White Calculation Chapter 8

Chapter 08 - Returning home

**Please read the original translation of this story on Foxaholic.  If you are reading from any other site, the translation is copied without permission.  If you intend to upload this to any other site for your convenience or for offline reading, kindly refrain from doing so. 

When the little girl hugged Chen Yubai's arm, he subconsciously swung his arm but he was unable to swing away her hands so he had to allow her to hug his arm.

This is the first time, he is so close to someone.

What did the stupid girl rub on her hair?  It's really disgusting!

Lord Guos.h.i.+ frowned as the little girl clung to his arm.

"…….s.h.i.+fu.….."  The little girl was hugging her s.h.i.+fu and her eyes were filled with tears.

"Can you hold the Disciple Acceptance Ceremony tomorrow?  After praying to Heaven and Earth, can you accept me as your disciple?"

Chen Yubai's mouth twitched.  He wanted to fling his sleeve to send her flying 3 zhang away but he gritted his teeth and endured.

"Tomorrow is a rest day."  He faintly reminded.

"It doesn't matter if I don't rest!  Cultivating to become a fairy is more important!"  Her pair of eager eyes sparkled brightly and was full of wors.h.i.+p for her s.h.i.+fu.

Lord Guos.h.i.+'s mouth twitched and he said mockingly.  "Your family will be coming to pick you up."

"Send someone to tell them to return!"  But after thinking for a while, she realized it did not seem appropriate.  Then she sighed and said awkwardly.  "Then I will return home for a day…….  The day after tomorrow, s.h.i.+fu must remember to send someone to pick me up at the 10-li point!"

"…….Alright……  Release your hands."

"s.h.i.+fu, will you turn into a puff of smoke with a 'poof'?"

"…….No……let go……"

"s.h.i.+fu, will you ride on a cloud and fly back to the sky with a 'hoof'?"

"……Let……go !"

"s.h.i.+fu, will you……. Aiya!  Why did s.h.i.+fu hit me?……. s.h.i.+fu, if you kill me will I turn into a fairy instantly?……. s.h.i.+fu, s.h.i.+fu, why are you flying away again?…… s.h.i.+fu! s.h.i.+fu! come down quick!….. s.h.i.+fu, come back!……."

**8**8**8**8**

When the black-faced Lord Guos.h.i.+ in a black silk robe descended from the sky, the round-faced boy jumped with fright and quickly hid the pigeon cage behind him.

Chen Yubai threw him a glance.

Xiao Tian is not Ji Xiaoli.  He is not stupid nor is he brave and he felt so frightened that he immediately plonked on his knees.

Lord Guos.h.i.+'s face showed a blank expression.

The little boy's face turned red and admitted his mistake while he kowtowed.

"……That day, when I sent the pigeon to the kitchen, the evening meal was already prepared and there was also a dish of grilled pigeon.  Then I……my Lord…… Xiao Tian knows his wrong!  This……this pigeon will be sent to the kitchen!  Tonight, Miss Xiaoli will have a grilled pigeon for her meal!"

Lord Guos.h.i.+ looked up at the sky.  "No need.  If you like, you can keep and raise it."

"Ah?"  Xiao Tian was so surprised that he even forgot the house rules and looked up at his Master.

He is certain that this unrivaled distinctly handsome man with a body full of icy cold charm is the Lord Guos.h.i.+, ah!

Had he turned muddle-headed after being angered by Miss Xiaoli?

Lord Guos.h.i.+ gave a light cough and the boy immediately bent down again.  He did not dare to ask more and happily thanked his Master.

At this time, the front yard sounded with joyful footsteps and the little girl's sweet voice rang out.  "s.h.i.+fu!……"  The handsome Lord Guos.h.i.+ frowned angrily and ordered.  "Stop her!  She is not allowed to come near me today!"

The boy who was given the wartime pigeon was full of grat.i.tude.  He quickly stood up and ran away in a hurry.

Chen Yubai's gaze fell on the pigeon cage on the ground.  These few days, the wartime pigeon only ate and did not train, so its feathers had turned s.h.i.+ny and smooth.  Probably it remembered the person who helped to apply medicine on its wounded wing, so it slanted its head and cooed at him.

Ignoring the pigeon, Lord Guos.h.i.+ let out a humph and with a swing of his sleeve, he walked off.

**8**8**8**8**

On Ji Xiaoli's rest day, Ji Xi and Ji Bei came to pick her up.  The two brothers came in their military attire and both had similar handsome eyebrows.  In this great springtime, as they rode on their horses along the way, countless ladies looked at them with envy.

The three people laughed and joked all the way home to Zhennan w.a.n.g Residence.

Ji Ting and Princess Yanyang were not in the Residence as they had entered the palace to attend an imperial banquet. The w.a.n.gfei had deliberately stayed behind and Xiaoli ran into Nan Hua Courtyard like a young bird returning to the nest of its parents and rushed into w.a.n.gfei's arms.

