Chapter 906 - 908 This Misunderstanding is Truly Ridiculous_1
Zhou Shibin was one of the young elder candidates Bai Ruozhu had seen at the Commerce Association Headquarters during her last visit to Capital City. During the discussion of new policies that day, Zhou Shibin and another troublemaker, Li Dan, were present. Li Dan made a proposal with the help of the elder above him and showed his true colors. He was very blatant and also particularly looked down upon Bai Ruozhu. However, Zhou Shibin was like a modest gentleman, always very polite and didn’t flaunt any of his abilities.
Perhaps others might think that Zhou Shibin was just a good-looking man, merely a pretty face without substance, but Bai Ruozhu didn’t see him that way. Her intuition told her that he was no ordinary man and might even become a formidable rival of hers.
Zhou Shibin probably hadn’t seen Bai Ruozhu. She was puzzled as to why Zhou Shibin had come to Jiangnan, but it was inconvenient to ask the Commerce Association to investigate. Therefore, she instructed Jianqi to allocate two dark guards to look into it discreetly, without letting anyone from the Commerce Association know.
That afternoon, Bai Qizhi came to pick up Bai Ruozhu and took her to the Gu Family to visit Gu Xue’an. Gu Xue’an’s ankle had reduced in swelling, but it still hurt to walk, so she didn’t dare to move around too much.
Gu Xue’an was thrilled by Bai Ruozhu’s visit, and she had the maid make a lot of dimsum and fruit tea. The three of them chatted over tea in the room, creating quite a lively atmosphere.
Gu Xue’an was a few months older than Bai Ruozhu, while Bai Qizhi was the youngest. The three quickly addressed each other as sisters.
From their conversation, Bai Ruozhu also gathered plenty of news. First was that Deng Lin and Zhang Xiuquan were to be escorted back to the Capital City for trial, as the Emperor highly valued the Competition of The Eight Academies. Now that such an incident had occurred, even though the papers hadn’t reached the Imperial Study Room yet, anyone could imagine how furious the Emperor would be upon learning the news. After weighing the matter, Bai’s father had felt that it wasn’t for him, a mere county magistrate, to judge, and Governor Gu had also felt that they should be escorted back to the Capital, planning to personally escort the criminals back to the Capital in the next few days.
"Xue’an, will you be going back to the Capital as well?" Bai Qizhi asked somewhat anxiously.
Gu Xue’an nodded, "Father has called for all of us to return to the Capital. From now on, we’ll live in the old mansion of the Gu Family. He may also be transferred back to the Capital soon."
"That’s great, at least you won’t have to stay here and be pushed around by Xu Panrui and her group anymore," Bai Qizhi said this, but her tone was somewhat downcast.
Suddenly, Bai Ruozhu remembered Gu Xue’an’s engagement to Lin Xufei and couldn’t help but ask, "Don’t you have a marriage arrangement with Mr. Lin? Why are you returning now? Won’t you have to travel all the distance to marry here later?"
As a young lady soon to be married, Gu Xue’an’s face flushed at the mention of marriage, and she said somewhat shyly, "Ruozhu, you don’t know. Lin Xufei will be taking up a post in the Capital and residing there for a long time. After his position in the Capital is secured and the residence is ready, we’ll—we’ll be getting married."
Gu Xue’an didn’t elaborate, but Bai Ruozhu read between the lines. The Huainan King was, after all, a noble of different surname with great military achievements. His son taking up a post in the Capital and residing there permanently was essentially like being a hostage. Of course, Lin Xufei’s situation was certainly a lot better than that of a hostage. The progeny of nobles of different surnames could not inherit titles, and it was unknown whether the Emperor would confer titles by demotion in the future. At least for now, the Huainan King himself held sway, and as his son had already forsaken martial pursuits for civil, he wouldn’t arouse too much of the Emperor’s vigilance.
