Marriage Depends on Fate

Bai Mo felt sick at the sight of Bai Yuanshuang's affected manner, but she let none of it show. Instead, she gazed pleadingly at her uncle, looking like a poor little victim.

Bai Jingyao gave a cold snort when he heard that.

What was wrong with Bai Yuanshuang? Who was she trying to intimidate by bringing up a princess?

"Neither of them is married, and marriage depends on fate. No matter how many women are interested in the Shen family's young master, as long as our Bai family does its own duty, how could we possibly give offense?

"Besides, what's wrong with our Momo? Back then, there was no shortage of princes and nobles who wanted to marry your aunt, but she and I loved each other. That's how we came to be the devoted couple we are today. You have to fight for a good life yourself. Shuang'er, if you say anything like that again, don't blame me for being rude."

Seeing that Bai Jingyao had spared her no dignity, Bai Yuanshuang turned pale. She lowered her head and said nothing more.

Madam Chen had no choice but to smooth things over for his daughter. In a mournful voice, he said, "Shuang'er meant well. She was only thinking of the Residence of the Earl Who Protects the State. Please don't misunderstand her, Elder Brother."

"Who misunderstood her? What's wrong with our Momo having a good eye and wanting to better herself?"

Bai Jingyao couldn't be bothered wasting words on Madam Chen. Changing the subject, he said to Bai Peilan, "By the way, who's been managing the dowry Momo's father brought when he married? Bring me the inventory. Since I'm here today, I'll help Momo sort it out. Your elder brother-in-law's bridal procession stretched for ten li in a sea of red; Momo surely couldn't sort it all out on her own. Some of those things might come in handy when she goes to the Shen residence to propose."

Bai Peilan hurriedly looked at Madam Chen, appearing to hesitate over what to say.

One look was enough for Bai Jingyao to understand.

"Oh, so Madam Chen has been managing it? That's fine. Let's eat first. After the meal, go sort everything out and have it moved to Momo's courtyard. I'll check it against the inventory."

Madam Chen was somewhat uneasy. "Momo was young, so my wife entrusted me with managing Elder Brother's dowry... My father, who lives in my courtyard, and the residence's stewards have supervised the accounts together, so you can rest assured, Elder Brother. It's just that Momo's expenses have been high in recent years, and checking the accounts won't be so quick. If you want them brought over today, I'm afraid..."

Madam Chen's lips turned pale. He hadn't expected Bai Jingyao to raise the matter of the dowry in front of everyone, and he could only agree for now. But getting him to cough up so many fine things would be difficult!

"Uncle Fu."

Bai Jingyao called to the old servant waiting behind him.

"At your service."

"Since my brother-in-law says so, you and Qingliu will stay at the Residence of the Earl Who Protects the State and help account for every item in the dowry. The proposal is pressing, so everything must be handed over as soon as possible. Otherwise, I'll hold you responsible."

Uncle Fu understood and promptly agreed.

Bai Mo found it amusing. She had little concept of money, but she had to get back every last thing that belonged to the original owner.

She wasn't a philanthropist!!

"Thank you for caring for me, Uncle. Thank you for standing up for me."

Bai Mo looked like a petty person flushed with success, and the sight made Madam Chen's heart ache.

"I'm hungry. Let's eat first."

Seeing the matter settled, Bai Peilan glanced at her elder brother and shrank back, a little cowed. She hurriedly followed Bai Mo's lead and told Madam Chen to serve the meal.

"Yes, yes. Husband, tell the servants to bring out the dishes."

Seeing how muddleheaded his younger sister was, Bai Jingyao could only shake his head. Fortunately, she at least doted on her daughter. Otherwise, who knew what Momo might have been put through in this residence?

The family feast was fairly lavish. Aside from that little episode, everyone felt quite at home that day.

After the meal, the elders carefully made arrangements for each part of the proposal and the things needed for it. Then Bai Jingyao and his wife took their leave.

After returning to her room and washing up, Bai Mo began circulating her supernatural ability to heal her body. She felt that although her body hadn't improved dramatically over the past month or so, it had recovered enough that there were no major problems left. Shen Qing's treatment had also ended, so she wanted to try a bottle of ordinary intermediate potion.

