“She dares!”
Duke Rong bristled, sternly declaring, “If she treats you like that, don’t even think about returning to the Bai family!”
“But, I feel like my sister is so useless…” Bai Murong, as if unable to control herself, let tears fall onto her arm.
When Duke Rong looked over, Bai Murong turned her head away, avoiding his gaze.
“Oh! Rongrong, don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”
Seeing Bai Murong’s awkward and distressed expression, Duke Rong softened his voice and comforted her, “If you hadn’t missed the entrance examination last time because you were helping Shengyi, you would definitely be better than Shengyi! You wait, Grandpa will ask others for you, and I’ll definitely get you a recommendation letter.”
“Grandpa!” Bai Murong looked at him excitedly, her eyes full of filial affection and reliance. “That would be wonderful! Thank you! I will definitely work hard and not disappoint you!”
“You are truly like your father.” Duke Rong looked at her, her eyes still teary but filled with absolute trust, feeling immensely satisfied.
What he liked most about Murong was her sensible and sincere nature; everything was displayed on her face.
Having received the answer she wanted, Bai Murong saw Duke Rong off, tidied herself up, and prepared to go out.
“Second Miss, where are you going? Dinner will be served soon.” The maid saw her and quickly reminded her.
Bai Murong said gently, “Zhiyun, I have something to attend to. You don’t need to prepare dinner for me later.”
“Alright, then I’ll inform the main courtyard later.”
Bai Murong said, “Thank you for your trouble.”
“Oh my, Second Miss is too gentle, and still so polite…”
Hearing the chattering discussions of the maids behind her, Bai Murong smiled with satisfaction. Compared to Bai Shengyi, she was the most popular young lady in the Bai family and the most qualified heir.
Bai Murong went alone, without any maids or guards, and familiarized herself with the alley outside a pastry shop, waiting. After a quarter of an hour, she saw a familiar figure approaching from not far away.
“Prince Gong, what a coincidence, we meet again.” Bai Murong smoothed her hair and stepped forward to greet him.
“It’s you, Miss Murong. Are you here again to buy pastries for Bai Shengyi?” Qin Zhao frowned displeasurably, “Bai Shengyi is too inconsiderate. You are her elder sister, how can she always order you around! Next time, you should just refuse her.”
Bai Murong smiled gently and brushed it off as if it were nothing, “It’s nothing, I’m used to it. And you, are you buying Jade Roun Pastry for Princess Mingyu?”
Those familiar with Sun Mingyu in the capital knew that she loved the Jade Roun Pastry from the Five Flavors Pastry shop the most.
Qin Zhao initially thought Bai Murong was too sensible and that her personality would easily lead to her being taken advantage of. When he heard her question, he felt a bit awkward.
He quickly explained, “It’s just that Bai Shengyi offended the Princess’s Manor. To appease them, I have to appease the Princess on Bai Shengyi’s behalf.”
Bai Murong seemed not to notice Qin Zhao’s awkwardness and said sincerely, “Your Highness is truly too good to Shengyi! I just don’t know when Shengyi will be able to marry you after she goes to Shenqi Academy. If she misses you because of cultivation, it would truly be Shengyi’s loss.”
“Bai Shengyi is going to Shenqi Academy?” Qin Zhao frowned tightly, and couldn’t help but think of Bai Yu.
Bai Murong said, “Yes, Your Highness, you know that my second uncle gave the recommendation letter to Shengyi.”
“This is outrageous!” Qin Zhao said angrily, handed the Jade Roun Pastry to the page behind him, and said to Bai Murong, “Miss Murong, I have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave.”
Bai Murong naturally didn’t stop Qin Zhao. Smiling, she changed direction and went to the restaurant where she had arranged to have dinner with her friend.
The more Qin Zhao thought about it, the more displeased he felt.
How could Bai Shengyi go to Shenqi Academy? Wouldn’t she then be able to surpass him?
No! He absolutely wouldn’t allow it!
“Prince Gong, you are…” The胖子侍卫 (fat bodyguard) saw the furious Qin Zhao and asked with a fawning smile.
Qin Zhao said coldly, “Where is your Third Miss? Have her come out to see me.”
It used to be like this. If Qin Zhao wanted to find Bai Shengyi, he would just say so outside the door, and Bai Shengyi would quickly and eagerly run out.
The 胖子侍卫 (fat bodyguard) rushed in to announce him, while Qin Zhao followed the butler to the reception hall of Duke Rong’s mansion to wait.
However, he waited and waited, and as it was getting dark, there was still no sign of her.
“Where is Bai Shengyi?” Qin Zhao asked angrily.
The butler had already sent three groups of people, and they all received the same reply, “Third Miss is resting and not seeing anyone.”
“This, Your Highness, perhaps you could come back tomorrow?” The butler relayed the maid’s words to Qin Zhao, helpless, “I heard that Third Miss advanced another level this afternoon, so she’s probably not resting but cultivating right now.”
He intended to cover for Bai Shengyi, but Qin Zhao felt even more agitated. How could Bai Shengyi value cultivation more than him!
He stood up and said, “I’ll go to her courtyard to find her!”
“Your Highness, this is not appropriate…” The butler’s words were choked back by the late Foundation Establishment pressure from Qin Zhao’s bodyguard. He watched Qin Zhao’s retreating back and hastily sent someone to notify Duke Rong.
This was not Qin Zhao’s first time visiting Bai Shengyi’s courtyard. He hadn’t felt anything before, but now, as evening approached, he felt the courtyard was eerily empty.
“Bai Shengyi! Come out!” Qin Zhao shouted impolitely.
In his mind, Bai Shengyi should always prioritize him. How could she surpass him and go to Shenqi Academy? Before, she cultivated but didn’t tell him.
There was no one in the courtyard, and no lights.
Qin Zhao frowned and asked the butler who had caught up, “Are you sure Bai Shengyi is at home?”
“Yes! She’s definitely here!” The butler wiped his sweat. What was all this about?
“Bai Shengyi! What do you mean? I specifically came to see you, and you still…”
“Creak!”
The door suddenly opened, and Bai Shengyi leaned against the doorframe. “You barge into a woman’s private chamber in the middle of the night, do you need me to praise you? Qin Zhao, do you really like me? Don’t you ever think about me at all!”
Qin Zhao was stunned. What was he about to say to Bai Shengyi just now?
“Qin Zhao! Can’t you learn from that young prince and be more respectful to women, and more mature as a person?” Bai Shengyi yawned lazily. “Don’t think I’m being harsh; I’m doing this for your own good, right?”
Qin Zhao: “You! You! Bai Shengyi!” He was going to be driven mad by this glib woman! What was she talking about!
He didn’t realize at all that these were the very words he had often instilled in Bai Shengyi. Now that they were turned back on him, he found them unbearable.
Bai Shengyi glanced at Qin Zhao’s two accompanying guards. The highest cultivation level was only late Foundation Establishment.
Now Qin Zhao stood on her territory.
Well, she wasn’t afraid anymore.
“What are you shouting for? You don’t need to thank me!” Bai Shengyi slammed the door shut and said coolly to the butler, “Butler, quickly see the guest out. It’s getting late, and it’s not appropriate for him to stay here.”