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

Chapter 91 Spring Feast (Part 1)

The rumors circulated for two more days before Ruixin finally found out the source.

“Miss, we don’t seem to have had any dealings with that rich girl! Why would she spread such rumors about us?” Ruixin told Bai Wanqing about Cheng Susu spreading the news.

Bai Wanqing then remembered that the woman who visited the clinic that day was actually her.
Bai Wanqing thought about it again. Apart from that time, she really hadn't seen this woman again. She really couldn't figure out how she had offended this noble lady from out of town.

"Forget it, although we don't know when we offended this young lady, we can't just watch outsiders keep slandering the Bai and Lin families' reputations. Why don't we take some time these next few days to go and visit Madam Du?" Bai Wanqing made up her mind and immediately sent someone to the Du family to deliver a visiting card.

After receiving the reply from the Du family, Bai Wanqing took a carriage to the Du family early in the morning. Furong heard that her eldest sister was coming, so she waited in the hall early in the morning. When she saw Bai Wanqing's carriage stop, she immediately came out to greet her.

"Big sister!" Furong exclaimed joyfully, hugging Bai Wanqing's arm.

"Furong, we just saw each other a couple of days ago! You miss your older sister that much?" Bai Wanqing couldn't help but tease her.

Furong's face immediately fell. "Furong has already told her husband that she is going to Huaizhou."

“If Furong leaves, she will naturally miss her elder sister.” As Furong spoke, she hugged Bai Wanqing’s arm even tighter. Even Baoyue, who was standing to the side, couldn’t stand it and reminded Furong of her manners.

Furong reluctantly let go of her older sister.

"Of course, my older sister will miss Furong too, so I will definitely go to Huaizhou to see Furong." Bai Wanqing did not tell Furong that she might also go to Huaizhou in the future, thinking that she would give her a surprise then.

Upon hearing that Bai Wanqing would be visiting her in Huaizhou, Furong's eyes immediately lit up. "Big sister, you can't lie to Furong, Furong will be angry."

Bai Wanqing touched Furong's nose. "I won't lie to you."

Furong smiled happily, then said to Bai Wanqing, "Big sister, let's go to the flower hall from here! Aunt is waiting for us there."

Bai Wanqing nodded and followed Furong to the flower hall in the backyard. She saw Madam Du drinking tea in the flower hall and immediately went forward to greet Madam Du.

Madam Du warmly invited Bai Wanqing to sit down, saying, "The arrival of our legendary physician Hua Tuo is a great honor for the Du family!"

Bai Wanqing knew that Madam Du was joking with her. "Aunt, I'll call you aunt too, just like Furong, so please don't tease me."

Hearing the word "aunt," Madam Du laughed even more heartily. "That's right! You've arrived just in time. Tell me quickly, what's going on outside? How did you become the legendary physician Hua Tuo overnight?"

"And I've heard that quite a few people have come to your clinic seeking treatment because of your reputation, is that true?"

Not only was Madam Du curious, but Furong was also very curious. Lately, she had been hearing Baoyue talk about things outside, all of which were related to her eldest sister. Although her eldest sister had said last time that nothing had happened, the rumors outside were indeed becoming more and more true.

Bai Wanqing nodded helplessly, "Someone came to the clinic wanting me to treat a patient, but I'm definitely not a famous doctor."

"I recorded their illnesses in my medical records and asked Master Luo to examine them. So the real miracle doctor is still Master Luo. I just don't know why that person with ulterior motives would spread such rumors."

After hearing this, Furong only knew that the matter was false, that it was a rumor spread by those people about the older sister. However, Madam Du understood that someone had deliberately spread this matter. However, Madam Du did not figure out the person's purpose. Helping someone to make a name for themselves seemed to have no malicious intent.

However, Madam Du immediately realized that Bai Wanqing wanted her help.

"You want me to find out who this person with ulterior motives is?" Madam Du asked bluntly.

Bai Wanqing shook her head. "Aunt, we've already found out who it is. It's a family that recently moved to Changsheng Street. It's a woman, and she seems to be of extraordinary status."

Bai Wanqing also recounted the woman's strange behavior when she went to the clinic, leaving Madam Du speechless with shock.

"This person is truly peculiar." That was the only assessment Madam Du could offer in the end.

Bai Wanqing thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Madam Du.

Madam Du immediately understood her meaning, "I know! They're new residents on Changsheng Street, so it's not hard to find out their identities."

"But now that you've found out her identity, what are you going to do?"

Bai Wanqing said with a hint of pleading, "Aunt, Wanqing has a favor to ask."

Madam Du raised her eyebrows and said, "Speak your mind."

“Aunt, who spread the rumors is secondary now. The main thing is that these rumors have not only affected the Bai family, but also the Lin family. So I want to step forward to clarify these rumors, and I need an opportunity.”

Madam Du naturally understood Bai Wanqing's thoughts, and felt a little jealous. Bai Wanqing clearly wanted to speak up for the Lin family, fearing that those people would damage the Lin family's reputation and, more importantly, hurt Young Master Lin's pride.

