Chapter 128

128 It’s because we’ve just met that I can’t let him go again Part II

Bai Yu had been keeping her head down from the start, so she did not realize that her friend was here as well. After whispering back and forth, she finally knew that Ouyang Feilong had called Xu Luanle here to help escort Bai Yu back to her mansion.

It was not long before the general finished wearing his armor. However, he did not come to say farewell to Bai Yu at all.

She watched him walk toward his horse before jumping up and mounting it elegantly.

Confident. Magnificent. Formidable. This is the Black Dragon of Da Yang.

Ouyang Feilong rode away with a smile under his dragon mask. Bai Yu watched him until he was out of sight. All good things must come to an end. You could see someone off for a thousand li, and you would still part all the same.

“So, your heart is with that dragon?”

“How do you see it?”

“I see a woman in love.”

“Then you’re seeing it correctly.”

.....

“Haah...” Xu Luanle sighed. Now that Ouyang Feilong was gone, his mannerisms returned to his usual daintiness.

“What are you sighing for?”

“I can’t believe that Miss Bai Yu, who was so devoted to Qin Wang to the point of antagonizing Taizi, Empress Wang, and the Wang family, would change her mind to choose the Black Dragon, whom she had just met.”

Bai Yu stopped before she stepped across the threshold into her Meihua residence. “It’s because we’ve just met...”

“Hm?”

“It’s because we’ve just met that I can’t let him go again.”

Whether in this life or any other...now that they had met, she would not be parted from him ever again.

——————–

“The Empress Dowager has summoned Your Highness.”

“Huh?” Bai Yu gawked at Xiao Xi.

Xiao Chang laughed. Xiao Xi had a dumb look on her face.

Bai Yu smiled. “What did you say?”

“The Empress Dowager has summoned Your Highne-ah! Miss.”

“Hahahaha” One master and one servant laughed at the puppy maid, who finally realized what she said was wrong. Seeing the corners of Xiao Xi’s eyes starting to redden, Bai Yu and Xiao Chang had to suppress their laughter.

She stood up to let her maids change her outfit into something more presentable and appropriate for the palace. “Xiao Chang, you should take care of your sister more. Her mind has been wandering a lot lately.”

Xiao Chang smiled, even though Xiao Xi, who was like a sister to her, was sulking. “Ever since Miss received the title, Xiao Xi has started practicing royal manners. She is going to be a handful.”

Bai Yu arched a brow, looking at the sulking girl. “Whom are you going to use that with?”

“My young lady is soon to be a Wangfei. Obviously, I need to practice.” A pout suddenly turned into a cheerful tone. Xiao Xi answered as her hands worked on adjusting the dress.

“Who told you that?”

“No one told me that, but everyone in the capital is guessing that after Miss’ another victory as Lady Meihua, a marriage arrangement with Qin Wang is in order.”

“Miss is perfect in all aspects, be it age, status, or wealth. It’s a given that Miss will marry within this year.” Xiao Chang helped explain the reason why people were convinced that she would marry Qin Wang.

“The news that the Empress Dowager has summoned Miss has already spread. Everyone agrees that she will talk about marriage.”

“And what about you? Do you also think I should marry Qin Wang?” Bai Yu, who was amused by the rumor, then asked her maids.

“I do not dare.” Xiao Chang was as humble as ever.

“I...” Though Xiao Xi wanted to express her thoughts, she suddenly stopped when she heard Xiao Chang’s answer.

“Just say it.” Bai Yu looked at Xiao Xi through her reflection in the bronze mirror. After finishing dressing, she moved to sit here to redo her hair and make-up.

“If it was before, I wouldn’t hesitate to say yes. But now...”

“Now?” Bai Yu tilted her face, checking her appearance in the mirror after her two maids had finished their work.

“Now I think Miss has changed.” Xiao Xi mumbled.

“Have I become more beautiful?” She joked before turning to her other maid, who had been quiet. “How have I changed?”

Xiao Chang lowered her head, avoiding Bai Yu’s gaze. Then, the two servants suddenly kneeled in front of her. “Miss, please forgive us.”

Bai Yu looked at them. Her eyes were nothing but affectionate. They must be afraid that she would be angry after receiving a direct comment. With their difference in status, the two had no right to do so. “Don’t worry. You’ve been with me for quite a while now. I’m just asking because I want to know how I’ve changed.”

The two maids were still silent. “Come on. Xiao Chang?”

Xiao Chang was unmoving, though her hands were tightly clasped on her lap. Bai Yu let silence spur her on, until her reticent maid lifted her face and finally answered. “Heart, miss.”

“Hm?”

“It’s your heart that has changed, miss.”

Bai Yu smiled. “Then, if someone asks which palace Miss Bai will marry into, will you be able to answer them?”

Xiao Xi looked at her mistress’ smile. The puppy maid nodded. “It’s definitely not Qin Wang Palace, miss.”

“Good.”

——————–

“Blessings to the Empress Dowager. May you live and reign for a thousand years, thousand years, thousands of thousands years.”

As soon as she finished her greeting, Bai Yu was supported up by the hands of the pillar of the inner court.

“Congratulations, Yu-er.” Her wrinkled hand, wearing nail guards, gently stroked her hair. Empress Dowager Wei carried a smile both on her lips and in her gaze.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“You must be tired from the competition. Aijia has prepared an abundance of gifts for you.”

“Your Majesty is most gracious.”

There were many more praises piled on her, to which Bai Yu only responded enough to be polite. Then, the Empress Dowager, who was in a good mood, continued talking to her while drinking tea. The Lady Meihua’s face was smiling, though she was secretly shedding cold sweats. The woman in front of her was not too fond of her own son, Ouyang Feilong. If she knew of the relationship between Bai Yu and him, their fate might have become even more arduous.

Suddenly, the villainess had an idea of how to get out of her difficult position. She was the villainess... obviously, she could slander the heroine! I’m sorry, Bai Hua. Let me use your name to distract Empress Dowager Wei for a bit.

“Your Majesty, I haven’t been able to meet Qin Wang lately. Even though I just received the title...” Bai Yu lowered her face, hiding her non-existent tears to invoke sympathy from Empress Dowager Wei.

“Speaking of Ming-er...”

If she remembered correctly, at this point in the story, Empress Dowager Wei already knew about Ouyang Mingxian’s relationship with Bai Hua. And the Bai Yu in the series pretended to be in great distress in order to borrow the Empress Dowager’s hand to get rid of her half-sister.

“I was staying at Yue Mansion to concentrate on practicing for the competition, but Wangye often visits Bai Mansion. I felt...”

“Oh, my good girl.” Empress Dowager Wei patted the back of her hand to comfort her. “Aijia knows it’s hard for a noble woman like you to talk about that kind of thing.” She gazed at Bai Yu with eyes full of care. “Do not fret. Aijia will marry you into Qin Wang Palace no matter what!”

“Uh...” She wanted Empress Dowager Wei to focus on Bai Hua and Ouyang Mingxian so that she would not notice her relationship with Ouyang Feilong, the unfavored child. But why did she suddenly turn the topic to her marriage?!

“You’re already old enough...”

S...seventeen is considered old?!

“Both your status and ability are renowned by all in the capital. There’s no reason for anyone to oppose you marrying into Qin Wang Palace...”

“I...”

“And as for that problem with your younger sister, you can rest assured. Aijia won’t let her be a thorn in your side...”

“Thank...”

“The title of Qin Wang Fei is yours...”

“No...”

“Aijia will request an audience with the emperor...”

“Don’t...”

“Tomorrow, Aijia will ask for your marriage.”

“STOP!”