Chapter 32 Everyone says these men are being kept by her…
Although Bai Xuerou doesn't seem to need him as much now.
But he still wanted to protect her, to make her happy and carefree forever, and to let her live the life she wanted.
“Madam, please don’t be modest. The Prince treats you with utmost respect, let alone his subordinates,” Wei Yi said calmly.
Bai Xuerou smiled helplessly, "Your Highness is polite, but I cannot take it for granted. In short, General, please don't act like this in the future. Are you going out, General?"
She didn't want to talk about it anymore and went straight to the point.
"Since I have nothing to do, I'm going to a banquet at Princess Yucheng's residence," Wei Yi said.
"I'm also going to the banquet," Bai Xuerou said in surprise.
Wei Yi knew this, of course; otherwise, why would he have gone to the banquet hosted by the princess?
“That’s convenient, isn’t it? Please go first, Madam, I’ll follow later,” he said.
"Then thank you very much, General."
"Madam, you are too polite. Please."
The two nodded and smiled. Bai Xuerou's carriage went first, followed by Wei Yi on horseback.
"Sister-in-law, is that General Wei Yi?" Wu San Niang watched the two exchange pleasantries, not daring to say much, but then she glanced behind her and asked with some curiosity.
"Exactly."
Wu San Niang was just curious and not very interested. After asking a couple of questions, she chatted with Bai Xue Rou about Wei Yi's achievements to pass the time.
Before they knew it, they had arrived at Princess Yucheng's residence.
Seeing the guards from the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion approaching, the people from the Princess's residence hurriedly sent someone in to report. The steward then led his men to greet them, first paying respects to Bai Xuerou, then going to see Wei Yi. The two arrived almost simultaneously, so he invited them to walk together into the mansion.
Halfway there, Princess Yucheng came to greet them personally.
After exchanging greetings, Princess Yucheng, without waiting for Bai Xuerou and Wei Yi to respond, hurriedly called out and took Bai Xuerou's hand.
"What an honored guest! I had a feeling something good was coming today, and now you and General Wei have come to visit. Miss Wu, please don't stand on ceremony," she said with a smile.
Princess Yucheng is over thirty years old this year. She is tall and voluptuous. When she is not smiling, she is beautiful and dignified, but when she smiles, she is charming and extremely attractive.
"You're too kind, Princess."
"I just happened to have some free time."
As they spoke, Princess Yucheng turned around and personally led the group toward the banquet area.
Wu San Niang followed behind Bai Xue Rou.
Bai Xuerou attended many banquets and was quite familiar with Princess Yucheng; their relationship was fairly good.
Of course, this is just her own feeling.
She was always exceptionally tolerant of women, and as long as everyone got along harmoniously, she felt that her relationship with anyone was good.
As for what the other party was thinking, Bai Xuerou had no way of knowing.
Princess Yucheng was very enthusiastic, and Bai Xuerou kept the conversation flowing smoothly. Although she wasn't a talkative person or good at small talk, she still knew how to have basic social skills.
After all, this is a survival skill, and you have to use it flexibly as long as you're alive. It's not that you can choose not to do it just because you don't like it.
"It's only been a short time since we last met, and I've already become a distinguished guest. Princess, you seem to have grown distant from me." Bai Xuerou said with a smile. "The Wu family's daughter is very thoughtful. She has been staying at the manor with Mother. Mother took pity on her and asked me to bring her out for a stroll."
Wu San Niang smiled sweetly at the Princess.
Princess Yucheng smiled, but couldn't help but wonder, who couldn't see the Wu family's intentions? Could Bai Xuerou's behavior also be intentional?
However, the Wu family's social standing was still somewhat inferior.
But Bai Xuerou is a good-natured person, so she probably didn't mean it that way.
"Madam, are you implying that I neglected you before? That's truly unfair. Whenever you come, you're always a distinguished guest." As she spoke, Princess Yucheng led Bai Xuerou and the other woman inside, all the way to Guiyuan Garden.
Even before you get close, the fragrance of osmanthus wafts on the wind. The trees are full of golden yellow, with some crimson hues – they are red osmanthus.
The banquet was held in the osmanthus grove. A long table was set up on the ground, and everyone sat on low stools, chatting and laughing amidst the fragrance of flowers and the beautiful scenery.
