Chapter 36 "I'm just unhappy, they're delaying..."
Her heart had once raced so fast because of Ling Zheng.
The more Bai Xue Rou thought about it, the less she dared to think about it anymore, and she suppressed the thought deeply.
"Of course, what would I do here if I didn't pick you up?" After a moment's thought, Bai Xuerou smiled at Ling Xun and gave an affirmative answer.
Having all been through this age, Bai Xuerou knew very well that at this time, what she needed most was a positive answer from someone, such as, "I came for you."
Therefore, she is never stingy.
Sure enough, Ling Xun smiled happily.
"Has sister-in-law been waiting long?" he asked. A cold wind rose, blowing Bai Xuerou's cloak. He immediately added, "Sister-in-law, let's go back to the pavilion and talk."
"Why don't we go back to Chang'an first?" Bai Xuerou suggested.
She arrived after having breakfast. The pavilion had been carefully decorated, with windproof bamboo curtains and canopies hanging up, and a stove lit inside. In this bleak winter, it wasn't exactly cold, but it wasn't exactly comfortable either.
“No need. I haven’t been back for a long time, and I’d like to sit with my sister-in-law for a while and chat.” Ling Xun was overjoyed.
Bai Xuerou naturally complied with his wishes regarding these trivial matters.
The two sat down in the pavilion and chatted about their recent lives; the wind outside had picked up even more.
It came rushing in with a whoosh.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, it's been overcast these past few days, and I wonder if it will snow before the New Year.
"Alright, let's head back to Chang'an first." Bai Xuerou glanced at her personal guards, each one of them sitting as steadily as a mountain on their horses, showing no restlessness even in the cold wind. Just looking at them inspired awe in everyone.
While not quite at the level of the modern People's Liberation Army, it is already second to none in this era.
Bai Xuerou had seen the Zhenbei Army in formation before; although they were generally disciplined, they were still somewhat chaotic. Ling Xun had spoken with Bai Xuerou for a while, and the restless longing and joy in his heart had subsided somewhat. He responded to her words.
“Sister-in-law, get in the carriage, we’ll go into town together,” he said.
"Why don't you go first?" Bai Xuerou suggested.
The cavalry would naturally be faster than her carriage, so if traveling with her, one would have to slow down.
Ling Xun smiled and shook his head, saying, "No. I'll go with my sister-in-law."
So clingy.
Bai Xuerou thought to herself, glancing at him. Seeing how tall he was, already so much taller than her, it was hard to feel any emotion, yet she couldn't help but want to laugh.
“Okay,” she said.
For Bai Xue Rou, raising her own child was ultimately a different experience.
Afterwards, Bai Xuerou got into the carriage, with Ling Xun walking beside her, and guards protecting her in front and behind, and they entered Chang'an.
Ling Xun's trip was relatively low-key. The royal family originally planned to hold a grand celebration, knowing that he had returned victorious after defeating Xue Wenxian, but he refused and only told Bai Xuerou about his return.
But once he entered the capital, people recognized the familiar armored soldier and immediately understood his identity. As they hurriedly stepped aside, they couldn't help but peek inside.
It is said that this Prince of Zhenbei is only sixteen years old. As for his appearance, there are all sorts of rumors. At first, people speculated that he must be unattractive, or even ugly, otherwise why would he wear a mask?
Later, some people said that he was extremely handsome, just like the legendary Prince Lanling. Because he was so beautiful that he resembled a woman, he had to wear a mask.
Such examples are numerous.
The more you hear about it, the more curious you become.
Someone else asked who was in the carriage, and someone else stepped forward and said that it was the former Princess Consort of Zhenbei, now the sister-in-law of the current Prince of Zhenbei.
She could even recount some of her past, saying that she was kind-hearted and, seeing the hardships the Prince of Zhenbei had faced in his youth, extended a helping hand and raised him by her side. The Prince of Zhenbei, grateful for her care, had always treated her with utmost respect. She then spoke of the cotton matter—
This year, cotton has also been planted in Chang'an. The autumn harvest will provide warm cotton-padded clothes for winter.
The cotton seeds were found by this woman, and what's remarkable is that she didn't keep them to herself, but instead offered them to the King of Zhenbei, requesting that everyone in the northern border be able to grow them.
All of this evokes a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep emotion/reflection) in those who hear it.
She sounds like a gentle and kind lady.
She was also said to be very beautiful, no less so than the legendary imperial concubine.
As the carriage passed through the long street, Ling Xun, with his sharp ears and eyes, listened to the conversations of the passersby, and a sense of pride welled up in his eyes.
