Jiapingguan Chronicle

Chapter 2697 Still Vigorous in Old Age 81.0
Hearing Bai Meng's words, Chu Han smiled and gently patted his shoulder.

“Your grandfather may look a bit stern, but he’s actually a very interesting person.”

“It is indeed strict, but interesting?” Bai Meng shook her head slightly and followed Chu Han toward the flower hall. “Grand Uncle, I’m sorry, but I can’t agree.”

“We met when we were young, so naturally we know him better than you do. To be more precise, we know more about him than you do.” Chu Han turned to look at Bai Meng and smiled. “When he was young and traveling, we spent a year together, so we know him quite well. He’ll take a second look at pretty young men and women, and he’ll stand up for what’s right when he sees injustice.” He paused for a moment. “And when he meets someone he truly likes, he’ll rush up to express his feelings without hesitation.”

"My grandfather didn't like my grandmother?"

"Of course not. He met your grandmother during the year he was traveling. He fell in love at first sight and, despite everyone's objections, went to her door to ask for her hand in marriage." Chu Han smiled. "The process of asking for her hand in marriage was extremely difficult, but your grandfather persevered and endured it all. So, in the end, he got what he wanted and won the heart of his beauty. Moreover, as you know, your grandfather only ever had your grandmother in his life, which is very rare among the high-ranking families in the capital, right?"

“Yes!” Bai Meng nodded. “But this is the Bai family’s ancestral rule: no concubines, no wives of equal status.”

“I know, and that’s why I’m envious.” Chu Han stopped and looked at Bai Meng. “But that’s also the fatal flaw. When your grandmother passed away, he was depressed for more than half a year. If it weren’t for the border war that forced him to go to the battlefield with the Shen and Xue families, he wouldn’t have recovered. After finally recovering, he raised your father alone, watched him go into battle, watched him get married, and watched you being born. And then…”

"The white-haired bury the black-haired, and I am left all alone by their side."

“Yes.” Chu Han nodded. “So, these successive blows have made him completely different from when he was young, forcing him to become calm and stern. When we heard the news of your parents’ passing, my brother and I happened to be near the capital and went to see him. Seeing him like that, we wanted to say a few words of comfort, but we didn’t know how to begin.” He looked at Bai Meng. “You know, people like us don’t have control over our own lives. If we’re unlucky, we might die in battle; if we’re lucky, we might have a peaceful end. Your parents’ situation is already considered relatively good among us, so…” He spread his hands. “All we can do is stay with him and help him through this most difficult time.”

“I understand.” Bai Meng sighed. “Back then, when I was in the palace, the late emperor and my grandfather wouldn’t let me leave, saying it was because I was too young and might see things I shouldn’t. So I only returned home after my parents’ seven-day mourning period was over.”

“My brother and I have already left, so you didn’t see us.”

"In any case, I am very grateful to my great-uncle for being by my grandfather's side during his most difficult time."

“We are sworn brothers, this is what I should do, no need to thank me.” Chu Han waved his hand. “Actually, my brother once gave your grandfather a suggestion, which was about you.”

"About me? What is it?"

"The Bai family is a renowned family of military generals. From your great-grandfather to you, they have all been in charge of the defense of the capital. Although the chances of dying on the battlefield are not high, the Bai family's tradition has always been that young members should go to the border to train. Once you get to the border, there will be unexpected events that are beyond human control. Therefore, my brother said that if you don't want to experience the tragedy of parents burying their children again, it would be better not to let you learn martial arts. Becoming a civil official would be just as good."

"So it was Prince Jing's suggestion."

"you know?"

“Grandfather asked me, but I refused.” Bai Meng nodded and chuckled. “I felt that as a descendant of the Bai family, I shouldn’t be afraid of death. Besides, I’m not the kind of person who would easily have an accident. My father’s health wasn’t good, and my mother’s relationship with him was too deep, which is why he ended up like that. I…” “You think you’re fine, so you inherited the Bai family mantle, right?”

"Yes!" Bai Meng nodded. "Especially after spending a year at the border before taking over the Imperial Guard, I felt more and more that my decision was right. For a military general, dying on the battlefield is truly the highest honor."

"You didn't say this to your grandfather, did you?" Seeing Bai Meng shake her head, Chu Han smiled and said, "That's good, otherwise, your grandfather would be sad." He patted Bai Meng's shoulder and continued walking forward, "We've talked so much, do you think I'm very friendly now?"

"Yes, it feels much more welcoming now."

As they were talking, the two of them had already reached the entrance of the flower hall. Chu Han knocked on the door and, after hearing a reply from inside, led Bai Meng inside.

As soon as they entered, they saw everyone looking at them with a half-smile.

Chu Han glanced at the crowd who had already stood up, completely ignoring their strange expressions, and sat down at the head of the table. He accepted their greetings and waved for them to sit down again.

Bai Meng wasn't as shameless as him. He placed the food box on the table, waved to Old Tang and Merlin, and told them to distribute the contents of the food box to everyone.

He walked up to Shen Cha, looked her over carefully, reached out and gently touched her forehead, and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"Although you still don't look very energetic, you're much better than you were a while ago." He leaned closer and said with a smile, "Are you still feeling unwell?"

"It's not that I feel unwell, it's just that I'm very tired and can't muster any energy."

“It’s normal to be tired. Being sick is tiring. You need to rest and sleep more so you can get better quickly.” Chu Han raised an eyebrow, took the snack Merlin handed him, thanked her, and said, “I received a message from my brother asking me to stay here for a while longer, so there are some people and some things that you don’t need to get involved in.”

As he spoke, he took a letter from his pocket and handed it to Merlin.

Merlin took it with both hands and brought it to Shen Haolin and Shen Cha.

“I also received a letter from the capital.” Bai Meng handed a letter to Shen Haolin and Shen Cha. “It seems that it’s not just a blizzard here, but also in the capital, and even in Jiangnan, where it rarely snows, it’s snowing heavily this time.”

"Is the Imperial Observatory up to its old tricks again?" Xia Chen yawned and leaned against Xue Ruitian. "Who's going to be unlucky this time? Who's been labeled as an ominous figure?"

"Seventh Brother, you are indeed a prophet. However, this time it's not an ominous sign, but rather an attempt to force His Majesty into marriage."