Chapter 44 "Abao, I don't want to remarry, very..."
She had indeed considered keeping a male concubine, but in the blink of an eye, a year had passed since Ling Zheng's death. Her life was getting better and better, but she couldn't help feeling that her bedchamber was a bit lonely. She hadn't originally intended to stay with Ling Zheng, but she had naturally considered it, and even thought about what kind of person she should find.
Bai Xuerou did not want to get married again, nor did she want to cause herself any trouble.
Therefore, one's status cannot be high, one's temperament must be easy to manage, one cannot cause trouble, one's appearance and figure cannot be bad, and one must also be understanding.
After all, it's about choosing a male consort for oneself, so of course, one should choose the best.
As a result, finding a suitable candidate is indeed quite difficult.
Bai Xuerou didn't speak. After Ling Xun's voice fell, there was a moment of silence. He realized what Bai Xuerou meant and was immediately taken aback.
"Sister-in-law..." he began hesitantly.
Bai Xuerou didn't want to deceive Ling Xun, so she did it somewhat deliberately, but he really understood, and she felt a little embarrassed.
“Abao, I don’t want to remarry, it’s too much trouble. But I’m still young, and it’s inevitable to feel lonely alone…” As she spoke, her voice grew softer and softer, as if it were just lingering between her lips.
It's really embarrassing to say that.
Bai Xuerou's cheeks flushed red, and for a moment she didn't dare to look at Ling Xun.
It wasn't just Ling Xun who stared at her, but also the trembling in his amber eyes.
Sister-in-law, did you ever think about finding someone else?
At that moment, Ling Xun didn't think that Bai Xuerou wanted a male concubine; his mind was filled with only one thought.
If you're going to look for someone, why can't it be him?
"I... understand," Ling Xun said with some difficulty, struggling to control his excitement and eagerness.
Bai Xue Rou turned her head away, not daring to look at him, her fair neck turning red.
She waited for Ling Xun to continue, feeling somewhat flustered and uneasy. She worried that Ling Xun would be dissatisfied, yet subconsciously felt that Ling Xun wouldn't do anything to her, so she couldn't help but harbor expectations. It was a very complicated situation.
She didn't see any of the chaos and turmoil, only that blush, and with her own little thoughts, her throat tightened slightly.
Bai Xuerou was unaware of this, but hearing Ling Xun remain silent, her heart sank. She pursed her lips and forced herself to say, "If you're not satisfied, then I'll—"
“I have no complaints,” Ling Xun interrupted.
He took a deep breath, finally regained his senses, and began to consider how to answer.
"I'm just a little shocked," Ling Xun said slowly, each word carefully considered. "I always thought my sister-in-law was doing well, and I didn't realize how lonely you were. I'm sorry."
"What does this have to do with you?" Bai Xuerou finally felt relieved, but then felt a little helpless upon hearing this.
Ling Xun is always like this; he just doesn't realize it himself, so he feels that he has neglected or slighted her, and then he starts to apologize.
But it's not that serious. Everyone has their own things to do, so how can they possibly take other people's affairs to heart?
"No, I've thought about it for a long time. I want to take good care of my sister-in-law and make sure she has a happy and carefree life for the rest of her days. It was my oversight," Ling Xun said firmly. "If my sister-in-law is willing, then of course I have no objection."
"But this person cannot be chosen casually; he must be carefully selected." He then changed the subject, revealing his true feelings.
It absolutely cannot be those shady characters.
As for who it is...
Bai Xuerou finally managed to suppress her shyness and turned to look at Ling Xun. Gazing at her rosy face and gentle, moist eyes, Ling Xun smiled slightly.
“What kind of girl does your sister-in-law want? Tell me and I’ll pick one out for you,” he said.
Bai Xuerou couldn't bring herself to say it, and hurriedly said, "No rush, I was just saying, I didn't mean to say it now... I really just got a little tipsy and lost my head."
She said with annoyance, "Alcohol can relieve worries, but it can also easily make people lower their guard. Normally, I would never have said that so easily."
Seeing her anxious, Ling Xun couldn't help but laugh and quickly said, "Okay, no rush. Let's talk about it when you want to."
Bai Xuerou lowered her head and hummed in response after a while.
Afterwards, she returned to Zhiwei Courtyard and stayed there until she finished washing up and lay down on the bed. Only after the curtains were drawn did Bai Xuerou cover her face and groan silently.
Good heavens, what has she done?
After a while, Bai Xuerou took a deep breath to calm down and thought, although it was embarrassing, there was also good news.
