Three days later, at the birthday banquet of Old Madam Baili, after all the guests were seated, Old Master Baili returned with his wife. During their walk, Old Master Baili tried to strike up a conversation, but his wife seemed preoccupied.
"Do you think anything was amiss with today's banquet?" Old Master Baili asked.
The elderly couple walked along the garden path back home. It was quiet, perhaps that was why he kept trying to speak, to ease the atmosphere.
Madam Baili shook her head, "The banquet was handled very well. Everyone seemed quite happy, so I don't think there were any oversights."
"Alas," Old Master Baili sighed. "Wife, are you getting old or forgetful? You seem to be playing dumb."
Upon hearing this, Madam Baili replied, "Please don't blame me, Master. I am very tired today. Unlike the young, my body is not as robust as it used to be. Please, do not say more."
As Madam Baili finished speaking, several figures approached from not too far away. The couple stopped walking and upon a closer look, they saw Baili Jingxuan and the household guards.
Baili Jingxuan respectfully greeted the elders and then calmly explained, "Father, Mother, I heard a commotion in the garden and thought someone was causing trouble, so I took the liberty of bringing the guards."
"Hmm, thank you for your concern," Old Master Baili said, looking at Baili Jingxuan as if he wanted to say more, but then added, "It was just a few impudent individuals. We could handle it."
"That's good. I was afraid Father and Mother might be bullied," Baili Jingxuan's concern flashed in his eyes.
Baili Jingxuan valued filial piety above all else. In his eyes, his parents were more important than heaven itself. Without them, he would not have had the chance to be in this world, and thus he was immensely grateful to them.
Whatever he thought about, he always prioritized his parents. He would not do anything that displeased them.
Even for important matters, he would carefully consider and seek his parents' opinions before acting.
Madam Baili then said, "Good son, your father and I are the hosts here. If we didn't have the ability to handle this, we wouldn't be able to survive in this world."
Baili Jingxuan nodded and added, "When I was young, Father and Mother protected me. Now that I've grown up, it's my turn to protect you."
Madam Baili was very pleased with her son, and at the same time, she felt sorry for him. Baili Jingxuan had always been the most sensible among her children.
However, Madam Baili did not wish for Baili Jingxuan to be so sensible so early. Sensible children often had to endure many hardships.
She had never seen Baili Jingxuan act spoiled in front of her, nor had she ever seen him frown.
Old Master Baili nodded with satisfaction and turned to Madam Baili, saying, "Wife, please return to your room first. If it gets late and I haven't returned, you may rest without waiting for me."
Madam Baili said "Yes" and left.
Regarding other matters, Madam Baili did not want to inquire further. They were all trivial matters that she would normally oversee, but now that her husband was deliberately sending her away, she suspected he had something to discuss with Jingxuan.
Since it was an important matter, she was not meant to inquire. She just needed to pretend she knew nothing.
Only Old Master Baili, Baili Jingxuan, and the guards remained. Baili Jingxuan did not know what his father intended, but he did not ask, and Old Master Baili walked ahead towards the study.
Baili Jingxuan and the others followed closely. Everyone remained silent along the way. When they reached the entrance of the study, Old Master Baili paused and said sternly, "You all wait outside the study courtyard. Do not enter without permission."
Baili Jingxuan felt something was amiss. His father had never sent the guards so far away from him. Could it be that there was something important to discuss with him today?
"Yes." The guards left the study courtyard upon receiving the order.
Baili Jingxuan became even more curious, wondering what his father was about to do.
His father always discussed matters with his mother, but now he had excluded her. Perhaps this matter was not meant for his mother to know.
Could this matter be related to his mother?
Baili Jingxuan speculated.
Old Master Baili entered the study, but Baili Jingxuan did not follow, instead waiting outside the door. Old Master Baili sat at the head of the desk and glanced at Baili Jingxuan, who was standing outside the door, saying, "Come in."
Baili Jingxuan then entered and stood straight before the desk. Old Master Baili looked at Baili Jingxuan with sharp eyes and asked, "Do you know why I brought you here?"
"I do not," Baili Jingxuan replied truthfully.
Old Master Baili nodded. "It's good that you don't know. From now on, you will also pretend not to know."
Baili Jingxuan was very confused by this statement, which sounded cryptic: "Please enlighten me, Father."
Old Master Baili merely looked up and said, "Today, I am going to do something that must be done without anyone knowing, and after it's done, it will be as if nothing happened."
"Naturally, Father," Baili Jingxuan responded.
Baili Jingxuan became serious. This matter was indeed as he had suspected.
"Good," Old Master Baili nodded, then stood up and walked to Baili Jingxuan's side. "From now on, seize the opportunity and take your younger brother away."
"Why?" Baili Jingxuan was usually calm, but at this moment, he was somewhat bewildered.
Why did his father want him to take his younger brother away? Baili Jingxuan truly didn't understand his father's intentions. His younger brother was still very young.
He was still just a child, and yet his father was acting in such a way, for what purpose? He just hoped that this little child would not be harmed.
Old Master Baili did not answer, but merely instructed, "You do as I say. You do not need to inquire about anything else. Remember not to be seen by anyone."
Old Master Baili believed that Baili Jingxuan could handle this matter well. After all, he had high hopes for Baili Jingxuan, and as a father, he was well aware of his capabilities.
The reason he chose him for this task was also because he trusted Baili Jingxuan.
"Your son understands," Baili Jingxuan replied. He didn't know why his father was doing this, but he assumed it was for a grand strategy.
This made him even more cautious.
However, regardless of whether this matter had anything to do with his younger brother, he had to be extremely careful. His father's actions must have his reasons, and perhaps they would change his younger brother's future destiny.
He hoped his younger brother would understand his father's actions.
Old Master Baili sat back at the desk, no longer speaking, only lowering his head in silence. After a while, he said, "This matter must be kept secret, even from your mother."
"Your son understands. Your son will definitely not let this matter be known to outsiders," Baili Jingxuan replied with determination. He knew that besides himself, anyone else involved would be considered an outsider.
"It's good that you understand," Old Master Baili said again. "Your father is doing this out of necessity. I hope your younger brother will understand that your father is doing this for his own good."
Baili Jingxuan was taken aback, and after a moment of stunned silence, he slowly replied, "Younger brother will surely understand Father's good intentions."