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

Chapter 7 The Bai Family's Discretion

After leaving the flower hall, Bai Wanqing found Uncle Liu again and wrote a letter to him, asking him to give it to the Bai family elder, who was also Bai Wanqing's great-uncle, and to come to the Meng residence the next day to witness her divorce. Only then did she leave the Bai family.

On the way, Ruixin wondered, "Miss, why don't you also write a letter to the master? He doesn't know you want a divorce yet. When he comes back and finds out, he'll probably be heartbroken!"

Bai Wanqing took a deep breath and then said, "Father hasn't left home for three years. This unprecedented departure must mean he's encountered something important, and the Meng family can't wait!"

Ruixin shook her head, not understanding. "Is the young master in such a hurry?"

Bai Wanqing smiled. "Yes, he's in such a hurry. Have you forgotten why he wants a divorce?"

Ruixin certainly remembered, and said with a smirk, "I haven't forgotten, I'll never forget it in this lifetime. It was because the son-in-law climbed up to the daughter of Prefect Liu that he looked down on our Bai family's social standing, so he wanted to divorce Miss so he could become his official son-in-law."

“This is not just about climbing the social ladder. He and the Liu family’s daughter are probably already having an affair, and the Liu family’s daughter is pregnant. If I do not agree to leave, or hesitate even for a moment, Meng Zhan will probably shift all the blame onto the Bai family in front of Prefect Liu.”

“As long as I am in the Meng family, Prefect Liu will never let the Bai and Meng families go.”

“I can’t control what happens to the Meng family, but I can’t drag the Bai family into this. The Bai family isn’t just Aunt Chen and Bai Qinglian; it also includes my uncles, my great-uncle, and a whole family of over a hundred people, all of whom have to make a living within the jurisdiction of Prefect Liu.”

"The situation has only come to this point, so we might as well leave cleanly and decisively. As for my father, when he returns, I will personally go to his study and kneel down to beg for forgiveness."

After they finished speaking, the carriage they were riding in stopped, and Bai Wanqing realized that she had returned to the Meng family.

Looking at the thick snow piled up on the familiar courtyard wall, she couldn't help but feel depressed.

Bai Wanqing dragged her heavy steps back to Qingzhu Pavilion, only to find Meng Zhan already waiting for her there. She smiled bitterly to herself, but still straightened her back and calmly met Meng Zhan's gaze.

"I wonder what brings you here to see me at this hour, Lord Meng?" Bai Wanqing asked with a cold laugh.

Meng Zhan frowned. He didn't like Bai Wanqing's aloofness. "It's nothing, I just came to ask if you've explained things clearly to the Bai family elders and your father-in-law?"

Bai Wanqing sneered, "Don't worry, everything has been explained clearly, and it certainly won't delay our divorce tomorrow."

"So they all know about my relationship with the Liu family?" Meng Zhan's eyes flickered; he felt a little guilty.

Bai Wanqing raised an eyebrow and said, "Of course."

Meng Zhan suddenly stood up, his face clearly showing his anxiety. "You dare to speak so casually about such a big matter? Aren't you afraid of offending Prefect Liu and causing your Bai family to be wiped out?"

Bai Wanqing also stood up, facing the furious Meng Zhan without fear, "Meng Zhan! Watch your words, don't smear the Bai family."

Meng Zhan never expected that Bai Wanqing, who was usually gentle and quiet, would be so assertive at this moment.

But she had leverage over him, so he had no choice but to back down. "Fine! You can say whatever you want to them, but you should at least consider the reputation of the Liu family. At the very least, don't let the Bai family spread rumors about it everywhere."

"Otherwise, if something goes wrong, not only me, but the entire Bai family will be implicated."

Bai Wanqing said calmly, "Meng Zhan, our Bai family naturally knows how to act. It's not that we're afraid of the power of your Meng and Liu families, but rather that I don't want to get entangled with you any further. Besides, instead of wasting your time talking to me about these things, you should go and keep an eye on your mother-in-law's mouth, lest one day she accidentally lets something slip and blames it on our Bai family."

"When the time comes, if anyone really investigates, our Bai family will not admit it, and we will speak the truth openly and honestly. Not to mention you, Meng Zhan, even Prefect Liu cannot protect his official reputation."

