Chapter 25: From This Life to the Next, You Belong to Me

"Goose, goose, goose, goose, goose, goose..."

In the rear garden of the Princess’s Residence, a chorus of “goose laughter” rang out endlessly. Li Shixuan doubled over with glee, laughing until her stomach ached, finally squatting on the ground, clutching her belly.

At this moment, she had truly become a silly little goose.

“Brother Mu!”

Li Shixuan tilted her little head, barely able to contain her amusement, “So, is it true… that my royal brother might be rejected by the Princess of Zhou? Goose, goose, goose…”

Bai Muge: “…”

[You’re focusing on the wrong thing, you silly girl!]

[The point is, Prince Tang asked me to receive her!]

Bai Muge felt exasperated; this little Li Shixuan truly was a silly goose.

Yet her daft innocence was so endearing that it lifted his mood in an instant.

[Adorably foolish.]

Moved by her cuteness, Bai Muge crouched down and ruffled her hair.

Li Shixuan made no attempt to avoid him; instead, she narrowed her eyes in contentment, her cheeks flushing softly as she enjoyed the gesture.

A pale shaft of sunlight fell across her blushing face, making her all the more enchanting.

“Princess…”

Before long, Linger, the lady-in-waiting, arrived with wine and fruit, entering the garden in high spirits. But seeing such a picturesque scene, she refrained from announcing herself, quickly turning away to give them privacy.

She wouldn’t dare disturb such a lovely moment.

Only when Bai Muge noticed Linger turning away did he reluctantly withdraw his hand. He sat down beside Li Shixuan, teasing, “You’ve even prepared plum wine—are you planning to keep me here tonight, Shixuan?”

“Uh…” Li Shixuan was briefly taken aback. Once she understood, she huffed and nudged Bai Muge with her elbow, pouting in embarrassment, “That’s not it! I brewed the plum wine myself!”

“I see.” Bai Muge smiled, not exposing her little scheme. Instead, he put on a serious face. “Well, I simply must taste it and see if your skills meet the Bai family’s standards for a bride.”

Hearing this, Li Shixuan was instantly intrigued.

“Linger, bring it over!” Li Shixuan called eagerly.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Linger composed herself, brought over the plum wine and fruit, handed them to Li Shixuan, then quietly took her leave.

She had no wish to be force-fed their public display of affection.

“Brother Mu, quickly, have a taste!”

Li Shixuan poured a cup of plum wine herself, holding it to Bai Muge’s lips, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Bai Muge nodded, took a measured sip, and was surprised at the quality—the taste was genuinely good!

It nearly matched his own homemade plum wine.

[Well now, this girl really put her heart into it.]

“It’s quite delicious,” Bai Muge remarked, savoring the flavor. He gazed at Li Shixuan’s fluttering lashes, unable to resist pinching her cheek and looking her over. “How did you get so talented? Tell me, are you plotting something against the Bai family?”

Li Shixuan stunned, never expecting that her first attempt at brewing plum wine would suit his tastes so well.

Nor had she expected Bai Muge to tease her so openly.

Without thinking, she pouted and let him pinch her cheek, responding with utmost pride, “Once you’ve tasted my plum wine, you’re mine for life!”

Bai Muge couldn’t help but chuckle at her words, sweet and a little silly.

Especially her blend of bashfulness and earnestness—he found it utterly charming.

He leaned over and, without warning, planted a kiss on her cheek.

Smack.

After that, Bai Muge came back to his senses, studied Li Shixuan anew, and smiled, “Now that you bear the Bai family’s mark, don’t bother trying to escape!”

“Mmm…” Li Shixuan’s face burned scarlet, her lips pouting as she replied, “I’ve already been marked, and you’re not allowed to run either!”

“All right.” Bai Muge nodded with a smile, popping a grape into her mouth.

They lingered together for another half hour, chatting idly. At last, Bai Muge rose, dusted off his clothes, and took his leave. “It’s getting late, Shixuan. I should go. Tomorrow I’m to receive the envoys from Zhou on my brother’s behalf.”

“Very well. Safe travels, Brother Mu.” Li Shixuan nodded obediently, watching his figure recede.

She looked again at the clouds glowing in the evening sky, more and more convinced that they resembled the silhouettes of a man and a woman.

One was her beloved Brother Mu.

The other, herself…

……

Ministry of Revenue Minister’s Residence.

When Bai Muge returned home with Cao Zhengchun and Hai Dafu, he found his father still awake, practicing martial arts in the garden.

“Did the sun rise in the west today?” Bai Muge couldn’t help but mutter in curiosity.

After all, since his father Bai Zhan had retired from the front lines and become Minister of Revenue, he rarely practiced martial arts.

He had grown accustomed to his new post.

So Bai Muge walked over and called, “Father, what’s gotten into you tonight?”

Hearing his son’s voice, Bai Zhan continued his exercises, replying offhandedly, “If I don’t practice, I’ll rust. Go to bed, son.”

Bai Muge paused, then suddenly asked, “Is Mother coming home soon?”

“???” Bai Zhan’s movements visibly faltered.

But then he carried on, glaring at Bai Muge and snapping, “And what if your mother is? Can’t I train for that? You little rascal, get lost!”

“Got it!”

Bai Muge replied cheerfully, turning to head inside. “Take your time, Father! As they say, ‘An old steed in the stable still longs for a thousand miles.’ I believe in you!”

“Out!” Bai Zhan, exasperated, hurled a javelin at his son.

Bai Muge dodged nimbly, narrowly avoiding his father’s wrath.

Yet before he had gone far, Bai Zhan suddenly halted and called, “You went to the palace today—the emperor charged you with welcoming the envoys, didn’t he?”

“Mmm…” Bai Muge stopped, sighing helplessly. “I have no idea what His Majesty is thinking. Couldn’t he have asked you to handle it instead?”

Bai Zhan chuckled. “This matter really does need you, son. You’ve always been clever, inheriting all your father’s strengths! Besides, I hear the Princess of Zhou is quite beautiful! His Majesty must want you to win her over on his behalf!”

Bai Muge was speechless.

He had never met anyone as shameless as his father.

For the sake of promotion, he was willing to sell off his own son!

“Father, you’re truly shameless,” Bai Muge muttered and headed inside.

Bai Zhan simply grinned, unconcerned.

Looking up at the moon, he sighed, “Ah, Muge, if you want to gain a foothold in court, simply getting along with His Majesty isn’t enough—you need real merit as well…”