Letters had been sent to Second Cousin, A Yao, and Ming Yue, hoping they would return soon. If they missed it, she would not forgive them!
Bai Siruo's relationship with Feng Jin Yao and Xu Ming Yue was closer than that of many sisters.
For her one marriage in this lifetime, she naturally wanted both of them to be present.
Xiao Muqian watched her, sometimes excited, sometimes feigning anger, with a touch of indulgence.
The Ming Pond was most beautiful in summer. Not only were the surroundings filled with lush trees and flowers, but the pond itself was home to water lilies and golden koi, swimming freely and happily.
Every time Xiao Muqian saw such a scene, he would sigh.
Although it was all Great Jin, the Eastern Capital was meticulously refined, while Liangzhou possessed a different kind of rugged beauty.
If he had the chance, he still wanted to return to Liangzhou. He always felt that he was freer there.
Meanwhile, Bai Siruo, looking at the Ming Pond, recalled many past events.
After Lu Yuanfeng was executed by waist chopping, she had never heard his name mentioned by anyone.
Although he had been extremely detestable, he had, after all, saved her.
Now that he was gone, many things should vanish like passing clouds.
Looking at Xiao Muqian, she did not want to hide anything.
So, she mustered her courage and said.
"When I was young, I came to Ming Pond with my family to play, but I accidentally fell into the water. If I hadn't been rescued, you wouldn't have seen me today. That person was Lu Yuanfeng, which is why I believed him and caused so much trouble. Since you and I are about to get married, I think it's best to be honest with each other."
After saying this, she had expected Xiao Muqian to be angry or astonished.
However, she did not expect him to look surprised, and his expression towards her even held a hint of doubt.
Bai Siruo did not understand what this meant, so she looked at him and asked again.
"Muqian, what's wrong?"
Hearing her words, Xiao Muqian came back to his senses, took her hand, and asked solemnly.
"When did you fall into Ming Pond?"
"Why are you asking this?"
"Tell me first, it's important."
Not understanding Xiao Muqian's actions, Bai Siruo still opened her mouth and said.
"It was during the height of summer in the fourth year of Tianqi."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Muqian suddenly pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as if he wanted to fuse her into his bones.
He kept whispering apologies in her ear.
This made Bai Siruo even more confused. "What do you mean?"
After a long while, Xiao Muqian finally spoke.
"When I first met you, I felt you looked familiar, but I couldn't place where I had seen you before. In the fourth year of Tianqi, I returned to the Eastern Capital with my second uncle to report for duty, and I also came to this Ming Pond."
Even a fool would understand at this point, so Bai Siruo widened her eyes and asked.
"So, you mean, you are my savior!"
"Yes. I also dropped a jade pendant then. My mother bought it for me when she prayed at Fahua Temple."
Bai Siruo's mind exploded. She never imagined that the savior she had longed for was actually Xiao Muqian!
She was so shocked that she couldn't speak.
Then Xiao Muqian said fiercely.
"That scoundrel Lu Yuanfeng, how dare he impersonate that matter to deceive you! If he weren't already dead, I would have personally taken his dog life!"
Bai Siruo was lost in her own world and did not react to Xiao Muqian's words.
At this moment, she truly felt foolish, how could she have been so stupid as to fall for that man's trick?
Not only had she ruined her reputation, but she had almost implicated the Bai family and the Prince of Kang's mansion.
If not for A Yao, Xiao Muqian, and Su Cheng's help, she would have been ruined by now.
Thinking of this, she shivered, feeling as if she had been completely schemed against.
Xiao Muqian noticed her discomfort and quickly asked.
"Siruo, are you alright?"
Although it was the end of July, Bai Siruo's hands and feet were ice-cold. After resting for a while.
She slowly said, "I don't feel well, I want to go back."
"Alright."
Although Xiao Muqian wanted to stay by her side at this moment, he also knew that she needed some time to process.
This matter had been a great blow to her. She had already gotten over it, and now it was brought up again, it was normal for her to feel overwhelmed.
Therefore, Xiao Muqian did not say much and immediately sent her back to the Bai residence.
Then he quietly guarded the courtyard, not disturbing her.
Bai Siruo returned to her room, and the familiarity of the place made her confused and tired heart relax.
Lying on the bed, she kept replaying Lu Yuanfeng's "chance encounters" with her.
Even Haitang could see that there might be something fishy about it, yet she was foolish enough to fall right into it.
Now that her savior was her future husband, she should have been happy. But for some reason, she couldn't feel happy, and she didn't know why.
As she thought, she drifted into a deep sleep.
In her dream, she seemed to have returned to the time she fell into the water years ago. The figure in dark green still disappeared before her eyes as usual. She wanted to catch it, but found it was just a dream.
Struggling to wake up from the dream, she realized it was already dark.
The moon hung high in the ink-like night sky, exuding brightness and tranquility.
"Haitang."
Bai Siruo called out softly, and someone entered from outside the door.
"Miss, you're awake?"
"Yes, what time is it?"
"It's the first quarter of the戌 hour. Miss slept so soundly, I'm afraid you'll be up late tonight."
Who said she wouldn't be? But she couldn't help it.
After waking up from this sleep, the knot in her heart suddenly loosened.
For some reason, she felt a sense of peace surrounding her, which lessened her worries.
Haitang smiled. Seeing that her young lady was still a bit dazed, she lit all the lamps around and then said with a smile.
"Young Master Muqian stayed in the courtyard guarding you all afternoon. He was just called to have dinner by the Prime Minister."
"What?"
Bai Siruo was a little surprised. "He didn't go back?"
"No, he said he was worried you might be overthinking things alone, so he stayed. Who knew you would sleep for several hours? I saw him practice a whole set of boxing routines. Unfortunately, we don't have a long spear in our courtyard, otherwise, he would have definitely shown off a round to satisfy himself."
Xiao Muqian was martial. When he was in Liangzhou, he felt uncomfortable if he didn't train for a day.
His movements were not loud, but his stances were clean and sharp. Even Haitang, an outsider, wanted to clap and praise him.
Bai Siruo put away her recent laziness and immediately got out of bed to tidy herself up.
"Miss, take your time."
Haitang said while getting her a cloak. Although it was the height of summer, there was a slight chill in the night air, and it was not good for a woman to catch a cold.
By the time Bai Siruo found Xiao Muqian, he was playing chess with Prime Minister Bai.
He was not very proficient at Go.
So, it was not so much that he was accompanying Prime Minister Bai, but rather that Prime Minister Bai was giving him a handicap.