Day and night without rest, she studied reform books from various schools, constantly exploring new laws that would benefit both the nation and its people while being suitable for the Great Zhou from books and historical records.
Therefore, Bai Qingyan dared to tell Xiao Rongyan that whichever nation could truly achieve these four words—prospering the people and strengthening the nation—that nation could deservedly unify the world. Xiao Rongyan… dared not.
Xiao Rongyan acknowledged that he lacked the Bai family’s breadth of mind, and thus… greatly admired the Bai family. He was even more deeply respectful of the character of the late Duke Zhenguo. If speaking of true gentlemen… it would be Duke Zhenguo Bai Weiting.
But Xiao Rongyan also understood that Duke Zhenguo Bai Weiting had died precisely because his noble character far exceeded that of his ruler by countless measures—he died from his uprightness and loyalty.
“We haven’t reached that step yet, so I dare not think so far ahead. Although Xiliang’s strength is much diminished now, especially after Great Yan destroyed Wei and Great Zhou destroyed Liang, Great Zhou’s Empress can be called an enlightened ruler and a worthy sovereign. She vigorously promotes scholars from humble origins to counter the aristocratic families that control Xiliang’s court, and now she’s working hard to greatly strengthen the military! This world changes extremely rapidly—with the slightest inattention… Xiliang could seize the opportunity to rise!”
Bai Qingyan spoke of Xiliang with a cautious attitude: “Throughout history, there have been examples of weak nations suddenly rising to destroy strong ones! In the past, when various states competed for supremacy, Qin was looked down upon by all states and teetered on the brink of destruction several times, yet later managed to unify the world! Great Yan was also the same… isolated in a corner, constantly facing the danger of national destruction, yet now it has become a powerful hegemon. I constantly remind myself of these precedents and dare not underestimate anyone.”
Xiao Rongyan straightened his back slightly, admiring in his heart that Bai Qingyan could still maintain such a humble heart at this time. He had seen many rulers who ascended the throne, not even those who founded nations, but those who initially ascended the imperial throne. Even if they didn’t consider themselves invincible, they were naturally arrogant. Successful rulers like Bai Qingyan, who could still maintain their original intentions and treat every enemy with caution, were not common.
“A’Bao’s words… make this husband ashamed.” Xiao Rongyan’s eyes held a smile, his gaze toward Bai Qingyan full of tenderness.
Seeing Bai Qingyan slightly stunned, Xiao Rongyan asked: “Why is A’Bao so surprised? You just said you’ve long regarded me as your husband—surely you weren’t deceiving me?”
Bai Qingyan’s eyes held undisguised amusement. He touched the hairpin hidden in his sleeve, supported himself on the desk to rise and walk to Bai Qingyan’s side, knelt on one knee, placed one hand on the hidden rest behind Bai Qingyan’s back and the other on the desk before her, lowering his gaze to stare at Bai Qingyan’s clear and beautiful features: “I haven’t yet given A’Bao the congratulatory gift for ascending the throne and becoming Great Zhou’s Empress…”
As he spoke, Xiao Rongyan took out the jade hairpin and placed it in Bai Qingyan’s hair. After studying her for a moment, he smiled and said: “Beautiful…”
Bai Qingyan raised her hand to touch it—it was a hairpin…
She guessed this should be something Xiao Rongyan had carved for himself. Last time it was a wild goose hairpin, this time… it was a twin lotus.
The things Xiao Rongyan gave to Bai Qingyan were either carefully sought out by him… or held extraordinary meaning for him, or… were made by his own hands.
For Bai Qingyan, precious treasures were within easy reach. What was most precious was Xiao Rongyan’s thoughtfulness.
Looking at herself in contrast, from when they pledged their love until now, she had never spared even a little leisure time to prepare anything for Xiao Rongyan. She felt guilty toward him.
