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

Chapter 162 How can an existing marriage agreement be denied?

Cui nodded and secretly put the token she was about to take out back into her sleeve.

However, she didn't plan to leave; she wanted to stay and support her daughter-in-law.

Hai Shengyang didn't notice Cui's actions; her gaze was drawn to Bai Wanqing.

This was her first time meeting Bai Wanqing, and she was surprised to find that Bai Wanqing was nothing like the rumors described. She was poised, elegant, and aloof, with an air of detachment.

Isn't she much prettier than Liu Feifei? How could Meng Zhan be willing to give her up!

After examining her closely, Hai Shengyang withdrew his gaze and said with a smile, "Madam Lin, when do you think would be a good time for me to begin my training?"

Bai Wanqing chuckled lightly, "Miss Hai, has no one ever agreed to you joining the Lin family?"

"So where did this talk of when to enter come from?"

Hai Shengyang laughed heartily, "I never imagined that not only did Old Madam Lin disregard Madam Bai and Miss Bai, but Madam Lin herself has never cared about her own family either!"

Hai Shengyang specifically emphasized Madam Bai, hoping to make Bai Wanqing think things through.

But Bai Wanqing smiled faintly, "Miss Hai, you misunderstand. I have never wanted to prevent you from joining the Lin family!"

Hai Shengyang raised an eyebrow. "So, you're saying you're willing?"

Bai Wanqing nodded slightly, "I am willing, but some people disagree. If some people disagree, then Miss Hai, you will not be able to enter the Lin family."

Hai Shengyang turned to look at Cui Shi, and after a moment's thought, asked, "Is it Lord Lin Yunche who disagrees?"

Bai Wanqing shook her head slightly, "That's not the case."

"Who is that?" Hai Shengyang was clearly losing patience. "Bai Wanqing, are you playing me for a fool?"

"Absolutely not!" Bai Wanqing said innocently. "Since Miss Hai is so eager to know, we'll invite her in!"

Hai Shengyang looked at Bai Wanqing suspiciously, and she snorted, "Then I'll have to trouble Madam Lin."

Bai Wanqing turned around and said a few words to Ruixin, and then Ruixin left.

A short while later, a woman in her forties, dressed in brocade, followed Ruixin in.

This woman possessed an extraordinary air about her; had it not been for the fact that her clothes were somewhat faded, no one would have noticed that she was in a predicament.

Even though the brocade was no longer beautiful and the headdress was no longer exquisite, the lady's demeanor remained dignified and elegant. She greeted Cui Shi appropriately after entering the room.

Hai Shengyang knew that this lady's identity was probably not simple.

"Mrs. Lin, who is this?" Hai Shengyang asked impatiently.

Bai Wanqing stood up, bowed to the lady, and turned to Hai Shengyang, saying, "Miss Hai, this is the eldest wife of the Wu family in Quanzhou. Do you remember her?"

Madam Wu? Quanzhou? Hai Shengyang seemed to vaguely recognize the title, but she couldn't recall what it meant. What was her relationship with this Madam Wu?
Madam Wu could tell from Hai Shengyang's expression that he didn't remember the Wu family.

Without wasting any words, Madam Wu took out a silver scroll from her bosom.

"Miss Hai, you may not remember me as a person, but you can't forget this marriage certificate!"

Madam Wu handed the marriage certificate to Hai Shengyang, and Hai Shengyang's vision went black.
The birth date and time, along with her name, on this document are indeed her marriage certificate.
But she remembered that her engagement had been called off, hadn't it? Her mother had gone to cancel it herself. Why hadn't they taken the marriage certificate back?
“Madam Wu, our marriage was called off long ago. What do you mean by bringing out this marriage certificate now?” Hai Shengyang’s expression was rather unpleasant.

Because at this moment, those deep memories that she had long forgotten resurfaced.

The Wu family, the Wu family of Quanzhou. If her childhood memories are correct, the Hai family received a lot of help from the Wu family back then. It can be said that the Hai family has achieved what it has today, and the Wu family patriarch deserves half the credit.

But my mother said that the Wu family had already begun to decline a few years ago, supposedly because they offended the Prince of Huai. Offended the Prince of Huai! What good is it if the sons of the Wu family are talented!
The Wu family will never have a chance to turn things around again. How could Hai Shengyang marry into such a family?

She cried for a long time, and Madam Hai couldn't bear to see her like that, so she took the marriage certificate to Quanzhou and called off the marriage.

But now the Wu family has reappeared with the marriage certificate. How could this be?!
"Annulment of engagement?" Madam Wu smirked. "Miss Hai, you're quite the joker. This marriage certificate clearly states that when did our Wu family annul the engagement with your Hai family?"

The engagement wasn't called off? Hai Shengyang's head was buzzing.

"Miss Hai, since you are already engaged, why are you now asking to become a concubine in my Lin family?"

"If our Lin family were to accept you, wouldn't that be against our principles?"

Madam Cui was in a great mood. She looked at her daughter-in-law with admiration, not expecting her to be so quick to uncover Hai Shengyang's marriage plans.

If word gets out that a woman who is already engaged is seeking another marriage, not only will Hai Shengyang be impeached, but even Lord Hai himself will be impeached.