Ling Xun did not object; in fact, one could say he was quite supportive.
What kind of person does she like?
Bai Xuerou actually remembered, but then stopped in time and went to sleep.
We'll talk about it later, we'll talk about it later.
Fortunately, when she saw Ling Xun again the next day, he didn't mention the matter, and Bai Xue Rou breathed a sigh of relief.
After arranging things at the Prince's residence, she set off for a villa near Luoxian Mountain outside the city.
Luoxian Mountain does not refer to a single mountain, but rather the name of a mountain range. Later, the entire mountain range was simply called by this name, except that the main mountain is where Luoxian Temple is located.
That's also the place with the best scenery.
In the mountains surrounding Luoxian Temple, there were also various villas of wealthy families. Princess Yucheng built a garden here, with magnificent buildings, carved railings and jade steps, extremely luxurious.
Bai Xuerou had visited last year and couldn't help but marvel at the extravagance of the royal family.
The approach of annihilation instilled fear in these people, but also drove them to madness.
Last year, Bai Xuerou specially prepared a separate courtyard for coming here, which was an easy matter for the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion.
Since accepting Princess Yucheng's invitation, although she was delayed by other matters and could not come in person, she had already ordered people to tidy up the villa inside and out. Before she came, her personal guards inspected the villa thoroughly to ensure there were no problems, and then they kept a close watch on it. Only then did she arrive.
After having breakfast, she set off and arrived in about an hour outside the city.
Luoxian Mountain is still as beautiful as ever, lush and verdant in summer, with its vast expanse of blue water rippling in the wind.
Bai Xuerou lifted the curtain to admire it closely.
The scenery in these mountains is truly unique; even the air seems fresher.
Upon arriving at the villa, the guards came forward to report. Bai Xuerou expressed her gratitude for the hard work and asked for a reward. Then the carriage slowly moved into the villa.
When they arrived at the courtyard gate, she got out of the carriage with the help of her maid.
She was quite tired from the bumpy journey, so she sat down to rest inside the house and watched the maids tidy up. The steward of the villa came forward to report that Princess Yucheng had come to inquire about her in the past few days and had come again this morning.
Bai Xuerou smiled and had someone prepare paper and pen to write a visiting card, which she then sent to the Princess's villa to indicate that she had arrived.
Princess Yucheng replied very quickly, sending it back by evening, inviting her to a banquet the next day.
The servant who delivered the invitation was waiting outside the screen. Bai Xuerou looked at it and said with a smile, "Go and tell the princess that I will definitely arrive tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, the maidservant quickly bowed and happily agreed, indicating that she would definitely deliver it.
She then went outside and walked along the wooden corridor overlooking the lake. A bamboo curtain hung halfway down one side, and gauze curtains fluttered in the breeze. She couldn't help but be a little distracted, thinking that although this place was not as luxurious as the princess's villa, it had its own kind of rich and elegant feel. She felt that everything was beautiful, and every step was a scene of beauty.
It's so beautiful.
Just thinking about how this is Madam Bai's residence makes it feel like a paradise on earth.
Bai Xuerou put the invitation away, got up and walked to the other side. Next to this summer retreat was a lake formed by water drawn from a mountain stream. To the side was a pavilion by the water. As soon as the lattice door was opened, a cool breeze came in. She spent her afternoons here after waking up from her nap.
She usually has many ways to amuse herself: making incense, embroidering, practicing the pipa, carving—she does whatever interests her and has plenty of time to spare. Today, she just happened to be in the mood and was painting a fan.
If you were to ask what Bai Xuerou was most satisfied with in ancient times, it would be her skills in playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. In modern times, it would be impossible to find a place to learn them, but for her here, they were common skills.
Her painting skills, like her pipa playing, weren't exceptional, but they weren't bad either. After all, she had excellent teachers and friends, and had studied for over a decade, so her paintings were quite beautiful.
Playing with paints and mixing colors is an interesting thing in itself.
Various colored ores, after being ground and sifted, eventually become pigments of different shades. Of course, what she made wasn't as good as what she bought, but she just played around with it.
All the paints were prepared long ago. She's mainly mixing colors now, and after tinkering all afternoon, she's only managed to mix some of the colors she wants. As for the painting, she hasn't even started yet.
But what does it matter? I can draw it tomorrow.
Bai Xuerou smiled and tried to combine and mix more colors.
After playing all afternoon, Bai Xuerou had a comfortable nap. The next morning, she started getting ready and then went to the banquet.
