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

Chapter 46 The Warm and Cozy Lin Family

Bai Qinglian lowered her head, her face filled with remorse. "I was too willful before, and I did a lot of things that harmed others and myself. Big sister, I'm sorry to have troubled you these days."

"These are the betrothal gifts that the Huang family just sent me. I chose two items to give to my eldest sister!"

After Bai Qinglian finished speaking, she had Xia Yu take out a gold hairpin and a pair of jade bracelets that she had brought and place them in front of Bai Wanqing.

Bai Wanqing was surprised. She had only heard her father say that Master Huang's attitude had suddenly changed, but now she had actually seen it for herself.

She should go to Linjia Village to find out exactly what methods Lin Yunche used.

Bai Wanqing was lost in thought, while Bai Qinglian felt a little smug for some reason. This Bai Wanqing probably had never seen anything so good in her life. Thinking about how unwilling she was to marry into the Huang family a couple of days ago, she probably regretted it now.
But it was too late for regrets; the Huang family no longer wanted her.

Bai Qinglian gently touched Bai Wanqing's arm. "Big sister, big sister, what's wrong? Don't you like these two things? If you don't like them, come with me to my courtyard. There are many more there, and you can choose whatever you like."

Bai Wanqing shook her head and smiled, saying, "Third sister, you misunderstand. It's not that I don't like it, it's just that this is your betrothal gift. Please keep it yourself. Eldest sister doesn't want it!"

“But, eldest sister, you will marry into the Lin family in the future, so you should probably accept these things!” Bai Qinglian pushed the two items in front of her forward.

"Really, there's no need! Third sister, I'm already very happy that you have this thought."

Bai Wanqing ultimately refused Bai Qinglian's belongings. She exchanged a few simple words with Bai Qinglian, and then the two had nothing more to say to each other.

Bai Qinglian didn't linger long either. She got up, exchanged a few more pleasantries with Bai Wanqing, and then left.

On the way back, Bai Qinglian was in an even better mood. "Did you see that? Bai Wanqing looked so distraught just now. It was truly gratifying!"

"Miss, I saw it! When we took out those two items just now, the young lady's eyes widened. She's probably regretting it now!"

"Hahaha! You brought this on yourself. You had the good life right in front of you, but you chose to live a life of poverty. Just because you're not a concubine, you think you're so noble!"

"The days ahead are long, and it's still uncertain who will be the final winner!" Bai Qinglian said smugly.

Xia Yu nodded in agreement, "Miss, you're right!"

After Bai Qinglian left, Bai Wanqing changed into a white satin men's outfit.

"Miss, what are you doing dressed like this?" Ruixin noticed as soon as she entered the room that her young mistress had already dressed up and seemed to be going out.

"I'm going to Linjia Village!" Bai Wanqing said and walked out. Then, remembering something, she told Ruixin, "If Father finds out, tell him not to worry about me. I'll be back soon."

After giving her instructions, Bai Wanqing went to the side courtyard, took a horse, and rode it directly towards the outskirts of the county town.

Bai Wanqing sped along the road and arrived at Linjia Village in just 45 minutes.

She rode her horse with practiced ease to the gate of Lin Yunche's courtyard. Laughter and cheerful voices could be heard from inside the house from time to time. He had guests at home.

Bai Wanqing dismounted and politely knocked on the door. The laughter inside stopped abruptly, and then a slender figure ran out. She opened the door and looked at Bai Wanqing, who was dressed as a man, and asked, "Pretty brother, who are you looking for?"

Bai Wanqing was stunned for a moment, then looked at the tiny little girl in front of her and said, "Isn't this Lin Yunche's house?"

The little girl blinked and ran back into the house without saying a word. A moment later, Lin Yunche came out of the house.

He was quite surprised to see Bai Wanqing's outfit. Her hair was tied up with a carved wooden crown, and her white robe was tied with a black belt around her waist. Her black boots made her blend in perfectly with the white snow on the ground.

"Why are you here?" Lin Yunche raised an eyebrow, completely different from when he was at the Bai family.

But in Bai Wanqing's heart, this was the real Lin Yunche.

"Yes, I heard that Master Huang came to Linjia Village to look for you. I'm a little worried!" Bai Wanqing said frankly.

Lin Yunche chuckled, "What are you worried about? Are you worried that I'll go back on my word? Would I abandon you for the money Master Huang gave me?"

“I didn’t think that way. I’m just afraid that I might cause you some trouble. If that happens, I’ll feel uneasy!” Bai Wanqing said.

Lin Yunche, however, was not buying it. "You've already done things like taking advantage of someone's kindness, and you're still talking about it so grandly! Alright, come on in, it's too cold outside!" Lin Yunche was dressed very lightly, having rushed out in a hurry, and was only wearing a single layer of clothing.

Bai Wanqing nodded and followed him into the house.

It was still Lin Yunche's room, but there were three more people: a middle-aged couple, the man with fair skin and handsome features, and the woman with healthy wheat-colored skin, but her sculpted features still showed that she was a beauty; and the little boy from before.

