Chapter 38 Chapter 38 Possessing All the Charm
Ling Xun held his breath, but after dinner, he still went to find Bai Xuerou to have dinner together.
He remained outwardly calm, but in reality, he had been preparing for Bai Xuerou to speak ever since he arrived. However, when it was time to leave after dinner, Bai Xuerou didn't say anything.
Seeing Bai Xuerou escort him to the door, Ling Xun felt relieved, knowing that she wouldn't say anything.
But he wanted to speak.
"Sister-in-law, I heard that Madam Wu was looking for you this afternoon?"
Upon hearing this, Bai Xuerou immediately knew that Ling Xun was still somewhat annoyed, as his original mother had been renamed Wu Shi.
She told the maids to step back before saying, "She is, after all, your elder. Don't do this again next time, or it will give others something to say."
"I know, I just don't like them constantly pestering me." Speaking of this, Ling Xun was also a little annoyed. He didn't expect that even after he had gone to such lengths, Madam Wu still wouldn't give up.
"Sister-in-law, this way."
It was already dark when they finished their meal. The snow hadn't stopped, but the wind had died down. Bai Xuerou had worn a cloak when she went out to see him off, but Ling Xun was still worried that she was cold. He wanted to talk to her, so he led her into the pavilion and personally lowered the curtain, ordering someone to prepare a brazier.
He made his own arrangements, while Bai Xuerou, wrapped in her fox fur coat, watched from the side, unable to get a word in edgewise, yet unable to suppress her smile.
Before long, the brocade cushions, braziers, and other items were set up, and the bamboo curtains and drapes were drawn, making the hall warmer.
Bai Xuerou had been watching the snow, and only sat down after everything was tidied up. She continued what she had been saying, "This kind of thing can't be resolved with just a few words."
She could see clearly, "The Wu family girl truly likes you, and the Wu family has placed great hopes on you, so naturally they are unwilling to give up so easily."
"These kinds of things will only happen more and more often in the future. If you're worried about it now, what will you do later?"
Bai Xuerou could tell that Ling Xun wasn't interested in this kind of thing, and she wanted to take this opportunity to make things clear to him. He was currently a hot commodity, and countless people were trying to find ways to marry him.
The Wu family is just the beginning.
Hearing the warning in Bai Xuerou's words, Ling Xun shook his head, "The world is not yet settled, I have no intention of getting married."
Upon hearing this, Bai Xuerou looked at him.
“Marriage will bring many conveniences, don’t you want to give it a try?” she said after a moment.
Ling Xun didn't speak, but just looked at Bai Xuerou in the dim light of the hall.
After a long pause, he said, "I've already decided that I will only marry the one I love in this life, and I will be with one person for life. I won't even glance at other women."
Bai Xuerou was stunned.
One life, one love, one partner.
"You..." She hesitated, her heart filled with complex emotions, but in the end she smiled and sighed, "It's fine."
Ling Xun laughed.
Although his sister-in-law was unaware of his feelings, he wanted her to know his thoughts, to know that what she wanted, what Ling Zheng couldn't do, he could.
"Moreover, I am confident that I can succeed without relying on my maternal relatives."
He added.
This sentence perfectly captures the youthful spirit and arrogance.
Bai Xuerou's smile immediately brightened.
“Okay, I believe you,” she said.
"Actually, I don't approve of arranged marriages either," she suddenly muttered, annoyed. "But I've heard Ling Zheng say it so many times, so I couldn't help but be influenced. Now that I think about it, I was really out of my mind to tell you all this."
"That's true, you don't know the pain until you get hit with a stick."
Bai Xuerou spoke with some regret. She had actually advised Ling Xun to arrange a marriage. If he were to meet someone he loved in the future, it would be awkward.
That's it, I won't say anything, I won't tell anyone.
"Don't tell your wife about this kind of thing anymore, lest she get upset," Bai Xuerou quickly advised.
Ling Xun was about to comfort Bai Xuerou when he heard her next words. Looking at the wariness in her eyes and brows, he felt a little annoyed, but couldn't help but laugh.