As soon as Bai Xuerou arrived, many people greeted her, calling her 'Madam Bai'.
Bai Xuerou greeted everyone, and was eventually pulled to sit down by Princess Yucheng.
The handsome young man waiting nearby immediately stepped forward, serving the soft pillows, pouring tea, and serving refreshments, before kneeling down to attend to him.
Bai Xuerou hadn't looked closely, only glancing at him briefly. Seeing his fine, brocade-clad clothes and gold and jade ornaments, she assumed he was a young master from a wealthy family. Only upon seeing his appearance did she realize he was a servant from the princess's residence.
Or perhaps she was a servant of Princess Yucheng.
The eldest princess had a penchant for handsome men, and all the servants around her were good-looking. Rumors circulated about her numerous affairs, with many saying these men were her kept lovers. The words that reached Bai Xuerou's ears were relatively euphemistic, but she knew without a doubt what these people were saying behind her back.
Princess Yucheng accepted the tea, and the servant stepped aside, behaving very obediently.
Bai Xuerou didn't look much, pretending not to notice, and continued talking to Princess Yucheng. However, Wu Sanniang couldn't help but glance at her.
She had heard those rumors too, and couldn't help but feel a little disdainful, yet also had some strange thoughts. Bai Xuerou didn't forget her either, and took a moment to say, "Go play, it's bound to be boring if you just listen to us talk." She then said to the princess, "When I was that age, I loved laughing and joking with my friends the most."
"Who isn't in their prime, the best time of their life?" Princess Yucheng reminisced.
Wu San Niang was lost in thought when she suddenly heard Bai Xue Rou speak. She instinctively felt a little guilty and quickly covered it up by obediently agreeing. Just as she was about to get up, she saw someone walking slowly towards her. He was dressed in white robes and had a jade belt. He looked elegant and dignified. She was stunned.
"Greetings, Princess, Madam Bai," Yu Kai greeted.
“Yu Sanlang,” Princess Yucheng said with a smile, then turned to Bai Xuerou and said, “This is Minister Yu’s nephew.”
“I know,” Bai Xuerou said with a smile.
"Oh?" Princess Yucheng's gaze shifted between the two of them. "You know each other?"
Judging from Bai Xuerou's expression, she knows more than just a simple fact.
“Your Highness, you may not know this, but I am good friends with Madam Bai’s younger brother,” Yu Kai explained. He then asked, “Madam Bai, I wonder if Wei Qing has said when he will return? There will be a literary gathering at Sunset Mountain in a few days, and it will be a bit less enjoyable without him.”
"I didn't know that," Bai Xuerou said.
"Very well, then we can only leave it to fate," Yu Kai said. "Then I won't bother you any longer."
He nodded to Princess Yucheng and Bai Xuerou respectively.
"Please." Princess Yucheng waved her hand, and Bai Xuerou said gently.
"This young master of the Yu family is truly handsome," Princess Yucheng exclaimed.
Although she had many suitors, they all paled in comparison to Yu Kai.
“The young men raised by the Yu family are naturally extraordinary,” Bai Xuerou said. These families have been able to survive for generations, and they have their own methods for raising their offspring.
She glanced around and, sure enough, saw several unfamiliar young men.
The number of people who can attend such a banquet is limited, so it's easy to tell them apart.
Talented men gathered, their elegance and charm unmatched.
These are all talented people. I wonder if Ling Xun will come back to recruit them. It would be more sincere if he personally showed up.
Just as Wu San Niang was about to leave, she was stunned by Yu Kai's arrival, and only now did she leave to find other girls to play with.
She had been in Chang'an for several months and had made several friends. Whenever she met someone, she would be happy to see them. But when she asked about them, they would all talk about Yu Kai and what he had said.
Wu San Niang understood; the young master of the Yu family was indeed stunning. If she didn't already have Ling Xun in her heart, she would definitely have fallen for him too.
She didn't hide anything and told them everything.
After learning the whole story, everyone understood and couldn't help but become curious about Bai Xuerou's younger brother.
Wu San Niang was with unmarried women, and she didn't talk much with Bai Xue Rou. But anyone with eyes could see Bai Xue Rou's beauty. Although no one had seen her younger brother, everyone imagined that he must be an extremely handsome young man.
