Chapter 499: One Method After Another
While Concubine Rou did a good job of ideological work on the King of Southern Yunnan, Ge Xubai and Ye Hanyi also found an opportunity to meet.
Xiao Baozhu helped the two of them to keep watch.
Ge Xubai reached out and gently held her hand. They looked at each other and were silent for a while.
He thought of the passionate kiss they had shared when they parted, and his Adam's apple couldn't help but move up and down.
But this is the palace, he can't do anything.
Ye Hanyi spoke, "What did you say to my grandfather just now?"
Ge Xubai's expression paused slightly, but he quickly concealed it.
"Nothing, it's not convenient to chat in the palace, just some small talk."
Tomorrow he will personally write a letter and explain everything to the King of Southern Yunnan to show his sincerity.
Ye Hanyi wanted to say something else, but Ge Xubai changed the subject.
He took out a long box from his sleeve and said, "This is a gift I brought for you. Take a look."
Ye Hanyi's attention was immediately drawn, "What is it?"
"You'll know when you open it."
Ye Hanyi opened it and gasped when he saw what was inside the box.
There was a snow lotus in there!
The whole flower does not show any signs of wilting. The petals are like ice sculptures and jade, crystal white, with a faint moonlight color on the edges, and a very light crimson hidden deep in the pistil.
Ye Hanyi was so shocked that he was speechless for a moment. After a while, he said, "This, this was picked by you yourself?"
Ge Xubai nodded calmly.
It grows on a cliff thousands of feet high, with its roots deeply embedded in the frozen soil. It is surrounded by ice and snow that never melts all year round. Occasionally, a hawk circles by, but no one can get close to it.
In order to pick this snow lotus, he went to great lengths and even nearly fell off a cliff.
But he didn't mention any of this, simply saying, "I discovered it by chance and picked it. I'm giving it to you today as an advance betrothal gift."
This item was precious, and Ge Xubai was worried about leaving it at the post station, so he kept it hidden in his wide sleeves.
Ye Hanyi was not a real rich lady locked up in the boudoir. She knew how difficult it was to pick snow lotus. His few casual words might contain danger and murderous intent that would put her life on the line.
Ye Hanyi was touched, but said, "Give it to me now. If our marriage doesn't work out, I won't give it back to you."
Ge Xubai left no doubt, "It will definitely work, unless you regret it. Do you regret it?"
Ye Hanyi snorted, "Don't think you can tie me down with just a snow lotus. I need to think about it carefully."
Ge Xubai stared at her with a burning gaze, "Then you have to hurry up. I've already been waiting for three years and I can't wait any longer."
Under his burning gaze, Ye Hanyi's face slowly turned red.
Xiao Baozhu suddenly coughed twice. Ye Hanyi and Ge Xubai immediately looked around. A noble lady came over. Ge Xubai shook her hand firmly and whispered, "Wait for my good news."
Then, he turned around and quickly disappeared into the night.
Ye Hanyi calmed down and let the heat on his face subside a little before walking out from the shadows.
Xiao Baozhu was sharp-eyed and saw her hiding something in her sleeve, with a hint of amusement in her eyes.
"Hey, what's that treasure? Let me see it."
Ye Hanyi suddenly felt like showing off, so he quietly opened the box.
Xiao Baozhu's reaction was even more exaggerated than hers. She screamed out in surprise. Ye Hanyi quickly covered her mouth with one hand.
"Keep your voice down."
Xiao Baozhu held back her breath and moved closer, "Is this fake?"
Ye Hanyi immediately defended him, "Of course it's true!"
"Then why didn't it thank you?"
Ye Hanyi explained, "This is what a real snow lotus is like. It won't wither even after a hundred days away from the mountain."
Xiao Baozhu showed an expression that showed that this was what happened.
"Did General Ge pick it himself?"
Ye Hanyi nodded proudly.
Xiao Baozhu tutted twice, "He's really awesome."
Ye Hanyi instantly felt very proud.
What she cared about was not the snow lotus itself, but his willingness to pick it for her personally.
No matter how much you say, it will never be as practical as doing more.
With this snow lotus, he can also gain extra points with his grandfather.
After the palace banquet, Ye Hanyi returned to Xiyan Palace with the precious box. She showed it off in front of Concubine Rou in person, and Concubine Rou couldn't help but show admiration on her face.
"He's thoughtful."
Jinse also looked at the snow lotus in amazement.
"Huh? There seems to be words engraved on the inside of the box. 'The snow lotus will not wither even after a hundred days away from the mountain. My heart will remain with you for a hundred years without wavering.'"
Jinse read it out word by word, and after she finished, Concubine Rou looked at Ye Hanyi with a teasing look on her face.
"I thought General Ge was a man without a romantic connection, but I never imagined he would have so many tricks up his sleeve."
Ye Hanyi's already red face turned even redder in an instant, and her heart couldn't help but pound.
Ge Xubai's methods go far beyond this.
Not only did he prepare gifts for Ye Hanyi, he also did not forget the King of Southern Yunnan.
The next day, Xiao Yanci hosted a party to introduce Ge Xubai and the King of Southern Yunnan, and everyone went to the racecourse outside the city to race horses.
Xiao Yanci wanted to help, so he informed Ge Xubai in advance.
The King of Southern Yunnan also wanted to test Ge Xubai's riding and archery skills, so he gladly accepted the invitation.
At the racecourse, with no outsiders around, the King of Southern Yunnan came straight to the point and made his point clear.
"Han Yi is my only granddaughter. I have personally taught her since she was young. Her martial arts skills are no less than those of men. The man she marries cannot be incompetent. Today, you will compete with me to see if you can pass my test."
Ge Xubai quickly responded, "Junior respectfully obeys your command."
Today's test is on the three specialties of horseback archery: continuous shooting at a moving target, turning around and shooting willow branches, and shooting arrows through gold coins.
Although the King of Southern Yunnan is old, his horsemanship skills have not declined at all.
He wanted to show off his skills in front of the younger generation, so his hand was extremely steady when drawing the bow, and the arrow he shot was fast and steady.
He easily passed three levels in a row.
Xiao Yanci applauded generously from the side.
Ge Xubai's eyes were also full of admiration and praise.
Next, it was Ge Xubai's turn to take the stage.
Ge Xubai jumped on his horse, and the warhorse rushed out like black lightning.
Three moving targets were lined up in the distance - the wolf target was thirty steps away, the eagle target was hung on a high pole sixty steps away, and the dragon target was hidden under the willow shade a hundred steps away, swaying in the wind and drifting unpredictably.
He drew his arrow with his backhand, and the bowstring vibrated.
The first arrow hit the wolf target and it cracked.
The second arrow, a long arrow, accurately pierced the eagle's eye.
With the third arrow, he wanted to show off, leaning back on his horse, his bow like a full moon—
“Whoosh!”
The arrow pierced through the dragon's throat, and with its remaining force, it pierced into the tree trunk behind it, and the tail of the arrow continued to tremble.
The three arrows were far more accurate and powerful than the King of Southern Yunnan.
Xiao Yanci applauded, and the King of Southern Yunnan also showed satisfaction in his eyes, but he said, "Fancy."
Ge Xubai completed the second level of turning around and shooting the willow and the third level of shooting the arrow through the gold coin beautifully. His archery skills were neat and clean, his accuracy was impeccable, and his strength was powerful and overbearing. The King of Southern Yunnan could find fault with him at first, but later he had to nod his approval.
“It’s still acceptable.”
Xiao Yanci looked at the old man with a smile. He was really stubborn.
Ge Xubai passed the test this time and finally completed his mission.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
