Chapter 91 A Secret Meeting at the Prince's Mansion
After parting ways with her brother, Bai Hua and Ning Jue left together in a carriage.
The car turned onto the main road from a side road. Bai Hua couldn't wait to ask Ning Jue about the progress of her brother's case. Ning Jue replied that there would be results within ten days, and Bai Hua nodded in relief.
Ning Jue asked, "Do you want to go see your sister-in-law?"
Bai Hua thought for a moment and said considerately, "Let's do it tomorrow. It's too late today, and my sister-in-law has probably already gone to bed with the child. We shouldn't go and disturb her."
Ning Jue agreed, lifted the carriage curtain and leaned out, instructing the coachman outside to drive the horse to the Grand General's residence.
The prince's mansion was luxurious and naturally had places for guests to stay. The two of them didn't bother to find accommodations elsewhere and accepted the prince's warm invitation without hesitation.
Of course, the two had other considerations in mind when they decided to stay at the Prince's Mansion.
When Ning Jue first arrived in Jingqi, he was a stranger to the area. Even with the promotion of the Grand General, he would probably have less face and prestige when dealing with people outside. However, if he openly entered and exited the Prince's mansion every day, his status as a favorite of the Grand General would soon be confirmed, and it would naturally be much more convenient for him to deal with the Dali Temple afterwards.
The carriage continued its journey at a steady pace, its wheels rolling smoothly.
It snowed in Kyoto Castle this morning, but the main road inside the castle is swept daily, so the road is currently clean and there are no obstacles.
Inside the carriage, Ning Jue looked at Bai Hua and remained silent for a moment before speaking: "Just now, your brother pulled you aside and asked you some questions in a low voice. They were about me, weren't they?"
Bai Hua's heart skipped a beat, and she asked in surprise, "You...did you hear that?"
Before leaving, her brother spoke to her privately, deliberately keeping her five or six steps away from Ning Jue, and carefully lowering his voice to ensure that only the two of them could hear the conversation.
Bai Hua originally thought that Ning Jue wouldn't hear her speaking so softly, but his question clearly indicated that something was amiss.
Ning Jue replied frankly, "It wasn't intentional eavesdropping; it just happened naturally. Martial artists naturally have much better hearing than ordinary people."
Bai Hua certainly believed that, given the young master's proud nature, he would disdain eavesdropping. As for his exceptional hearing, that was indeed possible. She had long known that the young master had a talent for martial arts, and perhaps that talent included exceptional senses.
Thinking of what her brother had said to her, Bai Hua felt a little embarrassed and glanced at Ning Jue out of the corner of her eye, worried that he would be annoyed by it.
Actually, her brother didn't ask too many questions. It was just that he wasn't familiar with Ning Jue, so he couldn't help but whisper to her about Ning Jue's character, personality, and future prospects in officialdom.
Bai Hua gave a brief introduction, half-revealing and half-factual, and when talking about his career, he truthfully stated that he was now a capable bodyguard of the Great General.
However, after she finished speaking, her brother reacted quite strongly, frowning deeply and saying with dissatisfaction, "Just a thug? Hua'er, how can a crude and vulgar martial artist be worthy of you?"
Bai Shu'an still couldn't shake off his former identity and couldn't forget the past glory of the Bai family.
He remembered that when his younger sister was of marriageable age, all the prominent families in the capital with eligible sons sent matchmakers to visit, one after another, almost wearing down the lintel of the Bai family.
Most of those young men came from distinguished families and were of noble status. Besides the sons of famous officials, there were also many princes and nobles. Hua'er's beauty was renowned and known to everyone in the capital. It was even possible that she would marry into the royal family.
However, fate played a cruel trick on her. Her father was demoted, the Bai family declined, and Hua'er became a phoenix in distress, thus delaying her marriage.
