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

Chapter 24: What brings you here too?
The next day, Bai Qinglian went to Chen's room early in the morning. She had dressed up carefully today, with pink butterfly hairpins, a pink fox fur coat, and pink lotus embroidered shoes. She looked radiant in pink, and Chen praised her repeatedly when she saw her.

"My Lian'er is always so beautiful!"

Bai Qinglian became even more proud after being praised by her mother, and her chin lifted even higher.

"Mother, let's hurry up and leave! It won't be good if we're late!" Bai Qinglian couldn't wait and pulled Chen Shi out the door.

Unexpectedly, they ran into Bai Wanqing, who was also heading out, and she was adjusting Furong's outer robe.

Bai Qinglian knew that Bai Wanqing was taking Bai Furong to the Hundred-Year-Old Pharmacy every day, so when she saw the two of them, she just snorted and got into the carriage.

Upon seeing Furong, Madam Chen asked, "Furong, would you like to come out with me today?"

Bai Qinglian naturally didn't want to bring Furong along, and she became anxious when her mother asked, "Mother, Second Sister is with Eldest Sister all day now, so please don't force her!"

She couldn't let the foolish Bai Furong follow her to the Du family and embarrass her.

At this moment, Bai Furong nodded obediently: "Mother, I have already made an appointment with my eldest sister to go out today, so I won't be going with you."

Seeing that Bai Furong said this, Madam Chen did not press the matter further. She then took a deep look at Bai Wanqing, who was tidying up Bai Furong's outer robe, and left.

Bai Wanqing and the others didn't linger for long. They boarded another carriage and headed towards the Du family's location.

Bai Furong noticed the food box Bai Wanqing was carrying. "Big sister, aren't we going to the clinic today?"

Bai Wanqing smiled and said, "We won't go today. How about I introduce you to a lady today, and we'll give her some pastries!"

As she spoke, Bai Wanqing handed Bai Furong a food box, instructing her to take it to Madam Du herself later. Bai Furong had been frequenting the clinic recently and had met Madam Du before. "Yes, yes! Furong understands! I will be careful when I play with my little brother Zhao'er later so that he doesn't get hurt."

Bai Wanqing was relieved to see that Furong was not resistant, but rather happy.

She ruined Furong's marriage, and she has been holding onto this matter in her heart ever since. Perhaps Madam Du can help Furong choose one or two good families.

She could then talk to Chen and her father, and perhaps Furong's marriage could be resolved.

On the other side, in the side hall of the Du family.

"Huan'er, there are many young ladies of marriageable age coming to our house today. Don't be as indifferent as you usually are. You might just meet one you like." Madam Du was really worried about this nephew.

She had introduced him to many daughters of officials before, but he didn't like any of them. So Madam Du had to turn her attention to the daughters of wealthy merchants. But the boy still didn't care and went to brothels every day.

Does that mean I'm going to marry a courtesan in the future? She would absolutely not allow that!
Du Huan was used to Madam Du organizing such banquets, and he didn't care. "I know, Aunt! I'll be careful. But I have to go to the front yard to pick up my friend now! I'll come to the back yard later."

Madam Du had no choice but to sigh helplessly.

Soon, the ladies and young women invited by Madam Du arrived one after another, and Madam Du invited them into the flower hall.

It's cold now, so I've prepared some hot tea and fruit drinks for everyone to try.

Bai Qinglian and Madam Chen arrived at this moment. When Madam Du saw them, she was taken aback. Why were they here?

She had been visiting the century-old medical clinic frequently lately and had gained some understanding of Bai Wanqing's current situation. She learned that Bai Wanqing and her stepmother did not have a good relationship.

Madam Du was full of doubt when her maid explained that one of the invitations had been sent directly to the Bai family. Only then did Madam Du understand what was going on.

Madam Du looked down on Chen, despised her for being a concubine who became a second wife, and even more so for her sordid intention to make Bai Wanqing a concubine. But since the person had already arrived, she couldn't very well have her kicked out.

Well, she was going to stand up for Bai Wanqing in person today anyway, so it's good that she's here.

