Chapter Thirty-Six: The Bet

  After the book-burning season was over, Wen Luoming finally left the White family.

  Bai Zhenxuan was feeling down because he couldn't keep his good friend from leaving.

  Bai Yun Nuan endured a thread of reluctance, but still forced herself not to regret and not to be soft-hearted.

  She couldn't let Wen Luoming stay at the Bai's house and get herself entangled.

  If Wen Luoming leaves the Bai family, then no matter who she marries in the future, she won't have to carry the scandal with Wen Luoming on her back again, even if she remarries Zhang Nai Chun, Zhang Siyue can't make an issue out of it.

  At this thought, Bai Yunnuan felt a chill in her heart.

  She still thought about remarrying Zhang Nai Chun, was she aware it's a pit of fire and yet she wanted to jump into it? Compared to Wen Lu Ming, Zhang Nai Chun should be the one she avoided.

  But wanting to hide, Zhang Nai Chun instead came looking for him herself.

  As time passes and spring is late, the cold is light and the warmth is thin, I stand alone in the quiet courtyard waiting for the swallows to return.

  Bai Yun was teasing the parrot under the corridor with Nianzhen by her side, when she saw Zhen Niang walking towards Ting Yu Xuan through the east corner gate of Mei Xiang Wu.

  "Miss, you got up quite early today." Zhen Niang smiled with a loving expression.

  Bai Yun smiled warmly and welcomed her, "Where are you going so early? It's already three poles high."

  "But I don't know who said that spring sleepiness and autumn laziness are the right reasons to stay in bed, so I asked my wife to let her sleep until she wakes up naturally. As a result, every day when she opens her eyes, it's already sunset, and it's time to rest again." The real mother covered her mouth and smiled.

  Bai Yun warmly knew that she was teasing herself about her recent daze, so she grabbed her hand and coquettishly called out: "Zhen Niang..."

  Zhen Niang then said: "Speaking of early, there is someone who is earlier than us. Miss will definitely not guess who this person is."

  Bai Yun turned her head back and looked at Xin Ye, she really couldn't guess it.

  Xin Yan said: "Zhen Niang, don't try to deceive Miss anymore. She has a quick temper and can't guess it, she will get angry again."

  "I won't speak until Miss gets angry." Zhen Niang teased, looking at Bai Yunnuan.

  Bai Yun said with a warm smile: "Wait for me to get angry, and I'll follow your heart's desire, but I'm afraid it will take some time when I get angry, and by then, it will have delayed the real daughter's matter."

  The young lady couldn't help but giggle and then said seriously, "This gentleman is neither unfamiliar nor familiar. He's the young master of the Zhang family whom we met by chance on the day of the Spring Festival."

  Bai Yun's expression changed slightly as she suddenly understood, and she realized that Zhang Nai Chun had come for the sake of the Nine Linked Rings.

  When Zhen Niang arrived at Shu Xiang Tang, she saw her father sitting with Zhang Nai Chun in the hall.

  Bai Yun entered the hall warmly, paid respects to his father, and then paid respects to Zhang Nai Chun, before standing quietly on the ground, listening to his father's teachings.

  Bai Yushu said, "The Strong Golden Pavilion was able to obtain the imperial family's renovation funds, and Young Master Zhang's contributions cannot be ignored. Father is discussing with your mother about hosting a banquet for Young Master Zhang as a token of gratitude. Coincidentally, Young Master Zhang has arrived at our doorstep himself."

  "What is meant by 'the heart has a special connection', Mr Shì, isn't that so?"

  Although Zhang Nai Chun was talking to Bai Yu Shu, her eyes were fixed on Bai Yun Nuan.

  Only saw white clouds warming a crimson silk spring dress, like a branch of tender and beautiful begonia, slender and elegant, lotus face emitting fragrance, Zhang Nai Chun looked at it with eyes wide open.

  Bai Yun stood calmly and quietly, neither humble nor arrogant, letting him stare.

