Reunion with the White Rose (Third Update)

Before long, the sound of hooves rang out, and a knight in silver armor rode in.

"Captain Tim!"

A group of city garrison soldiers, including Captain Gaton, saluted in unison.

Tim hummed in agreement. "What's going on? Where is that suspicious outsider?"

In an instant, all eyes turned to Bai Xiaowen.

"Hi, Tim. Long time no see." Bai Xiaowen waved.

The moment Tim saw Bai Xiaowen, his expression changed. He hurriedly dismounted, ran to Bai Xiaowen, and gave him a knightly salute. "Your Excellency Dio, you've returned? I'm so sorry I didn't greet you earlier, and instead caused you to be stopped here. I will certainly give Gaton and the others a good scolding."

It's a huge blunder that the city's defense troops don't even recognize the lord.

Bai Xiaowen waved his hand and said, "It's alright. These people are doing their duty for the safety of White Stone City and should be rewarded, not punished."

The group of city defense soldiers were dumbfounded. After a few awkward seconds of silence, they all knelt down on one knee and bowed to Bai Xiaowen in apology.

"You all go on patrol. Tim, let's go to the city lord's mansion. It's been a long time since we've seen Cecilia. How has she been lately?" Bai Xiaowen asked.

The city's garrison scattered like birds and beasts.

Tim led the horse, carefully following behind Bai Xiaowen.

"Dio, our lord has always been well, but he often misses you," Tim said. As a loyal knight, he was aware of the romantic affair between his mistress and the young viscount before him.

"Hmm, who is Baron Stantin? And what is his relationship with Cecilia?" Bai Xiaowen asked.

"Stantin? He... I'm not entirely sure about his background either, and as for his relationship with Lady Cecilia, we subordinates dare not inquire. It's best if Dio asks him himself." Tim lowered his head, not daring to say anything more.

Bai Xiaowen shook his head. He took out a scroll, unfurled it as he walked, and recited the poem while swaying his head.

That's right, it was obtained from Xu Wei's scroll Peony Behind Leaves Painting ".

The Spirit Realm Rules notification reads, "You have appreciated the painting 'Peony Behind Leaves Painting' and recited the accompanying poem."

"Your charm has increased by 20%, lasting for 120 minutes."

Bai Xiaowen chuckled and put the painting away. The Peony with Peony Behind Leaves Painting can increase charm by up to 30%, but the extent of the increase should be related to the cultural background of the plane it belongs to.

If this were in the Ancient China Plane, the effect would likely reach its maximum, around 30%.

This is a Western Qihuan world, so the ink peony painting is fine; Westerners can appreciate it. But the poem accompanying it—Westerners can only appreciate the rhyme and find it easy to recite; its charm bonus percentage is lower.

In a primitive world, such as the Jurassic Plane, the charm bonus percentage would probably drop to zero.

Tim glanced at Bai Xiaowen and wondered if Dio Dior had gone mad, shaking his head and gesturing wildly at a painting...

White Stone City wasn't large, and before long the two arrived at the city lord's mansion on the north side. There, a magnificent carriage was parked at the gate, its wheels inlaid with gold patterns, exuding an air of extravagance.

"This must be Baron Stantin's carriage. It's quite impressive," Bai Xiaowen said.

Tim bowed his head and said, "If Your Excellency finds this carriage an eyesore, I may move it elsewhere... or smash it?"

"Forget it," Bai Xiaowen waved his hand and smiled slightly, "It's a nice car, it's a pity to smash it."

In the short time it took to say those few words, the gates of the city lord's mansion opened, and a tall, slender nobleman strode out. In his hands, he carried a large bouquet of blooming red roses, vibrant and beautiful.

Winter had just passed, and it was early spring; it was quite a feat for him to find roses. But it must be simple, after all, this was a magical world.

Behind the young nobleman were several servants, and behind them... Cecilia.

"Beautiful Cecily, since you are not feeling well today, I will not disturb you any longer. I hope that next time I come, I will see you in good health and able to accept my feelings," the noble youth said in a singing tone.

Bai Xiaowen raised an eyebrow. Cecilia actually escorted this young Baron to the gate; things were definitely not simple.

"Baron Stantin..."

Cecilia walked slowly forward, pondering her words. When she reached the front door, she suddenly stopped, and her voice trailed off.

Because she saw someone.

Bai Xiaowen smiled and met Cecilia's gaze; time seemed to stand still at that moment.

On Cecilia's beautiful face, Bai Xiaowen could see Transformation surprise, astonishment, and a little panic, which was eventually replaced by overwhelming joy.

Of course, there will always be people who spoil the fun.

Baron Stantin's voice rang out untimely. "Cecily, who is this person?" He looked at Bai Xiaowen with a hint of jealousy.

In terms of both looks and physique, Bai Xiaowen completely outshone him. This greatly frustrated Stantin, who had always considered himself a handsome man and was quite confident in his own charm.

Based on her good looks, Bai Xiaowen's charm level is already extremely high. After using the Peony Behind Leaves Painting, it increases by another 20%, which is almost unfair, making her charm level practically off the charts.

Then, something even more enviable happened to Baron Stantin.

Cecilia's body trembled slightly, then she suddenly strode forward, leaped down the steps, and was caught in Bai Xiaowen's arms. She then spun around several times, her skirt fluttering. Happy laughter emanated from Cecilia's mouth.

Everyone: (Speechless. jpg) Is this... is this still the aloof, icy beauty known as the White Rose?

Baron Stantin's inner thoughts were: Damn it, didn't you say you weren't feeling well?!

A surge of intense jealousy rose within him, but Baron Stantin did not lose his composure. Years of aristocratic education had instilled in him a remarkably good demeanor, and he quickly regained his composure after a brief moment of lapse.

"My dear Cecily, perhaps you should first introduce this young gentleman... oh no, this young boy to me."

Bai Xiaowen spun Cecilia around twice in his arms before gently putting her down.

The two gazed at each other with deep affection.

Then, Cecilia suddenly cupped Bai Xiaowen's face in her hands and gave him a long, long, long kiss...

Bai Xiaowen passively endured the situation, completely bewildered. She thought to herself, "Women from Western backgrounds are indeed open-minded. A deep kiss in public? Shu Yi would never agree to that... What was that Stantin saying just now? Isn't it impolite to just ignore him like this?"

So after the deep kiss ended, Bai Xiaowen took a breath, then put his arm around Cecilia's slender waist and looked at Stantin: "I'm her man. Who do you think you are?"