Chapter 31. Wei Yi was just used to it.
Ling Xun felt a tingling sensation all over his body.
He so much liked the intimacy that Bai Xuerou showed him.
Whether it's words or touch.
"I'm not afraid, sister-in-law. I'm just worried that I might implicate you," Ling Xun whispered.
"My sister-in-law doesn't like war, nor does she like trouble."
Bai Xuerou was stunned, and her heart softened instantly.
"Yes, I don't like it, but if we do nothing, this chaotic world will only continue. So, our Prince of Zhenbei must strive, fight, and win, so that the world can be restored to peace as soon as possible."
"As for dragging me into this," Bai Xuerou suddenly stopped smiling and reached out to tap Ling Xun on the head.
Should I say you're overthinking things, or that you're just too worried to think straight?
"The stronger you are, the safer I will be. Even if you do nothing, those with ulterior motives will not let me go. Don't let me hear you say that again."
Ling Xun touched his head and smiled.
"My sister-in-law is right, I won't do it again," he said.
Bai Xuerou looked at him with a smile.
“Go and end this chaotic world, Ling Xun,” she said, looking up at the night sky.
Ling Xun looked at her and said, "Okay."
"Will you stay in Chang'an, or go to the battlefield?"
"Go to the battlefield."
This great battle is mainly to demonstrate his abilities, so Ling Xun naturally cannot hide in Chang'an.
"How much longer? Will we be able to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival at home?" Bai Xuerou asked.
“Yes, but it will take some time to prepare for the army’s departure.” Ling Xun calculated the time.
Bai Xuerou looked at him and smiled, saying, "That's good. This is your first Mid-Autumn Festival since inheriting the title. How can you not be home?"
Ling Xun simply smiled at Bai Xuerou.
He didn't care about others; he just didn't want to miss the chance to spend the holiday with Bai Xuerou.
The household began preparations for the Mid-Autumn Festival. In addition, Bai Xuerou was also thinking about taking her younger brother to Chang'an to buy some clothes and other necessities.
He naturally brought clothes with him when he came to Chang'an, but they were different from the fashionable styles in Chang'an, so Bai Xuerou thought of preparing some for him.
Another day, the brother and sister went to the cloth shop to look at clothes.
Bai Xuerou didn't think much of the needlework skills outside, but it would take quite a while to make something, so she thought of buying a ready-made one and then having an embroiderer modify it.
Bai Qingrong came from a wealthy family, but perhaps due to her years of travel, she was quite rough around the edges. She had no demands for fine clothes and delicacies; as long as the food was palatable and the clothes were comfortable, she was fine. So when she went shopping with Bai Xuerou, she would agree to everything Bai Xuerou said.
Bai Xue Rou teased him on purpose, holding up a bright red fabric against his body, and Bai Qing Rong still said it was good.
Bai Xuerou had gotten used to Ling Xun's behavior before she realized that not everyone disliked red.
"What's so good about it? It just makes you look even darker," she said reproachfully, putting down the fabric and going to get something else. "Sixth Brother looks better in red."
Bai Qingrong recalled the appearance of the Prince of Zhenbei and thought to himself that someone who looked like that would look good in anything.
However, seeing her older sister's somewhat irritable expression, she just smiled obediently and didn't talk back.
Bai Xuerou gave up on red and chose several other colors. She had already selected the ready-made clothes, and planned to buy these fabrics to have the embroiderers in the mansion make them.
After spending ages choosing, I finally picked something out and was about to pay and leave when someone else came in.
What a coincidence, it was Yu Kai.
Bai Qingrong chatted with him for a few minutes, and Yu Kai didn't forget to greet Bai Xuerou. When asked, he also came to buy clothes, but he didn't expect to run into Bai Qingrong. When asked, he said he wasn't in a hurry to buy clothes anymore and invited him to sit in a restaurant to catch up.
Both of them had just arrived in Chang'an and had a lot to say to each other.
Yu Kai then invited Bai Xuerou to join him. After thinking about it, Bai Xuerou decided to go back since she had nothing else to do.
Afterwards, the three of them went to a restaurant for a meal. The two of them reminisced and occasionally asked Bai Xuerou questions, since she had been in Chang'an for more than half a year and knew more than the two of them.
