Chapter 12 Forced Invasion
Their eyes met, and Bai Hua felt intimidated by their stares. In her nervousness, she immediately changed her words.
Bai Hua: "I, I was just joking."
Ning Jue guessed that his overly serious expression had frightened her, so he softened his gaze and said calmly, "This is not a request. It's just that my arm injury is not yet healed. Once it is healed, I will practice swordsmanship diligently every day. Then, you can watch if you want."
Bai Hua was still shaken and unsure of what he was hearing. She hesitated and asked, "Really?"
Ning Jue countered, "Why are you suddenly interested in my sword dance?"
Bai Hua had already prepared this explanation, and when she replied, she tried to remain calm: "I still feel scared when I think about the thieves I encountered at the market last time. While I was recovering from my injuries, I thought that if I knew some martial arts, I could not only protect myself when I traveled the world with you, but also avoid causing you any more trouble."
Ning Jue said disdainfully, "If my arm hadn't been injured, even if several times more bandits had surged up that day, I could have protected you."
Bai Hua nodded and replied solicitously, "Of course, A Peng believes that you have such ability, but A Peng doesn't want to always be protected."
Ning Jue asked, "So what do you want?"
Bai Hua mustered her courage, looked at him, and spoke with emotion: "I want to stand shoulder to shoulder with you, young master. Although this idea is absurd and I know it is presumptuous of me, I still want to give it a try."
Ning Jue glanced at her, neither agreeing nor refusing.
After a while, he picked up his chopsticks and focused on eating again, chewing quietly, leaving Bai Hua hanging in the air.
Bai Hua felt uneasy and uncertain, afraid that her inappropriate request would arouse Ning Jue's suspicion and distrust. The two of them had gotten along so well today, the atmosphere was harmonious, and their relationship seemed to have taken a step closer. She blamed herself for being too hasty and not knowing how to advance or retreat.
She sighed inwardly, but cautiously avoided showing her true disappointment. She changed the subject, saying, "Young master, besides chestnut cake, is there anything else you'd like to eat tomorrow? I see there aren't many ingredients left in the kitchen. Shall we go down the mountain to buy some?"
Shifting the conversation to food is the safest approach these days.
Ning Jue thought for a moment and said, "We won't be eating at home tomorrow, so let's make the chestnut cake another day."
Bai Hua asked, puzzled, "Then where should we go?"
Ning Jue replied, "There's a family in Green Ivy Village getting married and they've invited us to the wedding feast. We couldn't refuse their hospitality, so we'll have to go and show our support. Would you like to come with me?"
When he said this, Ning Jue looked somewhat embarrassed, as if he was not used to facing the lively occasion of a wedding.
However, Bai Hua had some experience. Back in Jingqi, she was of noble status and favored by the Crown Prince, so she was well-connected among the noble ladies. Whether it was her coming-of-age ceremony or a wedding banquet, it was common for her to accompany her mother to watch the ceremonies and enjoy the excitement.
Judging from Ning Jue's tone, he seemed to want a companion.
So Bai Hua smiled at him and readily agreed: "A Peng is willing to go with you, young master, to join in the fun."
Ning Jue nodded.
Thinking of something, Bai Hua casually asked, "I previously thought that you lived alone in this place and didn't have much contact with the villagers nearby, but I didn't expect that you still have some interaction with them."
Ning Jue replied, “I am not good at socializing, nor do I like it. It was only once that I meddled in other people’s business and helped them. Since then, not only that one family in Green Ivy Village has been friendly to me, but the other villagers also respect me. I am not used to it, but it is true that I do not dislike it.”
Bai Hua could tell that he wasn't boasting or deliberately portraying himself as a righteous and world-saving hero. Every word he said was genuine, and his words carried a hint of helplessness, but also a touch of relief.
She asked curiously, "What trouble have you been meddling in, young master?"
Ning Jue did not hide anything and told the truth. Just as he was curious about Bai Hua, he did not mind her knowing more about him.
