9. Rebirth: Marriage (2)

"My head hurts." She is now extremely afraid of what will happen tomorrow. Even her indifferent mother thinks so much about the reason for her suicide, let alone others. Everyone knows that her marriage to the heir was an overreach on her part, and now that the heir has suddenly broken off the engagement, her act of stabbing herself with her own golden hairpin inevitably leads people to think this way. With no way to argue her case, she can only remain silent.

Mu Tusu stood frozen in place, filled with rage, "Bai Zhi!"

Bai Zhi gritted her teeth, pulled the golden hairpin from her hair, and pressed it against her chest, "I ask the young master for his support."

After Liu left, Bai Zhi covered herself with the quilt, wanting to sleep, but Qiu Chan sneakily approached. Seeing Qiu Chan's expression, Bai Zhi knew what she was thinking and what she would ask next.

Bai Zhi bowed slightly and said, "Yes."

Bai Zhi was taken aback, "The entire Su City?"

Angelica dahurica sighs in the water, why add an 'again'? This time, she does not genuinely wish to throw herself into the lake; it is an act of desperation forced upon her

Zhi'er, what on earth is going on? You walked out and came back lying down, the heir suddenly wants to break off the engagement, your father is furious, this..." Liu said, her voice filled with sorrow, unable to continue, feeling utterly confused.

Without needing to think, one knows that Qinghe is by her side. However, it is unexpected that the one watching over her is Liu, who is indifferent to worldly affairs, her mother

This time it was the young master who fainted, but Bai Zhi did not dare to take him back to the residence. Her experiences of nearly drowning multiple times made Bai Zhi understand that his fainting was not serious; it was caused by difficulty in breathing, and it would be fine if he just fainted for a while.

What? The autumn cicada almost jumped up

Bai Zhi could not have anticipated that she was about to face a storm. Not long after she had awakened, while enjoying the breakfast brought by Qing He, she was summoned by a servant to Bai Yuan's study. Just as she was about to step over the threshold of the study, she was struck by the inkstone and brushes that Bai Yuan had swept off the desk, as if he had timed it perfectly to show his anger at her.

Bai Zhi lowered her head, unable to see the change in his expression, "I request the heir to annul the engagement. This stab to my chest is also to force the heir to annul the engagement"

Mu Tusu gazed at her with his dazed eyes. Bai Zhi knelt down without changing her expression, her demeanor assertive, "I request the heir to annul the engagement."

Mu Tusu couldn't help but smile, a bitter and self-deprecating smile. He sat up, his face as serious as that of a white lily, "Make good preparations, in a few days, come with me to the capital."

Now that she has been jilted, what is Bai Shao thinking? She hopes that the words spoken last time will take effect, transforming hostility into harmony, making her future days much easier.

The autumn cicada, upon seeing Bai Zhi, was at a loss for words and reproached, "Look at you, you are ruining your own wonderful marriage prospects. In the future, even with a lantern, you won't be able to find a husband as outstanding as the Young Master, alas"

Bai Zhi then noticed that there was mud on her bottom, covering her mouth and laughing, "Did you climb over the wall? Did you fall flat on your back?"

Inflammation must also be addressed

Bai Zhi's body couldn't help but tremble; it turned out that her suicide was due to the heir's change of heart and refusal to marry her. She felt unwilling to accept this, and thus resorted to suicide as a means of venting her anger. Bai Zhi only felt a wave of dizziness and swayed slightly.

When the housekeeper rescued Bai Zhi, the shore was already crowded with people. Liu Shi, who was worried, felt a sense of relief; Bai Yuan, who was very pleased; Bai Shao, who was watching the drama; the frowning and displeased Princess Gong; and Mu Tu Su, whose eyes were deep and profound.

Bai Zhi apologetically said: "I am sorry for making you worry, Mother"

Finally, Qiu Chan could no longer contain herself, "Zhi'er, the heir has broken off the engagement, we in Su City all know about it"

The autumn cicada, usually extravagant, is now treading lightly; this is a special consideration for the injured. Bai Zhi knows that she will not simply deliver medicine to her, but she does not ask any questions, fearing that if the conversation opens up, it will lead to lengthy inquiries that will give her a headache.

Bai Zhi obediently unfastened her clothing

Bai Zhi smiled bitterly, "I only want to find a man who loves me. I do not ask for him to be exceptionally outstanding, only that he treats me wholeheartedly, thinks of me, and can forsake other women for my sake..." just like Mu Tu Su treats the little princess of Nanzhao.

Bai Zhi sat by the shore, gazing at the shimmering surface of the lake, then looking at the reclining Mu Tu Su, sighing deeply. Everything had changed since she took her sister's place to offer incense at the White Horse Temple; it was no longer something she could foresee. Mu Tu Su moved into the Bai residence, their interactions became frequent, and Mu Tu Su's proposal to take her as a concubine were matters that had never occurred before.

"I seek the heir's fulfillment." Bai Zhi remained steadfast in her beliefs

Bai Zhi spat out several mouthfuls of lake water, propping herself up with her hands, and coughed violently

Of course, Su City is merely a remote small town, and for a girl to marry into the capital, how could it not cause a stir? Now that the heir has suddenly broken off the engagement, it has created even more of a sensation. The streets and alleys are all abuzz with speculation about what exactly happened between you and the heir. You left upright and returned sideways, and the heir broke off the engagement on the same day without providing any explanation

Bai Zhi's lips were pale, her eyelids drooped, and she was on the verge of collapse, "I beseech the young master to grant me mercy"

Qiu Chan found Bai Zhi's words quite strange, "How do you know it is the princess? Since the heir apparent does not love you, why would he propose to you?"

