Prince Consort

Chapter 7
"Of course, Sucheng is just a remote town. If this local girl wants to marry in the capital, how can it not be a sensation! Now that the prince suddenly resigned, it is even more sensational. There are rumors in the streets and alleys about what happened to you and the prince. He went out and came back sideways, and the son broke off the engagement on the same day without explaining the reason."

A bad premonition welled up in Bai Zhi's heart. People's imagination is too brave. I don't know what version they finalized. She only hoped that it was for her. The Liu family's version is also fine, but I'm afraid...

Seeing that Bai Zhi was restless, Qiu Chan asked hesitantly, "Speaking of which, Zhi'er, why did your son withdraw the engagement?"

Bai Zhi lowered her head and couldn't see the change in her eyes: "I begged my son to withdraw the engagement, and this prick in my chest is also to force my son to withdraw from the engagement."

"What!?" Qiu Chan almost jumped up.

Bai Zhi hurriedly tugged her, telling her not to be restless, but Nai He moved and pulled the wound, she was in pain and clutched her chest.Qiu Chan immediately stopped being irritable, sat obediently beside Bai Zhi, and quickly asked: "Why? The son is both civil and military, and has an excellent reputation. Anyone wants such a home."

Bai Zhi smiled bitterly: "I just want to find a man who loves me, not how good he is, but who treats me wholeheartedly, thinks of me, and at the same time abandons other women for me..." Just like how Mu Tusu treated the little princess of Nanzhao .

Yes, she envied that woman from the bottom of her heart.

"Don't the son love you?"

Bai Zhi shook her head: "I'm waiting for these vulgar fans, how can I make him fall in love with him! His sweetheart will be a beautiful princess who is full of stars."

Qiu Chan felt that Bai Zhi's words were very strange: "How do you know it's a princess? Since the son doesn't love you, why did he propose marriage to you?"

"I..." Bai Zhi couldn't answer.The former is because she can't tell Qiu Chan, and the latter is because she really doesn't know.Why did he propose marriage to her?She herself does not know.In the dream, she became his concubine, a "catch rape in bed" made by himself. Under the persecution of the princess, he had no choice but to obey.

Now, but someone is persecuting him?She really doesn't know.

Seeing that Bai Zhi couldn't answer, Qiu Chan scolded: "Look, you ruined your beautiful marriage with one hand, and you won't be able to find a husband as good as Shizi with the lantern in the future, alas."

"It seems that you like Shizi very much?" Bai Zhi changed the subject and deliberately teased her.

Qiu Chan is straight-tempered, and she answered straightforwardly: "Of course, who wouldn't want such a man? It's a pity that I am not as beautiful as you, and the prince looks down on me."

Bai Zhi likes Qiu Chan's straightforwardness, she can see clearly, her heart is like a mirror, unlike Bai Shao...

Now that she has been divorced, what does Bai Shao think?I hope that what I said last time will start to work and turn the hostility into friendship, so that her life will be much easier in the future.

"It's getting late, I'm sleepy, Zhi'er, I'll come back tomorrow." Qiu Chan yawned and got up to leave.

Only then did Bai Zhi see mud on her buttocks, covered her mouth and smiled: "Climbed the wall to get in? And fell on all fours?"

Tiu Chan stuck out her tongue, and ran away like a mouse.Bai Zhi fell into bed and fell asleep. Today's physical exertion is too much.

Bai Zhi never imagined that what she was about to face was a violent storm.Not long after she woke up, she was being greeted by her servants to Bai Yuan's study while she was eating the breakfast brought by Qing He.Before she stepped into the study, Bai Yuan swept across the pen, ink and inkstone on the desk, as if counting the time, and showed her his anger.

"The son retired, can you still eat?"

Bai Zhi thought that Mu Tusu had explained to Bai Yuan the reason for the divorce, and she cried out inwardly that she was really going to be hanged and beaten by Bai Yuan.

"Although you are forcing your son to marry you with death, I appreciate it, but how can you eat now?! You should be like before, crying, making trouble, and hanging yourself! Persistence is victory!" Bai Yuan ordered, saying that Call a righteous one.

Bai Zhi finally knew why she threw herself into the river so happily before.

"Why are you still standing there? Hurry up while the prince is still at the mansion!"

Bai Zhi tremblingly confirmed: "Where are you going?"

"Throwing into the lake! Your strong point!" Bai Yuan stared wide-eyed, hating that iron cannot be made into steel.

Bai Zhi was in a dilemma: "The wound will become inflamed and fester."

