Dancing with Blades Beneath the Moon

Dancing with Blades Beneath the Moon

"Captain Bai, I think this is feasible!"

"To be frank, my younger sister is slender and graceful, stunningly beautiful, and well-versed in Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting. Most importantly, she knows how to take care of people. Captain Bai, why don't you give it some thought?"

A Captain surnamed Sun rubbed his hands and grinned.

The moment he finished speaking, the others immediately objected:

"Old Sun, stop gilding your sister's lily. Look how fat she's gotten—she must weigh at least two hundred pounds. How is that slender and graceful?"

"Exactly, exactly. You'd better find someone else for your sister to torment. With Captain Bai's scrawny little frame, I'm afraid he couldn't take it~"

"Hahahaha..."

The crowd burst into uproarious laughter.

Bai Yan smiled along with them, then cupped his hands.

"Thank you, everyone, but at present I only want to marry a wife. I have no intention of taking a concubine, so I can only disappoint you all."

"All right, everyone. See you tomorrow."

With that, before anyone could respond, Bai Yan hurried away.

He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, these people would not just be introducing him to their sisters. They might drag out every aunt and grandaunt in their families for discussion too.

Bai Yan could only feel utterly helpless about it.

He could only sigh. Sometimes being too outstanding was a troublesome thing, just like it was for you in front of the screen.

Smooch~

After making his way to Night Manor, Bai Yan was immediately greeted warmly by the guards at the gate.

"Greetings, Lord Bai."

"Good day, Lord Bai."

"Why are you still calling him Lord Bai? You should change that to son-in-law."

One quick-witted guard reminded them.

"That's right, that's right. Greetings, Young Master!"

The others hurriedly changed how they addressed him.

"Good. Such sweet tongues. Take this and buy yourselves some food."

Bai Yan smiled and tossed them several pieces of broken silver.

The guards accepted the reward with delighted expressions and hurriedly said:

"Thank you for the reward, Young Master!"

"Young Master, you're generous!"

They had heard long ago that their young mistress was about to marry, and everyone in Night Manor knew that Bai Yan was soon to become their new young master.

With a promising Imperial Guard Captain like him as their backing, even the Night Manor guards felt proud.

Not to mention that this young master was so approachable. How could they not like him?

"Young Master, please come in. I'll report to the master at once."

The guard ushered Bai Yan into Night Manor. Just as he reached the entrance to the main hall, he heard Ye Youcai's hearty laughter coming from the courtyard.

"Hahahaha, my worthy son-in-law is here!"

Ye Youcai stroked his beard as he came forward, with Madam Ye and Ye Lingdang following behind him.

Madam Ye looked at Bai Yan with warmth in her eyes and a smile on her face. She was clearly extremely satisfied with Bai Yan as her son-in-law.

Ye Lingdang, meanwhile, lowered her head slightly, her little face flushed red. Though she was still somewhat bashful, she was much better than before.

"Greetings, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law."

Bai Yan smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.

Though they were not yet married, calling them Father-in-law and Mother-in-law a few times in advance made them seem closer.

"Hahaha, good, my worthy son-in-law. Come inside and talk."

Ye Youcai helped Bai Yan up, then instructed the steward beside him:

"Arrange a banquet in the hall. I want to entertain my worthy son-in-law properly."

Before long, a table laden with fine wine and delicious dishes had been set.

Bai Yan sat across from Ye Youcai. As they exchanged cups, they chatted about everyday matters, while Ye Lingdang quietly refilled their cups from the side. Whenever she poured the wine, she would steal a glance at Bai Yan, unable to conceal the joy in her eyes.

"My worthy son-in-law, how did you find the time to come today? Haven't you been busy these past few days?"

Ye Youcai drank another cup of wine and asked curiously.

Bai Yan set down his cup and smiled.

"A few days ago, I accomplished a great feat, and His Majesty rewarded me with several treasures. There was one among them that I had no use for, so I came especially to give it to Lingdang."

As he spoke, Bai Yan took the Golden Silk Armor from his robes and handed it to Ye Lingdang.

The moment Ye Youcai and Madam Ye saw the Golden Silk Armor, their eyes widened.

Ye Youcai was especially shaken. A storm surged through his heart.

He had been in business for many years, so his vision was naturally exceptional. At a glance, he could tell that this was a rare treasure of the world.

Although he did not know what it was capable of, it was unquestionably a priceless treasure worth a fortune.

Not to mention that it had been bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor.

Even if it were an ordinary object, once it bore the name of an imperial gift, its value would multiply a hundredfold or even a thousandfold.

"This... this is far too precious. My worthy son-in-law, take it back at once."

Ye Youcai hurriedly pressed down on Bai Yan's hand, his tone earnest.

