257 The Return Of A Spoiled Miss

"I, Emperor Guan Hong of the Western Empire, agree to ally with the Eastern Empire."

When the Emperor finished speaking, a murmur ran through the crowd, and Rin could hear the doubtful whispers of council officials. No one voiced their thoughts aloud.

Since the Emperor had said it himself, there was no room to refute. Even if they did, they knew it was futile. The situation they were in now could only be solved by joining forces with another.

Even if that happened to be with the scheming and powerful Eastern Empire.

The envoy regarded everything unfold with a genial smile. He bowed his head. "Many thanks to Your Majesty."

Emperor Guan Hong paid him no more attention and dismissed everyone with a wave of his yellow dragon embroidered sleeve. Just as Rin walked out, she heard a light, familiar voice call out behind her.

"It truly is fortunate that the Emperor agreed. To be able to work alongside someone as skilled as yourself, I cannot help but feel honored." With his cupped sleeves, the envoy stared at her with a light smile.

"...Is that so." Rin raised an eyebrow. The corner of her lips twitched.

She really couldn't decipher the man's motives. Either way, she had no interest in being near him. Especially after Wei Jingyi's warning.

"Bai Lan," Rin raised her head to see her grandfather beckoning her over.

Without saying a word to the envoy, she walked over. From the beginning, the envoy watched her with a helpless expression. He sighed and turned around to leave.

"What did that man say to you?" Bai Han placed a hand over her shoulder. He glanced at the envoy leaving with narrowed eyes.

Rin sighed softly. "It was nothing."

"I want you to stay away from that man. Being close to him is too dangerous." Bai Han said with a hint of his old fierceness.

She smiled. "I know grandfather."

"Mm, good." He patted her shoulder and ushered her to walk with him. "We recently received an edict from the Northern Empire. They want us to return."

Rin was surprised for a moment. "Did they spot any activity from the An Clan?"

"No. But the Northern Emperor wants us to return in case such a situation does happen."

The two of them walked into the imperial garden. In the distance, she could hear the sound of a fountain trickling, the chorus of birds drifted in as steady as streaming currents.

"I take it you will be staying here?" Bai Han asked quietly.

Rin did not hide her intentions. "Yes. They need me here."

"It's dangerous for you here." Bai Han frowned, reminded of the eastern envoy.

"It will be all right. Even if I am to be discovered, I will never yield." She reassured with a slightly playful smile.

Bai Han looked at his granddaughter and sighed.

"You must be safe. Otherwise, I don't care if I have to declare war against the Eastern Empire to get you back!" He huffed, silver mustache twitching.

Rin stared stupidly. "Don't be impulsive, grandfather."

"Oh? So you can, but I can't?"

Rin had no answer for that. Sighing softly, a thought suddenly emerged. Her body tensed as she thought of the words to say.

"Grandfather...before you leave for the north, there's something I need to tell you."

Curious, Bai Han raised his brows. "All right. You can come to my room tonight."

Nodding her head, Rin hid the small flush on her face.

...

In the Northern Empire.

Beneath the autumn sun, nut-brown bodies slicked with sweat moved across the track beneath the glowing rays. They whirled around each other, the sound of blades singing through the wind.

Sweat trickled icily down the boy's chest, his calves thickly carved with muscle shuffling easily across the hard stone ground beneath his feet.

When Captain Rui raised his sword, the boy went underneath it with a sweeping blow that crunched against the back of the man's leg and sent him staggering. He lost his footing and fell hard on the dense ground.

Hissing through his teeth, Captain Rui rubbed his sore bottom. He stood up and wiped his sweaty palms on his pants.

He suddenly chuckled. "Well done, Aiguo. You've improved."

Heeding his words of praise, Aiguo suppressed the grin threatening to appear. He cleared his throat.

"It's all thanks to General Guo's teachings that I was able to improve." With bashful black eyes, he pushed back sweat-soaked hair with his fingers. Thick hair, shaggy, unkempt, and black as ink.

Captain Rui regarded the boy's humble appearance and smiled. Not too long ago, the boy was arrogant and impulsive as ever. After being knocked down a few times, he finally seemed to be smart with his words.

As the months passed, he grew into his first flush of growth, bones sharp and spindly, poking against taut skin. Still short and slimmer than the thick bodies of Bai soldiers, he quickly learned to be as swift as a fox.

"Indeed. General Guo is an excellent teacher. It won't be long before you will be able to enter the Bai's military training."

Aiguo beamed and nodded his head. Those black eyes of his seemed to shine brighter than the coal in a fiery brazier.

"Then let's fight more! The stronger I become, the quicker I can join!"

Not to mention, the quicker he can help Rin and see her again. The mere thought of the clever and charming girl made his heart burn passionately!

Seeing his expression, Captain Rui could already assume what he'd been thinking. He sighed. Although he had become wiser with his words, the boy was still unable to hide his intentions.

Sighing again helplessly, he lifted his wooden staff and dueled with the boy once again until dawn.

Wiping the sweat from their brows, a servant from the manor approached them as they enjoyed a plate of delicious melons and seeds.

"Captain Rui, there is a group of people outside. They're requesting an audience."

The captain's brows furrowed. He set down his towel and grumbled. "Tell them our commander and general are not here."

The servant's expression turned odd. He pursed his lips.

"They're not asking to seek an audience with the commander or general."

The captain frowned. "Who are they seeking?"

"A man by the name of An Sun. They said they are from the Yun family."

At that moment, Aiguo choked on a melon seed. The captain roughly patted his back to clear his throat. When he swallowed it down with a cup of water, Aiguo lifted his wide eyes.

"Take me to this person."

...

Outside of the Bai Manor, a carriage set before them. Citizens passing by couldn't help but stare at the extravagant exterior. White, gallant horses. A spacious gold and red encrusted carriage.

This family's wealth was not small!

When they saw they were in front of the Bai Manor, the onlookers couldn't help but nod their heads in understanding. Naturally, a guest of the Bai Manor would be someone so wealthy.

But who?

Just as they were curious as to who the figure in the carriage was, the large Bai Manor gates opened. Stepping out with light steps was a boy. Short hair covered his forehead, just sweeping across his eyebrows due to its length. His back was straight and taut as he approached the carriage.

At that moment, the carriage's red and gold wooden door opened. A young woman stepped out. There was a silence where one could hear the soft chime of bracelets adorned on her delicate white wrists.

Aiguo watched as the young woman emerged. Despite the veil gardening her features, it could not hide the beauty underneath it. When he finally got a glimpse of her face, his expression twisted.

"Yun Suyin?!"

The girl raised her head and revealed a pair of twinkling bright eyes. She stared back at Aiguo with a graceful smile.

"Where is An Sun?"