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

Chapter 36 The Beauty of Hibiscus

In the days that followed, Bai Qinglian indeed became much quieter, and she hardly ever went out.

Bai Wanqing ran back and forth between the century-old medical clinic and Bai Chenming's courtyard. After a period of recuperation, Bai Chenming's body had recovered completely, but a few more wrinkles had appeared on his face.

As for the rumors outside, Bai Chenming instructed Uncle Liu to keep an eye on things every day. Everyone is now watching the movements of the Bai and Huang families. Some people have even started a betting game, asking to guess whether the Bai family will marry off one or two daughters.

Bai Chenming was filled with resentment and made a ruthless decision. He thought, "What's wrong with letting Bai Qinglian stay in the Bai family for the rest of her life?"

After watching Bai Chenming drink the medicine, Bai Wanqing left her father's courtyard.

She went straight back to the courtyard, and a chill ran down her spine as she thought about what had happened in the past few days.

"Miss, do you think the Third Miss has really behaved herself? She won't harm you again, right?" Ruixin was worried for her young mistress when she learned about what happened that day.

Bai Wanqing picked up the medicine box on the table and said, "I'm afraid it won't be that easy!"

"But I've thought about it! Once my father recovers, I'll follow Doctor Luo and leave Huai'an County to practice medicine wherever I go, making the world my home! That would be a very happy thing!"

"But would the master agree?"

“My father knows that if I stay in Huai’an County, Master Huang will not give up easily. Even if he is reluctant, he will agree!” Bai Wanqing thought of Bai Chenming’s old face, her eyes filled with heartache.

"Ruixin! We're going to the Centennial Medical Hall in a bit. Go to the small kitchen and get some of the pastries I made yesterday. Take them over for Grandmaster to try!" Bai Wanqing hadn't been to the Centennial Medical Hall to learn medicine from Grandmaster for several days. She wondered if he was angry.

Ruixin nodded in agreement and ran to the small kitchen.

Bai Wanqing turned and went to Furong's courtyard. Ever since Bai Qinglian caused such a scene on the street, the Bai family members have hardly left their home!

Furong had also been staying in her room for several days. It was said that she went to see Qinglian and asked a question she shouldn't have, which made Bai Qinglian very angry and kick her out.

Later, Furong was scolded by Chen, which made her somewhat depressed these past few days.

When Bai Wanqing came to find her, she was lost in thought while holding the embroidery hoop. She only noticed Bai Wanqing when she got closer.

"Big sister!" Bai Furong was very happy to see Bai Wanqing and quickly put down her embroidery frame and stood up.

Bai Wanqing smiled at Furong, "Sister Furong, I'm going to the century-old medical clinic. Would you like to come along?"

Furong blinked, somewhat hesitant. "My mother said I'm not allowed to go out anymore, that if I go out, I'll be disgracing the Bai family. Can I really go out?"

Bai Wanqing frowned, not understanding why Madam Chen said that to Bai Furong.

Was it because he was afraid that Furong would feel uncomfortable after hearing the rumors outside?
But Bai Furong's next words overturned Bai Wanqing's idea.

"Big sister, is Furong really stupid? Otherwise, why do my third sister and mother always call me stupid! Mother won't let me go out anymore, saying that my stupidity will cause people to gossip and I'll never be able to find a husband again." Bai Furong didn't understand what her mother and sister meant by "stupid." She only knew that her mother and third sister sometimes disliked her.

“How could our Furong be silly? Our Furong is clearly the purest woman in the world.” Bai Wanqing gently patted Furong’s head. Furong felt very comfortable and moved closer to Bai Wanqing.

"Since Furong isn't stupid, then Furong can go to the clinic with her older sister!" Bai Furong was delighted.

Bai Wanqing nodded indulgently.

When they arrived at the clinic, it was noon. There weren't many patients. Old Man Luo was looking at the bowl of noodles in front of him with disdain. The noodles were made by Xiao Liu according to Bai Wanqing's recipe, but Doctor Luo insisted that the taste was wrong.

So the moment Bai Wanqing stepped into the clinic, a lithe figure flashed in front of her.

"You still know to come to the clinic? You still know that your grandmaster is in this clinic?" Old Man Luo crossed his arms angrily and glanced at Bai Wanqing.

Bai Wanqing smiled faintly, then had Ruixin bring out the prepared pastries. "I originally wanted to come see my grandmaster yesterday, but I thought you must have never tried red bean shaved ice before, so I spent the whole day making them for you. I didn't expect you to be so angry, so here are the pastries."

"Why didn't you say so earlier! You should have brought the pastries in earlier, or I would have had to throw you out!" Old Man Luo's expression changed instantly, and he ran to the backyard with the pastries in his hand.

Bai Wanqing smiled and shook her head; her grandmaster was more like a child.

"Oh? Miss Bai!" A young man approached the clinic. For the past two days, he had been pestering his aunt to tell him whose family the woman he had seen that day belonged to!

His aunt told him it was the Bai family! That's why he came to the clinic to try his luck, and unexpectedly, he actually bumped into them that day.

Both Bai Wanqing and Bai Furong noticed this person; they had seen him before when they were at the Du family's residence—it was Young Master Du.

Du Huan blushed slightly as the two men stared at him, and lowered his head a little.