"You are more ruthless than I am." Mu Tu Su closed his eyes in pain, and when he opened them again, he quietly gazed at her, "Am I not even half as good as he is in your eyes?"

I... I cannot answer," Bai Zhi replied. She could not tell Qiu Chan that she had been reborn, and the latter was something she truly did not know. Why did he propose to her? She herself did not know. Previously, she had become his concubine purely out of her own creation of a "caught in the act" scenario, and under the pressure of the princess, he had no choice but to comply.

Bai Zhi finally understood why she had once been so eager to throw herself into the river and end her life

Good

It seems that you are quite fond of the young master? Bai Zhi shifted the topic, deliberately teasing her.

It is getting late, I feel a bit sleepy, Zhi'er, I will come again tomorrow. The autumn cicada yawned and got up to leave

Zhi'er, you may rest for now. If there is anything, we will discuss it in detail tomorrow

After a while, a maid shouted, "Someone come quickly, the young lady has thrown herself into the lake again!"

The autumn cicada is straightforward and direct, "Of course, who wouldn't want a man like that? Unfortunately, I am not as captivating as you, so the heir does not look at me.

Indeed, she genuinely envies that woman

Nowadays, there are indeed people who are forcing him? She truly does not know

"Who is the person in your heart?" he asked

Mu Tusu glared at her with resentment, "No way."

Bai Zhi pretended not to see, closed her clothes, and prepared to lie down to sleep

Although I admire your determination in forcing the heir to marry you, how can you eat now! You should act like before, crying, throwing tantrums, and even threatening to hang yourself! Persistence is victory! Bai Yuanyi spoke with an air of authority, making his point with great conviction

Bai Zhi trembled as she confirmed, "Where to?"

Thus, she clutched her chest and lay down, unable to rise.

Bai Zhi smiled with a sense of relief, and then fainted in Mu Tu Su's embrace

Does the heir not love you

Bai Zhi ruthlessly stabbed her own chest, the crimson blood spreading across her gauzy skirt, forming a strikingly beautiful red flower. Mu Tu Su stared wide-eyed, looking at Bai Zhi in astonishment

Liu saw Bai Zhi about to faint and hurriedly supported her, anxiously asking: "What happened? Where do you feel unwell?"

Liu felt a surge of compassion as she saw Bai Zhi in silence. She took her hand and patted it gently to offer comfort, saying, "Zhi'er, do not be disheartened by the heir's sudden change of heart, and do not joke with your own life. You are my only daughter, oh dear."

Bai Zhi thought that Mu Tu Su had explained the reason for the annulment of the engagement to Bai Yuan, and she inwardly exclaimed that it was not good; now she would truly be at the mercy of Bai Yuan.

Bai Zhi shook her head, "How could I, among these mediocre and superficial people, be pleasing to his eyes? His beloved must be a beautiful princess, adored by all."

Liu wiped away a tear, stepped forward, and gently brushed Bai Zhi's hair, saying sorrowfully: "Silly child, why must you suffer like this?"

Bai Zhi dared not claim that she sought the heir, and could only remain silent, not uttering a word

Angelica dahurica appreciates the straightforwardness of the autumn cicada, seeing through everything with clarity and a discerning mind... unlike white peony...

The autumn cicada flashed before Bai Zhi like the wind, holding a golden ointment in hand, "Come, I will help you apply the medicine"

What are you still dawdling for? Take advantage of the fact that the heir is still in the residence and hurry up!

Cough cough. Mu Tu Su coughed twice, about to wake up

Angelica dahurica is troublesome, "the wound may become inflamed"

A sense of foreboding surged within Bai Zhi's heart; the human imagination was too bold. She did not know what version they would ultimately settle on, and could only hope it would align with her own, or at least with the Liu family's version. What she feared most was...

Bai Zhi did not want to cry, make a scene, or resort to hanging herself; the best approach was to feign fainting and pass through the situation undetected

Bai Zhi did not respond

Mu Tusu did not respond, but instead gazed at her intently, as if by doing so, he could discern her innermost thoughts. Bai Zhi kept her eyes averted the entire time, merely lowering her head, her face displaying an excessively serious expression

Bai Zhi hurriedly pulled her, urging her to calm down. However, the force caused her injury to throb, and she winced in pain, clutching her chest. Qiu Chan immediately ceased her agitation and obediently sat beside Bai Zhi, anxiously asking: "Why is that? The heir is talented in both literature and martial arts, with an excellent reputation. Such a match is desired by anyone."

"Zhi'er." Liu wiped her tears and helped Bai Zhi to her feet

The autumn cicada, feeling unsettled upon seeing Bai Zhi, hesitantly asked: "By the way, Zhi'er, why did the heir withdraw the engagement?"

Bai Zhi thought, how many days has it been since her rebirth, and how many times has she fainted? It seems necessary to strengthen her body. If this issue is resolved, she will definitely seek out Qiu Chan to learn martial arts properly. She opened her eyes, and once again saw the flickering candlelight; it was already night.

Bai Zhi was taken aback. Is he still not agreeing?

"The heir has broken off the engagement, can you still eat?"

But she clearly knows that one thing will not change: he will meet the little princess of Nanzhao, and he will fall deeply in love with her, marrying her as his wife, thus spending a lifetime together, with no one else in his eyes.

"Throwing into the lake! Your strong suit!" Bai Yuan's eyes widened, filled with a deep frustration at the lack of progress.

Bai Zhi originally wanted to inquire about him with concern, but she held back. With a blank expression, she turned and asked: "Young Master, are you awake?"

The autumn cicada sticks out its tongue, resembling a mouse. It has run away. Bai Zhi also collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep, having exhausted too much energy today

The application of the medicine was completed, and the autumn cicada looked at her, wanting to speak but hesitating.