"The fester has to go too."

Bai Zhi leaned back: "Yes."

After a while, a servant girl yelled: "Here comes someone, Miss has thrown herself into the lake again!"

Baizhi sighs in the water, why add "again"?She didn't really want to throw herself into the lake this time, she was forced to do nothing!

When the servants rescued Bai Zhi, there were already people standing on the shore, the worried Liu Shi, the relieved Bai Yuan, the Bai Shao watching the opera, the displeased Princess Gong and the deep-eyed Mu Tusu.

Bai Zhi spit out a few mouthfuls of lake water, supported her body with her hands, and coughed fiercely.

Wiping away tears, Mrs. Liu stepped forward, stroked Bai Zhi's hair, and said sadly, "Silly boy, why bother?"

Bai Zhi didn't want to cry, make trouble and hang himself, the best way was to pretend to be dizzy and get away with it.

So, she clutched her chest and lay down dead.

Bai Zhi lay on the bed and sighed, pretending to be dizzy was boring, why not take a nap.So she relaxed her whole body and had the right to take a nap.

Waking up from a nap, the first thing Bai Zhi saw was Bai Shao.

"Sister?" Bai Zhi asked in surprise.

Bai Shao sat by the bed, looked at her carefully: "What do you mean by throwing yourself into the lake today?"

"Oh, my sister misunderstood. I didn't throw myself into the lake today, but went into the water to fish for something. I didn't expect the bottom of my foot to slip. It almost became a tragedy. Fortunately, I was rescued in time. Now there is no serious problem. Thank you sister for your concern."

Obviously, Bai Shao doesn't care about her health at all, only her purpose.

After hearing what Bai Zhi said, Bai Shao didn't know why, so she left consciously: "Since my sister is fine, my sister can rest assured, you can rest."

"Let's go, sister, don't send me off." Bai Zhi replied with a smile.

When Bai Shao leaves, Bai Zhi secretly sighs, Bai Shao is indeed a smart woman, although Bai Shao is suspicious of her, but she will use her actions to make Bai Shao change.She really wanted to draw a clear line with Mu Tusu, even half a copper coin was fine.

Bai Shao leaves with her front foot, Qing He enters the house with her back foot, and brings Bai Zhi a bowl of soup.Bai Zhi took the soup, looked at the ginseng slices floating on it, and couldn't help being stunned.Although the Bai family is considered a big family in Sioux City, ginseng slices are rare in the remote Sioux City. Even if the Bai family had them, Bai Zhi believed that Bai Yuan would not be willing to give them to her.

Seeing that Bai Zhi was staring at the celadon bowl in a daze, Qing He curled her lips: "The prince asked the kitchen to make it. A bowl of ginseng soup wants to send us away, so what's the matter?" Obviously, Qing He was extremely concerned about the prince's refusal to marry him. Dissatisfied, so I also hate Shizi.

Bai Zhi learned that the ginseng soup was made by the prince, so it is even more inappropriate to drink it.

She handed the celadon bowl back to Qing He: "Whoever brought it to you, you can return it to him, and then said that I would get a rash after drinking ginseng soup, so I apologize."

Qing He didn't persuade her, she seemed to be very supportive of Bai Zhi's actions, took the celadon bowl and left.Bai Zhi wanted to get up and wash up, when Qing He yelled at the door: "Oh, I'm sorry...ah, my lord."

Is Mutusu here?Bai Zhi froze for a moment, obviously not prepared for his arrival.

She heard Mutusu's low voice from the door: "It's okay, you go down first." Then came the sound of footsteps.

Bai Zhi immediately retreated to the bed, and seeing Mu Tusu was already in her field of vision, she pretended to get up with difficulty: "Senior..." She thought that Shizi would definitely stop her from doing "difficult movements", but unexpectedly, he quietly Standing quietly by the bed, silently watching her complete this series of actions.

Bai Zhi cursed inwardly, do people who are offended don't know how to pity and cherish jade?
Bai Zhi successfully completed the movements and sat up, but she didn't intend to get up, she explained to Mu Tusu: "Bai Zhi's clothes are not neatly arranged, I'm afraid I won't be able to get up."

Mu Tusu asked: "What are you doing in the water today?"

"Oh, something fell into the water, go into the water to get it."

"Really?" Mutusuwu smiled to himself, sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her with burning eyes, "Master Bai came to look for me just now."

Bai Zhi shuddered all over.

