Bai Li was in Lord i’s study with Lady Yu.
"We’re sorry to trouble you like this Commander Bai," said Lord i.
"It’s no trouble at all Lord i. I’m very happy that you asked to help," he bowed to the man he hoped would be his future father-in-law.
"Commander Bai, please feel free to discipline our daughter as if we were there," said Madam Yu. "She can be too headstrong sotis. We’ve spoilt her."
"I’m sure that won’t be necessary Madam Yu, but you have my word I’ll watch over her with the greatest care, don’t worry about anything."
"We knew we could trust you with her Commander Bai, that’s why we thought of you when her brothers ca down with stomach issues last night. If your mother can’t spare you, you must tell us. i ili will just have to be disappointed."
"My mother sends her regards and is very pleased you asked for . She said to tell you she plans to drop by and visit you this afternoon Madam Yu."
"Oh, I look forward to welcoming Madam Bing. I have so very pretty, and tall, fa gao for her. I was worried they’d be flat after ili destroyed the ones at the palace," she complained.
"Oh, ho, ho," laughed Lord i. "The Li family had that coming. You mustn’t keep blaming our daughter for that incident my dear. That girl of theirs will think twice before she bullies ili again."
Bai Li allowed himself a small smile. He completely agreed with Lord i.
"Alright then wife. When the elders talk, the young ones don’t enjoy listening. We must let Young Bai leave now," he clapped the serious fellow on the shoulder. "We are in your debt, Commander."
"Not at all. I hope to make this a habit," the young man bowed and turned on his heel.
Lord i turned to his wife. "He really is a trustworthy and sensible young fellow. You should consider him seriously, wife."
"I agree husband. He’s just so stoney-faced and serious. Let’s see how things develop as they spend more ti together."
"My brother reports that the Second Prince is head over heels for her too."
"We’ve known Zhu Yicai since he was a young child. He has a good heart, but he’s been hardened by the death of his mother and having to survive the palace politics."
"I’m more concerned that the Emperor will marry him off for an alliance. What position can she hope to hold in that kind of royal household?"
"You’re right husband. The next year will tell as he moves to his fiefdom in Gu. The Emperor will see him married at the sa ti."
"That young Tan boy’s the dark horse. He’s definitely wooing her. She was light as a fairy when she returned from that outing to Xuanwu Lake with the fellow."
Madam Yu smiled fondly, chuckling. "Yes, he has a similar temperant to our daughter. He makes her laugh and smile. I’ve always liked him watching him grow up with Fifth. He’s a kind boy; a bit flighty though. I’d need to be convinced of his constancy. As you wisely told , husband, ’as distance tests a horse’s strength, ti can reveal a person’s heart’. I’ll make a decision fast, but not too fast. You just manage the concubine selections, and leave the rest to ," she patted his hand.
"I have complete trust in you on this matter, wife," he wrapped his arm lovingly around her waist.
The four young travellers set off on horseback for Purple Mountain. Tricky sat in his little saddle behind ili, proudly surveying the world as though he owned it.
"I can’t believe my parents let us go anyway, Bai Li. Thank you! You must have said everything just right."
"I was just polite," he said modestly.
"They must really trust you," she said in wonder. "I thought for sure they’d cancel this trip once my brothers fell sick."
"Fell sick?" asked Tan Bowen. "Are you sure they’re not just hungover?"
"No, no, no, it’s way worse than that. It’s definitely sothing they all ate at the New Year dinner we had last night. Only the boys ate the shrimp, so we’re pretty sure they’re the culprits."
"Well, the upside is, I was invited to accompany you by your parents," said Bai Li.
The other two n glared at him. The attitude of her parents was everything in this ga.
"Yes," said ili gaily. "Thank goodness they trust one of you three."
Bai Li smirked at the other two. "They trust , and I know they reminded you to do as I say on this trip, i ili," he chided her.
"Mmm hmm. They did. One thousand tis... Don’t worry I won’t do anything silly; I promise."
"I haven’t seen you have a good track record on avoiding silliness young lady, so please work harder while you’re under my watch."
"Yes Commander," she sighed. He was another brother, this serious friend of hers...
She trotted Tufei to pull up alongside Tan Bowen’s horse. He could always be trusted for so fun and light-heartedness.
"If you do as he says, we won’t have any fun at all on this trip," whispered Tan Bowen loudly.
ili laughed. "I’m sure Commander Bai knows how to have fun, at the right ti."
"He doesn’t," said Tan Bowen gloomily. "Believe , I have firsthand experience of it." He leaned down to rub his ankles, which still ached from the blunt-tipped arrows that had knocked him off her wall.
"I can second that," said the prince from up ahead. "He’s missing the ’fun’ bone entirely. It’s been bred out of the Bai n over generations of serving the Emperor."
"Are you quite finished with your criticisms, gentlen?" asked Bai Li. "Most uncalled for. I’m here, aren’t I? The purpose of this trip is for fun."
"Oh, you know that do you?" asked Tan Bowen. "With the way you’re dressed, I thought its purpose was for killing people."
Bai Li looked down at his outfit, which included light armour. He supposed it might be a bit of overkill for a lantern-viewing journey.
Still, he liked to be ready for any eventuality. And with this girl, the eventualities were myriad, and they just kept on coming...
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