Fire Captain

That night Minglan lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. Bai Ziyang's words during the day kept ringing in her ears, and Bai Ziyang's face kept appearing in front of her eyes. Finally, Minglan covered her head with the quilt, but it still didn't work. After a moment, Minglan opened the cup, sat up, got up, walked to the window, pushed it open, and looked at the silent night sky. Her thoughts didn't seem so chaotic anymore.

Minglan could not deny that some of Bai Ziyang's words might be right. Maybe she did have some feelings for him, or maybe she was grateful for the childhood experience? She couldn't explain it clearly. It was normal for a young girl to be confused about everything when she first fell in love. Minglan suddenly thought that Bai Ziyang had been using a fake identity since he entered the Sheng Mansion to study. He must have started planning from that time. He was indeed "scheming"... Minglan was so angry that she slapped the window frame, and the sound startled Xiaotao who was on duty outside.

Xiao Tao heard the noise and asked dazedly, "Miss, you haven't slept yet?"

Minglan quickly replied: "Ah, it's okay, you can continue to sleep!"

"Oh, Miss, you should go to bed early too!" Xiao Tao rubbed her eyes and continued to sleep.

While Minglan was still trying to sort out her own tangled situation, Sheng Hong heard some news from somewhere. He was shocked at first when he found out that Bai Ziyang, whom he had never even looked at, was actually the young prince. Then, when he heard that Minglan was playing polo with the young prince so as not to stand out from the crowd, his face turned red again, for he was afraid that people would say that the Sheng family was overstepping their boundaries and trying to curry favor with the prince, thus ruining the reputation that he had "worked so hard" to establish. When he got home, he scolded Minglan. In addition, Lin Qinshuang had already inflamed him, so even if Minglan explained that it was Sheng Changfeng who deserted first and the young prince was "forced" to take over, it would not do. He was determined that Minglan was unrepentant and would not stop until she was punished to kneel.

As for Bai Ziyang, after the polo match ended that day, before he returned home, the three people in Prince Zhao's mansion had heard the news. After Prince Zhao and Bai Ziyang's elder brother Zhao Zihui returned to the mansion, the three of them "conspired" together, and when Bai Ziyang returned home, he saw a scene of a three-person trial.

His eldest brother Zhao Zihui stood up first, slapped Bai Ziyang on the back, and said with a smile: "Good boy, I heard that you stole the show today!"

Seeing this, Bai Ziyang said, "Dad and Mom, you guys are so well-informed, brother!"

Princess Zhao sat upright, and said with a half-smile: "What, have you had enough of the limelight? Why don't you get in quickly!"

Bai Ziyang rolled over quickly, patted Princess Zhao's shoulders like a lackey, and laughed softly, "Mother, you are wise!"

Princess Zhao glanced at him and said with a smile, "What am I smart about? Can you tell me?"

Bai Ziyang just flattered her in a series of ways, saying, "My mother is like a fairy from heaven, with sharp eyes and a bright mind. You can see through my little thoughts at a glance. If we talk about wisdom, who else can it be but my mother?"

Seeing Bai Ziyang's servile appearance, Zhao Zihui couldn't help but hold back his laughter, and Prince Zhao couldn't stand it and coughed twice. Princess Zhao smiled and slapped Bai Ziyang's hand away, saying: "Alright, alright, go and praise your father, otherwise he will be jealous!"

Prince Zhao, who was pretending to drink tea, glared at her and said, "Nonsense!"

Princess Zhao looked at Prince Zhao with amusement, then said to Bai Ziyang: "Okay, stop making trouble and get back to your business!"

Bai Ziyang sat aside and said with a "well-behaved" face, "Please speak, mother!"

Princess Zhao was speechless and said, "You were so popular on the polo field just because of that girl! And two years ago, you insisted on going to Sheng's private school, and you used your uncle's name to study there. It was also because of that girl, right? Is it the Sixth Miss Sheng?"

Seeing that Princess Zhao knew everything, Bai Ziyang stopped playing tricks and finally said seriously, "Yes!"

Princess Zhao continued, "Although we don't have any prejudice against family background, you should know that she is only the daughter of a fifth-rank official, and a concubine's daughter!"

Bai Ziyang nodded and said, "I know!"

Princess Zhao continued, "Then you know that if she is just your wife, it may be okay, but if in the future... can she be qualified for the position of princess? What will she face when dealing with other family members?"

Bai Ziyang said: "I know this too. I also know that she is smart and her knowledge is enough to make up for the shortcomings of her status. Moreover, in the future... I will always be able to protect her!"

After hearing Bai Ziyang's words, Princess Zhao looked at him meaningfully, with no expression on her face to show whether she was happy or angry. Then Princess Zhao turned to look at Prince Zhao and Zhao Zihui and asked, "What do you two think?"

Zhao Zihui has loved his younger brother since childhood, and he said first: "Mother, since my younger brother likes the girl, why don't you help him!" It was also thanks to his own "efforts" that Bai Ziyang was not spoiled by him!

Princess Zhao was not surprised at Zhao Zihui's opinion. Ever since Bai Ziyang wanted something as a child, Zhao Zihui would get it for him and then deliver it to him before they, as his parents, took any action. It was obvious that it was useless to ask about today's opinion. Princess Zhao looked at Prince Zhao without comment.

