nucmednet Chapter 940 Bai Qingze is getting married again in Kyoto!
Chapter 940 Bai Qingze is getting married again in Kyoto!
A large, well-prepared convoy quietly came to a stop in front of the Bai residence.
Leading the procession was a spacious and comfortable carriage with eight treasures and glazed tiles. The carriage walls were thick, the beams were carved and painted, and the interior was covered with thick Persian carpets and contained an exquisite gilded hand warmer. It was clear at a glance that this was the carriage of the prefect of Qingzhou.
Following them were seven smaller but equally exquisite carriages, lined up in a row, prepared for the seven daughters.
Further behind were more than a dozen wagons loaded with luggage and New Year's gifts to various prefectures in Kyoto, as well as an elite guard team of over a hundred people, composed of the prefect's personal guards and the Bai family's protectors.
Such a grand spectacle attracted neighbors to quietly open their doors and peer curiously in.
The prefect of Qingzhou had already changed into a purple sable cloak that was both practical for travel and dignified, and was waiting by the carriage looking very energetic.
Sun Nanxing went along to broaden his horizons, and also wanted to visit Gu Liang in Kyoto.
Bai Lu led her seven daughters, who were also dressed in new clothes, out of the mansion.
Madam Luo followed behind with a reluctant look in her eyes, carrying a food box in her hand: "These are freshly baked pastries, so you can have a snack if you get hungry on the way."
"Madam Luo, thank you for your hard work at home."
Bai Lu bowed to her solemnly.
"Don't say that, it's all I should do."
Madam Luo quickly helped her up and then patted each of the seven girls' heads, saying, "When you go to the capital, you must listen to Madam's words."
"Okay, Aunt Luo!"
The sisters answered in unison, their voices clear and melodious.
Seeing the reluctant scene, the prefect of Qingzhou smiled and urged, "Alright, alright, it's not like you're not coming back."
"Get on the bus, everyone. If we delay any longer, we'll miss the auspicious time."
Bai Lu took one last look at the brightly lit shops and mansions before leading her daughters to their respective carriages.
With a clear shout from the driver, the coachman set off in a grand procession toward the official road leading to the capital.
The convoy moved smoothly, and the carriages were warm and cozy.
March, June, and July were all in the same car; they were at the age where they loved to play.
In March, she proudly pulled out a deck of cards from her little bundle, while in June she brought out the snacks prepared by Lady Luo. In July, she brewed hot tea for her sisters, and soon the carriage was filled with laughter and joy.
In another carriage, January, February, April, and May sat together.
"This is a map showing the distribution of various forces in Kyoto, as well as the network of relationships among the main figures. I compiled this overnight based on information provided by my mother."
In January, she unfolded a meticulously drawn blueprint, her expression serious. "Going to the capital is not like going to Qingzhou. We must be extremely careful in our words and actions, and we must not cause trouble for Mother."
In February, she held the account book and carefully planned: "The New Year's gifts I brought this time are all quite valuable. I need to know which family to give them to and how much to give."
"Also, we sisters need to discuss in advance what kind of wedding gifts we should give to our third uncle's wedding banquet."
April and May listened attentively.
Su Jinyu and the others were fast asleep in another carriage.
Bai Lu and the prefect of Qingzhou rode in the same carriage. She lifted a corner of the curtain and looked back, feeling gratified.
"They've all grown up and can all stand on their own now."
The prefect of Qingzhou sighed, "When I first met them, they were just a few adorable little children, following behind you timidly."
"Yes, seven years have passed in the blink of an eye."
Bai Lu lowered the carriage curtain, her gaze distant, "How wonderful..."
"If only we could live like this forever..."
The convoy traveled for about two hours. As dusk approached, a biting north wind whipped up snow dust, which lashed against the sides of the carriages.
A wide, frozen river appeared beside the official road.
The river surface shimmered with a cold, silvery light under the setting sun, like a sleeping jade ribbon.
"Lady White Snake, Your Excellency the Prefect,"
The captain of the guard reported from outside the vehicle, "The ice on the river ahead is too thick. To prevent the horses from slipping, we need to send someone to clear a safe path first. We will rest here for a while."
"Understood, safety first."
Bai Lu's voice came from inside the car.
The convoy came to a slow stop.
The daughters, who had been making a ruckus all afternoon, were getting tired, and the carriage quieted down.
Bai Lu put on a snow-white fox fur cloak, stepped off the carriage, and wanted to get some fresh air.
A blast of cold air swept over her, clearing her chaotic thoughts.
Sun Nanxing followed almost immediately, carrying a thick cloak with him.
