Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

Bailixi looked at Li Ruoyue's charming smile, and her heart was warmed. This is what a girl should be like. He had a sad face all day long, as if he had a lot of worries. Li Ruoyue saw Bailixi standing there without saying a word, so she stretched out her hands and waved them in front of him, and said with a smile: "Why are you so stupid?"

"Are you stupid because of what I said? No way, I didn't say anything to you." Baili Xi looked at the little hand waving in front of his eyes, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. He had to gently push the hand away and said softly: "No, I just thought of something and was a little distracted. Don't mind it." Seeing that Baili Xi was fine, Li Ruoyue stopped teasing him and said casually: "Then let's sit down and have a simple meal." Baili Xi was not polite either, and the two of them happily had a pleasant and comfortable lunch.

After finishing their hearty lunch, they slowly moved two stools out and placed them under the eaves. The afternoon sun was just right, shining brightly on them, bringing a wave of intoxicating warmth and comfort.

They basked in the sun, chatting casually. Baili Xi narrowed his eyes slightly, a lazy look on his face. He turned to look at Li Ruoyue beside him and asked softly, "Miss Li, the year is almost over and spring is about to arrive. Do you have any special plans for this?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ruoyue turned around with a hint of doubt, staring at Baili Xi with a strange gaze, and replied slowly, "Master Baili, you are asking me this. Could it be that you already have some ideas in mind?"

Baili Xi smiled slightly and no longer concealed anything. He told Li Ruoyue frankly: "To be honest, I followed the Fourth Prince to conduct an in-depth inspection of the people in the past two days. What I saw and heard was really moving! I found that what ordinary people want is actually very simple, just to fill their stomachs. However, they don't have too many schemes and calculations. On the other hand, those wealthy nobles and dignitaries already have a fortune but are still not satisfied. They are intensifying their efforts to squeeze the hard-earned money of poor farmers, making these ordinary people almost desperate and their lives miserable!" At this point, he couldn't help but sigh softly, frowning slightly, as if his heart was full of worry and resentment.

Li Ruoyue nodded in agreement when Baili Xi said this, and said with a smile, "Now that you know where the problem lies, does Master Baili have any plans to deal with it?" Baili Xi spread his hands and said helplessly, "I am a nobody and my words carry no weight. Who would listen to me? I want to uphold justice for the common people, but those high-ranking officials and the gentry and powerful families are not happy with it.

"Speaking of this, Baili Xi sighed helplessly and lowered his head to think. Li Ruoyue looked at Baili Xi's depressed look and felt he had nowhere to vent, and sighed as well: "Yes, I am powerless and have no power to do anything!" Li Ruoyue thought for a moment, stared at Baili Xi seriously, and said sincerely: "Master Baili, have you ever thought about becoming a person with great power, making those people listen to you and act according to your wishes?"

Upon hearing Li Ruoyue's words, Baili Xi suddenly looked up and stared at her, his face filled with astonishment. After a brief hesitation, he quickly glanced around to confirm that no one was eavesdropping. Then, he lowered his voice and responded cautiously, "Miss Li, you must not say such words carelessly! If anyone knew, I'm afraid we would all lose our heads. Committing such a heinous crime is a fatal one!"

Li Ruoyue looked at Baili Xi, who was so cautious and acted as if he was facing a formidable enemy. She couldn't help but burst out laughing and said in a delicate voice, "Oh, don't be so nervous! What I mean is, you might as well find someone who shares your political views and aspirations, and who holds great power. Once you become their right-hand man, the things they promote will align with your own aspirations. In this way, wouldn't it be like you are also working for the welfare of the people?"

After hearing Li Ruoyue's explanation, Baili Xi's heart, which had been pounding with fear, finally settled a little. He breathed a sigh of relief, smiled bitterly, and said, "I see. I was indeed foolish. Actually, I have already made my choice, and now I serve under His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince. Back then, the Fourth Prince saved my mentor's life, so he specifically asked me to repay this favor. According to the agreement, I must serve by the Fourth Prince's side for a full five years. With your suggestion, I really should observe him carefully to see if he truly possesses such lofty ambitions and extraordinary courage."

Li Ruoyue, upon hearing Baili Xi's words, knew his character and way of dealing with things, and immediately decided not to hide anything. She spoke frankly to Baili Xi, "Master Baili, I won't beat around the bush with you! To be honest, I really have high hopes for the Fourth Prince. In my opinion, the Fourth Prince is a man of upright character and a kind heart. If he could hold great power, he would surely become a good official who cares about the people and works for their benefit!"