“The carving is more refined than the wild goose hairpin.” Bai Qingyan touched the jade hairpin on her head, looking up at Xiao Rongyan. Her distinct black and white eyes reflected Xiao Rongyan’s resolute features so close at hand, reflected his quiet gaze upon her, reflected his tender look focused on the corner of her lips, and the burning flame in the depths of his eyes.
The man’s breathing swept across her forehead. She slightly supported herself with her hand on the desk, one hand resting on Xiao Rongyan’s well-defined arm, lifting her head to gently touch Xiao Rongyan’s lips: “I like it very much! Another day…”
Before she could finish speaking, her lips were sealed by the man, overcome with emotion. Her teeth were caught off guard and pried open. Bai Qingyan glanced toward the door, afraid of being seen, and reached out to push Xiao Rongyan’s chest, but he grasped her slender wrist.
The kiss didn’t stop. Xiao Rongyan guided Bai Qingyan’s delicate, boneless small hand to embrace his narrow waist, kissing even more deeply. Bai Qingyan took advantage of a breathing gap to whisper: “A’Yan…”
But all her sounds were blocked by Xiao Rongyan. The man’s familiar scent invaded her heart and lungs domineeringly, making Bai Qingyan unconsciously close her eyes, her mind blank for a moment, all the fine hairs on her body trembling.
Throughout the great hall, there was only the sound of fine sand falling through the hourglass.
After kissing for who knows how long, Xiao Rongyan, breathing heavily, released Bai Qingyan’s lips.
She controlled her disordered breathing and opened her eyes to see Xiao Rongyan’s ink-black eyes gazing at her with such deep affection that she might drown in them. She unconsciously gripped tighter the clothing at Xiao Rongyan’s waist.
Xiao Rongyan looked at Bai Qingyan’s jade-like, fair, and crystalline facial skin flushed with deep red, couldn’t help but lean closer to her, kissed her lips again, his passionate gaze fixed on Bai Qingyan, burning love about to burst forth.
He cupped Bai Qingyan’s flawless features with one hand, his thumb caressing the corner of her lips, once again tentatively approaching her lips…
Their noses touched. She instinctively held her breath, her heart… pounding rapidly.
The two were so close that Bai Qingyan could feel every ounce of restraint in Xiao Rongyan’s heavy breathing.
Xiao Rongyan was the only man in Bai Qingyan’s past and present lives with whom she had been so intimate. This strange yet delightful flutter was all given to her by Xiao Rongyan.
Perhaps this was what it felt like to be intimate with one’s beloved—like floating on clouds, making one’s entire being dizzy and lightheaded.
The moment their lips touched again, her mind was in chaos. She was kissed down onto the couch by Xiao Rongyan, her eyes tightly closed.
Xiao Rongyan’s hand gripped the soft cushion beneath Bai Qingyan, veins bulging and pulsing on the back of his hand. With great difficulty, he restrained the beast about to break free from reason’s cage, his breathing trembling. Before him was… his A’Bao, the person he loved and cherished, and also the person he respected… the girl who was the treasure of his heart.
He had not yet obtained the consent of Bai Qingyan’s elders; they had not yet bowed in the marriage ceremony, and he… to take her like this, what respect would that show… what cherishing?
Xiao Rongyan looked at Bai Qingyan with her eyes tightly closed and breath held, closed his own eyes, and using almost all his life’s self-control, said in a low voice: “A’Bao, don’t be afraid. Before we’re married, I won’t do anything more improper. Don’t be afraid…”
Bai Qingyan’s palm, gripping Xiao Rongyan’s wrist, was covered in fine perspiration. She opened her eyes to look at Xiao Rongyan restraining himself with all his might, her lips murmuring. From somewhere, she found the courage to hook her arm around Xiao Rongyan’s neck and lift her head to kiss him.
Her face was red with embarrassment, her eyelashes trembling lightly, her gaze evasive. In a low voice, she confessed honestly to Xiao Rongyan: “I’m not afraid… I’ve just never experienced this before. A’Yan… when I said I’ve long regarded you as my husband in my heart, that wasn’t deception. I’m just… very nervous.”