Chapter 69

69 Extra Bai family’s first master (1) Part I

Ouyang Feilong had only two trusted lieutenant-general.

One was Yue Huiling, the sole woman in the army. She was a young lady from the Yue family, yet she was more interested in fighting like men than sewing like other noblewomen. Her outstanding skill brought her both the title and respect from soldiers in the army.

The other was Bai He, the young master of the Bai family. He chose his path in the military rather than in court like his father did. At only fifteen years of age, he could step up to stand proudly beside Ouyang Mingxian. It had been three years that Bai He’s ability was witnessed by the grand army.

At Da Yang’s remote border, there was no man who could be compared to the commander general of Da Yang who had defended the land for many years. Ladies who became of age from both major and minor families all stretched their necks to look up at the prince’s palace, in hopes that one day, one of them might be the flora chosen by the black dragon.

Years passed, and Ouyang Feilong showed no sign of marrying a Wang Fei.

At times, he would take a woman to bed. But that opportunity was exceptionally hard to come by since the black dragon loathed women who used charms and wiles. And any woman who had entered his palace once would never be given the chance to do so for the second time.

This black dragon was truly heartless.

And so, some of those ladies changed their target to the lieutenant-general Bai, the heir of the Bai family. They would have their hope crushed again when they realized that women at the border like them could never be compared to the number one lady, Bai Yu.

Why would they have to compare themselves to the Bai family’s first miss?

.....

That was because Bai He had declared that he would not marry anyone unless that lady was as beautiful and perfect as his younger sister.

The black dragon general was heartless.

The eagle lieutenant-general only had his heart for his younger sister.

The noble women were left with no hope.

Year after year, the two dashing men of the grand army stood in the same spot, side by side, carrying out their duty of defending the nation. People started to wonder, were the general and his right-hand man cut sleeves?

Or were Ouyang Feilong and Bai He found a way to conquer the only lady on the battlefield, Yue Huiling’s heart? Among the rumors, no one knew that the two lieutenant-generals were cousins. The matter within a major family was not a common knowledge among those living near the border.

Even with the rumors that continued for several years, those who were the topic of the conversations were not affected in the slightest. Each of them knew what the truth was.

“Wangye”

Bai He, at the age of sixteen, rushed into Ouyang Feilong’s office with eyes and expression that was overly enthusiastic. It was unusual for him who had always been more mature than his age, a quality that had to lend him much credibility as the lieutenant-general.

Ouyang Feilong looked at the fabric scroll in his subordinate’s hand. He considered him a close friend and a younger brother. It was simple to know that Bai He was excited about.

It must be something regarding that Miss Bai Yu.

Ouyang Feilong said nothing in response, yet Bai He did not show a sign of leaving. He unfurled the scroll until it showed a painting. A painting of a young woman who was smiling wide, showing the two dimples on her cheeks that resembled the man who was holding it.

“It’s Yu-er!”

Ouyang Feilong glanced at the painting he had seen every month and nodded, before returning his attention to the report. “Mm.”

“She’s much taller this month.” Bai He studied the painting in his hands with a broad smile.

Hearing that, Ouyang Feilong lifted his face to look at the person who loved his sister so much that it had transmitted to him as well. “Her size is still the same as last month.”

Bai family sent a painting of Bai Yu to Bai He every month. And every time, without fail, Bai He would bring it for Ouyang Feilong to see. If Ouyang Feilong considered Bai He a friend and a younger brother, then Bai He also considered Ouyang Feilong his older brother as well.

Thus, Bai He’s sister then became Ouyang Feilong’s by default.

“Look carefully. She’s really taller.” Bai He insisted. Ouyang Feilong just nodded. He knew how wonderful love between siblings was. If Bai He was happy with his assumption, then he would appease him by agreeing with his lieutenant-general who was ten years younger than him.

“She’s attending a hair-pinning ceremony this year?” Bai He was sixteen, so Bai Yu must be fifteen.

“Yes, sir.”

“Are you going to attend the ceremony?”

“I’d like to, but...”

There was no royal decree from the palace.

“Benwang allows it,” Ouyang Feilong said as he picked up another report to read after he had finished the previous one. “The royal decree was to be enforced on benwang, not a son of Bai family like you.”

“Wangye...”

Bai He felt overwhelming gratitude for Ouyang Feilong.

The black dragon could never step foot in the capital unless there was a royal decree or an urgent mission. Bai He, as the lieutenant-general, should be held to the same restriction as well. Yet Ouyang Feilong allowed him to return to attend his sister’s hair-pinning ceremony.

Last month Yue Huiling also had to attend the same ceremony. And Ouyang Feilong gave her permission to leave for several months. She had yet to come back, even though she was dying to be at the border again.

“You can stay longer to be with your sister,” Ouyang Feilong said without lifting his eyes up to look at his lieutenant-general. “And on your way back, take your biaomei with you too.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Anyone who said the black dragon was heartless...they were wrong.

Anyone who said the first master of Bai family only had his heart for his sister...they were correct.

—————————

“Yu-er asked me to give this to Wangye.”

A black fragrant pouch embroidered with butterfly patterns was presented to Ouyang Feilong. He arched a brow at the delicate craftsmanship in front of him but made no move to take it. Bai He saw his commander’s indifference, then feared that Bai Yu would feel hurt, so he added. “She asked me to give this to Wangye as a thank for taking care of me.”

“Your sister is a good woman.” Ouyang Feilong was complimented as a process of formality while still not taking it. He knew that this fragrant pouch of hers was no different from other women’s who had attempted to give it to him through various means.

This pouch had a butterfly embroidery, a symbol of his magic messenger, rather than a dragon or a qilin that would match his image like what those women had thought. Still, Ouyang Feilong merely looked at and memorized it. Ultimately, he did not accept the fragrant pouch.