Chapter 53 He loathed Bai Xuerou, but what he loathed most was…

Zhu Ji was stunned with joy, and a lot of gratitude arose in her heart.

It was his narrow-mindedness that led him to underestimate this young overlord. Given the other party's status and position, there was no need for him to do anything. He only needed to ask a few words, and the conditions would naturally be ones that the young overlord could not refuse.

"Your Highness's kindness is deeply appreciated, but I have already accepted the lady's invitation and should fulfill my duty." Although Zhu Ji was tempted, he did not immediately agree.

He hated shameless scoundrels who betrayed their principles for personal gain. Although Bai Xuerou seemed to have ulterior motives in inviting him, she ultimately did not want to wrong him and politely declined.

“There’s no need for that.” Bai Xuerou came back to her senses, smiled and spoke, her heart also filled with many emotions.

She wasn't wrong; Ling Xun indeed wouldn't hurt her. His methods had become increasingly sophisticated, and he had long since mastered the art of making people willingly submit to his control.

Bai Xuerou's heart remained complicated, but one thought was the clearest.

Fortunately, Ling Xun didn't resort to any outrageous tactics like bullying or forcibly seizing property...

"To receive such praise from the Prince shows your talent. But to write a storybook for me would be a waste of your abilities," Bai Xuerou said to Zhu Ji. "Being a local official and working for the well-being of the people is a good thing. Since you are so willing, go ahead and write a storybook for me when you have time."

“Speaking of which, ordinary people have seen a lot of love, hate, and grudges, so I think storybooks can be more interesting.” Bai Xuerou and Zhu Ji had talked about storybooks a lot, so she couldn’t help but add this.

"Thank you, Madam. I will certainly live up to your expectations." Bai Xuerou did not try to stop him, which relieved Zhu Ji. He would much rather be a local official than a retainer or a gigolo.

He rose to thank him, wondering if Bai Xuerou had anticipated Zhenbei Wang's actions. This thought, once it arose, gave rise to a different feeling—

I always felt like I was just an embellishment in the relationship between the two of them.

"I will observe carefully and write a story to send to you, Madam," Zhu Ji said.

"Alright, alright, then I'll be waiting for your storybook." Bai Xuerou said with a smile.

She genuinely loved Zhu Ji's storybooks. This woman was eloquent and full of inspiration, and her views were unlike those of ordinary men, which made her uncomfortable. She was very empathetic to the difficulties women faced, making her a true female-oriented literary master.

Zhu Ji initially wrote storybooks just to make a living, but he actually made money. As he studied them more carefully, he became increasingly aware of the hardships women faced.

Having had several long conversations with Bai Xuerou, I can quite understand her thoughts.

"If it is written, I will definitely send it back as soon as possible."

Ling Xun sat to the side, watching the two of them talk and talk, and suddenly felt a sense of being excluded, so his expression became somewhat indifferent.

“In that case, I will take up my post tomorrow,” he said.

Zhu Ji was exceptionally perceptive; although he was talking to Bai Xuerou, he kept a close eye on Ling Xun's expression. Upon hearing this, he thanked her repeatedly and then tactfully took his leave.

Only the two of them remained inside.

"I didn't expect you to think so highly of him." Bai Xuerou felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward, so she took the initiative to speak.

"Sister-in-law has a discerning eye; this person is indeed extraordinary."

Bai Xuerou felt that his words were somewhat sarcastic, and then wondered if she was overthinking it. Not wanting to continue like this all afternoon, she simply closed her eyes and massaged her temples.

Ling Xun felt a pang of jealousy, and his words inevitably carried a hint of bitterness. Seeing Bai Xuerou's expression, he immediately remembered that she had just been ill, so he softened his tone and asked, "What's wrong, sister-in-law?"

Hearing that his tone had returned to normal, Bai Xuerou felt relieved and said, "It's nothing, I'm just a little dizzy."

Ling Xun became concerned.

By the time they finished dinner, Bai Xuerou had almost thought that Zhu Ji's matter was over, but then she heard him say, "Sister-in-law, did you invite Zhu Ji into the mansion because you feel lonely and want someone interesting to talk to?"

Her heart skipped a beat, and she finally hummed in agreement.

"It was my oversight. I had said I would personally find a suitable candidate for my sister-in-law, but I forgot about it later," Ling Xun said with a smile.