Take the recent drought in the northwest, for example. Look at the Fourth Prince's actions and the decrees he issued; every single one of them prioritizes the people! While it's undeniable that he may have been motivated by a desire for power, so what? Without power, how can he achieve his goals and protect those he wants to protect? If he can't even achieve these two things, how can he even seek the welfare of the people?

Baili Xi stared silently at Li Ruoyue before him, watching her eloquently pour out to him all her innermost thoughts, ideas, and experiences. As Li Ruoyue's words continued to flow, Baili Xi's gaze grew more serious, and he couldn't help but feel a deep respect for this seemingly fragile yet insightful woman.

He thought to himself, "Such profound insight, coming from a woman!" He had originally only had a slight fondness for Li Ruoyue, but now it was like a ignited flame, growing ever hotter, even with a hint of inexplicable love and attraction. So, he decided not to hide his feelings and thoughts anymore.

Li Ruoyue paused briefly before continuing, "Miss Li, I understand all you're saying. I used to be carefree and seemingly unserious, but in reality, I harbored lofty ambitions. Yet, whenever I shared my carefully considered policies and ideas, those who followed me dismissed me as wishful thinking and a fool. They never considered the well-being of the common people; their preoccupations were focused solely on slicing up their own profits, scrambling for personal gain. It seemed as if even the slightest contribution to the world was a luxury in their eyes. But since Miss Li harbors such a beautiful wish, I will do my utmost to help you achieve it, and together, contribute to a peaceful and prosperous world!"

The two sat quietly in the yard, the sunlight filtering through the leaves onto the ground, casting patches of light and shadow. They sat facing each other, their expressions focused and sincere, talking openly about their thoughts, ambitions, and wishes.

"I want to see a world without wars, where people can live and work in peace and lead a peaceful and happy life." One of them said softly, his eyes firm and full of expectation.

The other man nodded slightly, expressing his deep agreement. "Yes, it would be wonderful if peace could be achieved throughout the world! Then the people would no longer have to suffer from war, and could farm in peace, and the children would be able to grow up happily."

As the conversation deepened, the two became increasingly engaged, seemingly losing track of time. They shared their visions for the future and the methods they hoped to use to achieve them. Gradually, they discovered that they not only shared similar aspirations but also many similar perspectives and philosophies.

"Regarding current affairs, I think we should adopt a more moderate policy, focusing on developing the economy and improving people's living standards." One person expressed his opinion.

Another person's eyes lit up, and he responded excitedly, "That's right! We also need to strengthen education and cultivate more talented people. Only then can the country become truly strong."

The more they talked, the more they hit it off, the more they felt they'd met too late. Their ideas constantly sparked, and every exchange was as exhilarating as finding a soulmate. Before they knew it, the sun was setting, and a brilliant sunset glow covered the horizon.

When the two finally noticed the time, they looked at each other in surprise, and then burst into laughter at the same time. This laughter echoed throughout the yard and spread far and wide.

"Haha, I didn't expect that we talked for so long. An entire afternoon just passed like that!" Baili Xi said to Li Ruoyue with a big laugh.

Li Ruoyue's face was filled with smiles as she nodded gently. "That's true, but a conversation with you is worth ten years of reading. Mr. Baili, your views are truly brilliant. We truly share the same ideals!"

"Hahaha, Miss Li, you are too kind. I have benefited a lot from talking with you today. I believe that we will be able to work together in the future and strive to achieve our common ideals!" Baili Xi said with a gleam in his eyes and a firm tone.

At this moment, the afterglow of the setting sun lengthened the figures of the two people and reflected their hopeful faces.

Watching the sun slowly set, Baili Xi said to Li Ruoyu with a smile: "Oh my, happy times always pass by so quickly! Alas, I have a rare half-day of leisure in my life, and I am so happy to have talked to you for so long! But there is no way, I have to go back to my job!" Baili Xi said with a helpless expression. Li Ruoxue saw Baili Xi's reluctance and immediately comforted him: "Don't be so dejected! Everything we do now, no matter how tedious, is like moving towards the goal in our hearts! Although the goal seems far away, but if we do these tedious things to the extreme, then we will be one step closer to the goal!"