4. Rebirth · Reunion (2)

Bai Zhi entered the study and saw Master Bai practicing calligraphy. She bowed slightly and said, "Father"

It is only because the one she knocked down was none other than Mu Tusu, the very person she wished to escape from

Of course, it is a marriage alliance. There is no better approach than this. If we say that in Su City, among beauties, Bai Zhi is second, who would dare to claim the first? Furthermore, she is a legitimate daughter, marrying the heir apparent, making her the only choice.

"Father is right in his admonition." Bai Zhi lowered her gaze, which could be considered an acknowledgment. In truth, she felt quite displeased; how could she possibly emulate Bai Shao, whom she so despised?

But why is fate so full of twists and turns, and why does it not go as one wishes

She only wishes to distance herself as much as possible from Mu Tu Su, while he goes on to love and cherish his Nanzhao princess. She will find her own worthy partner and fulfill the destiny of her life.

In her previous life, she met Mu Tu Su when she was fifteen. She still remembers it was the Qiqiao Festival, the night sky was clear, and the river lanterns were just lit, illuminating the secluded years of her life. Like a naive girl who had never seen the world, she clumsily squeezed into the crowd, observing things that were not new to her.

Bai Shao was taken aback for a moment, covering her mouth with a light laugh, "Could it be that my sister has eaten too many buns?"

"Sister." Bai Shao wished to salvage the situation, but it was already too late. Her complexion turned pale, and her eyes reflected a hint of anxiety and fear.

She is not exceptionally talented, but she has a slight knowledge of writing. Being young, she happened to guess a few lantern riddles correctly and felt quite pleased with herself, thinking that nothing could stump her. Until she encountered the riddle "The white sun sets behind the mountains," which left her completely flustered.

She blushed, staring at the paper in her hand, unable to speak for a long time. Suddenly, a man in white appeared beside her. He had a pair of narrow, slanted eyes that seemed to fly into his temples, and his dark eyes sparkled brightly. With a straight nose and thin lips that seemed to hum leisurely, he solved all the riddles without any errors.

Master Bai was immediately furious and ordered the maid to summon Bai Zhi to the study early in the morning. Qing He, standing beside Bai Zhi, saw the maid's demeanor and realized the seriousness of the situation. She pounded her chest and lamented, "It is all Qing He's fault. If I had kept a close watch on the young lady, she would not have gone with Qiu Chan to eat buns."

As Bai Zhi raised her eyes, she was met by his deep, profound gaze. He was looking at her with a playful expression, saying, "A graceful lady, a gentleman's ideal match. Why do you not consider that I might have intentions towards you?"

Bai Zhi did not contradict her father, and she obediently bowed, "Zhi'er will do her best"

Sister, it is rare to see you out buying fabric to make new clothes? Bai Shao hurriedly changed the subject.

The autumn cicada never applies powder or adorns itself, always dressed in armor, thus it holds a rather dismissive attitude towards such things as those of young girls.

She could tell that Bai Shao went to Baima Temple, certainly like other women, to catch a glimpse of the legendary heir. Ignoring propriety, she invited him to take shelter from the rain in her carriage, which reveals her intentions. Since her father wishes to arrange a marriage with Prince Gong, why not facilitate a match between Bai Shao and Mu Tu Su? This way, she could please both sides and resolve this troubling matter, making it a win-win situation

It is good to know. Compared to Shao'er, you lack subtlety. Your likes and dislikes are always immediately apparent on your face, and you do not understand how to conceal them. In contrast, Shao'er knows how to hide them.

Bai Zhi acknowledged the mistake, "It should not have been."