Yes, his sister-in-law is such a good person.
They arrived at the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion. The mansion occupied a vast area, and the entire street outside the mansion gate, stretching from east to west, belonged to the mansion. Normally, no one dared to approach it rashly.
Upon receiving the news, the gatekeeper kept peeking out from his post. As soon as he saw those people, he immediately sent someone to inform the mansion and then led his men out to greet them and congratulate the prince on his return.
Upon returning to the Prince's residence, Ling Xun wanted to see Madam Wu first. He had no particular feelings for Madam Wu, neither happy nor angry, but at this juncture, he only wanted to spend time with his sister-in-law and have a good talk with her, so he felt that her presence was somewhat superfluous.
There's also Wu San Niang.
Seeing that Wu San Niang's eyes kept looking at him, full of affection and hesitant to speak, he felt quite impatient.
He was confident that his attitude had been clear enough; he had never given her much hope and had always treated her coldly, but Wu San Niang seemed oblivious to it.
Does he really have to speak so directly, which would make things awkward for both of them?
Ling Xun didn't care, but his sister-in-law always felt sorry for women and was always soft-hearted. Considering her feelings, he would save face for her.
But Wu San Niang seemed to have misunderstood it.
“Mother, the New Year is just around the corner. Doesn’t Miss Wu need to go home for the New Year?” Ling Xun asked.
Wu San Niang was surprised that Ling Xun would suddenly mention her, and her eyes immediately lit up with joy.
Bai Xuerou's delicate eyebrows twitched slightly as she looked at him with a smile. Unable to grasp Ling Xun's meaning, Madam Wu smiled and said, "My elders at home care about me and asked Third Sister to stay and take care of me, so I won't be going back this year."
As she spoke, the idea of taking the opportunity to test the waters arose in her mind, and she added, "It's perfect, it's also a good match for Third Sister's personality in Chang'an, and she's reached the right age."
Wu San Niang turned sixteen last year, but her birthday is a little older than Ling Xun's.
"That's fine then. Once it's settled, the Prince's Mansion will provide Miss Wu with a dowry as a way of thanking her for taking care of her mother," Ling Xun said calmly.
Wu San Niang's beautiful face turned pale, and she instantly lost her color.
These words almost clearly indicated that he had no interest in her and even wanted Madam Wu to marry her off as soon as possible.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at Ling Xun with a sorrowful expression. They had known each other for a year, so did he really, really not have even the slightest bit of affection for her?
Madam Wu paused, but having experienced much, her expression remained unchanged. She smiled and said, "Speaking of which, I was just about to talk to Chunniang about this. Third Sister, you may go out first."
Wu San Niang looked stubbornly at Ling Xun, but did not move. Instead, she insisted on walking towards Ling Xun.
Seeing this, Bai Xuerou's expression shifted slightly, and she sighed softly as she looked away.
Ling Xun usually appears very easygoing, so many people think he has a good temper, but that's not the case.
Ling Xun doesn't have a good temper; he's just reserved and doesn't like to lose his temper.
But those who displease him often do so over trivial matters.
He rarely showed his fury, but this suppressed anger was no less terrifying than a thunderous outburst.
For example, right now, Bai Xuerou can tell that he is not very happy, but Wu Sanniang can't see it and is still thinking of making one last attempt.
but……
Bai Xuerou went to look at Madam Wu again. If she had stopped her, things might have been better. But seeing Madam Wu lower her eyes and remain silent, she knew that Madam Wu also wanted to make one last attempt, or perhaps get an answer so that Madam Wu would give up. It was better than dragging things out like this. She could only sigh in her heart.
"Your Highness, I love you. I beg Your Highness to have mercy on me. I don't ask to stay by Your Highness's side, but I beg Your Highness to let me stay in the palace so that I may have the opportunity to see Your Highness." Wu San Niang wept, looking pitiful.
Ling Xun was too lazy to even speak to her, and went straight to Madam Wu and said, "I will be staying at home for a long time from now on. Miss Wu is still unmarried, and it will be inconvenient for her to stay in the Prince's mansion. It will also cause a lot of speculation. Mother, please let her stay until after the New Year and then send her home. She can get married if she wants."
"Sister-in-law, let's go back first. I have something to say to you," he said to Bai Xuerou.
Bai Xuerou looked at Madam Wu and said, "Mother, I'll be leaving now."
"Your Highness!" Wu San Niang choked out, trying to grab Ling Xun's sleeve, but she was startled by the cold indifference in Ling Xun's lowered eyes, and her hand froze there, not daring to move.
