After being forced to leave the marriage, I became the wife of a top scholar.

Chapter 103 The Wedding (Part Two)

Bai Chenming was already sweating profusely with anxiety. When the Huang family finally let him in, he didn't care about his image anymore and practically ran to the main hall of the Huang family.

At this moment, Master Huang was also anxious and was pacing in the main hall. Upon hearing the footsteps outside, he went straight out to greet them.

Bai Chenming spotted Master Huang at a glance. Seeing him pacing around the room in his wedding attire, Bai Chenming grew even more anxious. Before he even arrived, his voice preceded his arrival.

"Oh dear, Master Huang! What time is it? You're all ready, so hurry up and come with me to fetch the bride!" Bai Chenming grabbed Master Huang's arm and pulled him out as soon as he entered the house, completely ignoring Madam Huang sitting inside.

"Yes, yes, yes! I'll go right away!" Master Huang immediately agreed, letting Bai Chenming pull him out. He couldn't wait to leave the Huang residence smoothly like this.

Just as the two were about to step out of the room, Madam Huang finally spoke up, "Master Bai, why are you in such a hurry to greet our master? Is there something you need?"

After Madam Huang finished speaking, she gave a wink to the servants beside her, and immediately some of the Huang family's servants blocked the two people's way.

Upon seeing this, Bai Chenming was first taken aback, then looked at the wealthy man Huang beside him. He saw that the wealthy man Huang was frantically winking at Master Bai, and Bai Chenming then understood what was going on.

Bai Chenming immediately put on a smiling face, turned around, and went towards Madam Huang. "So Madam Huang is here. I was too hasty and was rude. Please forgive me, Madam Huang!"

Madam Huang smiled and said, "Mr. Bai, you flatter me. I just don't know why you're in such a hurry?"

Bai Chenming looked slightly embarrassed. He quickly looked at Master Huang, but Master Huang turned his head away and didn't look at him at all.

Bai Chenming said politely, "Madam Huang, you really have a bad memory. Didn't we agree that today is the day my third daughter is getting married? She's already waiting at the Bai family home, just waiting for Master Huang to come and greet her."

When Mr. Huang heard Bai Chenming say this, he began to agree, "Yes! Madam, let's not keep Mr. Bai worried. If something goes wrong, people will laugh at both the Huang and Bai families."

Bai Chenming felt somewhat relieved to hear that Master Huang was on his side.

Madam Huang smiled slightly and then said, "Sir, is there some misunderstanding between you and Master Bai?"

"What kind of family would have the groom come to fetch a concubine? It's not like we're getting married. Such an irregular thing is surely not what Master Bai intended, is it?"

Upon hearing Madam Huang's words, Bai Chenming became furious and said, "Madam Huang, what are you saying? When Qinglian entered the family, we discussed these rules with Master Huang. They are all set by people. Since we had already discussed them with Master Huang, you can't just change your mind at the last minute, can you?"

Master Huang immediately nodded in agreement, “Yes! Madam, I had already promised Master Bai, so we can’t just change our minds at the last minute, or it would damage the harmony between our two families!”

Madam Huang glared at Master Huang, frowned slightly, and said, "Master Bai, it's not that I want to do this, but nowadays, taking a concubine and welcoming a new bride is really against the rules."

“I know you love your daughter dearly, but if this rule is broken, things will get chaotic. If news of favoring concubines over wives spreads in our Huang family, it will violate the family’s ancestral precepts! Master, if Master Bai doesn’t know, don’t you know?”

Master Huang fell silent. Just as the group was arguing, Madam Chen sent someone to urge them to leave.

Bai Chenming was now truly anxious. "Master Huang, just tell me, are you still going to welcome the bride or not?"

Master Huang did not answer, but looked anxiously at Madam Huang. Madam Huang knew that the time was almost up, and said, "Master Bai, you just want my husband to go and greet the guests, right? It's not impossible."

Upon hearing that Madam Huang had relented, Bai Chenming immediately stepped forward to pull Master Huang away.

“Mr. Bai, please don’t be in such a hurry. We still need to discuss the terms,” Madam Huang said.

"Madam Huang, what are your conditions? Tell me quickly, or we'll really miss the auspicious time." Bai Chenming was secretly more afraid of missing the auspicious time for Bai Wanqing to leave, so he was really in a hurry.

Seeing this, Madam Huang stopped beating around the bush and said, "It's easy. All we need is for my master to promise that no matter what happens in the future, he will never elevate Bai Qinglian to the status of his principal wife, and to promise that Bai Qinglian will serve the mistress according to the rules, just like any other concubine."

Madam Huang's words were clearly not only meant for Mr. Huang, but also for Bai Chenming.

Bai Chenming was slightly taken aback, then immediately jumped up angrily and said, "Madam Huang, what kind of promise is this? This is simply slapping the face of our Bai family!"

Master Huang didn't dare to utter a sound.

Madam Huang laughed and said, "Master Bai, what are you saying? How can this be considered a slap in the face! Bai Qinglian was supposed to follow these rules when she entered the family as a concubine. Could it be that you sent your daughter into the Bai family so that she would compete for the position of the matriarch of the Huang family? Or do you want Bai Qinglian to be on equal footing with me, just like the matriarch of the Huang family?"

