Chapter 52: A Chance Encounter in the Capital

The Listen-to-the-Wind Tower on Yong’an Street was a famous teahouse in the capital. The tea was secondary; the plays at the Listen-to-the-Wind Tower were exceptional.

Wang Baochuan had planned to plant flowers in the courtyard that afternoon, but Qingqing begged her to go out for a walk. She thought about it and realized that she hadn’t gone out in a long time, so she readily agreed.

Since she had ruined her reputation, the daughters of the capital’s high officials and nobles no longer invited her to tea parties or flower arranging. Her life was quite boring.

Xu Wanning came to see her from time to time, but Xu Wanning would mention Xue Pinggui every three sentences. Wang Baochuan’s ears were calloused from hearing it.

“Miss, I heard that the Listen-to-the-Wind Tower has a new play, very interesting. Should we go and see it?” Qingqing looked at her with pleading eyes.

She felt that Qingqing was inexplicably arranging this, “Come clean. Why do you have to take me out today?”

“Miss.” Qingqing blushed.

“I’m a woman of the inner house. If you don’t go out, I can’t sneak out either.” Qingqing told the truth.

“Your fellow villager brother?” Wang Baochuan laughed, “Since you have feelings for him, why don’t you bring him to see me today, when the weather is nice. If you two are in love, I’ll arrange for you…”

“Miss, I want to stay by your side and cook for you for the rest of my life. I don’t want to get married.”

“If that’s the case, then go quickly.”

Seeing that she agreed, Qingqing jumped off the carriage with a happy face, “Miss, you’re the best!”

Wang Baochuan smiled helplessly. This girl was clever and sweet-tongued, always able to make people laugh.

She took Qinghe and another maid into the Listen-to-the-Wind Tower. Since she was already out, she might as well listen to the new play.

Since she had been eating the pastries Qingqing made every day, her taste buds had become quite discerning. She had no appetite for ordinary snacks.

Wang Baochuan sat in a private room on the upper floor by the window, ordered a pot of pre-rain Longjing tea, and a plate of lotus seed pastries and jade belt cakes.

The performers on the stage were graceful and their voices were sweet and melodious. The story was quite interesting.

Wang Baochuan rested her chin on her hand and sipped her tea slowly. The sunlight streamed through the window and warmed her. People came and went on the street, everything was so harmonious and peaceful.

She looked at the pedestrians below and suddenly saw a familiar figure passing by. Her face lit up. She didn’t expect to run into her white benefactor just by going out casually!

“White Benefactor!” Wang Baochuan excitedly stood up. She told Qinghe to go downstairs and invite him up.

Qinghe didn’t hesitate and ran downstairs quickly.

Bai Yu held a folding fan in his hand, wearing a long indigo robe. He stood tall and straight, with handsome features. The sunlight fell on him, as if coating him with a layer of golden light.

“Third Miss?” He saw Wang Baochuan as soon as he entered the private room with Qinghe.

His face immediately lit up, and a smile unconsciously curved his lips.

“It’s really you!” Wang Baochuan bowed to him, “White Benefactor, you’re truly elusive. You always save me from danger, but when I want to thank you, I can’t find you anywhere.”

Bai Yu closed the folding fan in his hand and said a little embarrassedly, “It’s not as heroic as you said, Third Miss. I just like to meddle in other people’s business, so I happened to save you.”

Qinghe and another maid left the private room. Only Bai Yu and Wang Baochuan remained.

Wang Baochuan had a million questions in her mind, but when she actually saw him, she didn’t know where to start.

“When did you return to the capital, White Benefactor? Where is your home?”

Bai Yu sat down on his own, picked up a clean teacup, poured himself a cup of tea, and said unhurriedly, “I live in the west of the city. My family runs a silk shop.”

Wang Baochuan was half-believing. Would someone who runs a silk shop go to the border to join the army? But he didn’t seem to have any reason to lie to her.

“Benefactor, you’ve saved me several times. You must give me a chance to repay you.” Wang Baochuan said earnestly.

“You want to repay me?”

“Of course!”

“Alright then, treat me to a good meal at the Wo Yun Tower.” Bai Yu thought for a moment and replied reluctantly.

“But…” Wang Baochuan kindly reminded him, “I’m the Third Miss of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. My father is the current Right Prime Minister, my brother-in-law is the Grand General, and he’s in the Ministry of War…”

“Hmm?” Bai Yu couldn’t help but laugh, “Third Miss, are you trying to eat a free meal at the Wo Yun Tower by mentioning these titles?”