’No, actually, no one could resist that child’s charisma. And it’s not possible for Bai Yunxian to resist her either.’ Yun Ming thought as he shook his head, leaving Bai Yunxian alone to live in his own imaginations.
After the banquet ended, Bai Yunxian went back to Yun Shu’s courtyard, where Yun Shu let him stay.
After entering the room, Bai Yunxian was surprised to see that the room is just like how he left, not a speck of dust could be seen anywhere.
Bai Yunxian felt slightly relieved and relaxed as he lay down on the bed, thinking of the conversation he had with Lady Bai.
Lady Bai seemed relieved to hear that he has been eating and living well with Yun Shu this whole time, and that they got along together.
It seems that she was worried Yun Shu might neglect him and get on with her own things, she waa glad to see him happy.
"Even though Mother couldn’t do anything for you, I wish you could be happy. Son, I thought you might have made the wrong decision, but now I feel truly relieved."
"..." Bai Yunxian didn’t reply.
The sham marriage he had with Yun Shu might not last long, but he was content with what he had, at least for now.
Just as he looked at the ceiling with a dazed expression, a head popped out of nowhere, leaning close to his face.
"What are you thinking so deeply?"
Bang!
With one palm strike, the guy stumbled meters away till he crushed on the tea table, barely holding back from destroying the room.
"Wow! Easy there, My Lord! You almost killed me!" The guy stood up grinning ear to ear, as if he saw something very funny, straightening his clothes without a care.
"Just paying something to someone deserving." Bai Yunxian sat up as he looked at the guy who stood up effortlessly even after a strong strike.
"Wow! My Lord is sooo cruel! Can’t I be here just to see you?" The guy wiped crocodile tears from his face, pretending to be hurt by his words.
"Why are you here, Xing Zhu?" Bai Yunxian didn’t even try to hide the irritation from his face as he grit his teeth, staring at the red head with annoyance.
"Easy there, I just came to report on something, My lord." Xing Zhu, the red head youngster, grinned as he said.
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.
.
"So, this is what the elders came up with?" Bai Yunxian made a comment, bored out as he played with the ring in his hand.
"Yes, My Lord. They are preparing for the invasion, soon you’ll see the results. Just need permission to execute the plan." Xing Zhu grinned.
"Postpone it."
Bai Yunxian’s cold voice stirred a silence within the room, but the grin on Xing Zhu’s face didn’t fade away.
"Should we? Well, I’ll contact the Elders right away, My Lord." Xing Zhu nodded his head in commitment, smiling.
Bai Yunxian frowned as he said, "Leave."
For some reason, whenever Xing Zhu was happy and grinning, it was like a strong alarm for Bai Yunxian that he was about to do something crazy.
This war orphan was bought and raised within the clan years ago, by Bai Yunxian himself.
That’s why he was too devoted to him that he didn’t listen to anyone except for Bai Yunxian, nor would he take orders. After Bai Yunxian started the activity, he was the first and most loyal man Bai Yunxian had. Even though sometimes he pulls petty and crazy tricks because he thinks it’s fun.
Just as now, he was grinning about something exciting, and Bai Yunxian knew he was up to no good.
"Behave yourself and don’t make any trouble for Yun family, if you do, then you will suffer the consequences." Bai Yunxian warned the guy with a strict face and cold voice, which made his grin fade for a moment.
"Don’t worry, Master. I don’t have any interest in those peepsqueaks. But it’s a different matter if it comes to that man, Fifth Master Yun. he really is a mysterious figure, enough to drive some people like me crazy..." Xing Zhu’s voice came to a halt after seeing Bai Yunxian’s blank expression, immediately understanding what was going on.
Xing Zhu didn’t like the way his lord turned crazy and sensitive at the mention of Yun Shu, it was as if his entire life line depended on that one person.
His master was a cold, aloof, domineering and a reverend figure to whom the strongest will look up to, yet he turned into a puppy in need of shelter and love when he stood in front of Yun Shu. he couldn’t understand why he had to act weak and feeble even in the face of danger just to catch that man’s attention.
Was he even worthy of Bai Yunxian?
"Whoa, easy there, My Lord. it’s not only me that is interested in that person, but the entire Jianghu is in question. You aren’t gonna fight with the entire Jianghu just to keep him on your side, right?"
"But, My Lord. Since when were you interested in man? I never saw you get close to any, but you actually like that frail looking guy?" Xing Zhu’s words were pretty straightforward which put Bai Yunxian in an awkward position, feeling flustered.
"You even warned me not to do anything to him, you are always protecting him from secrets. Aren’t you also postponing the plan because of that person?" Xing Zhu inquired without fear, his mouth really didn’t have any restraints or filters.
"Is he a sorcerer, putting some strange magic on you? If I were to kill him or sever his limbs, My Lord might turn back to normal, right? I..."
Fsshh!
Before Xing Zhu could finish his sentence, something sharp passed by his face, a lock of his hair fell on the ground as blood trickled out from his cheek.
"I told you not to overstep your boundaries." Not only you, whoever dares to lay a finger on him will be finished and disappear without a trace."
The strong and overwhelming aura came from his protectiveness towards Yun Shu, Xing Zhu didn’t misread that and picked up his warning absolutely.
’Why does he love that man so much?’
Xing Zhu didn’t know, nor did he understand. But when he looked up and saw the back side of the figure standing at the front in white silhouette, he realized something as he saw the bitter smile on Bai Yunxian’s face.
Why do I love him, you think?
’Master...’ Xing Zhu disappeared into thin air once again, leaving the person standing there, alone beside the waning light of the candle.
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.
.
Bai Yunxian freshened up as he put off all the candle lights, going to bed by himself. Since it’s way past midnight, there is no sign of Yun Shu, that means maybe he’ll stay in the Palace for the night.
Though Bai Yunxian didn’t like the idea of Yun Shu being close to Yun Si, there is nothing he could do at the moment. He can’t just rush and do something that might have a wrong impact on Yun Shu. Even if he wished he could storm into the palace and bring him back, at this moment, it would be quite risky if he were to give up his facade of innocence and show his true nature at this critical moment. He didn’t want to do something to destroy the relationship he built with Yun Shu.
Bai Yunxian was thinking a lot of things, and becoming irritated with each passing second, the more he thought of Yun Shu not returning.
His sleep already went flying out of the window a long time ago, even if he tried his best to sleep, all he could do was change sides left and right.
Just as he was snuggling around the bed, two peoples voices came in his ears.
Though they seemed to be pretty far away from the courtyard, Bai Yunxian could still hear as he recognised the voice instantly. Jumping out of the bed as he forgot to put on the shoes, Bai Yunxian opened the door in anticipation, almost running out of the room but restraining himself with difficulty.
The muffled and groggy voice that he recognised so clearly was definitely Yun Shu, did he really return?
Expectations built up in Bai Yunxian’s heart as he stood there without a shawl, waiting to get a glimpse of her.
Soon, the voices grew closer to the courtyard as Ah’Luo walked in.