, decided to find something to do for herself.

She wanted to go back to Yandu to visit her parents and grandparents.

In the blink of an eye, more than a year had passed since she left Yandu. The imperial examinations would be over in March, and all the students would be given a holiday to go home and settle their families. She could return to Yandu with Qingrong.

Ling Xun was reluctant to part, but he still agreed. However, he made it clear that he had to bring his personal guards with him when he wanted to go back, otherwise he wouldn't feel at ease.

Although the area from Chang'an to Yandu is under the control of the Zhenbei Army, people's hearts are unpredictable, especially after the recent alliance of powerful families—

Who knows if there are any people in the North with ulterior motives?

Upon hearing this, Bai Xuerou felt a little hesitant and said she would think about it again.

She herself wasn't afraid of anything, but she couldn't help worrying that going back would affect the Bai family.

When Bai Qingrong found out, he also advised her that now the Zhenbei Army was powerful and controlled half of the country, but that also meant there were more enemies.

Everyone knows that Ling Xun values ​​Bai Xue Rou, so it's inevitable that he will target her.

Bai Xuerou understood, and she also figured it out.

She was protected by Ling Xun, so she naturally had to accept the consequences; she couldn't have it all.

"Fine, then I won't go back," Bai Xuerou said.

Seeing that she had given up, Bai Qingrong felt relieved.

This is also why he had previously thought of finding a good match for his older sister, but ultimately gave up.

There are countless men who want to marry her, but who knows what their true intentions are?

He looked around and saw that his older sister was doing quite well, and she was still young, only twenty-two, with plenty of time ahead of her, so what was the rush?

After these little episodes, it seems like only yesterday that March was just around the corner.

It was Bai Xue Rou's birthday again, and Ling Xun originally wanted to hold a big banquet to celebrate, but Bai Xue Rou stopped him.

However, many of the people she had met in Chang'an over the past year had given her gifts, so Bai Xuerou ended up hosting a small banquet to invite everyone to get together.

Although it was called a small banquet, it wasn't actually that small because quite a few people gave gifts.

Princess Yucheng, Wei Yi, Yu Kai, and others were all present.

Ling Xun presented gifts with great care, and Wei Yi and the others were equally generous, each gift being a rare and valuable item.

After the birthday banquet, the imperial examinations began.

Bai Qingrong and the other talented scholars who had been waiting for about half a year entered the examination hall one by one. As expected, Bai Qingrong achieved a good ranking and became the top scholar, while Yu Kai became the second-ranked scholar.

According to tradition, the exam papers of the top three students were all released, and everyone was convinced of their merits.

Bai Xuerou was overjoyed. She hadn't wanted to have a big birthday party before, but seeing her younger brother achieve such a good result, she wanted to hold a proper banquet, which Bai Qingrong refused.

In this respect, the siblings truly are a family, neither of them likes trouble.

Bai Xuerou had no choice but to give up, but she still rewarded the servants in the mansion to express her happiness.

Afterwards, Bai Qingrong resigned from the official position offered by the court, bid farewell to Bai Xuerou, and prepared to leave Chang'an.

Bai Xuerou was very reluctant to see her younger brother leave.

She knew that he, like her father, disliked the corrupt court of the Great Qi, but he could stay in the Zhenbei Army or live in Chang'an, which would be considered as keeping her company.

Bai Qingrong laughed heartily and said, "Sister, like my father, I have no interest in fame or fortune, and I would rather concentrate on studying. My father doesn't like to move around, but I love to travel the world."

"Chang'an is nice, but it's not what I want."

Bai Xuerou was then unable to say anything.

On the day Bai Qingrong left, she and Ling Xun went to see her off. Before leaving, Bai Qingrong and Ling Xun looked at each other and turned to leave.

In March, when spring was in full bloom, Bai Xuerou, after seeing Bai Qingrong off, was not in a hurry to return to the city. Instead, she strolled around casually, asked the servants to keep their distance, and then asked Ling Xun, "Did you and Qingrong discuss something behind my back?"

One was her own younger brother, and the other was someone she had taken care of for many years. When the two looked at each other, Bai Xuerou noticed something was amiss.

"I've just troubled Qingrong with a few things," Ling Xun said.

Bai Xuerou thought to herself, "As expected," and felt a mix of emotions.

She had always had mixed feelings about the relationship between the Bai family and the Wang family. She didn't want to distance herself from them, but she also didn't want to get too close. In the end, she chose to let things take their natural course. However, when her younger brother actually chose Ling Xun, she couldn't help but worry.

"You two seem to have a good relationship."

"It's all because of my sister-in-law." Ling Xun keenly sensed Bai Xuerou's complicated expression and asked, "Is my sister-in-law unhappy?"

"It's alright, it's just a bit complicated." Bai Xuerou hesitated for a moment, then told Ling Xun her thoughts, and sighed, "Am I being too indecisive?"

"Don't worry, sister-in-law." Ling Xun didn't say yes or no, but assured her, "As long as I'm here, I will ensure the safety of the Bai family."

"Your Highness!" Bai Xuerou's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected him to say that, and with such a firm tone.

“Sister-in-law, I still prefer you to call me Liu Lang,” Ling Xun said, coughing lightly. Then, as if a little embarrassed, he lowered his voice and said, “A Bao is fine too.”