Chapter 49 Then he led his men away on horseback, but...
Bai Xuerou was not extravagant; in fact, she worried about waste. She would only start using earthworms when it got really cold, unlike the nobles in Chang'an who would start using them as soon as it got a little cold.
Ling Xun didn't notice it at first, but he realized it later when someone mentioned it. After all, he had practiced martial arts since childhood, and he felt hot and dry if the underground heating was too strong in winter. So he would pay attention to it every winter after that.
"I know." Bai Xuerou was used to his instructions, but now, perhaps due to a different state of mind, she sensed a different meaning in those few words.
When did Ling Xun start treating her with such meticulous care and consideration?
Bai Xuerou thought about it again and again, but couldn't come up with an answer.
Afterwards, Ling Xun slept for half a day at Luoxian Temple, and didn't get up until the afternoon. He then gave instructions and made arrangements for many things.
There is a red maple tree in the courtyard where Bai Xuerou rests.
In early winter, when the wind blows, the leaves fall one by one, reminding her of the tree in her villa outside Yandu, where there was also a small lake with fish.
There is a pavilion under the tree here.
She recalled the year Ling Xun first went to the battlefield. In the winter, he went back to find her because of the cotton issue. He helped her solve her problems in the villa, and she breathed a sigh of relief and handed everything over to him.
It seems to be around this time.
When Ling Xun finished his work, it was already evening. When he came out, he saw Bai Xuerou squatting on the ground picking up leaves. He walked over and squatted down next to her.
What is my sister-in-law doing?
Bai Xuerou turned her head and glanced at him. Such a big guy was squatting next to her, making it impossible for her to ignore him. He was all she could see out of the corner of her eye.
"I'm looking for a suitable leaf to make a bookmark, but I can't seem to find one that I'm satisfied with."
"I'll help you look for it, sister-in-law," Ling Xun said with a smile, then added, "Could you make one for me too, sister-in-law?"
Bai Xuerou naturally agreed.
But that awkward feeling returned, and he became somewhat distracted while searching for leaves. Ling Xun, on the other hand, searched diligently and carefully selected a maple leaf that he was satisfied with.
"Sister-in-law, what do you think of this film?" he asked.
"That's fine." Bai Xuerou quickly found a leaf as well.
Ling Xun looked at her with a smile, handed her a leaf, and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, sister-in-law."
Bai Xuerou's hand paused slightly within her sleeve before reaching out to take it. There was no inappropriate contact; the two didn't even touch each other's fingertips.
But as the saying goes, her mindset had changed. Just taking that maple leaf from Ling Xun's cold, pale fingertips made Bai Xue Rou feel an indescribable ambiguity.
Bai Xuerou lowered her eyes, composed herself, and told herself not to think too much. She then handed the items to the maids to keep safe, and told them to tidy them up when she had time. She also made arrangements to prepare dinner.
"Let's go take a look at the small building." She had composed herself and turned to Ling Xun with a smile.
Ling Xun agreed. Bai Xuerou's courtyard was considered the best in the entire Luoxian Temple, and it was always used to entertain distinguished guests.
The pavilions and towers in the courtyard, though not magnificent, are exquisite and unique.
The building has three floors and the stairs are not wide. If the two of them want to walk side by side, they will inevitably be too close. Bai Xuerou stopped and let Ling Xun go first.
"Sister-in-law, you go first," Ling Xun insisted.
In these matters, Bai Xuerou could never win against Ling Xun. Besides, it wasn't a big deal. Although she wanted to draw a clear line between superiors and inferiors with Ling Xun, she knew that if she insisted, it would be too deliberate.
When the moment came and it became a sticky problem, Bai Xuerou finally realized how troublesome it was.
I couldn't be too lenient, nor too harsh; I was at a loss for what to do.
In the end, he decided to do as before and pretend nothing was wrong.
"Then I'll go first." Bai Xuerou said helplessly as she stepped up the stairs, repeating the same words she had said many times before, "But you can't do this in front of outsiders."
“There is a distinction between superiors and inferiors; you must go first,” she instructed.
Bai Xuerou didn't feel that she was unworthy of Ling Xun's respect, but it was inevitable that people would talk about her situation. Although she wasn't afraid of such trouble, she didn't need to.
It was getting cold, and Bai Xuerou was wearing a bright orange-red long-sleeved shawl wrapped around her arms and hanging down, exuding a faint orange scent.