"Madam Bai, you've arrived?" Madam Du's tone wasn't particularly warm, but it wasn't impolite either. However, Madam Du's behavior still made the other ladies notice something amiss; Madam Du didn't like these two.

The ladies who wanted to curry favor with Madam Du had already prepared their plans in their minds.

Madam Chen was unaware of these things. She smiled and nodded. Bai Qinglian also greeted Madam Du. The two were quite well-behaved. Madam Du offered them seats and had tea served, but she did not speak to them again from beginning to end.

Bai Qinglian couldn't see anything unusual about Madam Du. Her eyes darted around. Although the Du family was a merchant family like theirs, their place was obviously much more luxurious. The carvings on the ornaments and teacups were things she had never seen before.

She was slightly shocked, but she did not forget the purpose of her visit, so she silently observed her surroundings to see if there was any sign of Young Master Du.

But at that moment, one of the ladies spoke up.

"Madam Bai, I heard you're planning to get engaged to Master Huang? You're really willing to give up your daughter to be that old man's concubine!" The speaker was none other than Madam Zhang, who had broken off her engagement with Furong.

Chen's face stiffened.

Before she could speak, another tea merchant's wife said, "How can we not be willing? Don't you know that this young lady is not Madam Bai's daughter? She is the daughter of the first wife, Madam Kou. Since she is not one's own daughter, there is naturally no concern about her."

Ms. Chen was surprised that this matter would be brought up in public by these people, and her face was full of embarrassment, but she immediately put on a wronged expression.

"Sisters, you've misunderstood me!" Madam Chen quickly explained, "Qing'er was heartbroken for a long time after the divorce. Now she focuses all her attention on the clinic and no longer cares about her own marriage. She's heartbroken, and it breaks my heart to see her like this!"

“But she was heartbroken and didn’t take it to heart. As her mother, I naturally had to think more about her, which is why I arranged her marriage.”

Chen couldn't think of a good reason for a moment, but she couldn't remain silent either.

"Is arranging a marriage just sending your own daughter to be a concubine?" Madam Zhang found it amusing.

Madam Chen felt even more aggrieved, "Sister Zhang, don't you know better than I why? Otherwise, why did you make the Second Young Master break off the engagement with my Furong? You know, Furong is a simple and innocent girl, yet you still..."

Everyone present understood what Chen was saying. She was subtly implying that Bai Wanqing was not innocent, had a bad reputation, was unwanted by anyone, and had even dragged her sisters down with her.

Mrs. Zhang choked, her face turning somewhat pale.

Madam Du was naturally outraged. How could she allow Madam Chen to slander Bai Wanqing like this? But just as she was about to speak, a maid announced that Bai Wanqing's carriage had arrived.

She didn't say anything, but simply followed the maid to the door to greet them.

The ladies exchanged bewildered glances. Who was this person? Was he so important that Madam Du had to personally greet him at the door?

The area near the entrance was also quite lively.

As soon as Bai Wanqing got out of the carriage, she ran into Meng Zhan, who was also getting off the carriage.

Meng Zhan was taken aback at first, then his face turned cold.

"Why are you here too?" Meng Zhan's voice was deep. Bai Wanqing rarely interacted with other prominent families in the county, and her sudden appearance in this setting made him very uneasy.

Bai Furong was frightened by Meng Zhan's cold gaze and shrank back behind Bai Wanqing.

Bai Wanqing patted Furong's arm, ignoring him. Just then, Du Huan came out of the door. He glanced at Bai Wanqing, was taken aback, and then felt that he was being impolite. He bowed slightly and went to greet Meng Zhan.

"Brother Meng, you've finally arrived! I went to the Meng family to look for you a few days ago, but you were never there. You must have a couple more drinks today," Du Huan said warmly, putting his arm around Meng Zhan's shoulder.

Meng Zhan then withdrew his gaze. "Brother Du, I was wrong. I will definitely make amends with a drink later."

Du Huan pushed Meng Zhan into the Du family's gate, and they happened to pass by Bai Wanqing. He couldn't help but glance at her again, wondering which family this young lady belonged to.
(End of this chapter)