Chapter 20
Bai Yihao looked at the charming young girl in front of him with his dark eyes. Her clear eyes were like clean waters without a single speck of dirt. Her long eyelashes fluttered and her eyes were calm. Her smile was still and beautiful. The girl who was so aloof but determined. It was something he had never seen before.
He had never thought that such a delicate and charming young girl could even look at him with such calm eyes. Her eyes were alert, nervous, but not hostile, and he could see some helplessness and bitterness in those beautiful eyes. They were deep, bright and sharp, and were completely different from her frail and lovely appearance.
Yet this made those around her hurt for her even more!
She seemed to be under too much pressure. Her calmness made her unlike those her age, and it was imposed on her by the outside world. The stubbornness in her eyes was barely visible, he could see it clearly. He came to a new decision in a split moment.
"Why do you think I will help you? A daughter of an eminent family making such an appointment with an unknown man would be bad for your reputation. " Bai Yihao smiled gently.
"I would not trouble sir if it was not urgent." Mo Xuetong looked at him quietly with doe-like eyes.
"Oh, what’s the matter?"
"I’d first like to thank you for your help at the city gates. Please accept my gift of thanks." Mo Xuetong backed away and curtsied and took out a book from her sleeves. She handed to him respectfully. This was the best idea Mo Xuetong thought of, to get a promise out of him with a gift.
"It was just a small matter and a music book was enough. Miss Mo does not have to thank me again." Bai Yihao did not reach out to take the book. He placed his hands behind him and stood up. He looked at her deeply, light streaming down from the sun behind him. It made him look even more ethereal.
"Please help me again, sir. Your helping hand would be a great help to me." Mo Xuetong asked humbly. She knew it was him that day at the city gate when You Yuecheng had mentioned him. A person like this was indeed hard to touch, but this was the only idea she had.
Bai Yihao looked at her. His voice was so soft, it was like a lover’s caress. However, the meaning behind his words was cold. "Why should I help you again? What has your business to do with me?"
"I am willing to give you a sacred military book." Mo Xuetong stretched out her hands and placed the ancient script closer to him.
Bai Yihao was not as indifferent as he looked. He had become a steel-willed emperor in the future. The military methods found in the book would definitely be more attractive to him than music manuscript. She had found the book in a hidden corner behind her mother’s bed. He had ambitions, and this book was what he needed right now.
She had to appeal to him in order to get rid of Auntie Fang.
"I’m just a scholar, what do I need a military book for? Miss Mo, please go back." Bai Yihao’s face darkened and he spoke coldly.
He was as gentle as water when he smiled. But with his current dark expression was cold. It was as if he were a cliff covered by thick fog. It was hundreds and thousands of meters deep and when she took a wrong step, she would fall into the abyss. He would not turn back then. There was a sharp and strong aura that pressed down on them, and it made her heart shudder.
"Sir Bai, do you just want to stay as a hostage in Qin? With your abilities, you would be able to achieve much. How could Qin lock up your ambitions? If in the future…wouldn’t this book of military arts be useful for you?" Mo Xuetong forced herself to remain calm in the powerful atmosphere. She lifted up her pale face and looked at him firmly. Only her slightly trembling hands betrayed her frayed nerves.
She knew it was dangerous to speak so bluntly about the secrets hidden in others’ hearts, but she didn’t have much time to deal with him. If she missed this time, she
Bai Yihao did not speak and only looked at her coldly. The air seemed to grow thicker, and it made one feel cold. The pavilion was so quiet only the sound of the whistling wind could be heard, and as well as Mo Xuetong’s serious voice…
Just as Mo Xuetong could not bear it any longer, Bai Yihao suddenly said warmly, "Alright, then I’ll help you again."
Bai Yihao reached out to take the book from her. Mo Xuetong heard her heart falling sturdily back down. She could not help but lean weakly against the pillar weakly.
"Speak, what is it?" Bai Yihao flipped through the book and asked.
"My father has already invited you to the Mo family rites. I ask that you come and help. You just have to tell my father all you’ve seen and heard." Mo Xuetong said.
In her past life, her father had also invited Sir Bai to the family rites. However, he said that he was busy and had not turned up.
"Alright! I will be there." Bai Yihao looked up slightly. His handsome face and his gentle and elegant voice were irresistible to all women.
"Then, thank you very much, Sir. I shan’t bother you any more and will take my leave." Mo Xuetong’s eyes were as clear as water. She did not appear to be as mesmerized by him as other regular girls. Nor did she behave coyly. She only looked aloof and as if she wanted to leave. However, she was still the one who had taken the initiative."