Madam Huang's words became increasingly sharp. Of course, she was neither deaf nor blind; she knew that Bai Qinglian had brought a large dowry from the Bai family.

She knew even better that after Bai Qinglian married into the Huang family, she would definitely not stay in one place. She would surely follow in the footsteps of her mother, Chen, and find an opportunity to take over the position of the matriarch and take control of the Huang family.

She naturally couldn't give Bai Qinglian such an opportunity.

Bai Chenming couldn't answer for a moment. He couldn't very well say that his daughter wanted to compete for the emperor's favor! Bai Chenming gritted his teeth, glanced at the clueless Master Huang standing to the side, and hardened his heart.

"Madam Huang, you are overthinking it. Even if my Bai family's daughter becomes a concubine, she will still abide by the rules."

"Since Madam Huang feels that this concubine is not suitable for marriage, then our Bai family will accept her."

After saying this, Bai Chenming clasped his hands in a fist salute, turned around, and walked out of the house. Master Huang glanced at Madam Huang, then followed him out. "Master Bai, Master Bai, I'm truly sorry about this. It was my oversight," Master Huang apologized with a smile.

This was the first time Bai Chenming had ever seen such a cowardly Master Huang. He was initially angry and didn't want to pay any attention to him, but when he thought of his third daughter waiting for him at home, he softened.

"Master Huang, Qinglian is still waiting at home, look."

Master Huang understood Bai Chenming's meaning. "Don't worry, Master Bai. Although I can't go, I can send someone."

"Don't worry, I will definitely not let Qinglian lose face."

Bai Chenming thought about it and realized that this was the only way. "Alright! Then Mr. Huang should make the arrangements as soon as possible."

After saying that, he led the Bai family back to the Bai residence immediately. Madam Chen was already waiting at the side gate. As soon as Bai Chenming returned, she asked, "Master, how did it go? When did Master Huang say he would come to pick us up?"

Bai Chenming shook his head. "He can't come."

"Can't come?" Madam Chen's eyes widened in shock. "What does Master Huang mean by this?!"

Chen unconsciously raised her voice, and Bai Chenming immediately covered her mouth, "Don't make a sound, aren't you ashamed?"

Bai Chenming briefly explained to Madam Chen what had happened at the Bai family.

Chen was so angry that she wanted to go to the Huang family to argue, but Bai Chenming stopped her, saying, "There are so many people waiting here, don't make a scene."

Chen wiped away her tears, feeling wronged. "Then let the Huang family bully our Lian'er like this."

"Master, how about we don't get married?"

Bai Chenming frowned and said, "Why wouldn't she marry him! After what happened, who else could she marry if not Master Huang?"

Bai Chenming was furious at the thought of this. "If you ask me, we should just do as the Huang family said and send someone to take Lian'er back. She brought this on herself."

Seeing Bai Chenming remind Chen of the outrageous things Bai Qinglian had done, Chen dared not say anything more.

The Bai family's courtyard was still full of guests who had come to show their support, so the couple had to return to the courtyard first to avoid the guests noticing anything. Anyway, the Huang family said they would send someone to pick them up, so they would just wait for now.

Soon, the streets were filled with the sounds of bustling activity.

The guests of the Bai family also heard the sound of gongs and drums, and Bai Qinglian, who was originally anxious, finally felt relieved.

The matchmaker, also inside the house, reassured her, "Don't worry, Miss, the wedding procession has arrived."

Bai Qinglian raised her eyebrows slightly, quite pleased with herself. She called Chun Tao over and asked, "How is it? Have all my dowry arrangements been made? When I go out later, make sure they all follow me closely."

Chun Tao nodded in response, "Don't worry, Miss, everything is ready. You'll be the most prestigious bride in Huai'an County in a moment."

Bai Qinglian nodded in satisfaction.

Hearing the sounds of music and drums, Chen and Bai Chenming were naturally relieved.

"It's good that Master Huang is thoughtful. Even if he didn't come to pick her up, he still gave Lian'er enough face," Bai Chenming said after a moment of reflection.

Chen was still dissatisfied, but at this point, there was no point in saying anything.

The Bai family's nephews and nieces, arranged by Master Bai, had already gone out to greet them with smiles. There were also uninvited neighbors who had come to join in the fun, asking for candy and money. At this moment, the entrance to the Bai family's residence was bustling with activity.

"Wow, look! This is quite a spectacle!" a neighbor exclaimed.

Another person scoffed, "Isn't that obvious? This is the Huang family, the richest family in Huai'an County. They're one of a kind."

"But he married a concubine, didn't he?" Some people praised him, while others criticized him.

“So what if she’s a concubine? Even if she’s a concubine in the Huang family, she’ll be set for life. Families like ours would be scrambling to get her.” A thin, dark-skinned old man said with bright, sparkling eyes.

"But I heard that the Bai family married off two daughters today, both as concubines?"

"No! The other one is the eldest daughter of the Bai family. She's a nice person, but unfortunately she married a poor man. She's going to have a tough time in the future."

The crowd was buzzing with discussion, but it was quickly drowned out by the lively wedding procession.

(End of this chapter)