Miss Bai misunderstood; I was merely strolling in the bamboo grove when a sudden downpour occurred, and by chance, the second Miss Bai passed by and offered me a ride for a short distance

On the carriage, as Bai Zhi lifted the curtain, she unexpectedly met a pair of narrow, phoenix-like eyes, which were looking at her with a smile that was neither fully a smile nor fully a frown. Naturally, Bai Zhi could not help but let out a scream. The coachman immediately slammed on the brakes, causing the two individuals behind her to lose their balance and tumble directly into the carriage. Bai Zhi, propelled by the force from behind, uncontrollably lunged towards the person inside. The person intended to catch Bai Zhi, but she preferred to fall onto the hard carriage floor, pushing him away with her hand. Unbeknownst to her, the horse suddenly became restless, shaking the carriage, and her body collided back again.

Yet in this rebirth, I met him two years earlier; what exactly went wrong?

Bai Zhi spoke slowly and deliberately, stating in a rather rigid manner: "Men and women should not share the same room. Little sister does not understand, does the young master not understand either? Or does the young master have intentions towards little sister?" As these words left her mouth, a thought suddenly flashed through Bai Zhi's mind

Bai Zhi, without waiting for her to finish speaking, quickly hopped into the carriage like a rabbit. Before entering the carriage shed, she hurriedly said to Qiu Chan and Qing He, "Get in the carriage." She then ordered the coachman to drive the horses swiftly. Having come from Bai Ma Temple, they were already exhausted, and now she was making Bai Shao walk back. It was uncertain whether her three-inch golden lotus feet could endure this. This could be considered a minor punishment for her.

It was a rather soft lip, moist and warm.

Bai Shao said with a subtle expression: "Naturally, I came out from the residence"

Mu Tusu also sat up as she rose, and he chuckled, "The young lady of the Bai family is truly vigorous."

Master Bai then set down his brush, sat upright with a serious demeanor, his face revealing no signs of joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness. "Zhi'er, you and Shao'er were born in the same year and month, yet you have become your father's treasured jewel. Do you know why?"

Having eaten too many buns, I feel the need to use the restroom

The two who were in a daze quickly got into the car

"Very good." Lord Bai nodded in satisfaction, "The Prince of Gong has sent a letter. The capital is sweltering, and the Princess is in poor health. Su City has a mild winter and cool summer, which is suitable for health preservation. I hope that as the Prefect, I can bear a little more responsibility. The Prince had ordered craftsmen to build a villa at the foot of Qiongqi Mountain several years ago. It is now nearing completion. During this final phase, the Princess and the Heir will stay with us for a short while. Zhi'er, you should understand what to do, right?" Lord Bai looked at her solemnly.

How could Bai Zhi not understand her own father? With astonishing talent yet buried within the small city of Su, her grand ambitions are a hundred thousand miles away from the capital. The presence of the Prince Gong's consort and the heir here seemingly presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But what means are there to seize this opportunity?

Upon hearing these words, everyone present was taken aback. Bai Zhi bit her lip and looked at Bai Shao with a pitiful expression, "Sister, may I borrow the horse-drawn carriage for a while"

It must be due to the status of the legitimate daughter

It was her first time speaking to a man other than her father, and she shyly asked, "Young master, the sun sets behind the mountains, what idiom does this refer to?"

Let's get it done without delay

Bai Zhi was momentarily stunned, then immediately sprang up from beside him, her face turning pale. Why did she not display the bashful expression typical of other women, but instead appeared extremely frightened with a pale complexion?

Bai Zhi was not at all nervous; she knew her father's temper all too well. This outburst of anger was definitely not due to her damaging the image of a refined young lady; it must be because she had overstepped her bounds and treated the young master Mu Tu Su from the capital with cold words

She knew that Mu Tusu's smile was not genuine. He smiled brightly at everyone, but except for the Princess of Nanzhao, he was not sincere with anyone else. She found his smile extremely, quite, and very annoying. She pursed her lips and retorted, "Pardon my boldness, but I am unaware that the heir is in the carriage. Even less do I know that the heir has such a relationship with my sister"

Unfortunately, on a scorching hot day, a heavy rain suddenly poured down. If it were not for the fact that the three of them happened to be in the shop selecting hairpins, they would surely have ended up like drowned rats today

The autumn cicadas and the clear lotus at the carriage door were completely stunned. How could a man suddenly leap out of the carriage? Moreover, how could he be so extraordinarily handsome? No wonder the legitimate daughter of the Bai family couldn't wait to throw herself at him and kiss him.

