Bai Lu originally thought that their outing would involve setting up tents in the wilderness, but after a few hours of travel, he opened the curtain and looked outside. He saw a quaint mansion nestled among the green hills and blue waters. On the plaque above the main gate were four large characters: Haiyan Manor.
“We will stay here for a few days to let you relax.” Chu Ya helped straighten Bai Lu’s clothes, then kissed him on the forehead and whispered, “There will be a banquet tonight. If you’re tired, you can stay in the room and rest. I’ll ask Geng Qing to keep you company.”
Bai Lu didn’t care much, “I didn’t want to go in the first place. There are too many rules here, too troublesome.”
It’s better to play cards indoors with Geng Qing. It’s also a chance to gather a couple of young eunuchs to play horse-racing cards together. Bai Lu had just learned how to play a few days ago and was quite interested.
After getting off the carriage, Bai Lu quickly followed the guiding eunuch into the main hall, even walking ahead of Chu Ya.
Although Chu Ya was accustomed to Bai Lu’s disrespect, others who had never served by his side were still surprised. They whispered to each other in low voices, “Who is this person? How dare he walk ahead of His Majesty?”
Someone whispered back, “This is the rumored Bai Lu, who is highly favored, so he usually doesn’t follow the rules.”
Chu Ya didn’t mind Bai Lu’s overstepping behavior too much. He had just crossed over not long ago and didn’t understand the rules of the palace, which was normal. In fact, he didn’t need to adhere to the rules as long as he stayed under his watchful eye.
Sitting in the grand chair, Bai Lu yawned. After sitting in the carriage for a long time, he was indeed tired and didn’t feel like moving.
Seeing that he seemed inclined to rest in the room, Chu Ya instructed the servants in the courtyard to take care of him, and then sent for Geng Qing to accompany him before changing into a different outfit and heading to the banquet.
Then Bai Lu played cards with Geng Qing and two young eunuchs in the room. Whether it was because of his bad luck or Geng Qing’s strong skills, he lost two games out of five, while Geng Qing won three games. In the end, Bai Lu lost his temper and threw the cards.
“I don’t want to play anymore. Let’s go eat.”
Geng Qing was waiting for him here, so he immediately said, “Instead of eating in the room, why don’t we go to the banquet? I heard that…”
He leaned close to Bai Lu and whispered, “Many noble ladies from the Fang family are here today, all of them are beautiful. Shall we go and feast our eyes?”
The desire to look beautiful is not necessarily present in everyone, but the hearts of those who appreciate beauty are all the same. Bai Lu became interested immediately and followed Geng Qing as they wandered around the manor. After walking for about a quarter of an hour, they faintly heard the sound of music.
Passing through a white moon gate, Bai Lu saw several young ladies standing or sitting in the courtyard. Just as Geng Qing had said, they were all beautiful, with some gentle and virtuous, some quiet and demure, some coquettish and lively, each with their own charm.
Under the moonlight and the glow of the lanterns, the girls were dressed exquisitely, wearing hairpins, bracelets, and jade ornaments. They seemed to be the daughters of court officials.
The young ladies were chatting and laughing, mostly discussing which jewelry was exquisitely crafted, which fabric patterns were beautiful, and which clothes were well-made. Some even boldly mentioned that they would perform a dance for His Majesty later.
There was one girl, seventeen or eighteen years old, who seemed a bit out of place. She was sitting alone under a magnolia tree, reading a book by the light of a candle on the stone table, humming a tune, and tapping her right foot lightly on the ground.
Bai Lu listened carefully and heard a few vague tones drifting into his ears with the night breeze. His expression suddenly changed, and he took a few quick steps forward, walking up to the girl and asking abruptly, “What song were you humming just now?”
The girl was taken aback. If she were an ordinary woman, she might have been frightened by his rudeness and lost her composure.
However, she quickly regained her calmness and smiled, “Even if I tell you, you won’t know. It’s not a local song.”
“Schubert’s Lullaby, right?” Bai Lu stared at her, unconsciously gripping his clothes tightly, and asked nervously, “What’s your name, your real name?”
The girl seemed a bit surprised by his reaction but probably considering that they were in similar situations, she subconsciously trusted him to some extent and answered honestly, “My name is Bai Lin. And you?”
Bai Lu was struck dumb as if lightning had struck him, and he stood frozen in place. Tears welled up in his eyes, and after several seconds, he spoke with a trembling voice, “…Mom?”
Plap!
The book in Bai Lin’s hand fell to the ground, but she didn’t even spare it a glance.
Geng Qing, who had just arrived, heard it and looked at them with astonishment.
Bai Lu didn’t have time to pay attention to him. He took another step forward and looked at Bai Lin eagerly, “I’m Bai Lu, really, I’m not lying to you.”
As if afraid that she wouldn’t believe him, he quickly brought out evidence, “I have a red birthmark on the inside of my left ankle. When I was eight, I fell from the fake mountain in the park while playing, and I got a scar on my elbow. And, the dish I love the most is the pine nut corn dish you make. I hate celery the most. You used to hum the lullaby to me to help me sleep at night, just like the one you just sang…”
“L-Little Lu… Little Lu?!”
Bai Lin stood up suddenly, staring at him incredulously, tears streaming down her face. She trembled all over, choked with emotion, “Little Lu, is it really you? Baby, Mom thought she would never see you again…”
The other girls around them looked over at the sound, and even Geng Qing looked at them strangely.
Bai Lu hurriedly wiped away the tears from his eyes, calmed down, and said in a low voice, “Come with me.”
He led Bai Lin to a secluded corner where they both calmed down a bit. Bai Lu frantically rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a handkerchief, handing it to Bai Lin, “Mom, don’t be sad. Aren’t we reunited now?”
Bai Lin wiped away her tears and said, “It’s a blessing from heaven, but how did you also cross over? Did you… pass away at such a young age?”
Bai Lu hurriedly explained, “No, I died at the age of twenty-six because of, um… some accidents.”
He didn’t dare to mention all those things; his mother would surely scold him.
Bai Lin looked at his face, feeling a sense of surrealism about the fourteen years that had been absent. She murmured, “Twenty-six already, you’ve grown so big.”
Then she suddenly felt heartache, “You must have had a hard time all these years alone. Mom is sorry for not being able to rush back to accompany you on your birthday or be by your side as you grow up.”
Seeing her about to cry again, Bai Lu hurriedly comforted her, “No, no, I’m living well now, aren’t I? But…”
He suddenly felt a little embarrassed and said awkwardly, “…I miss you a lot, even in my dreams. Mom, I miss you so much…”
Plop!
Bai Lin suddenly burst into tears but then laughed, reaching out to touch Bai Lu’s head and smiling, “You’re still calling me ‘Mom’ at this age. How cute.”
Bai Lu blushed instantly, a little annoyed, “Mom! Why do you always do this!”
Bai Lin covered her mouth and laughed, “You’re still the same as when you were a child, getting angry when teased.”
Bai Lu looked at her helplessly but couldn’t help laughing along after a while.
Although their ages and appearances had changed completely, they could still see the shadows of each other in their eyes, tones, and postures, giving each other immense comfort—the most beautiful gift given by heaven.
T/N: Ngl that’s so wholesome and unexpected
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Dude, that's like the perfect plot twist, oh my god, I didn't even expect that 😭😭