Bai Su sighed and slowly recounted the beginning of her acquaintance with An Kang Bo.
At that time, Xie Chen, hurt by love, went to the Southern Border and devoted himself to politics. He spent over ten years helping the court govern the Southern Border in an orderly fashion, earning him high prestige locally.
At twenty-five, Xie Chen, being unmarried, was well cared for by the local people, with many enthusiastic individuals trying to arrange a marriage for him.
Thirteen-year-old Bai Su, having accidentally overheard her mother and father's conversation, learned that Xie Chen did not fancy Bai Su's elder sister.
In Bai Su's eyes, her elder sister was beautiful and kind-hearted, comparable to a celestial maiden descended to earth. Who was Xie Chen to look down on her? On what grounds?
Bai Su, seeking justice for her sister, approached Xie Chen without her family's knowledge.
Having lived a free and unrestrained life since childhood, Bai Su naturally did not hold back when facing Xie Chen. Relying on the martial arts she had learned since childhood, she engaged Xie Chen in a fight.
Although Xie Chen had studied literature since childhood, due to the Great Qin clan's choice of Gu Chang Wei, he also began to practice martial arts. Possessing great perseverance, he managed to cultivate excellent combat skills despite starting late.
He fought Bai Su, who had been tutored by renowned masters since childhood, to a draw.
This fight captured the young girl's attention. After all, in the village, due to her status, people always treated her with kindness and never dared to look at her with anything less than respect.
Bai Su sought out Xie Chen every few days. Initially, she found fault with him, but as she watched him busy himself, she began to find him remarkable and eventually fell in love. At first, she believed Xie Chen was destined to be her brother-in-law, so she suppressed her feelings. Later, when her sister married a young man from the manor, Bai Su subtly learned from her sister that she had no feelings for Xie Chen, as it was merely a mention from their parents.
Without any psychological burden, Bai Su's heart was filled with Xie Chen.
Initially, Xie Chen was unaware of Bai Su's feelings. Moreover, as he often interacted with Bai Su's father, he treated Bai Su like a sister and even asked people to send many novelties from the capital for Bai Su to play with.
These unintentional actions, in Bai Su's eyes, were Xie Chen's way of showing affection and indicating his interest in her.
Therefore, after reaching her coming-of-age ceremony at fifteen, she eagerly revealed her feelings to her parents.
They were immediately opposed, reasoning that if Xie Chen did not fancy Bai Su's elder sister, how could he possibly fancy Bai Su, a spoiled and pampered girl? They advised Bai Su to abandon this idea, as several young men in the village were deeply fond of her, and any of them would be a good choice.
How could she let go of someone she had silently loved for two years?
After exhausting all their methods and failing to change their daughter's mind, Bai Su's parents could only turn to Xie Chen.
Upon learning this, Xie Chen was greatly surprised, stating that he only regarded her as a sister and had no other intentions. He also informed Bai Su's parents that he had no plans to marry.
Bai Su did not believe him and persisted in her pursuit of Xie Chen.
She continued until Xie Chen decided to return to the capital.
By this time, Bai Su was twenty-three. Even in the Southern Border, she was considered an old maid. The young men who had once fancied Bai Su already had several children.
During this period, Bai Su's parents compromised, stating that as long as Bai Su was happy, it was fine.
Bai Su always believed that she had managed to move Xie Chen's heart, only for him to leave without a word.
Bai Su was confined by her family for a period. Finally, she left a note and escaped, going to great lengths to reach the capital and find Tai He Temple.
However, Xie Chen asked her to return.
During this time, she saw Xie Chen interact with Qi Zhen Zhen several times and even send her gifts. She also learned from Xie Chen's attendants that he was very attentive to Qi Zhen Zhen, so she naturally assumed Qi Zhen Zhen was the person Xie Chen had casually mentioned liking.