Chapter 113

113 It was he who had truly changed Part III

“I also hope that Wangye will be able to change too.”

Bai Yu had no idea how she had gotten to this point. The first time she met Ouyang Wenrou, her chest was teeming with both love and resentment. But now she was comforting him, who was ‘heartbroken’, and then ended up becoming a good friend of the ninth prince of Da Yang.

Bai Yu curtsied and said farewell to her esteemed friend before leaving with a genuine smile. She had been thinking about this for a while. Ouyang Wenrou had appeared in front of her many times, offering her assistance in matters ranging from minor to major. Those were because of his kind nature. And there was no reason for her current self to hate Ouyang Wenrou’s kindness. His warmth was no longer able to sway her.

The more she thought about it, the funnier it became. Ouyang Hongxian had to be thanked for portioning out her flutter to the point where she had forgotten how much these two men resembled Li Wenrou.

Li Wenrou was Li Wenrou. Regardless of how much she still resented him, he had already received the consequences of his actions, in which she had also played a role. Now, she saw Ouyang Wenrou as a victim of the cruel fate that had started everything.

Her business today had successfully taken off. She had gained her reputation back. The popularity of the anonymous master’s shop surged further, with orders piling up until the next year. Furthermore, there was money from the auction. She was already wealthy enough that donating some of her income to the treasury would not affect Bai Yu and Xu Luanle.

Yue Mei and Bai Han were proud of her. Their faces were adorned with smiles throughout the party. Her father’s other Furens remained silent, afraid to say anything negative. Bai Yue was sucking up to her as she tried to beg for clothes and jewelry with gleaming eyes. As for Bai Hua, she was pressured by her mother all the time and did not dare to look at anyone at the party.

Bai Yu sighed to herself. She might not have had bad blood with Bai Hua, but Yue Mei was different. Her mother’s hatred for Bai Hua ran too deep to disappear so easily in a short time. Oh well, she would try to do things one step at a time.

Today’s party ended when Bai Yu returned to Bai Mansion for dinner with her family, before going back to Yue Mansion to see her brother. Yue Mei revoked Bai Yu’s grounded punishment. She emphasized the importance of the Meihua Lady competition again. Considering Da Yang’s current state, the event might not be as grand as in previous years, and the competitors might be fewer, but she could not be careless.

.....

Bai Yu walked back to her building, exhausted. Her two maids, who had been following her everywhere during the last few days, were the same. By the time they reached Yue Mansion, the sky had already darkened. She sent Xiao Xi to inform the elder Furen that she had come back, and then she ordered Xiao Chang to prepare a warm bath.

The majority of the Yue family were busy preparing for the war. And so, Bai Yu thought nothing of it when her aunt-in-law was the only person who had come to her party. Yue Nan, who was always free, kept to himself in his own building, showing no sign of leaving any time soon. It seemed like he was waiting for something, but Bai Yu did not know what it was. She had no idea what this man, who had been blessed by the goddess of fate, was thinking.

The slender figure in the dark blue garment headed toward her bedroom first. Her success today was not witnessed by this one person, so she wanted to describe everything to Bai He as thoroughly as possible, despite her weary body.

Bai Yu saw the maid she had assigned to take care of Bai He sitting in front of the door. Bai Yu could vaguely guess that there was someone inside, and the air around that person was too heavy for the maid to bear; otherwise, the servant she had chosen herself would not be tense this badly. The maid lifted her face when she saw the hem of the dark blue dress in front of her. Bai Yu glanced at the person inside and then waved to dismiss the maid in silence. She frowned before striding into the room.

Despite the fact that it was late at night, her brother had a guest today. The man in golden armor was quietly watching Bai He, who was supposed to be standing beside him right now. His arrogance could be felt radiating from his broad back.

At such a time, in such a situation, even without his trusting companion, he could still stand tall and remain dignified. Bai Yu stared at the shoulders that bore the weight of their motherland without saying anything, while the other person was still studying the face of the sleeping man in silence.

“Benwang had hoped that your brother would wake up to witness your achievement today.” Ouyang Feilong was the first to speak.

“I had hoped so too,” she replied almost immediately.

Though she did not see him at the party, she understood why the commander-general did not attend, even though they were close. It was because of the responsibility he had to bear. The fact that he was here right now exceeded her expectations. He was congratulating her while also wishing for Bai He’s recovery.

Bai Yu, whom he had only seen as a girl in the painting, had truly grown up.

“Benwang has never let him rest,” he slowly spoke. The golden eyes, which were a shade darker than usual, were fixed on her brother. He did not even turn toward her when he was talking to her. Bai Yu had no intention to move and stand beside him. She had no desire to see his gaze and expression.

