8. Rebirth: Marriage (1)

Nonsense. How could the esteemed heir be unworthy of you

If I die, please take good care of my father and my mother. Bai Zhi heavily patted her shoulder and left in solitude. Bai Shao watched Bai Zhi's figure, her gaze uncertain, filled with confusion as she saw Bai Zhi off until she disappeared into the darkness

None. The daughter is feeling a bit unwell and has returned to her room. Bai Zhi did not wait for Bai Yuan's reply and directly left. Since things were not going well on Bai Yuan's side, she had no choice but to clarify things with Mu Tu Su. On her way to the other courtyard, she happened to encounter Bai Shao.

Bai Zhi gazed at the lake surface, which was rippling gently, gritting her teeth and forcing herself to speak, "Your Highness, Bai Zhi has only loved him in this life. If Your Highness continues to pressure me, I will have no choice but to throw myself into the lake and end my life."

Bai Zhi tightly closed her lips, remaining silent

"Who is he?" Mu Tu Su's originally spirited face lost its luster, his eyelashes fluttering slightly as he spoke in a low voice

Without a word, Bai Zhi decisively threw it into the lake, demonstrating determination and resolution

"Son-in-law?" Bai Zhi was slightly taken aback, her memory returning to just before she fainted...

Mu Tusu ignored him, "This young master will let you take advantage for now."

Bai Shao saw Bai Zhi coming out of their father's study with tear stains on her face and mockingly said: "Sister, you haven't even left the house yet, and you're already so eager to bid farewell to father? Is this another farewell to Mother and Second Mother?"

White peony does not understand

On the lake shore, a small boat glides slowly. Bai Zhi sits at the stern, while Mu Tu Su sits at the bow, their eyes meeting. Mu Tu Su asks: "Do you know why I brought you out for a boat ride?"

You have gone to such great lengths to enter my royal residence; in the future, you will have the fortune to enjoy this.

Bai Zhi smiled awkwardly

"No." Mu Tusu replied to her

"Go back, do not be willful here, it is all because you have been spoiled usually." Bai Yuan waved his sleeve, already angered

Bai Zhi clutched her chest, nearly spitting out blood. How did things turn out this way? Why did Mu Tu Su choose to betroth her? In her previous life, despite her efforts to win his favor, she received not a shred of his affection. Now that she knows to leave, how has the situation taken such a dramatic turn?

None. Bai Zhi lowered her head, suppressing her emotions

Bai Zhi paused for a moment, and in the blink of an eye, she resumed savoring the pastries as if nothing had happened. However, her heart was exhilarated; very good, extremely good. If the princess disagreed, it would be best to break off this engagement with a decisive blow, thus canceling the marriage proposal.

The heir... Bai Zhi pondered for a moment, suddenly raised her head, and fixed her gaze upon him, "I believe the heir has mistaken the person."

At this moment, a maid came to escort Bai Zhi. Bai Zhi left closely behind like a refined young lady.

Bai Shao was no longer struggling, and the displeased expression on her face suddenly calmed down as she asked in confusion: "Do you not like the Young Master?"

I have a mouth, I have ears, I can ask and listen. You are my person, naturally I am interested

Bai Zhi gritted her teeth, and only then did she manage to calm down a little. In her earlier panic, she had lost her composure. Her father was eager for a marriage alliance with Prince Gong to advance his career. Such a rash request from her would surely be rejected.

The Princess of Prince Gong invited Bai Zhi to sit in the pavilion. The Princess of Prince Gong pushed the pastries in front of her and said, "Miss Bai, please have some. These were sent by the prince from the capital."

Bai Zhi had finished her grooming, yet she did not dress up elaborately, merely inserting a golden hairpin at an angle. Qing He was puzzled, "Miss, are you not being too plain today while going out with the young master? Moreover, you usually prefer jade hairpins; why are you wearing a golden hairpin today?"

Angelica dahurica : `` ... ... ''

Oh? How did you know

At the entrance of the Bai residence, she met with Mu Tusu. This was the first time they had seen each other since her so-called fainting from "happiness." Upon seeing Bai Zhi approach, Mu Tusu smiled slightly with his slender phoenix eyes and reached out to grasp the jade hand that Bai Zhi had concealed in her sleeve

Bai Zhi could only laugh at herself. Once upon a time, she stood on the other side of the shore, watching the man she loved recount the deep affection he had for his parents to another woman, hoping that in the future he would have a beloved wife to share the brilliance and lows of life with.

