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

Chapter 12 Reputation
Uncle Liu stepped forward and explained his purpose, but the woman only glanced at the things Bai Wanqing and the others had brought before she started to make a fuss.

"My God, my son died so tragically, and he's only worth this little bit of money?" The woman glanced at Bai Wanqing behind her. She could tell that Bai Wanqing was definitely a wealthy young lady who was not short of money at all.

Liu Bo noticed that the woman opposite him not only showed no sadness, but also seemed to care that the money was too little.

“We are all very saddened by Bao Si’s death. In addition to these things, our boss also wants to express his condolences.”

So Liu Bo took out a hundred-tael silver note from his pocket and handed it to the woman.

One hundred taels? The woman had never seen so much money in her life, and she immediately burst out laughing.

"Not too much! Not too much! Thank you for your kindness, sir!" After receiving the money, the woman picked up her things and headed back to her house, completely ignoring the ashes of the deceased packaged in the box.

“Bao Si’s mother, this…” Uncle Liu pointed to Bao Si on the ground, the woman’s face showing great impatience.

"Just leave it here. When my husband comes back, he'll give Bao Si a proper burial!" The woman looked disgusted and wouldn't even touch the box.

Bai Wanqing finally understood why Bao Si had been sold. "Bao Si Niang, I think it might rain later. You should take Bao Si inside first, so he won't get wet in the rain."

The woman was somewhat embarrassed, but since the two wealthy men in front of her had given her money, she reluctantly agreed to move Bao Si back.

The arrival of a wealthy family's carriage in the village was already a novelty, and within a short time, it attracted some villagers to look around.

Seeing Bao Siniang's attitude, Bai Wanqing sighed deeply, "Let's go back, Uncle Liu."

Ruixin helped Bai Wanqing into the carriage, and the group began to head back. They hadn't gone far when the horses in the carriage suddenly got spooked and started running wildly.

Uncle Liu pulled hard on the reins and finally managed to bring the carriage to a stop.

"Uncle Liu, what happened?" Bai Wanqing and Ruixin were feeling dizzy from the jolting in the carriage.

"Someone threw stones at our horses!" Uncle Liu got out of the car to check on the horses. Fortunately, the horses were not injured, but were just a little frightened.

Bai Wanqing lifted the small curtain beside the carriage and saw what appeared to be a man's figure walking away from there. Bai Wanqing guessed that it might be the same person from before.

She didn't understand why this person had disturbed her horse, but in any case, it might not be safe for them to stay outside for too long.

"Uncle Liu, can the horse still run?" Bai Wanqing asked.

“They can run, they’ve been calmed down now, Miss, let’s hurry back!” Uncle Liu was also worried about encountering any accidents on the way, so after receiving Bai Wanqing’s affirmative reply, he quickly drove the carriage away.

After they left, a man emerged from behind a nearby mound.

He wore a long gray robe, carried a straw basket on his back, and gazed at the departing carriage with a chilling look in his eyes.

I never expected that this seemingly gentle and refined young lady from a wealthy family would actually be such a ruthless and vicious woman who mistreats her servants. I hope he never runs into her again.

When Bai Wanqing and the others returned to the Bai family, it was already quite late.

Normally, most of the Bai family members would be resting inside by this time, but today the front hall is bustling with activity, and the lights are still on.

Uncle Liu noticed two carriages next to the Bai family's gate, indicating that someone had come to visit.

“Miss, if you’re tired, let’s go in through the back door,” Uncle Liu said considerately.

Bai Wanqing also felt that this was better; she had just returned to the Bai family, so it was better to avoid trouble.

"Uncle Liu, let's go through the back door." Uncle Liu pulled the carriage to the back door of the Bai family, but found that the back door was locked.

Uncle Liu knocked a few times, and a childish voice came from inside, "You shameless divorced woman, you've only just returned and you've already dragged my sister down with you! I won't allow you to come back! Get out! Get out!"

Liu Bo and Bai Wanqing immediately recognized the voice; it was Bai Chengnan.

Uncle Liu knew it was his young master, so he didn't dare to force him. He spoke gently and kindly, "Young master, I am Butler Liu. Please open the door first, and let us in to talk!"

Bai Chengnan, however, was unconvinced. "Butler Liu, you've betrayed us! You're always siding with that divorced woman. I think you should just stay out of here, so as not to hurt my sister."

Uncle Liu was somewhat embarrassed. Seeing this, Bai Wanqing stepped forward and asked, "Second brother, you keep saying I offended your sister. Tell me, how did I offend your sister?"

Bai Chengnan said angrily, "Because of you, my second sister's fiancé has come to the door to say he wants to break off the engagement. My second sister is crying her eyes out in her room right now, and you still say it wasn't your fault!"

Bai Wanqing was stunned. Just yesterday they were talking about the Zhang family's son, and today they actually came to break off the engagement.

Bai Wanqing thought for a moment and decided to go inside the main hall to take a look.

Uncle Liu advised her, "Miss, let the master and madam handle this marriage matter. It would be inappropriate for us to rush in like this."

Bai Wanqing knew this, but now that the other party had come to break off the engagement, and it was because of her, she had to go and see what was going on.

Bai Wanqing circled back to the front door and entered the main hall, just in time to hear the Zhang family patriarch speaking in the hall.

"Master Bai, you don't need to say anything more. Let's just call off this marriage."

The patriarch of the Zhang family sat upright with his second son, their attitude quite forceful.

Bai Chenming sat at the table with a smile on his face, "Master Zhang, how could someone as shrewd as you believe these rumors? None of them are true."

“Brother Bai, you’re wrong. Nothing comes from nowhere. Since someone says your Bai family’s daughter is unfilial, and since she has this reputation, how dare our Zhang family take her back?”

"If it were truly my Qing'er who was unfilial, do you think the Meng family would agree to a divorce? Better to tear down a temple than to break up a marriage, Master Zhang, please think it over carefully?"

The patriarch of the Zhang family waved his hand and said, "Let's leave it at that. Tomorrow we will send someone to take back the betrothal gifts we gave, and also return the tokens the two children exchanged. Let's call this engagement off."

After saying that, Master Zhang led his second son outside, and they ran into Zhang Wanqing standing at the door.

Young Master Zhang glanced at Bai Wanqing, curled his lip in disdain, and then left the Bai family with his father.

Inside the house, Madam Chen could no longer contain herself. Pointing at Bai Chenming's nose, she cursed, "It's all your fault! You insisted that she was a daughter of the Bai family!"

"Now look what's happened. You brought her back, and my Furong has been jilted. Qinglian doesn't even have a chance to arrange a marriage anymore. You know, the families that were interested in marrying into our family before are now avoiding us like the plague."

"You've brought back a daughter who isn't from the Bai family at all; she's a complete jinx."

Bai Wanqing felt uneasy listening to these words, but she found it strange that although divorce was rare among women during this period, it was not unheard of.

What exactly is the rumor that Zhang Jia just mentioned?
Bai Wanqing turned around and whispered a few words in Ruixin's ear, after which Ruixin turned to find Uncle Liu.

Bai Wanqing did not return directly to Qinzhu Garden, but went to Furong Garden where Furong lived. She saw Bai Qinglian there when she entered.

"Big sister, are you happy now?" Bai Qinglian patted the crying Bai Furong with one hand while glaring at Bai Wanqing.

(End of this chapter)