"go!" The beautiful man smiled and then pressed down on his instrument string with a finger. The music was crisp. Then, he lifted his finger and the music stopped.
Mo Xuetong shuddered slightly and then curtsied deeply. She turned to walk away slowly. Her expression was natural and elegant. Her clothes fluttered in the wind as if they were dancing, showing off her slender waist. She looked down and walked to the corridor, looking graceful.
Only she knew that her back was soaked in cold sweat. The hand on the instrument string had made her feel extremely wary and she shuddered inside and out. She wanted to flee but dared not. It was great danger!
Bai Yihao was dangerous at this time. She had seen the darkness that flashed through his eyes when she spoke about the military arts book. He had wanted to kill her! His fingers had locked onto the instrument and also onto her. He would definitely act if she behaved oddly.
The fight between Qin and Yan has nothing to do with her. The fight between countries was too far away from her. Her heart is very small and she cared only about the people around her. Everything else had nothing to do with her. The events of the country were not what a weak woman who had been reborn could bear.
If not for the fact that he could solve this problem, she would not go to him.
This person was too dangerous!
"Miss, miss, where did you go? I couldn’t find you anywhere" Mo He ran to her hurriedly from the end of the corridor, holding her cape.
"I’m here, don’t worry. Has grandmother woken up?" Mo Xuetong looked at Mo He with a smile after Mo He helped her to put on the cape.
"You’re amazing, Miss. Old Madam is really awake and is looking for you. She told me to hurry when she heard that I was bringing you a cape. It’s getting cold, and Mo Yu told me just now that we’re still heading back. You’ll be gossiped about if you’re late." Mo He told her as they walked back together.
It was indeed getting late. She still had to return home after bidding her grandmother goodbye. She will come to stay for a few days in a while, so she must not dawdle.
"I will go and bid Grandmother goodbye later. Ask Mo Yu to prepare the carriage and to not waste too much time on the road." Mo Xuetong ordered.
"I understand!"
The sweet voices drifted away as the two entered.
A figure suddenly appeared behind Bai Yihao, who was watching them leave as he leaned against his seat.
Bai Yihao’s gaze followed Mo Xuetong into the distance. There was a smile on his handsome and flawless face. The instrument under his hand was silent, and his eyes were grave.
"Sir, are you going to let her go just like that?" The young man who appeared behind Bai Yihao asked puzzledly.
"Should I ask her to stay and listen to my music?" Bai Yihao asked. He did not turn around, but lowered his head and plucked a string. A crisp warm note sounded.
"But Sir, she’s discovered your secret…" The guard took two steps up and reminded him anxiously.
"Secret? What secrets do I have? Why don’t I know about them?" He turned around leisurely and asked, a smile in his eyes. He was handsome and elegant, looking as if he had no cares. He stood up and flung out his sleeves and ignored the guard. Then, he turned around and followed the path Mo Xuetong took.
The guard only regained his wits when Bai Yihao left the pavilion. He quickly picked up the instrument. He did not understand what his master meant! But he knew that he could not doubt his master’s decisions.
Mo Xuetong bade the old madam farewell and brought Mo Yu and Mo He home. She had just entered the courtyard when she saw Mother Xu hurrying towards her. She pulled her to one side and said anxiously, "Miss, Eldest is here and is waiting for you inside."
Mo Xuemin was waiting for her? Mo Xuetong was startled and asked, "Is there anyone else?"
The unhappiness in Mother Xu’s eyes could not be disguised.
"Eldest miss brought a gentleman with her. She said that he is the Duke’s son. They’re waiting inside right now." Mother Xu felt displeased with Mo Xuemin at the thought that she had dared to bring a man to her mistress’s yard.
If the noble families of Great Qin got along well, the young masters and mistresses could meet. But it was very rude to enter a person’s inner courtyard.
"A gentleman?" Mo Xuetong frowned.
"It is the Duke’s son. Eldest miss had brought him here especially and said that she had something to say to you. I did not dare to ask too many questions and only asked them to wait under the tree in the corridor. I’ve offered them tea and Mo Lan is watching them." Mother Xu gritted her teeth. She wanted to questions, but Mo Xuemin had replied indifferently that she could only speak to her third sister about the matter.
She had nothing to say then. After all, she was just a servant and could not interfere with the businesses of her mistresses.
Mo Xuemin had brought the person here. As time passed, people will think that she had something going on with Sima Lingyun. Mother Xu understood this as well, which was why she was so worried.
"Mo Yu, Mo He. Let’s go to father’s study. Mother Xu, come to find me later. Spread the news to fourth sister’s courtyard and to father’s study." Mo Xuetong sighed and said with a faint smile.