Bai Xiang and Old King Kang sat at the head of the table, looking down at Xiao Muqian and Bai Siruo who stood below. One was imposing and graceful, the other radiant and dignified. They were indeed a well-matched pair.
After a night of calm, Bai Siruo's resistance had lessened considerably. She now stood obediently behind Princess Wenyi, her head slightly bowed, her expression serene, revealing no unusual emotions.
Xiao Muqian, standing behind the Crown Princess, was slightly more at ease. His eyes were open and honest, and he cast several glances in Bai Siruo's direction. After all, his Bai family cousin would soon be his wife, and he was filled with curiosity.
"Siruo has been doted on by us since childhood. If there are any shortcomings in the future, I hope Your Highness and Princess Consort will be more forgiving."
"What are you saying, Prime Minister? She is your Bai family's granddaughter and also my Kang King's Mansion's granddaughter. Rest assured, once she marries Xiao Er, no one in the Kang King's Mansion will dare to make things difficult for her!"
Old King Kang had made his promise early on, which put the Bai family at ease.
The most important thing when marrying off a daughter was to hope she would live a comfortable life. The Bai family's power was already sufficient; they did not need her to sacrifice herself to further their path to power and wealth.
Madam Shen sat in the second row of chairs, watching everyone amicably discuss the couple's marriage. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
Her injuries had not fully healed. She could have abstained from attending today, but she couldn't swallow her pride. This marriage to the Kang King's Mansion should have been her daughter's, yet it had fallen to that wretched girl, Bai Siruo. How could she not come to witness it?
Her eyes, filled with jealousy, fixed on Xiao Muqian behind the Crown Princess. Such an excellent son-in-law, she also desired.
However, the whipping Madam Lin had given her last time had served as a wake-up call. In Qiongzhou, they were indeed the undisputed ladies, but in Dongdu City, their status was not enough.
Her only hope was her daughter's beauty.
But without the embellishment of wealth, this beauty might struggle to stand out in Dongdu City. In two more days, once she felt more comfortable, she would have to visit Shuanggui Lane to meet that person.
Bai Siruo seemed to be in a daze, not paying attention to what anyone was saying. Even when she met Xiao Muqian, she merely glanced up and then lowered her head, not even noticing if he was round or square.
Xiao Muqian, however, found her somewhat familiar but couldn't place why.
Perhaps she resembled his aunt, which was why she seemed familiar. He didn't think too deeply about it.
After the engagement ceremony concluded, Bai Siruo walked out of the courtyard and looked up at the square sky. From now on, it would be difficult to have days of comfort and freedom.
"Haitang, prepare the carriage. Let's go to Mingchi one more time. If there's still no news this time, you don't need to inquire anymore. Just pretend it never happened."
Bai Siruo said listlessly. Her sorrowful appearance caused Haitang much heartache.
"Miss, this servant thinks the future son-in-law is a good man. He will surely cherish you."
Good man, good son-in-law, good outcome, good destination.
She had heard these words from yesterday to today and had grown somewhat numb. A good man was a good man, but could two people who felt no admiration for each other truly live happily and harmoniously together?
She didn't know.
In an instant, Bai Siruo thought of Wei Lanxuan.
Although she looked down on Liang Wei's marriage, this husband was chosen by Wei Lanxuan herself. To strive so hard for the person she loved, she must have been happy.
"I know. We'll go one last time. Prepare the carriage."
"Yes."
Haitang couldn't bear to refuse her any longer, fearing this matter might leave an irreversible shadow on her. She quickly went to instruct the servants to prepare the carriage.
The carriage moved slowly and soon arrived at the entrance of the restaurant.
The shopkeeper, upon seeing Haitang, sent a young servant to find Lu Yuanfeng before even greeting them. "Tell Young Master Lu, the person has arrived."
The servant received the order and ran towards the private room where Lu Yuanfeng was.
Haitang walked in. The shopkeeper pretended he had just noticed her, a fawning smile on his face as he stepped forward to ask,
"You've come again, Miss. The usual?"
"Yes, shopkeeper. Any news?"
He shook his head. Haitang felt both relieved and sad for her young lady.
Bai Siruo, wearing a veiled hat, entered the familiar private room.
She ordered some pastries and a pot of tea, then leaned quietly by the window, gazing out at the frozen Mingchi water.
Since being rescued, she had often dreamed of the scene of falling into the water. She always wondered if things would have been much simpler if she hadn't fainted and had remembered her benefactor's appearance.
Alas, now the locket was still new in her pouch, but the figure of that person was becoming hazy even in her dreams.
As she sighed over this unobtained affection, the Mingchi suddenly became chaotic. For some reason, the ice on the Mingchi cracked, and a playing child fell in. People cried out in alarm, but no one dared to jump in on such a cold day, fearing that if they couldn't save the child, they would be in trouble themselves.
Unexpectedly, a figure in cyan suddenly leaped into the cracked opening of the pond and soon pulled the child back.
The surrounding servants immediately stepped forward to drape a cloak over him. The crowd swarmed around this life-saving hero. The child's family arrived and kowtowed in gratitude.
Seeing this scene, Bai Siruo felt as if she had returned to that year. For some reason, the pale cyan figure began to merge with the hazy image in her memory!
"Let's go, let's go out and see!"
As soon as she spoke, she dashed out. Haitang repeatedly called from behind, "Miss, slow down!"
The restaurant was next to Mingchi. After running no more than a hundred paces, Bai Siruo bumped into the "rescuer," the young hero.
Beneath his cloak, he was soaked. His face was pale from the icy water, but his appearance was handsome, which surprised Bai Siruo.
"Are... are you alright?"
Lu Yuanfeng looked at Bai Siruo with feigned curiosity. After a moment's thought, he said, "Is the young lady related to that child just now?"
Bai Siruo shook her head. She didn't know the child at all, but she seemed to recognize the person in front of her.
"Then why is the young lady asking if I'm alright?"
Bai Siruo couldn't answer but directly asked, "Is this the first time you've saved someone, sir?"
Before Lu Yuanfeng could reply, a servant beside him said proudly, "Not at all. Our young master also saved a young lady by this pond a few years ago. But that was in the summer, and the pond water was cool, unlike today. I say, young master, can you stop always saving people from peril? If Madam finds out, she'll blame me for not stopping you and break my legs!"
The servant spoke as if he had no filter, but Bai Siruo's eyes instantly lit up!