Bai Yan smiled.

"This is protective armor. I have True Essence shielding my body, so ordinary blades and swords can hardly hurt me. It is not of much use to me."

"But Lingdang is a delicate young woman. With this armor protecting her, I'll feel more at ease."

"My worthy son-in-law, don't try to placate me."

Ye Youcai shook his head.

"Though I know little of the Martial World, I do know how dangerous it is for the Imperial Guard to investigate cases. You often have to fight vicious criminals."

"With this armor protecting you, you'll be safer in everything you do. That is precisely why His Majesty bestowed it upon you."

"Lingdang spends all day inside the manor and rarely goes out. What danger could she face? Giving the armor to her would be like leaving a pearl hidden in dust."

"Quickly, take it back."

Madam Ye also chimed in from the side.

"That's right, my worthy son-in-law. Your safety is the most important thing. You should take it back at once."

Bai Yan gently placed the armor into Ye Lingdang's hands and shook his head, his tone serious.

"This Golden Silk Armor is my betrothal gift. If Father-in-law and Mother-in-law refuse to accept it, then you must think my etiquette inadequate."

Seeing that he had put it so plainly, Ye Youcai and his wife exchanged a glance and could only stop refusing.

Madam Ye looked at Bai Yan with even greater warmth, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

He had received a reward and immediately thought of their daughter. It was clear how sincerely he cherished her. A son-in-law like this was harder to find than a lantern in broad daylight.

Ye Lingdang held the armor in both hands and stroked it delicately with her little fingers. It was obvious that she loved it dearly.

When she raised her eyes to look at Bai Yan, her gaze was as soft as a pool of spring water, her affection nearly overflowing.

Ye Youcai stroked his beard and praised it.

"My worthy son-in-law, this gift of yours is truly too precious."

"If I'm not mistaken, this was woven from Golden Silkworm Silk, wasn't it?"

"That is a treasure that blades and swords cannot sever, and water and fire cannot damage."

Bai Yan smiled and nodded without saying more.

Though Ye Youcai had seen and experienced much, he ultimately knew little about the Martial World. He had only recognized the Golden Silkworm Silk.

He had no idea that this Golden Silk Armor had been woven from five kinds of silken thread and soaked in the medicinal liquid of a hundred kinds of spirit herbs for forty-nine days. In terms of rarity, it far surpassed soft armor woven from Golden Silkworm Silk alone.

After eating and drinking his fill, Bai Yan held Ye Lingdang's hand as they strolled through the rear garden of Night Manor, admiring the scenery.

Afterward, Ye Lingdang suggested playing a tune on the zither for Bai Yan. Bai Yan readily agreed. The moon was bright and the stars sparse that night, and the scenery was exceptionally beautiful. Seized by the mood, Bai Yan drew his Snow Drinking Saber and began to dance. Saber wind accompanied the zither's music, and the two harmonized like zither and lute in perfect accord. The sight was breathtakingly beautiful.

It was already deep into the night, and Bai Yan did not return to South Lane. Instead, he spent the night at Night Manor.

The night passed without incident, and dawn arrived in the blink of an eye.

Ye Lingdang personally attended to Bai Yan as he rose and washed. After breakfast, Bai Yan finally headed to the Pacification Bureau beneath Ye Lingdang's reluctant gaze.

For the entire day, Bai Yan did not receive a single assignment and was exceedingly free.

For several days afterward, Bai Yan remained with nothing to do, as if he had completely turned into a salted fish.

The Demonic Cult was hidden extremely well. Even after the Imperial Guard sent all its goshawk scouts out, they still could not find a trace of them in such a short time.

Still, this was not necessarily a bad thing. Bai Yan was happy to have nothing to do. Since there were no assignments, he could spend more time with his future wife.

After more than ten days, the feelings between them had grown increasingly deep.

One morning, Bai Yan arrived at the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau and saw numerous Imperial Guards hurrying about with grave expressions, as though something major had happened.

When he reached the Captain's office, Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao hurried forward.

"Your subordinate pays his respects, my lord."

Bai Yan nodded and asked directly:

"What happened?"

Ren Hong shook his head and replied, "Your subordinate doesn't know either."

Li Kaiyao spoke from the side. "I did hear a little rumor."

"Hm? You know?"

Ren Hong looked astonished.

"We're together every day. How could there be something you know about that I don't?"

"What do you mean, we're together every day? Don't talk nonsense. What if people misunderstand?"

Seeing the strange look in Bai Yan's eyes, Li Kaiyao hurriedly denied it and unobtrusively moved several steps away from Ren Hong.

"All right, stop clowning around and tell me what happened."

Bai Yan waved his hand. These two were becoming more and more ridiculous. He had no idea who they had learned it from.

"Yes, my lord."