章 173: The Regret of the Phoenix King
The Bai residence in Ye City was similarly located at the very heart of the city, but unlike the imposing stone lions that often guarded prestigious homes, the entrance here was marked by two intertwined trees. Compared to the grandiose Bai residence in Ying City, this one boasted more opulence, yet lacked the majestic air of history.
Xuan Yue hadn't informed anyone of her visit to the Bai residence, not even Bai Pingting. It had been so long since she had tasted wine, and just the thought of it made her itch with anticipation. This time, she was determined to drink to her heart's content, making up for the months of deprivation. With her impressive tolerance for alcohol, having Bai Zhanfeng nagging her was already enough; if there were anyone else, she surely wouldn't be able to bear it.
Bai Zhanfeng hadn't informed the old master of Xuan Yue's visit in advance. If the old man knew, he would have gone to great lengths to prepare, and that would have made the visit seem too formal. Only after Xuan Yue had set out did Bai Zhanfeng send word ahead. Despite constantly weighing the difference in their statuses, he had always made every effort to close the gap between them.
When Xuan Yue arrived at the gates of the Bai residence, she immediately saw the old master and the steward she had met last time in Ying City. They both looked significantly thinner than before. Though their faces still wore welcoming smiles, their energy and spirit from before had waned, no longer glowing with the same vitality.
The old master's eyes lit up upon seeing Xuan Yue, and he hurried forward to greet her, with the rest of the household following closely behind.
Bai Ao, the old master, gazed at Xuan Yue with a mix of pride and shame. It had only been a short while since they last met, but his once-straight back had become hunched. Here stood a man who had weathered countless storms, just like every patriarch of the Bai family, who had devoted their lives to the service of Chu. Perhaps, to them, such dedication was merely another form of mediocrity. But now, in their efforts to protect Chu, they bore the ignominy of treason, condemned by the very people they had served. Such magnanimity surely befit the wisdom of a true sage.
Bai Ao's lips trembled, unsure of how to address her—was she the Queen of Feng, or the Queen of Lan?
Xuan Yue saw through his thoughts with a single glance. "Today, I'm neither the Queen of Lan nor the Queen of Feng. I've only come for some good wine, old master, so don't hold out on me."
With that, Xuan Yue let out a hearty laugh, walked past Bai Ao, and led the way into the residence. The others exchanged glances, then quickly followed her inside, with Bai Zhanfeng supporting Bai Ao as they trailed behind.
The Bai residence in Ye was purchased from a wealthy merchant. The grounds were spacious, filled with refined elegance that the previous Bai residence lacked. Unlike Lan's quaint bridges and flowing waters, the architecture here also utilized natural elements—clear waters, amber stones, and charming pavilions, making it a splendid place. Especially in summer, this spot was an ideal retreat from the heat.
The group headed straight to the main hall. It was still early for lunch, so Xuan Yue and Bai Ao took the main seats in the guest hall. As soon as they sat down, servants brought freshly brewed tea and delicate pastries.
"Feng'er is truly something. Knowing that Xuan Yue would be visiting, he should have informed us earlier," Bai Ao chided lightly, "As soon as I heard, I had the servants begin preparing a meal. It will be ready shortly."
Xuan Yue didn't bother with pleasantries and smiled as she nodded. "I've been on the road so long, I'm famished. It's been ages since I've had a decent meal. And to be honest, it's been far too long since I've even had a sip of wine. Today, I must drink my fill. Surely your grand home has a bed to spare for me?"
Hearing her words, one of the servants couldn't help but stifle a laugh.
"What behavior is this!" Bai Ao barked, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room, clearly displeased with the servant's improper conduct.
"The fault is mine, Master. I beg for your forgiveness," the maid replied, her face turning pale as she knelt, trembling in fear.
"Grandfather, Xuan Yue is still here," Bai Zhanfeng interjected, casting a glance at Bai Ao before waving at the kneeling maid. "You may rise."
The maids, relieved, stood and thanked him before returning to their places.
"Old master," Xuan Yue called, eyeing the maids standing obediently to the side. Bai Ao quickly understood her unspoken request. "You may all leave," he ordered.
Once the servants had retreated, only Bai Ao, Bai Zhanfeng, and Xuan Yue remained.
"Old master, tell me the truth. Is Bai Chu truly as perilous as you mentioned in your letter?"
In his letter, Bai Ao had detailed how large swaths of Chu had fallen, including much of Bai Chu. The situation was dire, and he had asked Xuan Yue to consider lending a hand, given her ties to Bai Zhanfeng. She hadn't ordered her own people to investigate but had simply handed the letter over to Lan Yi Xuan. She needed an excuse to leave Lan, a reason for them to part. However, now that she had seen the situation, it seemed that although Chu had indeed lost much of its territory, Bai Ao had perhaps exaggerated the dangers.
Bai Ao chuckled softly. "I knew I couldn't hide the truth from you, Lady Xuan Yue."
Indeed, the letter had overstated things, but the royal family of Chu had long since become little more than vassals to Xuan Yuan. The armies of Xuan Yuan advanced like a tidal wave. While the Bai family's forces were far superior to the royal troops, they still stood no chance against Xuan Yuan's well-trained and disciplined soldiers. The Bai army's morale was low; they were simply no match.