"Getting an opportunity isn't difficult," Madam Du said, picking up her teacup. "But the way you're saying it reminds me of the times you and Huan'er ganged up on me."

Furong, unaware of this, stared wide-eyed at her elder sister. Bai Wanqing blushed slightly, "So Aunt is truly magnanimous; naturally, she won't hold it against us juniors."

This was the first time Madam Du had ever seen Bai Wanqing with such an expression, and her previous slight displeasure vanished instantly!
"Alright! Just for calling me 'aunt,' I have to find you such an opportunity. Go back and wait for news," Madam Du said with a smile.

Bai Wanqing smiled and left the Du family's house, then went to continue her studies at the century-old medical clinic.

Despite being called a student, she is now the busiest person in the century-old medical hall, even keeping Doctor Luo extremely busy, leaving Manager Zhou unsure whether to be happy or worried.

"Don't worry! Everything will be explained in a couple of days," Bai Wanqing said casually to Manager Zhou.

Since the employer has spoken, he should just agree.

Madam Du acted swiftly, sending Bai Wanqing an invitation within two days. It was for the Du family's spring banquet, where Madam Du would invite the wives of officials and gentry from Huai'an County. At that time, Bai Wanqing would have an opportunity to clarify whatever she wanted to do.

Bai Wanqing immediately sent a reply to Madam Du, expressing her gratitude.

“Miss, Madam Du has also invited you to the banquet,” Ruixin said to Bai Wanqing.

“Aunt will definitely do so. In the past, she might not have sent an invitation to the Chen family, but now that the two families are related by marriage, even if it's just for Furong's sake, she will still send an invitation to the Chen family.” Bai Wanqing patiently explained to Ruixin.

"Won't Madam cause you trouble, Miss?" Ruixin asked with some concern.

Bai Wanqing said with a bewildered look, "It would be even better if we could add more. I'm really afraid that no one will notice what's going on between us, and it'll be hard to get started."

When Ruixin heard what her mistress said, she felt relieved.

On the other side of Changsheng Street, Liu'er entered the courtyard with the unexpected invitation.

"Miss, we've never had any contact with the Du family before, so why did they send us a banquet invitation? Could it be that our identities have been exposed?" Liu'er was so frightened that her face turned pale.

What she feared most was that her identity would be exposed. If the master found out, not only would the young lady be punished, but she might also be sent to the estate.

Cheng Susu took the banquet invitation, read it, and laughed, "So what if they know! Does the Cheng family fear the Du family?"

Liu'er wanted to cry, but dared not. "Should we go to the banquet or not?"

Cheng Susu thought for a moment, "Go! How can we not go! I originally thought the Bai family would go to the Lin family to break off the engagement in the next couple of days, but there has been no movement for a long time."

"I've heard that quite a few people have been secretly trying to arrange marriages for Madam Bai!"

"There are still quite a few eligible bachelors out there. I don't believe the Bai family can withstand it. So, now it's just a matter of me fanning the flames one last time."

"Miss, why should we..." Before Liu'er could finish speaking, Cheng Susu had already run far away, leaving Liu'er only able to shake her head and sigh.

Ultimately, her young mistress still hadn't gotten over the fact that Young Master Lin had refused to marry her.
Soon the day of the Spring Banquet arrived.

Bai Wanqing and Madam Chen got up early to wash and dress, and then got into the carriage.
It was the first time that Chen and Bai Wanqing had ridden in the same carriage, and Chen felt somewhat uncomfortable looking at Bai Wanqing.

Bai Wanqing simply sat quietly, pondering how to start the conversation when she met everyone, so she didn't notice Chen's gaze.

When the two arrived at the Du family home, Madam Du and Furong came to greet them personally.

"Madam Bai, come inside quickly!" Madam Du winked at Bai Wanqing, then led Madam Chen to the flower hall.

When Chen saw her daughter, she was happy and forgot about the unpleasantness from earlier. She started chatting with Furong.

Soon after, Madam Hu, Madam Lan, and Cheng Susu arrived. However, to everyone's surprise, Madam Huang also came.

Madam Huang was the wife of Huang, a wealthy man. Because she was about the same age as him, she rarely went out.

Even Madam Du was surprised that Madam Huang, with whom they didn't usually get along, had come today.

Seeing Madam Du's somewhat embarrassed expression, Madam Huang smiled and asked, "Madam Du, may I come in uninvited?"

Madam Du nodded slightly, "Of course, you're welcome to come." Then she gestured for Madam Huang to enter the flower hall as well.

The ladies were praising Furong's good fortune to Madam Chen, but when Madam Huang arrived, everyone was slightly taken aback, and even Madam Chen's expression became intriguing.

Especially Madam Lan, who covered her mouth with her embroidered handkerchief, but in her heart she felt that there was bound to be a good show today.

(End of this chapter)