  Bai Yushu couldn't help but look away, "Hmph" clearing his throat, and it wasn't until then that Zhang Nai Chun realized what was happening, finally withdrawing his infatuated gaze and sitting up straight.

  Bai Yushu said: "I heard that Master Zhang likes the beautiful sounds of the pear garden, why not book a private room at Jinxiu Ban for you, to show our sincerity, what do you think, Master Zhang?"

  Zhang Nai Chun immediately applauded and laughed, his eyebrows flying with excitement: "I knew it! I and Fourth Uncle really are on the same wavelength. I've already booked a private show for the Brocade Class, and I'm here to invite Fourth Uncle, Aunt, Zhen Xuan brother, and An Nuan sister to come watch!"

  Zhang Nai Chun's face lit up with a smile, but upon hearing that voice say "Ah Nuan Mie Mie", she suddenly felt like vomiting.

  In my past life, I was still somewhat moved by Zhang Naihe's various displays of affection before our wedding. But after experiencing the pain and suffering of that marriage, now facing Zhang Naihe's flattery again only makes me feel that he is shameless.

  "It's settled then, the Bai family will just have to thank him in words. If they let Master Zhang host the event, wouldn't the Bai family owe Master Zhang another favor?" White Yun Wan smiled lightly at Zhang Nai Chun.

  Zhang Nai Chun stood up and bowed, saying: "No, no, I invited Anuan sister to watch the scene, not to compete with Shibo for this package of East Road, but because of a previous bet with Anuan sister."

  "What bet? What kind of bet?" Bai Yushu furrowed his brow.

  Bai Yun saw Zhang Nai Chun's face with a smile that said he was determined to win, and knew that he had already lost the bet.

  The spring sun shines down on the ground with universal light, white clouds warm and gentle. Bai Yunzhan stepped out of the gate and walked towards the horse-drawn carriage prepared by Zhang Nai Spring.

  In the flower hall of Shu Xiang Tang, Zhang Nai Chun took out a red silk thread in front of Bai Yu Shu, pinched it between his thumbs and index fingers, held it up with his hands, opened his fingers to form a long rectangle, then bit one edge of the rectangle with his mouth. His two hands quickly shuttled back and forth, then he released the thread from his mouth, and his two hands slowly retreated to both sides, forming a round red sun hovering above the clouds.

  "The sunset in the west mountain, the tenth kind of flower pattern of Jiulianhuan, Wen Xian brother taught me." Zhang Nai Chun smiled with satisfaction.

  Bai Yunnuan naturally knew that the move "Sunset over Western Mountain" was not from Wen Luming's hand, but Wen Luming had already left the White family and couldn't be questioned. Bai Yunnuan could only hide her frustration in her heart, yet she couldn't do anything about it.

  Furthermore, after Bai Yuxiang understood the whole story, he said: "The White family is a family of poetry and etiquette, and they should keep their promises...". He was also worried that Bai Yunnuan was still a young girl, and it wouldn't be suitable for her to go out in public, so he let Bai Zhenxuan accompany her.

  Fourth Son sat in the front of the horse carriage, saw Bai Zhenxuan and a delicate young boy walking out from the two black lacquered large gates of the White Mansion together, suddenly startled, hurriedly turned his head to say to Zhang Naichun inside the carriage curtain: "Young Master, Young Master Bai has arrived."

  "What about Miss Bai?" Zhang Nai Chun was most concerned about Bai Yun Nuan.

  "Master, you see for yourself..." Si'er muttered.

  Zhang Nai Chun looked out of the carriage window in confusion, but saw Bai Zhen Xuan wearing a white shirt with no flaws, looking elegant and refined. Beside him was a young boy with golden hair and embroidered clothes, his face as white as snow, his eyes like water, and his figure slender. Zhang couldn't help but feel curious: who was this stunning person in the Bai family? Neither at Lingyun Temple nor during the Spring Festival had he ever seen him before.