Ling Xun followed behind, his mind entwined around Bai Xue Rou like threads, sensing every detail of her.
He avoided the hem of her clothes and shawl, but at one moment he had an impulse to accidentally step on them, so that his sister-in-law would fall into his arms.
The wicked idea was tempting him, but Ling Xun ultimately restrained himself from doing it.
Bai Xuerou, on the other hand, walked ahead, but seemed somewhat uneasy.
Despite the fact that the two of them had spent almost every day together on this trip before, she now finds it increasingly unbearable.
She could almost feel Ling Xun's gaze on her back, making her skin tingle and her whole body stiffen little by little.
What was Ling Xun thinking when he looked at her?
Bai Xuerou's heart leaped into her throat.
Seeing that they were almost at the third floor, with only a few steps left, Bai Xuerou breathed a slight sigh of relief.
In the narrow stairwell, everything appears cramped yet so clearly defined that it cannot be ignored.
She didn't want a repeat of the mess she made this morning.
Under such careful precautions, they made it smoothly to the third floor, and Bai Xuerou breathed a soft sigh of relief.
“Come here,” she said to Ling Xun.
Ling Xun took in Bai Xue Rou's cautiousness and eventual relaxation, his heart filled with a mix of emotions.
There was trepidation, worry, and a touch of joy—
His sister-in-law wasn't entirely unmoved by him.
"What does my sister-in-law want me to see?" Ling Xun asked with a smile as he caught up with Bai Xuerou.
Bai Xuerou pushed open the door and went out, and a bright and clear view appeared before her.
Most of Luoxian Mountain was in sight, with mist spreading upwards from its foot. The evening mist was different from the morning mist; the sunset painted the sky with golden hues, making even the mist appear exceptionally beautiful.
The title "Fallen Immortal" is truly well-deserved.
“Look at the fog. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Bai Xuerou asked with a smile.
Ling Xun hummed in response, but his eyes were fixed on Bai Xuerou out of the corner of his eye.
Her eyelashes fluttered gently, like feathers or small fans, and you could see her cherry-red lips, slightly upturned, clearly showing her happiness.
The noble ladies of Chang'an indulged in extravagance and luxury, applying powder, drawing eyebrows and lips, wearing jewelry and headdresses made of gold and jade, and dresses made of gold and silver threads. They competed with each other, always striving to determine who was superior.
They differentiate themselves by their cultural heritage, materials, and rarity, each striving to outdo the other in their own way.
Bai Xuerou also likes to try trendy things, but she is not extravagant and doesn't like to compete.
But she was born beautiful, and even in ordinary clothes, she looked elegant and radiant, always the most eye-catching one in the crowd.
Since she didn't need to entertain guests at the temple, she only chose silk flowers and gold hairpins.
But it is beautiful enough.
She is beautiful no matter when.
"Your Highness, what kind of wife do you desire?" After observing the fog for a while, Bai Xuerou calmed down and suddenly asked.
Ling Xun subconsciously looked at her, but saw that she didn't turn her head and was still looking at the fog, as if it was just a casual question.
"Why did you suddenly ask that, sister-in-law?" he asked.
Bai Xuerou has never liked to force others. She had asked him twice before, and he said he had no intention of doing so and wanted to marry someone he liked, so she stopped asking.
Now, six months later, it has suddenly come up again.
Is it to discourage him?
“You said you don’t want to get married for the time being, but you still have preferences, so I just wanted to ask you about it,” Bai Xuerou said gently.
Ling Xun looked at her and said, "Let me think, it's probably beauty, gentleness, ease, and open-mindedness."
Bai Xuerou's heart stirred, and she subconsciously compared herself to her, feeling that she didn't seem like her. But then Ling Xun added, "Like your sister-in-law."
She couldn't help but turn to look at him, meeting Ling Xun's gentle and deep eyes, which seemed to hold a thousand words, just waiting for her to ask before they were spoken.
Bai Xuerou paused, not daring to ask any more questions.
"Like me?" She looked away and forced a smile. "Your words make me a little uneasy. Could it be that you've developed this idea because you've spent so much time with me?"
"There are thousands of kinds of women in the world. Some are clever and witty, some are bright and lively, and some are knowledgeable and reasonable. They all have their strengths. Your Highness should get to know more about them." Bai Xuerou hid her advice in these words. After knowing Ling Xun's thoughts, she thought about it for a day and felt that he might have such thoughts because he was used to being with her.
If you spend more time with other women, you might change your mind.
