Chapter 143 - 143 Da Chu’s ‘Empress’ could only be ‘a Bai woman’ Part I

143 Da Chu’s ‘Empress’ could only be ‘a Bai woman’ Part I

Bai Yu and Yue Huiling left at dawn the next day. Though Ouyang Wenrou’s brows were pulled together so tightly it could form a knot, he still could not convince her to rest for one more day. As a doctor, he was not happy with the stubborn patient.

Ouyang Mingxian, who was now acting commander-general, had arranged a troop to accompany her group, ensuring maximum security for her and the villagers she would bring back. Bai Yu gladly accepted his good intention.

It took them one whole day to travel without using magic. Bai Yu arrived at the village in the evening of that same day. The village head had arranged accommodation as best he could, and despite that, he still seemed guilty for not being able to prepare something that befitted the young lady and lieutenant-general.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Before Bai Yu could search for the words to ease his worry, Yue Huiling had already said them for her. It seemed her biaojie was quite used to socializing with the villagers.

That night, Bai Yu fell asleep exhausted. The all-day travel and her past overexertion had taken a toll on her body. Even if Chu Zhaoran decided to come, as she had predicted, she would still choose to continue to sleep over talking to him.

Fortunately, no one interrupted her sleep. Bai Yu was woken up by a woman’s voice. She remembered that the woman was the village head’s daughter, though Bai Yu could not recall her name. She was so sleepy that her brain had already shut down while she was introducing herself. The woman nimbly helped her wash her face and change her clothes. Bai Yu did not refuse her help since she was already used to having a maid.

“You’re quite good at this.” Bai Yu smiled, adjusting the veil she had put over her face before letting the woman in.

“I sometimes served the commander-general when he came to our village.”

Bai Yu’s hands paused. “He came to see your father often?”

.....

“Several times a month. He is always taking care of things around the border.” At the mention of that man, her face reddened. It was clear that she was quite infatuated with the commander-general who had always protected her and her people.

She nodded. “What’s your name?”

“My name is Xinai, surname Han, miss.”

“Han Xinai.”

“Yes, miss.”

“Mm. Good name.” Bai Yu nodded. She walked out of the room, elegant as ever. “Han Xinai, can you help benxiaojie do something?”

Han Xinai did not have a striking appearance, though she was notable for her innocent nature. It was different from her sister, Bai Yue, whose innocence was purely a deception. Ouyang Feilong never liked a deceitful woman, so it was not surprising that he would let Han Xinai get close to him.

The innocent young woman was enthusiastic about hearing a request from Bai Yu. And naturally, she would accept it. As soon as Bai Yu explained what she needed, Han Xinai hurried away.

“Good morning, biaojie.”

It did not take long for Bai Yu to find Yue Huiling at their meeting place. Her cousin was enjoying her sparring match with the soldiers who had accompanied them here. They seemed to be used to such activity.

“Interested?” Yue Huiling left her opponent and headed toward her. Her attractive face was streaked with sweat from fighting. In her extended hand was a sharp sword.

“I’m afraid I’ll embarrass myself,” Bai Yu gave a humble reply, though her eyes glinted with excitement. Today, she had regained most of her energy. It would be best for her to stay still. Furthermore, her clothes were not fit for fighting at all, even though she wanted to join too. She had yet to finish her training with Yue Huiling before everything started and they were separated. A sparring match sounded like fun.

“Heh!” Her cousin seemed to know her thoughts as well. Without saying anything else, a sword was thrown toward Bai Yu. She nimbly took it, while Yue Huiling turned to grab another sword from a soldier.

A sparring match between two noblewomen quickly attracted other soldiers’ attention. Slowly, a scattered one-on-one match turned into a crowd surrounding Bai Yu and Yue Huiling.

“Biaojie please hold back.” Through the veil, Bai Yu gave her a sweet smile.

“Prepare!”