Hai Shengyang wanted to say no, but the marriage certificate was right there.

Even when they arrived before the Emperor, the Hai family ignored them.

"Madam Lin, Madam Lin, this matter was indeed an oversight on the part of the Hai family."

"Our Hai family originally thought the marriage was called off, but unexpectedly it wasn't. It seems there must be some misunderstanding."

"It was Hai Shengyang who was abrupt."

Hai Shengyang changed his previous arrogant attitude and softened his tone of voice.

Bai Wanqing remained expressionless and said calmly, "This was originally a family matter for Miss Hai, and we shouldn't have interfered. But in order to get into the Lin family, Miss Hai directly had my family members arrested and imprisoned." "I'm afraid this matter is no longer just Miss Hai's family matter."

Bai Wanqing spoke tactfully, neither servile nor arrogant.

"Madam Lin is joking. Madam Bai and Miss Bai were imprisoned for assaulting officials' wives. These are clearly two separate matters and should not be confused." Hai Shengyang still did not want to let this opportunity slip by.

She wanted to deal with Madam Wu first before retaliating against the Bai family, so she was unwilling to give in easily at this moment.

"Oh? Since Miss Hai puts it that way, Madam Wu, why don't we go to the court together to discuss this?"

"Let's talk about the Wu family's marriage first, and then about the Bai family's beating of the official's wife?"

Madam Wu nodded slightly, "Very well! Now that the Wu family has a marriage certificate, if we also get the government's approval, the marriage is considered secure."

"Miss Hai, we should sit down properly and set the wedding date as soon as possible."

Hai Shengyang glared angrily at Madam Wu, but quickly concealed his true feelings with a fake smile.

"Madam Wu, Madam Lin, what are you saying!"

"It's just a small matter! Why does it have to be taken to court?"

"I will tell Lord Meng to release the man right now," Hai Shengyang instructed Chunru to invite Lord Meng over.

Meng Zhan was still a bit dazed when he arrived. Shouldn't things have escalated to the courtroom by now?

Why did Miss Hai call me back?
As soon as Meng Zhan entered the courtyard, he saw Bai Wanqing sitting quietly inside the house.

She's here! No wonder, Hai Shengyang made such a scene just to get into the Lin family.

Now that Bai Wanqing has agreed to let her in, it's certain that things won't escalate to the point of going to court.

As soon as Meng Zhan entered the room, he heard Hai Shengyang's instructions: "Lord Meng, there was just a misunderstanding between Madam Bai and Miss Bai before."

"Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, why don't you release the person?"

Meng Zhan had already guessed this, so he wasn't surprised by the result.

He simply asked to confirm, "Miss Hai, are you sure? It would be unacceptable to go back on your word afterward."

Hai Shengyang emphasized, "Since it's all a misunderstanding, we naturally won't go back on our word!"

"Please, Lord Meng, release them!"

Meng Zhan looked around and his gaze settled on Bai Wanqing. Bai Wanqing raised her eyes slightly and smiled at Meng Zhan, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Meng."

Meng Zhan then spoke up, "Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, I will have them released."

Meng Zhan glanced at Bai Wanqing and nodded slightly, then turned and went to the yamen to release the people.

Hai Shengyang watched Meng Zhan's actions with great interest. She knew that it was impossible for Bai Wanqing and Meng Zhan to break up so easily!

Bai Wanqing definitely can't let go of Meng Zhan!
Unfortunately, she is now held back by the Wu family. Otherwise, if she had entered the Lin family, what would have become of Bai Wanqing?
Bai Wanqing frowned slightly at Meng Zhan's overtures, but only for a moment.

Hai Shengyang kept Madam Wu to talk, while Bai Wanqing and Madam Cui were sent out first.

Holding Bai Wanqing's hand, Cui asked, "Won't Madam Wu agree to break off the engagement with Hai Shengyang anytime soon?"

In that case, Hai Shengyang will probably entangle himself with the Lin family again.

Bai Wanqing shook her head, "No, Madam Wu and I have already made an agreement that she will keep Hai Shengyang in check for a year."

"If Hai Shengyang hasn't given up after a year, he probably won't be able to wait that long."

"Is Madam Wu willing to help us?" Madam Cui then asked.

Bai Wanqing smiled and said, "She's helping us, but she's also helping herself!"

Cui didn't understand, but since Bai Wanqing said it was okay, she didn't ask any further.

"Wanqing, let's go to the prison now!" Cui said after getting into the carriage with Wanqing.

"Mother, I can go to the prison myself, you don't need to go to a place like that!" Bai Wanqing wanted to send Cui back first.

Cui blinked and said, "I have to go. Although this matter is not directly related to our Lin family, Hai Shengyang is targeting our Lin family."

“It was my in-laws who stood up for me, so I have to go and see them.”

"It would be good to make the Chen family feel better!"

"But, Mother."

“I know! They want to take advantage of the Lin family’s power. I know your concerns, but I know what I’m doing.”

“You know your limits, and we both know our limits, so naturally nothing will go wrong.”

Bai Wanqing had no choice but to nod in agreement after hearing what Cui said.

(End of this chapter)