"He asked me to think about it again, saying that the eldest lady of the Bai family couldn't do without me. She couldn't help but commit suicide over and over again. Mrs. Bai is eager to love her daughter. It can be said that she begged me with snot and tears, making it difficult for me."

Bai Zhi pursed her lips firmly, and said in a hoarse voice after a long while: "My father has great plans in his heart and always wanted to serve the country loyally, but he ended up in this poor and remote place, where he is useless."

These words are already very clear, the reason why Bai Yuan did not let Mu Tusu go is not for the sake of his daughter, but for his own career.Everything she did was forced and helpless.From Bai Yuan's point of view, as Prince Gong's in-laws, there is hope in becoming an official in Beijing.

The general meaning is to warn Mu Tusu not to think too much.

"That's it..." There was a flash of disappointment in Mutusu's eyes.

"Bai Zhi wants to ask the prince one more thing."

"What bargaining chip do you have to guarantee that I will respond to my request?" Mu Tusu had a sarcastic smile on his lips.

Bai Zhi has nothing to say.She has no leverage.

Mu Tusu got up and wanted to leave.

Bai Zhi was in a hurry, and shouted in a hoarse voice: "My son, my father has always been upright, and he never asked for food. The son does not need to sympathize with my father for giving him a Beijing official. My father can achieve his wish by himself."

Mu Tusu didn't turn his head, but said: "Miss Bai is thinking too much, I am not a kind person, I will not help others at will, especially those who have nothing to do with me."

After all, he left without looking back.

Bai Zhi knew Mu Tusu well, since he said so, he wouldn't do it.Everything is going very well, I hope you can get through this hurdle safely.

As if the heavens heard Bai Zhi's prayer, Princess Gong, who originally planned to live in Sucheng for half a year, received the news that Prince Gong was ill. Without a word, she immediately packed her luggage and wanted to return to Beijing.

Everyone in the Bai family came to have a farewell party.

There was a carriage parked at the gate of the White Mansion.

Princess Gong said politely to Bai Yuan: "These days, thanks to Master Bai's care, it is really troublesome."

"Princess, you are polite." Bai Yuan bowed.

Princess Gong turned her eyes to Bai Zhi naturally, sighed, hesitated to speak, and went straight into the carriage.Mu Tusu who was standing beside him couldn't help but look back at Bai Zhi before getting on his horse, his eyes were deep and blurred, Bai Zhi couldn't see what he was thinking.

She thought he would leave quietly, but unexpectedly he said one last sentence: "I don't blame you."

"..." What does this mean?
Everyone in the White House was stunned, and the onlookers began to talk about it.

Bai Zhi's face was pale, and she watched Mu Tusu get into the carriage with an unpredictable smile.At that moment, Bai Zhi wanted to get into the carriage and tear Mu Tusu into pieces.Before he left, he could talk more nonsense, why just leave a word that makes people think?
Don't blame her for what?Don't blame her for not wanting him?Don't blame her for begging him to refuse marriage?These are all her own speculations, what other people know is: the eldest son proposes a marriage, but suddenly withdraws the engagement on his own, for unknown reasons.

Now if he doesn't blame her, he puts all the responsibility on her.Bai Zhi couldn't help wiping away the sweat in her heart as to what extent those obscene people would think.

After Mu Tusu left, Bai Zhi was immediately invited to the hall by Bai Yuan.In the hall stood the worried Liu family, Er Niang with a very regretful look on her face, Bai Shao who didn't understand, Qing He who was about to cry, and several important servants and nuns in the White House.

Bai Zhi thought, it's over, the collective thinking is wrong.

Qing He knelt on the ground, sobbing nonstop.Bai Yuan slapped the table with his palm, Qing He trembled with fright, and stopped sobbing.Bai Yuan was furious: "Tell me, who is Miss' adulterer?"

When Bai Zhi heard this, she felt a dull pain in her chest, as expected.

"Qing He doesn't know, Qing He doesn't know anything. The young lady always goes out with Sister Qiu Chan, and rarely takes Qing He with her." Qing He shrinks her body, trembling all over, obviously frightened.

Bai Zhi wailed in her heart, why did she say such a thing, what would make others think about it!Although this is really bigger than pearls.

Bai Yuan shifted his sharp eyes to Bai Zhi: "Take it seriously."

Bai Zhi held her head high: "The one who cleans up cleans himself."

"Then why did the son suddenly refuse the marriage? And why did he say he didn't blame you?"