To be able to become friends with the young master of the Yu family, one must be quite talented.
That really piques my curiosity.
Princess Yucheng chatted with Bai Xuerou for a while before going to entertain others. Bai Xuerou also found someone else to talk to. The scenario from the novels—a friend provoking someone and then getting humiliated—didn't happen. Those who attended the princess's banquet were all intelligent people; even if some were lacking, they were well-behaved and knew what to say and what not to say.
As they were talking, most of the guests had arrived, and the osmanthus appreciation banquet began.
Princess Yucheng raised her cup to signal the start of the banquet, which began with singing and dancing, followed by refined pursuits such as playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
A banquet, if there's nothing else going on, is naturally just about eating, drinking, and having fun.
Everyone can show off their skills that they have practiced diligently on weekdays, and those who don't like each other can exchange pointers and have some fun.
Bai Xuerou played a few notes on the pipa, which she had practiced since childhood. Although she wasn't exceptionally good, her playing was still audible.
After that, I left to watch others paint and write, and then joined in the fun of playing pitch-pot. Then, I turned around and saw some noise nearby, so I was pulled into a game of hide-and-seek.
The noble ladies chose a secluded spot in the osmanthus grove, had their maids wrap it with silk ribbons, and then everyone went to hide.
Bai Xuerou carefully lifted the hem of her skirt to hide herself, completely unaware that someone had stopped to watch this scene.
The young people were all engaged in writing, playing chess, and the like. Wei Yi was already thirty years old and didn't want to listen to the older folks talking about how virtuous and beautiful their daughters were, so he simply got up and took a walk in the woods. He vaguely heard Bai Xuerou's voice and came over, only to find her playing a game.
Seeing her hiding behind a tree, carefully peering out while holding onto the tree, a slight smile appeared on his lips.
Many years have passed in the blink of an eye. When Bai Xuerou was young, she was not as calm and composed as she is now. Although she liked quiet, she would also play and make a fuss when she was in the mood.
She used to play this game a lot back then, and she was very good at it. When she hid, few people could find her, but when she looked for someone, they could always find her.
She once proudly shared her experience, which involved listening and then making inferences.
Ultimately, it all comes down to intelligence.
But after they got married and she gradually became more mature, he always felt that she wasn't as happy as before, and that feeling continues to this day.
She returned to her old self.
That's really great.
After playing for a while, someone was caught, and everyone laughed and joked around. They moved to another place to hide and started a new round. She didn't continue, but instead withdrew and walked towards Wei Yi.
She just saw him.
"General Wei," she greeted.
"lady."
"Why don't we take a walk together?" Bai Xuerou invited, recalling the past while playing the game.
"please."
The two walked through the osmanthus grove. The ground was neatly tidied and very smooth. Bai Xuerou sighed, "So many years have passed in the blink of an eye."
There were always various concerns before, and even though the two knew each other, they acted as if they didn't know each other.
Only now did Bai Xuerou have no more reservations and speak to Wei Yi.
"How have you been these past few years?" she asked.
“Of course, that’s good. He’ll be the General of the Northern Army, wielding immense power,” Wei Yi said.
Bai Xuerou sighed and spoke of the past, "Over the years, I've always thought that if you wanted to be a great general, you would have done it long ago. Why would you have remained a guard all this time? It's clear that you didn't want to."
“In the end, it was I who forced you,” she said.
She regretted it too, but at the time she was too scared and panicked. The plot of the novel kept haunting her, keeping her in the shadow of death all the time. She desperately wanted to grab onto something so that she could live.
"No, not at all." Wei Yi didn't expect her to say that. Sensing her guilt, he immediately said, "If I had no intention, why would I have agreed? In the end, I did have the same idea."
Everyone has ambitions in life.
He just wanted to stay by Bai Xuerou's side.
"I should also thank you for letting me take this step," Wei Yi said.
He didn't regret staying by Bai Xuerou's side, nor did he regret joining the Zhenbei Army. Once he made a decision, he would resolutely walk down that path without any hesitation or doubt.
Bai Xuerou stopped to look at him, and seeing that he showed no reluctance or hesitation, the vague guilt that had been lingering in her heart finally dissipated.
"That's good." She smiled.
"Thank you for all these years," she said.
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