Prince Zhao didn't keep Bai Ziyang in suspense and said directly: "As far as I know, the child is not bad, so why not just do as he wishes... Of course, the princess has the final say!" After he finished speaking, he actually smiled on his originally serious face. Bai Ziyang saw that he was also drunk.

In addition to his love of calligraphy and painting, Prince Zhao is also very generous in many things. He looks like a cat without temper. Everything is decided by Princess Zhao. However, they all know that Prince Zhao just doesn't like to talk. In fact, he knows everything, and he is the one who knows it best.

One of them expressed support, while the other expressed neutrality. Finally, Princess Zhao spoke up and said, "It's not impossible. It's just that there has been a hierarchy of seniority since ancient times. Your elder brother hasn't married yet. As for your affairs, I know about them..." Seeing Bai Ziyang collapse, Princess Zhao showed mercy and said, "Okay, I've taken it to heart! Go and do your thing!"

Bai Ziyang still understood the principle of "too much is as bad as too little". After all, he didn't have the nerve to pester Princess Zhao and force her to propose marriage today. Although Princess Zhao seemed to be calm and had no temper to the outside world, she was actually in charge of all the affairs of the palace. Her character was becoming more and more decisive. You can't afford to offend her...

Seeing Bai Ziyang walking away in fear, the three people who stayed behind couldn't help but laugh at each other. Zhao Zihui said, "It's rare to see my little brother like this!"

Princess Zhao said: "Let him go first! Humph..."

Actually, what Princess Zhao said was right, there is order of seniority, but Princess Zhao did not tell Bai Ziyang that Zhao Zihui's marriage had already been settled, and now it has entered the three letters and six ceremonies. This time, Princess Zhao recalled Bai Ziyang not only because she missed her son, but also because she wanted Bai Ziyang to attend his eldest brother's wedding. After all, it is good for the whole family to be together for such a big event. As for Bai Ziyang who was kept in the dark... they all agreed to keep it under wraps. Who made him keep his little thoughts secret from the whole family at the beginning!

Bai Ziyang was feeling depressed these past two days and went to Gu Tingye to drink. He almost choked to death after just two drinks. Bai Ziyang wiped the wine from his mouth and said in surprise, "What did you say? You want to marry the eldest daughter of the Yu family?"

Gu Tingye hurriedly said, "Why are you shouting so quietly? I haven't succeeded in proposing marriage yet, and I'm asking you to spread the news and damage the girl's reputation!"

Bai Ziyang said: "Are you serious?"

Gu Tingye stared and said, "How can this be false?"

Bai Ziyang looked at Gu Tingye in silence, thinking about what to say next. Gu Tingye looked at Bai Ziyang's expression and couldn't help but ask in confusion: "Why? You think it's inappropriate?"

Bai Ziyang rolled his eyes and said, "Of course it's not appropriate!"

Gu Tingye said indignantly: "Why are you allowed to like the Sixth Miss... Woo woo..." Bai Ziyang raised his hand and covered Gu Tingye's mouth. As soon as he finished saying that he was affecting the girl's reputation, he turned around and started yelling nonsense.

Gu Tingye slapped Bai Ziyang's hand away and stared at him, clearly dissatisfied. He thought that Bai Ziyang felt that he was not worthy of Miss Yu...

Bai Ziyang looked around and saw that there were no people around. He whispered, "Ms. Yu and Miss Six are close friends. I can't just watch Miss Yu jump into your fire pit!"

Gu Tingye said, "How can this be a hell of a place? Miss Yu and I both lost our mothers at a young age and share the same fate. If I could marry her, I would definitely treat her well... Don't you believe me?"

Bai Ziyang said: "Of course I believe you, but I don't believe the one in your family..."

Gu Tingye was stunned for a moment before he reacted and said, "You mean Man Niang? Man Niang is also looking forward to Miss Yu coming home."

Bai Ziyang said, "You just think that Miss Yu is docile and will treat your mistress well, but if this is your goal, is it fair to Miss Yu? This is not the way husband and wife should behave."

Gu Tingye said with a little embarrassment: "I... although my intentions are not pure, I have made up my mind. After I get married, I will naturally abide by the rules and live in harmony with my wife."

Bai Ziyang said: "I don't know whether you two are harmonious or not, but your wife and your mistress are definitely not harmonious!"

Gu Tingye asked: "What do you mean? Will you not marry a concubine in the future?"

Bai Ziyang said: "Of course I won't!"

Seeing Gu Tingye's doubtful look, Bai Ziyang said, "Let's talk about you. You said Zhu Manniang is looking forward to the eldest lady coming home? I don't believe it. I only know that there is absolutely no woman in this world who is willing to share her husband with other women. If Zhu Manniang has such an idea, one possibility is that she is acting too well in front of you, and the other possibility is that she only regards you as a tool to cling to the powerful and does not take you seriously at all... But no matter which one it is, it shows that this woman is very scheming."

Gu Tingye stared at Bai Ziyang in astonishment, slammed the table and shouted, "You're talking nonsense!"

Bai Ziyang put down his wine glass and said, "We are brothers. Even if you don't like it, I have to tell you. I really want to remind you that your mistress Zhu Manniang is not a good person. Be careful!"

Gu Tingye didn't want to say anything more, he just stood up and said: "I will go to the Yu family to propose marriage, you wait and see!"