Side Story 6: The Regent's Incognito Visit

Side Story 6: The Regent's Incognito Visit

The Regent's Palace in the capital.

Pei Yunjing's life has become somewhat dull since her children left home.

Although the Black Armor Guards sent back news of his safety every day, the feeling of being an empty-nest old man, like "the children have grown up and are no longer under their father's control," still made him quite depressed.

Until the afternoon of that day.

A pure white homing pigeon with dark patterns engraved on its leg ring fluttered its wings and landed on the windowsill of the study.

This is Pei An's personal carrier pigeon.

Pei Yunjing's expression hardened, and he quickly took the letter tube.

Could it be that those two little brats are in danger?

He unfolded the narrow strip of paper.

The only words on the cover were Pei An's immature yet detached handwriting, concise and to the point:

[Sister is in danger.]

[A pig is rooting up the cabbage.]

Return immediately.

"Crack." The fine purple brush broke in Pei Yunjing's hand, falling in two pieces.

A terrifying black aura instantly emerged from the Regent's head, his once handsome face now so gloomy it seemed as if ink could drip from it.

"A pig...rooting into a cabbage?"

Pei Yunjing repeated these words through gritted teeth.

His precious daughter, whom he cherished and protected with utmost care, had only been gone for a short time.

She actually got targeted by some random guy?!

Moreover, given Pei An's personality, he would never use the word "dangerous" unless the situation was critical (or that wild man was too skilled).

"Prepare the horses!"

Pei Yunjing abruptly stood up and strode out, his murderous aura causing the guards at the door to tremble in fear.

"No, prepare the fast horses! I want to go and see for myself which fool dares to steal my precious jade cabbage!"

In the backyard, Tangli was lying in a rocking chair applying a face mask (made with pearl powder). Hearing the noise, she lazily raised her head:

"What happened? Did the sky fall?"

"It's worse than the sky falling down!"

Pei Yunjing slammed the note down in front of her, his face contorted with grief and indignation: "Someone is trying to steal your daughter!"

Tang Li took the note and immediately burst out laughing:

"Wow, our Nian Nian is quite charming. She's already got suitors after only a month away?"

"Peach blossoms?" Pei Yunjing sneered, drawing the "Zhanwang" sword beside him and wiping the blade with murderous intent. "Those are rotten peach blossoms! I'll go and chop them down right now!"

"Alright, alright, put the sword away."

Tang Li got up, slowly washed her face, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint:

"Since we're going, we should keep a low profile. We're going to 'catch the adulterer'... no, we're going to scout out our future son-in-law. Bringing troops along would be pointless."

She took Pei Yunjing's arm and said with a smile:

"Let's go, let's disguise ourselves and go on an incognito visit."

"While you're at it...go to Jiangnan to eat hairy crabs."

...

Three days later, in Wuzhen, Jiangnan.

A misty rain falls, and a small bridge spans a flowing stream.

The air here is moist and soft, carrying the sweet fragrance of osmanthus. In the alleys paved with bluestone slabs, pedestrians holding oil-paper umbrellas stroll leisurely.

Amidst this picturesque scenery, however, a discordant figure appeared.

On a small stone bridge spanning a stream.

A man dressed in a moon-white brocade robe and wearing a bamboo hat stood quietly at the head of the bridge.

Although he deliberately concealed his presence, his upright posture, broad shoulders and narrow waist, and the cold glint in his eyes beneath his straw hat still made him the most unmissable figure on the street.

The girls passing by all turned their heads, blushing and whispering among themselves, but he ignored them.

His gaze was fixed on the figure on the other side of the bridge.

He was a young man dressed in white.

Tall and slender, with a gentle and refined demeanor, she carried a bag of freshly bought lotus-shaped pastries and walked briskly towards us, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

That was the expression on her face after she had just bought snacks for her sweetheart.

It was Xiao Bai, who was using the alias "White Robe".

Xiao Bai was in a good mood.

Niannian just said she wanted to eat lotus flower pastries, so he ran three blocks to find the most authentic ones at this shop.

Just imagining the satisfied look on Niannian's face as she ate later made the rain in Jiangnan seem sweeter.

He stepped onto the stone bridge, ready to cross the river.

When he reached the middle of the bridge, he suddenly stopped.

Because the man wearing a straw hat was blocking the middle of the road, perfectly positioned and completely obstructing it.

"Excuse me, sir." Xiao Bai politely cupped his hands in greeting, trying to step aside to get past him.

But the man also stepped aside, blocking his path once again.

Xiao Bai frowned slightly; his martial arts intuition told him that the newcomer was up to no good.

The aura emanating from this person was very strong, and it carried a murderous intent directed at him.

"Who are you?" Xiao Bai asked warily, clutching the lotus-shaped pastry in his arms. "Why are you blocking my way?"

The man slowly raised his head, revealing a face beneath his bamboo hat that was so handsome it was almost demonic, yet as cold and ruthless as a demon.

He looked at Xiao Bai, his deep phoenix eyes swirling with the anger and critical nature typical of an old father.

"You're that pig?"

Pei Yunjing spoke coldly, each word like a shard of ice hitting Xiao Bai's face:

"He does look presentable, though."

"pity……"

Pei Yunjing slowly placed his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist and pushed it with his thumb.

"Clang—"

A clear, resonant dragon's roar rang out, and the longsword was drawn half an inch from its sheath, its cold light illuminating the misty rain of Jiangnan.

"How dare you steal my cabbage!"

"Have you... decided how you want to die?"