  He didn't realize it until Bai Zhenxuan led Bai Yunnuan, dressed as a man, to the front of the carriage. He suddenly came to his senses and burst out laughing, pointing at Bai Yunnuan and becoming so excited that he couldn't speak.

  Bai Yun Nuan watched Zhang Nai Chun's frivolous attitude, thinking it was just like watching a monkey show.

  Once vast and overwhelming, now reduced to mere water; except for Wu Mountain, which is no longer misty.

  After experiencing such a painful marriage, how could she possibly be gentle with the person in front of her?

  Bai Zhenxuan cupped his hands and said: "My father is worried about Ah Nuan's female body, going out has its inconveniences, so..."

  Zhang Nai Chun waved his hand and smiled: "Uncle Shi is wise! Ah Nuannu dressed like this, really looks good!"

  Zhang Nai Chun gave a thumbs up.

  Bai Zhenxuan and Bai Yun couldn't help but burst out laughing after warming up with Xin Yue and Song Ta.

  Zhang Nai Chun only then noticed that Xin Yu was also dressed as a young servant, looking delicate and refined, with clear and beautiful eyebrows and eyes. He said: "Xin Yu sister is also very pretty, but why didn't Yu Mo sister come?"

  Bai Yun's heart warmed up a bit, and her guess was further confirmed.

  Zhang Nai Chun's "Sunset in the West" must have been secretly taught to Yu Mo. Although he had let Xin Yu go and instruct her not to contact Zhang Nai Chun, Zhang Nai Chun was a sly person with money, and without using coercion, he could easily win over Yu Mo with just temptation.

  Yu Mo is indeed a scoundrel with no conscience, and being greedy for money is only natural.

  Bai Yun's heart warmed up and a surge of fire rose, but she suppressed it and waited for Jin Xiu to return from the observation deck before questioning her thoroughly.

  Songta sat down beside Sizi in the front of the carriage. Zhang Nai Chun invited Bai Zhenxuan and Bai Yunnuan to get on the carriage with Xinxiang.

  The four sons shouted in unison, and the horse slowly spread its four hooves.

  Along the way, Zhang Nai Chun introduced to Bai Zhen Xuan and Bai Yun Nu that there was a young master in Jinxiu Ban named Rong Guan, who was the cousin of Qin Guan, one year younger than him, but also had both good looks and artistic skills.

  Due to their relationship with Qin Guan, Bai Jia siblings had a good impression of Na Rongguan from the start.

  The horse carriage rushed through the streets and alleys, finally arriving at the boundary of the theater district.

  All the way, gongs and drums sounded, and each theater troupe's bulletin board posted the day's performances. There were also those that quietly closed their doors for good luck, either because they had received an invitation or gone to sing at a temple fair.

  After passing several shops, I saw a sign on a theater that read "Tianxiang Garden", which was the Jinxiu Troupe.

  The whole theater was eerily quiet as Zhang Naihua dominated the stage.

  As soon as he got off the car, Master Jinzhuang welcomed him with a smile. He was about 40 years old, with a dark complexion and a tall stature, his face full of smiles, calling out "Master, Young Master, Gentlemen" in one breath.

  "Are all preparations in order?"

  "We're just waiting for your arrival, Rong Guan is already in attendance."

  He led the crowd in as he spoke.

  But the red curtain on the stage was tightly closed, and Xianzi's hands were already tuning the strings. The buildings on both sides, upstairs and downstairs, as well as the pool in the middle, which were usually crowded with people, were now empty.

  The host led the crowd to a luxurious and elegant lounge, waved his hand, and a group of young girls swarmed in, surrounding Zhang Nai Chun, Bai Zhen Xuan, and Bai Yun Nuan, packing the official seat tightly.

  Zhang Nai Chun saw Bai Yun's warm smile and her expression was somewhat displeased, so she waved to the gentlemen and said: "Let's watch the play first, let's watch the play first."

  The prelude sounded immediately, the curtain opened, and in the light, a small dan who was so charming that she was stunning walked out with a hundred charms.

  That's Rongguan, singing "Wu Pan".