"Miss Bai, I'm here to get the medicine!" Du Huan handed the prescription to Bai Wanqing while keeping his eyes fixed on Bai Furong.

Bai Wanqing took the prescription and noticed Du Huan's gaze. She pulled Furong aside and whispered a few words in her ear. Furong then went to the backyard, leaving only Bai Wanqing and Du Huan in the front hall.

Du Huan looked at Bai Furong's disappearing figure with a sense of loss.

As Bai Wanqing finished preparing Du Huan's medicine, he was still looking towards the backyard. "Young Master Du, here's your medicine!"

Reluctantly, Young Master Du withdrew his gaze and, in a daze, shuffled out of the clinic. Bai Wanqing chased after him and called out, "Young Master Du, you haven't paid for your medicine yet."

Du Huan turned around, feeling quite embarrassed. He took out a pocket from his pocket and handed it directly to Bai Wanqing.

“We don’t need that many!” Bai Wanqing said.

Du Huan cleared his throat. "Miss Bai, was that young lady your third sister?"

Bai Wanqing stared at him intently, without answering.

Du Huan took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and continued, "I would like to ask Miss Bai to tell me about the young lady I admire!"

"Young Master Du's aunt is Madam Du. Why don't you go and ask your aunt?" Bai Wanqing looked Young Master Du up and down. To be honest, her impression of him wasn't very good.

Although the young master of the Du family is the first choice of many young ladies, everyone knows that it is because of his family background and wealth. Although this young master Du has read some books, he likes to frequent brothels. He has only been in Huai'an County for a short time, but he has already become a guest of honor at Mufeng Pavilion. Such a person is probably not suitable for Furong.

When faced with Bai Wanqing's question, Young Master Du looked troubled. "Miss Bai, as you know, your sister caused quite a scene on the street a few days ago with Master Huang!"

"Right now, rumors are circulating about her affair with Master Huang. At this time, Miss Bai's reputation is already not good. If I keep inquiring, I'm afraid it will make things even more difficult for Miss Bai!"

Young Master Du expressed his concerns.

Bai Wanqing hadn't expected him to think that way. "So you don't care about Master Huang's matter?"

Young Master Du shook his head, "I am not very talented. Don't underestimate me because of my young age; I've seen quite a few girls."

He had barely finished speaking when he realized something was wrong, and when he turned around, he saw Bai Wanqing with an expression that said, "I knew it."

"No, no, no! Don't misunderstand. Although I've met many women, my relationships with them have always been purely platonic. There's been no inappropriate behavior whatsoever," Du Huan quickly explained.

"So?" Bai Wanqing asked.

“So I know your sister wouldn’t do that. Her eyes are so pure, unlike any ordinary woman’s. I would never believe it if you told me she was going to sleep with Master Huang,” Du Huan said excitedly.

"But even if you believe it, others won't. Aren't you afraid that after you marry my sister, people will point fingers at you and laugh at you behind your back?" Bai Wanqing continued to ask.

Du Huan quickly calmed down. "I'm not afraid! What I, Du Huan, fear least is those rumors and gossip."

Bai Wanqing admired his frankness and open-mindedness. Perhaps she had more prejudice against Young Master Du. She then gave Du Huan a word and went to the backyard.

"Her name is Furong, and she is the second young lady of the Bai family."

Du Huan's face lit up with joy. Fu Rong? She was just as beautiful as she was!
When Bai Wanqing arrived at the backyard, she saw Furong carefree, fighting with Old Man Luo for snacks. This girl had been heartbroken for a long time because of Young Master Zhang. She wondered if she would have any thoughts about Young Master Du now.

"Furong!" Bai Wanqing waved to her.

Bai Furong snatched another pastry from Old Man Luo's hand and ran towards Bai Wanqing, saying, "Big sister, you eat this."

"Your elder sister is asking you, what did you think of the young master just now? Did you like him?"

"That young master from earlier? Isn't that the young master we saw at the banquet last time?"

"Yes! It's him!"

"I don't like it!" Bai Furong didn't understand what liking meant. She just felt that the young man exuded an air of nobility, and she was afraid.

Bai Wanqing recalled that when Bai Furong attended the banquet last time, she wasn't very interested in the young noblemen there.

Since Furong didn't like it, she naturally couldn't force the two together, and her original intention to match them up was abandoned.

Bai Wanqing was standing in the courtyard in a daze when Old Man Luo happened to see her.

"What are you still standing there for? Even Furong is continuing to grind medicine. When are you going to come and learn medicine from me?" Old Man Luo said, feigning anger.

Bai Wanqing snapped out of her daze and immediately put on a smiling face, "Grandmaster, I'm coming!"

"Her personality is exactly like Zirou's! She always worries about others!"

By the time Bai Wanqing and the others returned to the Bai family home, it was already dark.

Bai Wanqing first escorted Furong back to her courtyard, then returned to her own courtyard, recalling what Doctor Luo had told her earlier that day.

"Qing'er, your mother's collection of herbal medicines isn't complete! There's probably one book missing! Go back and look for it again!"

Bai Wanqing looked at the wooden box her mother had left her and thought for a moment. She had already sorted out all her things when she got married and divorced, but she didn't see the herbal medicine collection that she had missed!
Did Mother forget it in her yard?

Thinking of this, Bai Wanqing decided to go to her mother's courtyard to look for her the next day.

(End of this chapter)