Hearing this, Bai Zheng lifted her eyes and looked deeply at Bai Sheng.
After a long while, a faint smile spread across her face. She simply said, "Okay."
Feng Linyuan, who had his arm around Bai Zheng's waist, tightened his grip instinctively.
Bai Zheng gently patted his hand. Her gentle yet determined look made Feng Linyuan frown even deeper, but he had no choice but to reluctantly let go.
Seeing this, Bai Sheng couldn't help but smile. "Newlyweds are indeed inseparable. I just want Zheng'er to accompany me and grandmother for a stroll around the mansion, and the marquis is already so reluctant to part with her."
Feng Linyuan gave a faint smile. "Zheng'er is simple - minded. She doesn't know how to protect herself when in danger. I can't help but worry when I'm not by her side."
Simple - minded?
Hearing this, He Shi almost rolled her eyes to the sky.
Bai Sheng, however, kept the smile on her face. She took Bai Zheng's arm affectionately and said, "It's just a walk around our own mansion, and we're with grandmother and me. What is the marquis worried about?"
That's exactly why I'm worried!
Bai Zheng secretly rolled her eyes. Then she looked up at Feng Linyuan and said, "You stay here and accompany father, mother, and the younger brothers. I'll go out for a walk with grandmother and elder sister and come back soon."
The two had developed a certain understanding. Hearing Bai Zheng say this, Feng Linyuan understood her intention.
She had made up her mind to go.
Actually, thinking rationally, there was really nothing for him to worry about.
No matter how much He Shi and her granddaughter hated Bai Zheng, they couldn't openly do anything to her. Moreover, this was the Bai Mansion, and there were secret guards from the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion everywhere. Even if they really wanted to make a move, they probably wouldn't find a chance.
Although Feng Linyuan, since his wedding, had wished to keep Bai Zheng by his side every day to protect her, he also respected her very much.
He knew that Bai Zheng was not an ordinary delicate young lady who needed protection.
Moreover, Bai Zheng had more than once expressed her desire to stand side by side with him and face the storms together.
Thinking of this, no matter how reluctant he was, Feng Linyuan had to nod helplessly and let her go.
"Protect the madam well. If anything happens to her, come and see me with your heads in your hands."
Watching the backs of the three slowly walking away, Feng Linyuan turned his head and gave this order, though it was not clear to whom. Everyone only felt a cold breeze blow through the room, and then there was no more movement.
The Bai Mansion used to be the residence of a refined prince. It wasn't very large in area, but its interior decoration was exquisitely designed everywhere.
Great minds think alike. Bai Yinan, a man of letters, fell in love with this place at first sight.
Bai Qiying, who always understood his son's mind, bought this property and gave it to his youngest son when Bai Yinan married Mrs. Lin.
Therefore, the location and the feng - shui layout of this mansion were excellent.
Although over the years, due to Bai Yinan's meager income, the mansion had been managed simply and plainly.
One could still tell from the carvings on the stone railings, the layout of the garden, and the lushness of the trees and flowers that the original owner had put a lot of effort into designing it.
Especially in the backyard of the mansion, there was a small artificial lake.
Although it was not as grand as the lake in the Gaochang Marquis Mansion, it had its own unique charm.
At this time of the year, the lake was covered with green lotus leaves, with a few blooming lotuses hidden among them from time to time. Against the backdrop of the weeping willows around, the scenery was really pleasant.
What delighted Bai Zheng most was a very unique lotus - viewing pavilion by the lake.
It was different from other pavilions. Its bottom was level with the lake surface. There were stone tables and benches in the middle, and there were even no railings around.
Because its bottom was too low, during heavy rain when the lake water rose, the water would often flood the pavilion.
But precisely because of this, the pavilion seemed to grow right in the middle of the lake, looking like a natural part of it.
Especially when the lotuses were in full bloom, those standing in the pavilion could look around and see nothing but green leaves and red flowers, as if they were living among the lotuses.
Just standing here could make people feel in a great mood.
So when He Shi proposed to take a stroll around the mansion, Bai Zheng immediately thought of this place.
As expected, the three of them walked towards the pavilion in the lake in unison.
He Shi, accompanied by a maid, walked slowly in front. Her not - so - good mood gradually improved when she saw the whole lake full of green leaves and red flowers.
Bai Sheng and Bai Zheng followed behind, chatting casually.
"How have you been in the marquis's mansion, Zheng'er?"
"Thanks to grandmother and elder sister, I've been doing quite well."
"There should be no elders left in the marquis's mansion, right?"
"Yes. The marquis only took me to the ancestral hall to pay respects to the elders. There's nothing else."
"That's good. You don't have to worry about a difficult mother - in - law or conflicts with sisters - in - law."
"Elder sister will surely have a good life after you get married."
Bai Zheng really meant this. After all, with Bai Sheng's intelligence, as long as she really wanted to accomplish something and it wasn't immoral, she would most likely succeed.
Petty conflicts between mother - in - law and daughter - in - law or sisters - in - law were just a piece of cake for her.
Bai Sheng just smiled non - committedly and didn't respond to this topic. Instead, she said, "I heard that the Song family has opened five new shops in Yongding City. The things they sell are quite novel. I guess those novel wedding dowries of yours were all bought from those shops, right?"
Bai Zheng nodded. "Out of respect for the marquis, Young Master Song gave me some. Elder sister, you know that with the ability of our Bai Mansion, we couldn't prepare much dowry. If I had too few items, it would be embarrassing for the marquis."
There was nothing wrong with this explanation. Bai Sheng smiled. "Little sister is really lucky."
Both of them were smiling, and their conversation was as homely and warm as could be.
Those who didn't know might really think that they were sisters with a very good relationship.
As they were talking, He Shi had already walked into the pavilion. She took a deep breath and sighed, "This is really a good place. When your grandfather said he wanted to give this mansion to your father, I didn't quite understand. Now I know what he was thinking."
"Thanks to grandmother." Bai Zheng replied softly.
He Shi seemed to be reminded of her late husband by her own words. Her look became distant.
She waved her hand, asking the maid who was supporting her to step aside, and walked forward alone.
Bai Sheng pulled Bai Zheng, and they stood on either side of He Shi. Looking at the lake, Bai Sheng said leisurely, "This place really hasn't changed at all. The lotuses are blooming so well this year. I guess the lotus seeds will have a good harvest. Grandmother, do you remember that Di'er loved to eat the lotus seeds from Uncle's family when he was a child?"
Hearing the name Bai Di, He Shi's expression suddenly tightened, and her eyes instantly turned gloomy.