"Don't worry, sister-in-law, I definitely won't tell," he said.
But my sweetheart will know.
Ling Xun stared at Bai Xue Rou, thinking to himself.
That was the end of it.
Bai Xuerou had made up her mind not to tell anyone who came to see her in the future. However, she was a little curious about what kind of girl Ling Xun would like. Did he already have someone he liked?
But unfortunately, by the time she remembered it, it was already the next day. She didn't take the opportunity to ask then, and later she couldn't find the chance to ask again. After a few times, she gave up.
Ling Xun returned to the capital and rested for half a day. The next day, he was to take over and handle the affairs of Chang'an.
He had already sent someone to invite Wei Yi and the others who were staying in Chang'an to handle matters. After breakfast, everyone arrived.
Just explaining and arranging these things took up the whole morning. After finishing, Ling Xun didn't let anyone leave, but instead stayed to have lunch together.
After the meal, everyone left one by one, but Ling Xun kept Wei Yi behind and invited him to the study to catch up.
The master and apprentice sat down in the study. When they were silent and still, they had a striking resemblance: the same calmness and the same restraint.
But as soon as they start speaking and taking action, the difference becomes immediately apparent.
The composure of the elderly contrasts sharply with the vibrant energy of the young.
Ling Xun and Wei Yi talked about what had happened during the past few months, and then the conversation suddenly changed, with Ling Xun asking, "I heard that Master and Sister-in-law have been getting quite close lately?"
Wei Yi had anticipated that outsiders would notice the things between him and Bai Xuerou, so he was not surprised. He simply said calmly, "Madam Bai is kind and gentle, which makes people feel at ease."
"Is that all?" Ling Xun asked with a smile.
Wei Yi seemed puzzled and said, "Of course, is there something wrong with it?"
"I must have misunderstood. I thought General Wei had feelings for my sister-in-law," Ling Xun said jokingly.
Wei Yi paused slightly, almost impulsively admitting it.
But I held back.
Bai Xuerou had no intention of speaking; his rash words would only damage her reputation.
She had only recently lost her husband.
Being a member of the Yu family has already subjected her to a lot of criticism.
When people talk about her, they always mention the former imperial concubine, which is not a good reputation.
But this one meal was enough for Ling Xun to glimpse what he wanted to know.
Wei Yi was indeed interested in Bai Xuerou.
Is his sweetheart his sister-in-law?
When did they meet? What kind of past do they have?
His sister-in-law seems to have many secrets.
What did she experience, what happened, and what did she look like when she was young?
Ling Xun felt a pang of regret that he hadn't been born when she was born.
Wei Yi lowered his eyes and remained silent, not believing that Ling Xun would actually believe him.
He's so smart and perceptive, and given that he's not without flaws himself, he's probably already noticed something.
But he didn't say anything, and Ling Xun didn't press him further; that was the unspoken understanding between them.
Things at home have been taken care of, but there are still many things to deal with outside—
Ling Xun returned to Chang'an without any intention of making a fuss, but others didn't see it that way.
The young emperor himself suggested holding a celebration banquet for him, and Prime Minister Lang Cheng and a group of noble families and members of the royal family, including the Duke of Qing, all agreed.
Everyone thought that Ling Xun wouldn't refuse such a kind offer, but they were wrong.
Ling Xun refused again, saying that the world was not yet settled and he still needed to work hard; it was not yet time to celebrate.
But wait until the world is settled...
What else is there to celebrate?
When that time comes, everyone will beg the emperor to abdicate and ascend the throne.
The achievement of pacifying the world, if he doesn't ascend the throne, who will? That's not called usurpation, but rather the rule of the capable.
Regardless, since Ling Xun disagreed, the matter had to be dropped.
This incident made everyone realize once again that the young Prince Zhenbei, who had gone to the battlefield shortly after inheriting the title to quell Xue Wenxian's rebellion, was not as docile and submissive as he appeared; in fact, he was far more powerful than his father and brothers.
