Shut Up

Early the next morning.

Bai Mo had slept to her heart's content.

Ever since the apocalypse began, she had lived in fear every day, surviving more cautiously than most and hardly ever getting a peaceful night's sleep.

Bai Mo stretched luxuriantly. "Ah, that feels good. Xiaohan, come in and help me wash and dress. There's no need to prepare breakfast. I'm going to eat at my uncle's house."

Xiaohan immediately pushed the door open and came in. "Yes, eldest miss."

She attended to her with deft hands...

Before the mirror, Bai Mo nodded in satisfaction. "These clothes are nice."

The style was simple and sharp, and both the tailoring and fabric were impeccable. The pale ivory complemented her complexion, while the black sash made her look especially valiant and dashing. Excellent.

Her hair was simply tied up high, fully exposing a clean, rosy little face with exquisite, flawless features.

"Lixia, prepare the horse."

At the hour of the dragon.

The streets were bustling, with shops on either side, vendors by the roadside, and crowds milling about...

Bai Mo loved this lively flavor of everyday life. It felt as though the whole city were alive, brimming with vitality.

Following her memories, she rode straight to the residence of the vice minister of war.

As soon as she reached the entrance, Uncle Fu, her uncle's attendant, came out to greet her with a beaming smile. "Miss, our first master sent this old servant out to wait and welcome you."

"Sorry for the trouble, Uncle Fu. I'm famished. Let's go in."

Bai Mo handed the reins to a servant beside her and strode into the residence.

Inside Prosperity Pavilion at the vice minister of war's residence.

Bai Jingyao kept directing the servants as they brought out the food. "Put the goat's milk here. Your young miss likes it best. Breakfast should be light, but this girl loves meat. Have the kitchen bring another plate of braised beef."

"Uncle."

"How have you been, Uncle? It's been so long since I last saw you. Are you in good health?"

Bai Mo walked over to Bai Jingyao. The man before her was mature and handsome, his alluring features without a trace of vulgarity. The nobility of one accustomed to a high position radiated from within, and his bearing was as captivating as aged pu'er tea.

He looked somewhat like her, which made him feel especially familiar. People said a niece took after her maternal uncle, and it really was true.

"Momo, come and sit. I knew you little monkey would come without eating breakfast." Bai Jingyao smiled gently and looked Bai Mo over several times.

"Why have you gotten a little thinner? Has that Madam Chen been treating you badly?"

"Haha, isn't it because I know the food here is the best, Uncle? Please sit." Bai Mo said nothing about Madam Chen. Mentioning her would spoil the mood.

Bai Jingyao pushed the goat's milk in front of Bai Mo. "Try it. Your aunt knows you love goat's milk, so she specially got this for you this morning. Have a taste."

"Your mother came rushing over yesterday and asked me to send an invitation to meet the young master of the Shen family. She said you'd taken a fancy to him too? Why have I never heard you mention him before? Your aunt said the Grand Preceptor's Residence has been looking at prospective matches for this young master lately, but he won't be easy to win."

Bai Jingyao lowered his eyes and fell into thought.

Bai Mo felt a little strange. His chastity had already been ruined, and his family wanted to choose a wife for him. It must have put him in an extremely difficult position too...

She looked up again and said as though nothing were amiss, "You're joking, Uncle. I only have some private business to discuss with him. Who would ever take a fancy to someone like me?"

Bai Jingyao's eyes filled with laughter, and he put another morsel of food in Bai Mo's bowl.

"You little monkey, you're old enough to marry now. Settle down a little. Our earl's household is a respectable family, and as long as you work hard and strive to improve, your aunt and I will help you with your marriage.

"Actually, you're just a little impetuous. You have a good heart. There are so many filthy affairs in the capital. Take that young Master Shen, for instance. He's had a hard time of it too. Luckily you haven't fallen for him, or I would have wanted to talk you out of it. Even if he agreed, the Grand Preceptor's Residence certainly wouldn't.

"Although he's the legitimate son of the second branch, his birth father greatly favors girls over boys. He was sent to be raised at an estate when he was little, and only brought back to the residence later because he grew increasingly handsome and was exceptionally clever. Your aunt and I both think the Grand Preceptor's Residence may be waiting for the best offer, choosing the most suitable match for a marriage alliance."

Bai Jingyao went on talking to himself.

Bai Mo found it rather interesting. Someone as proud and aloof as Shen Qing had such a hard time in the inner household too.

After the meal, Bai Jingyao brought out a pile of things: bolts of cloth, trinkets, rare delicacies, even brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones...

"Momo, I prepared all these for you. Take them with you when you go home. These grapes were presented as tribute from Goryeo, and Her Majesty bestowed them on your aunt. Take them home and try them. You should study hard too. This inkstone..."

Uncle Fu hurried in, bowed properly, and announced, "First Master, the young master of the Shen family has arrived."

Bai Jingyao rose at once and told a young servant to put the things away. "Quick, show him into the reception hall."

"Have a pot of the finest white tea prepared as well."

"Momo, come with me."

Bai Mo nodded, wondering what she should say...

They had only just sat down in the reception hall.

He came in on the fresh breeze, dressed in a long robe of blue-gray cloud brocade. It swayed slightly with each step, its hem gently fluttering.

His black hair was half pinned up with nothing but a white jade hairpin, making him look both refined and somewhat noble. A few loose strands fell naturally on either side of his face. His face was sculpted, his features exceptionally handsome, and his bearing cold and austere. At first glance, he seemed less like a real person than someone from a painting...

He did not spare Bai Mo so much as a glance, walking straight toward Bai Jingyao.

He offered a proper bow. "Greetings, First Master."

"Young Master Shen, you truly are unmatched in grace and beauty. I thought the rumors outside were exaggerated, but now that I've seen you, I feel they don't convey even a fraction of your bearing."

"Please sit, Young Master Shen, and see if this tea is to your taste." Bai Jingyao's warmth was just right, neither making him feel ill at ease nor being overly familiar.

Shen Qing said nothing and sat quietly.

"Young Master Shen, this is my niece, Bai Mo, the eldest daughter of the Protecting the Nation Earl's household. She happened to be visiting today..."

Bai Mo nodded by way of greeting.

Only then did Shen Qing raise his eyes to look at Bai Mo. "Miss Bai, your name has reached my ears like a clap of thunder," he said meaningfully. "I know of you."

Bai Mo opened her mouth, but felt that no answer would be appropriate.

Seeing Bai Mo hesitate to speak, Bai Jingyao gave Uncle Fu a look at the door.

Uncle Fu tapped lightly on the reception hall door. "First Master, someone from the accounts room has an urgent matter to report."

"Young Master Shen, this... I'm sorry to be so abrupt, but I have an urgent matter to attend to. I'll be right back. Please allow my niece to keep you company for a moment." Bai Jingyao nodded politely, then rose and headed out.

Shen Qing knew perfectly well what was going on. He stood and gave a slight nod.

The two were left alone in the reception hall. Neither spoke first, and it was so quiet a pin could be heard dropping.

Shen Qing looked up at Bai Mo, the outer edge of his brow lifting slightly. Getting straight to the point, he said, "Why did you ask me here? Men and women should not have improper contact. If you have something to say, you might as well say it plainly. Otherwise, it won't be good for either of our reputations."

Bai Mo composed her expression, her tone especially serious. "I was set up by someone last time too. I didn't mean to ruin your chastity..."

"Shut up." Before Bai Mo could finish, the anger in Shen Qing's eyes was plain to see.

He gave a soft huff, rose, and made to leave.

"Wait."

A flicker of anger rose in her heart, and she seized his wrist in a fierce grip.