The young lord from the capital has visited our humble Su City, which is a great honor for us. Should you show your displeasure to the young lord?

Thus, a tragic and heroic event occurred

He glanced back at her and chuckled lightly, "Missing in action." He was not captivated by her stunning beauty, as if she were like anyone else, feeling that even a second more spent with her was a waste. After saying this, he left. However, for Bai Zhi, this was a deep-rooted affection; even if he truly became missing from that moment on, until her mother passed away and she went to the capital to rely on her father, only to discover that he was the son of Prince Gong. It had already been two years. But for Bai Zhi, this was a deep-rooted affection; even if he truly became missing from that moment on, until her mother passed away and she went to the capital to rely on her father, only to discover that he was the son of Prince Gong. It had already been two years.

"Yes, my daughter takes her leave." Bai Zhi exited the study, looked up at the sky today, and sighed with deep emotion. Indeed, it is quite troublesome now. To have her seduce Mu Tu Su? In her past life, how much effort did she put in, and what did she gain in return?

The curtain of the carriage was lifted, revealing Bai Shao. Today, she was wearing a delicate green water gauze skirt embroidered with blue lotus patterns, and at this moment, she was lowering her head, carefully stepping down from the carriage. As she raised her head, she saw Bai Zhi smiling gently at her, "Sister, where have you come from?"

However ... ...

Bai Zhi was ordered to go to the street to buy rouge and powder to groom herself. Master Bai was concerned that Bai Zhi might cause some trouble again, so he sent Qing He to accompany her. Bai Zhi was indifferent to this arrangement, and after finishing her equestrian lessons with Qiu Chan, she took Qiu Chan along to the street.

Bai Zhi was not particularly invested, merely browsing casually, purchasing whatever caught her eye. Once the sudden rain had subsided, they proceeded to another shop to take a look.

Master Bai said: "Go to your second mother to collect some silver, and buy some jewelry and clothes at the shop to take care of yourself"

Bai Zhi disregarded her image as a refined young lady and ate steamed buns in the street. She accidentally bumped into a carriage and was fortunate to be rescued by the young master, yet he treated her coldly. This incident spread rapidly in Su City and naturally reached the ears of the status-conscious Prefect Bai.

The heir's eyes may be in the heavens, a height she cannot aspire to. Giving Master Bai an answer that is not quite an acceptance may be her best choice. She cannot refuse her father. Her and her mother's status in the Bai residence is limited to that of the legitimate wife and daughter. The financial power is held by the second mistress, and the only male heir of the Bai family is also born of the second mistress, who is the most favored. Although Bai Shao is not the biological child of the second mistress, her alignment with the Liu family is evident. After her rebirth, Bai Zhi knows that Bai Shao has always blamed the Liu family for her mother's death. Thus, Bai Zhi and the Liu family are in a very weak position. If they further offend her father, the mother and daughter will have no place to stand in the Bai residence.

One could only speculate about her schadenfreude regarding her figure. Bai Zhi was not angry; instead, she covered her stomach and frowned weakly like a sickly beauty. Seeing her like this, Qing He hurried to support her, "Miss, what is the matter with you?"

Oh? Bai Zhi looked at the wheels of the carriage with an expressionless face; they were covered in red soil. This is the unique soil of Qiongqi Mountain. What is the purpose of going to Qiongqi Mountain? Besides the Baima Temple located on the mountainside, what else is there on Qiongqi Mountain

Bai Zhi did not want to discuss this topic either, so she followed her words and said: "Yes, my clothes have become tighter recently, which has been troubling me."

A few people arrived at a fabric shop. Bai Zhi casually looked around, felt the texture, and chose a water blue satin. After paying the money, she prepared to leave. Just as she stepped out of the shop, a horse-drawn carriage came to a stop right in front of her. Bai Zhi recognized this carriage; it belonged to her family.