After downing a bottle of intermediate potion, she circulated her supernatural ability. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

Early the next morning, Bai Mo woke once again amid an overpowering stench.

The sheer amount of impurities expelled was outrageous.

"Xiaohan, hurry and bring me water."

Hearing Bai Mo's urgent shout, Lichun immediately pushed the door open and came in, with Xiaohan close behind her.

"Ugh!" Bai Mo heard the maids gagging, and her face went black as charcoal.

"Eldest Miss, what's that smell? Why does it stink so badly? Did you poop in the bed?" Pinching her nose, Lichun rushed in and opened every window.

Xiaohan had some experience with this. She hurriedly said, "I'll go fetch water."

Then she ran off!!

Only after washing in four whole tubs of water did Bai Mo crawl out.

Yes, she crawled out. She had scrubbed herself to exhaustion, and the skin had peeled off her hands from soaking. She had been far too filthy.

This body had already undergone one cleansing of its meridians and marrow. Bai Mo hadn't expected it to expel so many more impurities, and she felt helpless.

When she had finished getting ready, the maids all stared wide-eyed.

"Wow, Eldest Miss, did you eat some kind of immortal pill? We haven't seen you for one night, and it's as if you've shed your mortal body and been reborn. You're as beautiful as a handsome man."

Xiaohan exclaimed, stars in her eyes.

"If Eldest Miss were a man, I don't think I'd be able to control myself. Hehehe."

Lichun even stroked Bai Mo's little hand, a lecherous grin on her face.

"Shoo, shoo, get away..." Bai Mo shook off Lichun's hand in disgust. The maid looked perfectly respectable, so why was she so sleazy?

Lixia came in at that moment and said, "Eldest Miss, Second Miss said Princess Ping'an is returning to the capital the day after tomorrow and is holding a flower-viewing poetry gathering. She received an invitation and asked if you wanted to go."

"Princess Ping'an?"

"Yes, the invitation came from Princess Ping'an's Residence."

"Of course I'm going. Tell Bai Yuanshuang I'll go with her."

Bai Mo naturally knew Bai Yuanshuang meant no good, but Princess Ping'an had been the most deeply hidden figure of all in her previous life. How could she pass up a chance to meet her?

"Then I'll go give Second Miss your reply."

Seeing this, Xiaohan said thoughtlessly, "Eldest Miss, why didn't you get an invitation when Second Miss did?"

Bai Mo: "..."

Lichun couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

!!!

"Your miss just hasn't made much of a name for herself yet. Later, later I'll definitely get more invitations than I can fit..."

Bai Mo could only talk her way out of the awkwardness herself.

Lichun suddenly remembered something. She took out a letter and handed it to Bai Mo. "Eldest Miss, you had your imperial examination yesterday, and I kept forgetting about this letter. A young master named Yun Wu gave it to me on the day I returned to the capital."

Yun Wu?

"Why do you have a letter from Yun Wu?" Bai Mo was thoroughly puzzled.

"My home is in Green Mountain Village in Mountain Forest Town, outside the city. I passed through Mountain Forest Town on my way back to the capital that day and saw this young master being bullied, so I helped him. But the person bullying him was also a young master from a wealthy family. Hehe, so I invoked the Residence of the Earl Who Protects the State to intimidate her.

"When Young Master Yunwu learned that I was your maid, he asked me to bring you a letter. He already had it tucked inside his robes, and it was meant for you in the first place. What a coincidence, don't you think?"

Bai Mo frowned after hearing her out and unfolded the letter.

For Bai Mo's personal attention:

Thank you, Eldest Miss Bai, for saving me time and again.

My mother has passed away, and this ginseng root was never used. I already owe you a great deal, and this item is too valuable for me to keep, so I wish to return it to you. Once I have taken care of my mother's funeral, I will come to the capital.

My status is humble, and I fear I may not be able to enter the Bai residence. I hope you can come and collect it when I call on you.

Yun Wu.