Chapter 143 A Tale of Using Force First, Then Courtesy
"Lingyu, a tiger general like you, have you found a good husband?"
Yang Xiao was taken aback, then bowed and said, "Grandfather, General Bai Ming and I are in love and have pledged our lives to each other."
“Bai Ming…” The Qiang King pondered for a moment, then nodded in understanding. “Is he the one who charged straight into the formation during the decisive battle and cleaved it in two? I remember now, that child was indeed incredibly brave.”
Yang Xiao smiled slightly, nodded, and remained silent.
"But I think he's still a bit inferior to our Qiang men. Won't you reconsider?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao raised her eyes and looked solemnly at the Qiang King. "The man I have taken a liking to is absolutely unique in the world, and no one can compare to him. Moreover, our love is stronger than gold. If it can really be broken by your words, then I will definitely not be able to hold on for these two years in Chang'an, and the method to break the formation will have no way to be passed on."
"Are you sure he thinks the same way you do? And that his feelings are as steadfast as a rock?"
Yang Xiao, though her face flushed with anger, calmly replied, "I trust him as much as I trust myself. Our relationship is none of anyone else's business."
Upon hearing this, the Qiang King burst into laughter. Yang Xiao looked up in confusion, only to meet his kind eyes. "I knew I wasn't wrong. The way you defended Bai Ming just now was exactly the same way your mother defended your father when she faced my questioning."
Yang Xiao was taken aback for a moment, then turned and smiled, "Grandfather, I thought..."
“It was wrong of me to question you just now,” the Qiang King smiled kindly and patted Yang Xiao’s shoulder. “Now that we’ve met, I finally understand the choice your mother made back then. Lingyu, listen to me,” he looked at Yang Xiao solemnly, “no matter how the world changes, you and your brother will always be my dearest grandchildren.”
Holding the bone flute in her hand, Yang Xiao felt a surge of bitterness in her heart and was speechless.
"And that child," the Qiang King said helplessly, pointing to the girl standing behind him, "she's very proud. Before she left, she asked me about your deeds and wondered for a long time when she could catch up with you. I never expected her to be so defiant towards you now. But you were able to disarm her and subdue her in just three moves..." The Qiang King nodded approvingly at Yang Xiao, "Your martial arts skills have truly surprised me."
“Grandfather is too kind. The little princess is young and ambitious, and is just beginning to show her talent. How could she be willing to be second to anyone?” Yang Xiao smiled at the Qiang King, then looked at the girl behind him. “It’s just that the timing of your visit to me is wrong, and the reason… is too flimsy.”
Upon hearing this, the young woman looked ashamed. She took the knife from her waist and threw it aside, then knelt down before Zhongli An and said, "I was rude to Your Majesty and General Yang just now. I am truly sorry and beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Seeing this, Zhong Li'an smiled and shook his head, saying, "Please get up. This matter is over and there's no need to mention it again."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The girl, imitating the manner of the people from the Central Plains, bowed twice to Zhong Li'an, then stood up and walked to Yang Xiao. "Sister, actually I..."
"No need to say more," Yang Xiao said with a smile, patting her shoulder. "Once I'm done with this busy period, I'll spar with you on horseback and see for myself your riding and archery skills."
"Really?" The girl jumped up with joy, her face beaming with delight. Then she smiled and turned to look at the Qiang King.
The Qiang king smiled and nodded, then raised his hand and patted his granddaughter's shoulder.
"It's a relief that everyone has cleared up the misunderstanding." Zhong Li'an walked out from behind the main table and stood in front of everyone. "Regarding Lingyu's marriage, I ask the Qiang King to rest assured. She and Zhaoqing are both ministers who helped me establish our careers, and they had exchanged spears before they met in Jizhou. After Lingyu's feigned surrender to Xiao Yan, Zhaoqing missed her terribly, to the point of losing his appetite. Their feelings for each other are known to all, and heaven and earth can bear witness."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, even without your explanation, I have long admired Bai Ming." The Qiang King nodded with a smile. "Just now, I just wanted to see how much Bai Ming meant to Ling Yu."
“That’s good,” Zhong Li’an said with a smile, “I thought you had other plans for their marriage.”
“How could that be?” The Qiang King waved his hand and laughed, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhongli An. “We have discussed state affairs and settled family matters today, so it is time for us to take our leave.”
