Chuntao, this little girl, asked with a worried look on her face, and Qiulan beside her also had worry in her eyes.
But Hongluan opposite them was different. After all, she was the elder sister.
Looking at the worried expressions on the two little sisters, Hongluan only wanted to say, “Are you kidding? Our young marshal’s martial path is beyond mortal understanding, his conduct is cautious, and his status is noble! In Chang’an City, he may not be able to run rampant, but there are only a handful of people he cannot afford to offend! What danger could there possibly be?”
But she understood men. At this moment, she needed to stay quiet and leave the job of comforting the women to the man.
Bai Zhao reached out and pulled Chuntao into his arms, then used his other hand to draw Qiulan in as well. This girl usually looked cool and distant, but just now, when he had held Chuntao, there had clearly been a trace of envy in her eyes.
Fortunately, this was ancient times. If this were modern times, Bai Zhao would definitely have been called a scumbag for holding two women at once.
But this Bai-surnamed scumbag did not think of himself that way. Not red-faced at all, he simply thought he was being fair to both sides and keeping the balance…
When Qiulan was pulled into his arms, her body clearly trembled. A trace of panic rose on her cool little face. Bai Zhao tightened his arm slightly, and Qiulan obediently softened into his embrace.
Seeing this, Hongluan also wanted to get up for a hug, but Bai Zhao forced her back with a look that said, “Behave yourself!” She pouted her red lips unhappily and turned her head away in a huff.
Bai Muran ignored her. He lowered his head to look into the eyes of the two girls and explained, “Back then, Father wouldn’t let me investigate because I was too young. This matter involved a lot of people. Father and His Majesty joined forces, but even then they couldn’t uncover it. So, in order to protect me, he stopped me from getting involved!
But this Heir is already sixteen this year. I am no longer a child. Back then, that mastermind used such a vicious method on me that every year during the Double Ninth Festival, I suffer the feeling of being burned alive, and even true qi cannot suppress it!
It has been eight years, and I still haven’t suffered such a huge loss! If it weren’t for my mysterious master, I probably still wouldn’t have been able to refine this Red Lotus Burning Heart by now. Then I would have to endure this pain every year until the day I die!
Do you think this Heir can swallow that anger? Besides, those people also have wolfish ambition toward Great Qian. I may not care much about that, but my Bai family is deeply loved by the commoners, so I have to do my utmost to protect those commoners!
Before I entered the capital, Father had already agreed to let me continue investigating. A few days ago, Emperor Qian also hinted that he hoped I would take over this matter. I did not agree, because I wanted to investigate it secretly myself. I cannot trust our His Majesty!
Even if it wasn’t his doing, what if the investigation leads to a prince? Would I kill him or not? Better that I find out the truth myself. No matter who it is, I will make him pay.”
Hearing Bai Zhao’s hatred-filled words, Qiulan nodded firmly and said, “Qiulan will advance and retreat together with Your Highness, the Heir. Your servant will definitely help the Heir find the culprit who harmed the Heir back then! No matter who it is!”
Chuntao was even more worried. “Heir, your servant knows you’ve suffered a great deal over the years, but this involves the imperial family. Is it really all right? What if it’s His Majesty? Chuntao is so worried!
Even if it isn’t His Majesty, if those people find out that Your Highness is investigating them, will they strike at Your Highness, the Heir, again? It’s too dangerous!
Qiulan, don’t make trouble! How can you encourage Your Highness, the Heir, to do something so dangerous?”
Looking at the anxious Chuntao, Bai Zhao smiled and comforted her, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Chuntao. This matter isn’t as dangerous as you think.
On the surface, your Heir is the heir of the Prince of Zhenbei, with a noble status. There aren’t many people I can’t afford to offend!
In the shadows, even if someone makes a move, in the capital there is only one of the world’s four Grandmasters, the National Master who is said to be in the Carefree Realm. This Heir really isn’t afraid of anyone!