When the Prince of Zhenbei first entered the capital, he gave face to the people in the capital. When it came to Ling Zheng, he even tried to get closer to him and wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Lang family. But when it came to Ling Xun, he seemed to look down on him.
"They really are not easy to deal with," Lang Cheng sighed.
When the Prince of Zhenbei first entered the capital, the prime minister, who had presided over the government for more than 20 years, already looked very old. Now that the Prince of Zhenbei has passed away and two prime ministers have taken over, he is still just as old, but with a dignified and composed demeanor, and it seems that he can live for many more years.
Lang Cheng had always thought that Ling Xun was a troublesome person and wanted to join forces with Ling Zheng to suppress him, not wanting to give him the opportunity to gain power.
But the situation changed suddenly. Ling Zheng died unexpectedly, and Ling Xun took over smoothly. Everything was heading in the direction that Lang Cheng did not want. He tried to take action in secret several times, but to no avail.
And then step by step, it has come to this point.
After Ling Xun refused, everyone gathered together to discuss how to deal with him in the future.
As they spoke, they all seemed to miss Ling Zheng.
For them, Ling Zheng, who was less adept at military campaigns and preferred scheming and balancing tactics, was undoubtedly more in line with their style of doing things. On the other hand, Ling Xun, who commanded a large army, won the hearts of the people, and won battles frequently, was more annoyingly tough.
Whether they like him or hate him, they can't sway Ling Xun. Instead, they have to do everything they can to cooperate with him.
At the Prince of Zhenbei's residence, Bai Xuerou heard a lot of news and thought she was going to prepare for the palace banquet, but Ling Xun returned and said it wasn't necessary.
She was somewhat surprised by his toughness.
This was unprecedented for the previous two Princes of Zhenbei.
Everything is different now.
Is it far from Ling Xun becoming emperor? Bai Xuerou used to think it would be a long time, but now she feels it won't be long.
Although he declined the victory celebration banquet, he still had to go to the palace to celebrate the New Year on New Year's Eve.
In the Great Qi Dynasty, it was always the case that during the New Year, the emperor would summon his officials to the palace to celebrate the New Year together. Moreover, there was a requirement that only officials of the fifth rank and above could enjoy this honor, so as to share the joy with all the officials. In addition, the curfew in the capital would be lifted during the New Year.
Then, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, a grand court assembly was held, with people from all over the world coming to pay tribute, and a state banquet was held.
However, by nowadays, the curfew has long been a mere formality, and the tradition of all nations paying tribute to the emperor is no longer relevant.
Only when all officials are in high spirits can the situation be maintained.
Bai Xuerou had participated once last year, so she was quite experienced this year. She prepared her attire well in advance and entered the palace with Ling Xun that night, along with Wu Shi and Wu San Niang.
Then came another lively night.
Bai Xuerou looked up at the young emperor high above. He was only eleven years old after the New Year, and he was quiet and unpredictable.
However, under the suppression and control of aristocratic families like Lang Cheng, they probably wouldn't dare to show their temper, no matter what it was.
Those three emperors who were replaced serve as a cautionary tale.
Eleven years old; that was the same age Ling Xun was when he first came to her side.
Now, Bai Xuerou turned to look at the young man surrounded by the crowd. His black round-necked robe was embroidered with a Qilin pattern in gold thread, and his demeanor shimmered with a low-key and luxurious luster.
Wearing a golden crown, with jade pendants, sachets, and daggers hanging from his jeweled belt, all carefully selected by Bai Xue Rou, his already striking appearance was made even more radiant, making him shine brightly and attracting countless eyes the moment he appeared.
With such looks and attire, anyone who didn't know him would mistake him for a spoiled brat, indulging in all sorts of frivolous pursuits.
But no other playboy could command such adoration from Prime Minister Lang Cheng and a host of other high-ranking officials and noble families, who would prioritize him above all else, even neglecting the young emperor on the high platform.
Bai Xuerou watched this scene with almost awe.
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