Bai Zhao breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Chen Shuyi finish. It seemed the matter from back then could finally be put behind them.
Bai Zhao waved his hand and said with an easy smile, “Shuyi, there’s no need to be so polite with me, is there? No matter what, even if we’re not a betrothed couple, our families count as old family friends, don’t they? Your mother and my mother were such close friends back then. You’re two years older than me, so I should call you Sister Shuyi. Don’t keep calling me ‘Bai Heir’ … it sounds too distant. If you don’t mind, you can call me Zhao Di, or you can call me by my courtesy name, Muran.”
To mend things with Chen Shuyi, Bai Zhao had truly thrown pride to the wind. He was a man with more than forty years of life across two lifetimes, and calling an eighteen-year-old little girl “sister” still felt a bit embarrassing.
But if it helped him get on friendly terms with Chen Shuyi and speak more easily, then when it came time to break off the engagement, it would be easier to discuss, wouldn’t it?
After untying the knot in her heart, Chen Shuyi thought about it and realized that was indeed the case. She smiled gently and obediently said, “You’re right. I was the one who lacked propriety. Then I’ll call you Zhao… Zhao Di.”
Ahem. “Muran” felt a little too intimate, and she couldn’t quite accept that for the moment. Even when she said “Zhao Di,” she stumbled a little.
Seeing that their relationship had finally made progress, Chuntao was somewhat dissatisfied, but still let out a quiet sigh of relief.
After things eased up, the two of them became noticeably more at ease with each other. Under Chuntao’s prompting, they chatted and laughed more freely.
Chen Shuyi spoke about her daily life, while Bai Zhao talked about his travels through the martial world.
What Bai Zhao noticed, though, was that whenever Chen Shuyi listened to him talk about the joys and grudges of the martial world, about romance and parting, her bright eyes would sparkle like they were filled with stars. He found it a little strange.
Wasn’t Chen Shuyi supposed to care most about propriety and tradition? Why was she so interested in these things?
But Bai Zhao did not think much of it. He only assumed Chen Shuyi found it novel. A young lady raised in a secluded inner chamber, having never seen such things before, finding them fascinating was understandable.
Since she was interested, he told her a little more.
Little did he know that Chen Shuyi did not find it novel at all. What she envied were the men and women of the martial world… bold in love and hatred, clear in affection and resentment, living with passion and honesty. It was truly admirable.
They talked for the time it took to burn an incense stick. Just as Chen Shuyi was asking Bai Zhao whether the Saintess of the Sword Sect was truly as cold and distant as the legends said, a deep and forceful voice came from outside the hall.
“Bai family brat, what are you doing here so early in the morning? I heard from the servants that Yier ran into you when she went out?”
The three of them stopped talking and turned around, only to see Chen Wei entering in casual home clothes.
Chen Wei wore a hearty smile as he strode in.
“Father.” Chen Shuyi stood and respectfully curtsied to Chen Wei.
“Uncle Chen, it’s good to see you. Your nephew has come without invitation, so please don’t mind me. This is just a small gift from me, Uncle, please accept it!” Bai Zhao knew Chen Wei’s personality, so he cupped his hands in a salute and addressed him as Uncle Chen.
Behind him, Chuntao and Qiulan also greeted him with, “Greetings, Minister Chen,” and bowed respectfully.
“Mm, Yier.” Chen Wei first nodded to his daughter, then frowned and patted Bai Zhao’s shoulder hard enough to make a thudding sound, scolding, “You came, so you came! Why bring gifts? Does the Chen family lack your little trinkets?”
Before Bai Zhao could reply, a stern and dignified female voice rang out. “Master, what kind of words are those? Zhao’er is only being courteous. You always teach your daughter to value propriety above all else, so why are you ignoring the rules yourself?”
Bai Zhao followed the sound and saw another woman entering at the doorway. She looked to be around thirty years old.
She wore a dark crimson palace robe embroidered with scattered flowers and mist-like patterns, and her hair was neatly arranged with hair ornaments and jeweled pins.
With phoenix eyes, slender willow brows, and a sharp oval face, she was strikingly beautiful, though a little too serious and dignified.
Bai Zhao immediately greeted her. “This must be Aunt Liu, right? Aunt Liu, don’t blame Uncle Chen. Uncle Chen has a straightforward nature, and men don’t worry about these things. Besides, I haven’t seen Aunt Liu for many years, and you’re still just as beautiful as ever!”
Hearing Bai Zhao subtly imply that she was young, Liu Xiuhe’s stern face softened into a smile, and she said coyly, “You sweet-talking child! Your mother and father never flatter people, but you little rascal are certainly clever, even defending your Uncle Chen! It’s been so many years since I last saw you, and you’ve really grown up. Mm, you’re much more handsome than your father. You really are a likable young man.”
Chen Shuyi watched as Bai Zhao managed to chat and laugh with her mother in just a few words, and she felt a little sour inside.
Chen Wei and his wife naturally loved Chen Shuyi, but they had always been extremely strict with her. They imposed all kinds of rules and propriety on her, and Chen Shuyi deeply envied ordinary children who could act spoiled with their parents without restraint.
Now even Bai Zhao could joke around with her mother, and she truly felt uncomfortable.
At that moment, Chen Wei chimed in as well. “Hey, this kid is right. Men don’t care about such things. Madam, you’ve wronged me! But what Madam said is also true… this kid really is beyond words. The younger generation is surpassing the older one. It’s just that he’s a little too pale and looks somewhat thin, lacking a bit of masculine vigor. Still, his frame is solid. I patted him just now, and he felt fine!”
To be honest, Bai Zhao was nearly six feet tall and weighed at least 160 jin.