Zhong Li'an nodded and clasped his hands in farewell, saying, "Farewell, gentlemen. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely visit you in person."
-
The chaotic atmosphere inside the hall immediately dissipated. Yang Xiao followed Zhong Li'an to see the Qiang King out of the hall. Turning her head, she saw Bai Ming standing in front of the hall with red eyes.
"Bai Ming!" She turned around and smiled at Bai Ming, then quickly ran forward and put her arm around his shoulder. "Tell me, I bet you were eavesdropping on our conversation, weren't you?"
Bai Ming looked at Yang Xiao with eyes full of affection. He sniffed and put his arm around Yang Xiao's waist with emotion. "Yes, Xiao, I heard everything."
"On such a joyous day, why are you crying?" Yang Xiao raised her hand to wipe the wetness from Bai Ming's eyes and teased, "Could it be that the lord made me your superior? Is the General of the Cavalry dissatisfied?"
"How could that be?" Bai Ming shook his head with a chuckle. "The General is joking." He pulled Yang Xiao into his arms, rested his head on her shoulder, and let out a long sigh. "I heard everything you said in the hall just now, defending me."
Yang Xiao smiled and hugged Bai Ming, "You dare to test our relationship, I really don't know what Grandpa was thinking."
"Did that princess hurt you just now?"
A tingling, itchy sensation ran down Yang Xiao's neck. She involuntarily snuggled forward, wrapping her arms around Bai Ming's waist and gently stroking his back. "Don't worry, she can't hurt me. She slammed the knife against the wall before it was even drawn. But you," she chuckled, gently touching Bai Ming's head with her own, "are you satisfied with my answer?"
Bai Ming tightened his arms around Yang Xiao, rested his chin on her shoulder, and nodded solemnly.
"Actually..." Bai Ming hesitated for a long time, then carefully stood up and looked at Yang Xiao, "I have another question to ask you."
"Hmm?" Yang Xiao tilted her head with interest. "Tell me about it?"
Bai Ming seemed to have been mentally preparing himself for a long time before finally letting out a breath and looking earnestly at Yang Xiao. "Ever since I confessed my feelings to you back then, you've stopped calling me by my courtesy name and have been calling me by my full name for years... It's not that I don't want you to call me that," he said, shaking his head in denial for fear that Yang Xiao would misunderstand. "I'm willing to call you whatever you want, but there's one thing I don't understand. Why don't you call me by my courtesy name anymore, or... anything else?"
“Bai Ming,” Yang Xiao smiled and put her arm around his shoulder, calling out to him solemnly, “Listen to me, in this world, only a name can completely represent you as a person, and what I love is the most authentic you, the you without any sweet words.”
Upon hearing this, Bai Ming froze on the spot, his eyes filled with emotion, but he remained silent for a long time.
"The name 'Bai Ming' encompasses everything about you, and it is also everything I cherish."
“Ah Xiao…”
Bai Ming's heart trembled slightly. He made a move to kiss her, but Yang Xiao turned her head away and tiptoed to whisper in his ear, "This is in front of Yinglong Palace."
Before he could finish speaking, Bai Ming sighed softly, lowered his head to touch Yang Xiao's forehead, and wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her tightly in his embrace. "Perhaps I'm clumsy with words, but I don't know how to tell you how much I love you."
“We have a long life ahead of us. Wouldn’t it be better for us to walk through this time together than for a moment of pleasantries?” Yang Xiao raised her hand and rubbed Bai Ming’s nape. “Perhaps it won’t be long before I have to call you something else.”
"Hmm?" Bai Ming looked up with interest. "What is it?"
"Guess?" Yang Xiao smiled and tapped his nose, then looked up at the darkening sky and gently shook Bai Ming's hand.
“It’s getting late. I’m giving you my orders in the name of the ‘Great General’,” Yang Xiao said with a smile as she looked at Bai Ming. “Now, go back to your tent and rest. Get a good night’s sleep on your wrist.”
Bai Ming looked into her innocent eyes and nodded with a smile, "Yes, sir."
A sea of rosy clouds surged forth, enveloping the two people holding hands and laughing beside the main hall in a golden glow. Dots of orange-red light were scattered across the land of Chang'an, and continued to rush towards Jizhou.
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