Don’t forget, your Heir is an expert at the Greater Circulation realm!”
Qiulan listened to this with a calm face and no reaction at all. She already knew.
But Hongluan opened her rosy little mouth wide, covering her red lips with her jade hand, her fox eyes staring straight at Bai Zhao. She was clearly shocked!
Bai Zhao glanced at Hongluan and knew she had been frightened. He said lightly, “This matter is top secret. Including you, only a few people know about it right now. I let you hear it because I treat you as one of us. You know what to do, right?”
Hongluan bowed her head respectfully and said, “I understand!”
After those words, Bai Zhao gave a soft “Mm” as his response.
But Hongluan’s heart was in turmoil.
A sixteen-year-old Greater Circulation realm expert! What kind of concept was that?
In the martial world, the most famous member of the younger generation right now was a mysterious swordsman named Bai Yu.
Wearing a mask, he had defeated countless prideful sons and daughters of heaven in the martial world, and his fame was unmatched!
It was said that he was only at the half-step Lesser Circulation realm, but among the younger generation he already had a reputation of invincibility. Even many older martial-world experts had fallen beneath his sword. He was hailed as a Sword Immortal who appeared only once in a thousand years!
Yet for the past two months or so, he seemed to have vanished. Some rumors said Bai Yu offended the Saintess of the Sword Sect and was killed by the Sword Sect Master. Others said he teased the Demon Sect’s Demoness and was captured and imprisoned by the Demon Sect Master…
In short, the stories varied, but what could not be denied was that Bai Yu, only a half-step Lesser Circulation realm swordsman, had such a huge reputation. And it was said that he was two years older than their Young Master, claiming to be eighteen!
Then their Young Master, at sixteen and already almost unmatched in the world, what kind of talent was that? I am afraid there has never been anyone like him before, and there will never be anyone like him again!
Those Sword Sect disciples, the young Heavenly Master of Mount Wudang, and the killing machine of the Seven Kills Sect… all those young people famed throughout the martial world were still only struggling in the first-rank realm! It was easy to imagine how terrifying Bai Zhao was!
Hongluan swallowed hard. She was even more tempted now, wasn’t she? How could there be such a perfect man? Sister absolutely had to win him over!
Hongluan’s inner little self was screaming.
Setting aside Hongluan’s rich inner monologue, Chuntao, after hearing Bai Zhao’s words, still felt a little uneasy, but she also understood that the Heir had a point, and Chuntao hated those bad people to the core!
After all, every Double Ninth Festival, although the mysterious master of their Heir would come to treat Bai Zhao and seal off the room where he was treated, the painful and suppressed growls Bai Zhao made would stab at Chuntao’s heart when she heard them!
“Those bad people made my Heir suffer so much. Once my Heir catches you, I will make sure you regret ever being born into this world!”
Chuntao clenched her little silver teeth and silently swore revenge.
Seeing Chuntao’s adorable expression, Bai Zhao rubbed the tip of his nose against hers. Looking at her blushing little face, he softly instructed, “Chuntao, what young master told you today, keep it secret from Mother! Otherwise Mother will scold me! I don’t want her to worry!
Mother is too overbearing. She won’t let me investigate. So, can you help young master keep this secret? My dear little Chuntao.”
Chuntao was a little shy from Bai Zhao rubbing noses with her. Don’t let her talk big about being grown up and wanting Bai Zhao to eat her… when Bai Zhao made even the slightest intimate move, this little girl couldn’t take it.
While she was still shy, hearing Bai Zhao speak to her so warmly and gently, she vaguely agreed.
Only after agreeing did she realize something was wrong. She hurriedly shouted that young master was bad, and that her agreement just now did not count.
Her silly, lovable look made Hongluan chuckle softly, and even Qiulan’s eyes lifted with a hint of a smile.
After a bit of frolicking with Bai Zhao, Chuntao finally agreed to keep it secret after Bai Zhao coaxed her for a long while.
