Chapter 56 Birthday
When Bai Xuerou arrived, she saw him turn around; he was tall and elegant, handsome and striking.
"Sister-in-law," he called out.
After last night, Ling Xun could still call her as if nothing had happened, but Bai Xue Rou felt somewhat uncomfortable.
She nodded and headed straight for the carriage.
Ling Xun stepped forward, dismissed the maid, and personally reached out to help Bai Xuerou. Bai Xuerou paused slightly, then placed her hand on his arm and stepped onto the carriage using a footstool.
"Behave yourself and don't do anything reckless," she warned in a low voice.
Ling Xun chuckled softly and said okay.
The following day, Ling Xun indeed did not do anything reckless.
Amidst the lush greenery and a group of young men racing horses and playing football, he remained the most dazzling among them.
Bai Xuerou didn't want to watch, fearing people would notice, but she felt it was too deliberate, so she ended up watching the whole thing anyway.
Ling Xun was skilled in riding and archery, far surpassing the sons of the wealthy and privileged families in Chang'an, and even the sons of the Duke of Qing's mansion could not compare.
He was still wearing a black round-necked robe with a kylin pattern embroidered in gold thread, and a gold crown with gold and colorful gemstones. His smile and glances were so dazzling that it was almost impossible to look directly at him.
"The Prince of Zhenbei is truly handsome and has a remarkable presence," Princess Yucheng couldn't help but sigh.
Bai Xuerou smiled and said, "That's right."
"Such an appearance is rare to find in Prince Zhenbei; he must have inherited it from his mother." Princess Yucheng has always loved handsome men, but since Ling Xun is untouchable, she can only admire him from afar. Now, she couldn't help but say a few more words.
Bai Xuerou thought for a moment and smiled, “That’s right. The mother and son have very similar eyebrow and eye contours, both quite deep. It’s just that the prince’s eyes are different because they are inherited from his father.”
“She must be a beauty.” Princess Yucheng sighed.
“It is indeed extremely beautiful,” Bai Xuerou said.
It could even be said that Aunt Ge was no less beautiful than Madam Wu. It was just that she later lost heart, and since she was naturally beautiful but not delicate, she became increasingly haggard after falling ill, which diminished her beauty.
Princess Yucheng wasn't concerned about Ling Xun's mother's affairs; she was just mentioning it casually. Then, she added, "But I noticed that the Prince is unusually lively today, and seems to be in a very good mood. Is there some good news at the manor?" As she spoke, her gaze seemed to fall on Bai Xuerou.
Everyone used to know that Ling Xun respected Bai Xue Rou, and was almost considerate and obedient to her, but after yesterday, things are different.
Ling Xun actually placed Bai Xue Rou's seat next to his.
This is not just about a seat; it signifies equal status, indicating that Ling Xun is willing to share his power with Bai Xuerou and does not feel superior in her presence.
How many men in the world can be like this?
If there were many, the phrase "a hen crowing at dawn" wouldn't exist.
This shows how rare they are.
"Who knows? Maybe it was just a sudden whim," Bai Xuerou said with a smile, remaining calm and composed.
Princess Yucheng wasn't disappointed that she hadn't found out anything. She smiled and said, "It's rare for Your Highness to be in such a good mood. Why don't you ask him?"
"His thoughts are becoming increasingly deep, and I can't even tell."
As the two chatted, Bai Xuerou smiled as she watched Ling Xun's team win. The young women watching cheered, and the young men in the arena were invigorated by the laughter, many of them stealing glances at their sweethearts.
Ling Xun also looked at Bai Xuerou.
A glance from afar.
The feelings between young men and women can never be hidden, and the crowd couldn't help but laugh. Bai Xuerou's lips also curled into a slight smile, but she paused slightly when she saw Ling Xun's gaze.
A slight stirring in my heart, and a multitude of thoughts suddenly arose.
After having a great time, Bai Xuerou decided to wander around and explore.
The green grass stretches from our feet into the distance, and the mountains are verdant with wildflowers in bloom and peach, plum, and apricot trees in full bloom.
What a beautiful spring scene!
Bai Xue Rou originally intended to find an opportunity to leave on her own, but after walking for a while, Ling Xun unexpectedly arrived on horseback.