"There's a rogue named Hou in Jiling City who has committed countless crimes over the years by taking advantage of the Guihong Sword Hall. At first, he only lent money in gambling dens, but later he went even further, daring to abduct young women in the street. That poor girl was from Green Vine Village. She had no father or brothers to support her, and was left with only her widowed mother and daughter to depend on each other. If her mother hadn't been desperate and tried her luck by coming to me, that girl probably wouldn't have come back."
The words "Guihong Sword Hall" resonated deeply in her ears, making it impossible for Bai Hua to treat this matter as just another ordinary story.
She frowned and asked seriously, "Guihong Sword Hall? Apeng has heard of its name. Isn't it a well-known righteous sword sect in Jiling City? How could they do such a thing as aiding and abetting evil? Is there some misunderstanding?"
Ning Jue replied calmly, "If I had arrived any later, the abducted girl would have been forced to lose her virginity. I saw it with my own eyes, so how can there be any misunderstanding? Besides, that man surnamed Hou has fought with me before. Although he only knows the basics, the sword moves and styles he uses are exactly the same as those taught by Guihong Sword Hall."
Bai Hua still refused to believe it.
As the head of the Guihong Sword Hall, my cousin always strictly demanded that his disciples uphold righteousness, wield the sword of justice, and help the weak and oppressed. How could he tolerate such absurd behavior from his disciples?
The surname is Hou.
Bai Hua suddenly remembered that Fu Wei's wife's surname was Hou. She had indeed heard that Fu's wife had a dissolute brother-in-law who was uneducated and lived a muddle-headed life.
Perhaps it was this person who, relying on Fu Wei's power, acted recklessly and tarnished the reputation of the Sword Hall.
Bai Hua secretly made a mental note of it, and when she met her cousin, she was determined to give him a good thrashing.
"How is that man surnamed Hou doing now?" Bai Hua inquired.
Ning Jue lifted his eyelids slightly, his tone completely calm: "I crippled him."
Bai Hua opened her mouth, paused slightly, and asked, "Is it an arm or a leg that's crippled?"
Ning Jue did not answer, deliberately avoiding explaining things to her.
Bai Hua couldn't press the matter further. She couldn't help but feel a little guilty towards the woman from Green Vine Village. After all, she was also connected to the Guihong Sword Hall. Her cousin's men had committed evil deeds, and she couldn't say with a clear conscience that it had nothing to do with her.
Thinking of this, Bai Hua suggested, "Young master, shall we go down the mountain to buy some ingredients, and also pick out a gift for the bride, such as rouge, hairpins, and a dress, to express our feelings?"
Ning Jue said, "We will give a monetary gift then, as for the presents..."
He didn't want to go to any unnecessary trouble or take any special measures.
Bai Hua's eyes were filled with eagerness as she softly called out to him, "Young Master..."
His voice was soft and weak, mumbled and hesitant. If someone else had spoken to him like that, Ning Jue would probably have impatiently dislocated their jaw to see if they could speak with their tongue properly.
But he actually enjoyed Bai Hua's delicate and timid demeanor.
Ning Jue: "What are you planning to do?"
Bai Hua nodded eagerly, her eyes shining, and said proactively, "I will pay for it myself."
Ning Jue chuckled helplessly: "Am I hesitating because I'm afraid you'll spend my money?"
Bai Hua certainly didn't think that way.
She unconsciously curved her lips into a smile, carefully tugging at his sleeve, her tone hesitant and complex: "So, does that mean you've agreed, young master?"
Ning Jue coughed lightly, looked away, and gazed into the void, but still let her tug at the hem of her clothes and sway gently.
Finally, he compromised, sighing, "Let's rest for a while and digest our food before we set off."
Bai Hua's eyebrows curved into a smile, her face beaming with joy: "Thank you, young master."
Ning Jue also smiled, clearly in a good mood.
