The Eunuch Has A Wife - Chapter 69

“Is that so? I didn’t know. Sister, don’t you not have a younger sister? How would you know what ordinary sisters do together?” Bai Hongmo said, licking the corner of her mouth as if savoring something.

Chu Yingbai watched the girl in front of her, unconsciously biting her lip when she saw Bai Hongmo’s tongue lightly touch the corner of her mouth: “Even without a younger sister, one should know that ordinary sisters don’t act like this, right?”

Such intimate behavior is probably only between lovers, they really shouldn’t be doing this.

“But in my heart, I want to be like this with sister, really, really want to. But since sister feels uncomfortable, let’s go then.” Bai Hongmo slightly raised her lips and sat down on the chair with a sullen expression.

The girl’s expression was slightly lonely, and her smile was somewhat forced.

Chu Yingbai hesitated for a moment but ultimately did not leave. She sat down beside her and patiently said, “You’re still young, probably just curious. Sisters shouldn’t be so intimate. When you have a sweetheart in the future, maybe you’ll understand?”

“What about sister? You’re only a year older than me, aren’t you curious? Or do you already have a sweetheart?” Bai Hongmo leaned closer, extending her index finger to gently poke Chu Yingbai’s chest.

Miss Chu is not only simple and easily deceived but also very kind. Even at such times, she can patiently explain things to her, and her personality is quite good too. She’s really interesting.

The girl’s eyes were full of inquiry, as if curious about everything in the world.

Chu Yingbai felt inexplicably stifled in her heart. She took a deep breath and said, “I’m also curious, but we can’t just do whatever we’re curious about. We need to know how to restrain ourselves.”

Bai Hongmo leaned in closer again: “Why restrain ourselves? Since we’re both curious, why not satisfy each other’s curiosity? And does sister have a sweetheart or not?”

“That’s none of your business.”

Chu Yingbai moved away slightly.

Bai Hongmo stood up and pressed her shoulders: “Sister, if you keep dodging, you might fall.” She said, lightly pushing the chair.

Chu Yingbai quickly grabbed her sleeve to steady herself. After sitting firmly, she felt a wave of regret. She should have left earlier.

Seeing the look of deep regret on the person in front of her, Bai Hongmo suddenly lost interest. She let go and sat back in her seat: “I am indeed curious, but this curiosity is only for sister. I wonder if sister has ever felt this way about anyone else.”

Chu Yingbai lowered her eyes and remained silent. She had never felt this way about anyone else.

Bai Hongmo smiled faintly, got up, and moved her chair to the opposite side: “Sister, don’t worry. Since you’re uncomfortable and don’t like it, I’ll put away this curiosity from now on.”

Chu Yingbai remained silent. She wasn’t uncomfortable or disliking it, but it was against the rules. They couldn’t mess around like this.

Seeing that the person across from her was still silent, Bai Hongmo twirled the teacup on the table and said, “It seems sister is even reluctant to eat this meal. If that’s the case, I won’t see you off. The door isn’t locked.”

The girl’s face was full of nonchalance, her tone casual, like a bored cat that had lost patience with its toy.

Chu Yingbai’s heart ached. It was this person who invited her to the meeting, and now it was also this person who was dismissing her. What did she count for?

She opened her mouth, but her good upbringing suppressed all her questions and grievances at the critical moment.

“Thank you for the hospitality.”

Watching the person across from her get up and leave, Bai Hongmo put away her nonchalant expression. She’s really an interesting and rule-abiding person. Perhaps it’s not good to push too hard.

After leaving the upstairs, Chu Yingbai’s face turned cold, and her heart inexplicably cooled. It seemed she had been played with. She really shouldn’t have come to the meeting. It seems she’ll have to copy a few more volumes of scriptures when she gets back.

Upstairs, Bai Hongmo ate happily alone and even tipped the waiter a silver coin before leaving.

Two days later, Chu Yingbai looked at the several volumes of scriptures she had copied and pretended to casually ask her maid, “Any invitations for me today?”

“No, they’re all for the master.” The maid showed a trace of suspicion in her eyes. She felt that the young lady seemed somewhat distracted. Since yesterday, she had been constantly asking if there were any invitations for her. Could it be that she has a sweetheart?

The maid pondered for a while but couldn’t think of any man who had much interaction with the young lady. She glanced at the young lady, who had started copying Buddhist scriptures again. The young lady only copied Buddhist scriptures when her mind was troubled.

This time, it had been two whole days and she hadn’t stopped. It was the longest the maid had seen since she became the young lady’s personal maid.

The maid thought for a while and then went out. When she came back, her face was full of smiles.

“Young lady, there’s an invitation for you.”

The tip of the brush paused, causing a blot of ink to spread. Chu Yingbai continued to copy naturally, her tone indifferent: “If it’s from the Bai residence, decline it.”

“It’s not from the Bai residence, it’s from the Third Prince.” The maid said cheerfully, handing over the invitation, not noticing the larger blot of ink under her young lady’s brush.

Not from the Bai residence, the Third Prince…

Chu Yingbai put down her brush and said coldly, “Decline it.”

The maid was dumbfounded. Wasn’t the young lady waiting for the Third Prince’s invitation? And why decline if it’s from the Bai residence?

While still in a daze, she saw her young lady take the invitation, glance at it, and change her mind: “Help me get ready, we’re going out.”

The Third Prince had invited many young masters and ladies from the capital. She wouldn’t stand out if she went. She wondered if that person would be there.