Bai Xuerou felt she didn't know much, but when the two asked, she could tell them a thing or two.
Yu Kai is a very pleasant person to talk to. He is unhurried, considerate of others, and also has a leisurely and carefree attitude.
Most importantly, he was born well.
Therefore, in just one meal, Bai Xuerou unconsciously developed a sense of appreciation and goodwill towards him.
This is indeed a young man who is hard not to like.
After the meal, the two agreed to take a walk around Chang'an together. Bai Xuerou arranged for Bai Qingrong to be guarded by personal guards, and then went home first.
Yu Kai watched as Bai Xuerou, supported by her maid, slowly boarded the carriage, then lifted the curtain and smiled slightly at Bai Qingrong before departing. He sighed softly.
“When I first heard you mention your sister, Weiqing, I always thought it was an exaggeration. Now that I think about it, I should apologize to you,” he said to Bai Qingrong.
Bai Qingrong was slightly surprised and glanced at him.
Yu Kai was a man of impeccable character; in all the years the two had known each other, he had never spoken of a woman before. This was the first time.
He quickly changed the subject, but had no intention of talking about his sister with anyone, and thus changed the subject.
Yu Kai also realized that he had lost his composure. He adjusted the jade pendant at his waist and talked to Bai Qingrong, but he still couldn't help but think of Bai Xuerou.
He had long heard of the beauty of this former wife of the Marquis of Zhenbei, and always thought that with such a face, she must be proud and arrogant. But now that he had met her, he realized that she was not only not proud, but could even be described as gentle and tender.
Not only is she kind-hearted, but she's also considerate and thoughtful. Being with her is like a gentle breeze.
It's really...
It is unforgettable.
After that, whenever Bai Xuerou had free time, she would visit Bai Qingrong at the Bai residence every two or three days. At the same time, she did not forget to prepare for the Mid-Autumn Festival and pack Ling Xun's luggage, so she was always busy.
Before we knew it, the Mid-Autumn Festival had arrived.
Bai Xuerou invited Bai Qingrong to the Prince's Mansion to celebrate the festival, and the evening was very lively.
In the few months since Ling Zheng inherited the title, although he disliked his brothers, he mainly targeted Ling Xun. He didn't care about Ling Chong and the others, so they were still living in the Prince's Mansion and hadn't been separated from the family. Now, during the festival, all the concubines, along with their sons and grandchildren, filled the room.
Bai Xuerou thought this Mid-Autumn Festival would pass peacefully, but Ling Xun unexpectedly dropped a bombshell, bringing up the matter of splitting up the family with his brothers.
She assumed that Ling Chong and the others would definitely not agree—
Speaking of this, we must mention Ling Chong, the former eldest son. When Bai Xuerou first married into the royal family, he was quite ambitious, but in recent years, for some reason, he gradually became more obedient and lived a very peaceful life in contrast to Ling Zheng's success.
Later, Ling Xun told Bai Xuerou that their father was becoming increasingly impatient with their eldest brother, who seemed to be frightened.
Since even the eldest son, Ling Chong, has behaved himself, the other sons, though somewhat different, are naturally even less likely to cause any trouble. For example, when Ling Zheng passed away, he only caused Bai Xuerou some trouble, which was easily resolved.
On another note, seeing everyone readily agree, Bai Xuerou was somewhat surprised. She looked up at Ling Xun, then seemed to ponder something, wondering what this kid must have done.
He has always been a considerate person; if he brought it up, he must have already made arrangements.
Bai Xuerou seemed to be deep in thought, and finally remembered her younger brother. She glanced at him and saw him sitting upright. She knew at a glance that this kid was watching the fun somewhere.
She couldn't help but lower her eyes and chuckle softly.
Ling Xun quickly made arrangements for his brothers, but it was certain that they would no longer be able to live in the Prince's Mansion.
In other words, Bai Xuerou will likely be very busy for the foreseeable future.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Bai Qingrong left first, and Ling Xun arranged for his personal guards to see him off. After the banquet, he personally escorted Bai Xuerou back to Zhiwei Courtyard.
