"You saved a young lady, do you recall when?"
Lu Yuanfeng looked at her with confusion, "Why are you so concerned?"
"This matter is very important to me, please tell me, young master!" Bai Siruo's anxious demeanor was evident to Lu Yuanfeng, who maintained a facade of confusion while inwardly rejoicing.
Truly a sheltered young lady, so easily deceived by such a simple trick, how naive!
"It was about six or seven years ago. My father and I were having tea by Mingchi Lake when we happened upon a young lady who had fallen into the water. Seeing her struggling fiercely, I rescued her. However, as it is improper for men and women to be too intimate, I left after rescuing her. As I departed, I dropped an璎珞 (yingluo), I don't know if it fell into Mingchi Lake."
"What color was the璎珞? What did it look like?"
"It was woven with colorful silk threads, similar in style to this one I have."
He then presented the tassel attached to his belt, adorned with a jade pendant, and looked at Bai Siruo with curiosity.
Upon seeing the tassel, Bai Siruo wept with joy. She never imagined that the benefactor she had been searching for so long would be encountered today in such a manner. Heaven truly favored her.
She hurriedly took the璎珞 from her purse and handed it over.
Lu Yuanfeng glanced at it and his eyes widened in astonishment, "Young lady, how do you have my璎珞?"
"Because, I am the one you saved back then!"
This time, it was Lu Yuanfeng and his servant who were astonished. The servant feigned disbelief, "Such a coincidence in this world?"
Bai Siruo also found it coincidental, but it was precisely this coincidence that led to her rescue and allowed her to meet her benefactor again after six or seven years!
Her excitement was unspeakable. Haitang, standing nearby, also hadn't expected that after searching for so long, they would find him on the very day of her young lady's engagement!
However, the die was cast, and ultimately, fate had brought them together only to keep them apart. She stepped forward to remind them.
"Young lady, the weather is cold, and Young Master Lu has been in the water. It would be best to speak in a private room."
In public, it wouldn't be good if someone with ill intentions were to see them.
Bai Siruo nodded hastily, but her concern was for Lu Yuanfeng's health. Such frigid weather could easily lead to illness.
Thus, she invited him and his servant into her private room and sent her servant to buy a clean shirt for him to change into.
Inside the private room, the charcoal fire burned brightly. Lu Yuanfeng lacked internal energy, but he was generally robust. He had felt truly uncomfortable from the cold when he entered the water, but now, seeing Bai Siruo's solicitousness, he felt the chill was nothing.
"Thank you for your assistance, young lady. I still don't know how to address you."
"My surname is Bai."
Oh? Bai surname. There weren't many families with the surname Bai in Dongdu City. The last time, the shopkeeper mentioned that the carriage she rode in bore a phoenix emblem. Now she claimed the surname Bai, and was on good terms with the Feng family. Could she be from Prime Minister Bai's household!
With a little thought, he deduced her true identity, and Lu Yuanfeng was overjoyed.
To think he could use this opportunity to climb onto such a powerful figure, it was truly a blessing from heaven. Although his Lu family lived prosperously, they were at the bottom of the social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. How could a mere merchant compare to a prime minister who wielded immense power!
He further told himself to remain calm. Currently, he had gained Miss Bai's favor by virtue of being a "savior," but in the future, he would slowly win her heart, making her sincerely commit herself to him. By then, it would be a done deal, and the Bai family would have no choice but to accept his Lu family's proposal!
At that time, the Lu family would truly soar to unprecedented heights!
Bai Siruo was unaware of his thoughts. Her heart and eyes were filled with admiration for his act of rescue, both then and now.
"Young Master Lu is truly righteous. To go into the water regardless of danger in such weather to save someone, this humble girl admires you!"
"Miss Bai is too kind. It was merely a small effort, just as saving you was back then."
Bai Siruo smiled knowingly, her favorable impression of him deepening.
On the other hand, Haitang watched from the side with a cold eye, always feeling that the shrewdness in this Young Master Lu's gaze was something to be wary of.
Unfortunately, her young lady was now blinded by the debt of gratitude for being saved. Not only did she accept everything Lu Yuanfeng said, but she also admired him greatly.
"For the past few years, I've been traveling with my father, doing business and experiencing the customs and traditions of various places. If Miss Bai is interested, I could tell you about them."
Bai Siruo had always yearned for life outside her home. Hearing him speak like this, she grew even more fond of him.
The affection from her youth, nurtured by sleepless nights of longing, had already transformed into a faint admiration. This admiration was like the wind; if they hadn't had the chance to meet today, it might have vanished into the vast expanse of the land.
But now that they had met, Bai Siruo felt a stirring within her heart. Unfortunately, Haitang saw this clearly and stepped forward to intervene.
"Young lady, it's getting late. We should return, or Master and Madam will worry."
The reminder in her eyes brought a sense of disappointment to Bai Siruo. Yes, she was now engaged to the legitimate second grandson of Prince Kang's mansion. Regardless of her willingness, she could no longer have any entanglement with this Young Master Lu.
Otherwise, it would not only be a loss of face for the Bai family, but Prince Kang's mansion's dignity would also be greatly tarnished.
She did not wish to see such a scene, so she could only suppress the faint affection in her heart.
When she spoke again, the excitement from before was gone, and she had regained her noble lady's demeanor.
"Young Master Lu, there are many matters today, so I must take my leave. I have no way to repay your life-saving kindness. Should you face any difficulties in the future, my entire Bai family will surely assist you! You may bring this璎珞 to find me then."
With that, she rose to depart, her steps forward without any lingering glance.
Lu Yuanfeng felt a measure of admiration for the pride of these aristocratic ladies. If it were other women he usually associated with, they would be clamoring for attention, not leaving.
Seeing the hesitant look on the face of the maid beside her, Lu Yuanfeng knew there must be something more to it. He then instructed his servant, "Go and inquire if anything has happened in the Bai family recently."
"Young master, I understand."
The moment Bai Siruo stepped into the mansion, she bumped into Bai Sihan. Today, she was not as haughty as she had been in previous days.
She stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Bai Siruo, "Eldest sister, hello."
"Mm, get up." Her emotions had fluctuated between sorrow and joy today, and she lacked the energy to deal with her. She merely replied indifferently and walked towards her own courtyard.
Alas, the tree may wish for stillness, but the wind will not cease. Bai Sihan, behind her, spoke to stop her.
"Eldest sister, you have found such a good marriage, you must also consider your sister's future. I know my background is not as good as yours, but I am also a daughter of the Bai family. It wouldn't be right for you to marry into the Prince's mansion while I remain uncertain of my own fate. I beg you, eldest sister, to take pity and help me."
As Bai Sihan spoke, tears streamed down her face, making it seem as if Bai Siruo had bullied her.