At that time, there were too many dissolute young men in the capital who coveted Hua'er. Those playboys who were not even in the top ranks before, seeing the Bai family fall into ruin, all wanted to stage a hero-saves-the-beauty act. They shamelessly declared that they wanted to take Hua'er as their concubine. They were clearly blinded by lust, but they pretended to be kind and take her in.
Fearing he couldn't protect his younger sister in Beijing, Bai Shu'an had no choice but to correspond with his aunt, requesting the Rong family's protection.
Later, after Hua'er lived in Jiling for a year, he learned from his daily correspondence with his aunt that his cousin Rong Linyan had long been in love with Hua'er, and Hua'er was also interested in him. Bai Shu'an was surprised, but also relieved.
Although Rong Linyan held no official position, the two families were related by marriage. At least Hua'er wouldn't be bullied if she married into the family. This was the safest place for Hua'er that he could think of at the moment.
However, the Rong family is so unscrupulous!
Seeing that Hua'er was all alone and had been imprisoned, he showed no respect for the Bai family at all. What did he mean by making her a secondary wife? They might agree to it, but the Bai family would not!
Bai Shu'an was annoyed with his aunt's family, but also felt regretful. After all, his cousin was no longer the same as before; he had won the championship in the martial arts tournament and would definitely have a future in officialdom. It would be a pity to miss this marriage opportunity. As for the young master Ning who happened to save Hua'er, he was handsome, but he looked like a brave but reckless martial artist. It would be a pity if Hua'er married him...
With these thoughts in mind, Bai Shu'an couldn't help but continue discussing it with his younger sister. Of course, he couldn't forget the kindness of being saved, and even if he had ulterior motives, he had to carefully avoid expressing his dissatisfaction.
“Hua’er, the Rong family is dishonest. It’s fine if we can’t become relatives with them. Once this corruption case is overturned, you can stay by your brother’s side. Your brother and sister-in-law will do their best to find you a good marriage. Among Father’s many students in the past, there were quite a few who had successful careers, such as Xu Shu, who was appointed as a censor. He was upright and honest, and gentle in nature. He had inquired about you from me before, but I didn’t respond because of your engagement with the Rong family. Now that Rong Linyan is married, we should sever ties with them as soon as possible. So why not try to get in touch with Xu Shu?”
"Xu Shu came from a poor family and studied hard for ten years to achieve what he has today. He has taken each step steadily and practically. He is much better than those spoiled brats who rely on their families for support and spend their days idly."
"Furthermore, Hua'er is so beautiful and has the air of a noble lady. A poor man like Xu Shu would see you as a fairy and would definitely treat you with extra respect after you get married. You can also win him over."
Her brother went on and on, finding her a more suitable match in such a short time, and then analyzing the pros and cons in detail. Bai Hua was caught off guard and didn't know how to continue the conversation.
Left with no other option, she resorted to moral blackmail: "Brother, you've studied so many books since you were young, you should understand more principles than I do, so why are you so confused now that things have come to this? Young Master Ning risked his life to save us, how can we do something like demolishing a river? If it weren't for him, your sister would be dead, how could we even think about these things after death? Now we should put repaying his kindness first, brother, don't mention anything like 'a better marriage' anymore. My mind is made up, I'm willing to marry Young Master Ning, and I believe he's no less than Chen Shu."
Her words made her brother's face turn pale and then red, and he felt truly ashamed.
Everyone understands the principle. Even if he has studied the classics for a few more years, how could he not have selfish motives when it comes to his younger sister's marriage?
Gratitude is important, but he cares more about his younger sister's happiness for the rest of her life.
Bai Shu'an sighed deeply. Seeing that it was already late at night, he said no more and bid farewell to Bai Hua with a heavy heart.
Bai Hua got into the carriage and left. Not long after, just as the carriage turned out of the alley, Ning Jue chased after her and asked her questions.
Her brother's earnest advice echoed in her ears again, and now that she was facing Ning Jue up close, she couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
However, she didn't know how to explain it.