"Sister-in-law, be careful after I leave. When you go out, make sure to have your bodyguards by your side." The autumn evening breeze was a bit chilly, blowing Bai Xue Rou's shawl. Ling Xun moved to Bai Xue Rou's side to block the wind and said in a low voice.
"Me? You're worried someone might use me to threaten you?" Bai Xuerou immediately realized.
Ling Xun's expression turned serious. He said, "Not only that, I'm worried that someone might harm you, which is making my mind uneasy."
Bai Xuerou paused slightly, sensing something subtle in his words, but only for a moment, and didn't think much of it.
Ling Xun is only close to her now, so it is indeed very possible that she could be used to threaten him.
"Don't worry, I'll be careful. Putting everything else aside, I still cherish this life very much," Bai Xuerou said.
She had painstakingly made her way to this point, and she didn't want to lose her life like this.
Ling Xun did not answer, but remained silent for a moment in the night, then smiled and sighed, "I suddenly understand what my sister-in-law was thinking when she heard my promises before."
Bai Xuerou's delicate eyebrows twitched slightly, and then she smiled.
"It's not something you can just relax about." Ling Xun finished speaking amidst Bai Xuerou's light laughter.
“That’s just how people are,” Bai Xuerou said gently.
"Sister-in-law, please take care." Ling Xun stopped, turned to look at Bai Xuerou, and said in a deep voice with utmost seriousness.
Bai Xuerou didn't say much, she just solemnly hummed in agreement.
Ling Xun looked at her, and Bai Xuerou looked back. However, the night was dark, and even with the lights, she couldn't see those eyes clearly, let alone know how the darkness within them stirred.
Sister-in-law, I will go crazy if anything happens to you.
Ling Xun withdrew his gaze, thinking to himself.
He raised his hand to cover his heart, where the love potion was. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Bai Xuerou, saw her soft, white skin, and then withdrew his hand as if burned.
My sister-in-law's love potion is also there.
The love potion will only take effect when he turns eighteen.
He's sixteen.
“General Wei Yi will stay in Chang’an. I’ve spoken to him. If there’s any emergency, you can go and find him,” Ling Xun said finally.
Bai Xuerou responded with an "okay," a memory flashing in her eyes.
Wei Yi.
He was a general in the Northern Army, enjoying immense prestige.
Now that Ling Zheng is dead, she will no longer experience those ridiculous, melodramatic love stories, and he should no longer die trying to save her.
This is fine.
I hope they will both be well in the future.
Bai Xuerou looked at the bright, full moon in the sky and made a wish in her heart.
"What is your sister-in-law thinking about?"
"I'm thinking that all the people I care about should be well and have a happy and fulfilling life."
"Of course, we'll celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival together again next year."
Ling Xun took Bai Xue Rou's words as a joke and was delighted, so he immediately replied.
"good."
Perhaps it was that one glance that caused the trouble, because that night, Ling Xun had a dream.
This wasn't the first time he'd had this kind of dream. Regardless of his temperament, his body was at its most impulsive. He'd had it a few times before, but never as clearly as this time, so clearly that he could see the faces of the people in his dream.
Her eyes were moist, snow-white, and soft...
Ling Xun sat in the tent for a while, his face flushed, before finally asking for water to wash up with a stiff expression.
The day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the army set off.
In the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion, several branches of the family began to move. The concubines could go with their sons, but only Concubine Ning, who had only one daughter, stayed in the mansion to be cared for.
The move took half a month, and before they knew it, it was September again. Ling Chong and his three brothers had all moved out, leaving only a few women in the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion. Apart from some empty courtyards, everything remained the same.
The courtyard was bustling with activity, servants and maids coming and going, and the prosperity and splendor remained unchanged.
If there's any difference, it's that Bai Xuerou has far fewer troubles; she doesn't have to worry about what kind of trouble those concubines will cause this time.
Finally, I had some free time.
After a few days of peace and quiet, she felt restless and wanted to go out for a walk. Invitations from various households in the Prince's mansion kept arriving, and she looked through them one by one, wondering which household to visit first.
Having just lost her husband, she should keep a low profile, but attending the banquet was still fine. Besides, she also had something on her mind: Bai Qingrong was already eighteen, and because he was away from home for many years, his marriage was still undecided. Her mother had mentioned it briefly in a letter, suggesting that she look for him in Chang'an.
