"This kid, probably because he noticed that Mr. Cai and General Zhao Sheng were not on the way back, thinks Iām simple-minded and can be manipulated, heās acting more and more recklessly, using my name to do things before asking me! A few times I was so angry I almost chopped him up right there!" Bai Jinzhi said this with quite some anger, "Even though... none of it was really serious, I could see he was constantly testing my limits, even daring to interfere with my pace, deliberately probing how far he could go with his impudence."
"Then I thought, isnāt it just acting! King Liang can act so well, I have to learn too! I just didnāt bother with him, pretended I liked him too, indulged him all the way, just to see what he wanted to do in the end!" Bai Jinzhiās lips curled, "Eldest Young Lady, I think this person might be from another country. If we can find out which country heās from, maybe... we could make use of him."
Leaving Bai Jinzhi alone outside, Bai Jinzhiās growth was indeed beyond Bai Qingyanās expectations.
Bai Jinzhi never forgot the time when someone caused trouble at the Bai Mansion gate, and the Eldest Young Lady scolded her... mentioning the words "straight outside, round inside," maintaining the seeming recklessness others thought she had, while keeping everything clear in her heart internally.
This was her understanding of being "straight outside, round inside," which the Third Sister once said as long as she could achieve this, she would have great success in the future.
"Now that youāre back, stay in the palace. This Sun Wenyao... Iāll have someone keep an eye on him, no need for you to worry!" Bai Qingyan recalled Third Aunt, reminding Bai Jinzhi, "Spend more time with Third Aunt!"
"Oh, right! That Sun Wenyao is still waiting outside Wude Gate, saying heās admiring Eldest Young Ladyās style and regretfully never had the chance to fight alongside her... meaning he wants to see the Eldest Young Lady. I understood what he meant and said Iād mention it to Eldest Young Lady when I see her, suggesting she meet him!" Bai Jinzhi squinted and said, "My idea is for the Eldest Young Lady to let him bask in the sun well outside the palace gate. Iāll say Iāve been punished by my mother and let him stand for a whole day and night till heās sunburnt, then Iāll send someone to let him go! It also relieves my grudge for being treated like a fool along the way!"
Bai Qingyan didnāt mind Bai Jinzhi handling these harmless small matters on her own; she nodded with a doting look in her eyes, "Alright, let our little Fourth vent a bit."
"Your Majesty..." Wei Zhong called from outside the hall, "This old servant saw the Third Madam from a distance."
Upon hearing that her mother had arrived, Bai Jinzhi shivered with fright, hurriedly asking her Eldest Young Lady, "Eldest Young Lady, have I gotten even tanner?!"
"No! Our little Four... still very beautiful!" Bai Qingyan didnāt lie, instructing Wei Zhong to usher the Third Madam in directly when she arrived.
Now the little Fourth has grown into a big girl, her height increased quite a bit, already showing the exquisite figure of a young lady. After recuperating in Hancheng for a while, sheās regained quite a bit of her former self. Now if she stays quiet sitting there, sheās exactly a lovely and serene young lady.
"When Third Aunt arrives, greet her properly, donāt be too loud, Third Aunt will surely be gratified..." Bai Qingyan said with a smile.
Even Bai Qingyan, after hearing Bai Jinzhiās recent words, felt very gratified, as the impulsive and easily angered young girl had learned to use her past personality to plan.
Bai Jinzhi quickly grabbed a cushion and sat properly on the side where Bai Qingyan piled up the memorials high.
Third Madam Mrs. Li lifted her skirt, holding onto the nannyās hand, hurriedly walking up the high steps. Wei Zhong went up to greet her, and Mrs. Li quickly said, "Thereās no need to announce me, Iāll just wait outside, and once Xiao Si and Kid finish discussing serious matters, Iāll go in..."
"His Majesty instructed, once the Third Madam arrives... this old servant should welcome her in, thinking the serious matters are already discussed." Wei Zhong said.
Mrs. Li nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, good! As long as Iām not interrupting the two childrenās serious talk!"
Upon hearing the news of Bai Jinzhiās return, Mrs. Li couldnāt sit still, waiting eagerly in the palace. Just as Bai Jinzhi returned to Dadu City, there were already stories of her wielding a whip in Dadu, almost making Mrs. Li faint with anger, deciding to come over and wait outside the hall.
Though she was angry, she had come over because she missed her daughter too much...
Letting Bai Jinzhi go out for so long, she didnāt know how much darker she had gotten now.
Now that her daughter is of age, Mrs. Li couldnāt help but worry about her daughterās marriage.
Mrs. Liās family had already entered Dadu City, with Bai Jinzhiās cousin, intending for them to meet, and if everything was suitable... to arrange the marriage of the two kids.
Who knows, this child just returned to Dadu City and used a whip on someone. Even if Mrs. Liās mother loved her granddaughter, she would still, of course, love her grandson more. Upon learning Bai Jinzhi hadnāt changed her temper and was still so fierce... She couldnāt help but worry her grandson would suffer.
Mrs. Li sighed...
Forget it, if it doesnāt work out, it doesnāt work out! At worst, bring a husband into the family, thatās fine too!
Anyway, now Bai Jinzhiās Eldest Young Lady is the Empress, who knows how many people are eagerly waiting for a chance to marry into the Bai family, Mrs. Li comforted herself like this.
Holding Aunt Huās hand, Mrs. Li entered and saw her daughter sitting properly beside Bai Qingyan. Greeting her entry into the hall, Bai Jinzhi got up, walked forward two steps, and respectfully bowed to Mrs. Li, "Daughter greets Mother; I am unfilial... Returning from Hancheng, I should have asked after Mother first, but duty called, fearing any delay, I had to come to the main hall and discuss official matters with Eldest Young Lady first, making Mother come here, for which I feel guilty."
Saying this, Bai Jinzhi further lifted her dress hem and knelt properly before Mrs. Li, kowtowing.
Mrs. Li was surprised, stepping back two steps while holding Aunt Huās hand, she exchanged glances with Aunt Hu. Whatās wrong with this little Fourth today? Even... even calling her Mother!
Mrs. Li raised her eyes to look at Bai Qingyan, who held back a smile, got up, and greeted her, "Third Aunt..."
Seeing her daughter like this, Mrs. Li was obviously not used to it and quickly said, "Get up!"
"If Mother doesnāt forgive me, I wonāt get up from kneeling!" Bai Jinzhi kowtowed again.
"Alright, alright! Get up quickly!" Mrs. Li said.
Hearing her mother say this, Bai Jinzhi looked up at her mother and laughed sheepishly, "So, Mother wonāt use the ruler to hit me?"
Aunt Hu chuckled, covering her mouth, at Bai Jinzhiās antics, "Madam, our little Fourth hasnāt changed... still the same little Fourth!"
Mrs. Li glared at Bai Jinzhi, "Get up quickly!"
"Alright!" Bai Jinzhi laughed and stood up.
Seeing her daughter had grown much taller, now even a bit taller than herself, Mrs. Liās eyes immediately reddened.