Bai Yaoyao bounced back quickly. With every bright-eyed “Pei Dage,” she spoke like a songbird—light, clear, full of life.
She also knew just how to carry herself in company—warm and enthusiastic without overstepping, never making Pei Lingshu feel awkward. She was every bit the charming girl-next-door.
Pei Lingshu sat a while before excusing himself for another matter. Bai Yaoyao was visibly reluctant to let him go. Seeing this, Pei Lingshu mentioned he was temporarily staying at a manor in the eastern part of the city and warmly invited Yaoyao and her friends to visit.
Bai Yaoyao was overjoyed. Just before leaving, Pei Lingshu gave Bai Qingqing a small, smiling gesture—nothing remarkable at first glance, but something about it stirred a strange sense of familiarity deep within her, like she’d seen that very movement before.
“Ahhh! I get to visit Pei Dage’s place! I have to tell Yuanyin and the others—they’ll be thrilled! Sister, Sister, I’m not dreaming, right?”
Bai Yaoyao twirled in place with glee, right there in the teahouse. Bai Qingqing pulled her down into a seat. “You’re this happy? Yaoyao, do you… perhaps have feelings for Pei Gongzi?”
Yaoyao immediately understood her sister’s concern. She straightened up and replied seriously, “Sister, what are you thinking? My feelings for Pei Dage are the same as admiration for an older brother. Who wouldn’t like a brother who’s handsome, gentle, and full of wisdom? I promise there’s not a hint of anything else—I just want to show off a little, that’s all, hee hee.”
That set Bai Qingqing’s mind at ease. True enough—she was the only one in the family who’d lost her head in a past life. Yaoyao was far sharper, far more clear-headed than she ever was.
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Bai Yaoyao wasted no time making plans for the visit and begged Bai Qingqing to come along. Bai Qingqing politely declined. She hadn’t expected that Prince Ping would come looking for her.
She was at Qingxin Pavilion when someone outside said a visitor had come. She assumed it would be Mo Kexin or Luo Lanqi—but when she stepped out, it was none other than Fu Yanghong.
When it came to this elder, Bai Qingqing couldn’t quite say how she felt.
Because of her father’s friendship with Fu Yanghong, she’d seen this Uncle Fu a few times growing up. Back then, she’d thought him kind and warm, always full of praise whenever he saw her, as if he wished she were his own daughter.
Naturally, Bai Qingqing had held a favorable impression of him.
But later, when her heart had settled on Fu Yi—vowing to marry none but him—she’d thought the Fu family accepted her. Who would have guessed that the kindly uncle would wear such a troubled look?
After she married into the Fu family, Fu Yanghong became her father-in-law. Though the relationship seemed closer on paper, in truth it grew ever more distant. And yet, after the Bai family’s downfall, Fu Yi told her his father had repeatedly petitioned the court, urging a thorough investigation. For that, Bai Qingqing felt deeply grateful.
She didn’t invite Fu Yanghong in, but instead led him to the teahouse next door to talk.
“Have some tea, Uncle Fu. This place has a fine Junshan Silver Needle. Not quite up to palace standards, of course, but still drinkable. Would you like to try it?”
Her manners were flawless. She didn’t ask why he’d come—she simply waited for him to speak.
Fu Yanghong held the cup but didn’t drink. With a quiet sigh, he said, “You still call me uncle… You’ve no idea how ashamed I feel. Good child—you must have had a hard time.”
Bai Qingqing smiled, perfectly composed. “Uncle, you flatter me. I know this wasn’t your choice.”
“I knew you were a sensible, thoughtful girl. Let me be honest—there’s nothing I wanted more than for you to be my daughter-in-law. But I also know that fate can’t be forced. Still, there’s no one I’ve ever approved of more than you. You do know that, don’t you?”
Bai Qingqing only smiled without answering. She looked a little shy, but in truth, she wasn’t convinced. A thousand and one approvals? She rather doubted it.