She looked over, intending to say that he shouldn't have come, but ultimately didn't.
Ling Xun always loved being with her.
Looking back now, these things are incredibly clear, and Bai Xuerou wants to sigh even more, wondering why she hadn't noticed them before.
If we suddenly stop calling him now, it would seem like we're overcorrecting, so let's leave it at that.
Bai Xue Rou was a little tired, so she mounted her horse. Chong Guang came over and rubbed against Pi Xue. They walked slowly on the grass, occasionally taking a bite of grass.
She was just feeling uncomfortable, so Bai Xuerou didn't say much.
Ling Xun, however, seemed oblivious, smiling as he chatted with her.
After several such encounters, Bai Xuerou also spoke to him about it, and the two of them returned to a superficial peace.
Bai Xue Rou finally breathed a sigh of relief when she returned home safely in the afternoon.
Upon returning to the manor, Ling Xun helped Bai Xuerou dismount and personally escorted her back to Zhiwei Courtyard.
Bai Xuerou, worried that he might stay and say something inappropriate, preemptively said, "Alright, you must be tired from going out. You should go back now."
Ling Xun paused slightly, feeling reluctant, but still said yes.
"Sister-in-law, remember to think it over," he said softly.
Bai Xuerou didn't want to talk to him.
For a long time afterward, Bai Xuerou felt awkward around Ling Xun, but no matter what she did, Ling Xun continued to treat her well.
These good things, once interspersed in ordinary days, she hadn't given them much thought; now, looking back, she only felt ambiguity everywhere—
All the rare and precious items sent to the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion would first be sent to Bai Xuerou for selection before being put into storage.
He himself rarely wanted any.
Ling Xun is an easy person to take care of. He doesn't like to enjoy life. As long as he has food and clothing, he is content and rarely cares about anything else. He often wears old clothes without any complaints.
It can be described as simple.
But he always wanted to give Bai Xuerou the best.
Delicacies from land and sea, gold, silver, and jewels. Bai Xuerou has everything that others have, and it's even better. She also has things that others don't have, and they're the best of everything.
After realizing all this, Bai Xuerou felt a burning sensation in her heart.
She realized with some panic that she was wavering.
She didn't know if anyone could remain unmoved by such subtle favoritism, but she couldn't.
Bai Xuerou always felt lonely, and she longed for love.
And it is a unique preference.
After realizing this, Bai Xuerou tossed and turned for a long time before making her next decision.
She wanted to separate from Ling Xun for a while.
Bai Xuerou originally wanted to return to Yandu, but recently, because of Ling Xun's matter, even more people were watching her. The journey was too long and unsafe, so she finally decided to stay at Luoxian Temple for a while.
Ling Xun looked at her, as if he had a thousand words to say, but in the end he only said "okay".
"How long does your sister-in-law want to stay?" He was never willing to pressure Bai Xuerou.
Moreover, he could sense that Bai Xuerou was not unmoved, so Ling Xun became even more cautious, not wanting to upset her.
"I haven't decided yet, but I'll stay for a few days first. I'm sure the spring scenery at Luoxian Mountain will be even more beautiful."
It is now mid-March, and spring is in full bloom.
When Bai Xuerou arrived, it was still the same courtyard as last year. The servants had come early to tidy it up, and she could move in immediately.
In March, the spring rain drizzled. The Qingming Festival had just passed, but the rain had not stopped. The green mountains, as if washed by water, were shrouded in rain and mist, creating a truly beautiful scene.
Bai Xuerou felt completely calm as she stayed here.
To her dismay, she had encountered several handsome young men around Luoxian Temple recently, and she felt that they were interested in her.
At first, Bai Xuerou thought it was her imagination, but later Yu Zan explained that the news of Zhu Ji had spread, and some frustrated people thought she was climbing the ladder to success, so they tried to meet her by chance.
Of course, there were also some who came with the idea of becoming her male consorts.
Yu Zan didn't mention this to Bai Xue Rou. In her opinion, these people were just delusional, and it would only offend her master's ears.
Even if she didn't say it, Bai Xuerou knew what was going on.
Bai Xuerou had read it and mentioned it to many people, but she felt it was just so-so, which reminded her of Ling Xun instead.