...
Before she knew it, Bai Hua had been staying on the tranquil and secluded Xianyang Mountain for ten days.
Now, back in Jiling City, facing the bustling crowds and the lively stalls, I can't help but feel a sense of disorientation.
The two first strolled around Taipei, where there were many clothing and jewelry shops along the street. Walking on the main street, they could see beautiful women dressed in gorgeous clothes and young ladies with veils on their heads. Each of them was dressed in beautiful clothes, with dazzling hairpins and ornaments, and their outfits were quite impressive.
Bai Hua walked among them, dressed in a plain blue cloth robe, her hair tied up with a wooden hairpin, deliberately hunching her shoulders and lowering her eyebrows, making her inconspicuous in the crowd.
This is the effect she wanted.
Ning Jue walked alongside her, noticing her overly cautious and slightly tense steps. He turned his head slightly closer to her and asked, "Have you decided what wedding gift to give Xiao He?"
He approached suddenly, catching her off guard. His hot breath gushed out, brushing against the most sensitive spot on Bai Hua's ear, causing an unusual itch and a brief, tingling sensation.
Bai Hua's heart pounded, and she replied in a low voice, "Rouge and face powder, or dresses and jewelry? Girls shouldn't dislike them."
Ning Jue didn't understand the etiquette of gift-giving, especially when it came to giving gifts to girls, but he still offered advice based on the actual situation.
"Xiaohe is married to a hunter's family. She works hard every day. Why not give her some practical items? Like a red sandalwood chest?"
Red sandalwood chests are commonly used as part of a bride's dowry in traditional Chinese weddings, and they often appear on the bride's dowry list. They symbolize good fortune and happiness, and also make the bride's family look good. However, red sandalwood is expensive, and most families cannot afford such a dowry, let alone someone like Xiaohe, who lost her father at a young age and her brother passed away, leaving her with only her widowed mother.
Bai Hua received a month's allowance from Ning Jue, which was enough to buy a nice dress, but if she wanted to buy a pair of trunks, she was afraid she would be willing but unable to afford them.
She hesitated before asking, "Does the young master know the market price of red sandalwood chests?"
Ning Jue: "I don't know the specifics, but it's roughly equivalent to two months' worth of your allowance."
Bai Hua blinked, looking a little aggrieved, and said, "Is my allowance a bit too little...?"
Ning Jue found her easily amused appearance quite adorable, so he leaned down to meet her gaze and pretended to recall something, saying, "Who was it that said staying by my side was the best way out, and that they would stay even without money?"
How could he still remember those flattering words?
Bai Hua was extremely embarrassed, her cheeks flushed, her fingers fidgeting with her sleeves, and she lowered her head, remaining silent.
Ning Jue's smile deepened, and he finally let her go: "Fine, then prepare a new dress. As for the trunk, I'll buy it."
Bai Hua looked up, a hint of worry in her eyes, and asked, "Won't this exceed the budget?"
Hearing the genuine concern in her tone, Ning Jue sighed helplessly and chuckled, "Overspending? Are we really that strapped for cash?"
Bai Hua met his gaze and honestly replied, "Young master, you travel the world without a fixed source of income and do not engage in robbery or plunder, so your wealth is probably not substantial."
She was considerate and thought things through for him.
This wasn't something worth explaining, and Ning Jue always did things his own way, ignoring the opinions of others. But inexplicably, when Bai Hua questioned his lack of money, he suddenly felt a sense of frustration, as if he had wasted more than a decade of his life.
He raised his hand and poked her shoulder with a little force: "Turn around, the shop selling chests is behind you. And don't worry, even if you buy a few more chests, I won't let you go hungry."
Bai Hua let out a soft groan in pain, forced to change direction.
Ning Jue stopped and took the lead in leaving. The tickling sound in his ear, disturbed by her unintentional whimper, made him restless, so he walked faster and faster without waiting for anyone.
