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

Chapter 57 Your daughter is finished

Furong was overjoyed to see Qinglian. "Third sister, I'm alright, don't worry. Look, I'm perfectly fine now, aren't I?"

Qinglian pretended to examine Furong closely, saying, "She's really alright, that's good!"

Furong had been in Madam Chen's courtyard for a while and was already quite tired. Madam Chen said with concern, "Furong, you've been traveling all day. Rest well tomorrow and then go play with Lian'er."

Furong yawned, nodded, and had Baoyue help her back to the courtyard.

After worrying about Furong for many days, Madam Chen finally felt relieved and looked a little tired. But Qinglian was still there. "Lian'er, is there something you want to say?"

Bai Qinglian nodded. "Mother, I heard that Father is going to take Young Master Zhang to the county government office tomorrow?"

When Madam Chen mentioned this Second Young Master Zhang, she gritted her teeth in anger. "That's right! This kid is really audacious. He even colluded with human traffickers to sell my daughter. I think sending him to the government office would be too lenient for him."

Bai Qinglian retorted, "Mother, you're foolish! How could you send him to the authorities? Isn't that reopening Second Sister's wounds?"

"Reopening old wounds! How can this be called reopening old wounds? Yes, it was the Zhang family who broke off the engagement with us first, but now that they've done this, shouldn't the Zhang family be the ones who should be ashamed?" Chen was furious and launched into another tirade of curses.

Bai Qinglian comforted Chen, "Then everyone in Huai'an County knows that Second Sister was taken away by human traffickers!"

"Mother, how are you going to let my second sister live from now on?"

Madam Chen didn't take it to heart. "Lian'er, you may not know this, but besides Bai Wanqing, Young Master Du also went to rescue your second sister this time. Young Master Du has taken a liking to your second sister, and even though he knows the ins and outs of the matter, he doesn't dislike her. On the contrary, he likes her even more. So, if someone wants to smear you, no one dares to smear the person the Du family has their eye on."

"You don't need to worry too much about this."

Upon hearing the name Du Huan, Bai Qinglian felt a pang of sorrow and burst into tears, which surprised Chen Shi.

"Lian'er, why are you crying!"

Bai Qinglian did not answer immediately, but lowered her head and cried harder and harder.

Chen asked anxiously, "Tell me quickly, what happened?"

Bai Qinglian had no choice but to confess, "Mother, you can't let Father send Zhang Changyun to the authorities, otherwise I'll be finished."

Chen was completely bewildered. "What does this have to do with you?"

Helpless, Bai Qinglian told Chen Shi about her previous scheme with Zhang Changyun against Bai Wanqing, saying, "Mother, if he implicates me in front of the county magistrate, I won't survive."

Chen looked at Bai Qinglian in shock, "You...how could you be so stupid? You set up a trap and got yourself caught in it?"

Bai Qinglian felt even more aggrieved after hearing Chen's words.

Madam Chen patted Qinglian's back to comfort her. If she had to say which daughter she loved the most, it would be this youngest one. She had been heartbroken for a long time when Bai Qinglian married Huang Yuanwai as a concubine.

"Mother, you must help your daughter! If Zhang Changyun implicates me in the county government, I'll really have no way to survive. I might as well just die." Bai Qinglian's cries softened Chen's heart.

Lian'er is right, Zhang Changyun cannot be handed over to the authorities. "Lian'er, don't worry, I will definitely stop your father tomorrow."

Bai Qinglian stopped crying and smiled when Chen agreed. Chen comforted Qinglian and let her return to her courtyard. She then began to think of ways to stop Bai Chenming the next day.

The next day, the gloom of the previous days had dissipated from the Bai family. Master Bai was in a better mood, the second young lady of the Bai family had returned safely, Madam Chen was no longer throwing tantrums, and the servants' days of living in fear were over.

After having breakfast, Bai Chenming sent someone to fetch Zhang Changyun, intending to send him to the county government office immediately.

The Zhang family elders arrived even before Bai Chenming, before Zhang Changyun had even left the Bai family home. Chen Shi also came upon hearing the news, and she inwardly clapped her hands, thinking that the Zhang couple's arrival was just in time.

Bai Chenming led the people to the front hall. When Bai Chenming arrived, the Zhang couple brought quite a few gifts. As soon as they saw Bai Chenming, they came up to greet him, "In-laws! We heard that Furong is back. We couldn't wait to see her this morning. This is some fruit I just ordered from Xizhang Shop. I know that Furong loves the pastries there the most. Please let her come out and have a taste."

With a smile on her face, Zhang Shi from the Zhang family took out and displayed everything she had brought.

Bai Chenming, however, remained calm and reminded him, "Master Zhang, what are you saying? Our two families broke off the engagement long ago. Our Bai family cannot bear the title of 'in-laws'."

Master Zhang laughed and said, "That was all a misunderstanding. We, the Zhang family elders, genuinely like Furong. We are still willing to become in-laws with the Bai family." Bai Chenming was so angry at the Zhang family's shamelessness that his hands trembled. "Shut up! You're just daydreaming."

