After Bai Zhao finished speaking, he smiled at Chen Shuyi and said:
“Sister Shuyi, this counts as our first meeting since we grew up. This time I came to visit Uncle Chen, but I didn’t know what you liked, so I only brought some ordinary cosmetics, hair ornaments, and jewelry. Since Uncle Chen said Sister Shuyi likes poetry, let this poem be my little greeting gift. Sister Shuyi, you must accept it.”
Bai Zhao was also worried that Chen Shuyi would refuse again. Now that the poem had a title and was meant as a greeting gift, she really had no reason to turn it down, right? More courtesy never hurts, after all. Besides, when Bai Zhao came today, he had already planned to give Chen Shuyi some gifts as an apology.
Since Chen Shuyi liked poetry, Bai Zhao simply used Chen Wei’s probing as an opening, went with the flow, and catered to her tastes.
That way, she couldn’t blame him, could she? Let’s put this behind us. If anyone brings it up again later, that would be going too far!
Chen Shuyi’s beautiful eyes sparkled. She murmured the title of the poem again. Hearing Bai Zhao say that, she realized he didn’t want her to refuse. A feeling of satisfaction and sweetness filled her heart.
She had already despaired over this marriage contract.
After all, her fiancé’s reputation back then had been truly terrible. Who in all of Chang’an didn’t know?
Although she was known as Chang’an’s foremost talented woman, her expectations were actually not high at all.
She did not ask her future husband to be rich and powerful, nor did she ask him to be peerlessly handsome with unrivaled talent, nor did she ask him to possess martial arts strong enough to dominate the world and fight on the battlefield.
Bai Zhao, though noble in status and outstanding in appearance, was not what she wanted. No matter what, he could not be someone of such atrocious character, could he?
She only hoped that her future husband would understand her, protect her, and love her; that he would be a refined gentleman of true talent; and that the two of them could respect each other and live a lifetime in harmony. That would be enough for her.
Going to literary gatherings was not because she liked being admired, but because it was a silent protest against her parents!
“Look, your daughter is so popular. Why must I marry such a person? Just for a family agreement made years ago, do you have to sacrifice your daughter’s lifelong happiness?”
That was Chen Shuyi’s inner cry.
Originally, she would never have thought that way, but as she grew older, she became more and more disgusted with the restraints of propriety and the pressure of family.
She wanted to shout at her parents without regard for anything else and say that she did not want this!
She was already on the verge of collapse. Once she broke down, there would only be two outcomes.
Either she would go from one extreme to another.
Whatever was improper, whatever was shocking, she would do it.
Or someone would stay by her side and help her rebuild her world.
Now, it seemed someone had come to save her.
That person was Bai Zhao.
After hearing Bai Zhao’s explanation, she realized that she had misunderstood him back then.
To put it bluntly, all he had done back then was scare her; he had never really done anything.
And rather than saying Chen Shuyi hated Bai Zhao’s lack of etiquette and his frivolous, unrestrained manner, it was more accurate to say that she envied him.
She envied how freely and unrestrainedly Bai Zhao lived. She also wanted to be a little more relaxed, a little more free.
The current Bai Zhao made her, this woman who on the surface seemed gentle as water, like a clear breeze and bright moon, but who inside was suffering in torment, suppressed and desperate, feel warmth.
He was like a beam of light.
He shone into her world.
He would protect her, respect her, and write poems to cheer her up.
He carried none of the authority and airs of the heir, none of that so-called “the husband is the wife’s guide” talk that men liked to spout. He would sincerely apologize to her.
Chen Shuyi had even seen the trace of pity that had unconsciously appeared in Bai Zhao’s eyes when her parents scolded her.
To Chen Shuyi, he was like a free wind, something she longed for; like the light in her heart, something she wanted to reach for.
She still had not realized any of this.
She had not yet realized that Bai Zhao had already left a deep mark on her heart.
At this moment, she simply felt that perhaps having Bai Zhao as her fiancé was not so bad after all.
Seeing Chen Shuyi holding that sheet of Xuan paper and murmuring in a daze, Bai Zhao could not help clearing his throat awkwardly to remind her:
“Sister Shuyi, aren’t you going to accept it? I’ve already said this much. You can’t possibly refuse me like this, can you?”
Chen Shuyi snapped out of her thoughts. Her eyes were unknowingly full of lingering affection as she looked at Bai Zhao. She gave a graceful bow and said, “What are you talking about, Muran? Shuyi is only too happy. I really like the gift Muran gave me. Thank you, Muran, for the poem.”