Bai Hua was confused. She blinked on the spot, and after regaining her senses, she quickly followed.
...
As planned, the two first went to buy a sandalwood box. The shopkeeper agreed to deliver it to their door, saving them the effort of carrying it up the mountain.
After buying the suitcase, the two went to another street to browse clothing stores.
Bai Hua took the initiative and chose a shop with the most styles of dresses. After browsing around, she asked Ning Jue, "Young Master, I have never met Xiao He. You are acquainted with her. Do you think Xiao He would prefer bright and colorful styles or simpler ones?"
Ning Jue denied it, saying, "We are not familiar with each other."
Is this the key point?
Bai Hua's gaze continued to sweep over the exquisitely tailored clothes hanging on the wall, and she asked again, "You must have met her a few times, right? Does she usually wear bright colors, or something more understated?"
Ning Jue replied truthfully, "I didn't notice."
"..."
Bai Hua turned to look at him, her expression a mix of reproach and glare. She was somewhat speechless, wondering how she could choose someone who knew nothing about her.
The female shopkeeper of the clothing store was very hospitable. Hearing the two talking, she took the initiative to offer her advice: "Why don't you have this young lady try on the clothes after you've chosen them? She might be mistaken if she only looks at the garment on its own. The feeling is completely different when she looks in the mirror."
That's all we can do.
Bai Hua selected one dress each from the bright and stylish styles and the simple and elegant styles, preparing to try them on one by one.
She first tried on a moon-blue algae-patterned pleated embroidered dress, and slowly walked out of the cubicle. She stood tall and graceful, immaculate, with no makeup on her face and her hair simply styled in a bun, presenting the most direct and natural beauty to the outside world.
The female shopkeeper was visibly taken aback, a look of amazement flashing in her eyes.
Over the years of running her shop, she had served ladies and young women of all ages in Jiling City. If she had ever seen such a stunning beauty, she would never forget her. But the girl in front of her was a complete stranger.
So the shopkeeper guessed and asked, "Miss, you're not a local, are you? It's a pleasure to meet you today. If you like my clothes, take a few sets with you, and I'll definitely give you a real discount. With a living advertisement like you, I really want to make a sale."
Bai Hua responded awkwardly, feeling uncomfortable being stared at like that by outsiders, and even more flustered at being asked where she came from.
She walked up to Ning Jue, lowered her eyes, and asked with a slight blush, "Young master, what do you think of this dress? Is it suitable for Xiao He to wear?"
"It looks good." Ning Jue didn't even look at the dress.
Bai Hua kept her almond-shaped eyes lowered and asked again, "Then shall I try on the purple one? I'll choose one of the two?"
Ning Jue: "Okay."
Bai Hua tried on the clothes quickly and soon emerged from the cubicle.
A light purple gauze dress draped over her body, its soft, flowing lines creating a graceful and charming silhouette. Compared to the previous outfit, the waist was cinched tighter, accentuating Bai Hua's soft, voluptuous figure and captivating beauty.
Before she could stand in front of him, Ning Jue turned his eyes away first, his eyes still burning with lingering heat.
Bai Hua looked at herself in the bronze mirror from all angles, finding it difficult to choose. So she asked Ning Jue for his opinion, "Young Master, which one do you think is better?"
Ning Jue simply replied, "I want them both."
Bai Hua asked, "Shall we give Xiao He two sets of clothes? It's auspicious to have two, that would be good."
Ning Jue's gaze fell heavily, carrying an unusual meaning.
Bai Hua, her skirt billowing, was completely focused on the bronze mirror and didn't notice anything amiss behind her.
Ning Jue narrowed his eyes, staring at the slender waist that seemed to fit in one hand, and his brow twitched again.
Such a waist, how could it be broken?
After a moment's pause, he said in a calm tone, "It's for you."
Bai Hua turned around, surprised.
Ning Jue stared back calmly, revealing for the first time an undeniable forceful and possessive nature.
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