Without another word, Yue Huiling’s sword stabbed at her. Bai Yu raised her sword, defending it out of habit. Despite her asking the other person to hold back, both the force and speed of Yue Huiling’s attacks were not held back at all.

This long dress was so annoying!

At least Yue Huiling was attacking her only with the forms she had taught Bai Yu, not using other unique stances. The match between them was less of a spar and more of a review of what Bai Yu had already learned. However, in the eyes of the audience, their movements were swift and elegant, brimming with power and decisiveness. It was clear that this was the Yue family’s technique that no one could imitate.

The participants, both being women, inspired admiration in the spectators’ hearts. The longer the match continued, the more aggressive their swords became. The audience’s cheer gradually grew louder to match the excitement. This was the spot where Bai Yu had asked Han Xinai to call for the villagers to gather.

Clang!

The sound of swords clashing was as loud as the crowd’s roar. Bai Yu and Yue Huiling stopped while their blades were still crossed. Two women of the warrior Yue family panted, their eyes locked, both unwilling to lose.

“You’ve improved a lot.”

Bai Yu smiled at that praise, though her expression was obscured by an annoying veil that kept getting in her way while she swung her sword. Luckily, she could rely on her sharp eyes to evade Yue Huiling’s attacks.

“I think this is going to be my limit.” Bai Yu did not know whether she had truly improved or not. What she was sure of was that, with her dwindling strength, she might not be able to fight Yue Huiling much longer.

One shichen had already passed. It would be more strange if she was not tired! Every time they sparred during training, Bai Yu had to defend against Yue Huiling’s onslaught for a long while. Because of this, one shichen had passed by in a flash when they were fighting. They both did not notice how impressed the crowd was.

As for Yue Huiling, everyone already knew that ‘man or woman, a Yue is never weak’. What was surprising to them was that ‘Miss Bai Hua’ also knew Yue family techniques.

“Then let’s settle this.”

Bai Yu nodded. They separated and prepared another stance to resume the attacks. Bai Yu was the one to rush in first, and Yue Huiling easily defended. However, something unexpected suddenly happened and put their match to a halt.

As soon as their swords collided, Bai Yu’s sword broke, and in a blink after, Yue Huiling’s sword followed the same fate. The crowd let out a disappointed sound.

“Aw, what a shame.”

“The two ladies are this strong. I have to give it to them.”

“The lieutenant-general is scarily strong, but I never expected Miss Bai Hua, who was known for her medical skills, would be able to handle her.”

“But isn’t it strange? Why does Miss Bai Hua use the Yue family technique?”

“True! Those techniques are only taught within the Yue family. How come Miss Bai Hua knows it too?”

Crap! Bai Yu exchanged a glance with Yue Huiling. The secret that she disguised herself as Bai Hua...

“That isn’t Miss Bai Hua. She is Miss Bai Yu.” A clear voice was heard from someone among the crowd. Bai Yu turned to look at the woman who exposed her secret. The other party had no intention of hiding herself, either. A woman wearing similar clothes to Bai Yu and also hiding her face under a veil walked up to her and curtsied.

“Greetings from Bai Hua to first sister.”

Bai Yu immediately fell silent. This woman...was Bai Hua?!

“Greetings from Bai Hua to Miss Yue.” The newcomer proved her identity by taking off the veil before turning to curtsy Yue Huiling, who was as stunned as she was.

“Did biaojie sleep well?” Bai Hua calmly asked Yue Huiling with a smile. Then, she turned to Bai Yu and said in a louder voice, “Even though sister has already sent word that you’re coming here, not only did I not prepare a fitting welcome, but I’m also late. My apologies.”

Bai Hua curtsied again as she apologized. Bai Yu waved her hand to say that she did not take offense. She dropped the broken sword, then took off her own veil too, amidst the sound of exclamation at the sight of a face even more beautiful than Bai Hua’s. Not to mention the impressive sword skills she just showed...

This was the first miss of the Bai family, Bai Yu, the current Meihua Lady whose name was known by all in Da Yang!