"It's cold, Lady White Snake, be careful not to catch a cold."
His voice was gentle, and his eyes showed undisguised concern.
"Thank you."
Bai Lu took it, but didn't put it on. She just draped it over her arm and looked at the magnificent glacier. "The scenery here is quite nice."
Sun Nanxing followed her gaze and could still see the shadows of water plants beneath the frozen river surface.
He smiled and said, "No matter how beautiful the scenery is, it lacks vitality."
"Lady Bai must be tired from her journey. If she could taste the fresh fish from this river, it would surely warm her up."
Bai Lu chuckled upon hearing this: "It's freezing cold here, the river is covered with three feet of ice, where would any fish come from?"
"It's man-made."
A sly glint flashed in Sun Nanxing's eyes.
He turned around and took an entrenching tool from a truck.
He walked to the riverbank, chose a relatively thin depression in the ice, and used the tip of his entrenching tool to forcefully chisel at it.
His movements were swift and powerful; in no time, a hole the size of a bowl was chiseled into the hard ice.
Bai Lu watched him with great interest, while the guards were busy clearing the ice path, and her daughters also poked their little heads out of the car windows to look around curiously.
Sun Nanxing rolled up his sleeves and dipped his hands into the ice water, feeling around for a long time.
Before long, he started using a large shovel.
He deftly pulled a plump, silvery-white river fish, more than half a foot long, out of the water, where it hopped and jumped on the ice.
"Wow--"
The daughters' carriage erupted in cheers of surprise.
Sun Nanxing, carrying the still-struggling fish, walked up to Bai Lu with a bright, somewhat smug smile on his face.
His nose, slightly red from the cold, gave him a more genuine and childlike appearance.
"Lady White Snake, we can have an extra meal tonight."
The setting sun cast a long shadow over him.
The affection in his eyes was pure and passionate, without any concealment.
Bai Lu's heart stirred slightly. She looked at the fish, then at him, and finally smiled gently.
"Thanks a lot."
She spoke softly and took the fish.
As night fell, the guards lit several bonfires beside the cleared safe zone.
The fat fish that Sun Nanxing caught was cleaned by the guards, who quickly pierced it with two sharpened wooden sticks and placed it on the largest campfire.
He personally controlled the heat, turning the wooden stick from time to time, and the fish sizzled as it was roasted.
Oil dripped into the flames, sparking a string of sparks.
The rich, fresh aroma mixed with the fragrance of firewood filled everyone's nostrils, making the children swallow their saliva incessantly.
Bai Lu had Luo Niangzi prepare a thick blanket and spread it around the fire to insulate it from the cold air on the ground.
She and her daughters, along with the prefect of Qingzhou and Sun Nanxing, sat down together.
"It's delicious!"
June lay on Bailu's lap, sniffing intently with her little nose, her bright eyes fixed on the grilled fish that was gradually turning golden.
"Greedy cat."
Bai Lu smiled and gently pinched her little nose.
Seeing that the fish was almost cooked, Sun Nanxing took out a small spice jar from his bag and sprinkled fine salt and unknown spice powder evenly on the fish.
The aroma is instantly aroused, becoming even more enticing.
"All right!"
He took the grilled fish off the grill, carefully used a clean dagger to remove the least bony and most tender belly meat, placed it on a clean leaf, and presented it to Bailu with both hands.
"Lady White Snake, please have a taste."
"Let's eat together."
Bai Lu did not accept it immediately, but looked at everyone gently.
"Please go first, this is Nanxing's token of appreciation."
The prefect of Qingzhou stroked his beard and chuckled as he tried to smooth things over.
Bai Lu then took it and gently tasted it.
The fish has a slightly charred and crispy outer skin, while the inside is tender and juicy.
The simple salt grains bring out the natural sweetness of the fish to the maximum extent, and with a touch of exotic spices, the taste is simply wonderful.
On this cold winter night, a steaming hot grilled fish is truly delicious.
"delicious."
She sincerely praised it and gestured for Sun Nanxing to distribute it to the children.
Sun Nanxing was overjoyed to receive such affirmation.
He was very skilled and quickly divided the whole fish into pieces.
Although January and February are usually composed, they have also put aside their usual seriousness and are savoring the food in small bites, with a satisfied smile in their eyes.
In June and July, their faces were covered in bruises from eating so much that they looked like little cats.
Sun Nanxing kept only a small piece near the tail of the fish for himself. He sat not far from Bailu, eating, but his gaze kept involuntarily falling on her.
The firelight outlined her gentle profile as she bent down to tenderly wipe the grease from July's lips, her expression focused and serene.