Princess Yucheng's banquet was as lively as ever.
The garden was full of blooming flowers, but none of them were as dazzling as the women strolling around.
But after Bai Xuerou appeared, they all paled in comparison.
Princess Yucheng took her hand and welcomed her in, smiling, "I knew you should be here. I was thinking of going back to Chang'an for the Prince of Zhenbei's birthday, but the Prince of Zhenbei didn't hold a celebration. He's really being very frugal."
"What's the point of praising him to my face if you're saying that to him?" Bai Xuerou said with a smile.
“I can’t say anything to the Prince of Zhenbei in person,” Princess Yucheng sighed.
Firstly, she feared the other party's power; secondly, Ling Xun's personality was calm and reserved, and she didn't like to joke with people. She had tried several times, but was always forced back by the other party's calm yet deep, emotionless gaze.
Although he wasn't particularly fierce or intimidating, the sheer power he exuded always made people feel uneasy.
Finally, Ling Xun would simply nod slightly, offering a polite greeting, before taking his leave.
This kind of personality isn't exactly difficult to get along with, but it's certainly not easy either.
Bai Xuerou didn't feel that way and laughed, "Actually, he has a good temper, he just doesn't like to joke."
Princess Yucheng just smiled. She has a good temper, but that's probably only with Bai Xuerou.
She didn't argue about it, only saying, "He doesn't celebrate his birthday, and you don't even try to persuade him. This is his first birthday after inheriting the title, and he should celebrate it in a grand way."
Since the beginning of the year, countless people have been preparing for the Prince of Zhenbei's birthday, collecting rare and precious treasures in the hopes of presenting them to him on his birthday in order to curry favor and build a closer relationship.
But to everyone's surprise, the Prince of Zhenbei simply refused to do it, leaving countless people disappointed.
Logically speaking, the royal family would be happy to see her not forming cliques, and Princess Tamaki is indeed doing so; she's just curious right now.
“I tried to persuade him,” Bai Xuerou said helplessly, “but once the prince has made up his mind, it’s not something that can be changed by mere persuasion.”
Princess Yucheng thought it made sense and believed it.
When the two were admitted to the hospital, all the women came forward to greet them, and Bai Xuerou smiled and nodded to each of them.
Princess Yucheng's banquet today is themed around entertainment, but the main event is mahjong.
That's right, it's mahjong.
Bai Xuerou came up with this game this year to pass the time. She specially invited Princess Yucheng and others to play it together, and after one time, they all knew how to play.
Then everyone fell in love with this game, and it became a sensation.
Princess Yucheng ordered people to make mahjong tiles from various materials, including jade, ivory, bone, and many others.
This time, another set of mahjong tiles made of cold jade was brought in from below. It felt cool to the touch, perfect for playing in the summer.
“I’ve been preparing this for days, just waiting for you to come and take it out so we can play together,” Princess Yucheng said to Bai Xuerou.
Princess Yucheng's opinion of Bai Xuerou was quite complex.
There was apprehension, rejection, jealousy, and disgust, but all of this stemmed from the relationship between the royal family and the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion. However, if asked about her own personality, she actually liked Bai Xuerou very much.
When you're with Bai Xuerou, at first you'll only notice her beauty. There's no way around it; no one can deny or ignore her beauty.
Like a peony in its prime, it shines brightly.
But if you spend more time with her, you will be attracted by her temperament. She possesses a rare, almost divine compassion and kindness. She can always sense your difficulties and never makes things difficult for you. She is gentle and considerate in everything she does.
But her kindness was neither foolish nor ostentatious; rather, it was a quiet, comprehensive care, like a gentle spring rain nourishing the earth.
But occasionally, when she looks at you quietly, there is a kind of detached aloofness, like a statue on a high platform, looking down at the joys and sorrows, happiness and unhappiness of all living beings in the world.
Princess Yucheng sometimes wondered how Bai Xuerou developed such a personality.
Bai Xuerou smiled upon hearing this and quickly said, "Then I'm truly sorry to have troubled the Princess to wait so long. I'll give you three chances in a bit."
These words immediately ignited the princess's fighting spirit. She chuckled lightly, quite arrogantly, "Do I need you to let me win? You'd better pray that you don't lose too badly."
"Alright, alright, then may the God of Wealth bless me and not let me lose too badly. Hmm, it would be best if I could win by myself every time." Bai Xuerou quickly put her hands together, which made Princess Yucheng laugh.
"Let's play mahjong. We're short two players. Who wants to join?" she said with a smile to the women in the garden.
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