She could not fathom his thoughts, but she was well aware of her own. She knew her heart. Still, she had not decided what she would do if she saw him, so she chose to stand behind his back from the start. And she thought he wanted the same as well.

“Benwang had started going to war before Bai He had joined the army. After a while, he and Huiling became benwang’s strength. And now, fighting without him feels so strange.” His tone did not reveal emotion, and Bai Yu could not guess much. She could only feel the loneliness in his words.

“Whether brother is here or not, both I and the rest of Da Yang believe in Wangye. But...is this really the right decision?”

They knew what her question meant. Bai Yu actually wanted to ask him that question on the same day he had begged in front of the Emperor, but she did not have the chance.

“Benwang is only doing benwang’s duty.”

He was a soldier. Naturally, he would ask to go to war. The only thing that was different was that this war had her as the wager.

He turned back to face the woman who had occupied his thoughts for several days. Today, the people of the capital sang praise for her once again. He did not have much time left before he had to return to the border, so he chose to come here to see her again. She was still the same as ever. It was he who had changed without himself knowing it. He took out the thing she had forgotten when they were in Da Chu together.

“Your birthday present.”

She extended her hand, receiving it with a joyful smile. Ouyang Feilong knew her birthday-No! She was just glad that she got it back as a gift, even though it had always been hers. “I thought I’d lost it.”

“Little fool.”

How could he not call her a fool after forgetting the handkerchief he had embroidered for her?

“I think Wangye’s informants need more training so that Wangye will be more up to date with the news. Today, I am the number one beauty, not a fool.” The handkerchief was quickly put away. Her little mouth continued to argue. She had never changed.

“Benwang will punish them.” It was he who had truly changed.

“That’s too cruel.”

“What do you want benwang to do, then?”

“I’m just joking. Wangye’s informants are not at fault at all.”

“Benwang hasn’t said it’s anyone’s fault yet.”

“Then why say that Wangye’s going to punish them?”

“To tease you.”

“You!” She pouted.

“Heh” Ouyang Feilong chuckled. His reaction made Bai Yu pinched her lips, feeling more and more frustrated.

“I’ll remember this, and I’ll tell my brother everything in one go. Wangye, prepare yourself for when brother wakes up.” Bai Yu crossed her arms over her chest, taking the stance of the victor.

Ouyang Feilong slowly approached her. “Will you remember only this incident?

“Is there something else to remember?” Bai Yu stepped backwards. She did not trust the beauty in front of her, whose gaze had a strange light. This kind of eyes...she felt like she had seen them before...

“There’s quite a lot.” He stopped when Bai Yu’s back hit the wall. He did not want to go further for fear of cutting her delicate skin with his hard armor. This young lady kept telling him to cherish lovely ladies, so was this regarded as him cherishing her?

“Benwang has picked on you many times, why don’t you remember those too?” His gaze moved to the lips that he had tasted, both intentionally and unintentionally. But before he could indulge again, white hands obstructed his view of the lips. Her face instantly flushed red. Ouyang Feilong chuckled again and was given a sharp glare from Bai Yu, who was still holding her hands against her mouth.

“Perverted old man.” She cursed in hushed tones, but the ‘old man’ could clearly hear it.

“Don’t forget to tell your brother how you were bullied by this old man.”

“Who could do that?!”

She threw her fist, intending to hit his shoulder with all her strength, but it was caught by Ouyang Feilong. He promptly scolded her. “You’ll hurt yourself.”

Bai Yu hurriedly pulled her hand back. He meant that his armor would hurt her if she hit him. Was he being unusually gentle today?! No way, she should be the hunter here. She had already thought of a way to court a man in this era, she could not let herself be on the receiving end!

At that thought, the handkerchief, the same size as the one Ouyang Feilong had given her, was immediately held in front of her. She had spent as much time embroidering it as preparing for today’s party.

Bai Yu was not the kind of person who enjoyed receiving gifts on her birthday. She preferred to be a giver...

Ouyang Feilong looked at the handkerchief in her hand. He did not immediately accept it; instead, he turned his gaze to her face. Bai Yu was well aware of those frustrating glimmers in those eyes.

“I embroidered this in my free time. It’s a bit rushed, so the needlework might not be perfect...” Damn you, Bai Yu! There was no reason for someone with free time to rush...

“Oh.”

She hated this word from him the most!

“It’s not as beautiful as other handkerchiefs, but it is the only one in the world.” She pushed it into his hands. “...Throw away or keep it, Wangye can do whatever Wangye wants.” Then, she concentrated all her force on pushing the stunned person out the door.

“Farewell.”

Bai Yu quickly shut the door, missing the opportunity to notice a wide smile on the beautiful face that had charmed her since their first meeting.

How can benwang stop loving you...when you are this foolish?