Chapter 247: The Return of the Matrilocal Son-in-law

How strange.

I was told I would see Bai Daxiaojie, so why did she suddenly disappear?

In the carriage, Luo Zijun felt secretly puzzled.

Could it be that the Queen chatted with him for too long and was already tired?

Or perhaps...

"She was just bullying me on purpose."

At this moment, Bai Daxiaojie suddenly spoke, looking at him as she said, "As my Matrilocal Son-in-law, how do you plan to help me take revenge on her?"

Luo Zijun's mouth twitched, and he said, "Daxiaojie, she is the Queen. Even if I had ten heads, they wouldn't be enough for her to behead, so how could I dare to take revenge on her?"

"Coward."

Bai Daxiaojie snorted, her face full of contempt.

Luo Zijun said, "This isn't called being a coward; this is called a wise man submits to circumstances. I am now a member of the Bai Family; if I offend the Queen, it is the Bai Family that will suffer. Daxiaojie, one cannot be willful about such matters."

Bai Daxiaojie turned her face away and ignored him further.

Luo Zijun did not pay her any more mind either, his heart occupied with the plan to eradicate Jile Villa in a few days.

When the time comes, he must find a way to lure Lai Da over first, so he can catch him red-handed and settle a private grudge under the guise of public duty!

The carriage soon turned into the alley and stopped in front of the Bai Mansion.

By now, night had already fallen.

In front of the Bai Mansion, lanterns had been hung, and the servants were also holding lanterns, crowding around Bai Ming and his wife as they craned their necks in anticipation at the main gate.

The son-in-law and Daxiaojie had gone into the palace to see the Queen; this was a great honor, but it also carried danger.

If they angered the Queen, it would be a disaster that could lead to the confiscation of their property and the execution of their clan.

Therefore, everyone in the Bai Mansion felt anxious.

Seeing the carriage return, Bai Ming hurriedly walked down the steps himself to welcome them.

Luo Zijun helped Bai Daxiaojie down from the carriage, appearing like a loving and harmonious couple.

As soon as the two stepped off the carriage, Bai Ming asked impatiently, "Zijun, how did it go?"

Luo Zijun knew what this father-in-law was worried about, so he quickly said, "Father-in-law, set your heart at ease. I had a very pleasant conversation with the Queen. The Queen even bestowed a Phoenix Tablet upon me and appointed me as a staff advisor, telling me I could go to the palace to speak with her at any time."

Once these words were spoken, Bai Ming's hanging heart immediately dropped, and he beamed with joy: "Good, good!"

The others of the Bai Family were also all smiles, and their gazes toward this new son-in-law became even more reverent.

The Queen's staff advisor—that was no small matter!

From now on, even if they met those generals and princes, they would have nothing to fear!

"The son-in-law is so impressive! To be so young and yet gain the Queen's favor—from now on, our Bai Family will also bask in the son-in-law's glory."

At this very moment, the maids, nannies, and other servants no longer held the slightest bit of contempt for this new son-in-law.

Chu Meixiang hurriedly said with a smile, "Zijun, Suzhen, come, let's go eat together."

Bai Qingtong also smiled and praised, "Brother-in-law, you are truly amazing!"

The group crowded around Luo Zijun and the other as they entered the mansion and arrived at the dining hall.

Just as they sat down, Chu Meixiang asked impatiently, "Suzhen, did you see the Queen? What did you talk about?"

Bai Meixue did not speak.

Luo Zijun hurriedly helped answer: "Mother-in-law, Daxiaojie did not see the Queen today."

"Oh?"

Once this was said, everyone was stunned.

Luo Zijun quickly explained: "After entering the palace in the afternoon, I went to see the Queen first, and then discussed the war with her, talking until nightfall. The Queen was likely a bit tired, so she did not see Daxiaojie."

Bai Ming laughed: "Talking from the afternoon until nightfall; Zijun, it seems the Queen values your ideas highly."

Luo Zijun said modestly: "The Queen just wanted to hear some other opinions."

Bai Ming suddenly lowered his voice and said: "Zijun, besides discussing the war of the Seven Kingdoms Rebellion with you, did she discuss any other issues?"

Luo Zijun said: "No, we only discussed the Seven Kingdoms Rebellion."

As for the Queen wanting to become a Queen Regnant, that was certainly something that could never be mentioned.

Bai Ming knew that some things should not be asked about too much, so he smiled and said: "Since the Queen gave you the Phoenix Tablet, if you have other ideas in the future, you can go directly into the palace to report them."

Luo Zijun nodded and said: "Yes."

Seeing that her son-in-law was no longer the man he once was and that his future rise to success was now without a doubt—and that the Bai Family might even have to rely on him in the future—Chu Meixiang felt some urgent thoughts arise in her heart.

She smiled and said: "Old man, don't just talk about state affairs, let's talk about our own family matters."

As she spoke, she stood up, picked up her chopsticks, picked up a piece of fish, placed it in Bai Qingtong's bowl, and said: "Qingtong, pick this up for your brother-in-law and have him eat more vegetables."

"Oh."

Bai Qingtong agreed, used her own chopsticks to pick up the fish, stood up, placed it into Luo Zijun's bowl, and smiled sweetly: "Brother-in-law, eat more vegetables."

Luo Zijun hurriedly thanked her.

Chu Meixiang then said warmly with a pleasant face: "Zijun, I heard that after you and Suzhen married, you haven't lived together. What is the reason for that?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the room suddenly went quiet.

Luo Zijun thought to himself: Mother-in-law, aren't you asking about something you already know?

However, at this time, he could not show any resentment.

Of course, he could not say it was Bai Daxiaojie's fault either.