Her brother's words were merely biased in his favor towards her, showing concern for her, while she herself, in retrospect, should have considered herself to have behaved quite well? She had just firmly refused and even rebuked her brother a few times, upholding righteousness over family ties.
Scholars value their reputation above all else, so her statement that her brother had wasted his time studying the classics was actually a bit harsh.
She tentatively asked Ning Jue, "Is my brother upset because of what he said about you? He was wrong to call you 'vulgar,' but that's because he doesn't understand you. He also mentioned earlier that he hopes we can get married as soon as possible. Actually, he's not entirely against our relationship. Since you heard that, you must have heard what I said too, right? You see, I didn't hesitate at all. I won't consider anyone else but you."
Ning Jue looked at her, pondered for a moment, and quietly said, "Hua'er, why do the people around you all disapprove of us? Your maids think so, and so does your brother. Xiao You is a loyal servant, devoted to you, and your brother cares about you even more. Both of these people who genuinely care about you think that marrying me is not a good match, but a compromise, a choice made out of necessity... The more I hear this, the more I can't help but think about it. I wonder if insisting on marrying you might really not be a good thing for you."
Upon hearing this, Bai Hua was taken aback. She rarely saw any confusion in Ning Jue's eyes. He was always arrogant and proud, and his gaze was always firm as he looked forward.
She originally thought Ning Jue was going to tease her and then take the opportunity to trick her into being affectionate with him. However, when she looked up, she saw that his eyes flickered slightly, as if he was doubting himself.
That kind of expression shouldn't have appeared on the face of the swordsman Ning Jue.
Bai Hua's heart suddenly felt like it was being gripped by something, tightly furrowed, and she felt very uncomfortable. She didn't want such a free and unrestrained person to worry about such mundane things as career prospects because of her, and to be anxious about gains and losses because of it. She was afraid that she would rather be a noblewoman from a high-class family than a swordsman's wife.
She looked into Ning Jue's eyes and said to him with utmost seriousness, "Young Master, marrying you is a good thing and a joyous occasion. Back then, to deal with Rong Linyan, we made up such an absurd story. Xiao You and my brother were naturally surprised when they heard it. They didn't know that we had been through so much together, and our true feelings had been tested in times of hardship. Of course, they had some concerns for me. But if they knew the truth, and if they truly cared for me, they certainly wouldn't have objected. Also, have you forgotten? We are in love with each other and can't be separated anymore."
The emptiness in Ning Jue's heart was filled by Bai Hua's words, one by one, and her affectionate gaze immediately dispelled all the gloom and gloom that had been floating in his heart.
As the clouds cleared and the sky brightened, Ning Jue was overwhelmed with emotion. He could no longer restrain himself and stepped forward to hug Bai Hua tightly. Just as she had said, he was inseparable from her.
Bai Hua nestled in his arms, her voice gentle and touching: "Don't have too many worries. The reason you stayed by the General's side was to find out the cause of your master's death. When the truth comes out, whether you want to continue serving in the capital or return to being the free and unrestrained swordsman you once were, I will support you and be willing to stay by your side. Whether it's the high halls of power or the far reaches of the martial world, being with you is good and worth looking forward to."
Ning Jue was deeply moved, his chest heaving, and he slightly increased the pressure on Bai Hua's shoulders.
After a long pause, he uttered a weighty statement in a hoarse voice: "I have no father or mother, I am an orphan, I have no origin, so I never consider my own life as my own. Before, I lived for my master and mistress, but now that things are over, I will only live for you."
Bai Hua shook her head: "I only want you to live for yourself, young master. How can you be truly happy except by finding out the truth?"
Ning Jue asked, puzzled, "Happy?"
Bai Hua nodded.
She felt responsible for the young master's self-doubt and discouragement caused by her brother and Xiao You's unintentional words.
She was powerless to help investigate the truth behind the Sword Saint's death, but at the very least, she could help the young master recover his spirits.
The question has been asked, so of course there's sincerity involved.