He was the kind of man who looked slim in clothes but muscular without them, with a well-proportioned build.
Wearing ancient robes that did not emphasize the figure, he did indeed look somewhat slender.
Bai Zhao had no way to respond to that, so he could only rub the back of his head and smile awkwardly.
Liu Xiuhe rolled her eyes at Chen Wei and said in dissatisfaction, “Would it be better if he were dark and black as a coal ball like you? Zhao’er is perfect as he is… handsome and refined, warm and gentle like jade. Anyone can tell at a glance that he has the bearing of a literary talent. Why should he learn to wield spears and clubs?”
Chen Wei gave a somewhat embarrassed laugh and said softly, “Madam, please save some face for me in front of the younger generation.”
Hmph. Liu Xiuhe let out a light snort and said nothing more. Instead, she called to her daughter and the two maidservants. The four of them sat down on one side, leaving the other side for the two men.
Chen Wei pulled Bai Zhao down to sit and, after a round of pleasantries about how Bai Yuan was doing in the Northern Border and how the war was progressing, he launched into a long and varied conversation.
As Chen Wei talked with Bai Zhao, he realized that this young man was truly extraordinary.
He spoke fluently and with authority about military law, battle formations, and troop training. He also knew astronomy and geography by heart, and could even offer some fresh and unexpected views. He could even discuss the Chen family’s inherited art of mechanics and numerology with some insight.
“Remarkable, remarkable. It seems this kid really did hide his talents back then. I need to think of a way to test him a little more and see whether there are any other surprises.”
Chen Wei slowly began thinking about how he could squeeze a little more out of Bai Zhao.
Bai Zhao knew Chen Wei was testing him. In any case, he no longer needed to keep pretending to be a wastrel, and it did not matter if Chen Wei learned the truth.
Bai Zhao cooperated fully with him. Even if Chen Wei spread the word, Bai Zhao could use it to respond directly to those in Chang’an who wished him ill.
He had grown up. He was no longer that little child. He did not need to live so cautiously anymore.
Some methods simply could not reasonably be used by a child… if they were, that would not be genius, but monstrous.
Chen Shuyi was talking with her mother, but all her attention was on the conversation between Bai Zhao and her father.
If she had still doubted Bai Zhao’s claim that he had been hiding his talents, she now had no choice but to believe it.
The topics Bai Zhao discussed with her father, whether in depth or breadth, were simply not something a good-for-nothing wastrel could display.
The calm confidence and effortless ease with which Bai Zhao spoke were truly captivating.
Chuntao and Qiulan were keeping Madam Liu and Chen Shuyi company. Seeing the Chen family young lady staring at their Heir with a slightly stunned expression, they thought, “See? We told you our Heir is unmatched in the world! You’re staring blankly, aren’t you?”
They both felt proud.
When Madam Liu saw her daughter looking absent-minded, she coughed lightly to remind her to mind her manners and not lose her composure.
Chen Shuyi’s delicate body trembled, and she hurriedly lowered her head to hide the faint blush on her cheeks.
When Bai Zhao and the others heard Madam Liu cough, they all turned around in confusion.
Suddenly seeing his daughter with her head lowered, Chen Wei’s eyes lit up. An idea flashed through his mind, and he smiled at Bai Zhao. “Good nephew, have you heard about the literary gathering the Fourth Prince has been hosting recently?”
As soon as Chen Wei said this, everyone’s eyes in the hall turned toward him, wondering why he had suddenly brought that up.
Bai Zhao asked in some confusion, “I just heard about it from Shuyi… ah, Sister Shuyi. Why do you ask, Uncle?”
Bai Zhao felt that Chen Wei was clearly up to no good. He was suddenly being so warm and friendly, which could only mean trouble.
Chen Wei did not care that Bai Zhao had called his daughter Sister Shuyi. Hearing that Bai Zhao already knew about it, he said directly, “His Majesty assigned you to handle the Great Yan delegation. When I asked whether you had confidence in it, you brushed me off with vague words. Now I can see you were clearly hiding your talents!
“This Fourth Prince is hosting literary gatherings and recruiting talent all over Chang’an City. Lately he has also been inviting our Shuyi quite often. I won’t hide it from you, Bai boy… the Fourth Prince’s mother once broached marriage with our family many times. Our Shuyi loves poetry and literature, and she is known as Chang’an’s foremost talented woman. At these literary gatherings, there are also plenty of talented scholars pursuing my daughter. You ought to feel some urgency. Why not just…”
“Father! What are you saying? Your daughter only goes to the literary gatherings to make friends and watch the excitement. As for that title of Chang’an’s foremost talented woman, it was just something outsiders made up! I have nothing improper with the Fourth Prince! Besides, your daughter already has a marriage contract. How could I possibly be so ignorant of propriety? Don’t you know your own daughter?”
Chen Wei had barely begun to reveal his purpose when Chen Shuyi interrupted him, her voice tinged with shame and anger.
She did not know why, but she did not want Bai Zhao to misunderstand her relationship with the Fourth Prince. The words spilled out before she could think.
The moment she finished, her face went pale.
Oh no.
Sure enough, Chen Wei and Liu Xiuhe’s expressions darkened. Liu Xiuhe immediately scolded her.
“Shuyi! How rude! How can you interrupt while your father is speaking to a guest? And now you’re even accusing your father? Is this the propriety your mother taught you? Apologize to your father and to Bai Zhao!”
Chen Shuyi trembled all over, and tears quickly welled up in her eyes.
She felt deeply wronged. It was clearly her father who had spoken wrongly, making it sound as if she were shamelessly flaunting herself in public!
And when she tried to defend herself, her parents instead scolded her in front of an outsider. She felt so wronged, so suffocated!