After spending an afternoon together, the awkwardness they felt when they first met had disappeared, and it was as if they had returned to how they were before.

Bai Xuerou also recalled her previous remarks about male concubines, and her face flushed, but she also felt a little annoyed.

If she had known Ling Xun had such intentions, she would never have told him these things.

"It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision," she could only say.

Bai Xuerou wanted to say no more about this matter, but Ling Xun continued, saying, "It's just that Zhu Ji's family is of humble origin, which inevitably disgraces your sister-in-law."

“If you are interested, I will find you a few suitable candidates. As for him, let’s just forget about him.”

Bai Xuerou looked at him, almost wanting to ask if Zhu Ji couldn't do it, then who could?

But in the end, I didn't ask.

“Okay,” she said.

Ling Xun was getting impatient, and Bai Xue Rou didn't want to push him too far, so she decided to take it slow.

After that, Bai Xuerou didn't mention Zhu Ji again, nor did Ling Xun. They did mention once that they were looking for a suitable candidate for her, but then said that she was ill and should wait a little longer.

Bai Xuerou watched him play a little game that they both knew was a secret, but she didn't say anything.

The matter of Zhu Ji was thus dropped. After he set off for the area Ling Xun had mentioned the next day, no one in the Prince's mansion mentioned him again.

Bai Xuerou heard Zhu Ji's name again at Princess Yucheng's banquet.

She didn't leave the house for a full two weeks to recover from her illness. At first, she just couldn't muster the energy, but later Ling Xun went back and kept an eye on her.

By the time we were finally able to go out, it was already December.

In the past two weeks, Chang'an City has been in a state of high alert. Unlike Bai Xuerou's more conciliatory approach, Ling Xun has thoroughly dealt with all the exceptions and has taken an even tighter grip on Chang'an.

All the rumors were cleared up.

No one dared to speak ill of them behind their backs anymore.

This was the first time that the noble families of Chang'an City had clearly seen the domineering and fierce nature hidden beneath the calm and reserved exterior of this young Prince Zhenbei.

Princess Yucheng was also startled, because one of the people spreading the rumors was a steward from her residence, and the Zhenbei Army even came to her door. It was later confirmed that the steward had only heard someone mention it by chance at a banquet, but he had no recollection of it at all.

When Bai Xuerou came to visit, she personally apologized to her, saying that she had not disciplined the servants well.

Bai Xuerou didn't say anything, but instead comforted her, saying that the manor was full of all sorts of people, so this was inevitable.

Everyone is used to attending these kinds of banquets, and afterwards they each do their own thing, except recently they've added playing mahjong to their hobbies.

Princess Yucheng called Bai Xuerou, and then there were her two semi-regular companions, Fu Erniang and Gao Shi. The four of them sat at a table, and during their conversation, they mentioned Zhu Ji.

"I heard that you liked Zhu Ji very much and even personally invited him into your manor as a guest. Why did he leave again?" Princess Yucheng asked, feigning curiosity.

Actually, she wanted to ask if Ling Xun had driven him away.

It's not that someone is spreading rumors; the matter is simply too clear-cut. First, Ling Xun abandoned his inspection tour and returned to Chang'an, and then Zhu Ji left the day after he returned.

Anyone who saw this would think that Zhu Ji had been driven away by Ling Xun.

Mentioning Zhu Ji, Bai Xue Rou couldn't help but recall everything that had happened in the past two weeks. Ling Xun and she seemed to be doing the same thing, but they each harbored secrets that they both knew about.

The secret breeds estrangement, and also catalyzes a certain ambiguity that she is unwilling to face.

Bai Xuerou genuinely felt that this matter was going to be difficult.

Ling Xun's words and actions all demonstrate his unwillingness to give up. The reason he doesn't make it clear now is simply because, like her, he doesn't want to push the other party too far.

We can only delay it now.

Either drag it out until Ling Xun gives up, or drag it out until he doesn't want to drag it out any longer and makes it clear.

Bai Xuerou didn't want to be in such a passive position, but she was at a loss for what to do.

In a brief moment of distraction, Bai Xuerou smiled and said, "The prince thinks he is talented, but it would be a waste for him to stay in the prince's mansion as a retainer. So he sent him out to serve as a local official."