Upstairs.

From the hall to the private rooms upstairs, the entire restaurant was closed to the public today, said to be reserved by a noble person. Only those with invitations could enter.

Entering the hall, there were groups of three or five, mostly young masters from various households whom she had met before. Recently, the Third Prince had been fond of interacting with the children of court officials. The old emperor stood by and watched, his attitude unclear.

The other princes neither had the confidence nor the courage, and even the Crown Prince didn’t say anything. After all, a group of military officials in the court all followed the Third Prince’s lead.

Chu Yingbai greeted a few familiar young ladies, her eyes scanning the hall. Finally, she saw that figure.

The girl was walking hurriedly, holding something in her hand, and went around the hall to the backyard.

Chu Yingbai’s heart stirred, and she followed quietly without showing any signs.

“Get up, you don’t have to keep kneeling. I’ve pleaded for you.” The girl, with her back to her, was speaking to someone kneeling on the ground.

“This servant thanks Miss Bai for your great kindness.” The speaker was the Third Prince’s attendant, seemingly named A’Cai.

“Can you stand up? Here’s some medicine, apply it quickly.” Bai Hongmo handed over the ointment in her hand, then asked curiously, “Is your name just A’Cai? What’s your surname?”

A’Cai received the ointment with trepidation: “This servant has no surname, only a name given by the master.”

“You can’t have no surname. A’Cai might become a chief eunuch in the future. Why not take my surname, Bai?”

No one expected that Bai Hongmo’s words would come true. Soon after, A’Cai indeed became the chief eunuch in front of the emperor: Chief Eunuch Bai.

After A’Cai left with the ointment, Bai Hongmo didn’t return to the front hall. Instead, she familiarly entered a room that looked like a study, clearly not unfamiliar with the place.

With the figure out of sight, Chu Yingbai stood still for a while before leaving.

As the banquet was about to start, Chu Yingbai was invited to a private room upstairs, where all the familiar faces were seated.

The Third Prince, Bai Shu, Bai Hongmo, and the two sons of the Minister of War. It seemed the Third Prince was indeed beloved by the military officials. Who knows what high positions and riches he promised to make these people submit to him.

“Miss Chu has graced us with her presence. I’ll drink first to show my respect.” The Third Prince drank down his cup in high spirits. He had invited Chu Yingbai before, but apart from some large poetry gatherings, this Miss Chu had never attended any private banquets like this.

Unexpectedly, there was a pleasant surprise this time. Could it be that she has feelings for me?

Seeing the hesitation in Chu Yingbai’s eyes and that she didn’t immediately raise her cup, Bai Hongmo sighed inwardly. She turned around, took a clean cup, and picked up a pot of flower tea, walking over: “Sister Yingbai, like me, never drinks alcohol. Why not join me in toasting His Highness with tea instead?”

She walked to Chu Yingbai’s side, slowly poured a cup of flower tea, placed it on the table, and then moved the cup of wine that had been poured earlier to the side.

The hesitation in Chu Yingbai’s eyes disappeared, replaced by a faint smile. She picked up the teacup in front of her: “Your servant toasts Your Highness.”

Bai Shu glanced over. Had his sister become so familiar with this Miss Chu?

The Third Prince didn’t mind and drank a few more cups. His eyes fixed on Chu Yingbai: “Miss Chu, do you have a sweetheart? My position as the principal consort is still vacant…”

“Your Highness, you’ve had too much to drink.” Bai Shu quickly interrupted the Third Prince. The position of the principal consort was for his younger sister, and the position of the empress was also for his younger sister. This Miss Chu seemed to be in the way.

“I’m not drunk… I’m not drunk at all…” The Third Prince shouted, supported by Bai Shu as he left. The two sons of the Minister of War followed suit.

The private room was left with only Bai Hongmo and Chu Yingbai.

Bai Hongmo sighed lightly: “Sister, you shouldn’t have come to such a banquet.”

Chu Yingbai’s expression was cold: “I shouldn’t have come, but should you have?”

Bai Hongmo looked at her and didn’t speak. Wasn’t this a rhetorical question? They were not the same.

Prime Minister Chu only sided with the emperor, while General Bai sided with the Third Prince.

With their fathers choosing different sides, their daughters’ paths were also different.

Seeing her calm expression, as if she had forgotten the unpleasant parting the other day, Chu Yingbai’s heart felt somewhat stifled again.

“I’m going back. Can I share a carriage with sister?” Bai Hongmo raised an eyebrow and looked over.

The girl’s bright smile seemed to contain a different kind of affection. Chu Yingbai unconsciously fell silent for a moment.

Bai Hongmo sighed, putting away the smile on her face: “I’ve made sister uncomfortable. I’ll go first then.”

Without waiting for a response, she left decisively.

Chu Yingbai was stunned for a moment, then quickly got up to chase after her. Just as she stepped out of the upstairs door, she saw the girl boarding a luxurious carriage, then turning back to pull another woman up. The smile on her lips was as beautiful as the day they first met.

Her steps faltered, and a sour feeling welled up in her heart. So, she could share a carriage with anyone?

The carriage’s curtain blocked the view from outside. Chu Yingbai watched the carriage drive away, and the sourness in her heart inexplicably grew stronger.

She laughed at herself silently. How could a young person’s words be taken seriously? Maybe that person was hugging another sister right now.

But that person had clearly said that she was only curious about her…