Bai Xilie was no longer an impetuous youngster. Upon hearing of Su Yinling’s actions, his cold eyes gradually deepened, showing faint hints of chill.
In the end, Bai Xilie said to Qingmei, "I understand. Zhi’er went to bed late tonight. If she can’t get up in the morning, don’t trouble her. I’ll have Mo Yanchi enter the palace in the afternoon."
Qingmei nodded in agreement.
Su Yinling thought about today. She had promised Bai Zhi’er to fly kites together.
So, just past noon, she came with a kite.
However, Ruizhu Palace was unusually oppressive today.
Standing at the gate were not Qingmei but two rows of Imperial Guards.
Su Yinling halted her steps, hesitating for a moment.
At this hour, could it be that Bai Xilie was still in Ruizhu Palace?
Su Yinling’s eyes darted around. She tucked her dark hair and then gracefully stepped forward.
"Please inform the Princess that I’m here to take her out to fly kites."
The Imperial Guards gave her a cold glance.
One of them dropped two words: "Wait here."
Then turned and entered the great hall. Orıginal content can be found at noⅴelfire.net
Such impoliteness made Su Yinling frown directly.
Since she entered the palace, Bai Xilie had always treated her and her father with respect. When had she ever suffered such disrespect?
Before long, Bai Xilie, wearing a bright purple dragon robe, stepped out.
His expression was inscrutable, revealing no joy or anger.
Su Yinling quickly greeted him, "Brother Lie, aren’t you busy today?"
Bai Xilie seemed to smile faintly, "I specifically waited for you. There are a few things I want to convey."
Su Yinling raised her eyes, her dark braid resting against her porcelain skin, "Brother Lie is so busy, yet took the time to wait for me. If there’s anything, you could have just sent someone to call me, and I would have come to find you."
Bai Xilie led her aside, taking a couple of steps under the corridor.
"I heard that you frequently come to find Zhi’er and take her out for amusement?"
At this, Su Yinling lifted a hand to brush her hair, smiling, "Is that the matter? I see Zhi’er always practicing calligraphy, and she works very hard."
"Considering in the village, children her age are catching loaches in the fields and running around the hills, playing."
"I feel for Zhi’er, which is why I often come to chat with her. She also happens to like the pastries I make."
Finishing this, Su Yinling tentatively asked, "Is Brother Lie going to thank me? If so, let’s not talk about it. It might hurt our feelings."
"Why be formal with me? Having my father brought to the palace for treatment and arranging care for us both, I’m very grateful. Taking care of Zhi’er is something I should do."
After this long string of words, Bai Xilie’s brow didn’t move even a bit.
Though a hint of a cold smile flickered in his eyes.
Bai Xilie stood with his hands behind his back and spoke quietly, "Yinling, Zhi’er was born noble, unlike other children."
"She is always well-behaved and practices calligraphy every afternoon, but your frequent visits disturb her. At her age, naturally, she is curious about everything and cannot resist temptation."
"Last night, she stayed up past midnight to finish her neglected coursework, and she’s been unenergetic today."
"What I mean is, you don’t have to come so often in the future."
Su Yinling could never have expected Bai Xilie to say such a thing!
Her pupils shook as she looked at Bai Xilie, "Does Brother Lie think I deliberately take Zhi’er out to play and delay her studies?"
Bai Xilie’s deep eyes looked at her, seemingly kind, but his tone was unfathomable.
"I trust you wouldn’t do so intentionally, but since I’m telling you these things, I hope you remember them and don’t make me repeat myself."