He said respectfully: "Although Daxiaojie and I live in separate courtyards, the two courtyards are connected, so it counts as living together. I usually have to stay up late to study and am afraid of disturbing Daxiaojie, so living in a separate place is more convenient."

Bai Meixue raised her head and glanced at him.

Bai Third Miss giggled on the side.

Chu Meixiang said, "Since you are husband and wife, living in separate courtyards is not very appropriate. If word gets out, people might say that our Bai Family looks down on you or mistreats you. You have already performed the wedding ceremony, yet you cannot live in the same room as your bride; how can this be called a husband and wife? Before you were married, I told your father-in-law that although you are a matrilocal son-in-law in name, our Bai Family would never treat you as an ordinary matrilocal son-in-law, nor would we treat you as a servant. Zijun, regardless of what you and Suzhen discussed before, starting from tonight, you should move to Luoxue Residence and live with Suzhen."

Luo Zijun did not answer immediately, his gaze turning toward the Bai Daxiaojie beside him.

The gazes of the others also turned toward her.

Because Bai Daxiaojie was eating here, the veil on her face had already been removed, so those servants had all been sent away, and there were not many people in the room.

The few maidservants who remained were all absolutely loyal servants.

Bai Daxiaojie lowered her long eyelashes; her face, beautiful as an immortal's, was calm and ripple-free, and she did not speak upon hearing this.

Chu Meixiang gave a "cough-cough" and said, "Suzhen, what do you think?"

Bai Meixue did not answer; she turned her head and looked at Luo Zijun, saying, "What do you think?"

Luo Zijun was taken aback.

At this moment, everyone's gaze turned to him again.

Luo Zijun looked at the expression on Bai Daxiaojie's face for a few moments, deliberated, and said, "How about we wait until after next year's Autumn Examination?"

He still had to cultivate every night and did not want to be managed by anyone.

Living in Junzi Residence was so good—free and unrestrained, doing whatever he wanted, going out to cultivate every night, occasionally sleeping under the same quilt with Xiaohuan and Ziyuan to play games, and sometimes even staying out all night; how happy that was.

If he moved into Luoxue Residence, he would completely lose these joys.

Chu Meixiang frowned slightly, and just as she was about to persuade him further, Bai Ming spoke up: "Zijun is right; let's wait until after next year's Autumn Examination to discuss this matter. At this time, Zijun should still prioritize his reading and studies. Although he has gained the favor of the Queen, he must absolutely not slack off. Only by achieving good results in next year's Autumn Examination can he live up to the Queen's grace and shut the mouths of those petty people."

Seeing this, Chu Meixiang had no choice but to say, "Alright, you two decide your own affairs as husband and wife. Zijun, if Suzhen bullies you, just come and tell your mother-in-law, and I will make the decision for you."

Luo Zijun said respectfully, "Thank you, Mother-in-law."

He glanced to the side and noticed that Bai Daxiaojie, who was sitting next to him, was curling her lips slightly.

The group ate and chatted about household matters for a while longer.

After the meal, Luo Zijun left with Bai Daxiaojie.

Bai Bai and Fenfen carried lanterns in front, while Qingqing followed behind, holding a sword.

When they were about to reach Luoxue Residence, Bai Daxiaojie turned her head to look at him and said, "If I really wanted to bully you, would you go and complain to my mother?"

Luo Zijun said, "No."

Bai Daxiaojie said, "Why?"

Luo Zijun said, "As a real man, being bullied by a woman is inherently a very shameful thing. I would be too busy trying to hide it to even think about telling others."

Fenfen and Bai Bai, who were walking in front, both let out a "pfft" of laughter.

Bai Daxiaojie looked at him again, ignored him further, and walked toward Luoxue Residence.

Just as she was about to enter the door, she suddenly stopped, turned her head to look at him, and said, "Let me tell you, don't even think about it after next year's Autumn Examination."

After saying this, she entered the door with a cold and arrogant expression.

"Tch, who cares!"

Luo Zijun muttered to himself in his heart, turned around, and left, returning to the small courtyard next door.

Just as he entered the small courtyard, Xiaohuan said, "Young Master, someone from Anguo Mansion just came by, saying that the Madam has something to say to you and wants you to go over."

Luo Zijun was startled upon hearing this: "Sister wants me to go over right now?"

Xiaohuan said, "Yes, go over right now."

Luo Zijun felt suspicious, but he dared not delay and hurriedly turned to leave the small courtyard.

His sister rarely took the initiative to look for him; coming to find him so late today might mean something had happened, or perhaps she had heard he went to the palace and was worried.

Xiaohuan chased after him with a lantern: "Young Master, this servant will go with you to light the way."

Luo Zijun said, "No need, you go back; I will go myself."

With his current night vision, he had no need for anyone to light the way.

Su Guo Fu and Anguo Mansion were separated by only one road; he would be there as soon as he left the estate.

Of course, he certainly could not go through the main gate at this hour.

He went out through the back gate of Anguo Mansion, crossed the alley, and arrived at the back gate of Su Guo Fu. Just as he was about to knock on the door, a carriage suddenly drove into the alley.

He turned his head to look, and the curtain of the carriage suddenly lifted a corner, revealing a hand as white as jade. Then, that jade hand actually extended a slender index finger and beckoned to him lightly.

Luo Zijun was taken aback, suddenly feeling a hair-raising chill rise from his back!

"Bang!"

Before he could react, a hand strike suddenly appeared silently behind him, slamming heavily onto the back of his neck.

The force was so great that his body instantly lost all power to resist.

His vision went black, and he fainted.

In the moment he lost consciousness, he heard that devilish, terrifying voice again: "Tonight... nine times... I take five, you take four..."

Luo Zijun: "..."

(End of chapter)