Hugging the little girl in her arms, the w.a.n.gfei carefully studied her for a long while.  Seeing the lively and happy look on the girl's face, w.a.n.gfei's heart that had not stopped worrying for the last ten days finally felt at ease.  Then feeling pity for the girl, she asked.  "Why does it look like you have grown thinner?  Is the food in the Guos.h.i.+ Residence not to your taste?"

Originally, Ji Xiaoli had been waiting for this day for a long time to make her complaints but now what complaints does she have?  She raised her face and happily told her foster mother.  "It is very good in the Guos.h.i.+ Residence!  Very, very good!  My s.h.i.+fu is a fairy!"

w.a.n.gfei did not have the heart to tell the girl that the distinguished Lord Guos.h.i.+ of the Great Ye Kingdom is actually a mortal.  Moreover, as long as Xiaoli is happy to be a disciple of Lord Guos.h.i.+, no matter what she learns, it will benefit her for the rest of her life.

"Then you will have to listen to your s.h.i.+fu's teachings and don't be naughty."  She gently reminded her adopted daughter.

Xiaoli nodded happily.

While the mother and daughter were talking, Ji Nan had returned from the military camp.  When they gathered together, there was a burst of excitement.  Qian Yi came to inform the three people that dinner was ready and after being urged the third time, they finally went for dinner.

With the four children surrounding her as they talked and laughed, the atmosphere was lively and harmonious.  The w.a.n.gfei felt very happy and unconsciously drank a few more cups of wine which made her slightly dizzy.  After the dinner, she asked Qian Yi to prepare a sobering tea for her and slowly drank the tea while she sat in the reception pavilion.

Outside the hall, the three Ji brothers were playing and competing with each other using their fists and feet as their shouts and laughter rang out endlessly.  Xiaoli ran around watching for a while and then ran inside to look for her Mother.  She huddled beside her mother's knees and raised her head to look up at her mother.

"Is Mother feeling unhappy?  Why are you not talking?"

w.a.n.gfei pinched her flushed cheeks and said softly.  "I am not feeling unhappy.  Mother is only thinking."

"What are you thinking about?"

The Ji brothers' laughter drifted in from outside.  w.a.n.gfei's gentle eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of mist……beautiful and sad.  In a soft voice, she asked her adopted daughter.  "Xiaoli, which one of your brothers do you like the most?"

"Um, I like……  Ji Nan speaks gently…….not like Ji Bei who always. .h.i.t me……Elder Brother Ji Xi always gives me good food and good playthings……Eldest Brother's strength is the most powerful.  With a slap, he can send Ji Bei flying!"   Ji Xiaoli counted on her fingers and seemed to be in high spirits.

The w.a.n.gfei looked at the girl's ignorant and naive face and her heart became more and more tangled.  She raised her hand to pull the girl into her arms and gently patted her.

At the side, Qian Yi smiled and asked Xiaoli.  "Young Miss, Niang Niang actually wants to ask you……. do you want to marry Fourth Young Master, Ji Nan and remain in this Residence for the rest of your life?"

Ji Xiaoli who was leaning in the soft scented arms of her foster mother shook her head at Qian Yi.  "I want to be a fairy, so how is it possible for me to remain in the Residence for a lifetime?"

"Yes, yes, yes."  Qian Yi pacified her.  "But what about before you become a fairy?  Are you willing to marry your Elder Brother Ji Nan and stay beside w.a.n.gfei Niang Niang?"

"I am willing!"  Xiaoli nodded naturally.

Ji Nan is so good and if she marries him, she will be able to play with him every day.  Stay together with Father, Mother, Princess Niang Niang, Xiaobai……..  Isn't it the same as now?  Why would she be unwilling?

Qian Yi let out a deep breath and looked at w.a.n.gfei with joy.  While w.a.n.gfei hugged Xiaoli she still shook her head and said faintly.  "What does she understand?  It's better to wait a bit longer.  We will talk about this later."

"Niang Niang, it is not good to wait any longer."  Qian Yi said softly.  "It's time for Fourth Young Master to be married and Miss Xiaoli had already reached marriageable age.  Once their marriage is confirmed…….everyone will be at ease.  Moreover, what are you waiting for?  w.a.n.gye had already said that it is better for Miss Xiaoli to remain in the Residence.  If she is to marry out of the Family…….can you feel rest a.s.sured?  Besides, the Princess's side can't wait any longer."

w.a.n.gfei caressed the little girl's smooth tender face and said in a low voice.  "Wait for a while longer until Ji Dong returns in victory, then Princess Yanyang will be in a better mood.  Maybe there will be a change for the better……both Ji Xi and Ji Bei are also good children."

If Xiaoli is to marry either Ji Xi or Ji Bei, she will not suffer any grievances and she can also remain in the Residence.

For now, it is hoped that Ji Dong will return home soon.

**8**8**8**8**

At night, while Ji Xiaoli was asleep, the light fabric of her bed curtain moved slightly and a familiar scent drifted in.  Instantly, she became wide awake.

"Elder Sister Qin Sang…….."  She rubbed her eyes and sat up.  Then she stretched out her hand towards the beautiful smiling woman standing beside the bed.