Bai Zhao took a small fiery-red bird, like a sparrow, from his sleeve and handed it to Hongluan.
Hongluan accepted it curiously. Looking at the little bird standing in her palm, neither flying away nor chirping, just tilting its head and staring at her, she asked in a sweet voice, “Young marshal, what is this?”
Bai Zhao said solemnly, “I found this in a barren mountain. I named this bird the Fire Spirit Bird because it only eats Fire Spirit Grass!
This bird has extremely high intelligence. It can recognize people, fly a thousand miles a day without trouble, and is nimble enough to fear neither hawks nor other large birds of prey. It is exactly the kind of treasure used for sending messages!
I am giving it to you. If there is any important information, you must pass it to me through the Fire Spirit Bird in time, understand?”
“Yes.”
Understanding that the bird in her hands was extremely precious, Hongluan carefully tucked it into her bosom and bowed.
“Oh, right, young marshal. Yesterday I learned a piece of information from two qingguan courtesans at First Celestial Pavilion.”
Hongluan seemed to remember something and said.
“What information?”
Bai Zhao asked curiously.
Hongluan organized her thoughts and slowly said, “Those two qingguan courtesans were taken away from First Celestial Pavilion a few days ago and only came back yesterday. I accidentally heard them mention the Heir.
After pressing them, I learned that the two of them had been at the Fourth Prince’s estate these past few days, and that the Fourth Prince is scheming against you, young marshal.”
Then Hongluan told Bai Zhao about the plot the Fourth Prince and Du Xi had discussed that day.
Bai Muran listened, put a finger to his chin, and thought quietly.
Chuntao looked indignant, but since Bai Zhao was thinking, she said nothing.
Qiulan’s face suddenly turned icy cold.
“Trying to harm the Heir? They’re courting death!”
At this moment, Hongluan was unlike her calm self from before; she looked worried.
After all, this was a literary gathering. Was their young marshal also good at this?
Hongluan thought anxiously and said, “Young marshal, should I ask the sisters of the Flower Hall to find some familiar talented scholars to help?”
As soon as she said that, she noticed Chuntao and Qiulan looking at her strangely, and could not help asking,
“What? Did I say something wrong? I just thought that although the Young Master’s martial path is divine, his literary path surely can’t beat that old man Bai Songtao, right?
Even if I look down on him, since he managed to become Chancellor of the Directorate of Education and is called a great scholar, he must have some real talent, right? What are those looks for?”
Chuntao lifted her chin, looking as proud as a little hen, and said in a crisp voice, “My Young Master has studied both literature and martial arts since childhood. At five, he could write complete verses, and at eight, he had thoroughly read the classics of the hundred schools. That Bai Songtao is nothing to fear!
Does this Fourth Prince really think my His Highness, the Heir, is an ignorant and unlearned useless fool?
In my opinion, that Great Yan delegation is completely not worth mentioning! Those talented scholars in the capital are not even fit to carry my Heir’s shoes!
I am only angry that this Fourth Prince is so wicked, trying to ruin my Heir’s reputation! He must be blind!”
Seeing Chuntao’s proud expression, Qiulan beside her remained calm and did not refute her. It seemed it was all true.
Was their young marshal even human? His martial path was divine, and his literary path was equally outstanding!
Oh my God~ Why did I have to meet such a perfect man and not be able to have him? Heaven has no heart!
Hongluan’s expression management completely failed. Her inner thoughts were all written on her face; it was clearly the desire to possess Bai Zhao!
After seeing Hongluan’s expression, Chuntao became wary. She thought bitterly to herself:
“Hmph, bad woman. You teased me just now. I won’t let you get close to my Heir. Don’t even think about it! Woman, your name is greed!”
Bai Zhao amusingly tapped Chuntao’s little head and smiled lightly at Hongluan. “It’s not that exaggerated. Don’t listen to Chuntao’s nonsense. I already know about this matter. It’s fine, don’t worry.”