She spoke these words to Bai Shao with a purpose in mind. This blunder in the marriage proposal caused Bai Shao to lose face, which intensified her hostility towards her. If she were to continue living in this household, the two would inevitably be at odds. If she were to say, "I will not marry because he is my sister's beloved," would her hostility towards her be somewhat alleviated? This is her own clever scheme, and its effectiveness can only be determined in the future

The prince and the princess pledged their love on a small boat

"My daughter will not marry." Bai Zhi, in her quest for authenticity, had tears streaming down her face, nearly leading to her own destruction, leaving a runny nose as a testament to her sincerity

Mu Tusu was taken aback, "Why?"

Bai Zhi released Bai Shao and smiled at her, "He is not my beloved. In this life, I do not wish to be confused any longer"

In her previous life, she had already learned to swim, but no one knew. Mu Tu Su could not swim, and she was aware of this. Yet, without a moment's hesitation, he jumped into the water to save her, and she could not understand why.

In the next moment, he fainted again, his hands lost strength and fell down

Bai Zhi suddenly felt sentimental and forcibly embraced Bai Shao. Bai Shao, who was as weak as a chick, could not break free from her grasp. Bai Zhi's face lost its frivolity, and with a serious expression, she whispered in her ear: "Sister, do not worry, I will not take your beloved. Even if I die, I will not marry the heir."

Bai Yuan was taken aback, his brows furrowing, "What kind of joke is this? Father has already accepted the betrothal gifts. Besides, didn't we agree on this from the beginning?"

This remark was filled with bitterness, and Bai Zhi did not wish to stoop to her level. With a sigh, she said, "Indeed, this is something that should have been done by the younger sister. I never expected the heir to be so discerning, turning back in time to avoid disaster. Alas, I still wish to serve the elders more. The heir is truly too impatient." Bai Zhi raised an eyebrow at Bai Shao, who was already furious to the point of smoke coming out of her seven orifices.

Mu Tusu suddenly laughed, saying, "Miss Bai is most skilled at throwing herself into the lake to end her life"

While there is still room for maneuver, she must strive to turn the tide. Mu Tusu's true love is the little princess of Nanzhao, and she will no longer interfere, nor will she indulge in foolish fantasies.

As the sky gradually darkened while conversing with the Princess of Gong, Bai Zhi returned to her own Linshui Pavilion. After bathing and changing her clothes, she prepared for bed. Suddenly, a maid from the other courtyard arrived at Linshui Pavilion to deliver a message. Mu Tusu invited her to go boating by the Jin Yang Lake tomorrow at the hour of Chen.

Bai Zhi, however, could not smile. This lifetime's Mu Tu Su was no different from the previous lifetime's Mu Tu Su, still adhering to the principle of only sharing intimate moments with the one he loved. Therefore, although she was his concubine in her past life, he had never touched her. Two years, she had wasted two years in torment.

Bai Zhi gently woke Mu Tu Su, who had consumed a bellyful of water. Mu Tu Su slowly opened his eyes, and in those pitch-black eyes, there was only Bai Zhi. He made an effort to reach out and caress Bai Zhi's smooth face, offering a faint smile, "Zhi'er, as long as you are fine, that is all that matters"

Zhi'er! Mu Tu Su followed closely behind and jumped into the lake

Bai Zhi felt that after her rebirth, she often fainted. When she woke up again, the insects in the trees were still chirping, and the sky was still bright. Fortunately, she had not slept for too long. Bai Zhi sat up abruptly. Qing He, who was watching nearby, hurried over when she saw her young lady awake, supporting Bai Zhi and checking her forehead, "Miss, you fainted, and the young master is terribly worried."

Bai Zhi struggled slightly, but Mu Tu Su did not let go

How could she have miscalculated? She understands Mu Tusu so well

Say

These words are, in fact, half true and half false. Her refusal to marry Mu Tu Su is true, but her desire to die is false. After going through the hardship of rebirth, how could she possibly demean herself again? She simply does not wish to follow in the footsteps of others, loving in such a tragic and undignified manner.

The Princess of the Prince Gong took Bai Zhi's hand, feeling it, and said, "I hope you can give birth to a long son for me to hold."

Bai Zhi took a deep breath and said calmly: "Bai Zhi's heart belongs to someone, and this person is not the heir."

Mu Tusu furrowed his brows slightly but did not stop her from continuing. Bai Zhi said: "Please, young master, annul the engagement."

Bai Zhi, feeling helpless, could only follow and observe the changes.

