Chapter 529: Chapter 529: The navy does not succeed, the soldiers do not return.

Since Mu Yan ascended the throne, the crisis of the Bai Family being suppressed by Si Yun was resolved, and Bai Chen returned to Prince Zhen Nan Mansion with Prince Zhen Nan’s wife.

Bai Chen hurried to the Regent Prince Mansion, where Liu Xi was still staying.

Liu Xi was distributing meat in the courtyard to Little Black, Little White, and three puppies. In a few days, they would be sent into the palace by the Hidden Guard.

She petted the heads of the puppies, who made contented whimpering sounds as they drank milk.

Liu Xi stepped into the small kitchen and had just washed her hands when she saw Bai Chen approaching briskly.

Liu Xi wiped the table with a cloth, pretending not to see him.

Ever since they experienced life and death together, she found herself often thinking of Bai Chen.

Bai Chen’s nonchalant demeanor had been overlooked, and in her heart, he had become reliable.

Her feelings for Bai Chen were complicated now. She had so firmly rejected him before, and now agreeing to him might seem strange.

Hearing Bai Chen’s footsteps, Liu Xi’s heartbeat gradually increased.

A dark shadow enveloped her; Bai Chen’s gentle eyes looked at Liu Xi. “Well… His Majesty has appointed me as the Naval Commander, and in a few days, I will be leaving for Wu’an City.”

Liu Xi’s brows furrowed slightly; Bai Chen was leaving.

“How long will the Princely Heir be gone?” Her voice was small, yet she couldn’t help but ask.

Bai Chen’s expression turned serious, “Unless the navy is established, the soldiers will not return.”

“Oh.” Liu Xi vigorously wiped the table with the cloth.

Suddenly, her wrist was grasped by Bai Chen, who took out a jade bracelet and placed it on her wrist without allowing her to refuse.

“Princely Heir.” The cool jade bracelet adorned Liu Xi’s slender wrist as she raised her eyes to meet Bai Chen’s gaze.

Bai Chen spoke earnestly, “This bracelet was my mother’s dowry, meant for her future daughter-in-law. I had selfishly wanted to ask if you would come with me, but upon seeing you, I only wanted to ask if you would wait for me.”

Liu Xi’s eyelashes fluttered, her gaze shimmering with tears. She avoided Bai Chen’s unwavering eyes, afraid to look at him directly.

The cloth in her other hand dropped to the ground, trembling with nervousness.

In her haste to pick it up, she accidentally knocked over a basin of water on the table. Water splashed all around, and in the chaos, Liu Xi’s foot slipped, causing her to fall backward.

Bai Chen reacted quickly, wrapping an arm around her waist. As he leaned down, their lips accidentally brushed lightly against each other.

Bai Chen’s breathing quickened, and his ears turned bright red.

Liu Xi, startled by the soft touch on her lips, shivered all over. Bai Chen, one arm around her waist, gently caressed her cheek with the other hand, and uncontrollably kissed her lips.

Bai Chen’s breath softly fell on Liu Xi’s cheek, deepening the sensation of warmth and softness on her lips. Overwhelmed, Liu Xi closed her eyes.

Fearful of falling too deeply, she wanted to push Bai Chen away. However, Bai Chen turned with her, pressing her against the door, which closed with a thud from inside.

Outside, Little Black, thinking Liu Xi was in danger, started scratching at the door.

Bai Chen’s fingers threaded through her hair, his lips clinging to Liu Xi’s warm, soft ones in a passionate kiss. He paid no mind to whether Liu Xi would scold him or whether Little Black would bite him, for he might not get to see Liu Xi again anytime soon.

Liu Xi placed her hands on Bai Chen’s chest, uncertain and wanting to push him away but feeling unable to resist.

Bai Chen gave her no chance to speak, capturing her breath, kissing her deeply.

Liu Xi knew Bai Chen had shared trials of life and death with her, and he had found a way into her heart—one of them had to break this ambiguous stalemate.

Liu Xi no longer pushed Bai Chen away. Her heartbeat, rapid and immersed in the moment, gently placed her hands on Bai Chen’s back.

Bai Chen’s body stiffened suddenly, and feeling Liu Xi’s response stirred his blood.

Flushed, Liu Xi, weak from his kiss, still managed to push him away.

“Princely Heir, I… I, I will wait for you.” Liu Xi’s lips were red; she lowered her eyes, daring not to look at him.

Bai Chen pulled Liu Xi into his arms once more, “Liu Xi, wait for me to marry you.”

Moments ago, hearing Liu Xi’s concern for his return surprised him; Liu Xi truly cared for him after all.

No wonder his elder brother said matters of love favor the bold and starve the timid; it seemed Liu Xi liked him too. Otherwise, had he rashly kissed her, she might have slapped him, considering him a rogue.

Outside, Little Black was still barking, and Liu Xi, close to Bai Chen in the cramped room, her cheeks flushed. If Bai Chen were not about to leave, she might not have been certain of her feelings.

Suddenly, her chin was lightly tilted by Bai Chen, who once again kissed her lips.

A moment later, Little Black tired himself out barking and left, wagging his tail.

Bai Chen’s kiss trailed down to Liu Xi’s neck, the tingling sensation causing her breath to quicken. If this continued, something might happen. Trembling all over, she pushed Bai Chen away once more.

“Wait for me.” Bai Chen knew he had lost composure too and, with flickering eyes, opened the door and left.

Liu Xi calmed her breath, suddenly realizing something and rushed outside, shouting, “Little Black, don’t…”

She looked awkwardly at Bai Chen, who was about to climb over the wall.

Bai Chen smiled, realizing Liu Xi was concerned for him.

Liu Xi breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, Little Black did not bite Bai Chen. She bashfully lowered her head, gazing at Little Black, who stuck out his pink tongue nearby.

Originally, Bai Chen had opened the door to see the fierce Little Black charging at him. Prepared to use force if necessary, he hadn’t expected Little Black to sniff at him and then turn away, tongue out.

Bai Chen climbed over the wall, cracking a smile. Was he now recognized by Little Black as Liu Xi’s man?

Liu Xi seemed to have accepted his feelings and agreed to be with him.

Smiling, Bai Chen left the Regent Prince Mansion.

…

On the other side, after sunset, Li Sui had not yet returned home.

Some people from the Capital Government had come to his house.

Since Li Sui was arrested a few years back, the elderly couple had been terrified at the sight of government people.

Especially since these were the very officers who had once taken their son away.

Upon seeing them, Mrs. Li’s face turned pale, and she knelt before the officers, “Sirs, my son is a good man, he has done nothing wrong, last time he was framed deliberately…”

“Old Madam, please stand up!” The arrest officer of the Capital Governor’s office immediately went to assist Mrs. Li.

Clutching the officer’s sleeve, Mrs. Li refused to rise, prompting Mr. Li to kneel as well.

Unexpectedly, the arrest officer fell to his knees before the elderly couple with a thud.

This action left both Mr. and Mrs. Li astonished.

“Officer, this is unacceptable, unacceptable!” They both moved to assist the arrest officer.

But the officer, sweat beading, trembling, and with a grim expression, refused to rise, “I beg you both, show mercy; it was the Young Master Si Jun— no, that traitor, who coerced me into doing it. I never intended to trouble your noble son!”

Show mercy?

Mr. and Mrs. Li exchanged bewildered glances, unsure why this once overbearing officer now spoke to them with fear and humility.