Master Zhang wasn't angry. He was determined to get his son out of trouble today, so after discussing it with Madam Zhang last night, they decided that re-engaging was the best solution. "Master Bai, don't be angry! Listen to me, Furong is a good girl in every way, except that she's not very bright. But our Zhang family doesn't mind. We are willing to cherish Furong and treat her with utmost care. I can guarantee you, Master Bai, that we will never let Furong suffer any injustice."

Bai Chenming was amused by Master Zhang's words, "Zhang Shi'an, are you deaf? When did Furong ever marry into your Zhang family!"

Zhang Shi'an was furious at being addressed by his full name. "Bai Chenming, I'm putting aside my pride to talk to you nicely, but you don't need to be so high and mighty. Everyone in Huai'an County knows that your second daughter is an idiot. It's only because our Zhang family is willing to take her in. Who else would want her!"

"We've already done more than enough by offering the Bai family a way out and agreeing to re-engage with your daughter. Release my son immediately, and we'll re-engage and call it a day."

"Otherwise, do you think any family would want a girl who has lost her chastity after her silly daughter was kidnapped by human traffickers!"

Zhang Shi'an's words became increasingly outrageous, and Bai Chenming, enraged, stood up and tried to kick them out, shouting, "Get out! Get out of here right now! Our Bai family's daughter is none of your business!"

"You should put more effort into figuring out how to get your son out of jail!"

Bai Chenming was indeed furious. After speaking, he ordered his men to immediately transport Zhang Chang to the government office.

Seeing that things were not going well, Zhang glared at her husband and quickly came over to calm him down, "Master Bai, you mustn't get agitated!"

“This matter concerns Furong’s reputation. Does Mr. Bai not even care about Furong’s reputation?” Every word Zhang said struck Bai Chenming’s heart.

At this moment, Madam Chen also stood up to help, "Yes! Master, we can't send her to the government office. If we go to the government office, we won't be able to hide the fact that Furong was kidnapped. Lian'er's reputation is already ruined, we can't let Furong's reputation be ruined too!"

Bai Chenming turned his head and glared angrily at Chen Shi, "How can you say that too?"

Chen stammered and quickly explained, "Furong is my daughter, I can't just stand by and watch her reputation be ruined."

"That would be a bargain for that brat from the Zhang family. Do you know that he sold Furong off? If it weren't for Wanqing, we probably would never have seen Furong again in this lifetime!" Bai Chenming said angrily, though he hesitated, he was unwilling to back down.

Madam Zhang stepped forward and said, "Master Bai, I know you're angry, and I'm angry too. I never expected my good-for-nothing son to do such a heinous thing. But don't worry, we'll teach this brat a lesson and make sure you're satisfied."

After Zhang finished speaking, she glanced at Master Zhang, who forced a smile and agreed, "My wife is right. We can punish them in private, but that's still a punishment, isn't it? There's no need to make a big fuss about it, nor is there any need to ruin the children's reputation."

Bai Chenming pursed his lips and realized that what they said made some sense, but he felt utterly pathetic facing Furong and the Bai family.

Just as Bai Chenming was about to give in without saying a word, Bai Wanqing arrived uninvited, wanting to seek justice for Furong.

“That’s not right. Young Master Zhang has committed a crime and should be punished. What does that have to do with Furong?” Bai Wanqing looked at the Zhang couple and Madam Chen with a clear mind and said seriously.

The Zhang couple glanced at Bai Wanqing and said disdainfully, "When did it become your place to interrupt when your elders are speaking?"

Bai Chenming objected, "She is my Bai family's daughter. Does she need your permission to speak in my Bai family?"

The Zhang couple had no choice but to swallow their words.

Bai Wanqing continued, "Speaking of reputation, I'm afraid the Zhang family's young master's reputation will be even worse. Our Furong escaped unharmed this time, and even the magistrate of Huiyang County can testify to that. With the magistrate of Huiyang County and the Du family who participated in the rescue as our backers, who would dare to doubt Furong's innocence?"

Zhang glanced at Bai Wanqing and said, "You child, you are still too young. I've eaten more rice than you've eaten salt. I wouldn't dare, but I still think that way in my heart."

"Do you really want your second sister to be subjected to those strange looks every time she goes out?" Zhang threatened softly.

"Hmph! Then you don't need to worry about it, Madam Zhang. Our Bai family will naturally find a way to protect Furong's reputation." Bai Wanqing already had a plan in mind. This matter had already been formally reported to the magistrate of Huiyang County, so it was clear that the magistrate would give Du Huan some face. If the Du family was willing to step in, Furong's case could be tried privately. She would shamelessly rely on her grandmaster's reputation to beg Madam Du to give Furong justice.

"What can you do? Stop causing trouble here!" Chen scolded Bai Wanqing anxiously.

Bai Wanqing gave Chen a deep look. Yesterday, Chen wanted nothing more than to tear Zhang Changyun to pieces. Why is she now speaking up for the Zhang family?

Bai Wanqing thought about it for a moment and then understood the reason.

(End of this chapter)