"This is also good. Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to come to the Capital and celebrate your wedding wine in the future," Bai Ruozhu said with a laugh, trying to steer the conversation away from politics with a joke.
Gu Xue’an’s face turned even redder, but her eyes hid a faint sadness, as though she was not really happy.
Bai Qizhi, who had a more forthright personality, felt that she was now close enough to Bai Ruozhu to speak her mind and said, "Are you worrying about Lin Xufei’s attitude towards you again? You’re too easy to bully. If he doesn’t treat you well, you don’t need to treat him well either. My mother said, you can’t indulge a man too much, or they’ll take it for granted."
Bai Ruozhu had just taken a sip of tea when she almost sprayed it out. Fearing a loss of composure, she swallowed quickly, only to be choked by it, which led to a severe bout of coughing.
Gu Xue’an, frightened, hurriedly helped pat her back to ease her breathing, and glanced at Bai Qizhi with a bit of reproach, saying, "Look what you’ve done to Ruozhu, can’t you be a little more tactful with your words?"
Bai Ruozhu recovered her breath and waved her hands hastily, "No matter, no matter, Qizhi is right. Men should not be spoiled. I’m married myself, so I have a say in this."
"You see, Sister Bai is right," said Bai Qizhi, very pleased with herself for having finally found someone to agree with her point of view.
Gu Xue’an smiled and shook her head, looking as if there was nothing she could do about Bai Qizhi.
Bai Ruozhu had a good impression of Gu Xue’an and thought that although she had a gentle nature, she was not the kind of fragile little white flower. This was evident from the way she had once rebuked Xu Panrui and the others. It was a pity that there seemed to be a misunderstanding between her and Lin Xufei, but it wasn’t that Lin Xufei didn’t care about her at all. If the misunderstanding between them grew, it would be a shame to waste such a good match.
Thinking of this, Bai Ruozhu spoke tactfully, "I’ve interacted with Lin Xufei a few times as well. On our way to Xuanlang City, we were attacked, and the Huainan King sent him to lead a team to our aid, which was a great help. He truly deserves to be one of the Four Great Talents of Jiangnan. Both in terms of learning and character, he is outstanding. Miao An, you are about to marry a good husband."
Although Gu Xue’an was older than Bai Ruozhu at present, Bai Ruozhu, who had lived for more than twenty years in her previous life, found it very awkward to call her "Sister Gu," so she simply addressed her by her name.
Gu Xue’an’s face grew even redder, her cherry-like lips curling up, clearly in a good mood. It was evident that she was quite fond of Lin Xufei, her fiancé.
"During the competition a few days ago, Lin Xufei even thanked me, saying he was grateful for the help I provided you." Bai Ruozhu said, winking at her.
Gu Xue’an, shocked, opened her mouth slightly in disbelief and stared at Bai Ruozhu, asking, "Are you just teasing me? How could he possibly care about what happens to me?"
Bai Ruozhu scolded her with a glance, "It seems you two really did have some misunderstanding. I think he’s quite concerned about you, but it seems like he’s holding some anger inside, and he didn’t sound very friendly when he thanked me."
Gu Xue’an’s surprise faded from her face, and her expression darkened again, "He must think I lack the demeanor of a lady, arguing with people like Xu Panrui in public, losing face for him, my fiancé. But..."
Bai Qizhi, also growing impatient, interjected, "Xu Panrui and the others are so outrageous. How could you bear it? You’ve already been meek enough."
Bai Ruozhu quietly wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, thinking to herself that this girl really was blinded by the situation. How could she clash with Lin Xufei? It was no wonder their misunderstanding was growing.
"Miao An, you must have misunderstood. Lin Xufei would never want you to swallow your anger, nor would he think that arguing with someone means losing your ladylike demeanor. Sometimes, you don’t need to quarrel to make your opponent lose face, right? Moreover, it seems to me that he might actually dislike that you tend too much towards swallowing your anger, and he probably doesn’t want a wife who is too meek."