A pair of large, watery eyes on her fair face were looking at her curiously. "Father, Mother, this is the young lady from the Bai family I mentioned to you, your future daughter-in-law, Bai Wanqing." Lin Yunche stood straight and solemnly introduced her to his parents.

Upon learning that they were Lin Yunche's parents, Bai Wanqing politely bowed, "Uncle, Aunt!"

Lin Feiyun sized up the woman before him. She was gentle and graceful, and he was very satisfied. Meanwhile, Cui Shi, standing to the side, could no longer hide her smile.

She had been worried that her son was carrying too much on his shoulders and that he probably wouldn't be able to get married before he turned thirty. But when they came back yesterday, they were surprised to hear that their son was getting married.

"Wanqing! Please sit down!" Madam Cui smiled and made room for Bai Wanqing, letting her sit next to her.

Bai Wanqing obediently sat down next to Cui Shi. Cui Shi held Wanqing's hand and said, "I never thought that Datou could find a wife like you. He must have accumulated good fortune for three lifetimes."

Big Head? Bai Wanqing didn't react for a moment until the little girl followed Lin Yunche out excitedly and called out, "Big Head, wait for me!"

She then learned that Lin Yunche had another name, Lin Datou.

Lin's father also went out with Lin Yunche and the little girl, leaving only Bai Wanqing and Cui Shi in the room.

"Auntie, you're too kind. It was Lin Yunche who was trying to help me."

"What help or not? I've already heard Da Tou say it all. It's all fate. Even if you encountered some setbacks along the way, you two still ended up together. What else could it be but fate?"

"If you ask me, perhaps your fate was sealed from the moment your mother saved Da Tou!" Cui said with a smile.

Bai Wanqing and Cui Shi chatted about everyday things for a while longer. Then, the little girl ran in, calling out, "Big Head Brother has already made the porridge. Mother, you and Brother Qiao are ready to eat!"

Cui gave a strong "Hey!" and pulled Bai Wanqing to wash her hands in the kitchen basin.

The little girl had already placed her hands in the basin of water, looking longingly at her mother and Bai Wanqing, as if she was waiting for them to come together.

"Big girl, didn't I tell you? It's cold now, so wash your hands yourself, don't wait for me." Cui Shi pretended to be angry and scolded the little girl a couple of times. The little girl pouted but still stubbornly waited for her mother and handsome brother, as if it were some kind of ritual.

Cui smiled and then put her hand into the basin as well. The two of them turned to look at Bai Wanqing at the same time, their eyes filled with longing.

Bai Wanqing had never been so close to anyone, not even her own mother. Lin Yunche glanced at this scene in the corner of the kitchen and found it amusing. He wondered if this young lady could adapt to life here. Perhaps she was already regretting asking him to marry her.

Lin Yunche watched with great interest, but Bai Wanqing, under the gaze of the mother and daughter, shamelessly followed their example and placed her hands in the basin of water.

The water was warm, which felt very comfortable.

The little girl grinned sweetly, and Cui Shi didn't feel embarrassed at all. After everyone washed their hands, they returned to the house, where Lin Yunche had already placed the prepared food on the only table in the room.

The little girl and Lin Yunche stood to one side. Lin Feiyun and Cui Shi sat down at the table first, and then Lin Yunche sat down next to Lin Feiyun. The little girl took Bai Wanqing's hand and pulled her to sit next to Cui Shi.

"Pretty brother, try Big Head Brother's cooking!" The little girl leaned on the table, trying her best to pick up the only plate of stir-fried vegetables, stir-fried radish, and put it into Bai Wanqing's bowl.

"Thank you!" Bai Wanqing gently thanked the little girl. The little girl blinked her eyes and said, "Pretty brother, your voice is different from yours. Your voice is gentle and beautiful!"

"It doesn't sound like Big Head Brother's voice, it's as rough as Aunt Lin's goose." The little girl looked puzzled.

Mrs. Cui laughed so hard she almost spat out her food. "You silly little thing, this isn't some handsome young man, this is your future sister-in-law!"

"Future sister-in-law? Mother, what's that?" The little girl didn't understand, but she didn't dislike this sister-in-law.

"She's your brother's wife. When Da Niu grows up, she'll also be someone's wife!" Cui explained.

"Like Mommy and Daddy? Like Uncle Lin and Aunt Lin? When they're together, they'll have babies. When my brother and sister-in-law are together, they'll have babies too?" The little girl became more and more excited as she spoke, waving her little hands and feet.

Lin Yunche's face had already turned red when he heard this. He angrily stopped the little girl, "Big girl, hurry up and eat! If you keep talking, all the radishes on the plate will be mine."

After Lin Yunche scared her like that, the little girl did indeed behave and quietly started eating her meal.

Bai Wanqing smiled, showing no embarrassment whatsoever. This was a scene she had never experienced before, but she didn't dislike it.

Lin Yunche noticed that Bai Wanqing was much calmer than him, and he couldn't help but feel a little jealous. She really was a married woman, yet she didn't blush or feel ashamed at all!

(End of this chapter)