"My child, your mother isn't joking. I truly cannot recover this time." Having no other choice, Bai Jinxiu recounted the entire affair to her son.
"How dare Bai Xue do such a thing? Isn't she afraid we'll report her to the authorities?" If not for his mother's direct words, Zheng Yiming would never have believed it.
"What if we report her? There's no evidence. Besides, the medicine was mine, and I was the first to take it. Even if an official comes, there's nothing they can do," Bai Jinxiu said, tears streaming down her face.
"I don't believe it. This can't be true. There must be a way. Let's find another doctor." Zheng Yiming refused to accept this reality. In his heart, although his father was the head of the household, his mother had always been the pillar of their family. He couldn't imagine what their home would be like if something happened to her.
"Your maternal grandmother said that when she was young, she accidentally saved a divine doctor who gifted her this medicine. That doctor has long since passed away, and no one can diagnose this. Mother can only wait to die," Bai Jinxiu also wished this wasn't true.
Zheng Yiming held his mother's hand, weeping profusely.
"My child, you must remember what I say now. All the deeds for our houses and land are in this box. Keep it safe, and absolutely do not give it to your father. This is our family's last bit of property. If your father gambles it all away, you'll be left to wander the streets. I'm not worried about him, only about you." As she spoke, Bai Jinxiu took a box from the side of the bed and handed it to him.
Zheng Yiming knew this was not the time to refuse. He quickly took it. "Mother, rest assured. I understand the seriousness of the situation."
"I know my son is the most outstanding. Study hard, strive to pass the imperial examinations to become a Juren, and then marry a useful wife. Live your life well. If you can, avoid Bai Xue. That woman is a bit strange," Bai Jinxiu said, as if giving her last instructions.
"I understand, Mother." Zheng Yiming agreed, nodding frantically. Even if his mother hadn't instructed him, knowing that woman's ferocity, he wouldn't dare provoke her. Su Dan Novel Network
After a moment's hesitation, Bai Jinxiu took out a medicinal bottle she had treasured for many years and handed it to her son. "This is the medicine. Two drops can take a life. If your father becomes truly unbearable, let him join me below, so he doesn't drag you down."
Bai Jinxiu had thought a lot while lying in bed these past two days. Although she didn't agree with Wu Caiwei's views, she had been deeply affected by them, replaying them in her mind. She was also pondering the question: why didn't she target the master of the household earlier and instead attacked the Bai family? Attacking the Bai family only solved the immediate problem. If she had targeted the master of the household earlier, everything would have been resolved. To be honest, she had some regrets.
Zheng Yiming was quite surprised by his mother's instructions. In his eyes, his mother was a woman who lived by her husband's will. Although shocked, he still accepted the medicine bottle. He was timid, but not foolish. With his father's character, if he continued to gamble like this, the Zheng family would eventually be ruined by his hand.
Following the original owner's memories, Wu Caiwei took some time to withdraw money from the bank. A full sixty thousand taels. With this sum, she could buy a courtyard and establish property, re-hanging the Bai family's sign above their door.
Initially, Bai Jinxiu felt that she had wronged the Bai family and deserved her fate. As time passed, lying in bed and feeling unwell all day, while Wu Caiwei went out daily, even buying a new courtyard outside and wanting to leave the Zheng family, her resentment gradually grew. Why was she harmed like this, while the other woman could live so freely?
Therefore, an unusual smell appeared at Wu Caiwei's dinner table that evening. She immediately had her maids and servants pack their belongings and left the Zheng family overnight with her younger brother.
As soon as they left, the matter spread within a small circle. Everyone was shrewd. The twists and turns between the Bai and Zheng families, everyone knew, but no one had explicitly stated it.
Given the meager assets of the Zheng family, and the fact that Master Zheng gambled away money every day, where did the money to continue gambling come from? It was obvious.
Bai Jinxiu, upon hearing from a servant that they had moved out overnight, became furious. She wondered why her luck was so bad, always narrowly escaping trouble.
Zheng Yiming was somewhat surprised. The she-devil had moved out on her own. Wasn't that a cause for great celebration? Why did his mother insist that he bring them back?
Honestly, he was a bit intimidated by Bai Xue and even more afraid of seeing her. However, he couldn't disobey his mother's words. He had no choice but to brace himself. When the steward blocked him at the door and refused him entry, he admitted he was relieved.
Bai Jinxiu knew this would be the outcome, so she wasn't disappointed by her son's fruitless return.
"You should go a few more times. If you can get them to return, then welcome them back. If they truly don't want to, then so be it. People will surely gossip. You can shift the blame to me or your father. You are about to participate in the imperial examinations; your reputation cannot be tarnished." Seeing her son's confused expression, Bai Jinxiu slowly explained.
"I understand, Mother. Rest assured, I will do as you say." Hearing his mother's words, Zheng Yiming knew she was considering him. Moving out of the Zheng residence in the middle of the night, people outside were likely speculating about what they had experienced in the Zheng household to leave so hastily.
Wu Caiwei saw that Zheng Yiming had come to her doorstep to invite them back for two consecutive days. She knew he was putting on a show to salvage his reputation. However, remembering that in the original owner's past life, he had not married her, but he had not harmed her either. If he hadn't informed her, she wouldn't have known the truth of the matter, so she let him continue.
After three visits, Zheng Yiming stopped coming. Wu Caiwei knew the other party had given up. The Li family, being well-informed, saw that Wu Caiwei was not returning and a matchmaker directly came to inquire about the previous matter. Wu Caiwei agreed without a second thought.
Considering her grandson's health, Old Madam Li felt it was best to marry soon. Firstly, it could bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. Secondly, even if the good luck didn't materialize, they could still have descendants early. Of course, these matters had to be discussed with Miss Bai first.
Wu Caiwei readily agreed. She knew the other party's health was not optimistic, but she didn't know the specifics. Marrying early would also allow her to help him regulate his health sooner.
Thus, the three-媒 six-聘 process began.
Life in the Zheng household was not peaceful. Bai Jinxiu fell ill, and the mansion fell into chaos. Zheng Yiming couldn't be bothered to manage it. As long as his and his mother's lives could proceed normally, he didn't care.
Master Zheng clearly felt a decline in his quality of life. At mealtimes, the kitchen had not prepared dinner. When he inquired, he was told there was no money to purchase ingredients.
Hot water, no hot water. Tea, no tea. Whatever he wanted, there was none. He went to Bai Jinxiu's courtyard in a huff to question her. Bai Jinxiu, uncharacteristically, kept her eyes tightly shut, refusing to acknowledge him.
He felt his male authority challenged and wanted to teach her a lesson. He raised his fist to strike her.