She blinked at Ning Jue, waiting for him to think of a way to comfort him, such as what dishes he wanted to eat, and she would cook them for him. She would also accompany him wherever he wanted to go for a stroll.
After a short while, Ning Jue raised his calloused thumb, pinched her chin, and then lifted it slightly upwards. The two looked at each other closely, their breaths mingling and burning.
He asked in a hoarse voice, "When we return to the Prince's Mansion tonight, we will be arranged to stay in the same courtyard. When it's quiet at night, I will come to find you. Will Hua'er open the door?"
...
Almost exactly a few hours after the Grand General's entourage, the Left Chancellor Ji Fukun's carriage also entered the capital that night.
Compared to the grand and high-profile procession of the prince, the Left Prime Minister was much more low-key, traveling in simple attire and never disturbing anyone. He disliked extravagance and wasting the people's hard-earned money.
Rong Linyan and the Left Prime Minister rode together in the lead carriage. Seeing that the Left Prime Minister was resting with his eyes closed due to the fatigue of the journey, he dared not make a sound.
He had been sitting stiffly for too long, and his lower back was a little numb, so he tried to relax his body.
After a while, he heard the sound of the night watchman outside the carriage. He carefully raised his hand and lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, peering out through the gap.
It was the capital city, luxurious in every way. Most of the houses along the way had their lights off, except for the red-light districts a little further away, where the lights still shone brightly. Further on the streams and rivers, there were ornately decorated painted boats, with warm music playing inside, and several dancing girls standing indistinctly at the bow.
Based on his childhood memories, he looked in the direction of the former Earl's mansion, but he couldn't see anything clearly. He felt a real tightness in his chest and couldn't help but feel melancholy.
Rong Linyan withdrew his eyes and composed himself. Just as the thick felt curtain of the carriage fell, the Left Prime Minister Ji Fukun opened his eyes and spoke.
Has Lin Yan ever been to the capital before?
Upon hearing the sound, Rong Linyan's heart skipped a beat. He looked at the Left Prime Minister and hurriedly apologized, "Did I lift the carriage curtain and let in a cool breeze that woke you up, Your Excellency? It was my mistake."
The Left Prime Minister's gaze was not reproachful. He looked at Rong Linyan, shook his head, and said in a gentle manner, "You don't need to be so careful. The carriage has been stuffy for a long time, so it's good to get some fresh air. Besides, I'm not asleep. I'm just resting with my eyes closed, so some noise won't hurt."
Rong Linyan was relieved and answered the question: "I have been here before, but it was many years ago. I was only thirteen or fourteen years old then. I was young and didn't know much. When I entered the capital, everything was new and exciting. The houses were beautiful, the food was delicious, and the people were... the people were noble."
After he finished speaking, he belatedly realized that the Prime Minister had only asked a casual question, and he had given far too much of an answer.
It's all useless nonsense. Who would care except himself?
Surprisingly, the Left Prime Minister was willing to strike up a conversation with him, asking, "Noble? Then the person Lin Yan met back then must not have been an ordinary commoner, but someone of high status and position."
Rong Linyan lowered his head, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.
He couldn't stop talking just now because he was thinking of his cousin Bai Hua. That trip to the capital was the second time he had seen his cousin since they met unconsciously as infants. Many years have passed, but he still remembers it vividly.
That time, his mother took him and his two younger sisters into the Earl's mansion. The magnificent buildings around him broadened his horizons. After they met his aunt in the front hall, a bright young girl in a blue dress ran to the front hall looking for his mother.
A fleeting glimpse, yet unforgettable.
Her aunt stood up with a smile and took the initiative to introduce them to her: "This is your aunt, this is your cousin Lin Yan, and these are your two older cousins."
Bai Hua first addressed her mother, then turned to him, bowed slightly to him, and called out in a clear voice, "Cousin Lin Yan."
That shout made his ears burn.