The beauty's hair color is a rarely seen pure purple color.  The mysterious n.o.ble color complimented her and even made her s.h.i.+ne more radiantly.  She was dressed in purple and her skirt and sleeves were embroidered with exquisite floral designs.  The beautiful flowers were enchanting but they were not even comparable to a tenth of the woman's beauty.

The beautiful woman held on to Xiaoli's hand and shook it as she said with a smile.  "Did you have fun in the Guos.h.i.+ Residence?  Is Lord Guos.h.i.+ good to you?"

Ji Xiaoli nodded her head and then shook her head again.  "In the Guos.h.i.+ Residence, there is a garden.  The day before, the garden was covered with gra.s.s but the next day, it was covered with stones.  It is very strange!  Lord Guos.h.i.+ is also very strange.  He only has one set of clothing and he wears it every day.  He had not changed it for 10 days!"

Qin Sang could not help but burst into laughter.

That person who had always shown an expression that said ~~ 'You stupid humans don't even deserve a glance from me' is a Zhe Xian, ah……..  He is famous and unrivaled in the world for his formations.  Every day, he changes his set of black silk robe that is valued at tens of thousands of gold.

"Lord Guos.h.i.+ only concentrates on practicing Taoism and doesn't care about all worldly matters.  Now that you are his disciple, you must show him respect."  She hid the smile in her heart and spoke solemnly to Xiaoli.

Ji Xiaoli felt it was very reasonable and she had also made her own decisions.

Of course, Qin Sang could understand her thoughts and felt even happier.

After the two sisters talked for a while, Qin Sang took out a purple gla.s.s vial from her sleeve and poured out a pill.

As usual, Xiaoli obediently took the pill and swallowed it.

"Alright, go back to sleep.  I have to go."  Qin Sang caressed her head and said softly.  The normally gorgeous fierce face now only showed gentleness.  "When you return on your rest day next month, I will come to see you again."

Xiaoli was already accustomed to seeing her once every month at night and would consume the pill given to her that is 'beneficial for the qi and functions of her body'.

She nodded and obediently went back to sleep.

Qin Sang tucked in the corners of the quilt and her white fingers gently caressed the girl's warm cheeks until the girl fell asleep before she got up and left.

As she left Lang Huan Pavilion, her figure was bathed in the moonlight.  Her purple dress fluttered in the night breeze like the moon riding on flowing clouds.  w.a.n.gfei who was waiting outside the courtyard could not help but raise her hand to flick out a leaf and it alerted the figure that seemed to be riding on flowing clouds.

Qin Sang's toes tapped lightly on a tree branch and lightly fluttered down to land two chi* away from Zhennan w.a.n.gfei.

(Chi is the traditional Chinese unit of length that is measured by a hand from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the forefinger.)

Qin Sang smiled and offered greetings in a faint voice.  "w.a.n.gfei, wis.h.i.+ng you safe and well."

w.a.n.gfei turned slightly sideways and said.  "Emissary Qian Mi, wis.h.i.+ng you safe and well.  Is Xiaoli asleep?"

Qin Sang nodded and smiled.  "Niang Niang is waiting here so late in the night.  Is there something you want to say to Qin Sang?"

"Yes."  Zhennan w.a.n.gfei let out a sigh.  "After calculating the days it is known you will be coming to see her tonight so I purposely waited for you to see if you can give me your opinion.  Xiaoli has reached the age of 15 and it is time for her to marry.  After all, I am not blood-related to her…….and she is also ignorant.  I hope Emissary Qian Mi can decide for her."

"Niang Niang can't choose among the four sons of the Ji Family?"  Qin Sang smiled faintly.

w.a.n.gfei did not want to hide anything from her and nodded.  "According to Xiaoli's temperament, of course, it will be best for her to remain in the Residence.  Ji Dong is already in the midst of discussing a marriage……Ji Xi and Ji Bei are both good children and their hearts are with her but Yanyang doesn't like Xiaoli.  If there are bad feelings between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law, then the days will not pa.s.s smoothly.  As for Ji Nan……."  w.a.n.gfei looked up at Qin Sang.  "You already know so I don't have to say anything."

That time if it was not for the blood of this young woman of mysterious Qian Mi descent, she would not be able to have her wish and conceived Ji Nan.  She had taken care of Xiaoli for so many years raising the child as her own, so she has strong affectionate feelings for her and at the same time, she is also very grateful to Qin Sang.

However, she is still unable to express her grat.i.tude to Qin Sang.

Therefore, even though her own son, Ji Nan, needed this marriage badly, she did not want to ruin the life of Xiaoli.

Of course, Qin Sang understood.

It was only after her blood was infused with medicine that the w.a.n.gfei was only able to cure her illness.  But the blood of the Qian Mi Holy Lady is pure and yin*.  Although the w.a.n.gfei was cured by the medicine in her body, she could only give birth to a daughter.

(Yin is the negative principle of Yin and Yang.  Yin represents the weak side while Yang represents the strong side.)

Zhennan w.a.n.g's Heir……the Guardian of White Tiger Gate……the newly appointed General…… Ji Nan is………in reality, a girl!