Meng Zhan was speechless, but his attitude softened considerably. "Wanqing, I know you hate me, but you shouldn't hate me. I have no other choice."

Bai Wanqing laughed angrily, "Lord Meng, you're wrong. I don't hate you, nor do I hate anyone. I only hate myself for giving my heart to the wrong person and not seeing your true colors sooner. That's all." Meng Zhan was speechless, his face turning red, and he hesitated several times before stopping.

Bai Wanqing, however, was a bit tired and gave the order to leave, saying, "If there's nothing else, please leave, Lord Meng. I'm also a little tired."

Knowing he wouldn't gain anything by staying, Meng Zhan simply turned and left.

Meng Zhan was not about to swallow this insult. Once he and Liu Feifei were settled, he would make the Bai family pay the price. He would make Bai Wanqing beg him to let her go, crying all the while.

Early the next morning, Meng Zhan and Bai Wanqing each sent carriages to the Meng and Bai families to pick up their clan elders.

When Uncle Bai arrived, his eyes were red. Accompanying him were his third uncle and aunt. Bai Wanqing waited at the door and welcomed the two of them in. She first led them into a side hall, and Uncle Bai, with red eyes, said to Bai Wanqing, "Qing'er! It's all my fault! It's all my fault!"

Bai Wanqing gently shook her head, "Grand Uncle, don't say that, this has nothing to do with you."

Uncle Bai felt sorry for Bai Wanqing, "Qing'er, tell your uncle, are you really going to leave the Meng family?"

"Don't be afraid. Although your father is not here now, this old man is here. Don't worry about the Meng family or the Liu family. As long as you say you don't want to leave, your grand-uncle will support you even if it costs him his life."

“Your great-uncle is right. Although our Bai family doesn’t hold official positions, we are one of the wealthiest families in Huai’an County. How can we let them bully our Bai family’s daughter like this?” Third Uncle echoed indignantly.

They truly felt sorry for Qingya. At that time, the Bai family had not yet divided their property, and Qingya was the first granddaughter in their family. They had raised her with great care and affection, and they could not allow these ungrateful families to treat her so badly!
Bai Wanqing's eyes also reddened. "Grand Uncle, I understand your intentions, but my mind is made up. I can no longer stay in the Meng family."

How could Uncle Bai and his third uncle not understand Qing's thoughts? They could only sigh repeatedly.

"Qing'er, what are your plans after the divorce?" her third uncle asked. "What did your father say?"

Upon hearing this, Uncle Bai immediately slapped his third uncle and said angrily, "What are you saying, you eldest uncle? After Qing'er gets divorced, of course she will go back to the Bai family. If Bai Chenming dares to prevent Qing'er from entering the house, I will be the first to break his legs."

Uncle San grimaced, clutching the spot where Uncle Bai had hit him. "I know, I know! I was just showing concern. You didn't have to get so angry."

"Qing girl, come with me in a moment, I'll take you back to the Bai family!" Uncle Bai said domineeringly.

Bai Wanqing hadn't really thought about what would happen after the divorce, so since her Uncle Bai had already made the decision for her, she obediently nodded.

Just as the three of them, grandfather, uncle, and grandson, were talking, the elder of the Meng family also arrived.

Bai Wanqing led her Uncle Bai and her third uncle to the main hall. At that moment, the Meng family elders and Madam Fang had just taken their seats, while Meng Zhan stood alone to one side.

When the elders of the Meng family saw the elders of the Bai family arrive, they quickly got up to greet them. However, Uncle Bai and his third uncle merely snorted at him and sat down without even raising their eyelids.

The Meng family elder smiled awkwardly and sat back down in his seat.

Because Bai Wanqing and Meng Zhan had communicated beforehand, the divorce process went smoothly. Both parties quickly signed the documents, and Meng Zhan immediately ordered them to be sent to the government office for stamping.

From that moment on, she was no longer a member of the Meng family.

Fang glanced at Bai Wanqing smugly, then smiled contemptuously and prepared to leave. But just then, Bai Wanqing spoke up, "May I ask, Lord Meng, when do you plan to move out of the Bai family mansion?"

(End of this chapter)