Before she knew it, it was lunchtime. Bai Luochu opened her eyes after her cultivation session and didn’t see Cai Ling. She was rather puzzled as Cai Ling would be by her side when she cultivated. Why was the little lass missing today?!
She decided to look for Cai Ling and she pushed the doors open. It was perfect timing as Cai Ling was returning with lunch. The moment she opened the door, it swung into Cai Ling’s tiny figure. With the sudden jolt, Cai Ling staggered and nearly lost her grip on the lunch boxes. She took several steps before steadying herself.
“Mistress, why are you in such a hurry? Do you have something urgent to do?” After Cai Ling found her balance, she asked in shock.
Bai Luochu shook her head and said, “It’s nothing. I realized you weren’t in the room after I completed my cultivation session. I wanted to head out to look for you.”
Cai Ling laughed helplessly and explained, “Mistress… you nearly cultivated yourself into an immortal. If I don’t bring the meals over on time, I’m afraid you won’t even remember to eat.” As Cai Ling spoke, she entered the room to arrange the dishes.
Bai Luochu could hear the sarcasm in Cai Ling’s words but she didn’t say anything. After all, she knew that she would easily forget the time when cultivating. Seeing that Cai Ling had already arranged the table, Bai Luochu didn’t reserve herself and sat down to eat her lunch.
“Mistress... there is actually one more thing. Earlier on, this servant went out to receive an invitation card.” Cai Ling took out an invitation card and handed it to Bai Luochu.
When Bai Luochu heard the words ‘invitation card’, she raised her head in anticipation. She was expecting it to be from Pei Qingfeng but when she opened it up, she realized that it was from the First Prince’s residence. The light in her eyes instantly dimmed.
Bai Luochu might not have detected her own loss of self-control, but Cai Ling could see everything. She felt her heart slowly shattering and she became even more resentful towards Pei Qingfeng for ignoring her mistress.
After Bai Luochu read the contents of Pei Rumo’s invitation card carefully, she placed it down and continued her lunch, “Did you accept it?”
Cai Ling was able to stay silent when she noticed the disappointment in Bai Luochu’s eyes when she discovered that the invitation card wasn’t from Pei Qingfeng. However, now that her mistress directed a question at her, she had no choice but to reply, “This servant wouldn’t dare to. I simply took it on your behalf. If Mistress doesn’t wish to attend, you can easily find a reason to refuse His First Highness.” Cai Ling thought that Bai Luochu was feeling down because of Pei Qingfeng’s recent behavior and it was better if she didn’t attend the meeting with the First Prince.
Cai Ling felt that her mistress was serious about it and she quickly acknowledged, “Understood. When lunch is over, I shall inform the First Prince’s residence that Mistress accepts the invitation.”
Bai Luochu nodded in response and looked at the invitation card. She paused for a moment before picking up her chopsticks. It was clear she was distracted as she didn’t really touch the dishes on the table and she merely picked at the ones she liked.
Cai Ling could see that Bai Luochu was distracted but she couldn’t speak up due to her status. She simply waited for Bai Luochu to complete her meal before heading to the First Prince’s residence.
“Sister Cai Ling.” When Cai Ling arrived at the First Prince’s residence, she realized that Zi Su was already waiting for her.
When she saw that Zi Su had taken the initiative to greet her, Cai Ling had to reply. She quickly exchanged some conventional greetings with Zi Su, “Sister Zi Su. It has been a long time, how are you?”
Zi Su smiled and nodded, “Let us find another time to chat. My Master has been waiting for a long time now. Why don’t you follow me into the residence? This way please.” Zi Su raised her hands slightly as an indication for Cai Ling to follow her. She immediately started walking towards the study room.
Cai Ling visited Pei Rumo’s study room once and knew how to get there. However, since there was someone leading the way, she had to follow. She followed behind Zi Su and maintained a reasonable distance from her.
When Zi Su arrived at the entrance of the study room, she opened the door and gestured to Cai Ling, “Please enter, Master has been waiting for a long time.”
Pei Rumo had indeed been waiting for a long time. Since he asked Ming Lu to deliver the invitation card, he had already been waiting in the study. He even ate his lunch in a hurry as though he was afraid he might miss out on something important.
There was ‘creak’ as the door opened. Pei Rumo was disappointed when he saw that Cai Ling was the one standing at the door. However, he looked at her expectantly as he knew that she was here to bring Bai Luochu’s reply.
Cai Ling captured the disappointment in Pei Rumo’s eyes but she didn’t expose it, she immediately reported, “Your First Highness, my Mistress said that she would be attending the meeting in two days. She wouldn’t let down Your First Highness’ kind intentions.”
The originally semi-dejected Pei Rumo broke into ecstasy. He quickly replied, “I will need to prepare a lot of things before the boat ride and will not be able to personally head over to the general’s residence before the meeting. However, I will arrange for a carriage for Young Lady Luo Chu to bring her there and back. I will ensure her safety throughout the trip.”
Cai Ling nodded and responded, “If Your First Highness gives his word, Cai Ling has nothing to worry about. Since that is the case, this servant shall entrust my Mistress to Your First Highness.”
“Naturally. Even if something happens to me, I will never let anything happen to Luo Chu. Can I trouble Sister Cai Ling to report back to Young Lady Luo Chu? Please tell her to wait at the general’s residence on the appointed day.”