The servants following behind Ling Xun stepped forward and reached out to stop him.
"Your Highness, I truly love you." Wu San Niang continued to struggle.
"Third Sister!" Madam Wu called out, not wanting her to lose her composure like this. She looked at Ling Xun and didn't expect him to be so resolute. He had seemed respectful and gentle to her before, but now he was showing no respect and was so sharp. She couldn't help but feel a little frightened.
"Go quickly." She forced a smile and watched Bai Xuerou leave.
Bai Xuerou looked at him with a reassuring expression, then turned and left with Ling Xun.
"This isn't the first time Third Sister has been like this. Why did she suddenly get angry? She was fine before." It wasn't until they left Huiyin Courtyard and were walking on the corridor, with only her own people on either side, that she asked.
As soon as he left the living room, Ling Xun regained his composure and calmness. Hearing this, he said helplessly, "Sister-in-law, you saw it too. I have been very indifferent and I think I have made my attitude very clear, but the Wu family girl just can't see it. I really can't be bothered to argue with her anymore."
"It's better to cut things off cleanly this way, so as not to delay her any further," he said.
Bai Xuerou then realized that this person was annoyed by her pestering, but still felt that things were not so simple. After all, he had endured it for so long without taking it seriously, so why did he suddenly not want to endure it anymore?
Thinking about it, she asked.
"Tell your sister-in-law the truth, did someone make you angry?" she said with a smile.
Ling Xun couldn't very well say that he was unhappy that the time he spent with his sister-in-law had been wasted by the Wu family, so he could only say that nothing was wrong.
The more he tried to hide it, the more curious Bai Xue Rou became. However, she never liked to force people, so she decided to give up and said with a smile, "If you say it's nothing, then it's nothing. It's good to vent your unhappiness. Nowadays, who can force you to do anything?"
"Your sister-in-law only hopes that you can always be happy."
Ling Xun's heart skipped a beat.
If Bai Xuerou had kept pressing him, he might have stubbornly refused to tell her, but her gentle concern made him suddenly unable to hold back.
“I’m just upset that they kept me from talking to my sister-in-law,” he said.
Bai Xuerou was taken aback, not expecting this reason.
Startled to realize he had actually said it, Ling Xun's heart tightened. He carefully observed Bai Xuerou's expression and added, "I've finally come back, and I just want to have a good talk with my sister-in-law."
"How long can this take?" Bai Xuerou said helplessly, coming back to her senses, though she still felt a little awkward.
Is it really necessary to be in such a hurry in such a short time?
Ling Xun simply said, "I'm also a bit tired and want to rest early, so I'm inevitably a little anxious."
But Bai Xuerou knew that he was a very patient person.
With a change of heart, she thought again, but that was all in the past. Ling Xun now held great power, so he didn't need to endure or wait. Or rather, who in the world could make him endure or wait?
Suddenly she understood and stopped worrying about it.
"Why don't you go back and rest first? I'm not going anywhere. We'll talk again when you're rested," Bai Xuerou said with a smile.
"It's been a long time, I'd like to have a good talk with my sister-in-law," Ling Xun refused.
Seeing that Bai Xuerou didn't think about it anymore, he breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help feeling disappointed.
That's just how things are sometimes; he hoped his sister-in-law would find out, yet he was also afraid she would.
What will his sister-in-law do? Will she be angry? Will she ignore him?
On the way back to Zhiwei Courtyard, Bai Xuerou had someone prepare Ling Xun's favorite foods in advance, and presented them to him upon their return.
Ling Xun then ate and talked, asking Bai Xuerou about the recent situation in Chang'an, but in reality, his words were all about Bai Xuerou.
Knowing that she was living a carefree life, he couldn't help but feel happy for her.
"By the way, I heard my sister-in-law mention Yu Jiazi. I heard he's been harassing you?" After listening for a while, seeing that his sister-in-law hadn't brought it up, Ling Xun took the initiative to ask.
"Where did you hear about this entanglement?" Bai Xuerou chuckled and said, "It's just that we've gotten a little closer, it can't be called entanglement at all."
Ling Xun scoffed inwardly. News from Chang'an was constant, and he naturally knew about that Yu family brat. He always liked to hang around his sister-in-law, and many people knew that he had feelings for her. What else could this be but harassment?
However, he was more worried about Bai Xuerou's thoughts.
Yu Kai is one thing, but there's also... Wei Yi.
The news also included the fact that Wei Yi had been getting closer to Bai Xuerou over the past few months.
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