Ling Xun's expression shifted slightly. He wanted to say no decisively, but after a moment of contemplation, he slowly said, "What my sister-in-law said is true. I thought about it at first, and I tried it later."
He may have been angry and anxious when others questioned him when he was young, but after a long period of training, he has long been able to face it calmly and composedly.
Even though he felt anxious after hearing Bai Xuerou's words, it was only for a moment. He calmed down almost immediately and began to think about how to solve the problem.
Ling Xun realized early on that his feelings for Bai Xuerou were different, and he was also flustered for a while because of this immoral thought.
He considered moving away and even went to see other women.
But just looking at it was boring and noisy; the more I looked, the clearer the image of Bai Xuerou became in my mind.
No one can compare to my sister-in-law.
“Lively and clever women are too noisy to me, and dignified and polite women are boring to me. After thinking it over, only someone like my sister-in-law is just right.” Ling Xun said this as he looked at Bai Xuerou.
This gave Bai Xuerou the illusion that Ling Xun wasn't telling her his thoughts, but rather confessing his feelings.
She chuckled and shook her head, still feeling that Ling Xun hadn't considered things properly.
"In short, we should try more. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, and you'll be together for decades, so you need to think it through carefully and not be careless. If you find it's not right after a while and change your mind, it's not good for anyone."
Words couldn't explain it, so Bai Xuerou tried every possible way to persuade her.
“Sister-in-law, I’m already seventeen.” Ling Xun deliberately yielded to Bai Xue Rou’s words for everything else, but for this one, he said seriously, “I’ve long since figured out my own feelings and know what I want.”
Bai Xuerou was taken aback.
"Don't worry, sister-in-law, I've thought it through." Ling Xun tried to make Bai Xuerou understand his true feelings.
There were some things that neither of them could explain, nor were they sure if the other knew them. This ambiguity, yet a sense of something arose between them, creating an extraordinary sense of ambiguity.
Bai Xuerou was momentarily speechless, then slowly said, "...It's good that you've thought it through..."
Although she still felt that Ling Xun might have made some mistakes, it was no longer appropriate to continue the conversation.
Bai Xuerou felt a surge of impulse and wanted to talk to Ling Xun about the male concubines.
I don't know if this will satisfy his selfish desires, but after thinking about it, I decided against it.
Ling Xun's mood didn't seem quite calm. Talking about this now might upset him, so let it go.
Bai Xuerou had a thousand thoughts running through her mind, but she suppressed them all in the end.
The two looked at the fog, but there was an unusual quietness about them, which made the serving maids uneasy.
It wasn't until after dinner, when the two dined and chatted naturally as usual, that the servants who were attending to them were finally at ease.
After the two had finished their dinner, Ling Xun was due to leave.
The guards presented him with a cloak, which Ling Xun put on himself, tying the ties with his long, slender, pale fingers. Bai Xuerou watched quietly from the side; he always loved wearing black, and hadn't changed it over the years.
They are the same height, but with broad shoulders and a cloak, he looks more composed and reliable.
Ling Xun was still giving Bai Xuerou instructions, mostly about everyday things like food and drink. Bai Xuerou had no idea where he got so many things to say.
“Okay, I know.” She replied repeatedly, but seeing that Ling Xun was about to speak, she had to interrupt, “Your Highness, I know everything. Have you forgotten that I am five years older than you?”
Ling Xun had no choice but to stop and said, "But I can't put my mind at ease."
Bai Xuerou smiled and then gave him some instructions.
As they talked, they both started laughing.
Then came a relaxed conversation about everyday things like food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.
But life goes on year after year, with people coming and going, and most of it consists of these ordinary things.
Bai Xuerou escorted Ling Xun all the way to the entrance of Luoxian Temple, where the guards had already prepared horses and were quietly waiting with Chongguang on their hind legs.
She stopped and watched Ling Xun mount his horse, and the two said goodbye to each other.
"Sister-in-law, let's go back." Ling Xun held the horse and didn't move, looking at Bai Xue Rou with reluctance.
Bai Xuerou shook her head slightly. As night fell, she said, "I'll take you there. I'll also take a look at these sights. You go ahead and be careful on the road."
She originally wanted Ling Xun to leave earlier, but he disagreed, which delayed their departure, and it got dark.
Ling Xun felt a surge of emotion, and softly agreed. He then led his men away on horseback, only turning back a few times.
Seeing him like this, Bai Xuerou suddenly felt a pang of sadness.
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