Such a good girl, you have to go out and explore more to find her.
However, we need to ask Bai Qingrong what kind of person he likes first; Bai Xuerou is quite considerate in this regard.
But after all that, Bai Xuerou just wanted to go out for a walk and clear her head. The messy things that had happened recently had made her feel uneasy, and she needed to find some fun.
As for Qingxin suffering hardship to remain a widow for Lingzheng?
He doesn't deserve it.
Bai Xuerou had everything planned out, but something went wrong with Bai Qingrong.
It turned out that several of his fellow disciples were also coming to Chang'an. They had originally agreed to come together, but he left early. Now that his fellow disciples had been traveling and studying, they would be arriving soon, and he was going to pick them up.
Bai Xuerou then gave up and let him go, but still worried, she arranged for some personal guards to accompany him.
She also had personal guards, given to her by the former Prince of Zhenbei after the cotton was delivered that year. At that time, there were only a thousand of them. After arriving in Chang'an, Ling Xun helped her train them. Before Ling Xun inherited the title, he allocated another two thousand to her before leaving Chang'an this time, for a total of three thousand.
All three thousand men were under Bai Xuerou's command. When Bai Xuerou met them, she found that they were all good soldiers. Knowing that she was not strong enough to control them, she asked Ling Xun to arrange for someone to manage them. She also agreed with Ling Xun that those who were ambitious could leave and return to the Zhenbei Army. She would not stop them, and Ling Xun would not be angry.
Some did leave, but quite a few stayed as well. After all, not everyone has ambition; most people just want to survive.
Ling Xun remained noncommittal; although he was unhappy that these people refused to stay—
In his heart, his sister-in-law was the best. It was an honor for these people to protect her, but he also knew that a forced relationship would not be happy.
He promised Bai Xuerou he wouldn't hold a grudge, so he ignored her and repeatedly added that there were still extra people after the initial three thousand. He also arranged for people to train and discipline them more often to prevent them from becoming lazy and undisciplined.
He sent them to protect Bai Xuerou, not to stay in Chang'an and enjoy a life of luxury.
After making these arrangements repeatedly and saying that he should report to him immediately if anything happened, he finally put his hands away.
Bai Xuerou was unaware of what had happened behind the scenes, but she felt that these guards were becoming increasingly easy to use.
The three thousand personal guards usually train together at the Zhenbei Army camp outside the city when they have nothing to do. One hundred of them are selected to wait at the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion to protect Bai Xuerou. They are rotated every five days.
After Bai Qingrong left, Bai Xuerou carefully selected Princess Yucheng's invitation.
Princess Yucheng loves lively gatherings and can be seen at any banquet. This banquet was hosted by her and was called "Appreciating Osmanthus." It is said that there is an osmanthus grove in the princess's mansion, and at this time of year, the golden osmanthus flowers bloom all over the branches, making it the most beautiful scenery.
When Madam Wu learned of this, she asked her to bring Wu San Niang along. She doted on and cared for this niece very much and was always worried that keeping her confined in the mansion would restrict her.
Bai Xuerou agreed.
The day of the banquet was a beautiful day; the sky was high and the clouds were light, the blue of the sky was pure and clear.
The carriage of the Prince of Zhenbei left the mansion, with guards clearing the way on both sides, and pedestrians dared not disturb it. Bai Xuerou sat in the carriage, looking around, and talking with Wu Sanniang with a smile.
Even in times of chaos, Chang'an remained the most prosperous and magnificent place in the world.
Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves was heard, and a guard came to report, "Madam, it is General Wei."
Bai Xuerou lifted the curtain and looked up, meeting the silent and gentle gaze of the man on horseback.
It was Wei Yi.
"Madam Bai." Just as they reached the crossroads, Wei Yi pulled on the reins, dismounted, and bowed in greeting.
Bai Xuerou hurriedly said, "Please, General, don't do this. I am just a widow now and cannot accept such a grand gesture from you."
Wei Yi was just used to it.
No matter how much time has passed, no matter what status he has achieved, when facing Bai Xuerou, he seems to still be that fugitive lying on the ground in the snow, dying, hoping and yearning to be rescued by her.
Then follow her, be her guard, and call her "Master".
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