Bai Zhi had long thought that Bai Yuan would ask such a question, and had already thought of a countermeasure.She shook the handkerchief in her sleeve, pinched her thigh secretly, she burst into tears, took the handkerchief to wipe it, and said with a choked voice: "Your Majesty invited me to go boating in the lake, I was happy to agree, but unexpectedly, Met a little red flower by chance."

"Little Red Flower? The top card of Lichun Courtyard?" A young servant said excitedly regardless of the situation, and then realized that Bai Yuan was staring at him, knowing that he had said something wrong, so he consciously shut up.

Bai Zhi continued: "Little Honghua is so beautiful, the prince's eyes are full of love, and he went straight to her regardless of me. Xiaohonghua knew that he was the prince, and deliberately concealed that she was a brothel girl, pretending to be shy, and the two hit it off. Qingqing, me, me. I was so angry that I couldn't bear it anymore, so I slapped her across the face and pushed her into the lake. The son wanted to hold her, but unexpectedly fell into the water. The son doesn't understand water, and almost drowned."

The crowd was in an uproar.Bai Yuan frowned: "Continue."

"Fortunately, a passer-by rescued them, and the two of them survived. The son thought I was rude, hot-tempered, and vexatious, and bluntly said that he wanted to refuse the marriage. I was so angry that I contradicted him a few words and said some nasty words. In the public, Let him lose all face." Bai Zhi showed a regretful look, "I regret it so much, I should not show my true nature until after the big wedding, it really shouldn't be."

Everyone felt sorry for Bai Zhi, why did she reveal her true nature so early?

Bai Yuan has nothing to say, he has long been used to the temperament of his son and daughter.But he is from the capital, he is a person who is knowledgeable and reasonable, Bai Zhi's temperament will definitely not be able to handle it, and the other party's divorce is also a matter of course.

It turned out that what Shizi said "don't blame you" was not to blame her for being ignorant of dignity, being unreasonable to him, and making him lose face.

Bai Yuan sighed, and his tone was not as aggressive as before: "Forget it, there is no fate, it seems that my life is gone."

Erniang comforted gently: "Master, it's all about man's efforts, you can't rely on relationships, you can work hard on your own, the emperor's grace is great, the emperor will see it."

Look, Erniang's mouth is very clever, while Liu's is holding a Buddhist bead, chanting brokenly in her mouth, I don't know whether it is "Diamond Sutra" or "Yi Jin Jing"!
"Let's go." Bai Yuan staggered away.

At that moment, Bai Zhi felt that Bai Yuan was getting old.As a daughter, she should be the icing on the cake for her father, not hinder him.But when I thought about the dream, Bai Yuan was promoted to be an official in the capital, and he only took his second mother and younger brother to the capital, leaving his mother, her and Bai Shao to stay in the old house. If you lose your life, you won't feel good in your heart.

She didn't want this to happen, so she had to feel sorry for her father.

Back in the room, Bai Zhi was sullen.She didn't know the purpose of Mu Tusu's last words, was it to take revenge on her, or to tease her?Seeing Bai Zhi's angry appearance, Qing He stood far away, not daring to approach, for fear that Bai Zhi would take his anger out on her.

Bai Zhi glanced at her, and blamed: "From now on, it's fine to be a dumb person, but to be an honest person, you will suffer."

Qing He nodded in agreement, and then seemed hesitant to speak.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

Qing He hesitated for a while, then took out a letter from her sleeve, and handed it to Bai Zhi: "This is what Shizi ordered me to give to Miss after he left."

Bai Zhi glanced at the envelope, there was a vigorous and powerful word "Bai Zhi" written on it.She knew his handwriting, his handwriting.

She opened the letter, read it for a while, covered her chest, rolled her eyes, and almost fainted.Fortunately, Qing He supported her in time: "Miss, what's wrong?"

Bai Zhi held the letter tremblingly.

The letter said: Tu Su didn't know who Miss Bai liked, and he asked all the people in the Bai family, but they didn't know, so he thought, the person Miss Bai likes must not be accepted by Mrs. Bai. , Lord Bai will definitely accept it.You are welcome, it is a farewell gift.

He deliberately said that he didn't blame her, but wanted to warn everyone present that she had cuckolded him, so he broke off the engagement.Then everyone was like her father, the first thing they thought of was having an adulterer.

What Mutusu meant was to leave her alone and become an old girl, and then her so-called sweetheart who came out to want her, Bai Yuan would definitely marry her happily, and he wouldn't care if this branch was missing an arm or a leg. , Brainless idiot!

This method is certainly good, but her sweetheart... can't make a trick.

This is really superfluous, adding to the chaos.

(End of this chapter)