Sun Nanxing was mesmerized. He felt that the most beautiful scenery in this snowy landscape was not the cold stars in the sky, nor the campfire before him, but her...
Bai Lu seemed to sense something, and looked up, just in time to meet his gaze that he hadn't had time to look away from.
Her heart skipped a beat at that gaze, but she subtly looked away at the flickering flames and whispered, "Thank you for tonight."
"It is Nanxing's honor to serve Lady White Snake."
Sun Nanxing's voice was filled with barely suppressed joy.
The prefect of Qingzhou, who was standing to the side, watched all of this, but simply stroked his beard, gave a meaningful smile, and said nothing.
A cold wind blew by, and the campfire crackled softly.
The convoy traveled safely and arrived in the magnificent city of Kyoto two days before Bai Qingze's wedding.
The towering city walls and bustling streets are completely different from the leisurely atmosphere of Qingzhou, exuding the majesty and grandeur of being under the emperor's nose.
They returned to the Bai family mansion of Marquis Anguo in the suburbs, which was convenient for their actions and also avoided too much contact with various forces in the capital beforehand.
After settling in briefly, Bai Lu thought it over and decided to bring all seven of her daughters with her.
Firstly, it was to let the Empress see these children with her own eyes, so that she could feel at ease.
Bai Lu secretly entered the palace in two unassuming blue-curtained carriages to pay her respects to the Empress.
Inside the palace, the carved railings and jade steps were magnificent and resplendent.
The high palace walls shut out the noise, and every step was taken with solemnity and majesty.
Palace servants led them through numerous palace gates.
The gilded bronze cranes in front of the Empress Hall gleamed in the winter sun, adding to the solemnity of the place.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
Bai Lu led her seven daughters in a grand salute.
The children imitated their mother, their movements were childish yet meticulous.
"Please get up quickly!"
A clear, cheerful voice rang out.
Bai Lu looked up and saw the current empress standing in the hall with a smile.
She disliked elaborate makeup and jewelry, preferring only simple palace attire, yet her elegance remained undiminished.
The Queen's gaze immediately fell on the seven small figures standing side by side, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection.
"Your seven precious daughters have grown up...and taller..."
"They are all so... each one more charming and lovely than the last."
She quickly walked down the steps, personally helped Bailu up, and then looked at each of the children one by one.
"Your Majesty flatters me."
"Okay, okay, all is well."
The Empress's smile grew even more genuine. She first praised January and February for their calm and dignified demeanor, showing the grace of an elder sister. Then she pinched June's chubby little face and said with a smile, "This little June looks like a blessed child."
She then turned to the head maid beside her and instructed, "Go and fetch the set of exquisite Hetian jade dolls from my private treasury. They'll be a perfect gift for the children."
"Bring up the newly presented pastries and hot milk, and don't neglect my little guests."
Then, she turned to the prefect of Qingzhou beside her and said in a more serious tone, "My lord, you must be tired from your journey."
"Qingzhou is peaceful and prosperous, and its officials are honest and upright. Your contributions are remembered by both the Empress and His Majesty."
"Now that you're back in the capital, relax and enjoy the New Year with your family in the palace."
The prefect of Qingzhou bowed immediately: "It is all thanks to Your Majesty and Her Majesty's wisdom; I dare not take credit for it."
A friendly yet respectful exchange of pleasantries instantly eased the tense atmosphere.
The Empress did not put on airs as the mother of the nation; her genuine closeness and reliance on her was like a gentle breeze.
The children, rewarded and attracted by the exquisite snacks, gradually became bolder.
The Empress watched them with great interest. After a moment, she spoke gently to the children, "Children, your mother and I have a few private words to say to each other."
"Why don't you go play in the side hall with Aunt Li first? There are many beautiful kites and novel gadgets there."
The children nodded obediently and, led by Aunt Li, went to the side hall with curiosity and excitement.
The prefect of Qingzhou also tactfully took his leave and waited outside the palace.
The vast palace fell silent instantly, leaving only Bai Lu and the Empress.
The palace gates slowly closed, and the ambergris incense burning inside the hall remained calm and serene.
"Is everything settled in?"
The Empress personally poured Bai Lu a cup of hot tea.
"Thanks to Your Majesty's blessings, everything is going smoothly."
Bai Lu bowed and thanked her.
The Empress waved her hand, her phoenix eyes, which were always smiling, now became unusually serious. She stared at Bai Lu and got straight to the point: "Bai Lu...you know my temperament."
"I don't want to stay in this gilded palace for even a day longer."
"Do you still stand by what you promised me before?"