He never thought that Bai Xianyu would have any interaction with him in this life.
Her delicate and lively voice seemed to ring in his ears. Unknowingly, Bai Xianyu's every frown and smile had already been engraved in his mind.
"Xie Xingyun, when will you smile at me?"
"Do you know? I went to Chicken's Song Temple to pray for blessings. It's a poem. Do you want to make a guess?"
"Did I disturb you? Then let me tell you. I'm reciting the 'Spring Feast'. I'll drink a cup of green wine and sing a song. Then, I'll pay homage to Chen's three wishes. Firstly, I wish that my beloved will live to be a thousand years old. Secondly, I wish that I'll be healthy. Thirdly, I wish that we'll be like swallows on a beam, that we'll see each other for years and years to come."
"If I didn't pester you, we wouldn't have any interactions at all. But I like you, Xie Xingyun. I want to see you for years to come."
…
"Young Marquis, it's windy here. Put on the cloak." Xiao Zheng brought a dark purple cloak for Xie Xingyun.
Seeing Xie Xingyun looking at the three of them silently, Xiao Zheng said in a low voice, "Young Master, you've heard about it too?"
Xie Xingyun retracted his gaze and looked elsewhere. "What?"
"It's said that the Marquis of Dingyuan is interested in seeking a marriage for Young Marquis Lin. He's asking for the hand of the first daughter of the General's Manor, Bai Xianyu."
Xie Xingyun lowered his head and rubbed the arrow. His expression could not be seen clearly. "When did this happen?"
Although he did not know when Xie Xingyun became interested in these things, as his subordinate, Xiao Zheng still answered dutifully, "Just these few days. I heard that Miss Bai's brothers were not happy about it. Otherwise, the Marquis of Dingyuan would have brought the betrothal gifts to their door long ago."
Xiao Zheng chuckled. "In my opinion, Miss Bai and Young Marquis Lin are childhood sweethearts. If they really get together, it won't be a bad thing. Although they have not come to an agreement, if Miss Bai likes Young Marquis Lin, I think her brothers won't disapprove. I saw that Miss Bai's gaze didn't leave Young Marquis Lin even for a moment just now. Fourth Master Bai and Young Marquis Lin are as close as brothers. It seems that a good thing is about to happen…"
"Ka."
The long arrow in Xie Xingyun's hand broke into two, and the jagged wooden spikes pierced his finger.
"Young Master, your hand!"
Xie Xingyun's gaze was dark. "I'm fine."
…
In the next few days, Bai Xianyu never saw Xie Xingyun again.
It was five in the evening when they returned to the general's residence. Bai Jinyan carried the prey in with a smile. When the servants saw this, they surrounded him. He waved his hand. "No need, no need. I want to bring it in myself!"
Bai Xianyu smiled helplessly. At this moment, a stern and cold voice entered his ears. "Help you carry it? I think you're too smug!"
She was stunned. After walking past the spacious patio, there were three men in the outer hall; they were either standing or sitting. They were exceptionally handsome and had a relaxed aura. All of them were tall and had an air of nobility.
Bai Jinyan was so shocked that his hands trembled and all the rabbits, deers, and leopards fell to the ground. He stammered, "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother… all of you are back."
Bai Tanshen snorted and walked up to Bai Xianyu to take a closer look. "Brother heard that you encountered a tiger and almost got bitten?"
The third brother, Bai Jingyuan, was dressed in court attire and had a graceful bearing. However, when he met Bai Jinyan's eyes, a vicious glint flashed across his long and narrow phoenix eyes. "Is this how you take care of Little Yu?"
Second brother, Bai Mohuai, glanced at Bai Jinyan. That glance gave Bai Jinyan goosebumps.
He stood at the side in fear and could not say a word. His eldest brother was like a father. He had always been the one being disciplined, so he stood behind Bai Xianyu in embarrassment.
Bai Xianyu patted Bai Jinyan's hand comfortingly. "It's fine. Just watch me."