These people are not even a fraction as good as Ling Xun.
Upon realizing this thought, Bai Xuerou's mind was thrown into turmoil. She quickly suppressed her thoughts and dared not think about it anymore, but occasionally, when she was alone or in the quiet of the night, she would always think of Ling Xun.
She was distressed, realizing that she had truly fallen for Ling Xun's trick.
After a few days, Bai Xuerou made a self-deceptive decision to let things take their natural course.
She wasn't sure whether she should agree to Ling Xun's offer, so she decided to wait and see.
Let's see how fate works between the two of them.
Bai Xuerou stayed at Luoxian Temple for more than ten days, receiving letters from Ling Xun almost every day, before returning to Chang'an at the end of the month.
Ling Xun could sense that she had calmed down, was no longer anxious, and no longer vaguely resisted her troubles, which made him somewhat flustered.
He carefully observed for several days and only felt relieved when he realized that Bai Xuerou did not resist.
But this was exactly the choice Bai Xuerou would make: to leave everything to time.
Ling Xun thought.
After a long period of awkwardness, the two gradually returned to how they were before through adjustment, but with an added, indescribable feeling.
It's like intimacy, but not quite; the ambiguous, subtle flirtation always leaves one feeling a little itchy.
In this atmosphere, before we knew it, it was May.
Following Bai Xuerou's birthday, it was Ling Xun's birthday.
Bai Xuerou had a grand birthday celebration, so Ling Xun naturally wouldn't skip it either.
The Prince's Mansion had spread the word early on and started preparing, so on May 21st, the mansion was bustling with activity like never before.
Most of the attendees were from Bai Xuerou's birthday celebration, but while her birthday was usually attended by more female relatives, today it was high-ranking officials from the court and prominent noble families who were present.
The main street outside the Prince's Mansion was almost overflowing with carriages.
This time, Bai Xuerou kept an eye on things and prevented Ling Xun from causing any further issues with their seats being held side by side, thus making things slightly less awkward.
When the banquet began, the gifts of the guests who were able to sit in the banquet hall were announced by the master of ceremonies. As for those who were not able to sit here and were arranged to sit elsewhere, that was fine.
A dazzling array of rare and exotic treasures broadened Bai Xuerou's horizons.
When prominent families give gifts, it's not about wealth or status, but about heritage and tradition. To put it bluntly, it's not enough for an item to be expensive; it also needs to have a provenance and a history.
In short, they are all good things.
After the gifts were presented, the banquet truly began, with singing and dancing, and everyone offering their congratulations.
Bai Xuerou raised her glass and watched Ling Xun drink the wine, a smile unconsciously appearing in her eyes.
In the blink of an eye, Ling Xun has turned eighteen.
A man is supposed to come of age at twenty, but given his status, who could bestow that title upon him? Presumably only the throne of the ruler of the world would be worthy of him.
Everyone knows that Ling Xun doesn't like drinking, so naturally no one would be so tactless as to urge him to drink.
Afterwards, everyone watched the singing and dancing, chatted for a while, and when the wine was flowing freely, someone personally picked up a zither to play and sing. The man's Hu Xuan dance was also quite impressive, and some young men and women, not wanting to be left out, stepped forward to perform their dances.
Playing musical instruments, dancing, sword dancing, and so on.
It was less about flattery and more about a contest of skills.
With this back-and-forth exchange, the banquet became increasingly lively.
Bai Xuerou played a pipa piece, and Ling Xun also played a zither piece, which drew praise from everyone, but he suppressed it.
"Knowing that my piano skills are not as outstanding as they say, I still can't help but feel flattered by such praise, as if they are right. This is truly terrifying. Sister-in-law, I'm really worried that one day I will become arrogant and lose sight of myself."
Amidst the clamor of voices, the serving maid heard the prince say this.
"Your Highness often reflects on himself, so naturally he wouldn't do that."
“Sister-in-law, you have faith in me, but people's hearts are fickle, and even I can't be sure,” Ling Xun said. “So, sister-in-law, please remember to keep an eye on me and remind me from time to time. Is that alright?”
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Author's note: We've arrived! We've finally reached this part of the plot!
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