Because they were too close, when she bowed, the slight sway of Chen Shuyi’s chest caught Bai Zhao’s eye, and he failed to notice the affectionate look in her gaze.
When Chen Shuyi saw Bai Zhao’s eyes fall on her chest, her delicate face instantly turned red.
“Pah, and he still says he isn’t a lecher! A rogue.”
But this time, she did not feel disgusted at all. Instead, mixed in with her shyness was a trace of joy, and even a hint of excitement…
Bai Zhao stood dazed for a moment before suddenly realizing how improper that was.
“What’s wrong with me? Young men really are full of hot blood and vigor. So embarrassing. I hope that girl didn’t notice.”
Bai Zhao nervously looked up and saw the flush on Chen Shuyi’s face.
All right, the heart that had been hanging in the air was finally dead. Even more embarrassing now.
He forced a stiff smile and saw Chen Wei asking Liu Xiuhe what exactly was so good about the poem.
Chen Wei was only doing this so that when he bragged about his son-in-law at court tomorrow, he could speak with a touch of refinement.
Qiulan sat quietly, cool and taciturn.
Beside her, Chuntao and Bai Zhao met eyes, and she even gave Bai Zhao a big thumbs-up.
She had seen all the tiny glances, expressions, and little gestures between the two just now.
“Our heir really has some skill. Look at that, he’s practically won over the Chen family young lady in no time.
I said it before, our heir is so dazzling that anyone who sees him would be spellbound. One poem, a few warm words, and who could possibly resist? Looks like there’s nothing to worry about now.”
Chuntao thought this with a grin. She was truly happy for her heir. In the past, Bai Zhao always said he did not want to get married.
Now, seeing that ambiguous, pink-bubble-filled scene between him and the Chen family young lady, she felt a huge weight lift off her heart.
If Bai Zhao knew what Chuntao and Chen Shuyi were thinking, he would definitely cry out in injustice!
“I’m not. I didn’t. Don’t wrongly accuse me!
When did I ever flirt with Chen Shuyi? That’s all your own imagination! I only thought she was pitiful, and I just freeloaded a poem. It was nothing, really. There’s no need to be moved, okay?”
Of course, Bai Zhao could not hear their thoughts, so at that moment he only felt a slight numbness creeping over his scalp.
What do you do when you get caught peeking at a girl’s chest, brothers?
Even though this girl was his fiancée, this fiancée was very traditional!
He was really a little afraid of causing another misunderstanding. Seeing that Chen Wei and his wife were not paying attention to the two of them, he whispered, trying to explain:
“That, Sister Shuyi, just now that…”
He had only said half of it when Chen Shuyi, red-faced and speaking as softly as a mosquito’s buzz, cut him off:
“I know. Zhao Di wants to say that it was accidental, that it was a misunderstanding, right?”
Although her voice trembled slightly and carried a hint of reproach and disbelief, Bai Zhao always felt that there was a faint coquettish tone in it.
How strange. Must be my imagination.
Bai Zhao did not think too much about it and gave an awkward nod.
Fortunately, Chen Shuyi did not pursue the matter. She only shot Bai Zhao a sidelong glance from her bright autumn-water eyes, then bowed to her parents and respectfully asked:
“Father, Mother, your daughter would like to have this poem properly mounted and preserved as a treasured keepsake. I take my leave first. Please grant me permission, Father and Mother.”
“Mm, go ahead. Your fiancé gave it to you; you should treasure it properly.”
Madam Liu nodded. Chen Wei, meanwhile, waved his hand casually. He was currently eagerly questioning Qiulan about Bai Zhao’s affairs in the martial world.
Just now, Chuntao had accidentally let it slip that Bai Zhao had traveled through the martial world for the past two years, and Chen Wei had gotten excited and started asking questions.
Chuntao decisively dumped the blame onto Qiulan. Poor Qiulan, with her cool personality, could not use it against her heir’s future father-in-law.
She was asked so many questions that she was completely bewildered, constantly signaling Bai Zhao for help!
Her cool little face looked pitiful and helpless. Bai Zhao had just escorted Chen Shuyi to the entrance of the main hall and returned when he saw this scene. He thought to himself that it was really rare; Qiulan’s expression was so cute that he wanted to tease her.
Qiulan saw that her heir’s gaze was a little strange. Her mind went blank for a moment, and with the endless questioning, her beautiful eyes turned misty as she was almost brought to tears.