Then he muttered to himself, “At first I was only planning to deal with this errand casually, but now it looks like I have no choice but to take it seriously and play along!
I really didn’t expect Jiang Hongjun to be so petty! He can remember a childhood scuffle and a tiny grudge for so many years. Looks like that lesson from back then wasn’t enough!
And now he dares to make a secret move against me! This time, this Heir will give him a lesson he’ll never forget. And that old man Bai Songtao… he really has kicked a steel plate by provoking this Heir!
But this Du Xi is interesting. I keep feeling that he is not truly helping this Fourth Prince! Could such a clever person really not see Jiang Hongjun’s true nature?
Tsk, is he someone else’s hidden agent? Interesting!”
Seeing that Bai Zhao was full of confidence, Hongluan also relaxed.
As the sky gradually darkened, she bit her bright red lower lip and seductively tempted Bai Zhao, “Heir~ I really am free tonight. Look, the moonlight is just right. Why don’t the two of us go admire the moon together?
Then when the two of us are alone, whatever the Heir wants, I will go along with it, all right~”
After saying that, she even winked her beautiful fox eyes at Bai Zhao.
Bai Zhao looked at Chuntao, whose face had turned dark again, and impatiently waved his hand. “Fine, fine. If there is nothing else, go back already! Stop using those seductive tricks on this Heir. This Heir doesn’t fall for that. I’m going home to eat now. Goodbye!”
With that, he was the first to step out of the tavern. His words were lofty and righteous, but his steps were a little unsteady.
Damn it, this woman is simply a demon! A great figure and beautiful looks are one thing, but the key is that she keeps seducing him! Bai Zhao was having a bit of trouble holding out. With this sixteen-year-old body, his fire was really strong!
Chuntao glared fiercely at Hongluan, then chased after Bai Zhao together with Qiulan, leaving only Hongluan in the courtyard, laughing softly and dreamily…
The next day, at the Chen Hour, in front of the Prince of Zhenbei’s estate.
The sun had risen in the east. The street in front of the Prince of Zhenbei’s estate was quiet, and the air still carried a slight chill. Sparrows in the trees on both sides of the road had begun to chirp, bringing a little vitality to the early spring morning.
Bai Zhao wore a snow-blue robe with wide sleeves and ornate patterns. Dark designs of plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums were embroidered in silver thread, and a jade belt was fastened around his waist, with pendants giving off a soft jingle. His long, jet-black hair was carefully tied up in a carved green-jade crown. He had the bearing of an immortal, and his face was incomparably handsome.
Today, Bai Zhao had rarely dressed up. There was no helping it… his own mother had personally demanded it, and he did not have the courage to refuse.
Usually, even without dressing up, Chuntao already thought her Heir was very handsome. Now that he had dressed up, not only Chuntao but even Qiulan’s cool autumn-water eyes kept looking at Bai Zhao.
Good heavens, people really are visual creatures. Even Qiulan, this girl, was no exception. Bai Zhao sighed inwardly.
Today his mother wanted him to visit Chen Wei and also meet the Chen family young lady. He had to dress properly.
Bai Zhao thought it really was time to make the trip. No matter what, he should at least meet the girl first.
To break off the engagement without even meeting her would make people say Bai Zhao was too much and too arrogant.
If it got out, it would also damage the Chen family young lady’s reputation. After all, the girl had not offended him. There was no need to go that far.
At his side, Chuntao and Qiulan carried gifts and followed Bai Zhao on foot to the Duke of Luguo’s Estate, where the Chen family lodged.
Strictly speaking, the two estates were not far apart, only a few streets away. Duke Dingguo’s Estate was located in Guangde Ward in Chang’an, and could be said to be right beside the Imperial City.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Bai Zhao arrived at the gate of the Duke of Luguo’s Estate. Just as he was about to step forward and knock, a side door suddenly creaked open. A girl about eighteen years old walked out and came face to face with Bai Zhao!