CH 21

Bai residence, Xi Yuan

It had already been half a month since Bai Xi returned from Fo Yin Temple. She had been staying in the courtyard for a long time, not taking even half a step out. She hadn’t even gone to visit Mo Xuan Yuan like she used to, let alone even going out.

“Young miss, in a few days it will be the Qi Qiao Festival. Does the young miss want to buy some Qi Qiao items?” Mu Qiu handed a towel to Bai Xi, who had just finished practicing martial arts. Both her eyes were full of care. After the young miss had returned from Fo Yin Temple, the young miss had practiced martial arts. What happened in Fo Yin Temple?

“No need.”

“Eh?” Mu Qiu’s eyes widened considerably. She didn’t believe the young miss’ words. Was she having an auditory hallucination? Did the young miss really not plan on preparing for the Qi Qiao Festival? “Young miss, the Qi Qiao Festival only occurs once every year. In the past around this time, the young miss would purchase items for the Qi Qiao Festival.”

“The third princess has already invited me to go to the Qi Qiao Festival on the way to the imperial palace. You will need to accompany me to the palace.” She had originally refused, but she was unable to ignore Ye Zi Yu’s tearful attack, so she had to compromise.

“Ah? The third princess? Go to the imperial palace?” Her auditory hallucinations were serious. She heard that the young miss said that the third princess invited the young miss to go to the palace after passing through the Qi Qiao Festival? When did the young miss meet the third princess? And how was the relationship so good?

“The young miss really wants to go?” After Mu Qiu forced herself to remain calm, pushing down feelings of worry and unease. Every year the imperial palace held the Qi Qiao Festival. What if the second and third princesses, and a number of other young misses, worked together to bully the young miss? What could she do?

“Who thinks your family’s young miss is that soft-hearted?” Her original attitude should have been firm and unyielding. That way, she would not have agreed to such a thing. Only, when facing the extremely cute Ye Zi Yu and her tears, had she softened.

Mu Qiu wrinkled her brow, suddenly patting her chest before saying, “This servant will certainly take care in protecting the young miss and absolutely won’t allow the young miss to get bullied.” Mu Qiu then looked around. Thankfully, only the young miss was around and not her sisters. She obviously had sworn it in her heard. How could she suddenly say this? Ai…

“Hehe. Little Qiu Qiu actually has this domineering manner. If that happens, then I will wait for little Qiu Qiu to protect me.” Bai Xi clapped Mu Qiu’s shoulder as she smiled. This little Qiu Qiu was really cute.

“Mm, this servant won’t let the young miss be bullied.” Since she had already said it, she didn’t have to hide it. Even if she is a mere servant, but she absolutely won’t allow the young miss to be bullied or insulted.

“Mm, little Qiu Qiu is very powerful.” From this moment, Mu Qiu has also been included in Bai Xi’s circle.1If anyone in her circle had difficulties, she would do her best to help them and wouldn’t allow anyone to bully them, even a little bit. Otherwise, even if she dies, she will definitely let the person die without a burial place before she dies.

“This servant thinks what the young miss said is good.” Mu Qiu smiled as her small hand touched her head, her tone a little embarrassed.

Bai Xi suddenly raised her head to look at the sunny sky, not a cloud in sight. There was a faint smile on her lips.

——————————

In the blink of an eye, the Qi Qiao Festival finally arrived and the third princess, Ye Zi Yu, had sent someone early in the morning to pick up Bai Xi, as if worried that Bai Xi would not go to the imperial palace.

“Xi’r, if you don’t want to go, nobody can force you.” Bai Yu Jie had returned to the residence. After learning the news, he immediately rushed over to Xi Yuan.

“Older bro, nobody can force me.” Bai Xi had a smile on her face. She could use this as an opportunity to take a look at what the imperial palace looked like in ancient times. While Ye Zi Yu was a little clingy, she thought she was a forthright and cute woman. Having a friend like this wasn’t bad.

“Remember what older brother said. We are the Bai family’s people. Other people cannot bully us. Only we can bully other people. Do you remember?” Bai Yu Jie’s previously warm expression was replaced with a serious look.

Bai Xi smiled. Regardless of whether what her older brother said was true, she was already happy. Actually, one couldn’t blame her for not believing such a thing since this was the era of imperial rule. However, that sentence made her happy.

“Xi’r understands.”

“Older brother can send you to the palace?” The serious expression faded, and Bai Yu Jie returned to his gentle and kind demeanour. His left hand again patted Bai Xi on the head, his gaze pampering.

“No, older brother has difficult tasks to complete and should take a break in the courtyard. Otherwise, older brother will get panda eyes2, which will ruin your appearance.” After returning from Fo Yin Temple, she heard from little Qiu Qiu that the reason why her older brother was in a hurry to go down the mountain that day was because the Bai family’s military camp had caught fire. Allegedly, the fire was huge. Not only was the granary burned, there were many casualties amongst the soldiers. Although, it was found out later that it was an accident, but she did not believe that it was a mere accident. Maybe it was related to the incident last time with the deserter.

Her older brother wouldn’t let her accompany him to investigate the issue. She also couldn’t secretly investigate since she was by herself and didn’t have the power to. She had no choice but to stay inside the courtyard and learn martial arts to protect herself. Because of this, she was more aware that in this world, if you didn’t have power, then you couldn’t do anything.

“Older brother should take a break.” Bai Xi also didn’t give Bai Yu Jie the opportunity to say anything and left with Mu Qiu.

Bai Yu Jie raised his hand and touched his handsome face. Panda eyes? What is this? Was it the eye?

For Bai Xi to be invited by the third princess to go to the palace together and pass through the Qi Qiao Festival, it is natural for people to envy her. But, some people were jealous. Regardless of the envy and jealousy these people felt, their attitude had nothing to do with Bai Xi.

The Qi Qiao Festival, which happened once a year, was the favourite festival for the young girls. On this day, there were shops on the streets and every street had heavy traffic. The flow of people was like a tide, and Bai Xi only arrived at the palace an extra 2 hours on top of the original 2 hour journey.

“Wah, I finally get to see His Excellency, The Ice Lord.”

“Mmm, His Excellency, the Ice Lord is even better than the rumours.”

“…”

Bai Xi just exited the carriage when she heard the piercing voices of the women. She wrinkled her brow. As luck would have it, she had unexpectedly run into him at the entrance to the imperial palace.

After Mu Qiu heard those young misses cry out, she looked up to see Feng Ming, who was wearing a white crescent robe. After, she whispered, “Young miss, this servant heard that His Excellency, the Ice Lord is handsome and has a pair of special gold eyes. Seeing him today, this servant can say it is true.”

Bai Xi pressed her lips together, not speaking. She urged the dazed eunuch to continue to lead them. This stinking man was… No, the eunuch should not be considered a man. Hehe. Bai Xi suddenly thought of someone and her lips twitched.

Unexpectedly, Bai Xi, who was lost in thought, had become the centre of attention. Even the little eunuch who had led the way, stupidly stood there. Bai Xi felt that he had seemed to bump into someone. Before he could apologise, there was a familiar but indifferent voice from the top of her head. “I didn’t kick you off the carriage.”

1.The Chinese actually says castle/citadel (城堡), but it would just sound kind of strange in English, so I made it circle (like inner circle).

2.(一双熊猫眼) this literally says a pair of panda eyes, but she means the dark circles under the eyes. I assume this is a modern term, which would explain why Bai Yu Jie gets confused in a later paragraph.