Ye Qichi had not yet had the chance to size up Bai Mowan.
"His Majesty arrives! The Empress arrives! Imperial Concubine arrives!"
The resonant voice made everyone immediately greet the entrance with the utmost respect and courtesy.
"Wishing His Majesty/Your Majesty thousands of years of life, long live, long live, long, long live."
"Wishing Mother/Empress all the best, may you live for thousands of years, thousands of years, for thousands and thousands of years."
"Wishing Mother/Imperial Concubine a peaceful life."
Everyone knelt and paid homage.
Dressed in the imperial Dragon Robe, Xiao Zhanping led at the front, followed by the Empress Yu Qingyuan clad in a brilliant yellow phoenix robe and Imperial Concubine Zhao Mengyu in a formal purple court dress festooned with golden and silver phoenix patterns. Of course, there were countless eunuchs and servants following them, an imposing sight indeed.
Ye Qichi did not dare to look around carelessly, only feeling a bit of pain in his kneeling legs.
"Arise," voiced a deep and dignified male command.
"Gratitude to His Majesty/Your Majesty! Gratitude to Mother/Empress! Gratitude to Mother/Imperial Concubine!"
Only then did everyone dare to rise.
Ye Qichi had his hands full just helping Xiao Jinxing, who had difficulties walking, making it quite strenuous.
After His Majesty, the Empress, and the Imperial Concubine were seated, everyone else took their seats according to the protocol.
"Today’s gathering is primarily to welcome General Bai back, akin to a family banquet. General Bai, please feel at ease and be informal," Xiao Zhanping spoke gently.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the great honor. I am immensely grateful," Bai Wenwu hurriedly stepped forward to kneel and performed a ceremonial bow.
"My loyal subject, please take your seat quickly. It’s been a long time since we last met; join me for a few drinks."
"Yes." Bai Wenwu then returned to his seat, lifting his cup filled with wine, "I toast to Your Majesty, wishing you everlasting peace and security."
"Excellent!" Xiao Zhanping replied crisply and freely, "I drink to that!"
Bai Wenwu quickly followed suit and downed his drink.
At the banquet, the conversation was mostly between His Majesty and Bai Wenwu, and naturally, no one else dared to interject.
This lull in conversation provided Ye Qichi with a perfect opportunity to carefully observe Bai Mowan.
And as it happened, the Bai family was seated directly opposite him and Xiao Jinxing.
Bai Mowan was wearing a pink dress with narcissus and green leaf patterns. Her skin was as smooth as fine porcelain, her aura as ethereal as a delicate orchid. She knelt properly beside Song Zhaoyue. With a tranquil and dignified bearing, her eyes held a determination seldom seen in other women, concealed within was a hint of wisdom. At first glance, she truly presented a sight of resplendent beauty and grace.
At that moment, Ye Qichi could not help but inwardly exclaim that the female lead indeed was the female lead; her appearance and temperament were utterly under her control.
No wonder in this novel, anyone who had ever seen the female lead or had the slightest interaction with her harbored some designs towards her.
It seemed that Bai Mowan noticed Ye Qichi’s gaze.
Bai Mowan was also secretly assessing Ye Qichi.
She was questioning how the Ye Qichi who had died in the previous life could still be alive in this one?!
It was also her first time seeing Ye Qichi, whose reputation was not good; rumors said that despite her looks, she was utterly useless.
Upon closer inspection, Ye Qichi was indeed a stunning beauty, with features that were somewhat similar, yet even more resplendent than her own. Although she wasn’t someone preoccupied with appearances, the sight of such an exquisite person inevitably caused a psychological knot, especially since this woman was Xiao Jinxing’s lawful wife.
Reborn in this life, she was crystal clear that Xiao Jinxing harbored no sentiments for Ye Qichi and had never laid a hand on her, remaining chaste for her until his death because of her.
At this thought, Bai Mowan felt a sudden pang in her chest.
In her previous life, she had misguidedly trusted others and hurt the man who loved her dearly, filled with irreparable regret.
This life, she would definitely not make the same mistakes.
Bai Mowan’s eyes shifted slightly as she finally mustered the courage to look at Xiao Jinxing.
Xiao Jinxing, of course, felt Bai Mowan’s gaze on him immediately.
Bai Mowan’s eyes reddened in an instant.
She was truly grateful that she could really see him again.
When the man drenched in blood fell into her arms, her heart was in agony, the memory vivid as if it was before her very eyes.
She thought that if there were an afterlife, she would definitely repay him for all his kindness!
Xiao Jinxing’s look at Bai Mowan was naturally much different from usual.
Regarding his feelings for Bai Mowan, even someone as adept at hiding his emotions as he was had never concealed them from anyone.
Undoubtedly true love.
Ye Qichi sat beside Xiao Jinxing, and she too seemed to sense the deep and enduring love he had for Bai Mowan.
And it wasn’t without reason that Xiao Jinxing loved Bai Mowan so much; it certainly wasn’t just because of Bai Mowan’s role as the female lead.
After Xiao Jinxing’s mother was sentenced to death, he became isolated, a target for all, with even the lowest servants bullying him, and his life in the Imperial Palace was truly miserable.
Luckily, the Empress Dowager happened upon Xiao Jinxing being bullied one day and, taking pity on him, moved him from the cold palace to be under her care.
At the same time, Bai Mowan’s mother, Song Zhaoyue, was the Empress Dowager’s own niece. When Song Zhaoyue took Bai Mowan to visit the Empress Dowager, she became very fond of the smart, lovely, and sensible Bai Mowan, keeping her at the palace for several days and often asking Song Zhaoyue to send Bai Mowan to accompany her. From then on, Xiao Jinxing’s life finally took a turn for the better.
As a child, Bai Mowan would actively seek Xiao Jinxing out to play, not minding his disability or his silence, always following him with a beaming smile.
Initially, Xiao Jinxing struggled with his wheelchair, but whenever he fell, Little Mowan would instinctively help him up. Over time, Xiao Jinxing’s defenses completely fell away, and he grew closer to Bai Mowan.
It could be said that the only thing Xiao Jinxing looked forward to in his youth was Bai Mowan; his smiles only appeared in her presence, and despite being cold and brutal due to his hatred and bitterness, he reserved all his tenderness for Bai Mowan.
Latter on, Bai Mowan’s father, Bai Wenwu, became renowned for his valor and military exploits, amassing greater military authority, which immediately caught the attention of the Imperial Concubine. She had her son, Xiao Jinsen, purposely get close to Bai Mowan. In the first life, Bai Mowan merely pitied Xiao Jinxing, and even knowing his feelings for her, did not hesitate to choose Xiao Jinsen.
For Xiao Jinxing, who had always felt inferior and harbored immense hatred, when Bai Mowan chose Xiao Jinsen, he could only suffer in silence.
After Bai Mowan married Xiao Jinsen, she devoted herself to assisting him in his great endeavors. Xiao Jinxing, even with the power to claim the throne, chose to give up because of Bai Mowan, yet was brutally murdered by Xiao Jinsen right before her eyes. Subsequently, Xiao Jinsen ascended to the throne, exterminated the Bai Family to solidify his military power, and with Bai Mowan dying with her eyes wide open in indignation, was subsequently reborn.
When Ye Qichi was transported into the story, Bai Mowan had not been reborn for long.
Now, it was the first time that Bai Mowan, after her rebirth, met Xiao Jinxing.
Having gone through such a brutal lifetime, Bai Mowan’s feelings for Xiao Jinxing were undeniable to the naked eye!