Do you think I am afraid to?

Bai Zhi trembled her lips, just in time to cancel this marriage proposal

The next day. Approaching the hour of Chen.

Qinghe could not stop the rebellious Baizhi; as soon as she relaxed her grip slightly, Baizhi slipped away like an eel. Qinghe could only stomp her feet in frustration behind her. ... The young lady was overjoyed, as if ... ! ... like a puppy eager to mate !

The Princess of the Duke gently placed her hand on Baizhi's hand, setting aside her royal demeanor and speaking in a motherly tone: "I have been married to the Duke for many years, and we have only this one son. Although you have entered our royal residence as a concubine, it is evident that the heir is very fond of you. A few years ago, I intended to arrange for the heir to have a maidservant, but that stubborn boy resolutely refused. Even when a maid was placed naked on his bed, he returned her without a second thought. At that time, the Duke and I were drenched in sweat, fearing that the heir might have some hidden ailment, and we consulted many doctors. Later, the heir could no longer endure it and revealed the truth, saying he wished to share intimate moments with the one he loves. Ha, that foolish child! If others find out, he will surely be ridiculed!" The princess laughed, and her affection for the heir was evident in her eyes.

She hurriedly got out of bed, but was stopped by Qinghe. Qinghe stamped her foot in protest, "Miss, the young master is already yours; he won't be taken away by anyone. You should rest for a while; it won't be too late to see him again tomorrow."

Bai Zhi bowed deeply, "Daughter has been abrupt, thank you, Father, for your years of nurturing. I bid farewell once again." She knocked her head loudly.

Bai Yuan felt that there was something slightly amiss with this statement, and furrowed his brows, asking: "What does this mean?"

Bai Zhi ignored him and directly knelt down, "Father, I only ask you for one thing."

She is not the one he loves, therefore, it is impossible for her to have children

Bai Zhi rushed into Bai Yuan's study, her hair disheveled, her clothes in disarray, and she was even missing one of her embroidered shoes, looking quite disheveled. Upon seeing Bai Zhi in such a state, Bai Yuan felt somewhat displeased, "As the daughter of a dignified governor, how can you present yourself in this manner"

In just a few dozen words, it pierces directly into the weakest rib of Mu Tu Su. Bai Zhi, who once loved Mu Tu Su deeply, knows that he will definitely let go. He would never force a woman who does not love him to stay by his side. He is such a proud and aloof man of unparalleled stature, how could he allow that

The trick struck a nerve with Bai Zhi, and she appeared somewhat flustered, "How did you know I like to throw myself into the lake to end it all?"

You have always thrown yourself into the self-dug lake at the Pavilion by the Water, and you would only do so in front of a house servant who can swim. Now, there is no one around, only me. However, it is unfortunate that I cannot swim and cannot save you. You need to think carefully.

She merely speaks of it, yet has never taken any action. Of course, she could never tell her father this. In her unreasonable rebuttal, she can only resort to unreasonable tantrums, "As a daughter, I simply will not marry; I ask my father to support me in this."

The Princess of the Prince of Gong sighed, "But it is what it is; the heir likes it, and I have no way to deal with him. He has been stubborn since childhood"

In the end, it was Bai Zhi who saved the non-swimmer Mu Tu Su

Bai Zhi almost knelt down to beg the Princess of the Prince of Gong to pick up the stick and wave her fist, to break apart her and Mu Tu Su, and she would surely be grateful and accumulate blessings for her

Sister, please hurry and go, do not keep Aunt and Second Aunt waiting anxiously

Mu Tusu had a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, "I thought we..." He did not continue, but instead gave her a decisive answer, "Are you certain that I will let go? What if I say I won't?"

Bai Zhi nodded slightly, took a small sip, and praised, "The taste is sweet but not cloying, soft and flaky, melting in the mouth, excellent"

She sent a maid from her faction to notify Mu Tu Su, but unexpectedly the answer she received was that Mu Tu Su had gone to the foot of Qiongqi Mountain to see how the villa was completed. Originally, she was to return empty-handed, but was stopped by the Princess of Gongqin Wang.

Bai Zhi was taken aback, as this was beyond her expectations. She pressed her lips together and said, "The heir apparent is capable of that."

Bai Zhi angrily said: "Young Master, men and women should not engage in physical contact."

"Talkative, slap the mouth." Bai Zhi, as usual, playfully reached out her hand to slap Qing He on the mouth. Qing He immediately ran away, sticking out her tongue.