Rong Linyan remembered clearly that his heart had never beat that fast since he could remember...
After many years, he returned to Beijing. The streets outside were both familiar and unfamiliar. The houses along the main road seemed to be built higher, but he no longer felt the same sense of wonder as when he was a child. Imperceptibly, many things had changed.
Coming to his senses, Rong Linyan realized that the Left Prime Minister was still watching him and waiting for his answer, and a tension tightened in his heart.
He replied, "They're not some important people, just relatives from my mother's side. We don't usually keep in touch. When we first met, I felt that their mannerisms were different from those of people from our small town. When I was young, I was naive and thought that people from the capital were inherently 'noble'. That impression has stayed with me to this day."
Rong Linyan deliberately spoke ambiguously.
He had no intention of concealing the fact that his aunt's family had been convicted of crimes, but he also did not want to bring it up openly. If the Left Chancellor sent someone to investigate in detail, he would not care; they were just relatives, and the past had nothing to do with him.
However, if he were to give his own account, he certainly wouldn't want to rashly mention anything that might tarnish his reputation, so after careful consideration, he prepared his words to be as watertight as possible.
The Left Prime Minister smiled upon hearing this: "It's remarkable that you remember your childhood so clearly. From what you're saying, you've been here before, but it was always a quick visit, and you didn't have a chance to explore the city properly. That's a real pity. This time, you're coming to the capital and will have the opportunity to stay longer. Make sure to visit as many places as you can. Only by understanding the local customs and traditions can you truly appreciate the real character of a city."
Rong Linyan respectfully replied, "Yes, Prime Minister. I will remember your words."
The Left Prime Minister hesitated for a moment, then asked with concern, "Can your family's affairs be resolved? If you need me to speak with General Yang, don't overthink it, just ask."
This really gave Rong Linyan a headache.
Yang Yun is no ordinary woman; she has real energy when she gets angry. He can't afford to waste time with her, so he can always avoid her.
Upon learning that the Left Prime Minister was leaving, he decided to follow him north. He hastily packed a few clothes as his luggage, partly to show his loyalty to the Left Prime Minister, and partly because he was eager to find a peaceful place to settle down.
That home, perhaps, didn't even qualify as a home. He really didn't want to go back. Every time he faced Yang Yun's resentful face, his already unsettled heart would only become more agitated.
But how could such trivial matters disturb the Prime Minister's ears?
General Yang was also one of the Left Chancellor's men, and as their subordinates, the Left Chancellor naturally wished for them to get along, which is why he said that.
But Rong Linyan wasn't really being unreasonable; upon hearing this, he immediately poured out all his worries.
The Left Prime Minister had no desire to listen, and he, in turn, did not want to air his family's dirty laundry in public.
So Rong Linyan pretended to be nonchalant and said, "Don't worry, Prime Minister, it can be resolved. It's inevitable that husband and wife will have some minor conflicts."
The Left Prime Minister raised his hand and patted Rong Linyan's shoulder, admiring his manly demeanor.
Yang Yun was known in Beijing for his domineering nature; he was capable of enduring what ordinary people could not.
Putting that aside, Ji Fukun gave him his business: "I previously recruited a few thugs in the martial arts world, some of them wielded knives and swords, and they were quite skilled, but none of them were as good as you. I intend to ask you to help train them, and then those guys will be under your command."
Previously, Rong Linyan had been left out in front of the Grand General for a long time, which was really torturous. He never expected that he would receive a task so quickly after arriving at the Left Prime Minister's place. It can be seen that the Left Prime Minister really values him and that he has found the right mentor.
Rong Linyan's eyes shone brightly as he clasped his hands in a fist and replied, "Yes, Your humble servant obeys! I will do my utmost!"
...
The Prince's Pine Garden, a courtyard for guests, is located on the west side, adjacent to the back garden. Apart from the inner garden where the prince resides, this place has the best environment and scenery.