The tide of the world has been determined; given the current strength of Bai Chu, it is utterly inadequate to contend with Feng Lan and Xuanyuan. Sooner or later, the world will fall into the hands of one of these two factions. It appears that Xuanyuan has already swallowed up more than half of Yanjing, and half of Chu is also under his control. Moreover, he has married a princess of the Zhou Dynasty, securing the support of the conservatives and furthering his advantage. However, with his decades of experience in assessing character, he places his trust in this young girl before him, driven by the fact that she is deeply devoted to Feng Er. This passionate child has sacrificed much for the Bai family. He cannot bear the thought of meeting the woman he loves on the battlefield; such an encounter would be unbearable. Thus, he has chosen the land of Lan. But if Xuan Yue remains indifferent to his plea for help, he will opt for Xuanyuan, for in his view, that would be the most advantageous choice for both.
Regardless of whether Xuanyuan or Lan prevails, the Bai family can be preserved. He knows that the girl sitting beside him values loyalty and righteousness. Even if one day she gains dominion over the world and the Bai family stands with Xuanyuan, she would never bring harm to the Bai family.
"Have you not established a court?"
"All those who have moved to Yecheng with us are loyal members of the Bai family, whether they are civil officials or military generals. They are unwaveringly devoted to the Bai family, and they will unconditionally obey any directives and commands issued by us."
However, Bai Zhanfeng did not elaborate on how this is executed, and Xuan Yue did not pursue the matter further. The fact that the Bai family has stood strong in Chu for so long, without any internal strife for hundreds of years, indicates that they must have their own governance strategies. It is only natural for them to keep certain matters confidential, which, in turn, spares her a considerable amount of trouble.
Bai Ao glanced at Xuan Yue, hesitating to speak, likely due to Bai Zhanfeng's presence, making some words difficult to articulate.
"Old Master Bai, once we have dined to our fill, I will accompany you on a stroll around."
Xuan Yue smiled, casually snatching a few pieces of pastry to quell her hunger, then glanced around, "Why haven't I seen Madam Bai?"
Logically, since the old master himself had come to greet her, as a daughter-in-law of the Bai family, she should be present as well. By normal reasoning, she should be curious about who had drawn Bai Zhanfeng's attention; if it were her, she would certainly be intrigued to know who could capture his gaze. Yet, she had been at the Bai residence for quite some time now, and still, the lady of the house was nowhere to be seen.
"Oh."
Bai Ao suddenly remembered something, as if awakened from a dream, "Ruo Xi just made a cloak for Feng Er and went to the military camp early this morning."
Xuan Yue found it hard to believe this excuse—that Bai Zhanfeng would deliver a newly made cloak. What a coincidence it seemed! She had just arrived in Yecheng, and the cloak was already completed. Moreover, on such a cold day, there would be no need for someone to make an early morning trip just to deliver a cloak. Was she perhaps too impatient, or too concerned?
"Didn't I tell her not to go to the military camp for no reason? A woman should not be going in and out of there; how would that look to the soldiers?"
Bai Zhanfeng's expression darkened, clearly expressing his distaste for the idea of Miss Chen frequently entering the military camp.
"Bai Zhanfeng, do you see me as a man?"
Bai Zhanfeng felt a surge of anger upon saying this, immediately regretting his words. Xuan Yue was indeed a woman, and she not only traversed the military camp but also held the rank of general. Yet he was genuinely vexed by Chen Ruo Xi. He had made it quite clear during their wedding that she would be the only mistress of the Bai residence, but she must also uphold her duties. Ever since that incident, she had been increasingly restless over the past few months.
In front of Xuan Yue, Bai Ao was at a loss for words, letting out a sigh, "Feng Er, she is your wife."
There is nothing wrong with a wife visiting her husband stationed at the military camp.
Ruo Xi was a child he had watched grow up, well-educated and reasonable, a good wife and daughter-in-law. Yet, Bai Zhanfeng harbored no affection for her. How could he ensure the continuation of the Bai family legacy when he spent all his days in the military camp? The Bai family's reputation had already been tarnished under his stewardship. If there were no heirs, how could he ever face the ancestors of the Bai family in the afterlife?
Xuan Yue observed Bai Ao, then turned to Bai Zhanfeng, feeling somewhat helpless. Given Bai Zhanfeng's temperament, his ability to reach this point already reflected a significant compromise and progress, yet this was still far from enough for the old master.
"Sir, Young Master, the meal is ready." What perfect timing.
Xuan Yue smiled at Bai Zhanfeng and Bai Ao, "Old Master Bai, let us dine."
Bai Ao nodded, turning to Bai Zhanfeng, "Feng Er, go fetch the rose extract I sealed away twenty years ago."
Xuan Yue was unaware of what this rose extract was, but upon hearing that it had been sealed away for two decades, she sensed it must be something precious. Remembering the rose garden from her previous visit to Yancheng, her face lit up with a smile, "Old Master Bai, you truly are a generous soul."
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