Princess Yucheng suddenly realized and sighed, "So, this Zhu Ji is indeed talented. No wonder you chose him."

“That’s right,” Bai Xuerou said lightly.

Princess Yucheng had her doubts resolved, but even more questions arose within her.

Is the relationship between Ling Xun and Bai Xuerou real or fake?

During their conversation, both of them kept an eye on Madam Gao, who was standing to the side. Even if no one knew about the feud between Zhu Ji and the Lang family before, now that the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion had intervened, everyone who needed to know knew.

The feud between the two families dates back decades, when Lang Cheng was the Minister of Works and suppressed the Zhu family.

The Lang family has been dominant for years, with Lang Cheng controlling the court and making countless enemies. Compared to them, the Zhu family is nothing.

But that was in the past, when the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion stood behind Zhu Ji, and it seemed that the Zhu family had a chance to rise up.

To put it mildly, this was Bai Xuerou's spur-of-the-moment decision, given the face of the Prince of Zhenbei, or perhaps she wanted to cover up the scandal that might have happened to the Prince's residence.

To put it bluntly, it means that the Prince of Zhenbei is going to take action against the Lang family.

Gao's expression remained unchanged; he simply smiled as he touched the cards, saying nothing throughout the entire process.

Princess Yucheng was unable to find out anything. Bai Xuerou was still ill, so she left early. On her way out, she happened to run into Yu Kai.

"Madam Bai," Yu Kai greeted her.

Bai Xuerou glanced at him; the Yu family's handsome young man was still as strikingly beautiful as the bright moon in her arms. She thought of what Ling Xun had recently discovered—it seemed the current rumors were somewhat related to him.

She paused in her tracks.

Yu Kai was already used to Bai Xuerou's indifference and thought this time would be no exception, but to his surprise, Bai Xuerou stopped, and his heart skipped a beat.

He resented Bai Xuerou's indifference, yet he couldn't help but crave her attention.

"What a pity."

Yu Kai heard Bai Xuerou sigh softly, and then she took a step and left.

I still remember the first time I met Yu Kai. The handsome young man was like a bright moon and a gentle breeze, slowly approaching, making Bai Xuerou sigh that the young man from a noble family was indeed extraordinary.

Who would have thought they would do something like this?

It is evident that all that is beautiful on the outside is rotten inside.

Bai Xuerou sighed for no other reason than that Yu Kai had shattered the beautiful image in her heart.

He subconsciously looked up and hurriedly said, "Madam Bai, please wait."

"I have nothing more to say to you, Yu Langjun. Take care of yourself." Bai Xuerou said without stopping or turning her head.

Yu Kai's heart sank heavily.

Bai Xuerou found out? She must have found out.

But she remained calm, indifferent, and unmoved.

He suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of anger and resentment.

At this moment, he realized with absolute clarity that he loathed Bai Xuerou, but what he loathed most was that she didn't have eyes for him.

Yu Kai stood in the cold wind, unable to come to his senses for a long time. He only realized that he was completely chilled when his maid woke him up.

He turned and left, his mind racing with thoughts of how to respond.

This rumor was not orchestrated by him, but rather by his uncle acting on his own.

Yu Kai had a clear idea from the beginning: these were just some scandalous rumors. Even if they spread, they wouldn't affect Ling Xun. They would only tarnish Ling Xun's reputation and would instead draw Ling Xun's attention to the Yu family.

But his uncle felt that reputation was important, and that it was a good thing to tarnish Ling Xun's reputation.

As for noticing the Yu family—

Minister Yu sighed softly, smiling as he looked at his still-young nephew, and said, "Do you think Ling Xun hasn't noticed the Yu family yet? Who do you think all his plans this past year have been for?"

Yu Kai remained silent.

“I know you like Bai Shi, but there is no shortage of beauties in this world. If things go well, Bai Shi will only be yours to keep.”

"But before that, everything must give way to the greater cause."

-----------------------

The author's note: Yu Kai's thought process was roughly as follows: Madam Bai is a bad person, I look down on her, it was I who gave her up, not that she looked down on me. Then he discovered that Madam Bai didn't care at all whether he cared or not, whether he gave up or not, and that's when he broke down.

He's probably some trash who thinks he can touch the moon if it falls into the mud, and that the moon won't fall and will just ignore him.