There are three guest rooms in Songyuan. Bai Hua occupies the left one, Ning Jue occupies the right one, and the largest one in the middle is deliberately left empty.
When the two entered the courtyard, maids and servants came up to them from both sides, offering to serve them. Ning Jue waved his hand and did not let anyone get close. He only asked someone to prepare the bath water and did not need to worry about anything else. As for Bai Hua, she had been pampered since childhood and liked to be wiped and scrubbed while bathing. She was a little embarrassed and left a maid behind to help wash her hair.
After washing up, Bai Hua changed into the nightgown prepared by the maid, dried her hair, took off her hair bun in front of the mirror, applied perfume to her face, and then lay down on the bed and covered herself with the quilt, trying to fall asleep as soon as possible.
However, despite her exhaustion, she was not sleepy at all, and Ning Jue's two hoarse words kept echoing in her ears.
"When it's quiet at night, I'll come to find you. Will Hua'er open the door?"
Will you open the door or not...?
Bai Hua remembered that she had angrily replied with "No," but Ning Jue looked at her with a half-smile, as if he didn't take her "No" to heart at all.
The two are in the Prince's mansion, not an inn outside. Doing that would be extremely inappropriate.
Moreover, since the maids in Songyuan were so attentive, it was inevitable that they would notice something when changing her bed sheets.
Bai Hua was concerned about her reputation. She thought that no one knew about her previous marriage ceremony with Ning Jue, and in the eyes of outsiders, she was still an unmarried girl. So how could she shamelessly sleep with a man in someone else's home?
Her upbringing prevented her from being reckless and dissolute.
After a while, the wind outside grew stronger, howling and whistling.
Bai Hua listened intently, as if she had a telepathic connection, and her heart tightened. She thought, "It'll be soon."
Sure enough, accompanied by the sound of the wind, a steady set of footsteps approached slowly from afar.
The rhythm of his footsteps was familiar to him.
Bai Hua immediately held her breath, quickly closing her eyes and pretending to be fast asleep.
The door was soon knocked on, once, twice, and then a third time...
At first, the knocking was faint and muffled, but by the third knock, the sound was clear as usual.
Bai Hua was extremely nervous, her heart pounding so hard that it matched the rhythm of the knocking perfectly.
Suddenly, the wind brought a fourth sound.
Bai Hua's eyes were closed very tightly, and there was even a slight tremor in her eyelids.
The person outside seemed to hesitate for a moment before knocking a fifth and sixth time... but there was no response from inside.
Until the eighth knock, the thumping sound echoed in the night, and then the door creaked open from the inside.
Before Ning Jue could react, Bai Hua had already grabbed his collar and forcefully pulled him inside.
As soon as the door closed, Bai Hua, with her warm and soft body, rushed forward, stood on tiptoe, and bit Ning Jue's neck with a hint of punishment, while her voice, moist and cloying, overflowed from her throat...
"Young master, you're always so mean..."
Ning Jue was agitated by the fragrance emanating from her neck and the scalding tone of her voice, and his body reacted almost immediately.
When his gaze darkened completely, he lowered his large hand, gripped Bai Hua's slender waist, and easily lifted her up, making her knees bend so that she could only hang on his waist.
I deliberately didn't open the door for him, leaving him to suffer in the wind and cold outside. We need to settle this score.
As for how to calculate it...
Ning Jue whispered in Bai Hua's ear, his tone as wicked as she had said: "You bolt the door and won't let me in. How can you be so heartless? Doesn't Hua'er miss me?"
Bai Hua blushed and muttered softly, "In the end, they still let you in, didn't they?"
Ning Jue chuckled, shoved the person against the door, and stroked Bai Hua's nape with his thumb and forefinger, saying, "Hands on the door, bend over..."
He was clearly giving instructions, but Bai Hua looked at him blankly, puzzled.
Ning Jue made no attempt to hide it; his voice was slightly hoarse and extremely nasty: "You block the door, and I... I'll block you."
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