Before Bai Yi could find the answer to this question, Zhuang Yulang and Zhuang Liu went to a famous temple in the capital to worship Buddha. Mrs. Jiang and Miss Jiang also arranged the same trip to accompany them. Bai Yi didnât confront them this time. When they were looking for an excuse to go out, she readily responded, saying that she would also go out to see some patients. After that, she quietly restrained her demonic aura and followed them.
Like watching a play, Bai Yi saw that Miss Jiangâs maid went to bribe a monk. When the monk was interpreting the lottery stick for Zhuang Yulang, he said that he and Miss Jiang were a beautiful match for marriage and that Miss Jiang would bring him prosperity.
She captured the shock that Zhuang Yulang failed to hide. She also saw how he politely and eagerly asked the monk about his future. She laughed at herself and possessed the monk. She looked at Zhuang Yulang and said seriously, âYoung man, you have a fiancee, but that womanâs luck has been exhausted. She will not be of any help to you. However, Miss Jiang is a good wife for you. You will bear a lot of children, and you will have a bright future. I canât divulge too many heavenly secrets. Thatâs all I can say. Amitabha.â
It was impossible for a real monk to talk like this, but Zhuang Yulang simply couldnât pay closer attention at this moment. All that occupied his mind was that Bai Yiâs luck was gone. Now it was Miss Jiang, the Jiang family, who was beneficial to him!
Bai Yi watched him leave with a tangled expression and followed him out of the temple like an outsider. She kept following Zhuang Yulang and never removed her eyes on him. She watched him thinking alone in the study for a whole day, and then listened to him talk to Zhuang Liu about breaking their marriage contract. He also tactfully guided Zhuang Liu to take the initiative to break their engagement.
Bai Yi returned home before dark. Zhuang Liu had already prepared a table of delicious dishes and was unusually kind to her.Bai Yi cheerfully told them interesting stories about the store and this made the atmosphere at the dinner table very warm. If they were tenderhearted, they would most likely be embarrassed to mention the engagement, right? However, Zhuang Liu and Zhuang Yulang, both the mother and son, were not softhearted at all. Zhuang Liuâs words and expressions spoke about Zhuang Yulangâs imminent appointment as an official. He must have a good wife to help take care of his house and deal with other noble ladies. As such, the position of his wife wasnât for a doctor like Bai Yi, a lady who always appeared in public.
Zhuang Liushi earnestly persuaded Bai Yi, saying that if Bai Yi really wanted good things for Zhuang Yulang, she should be more tolerant, and they would take good care of her in the future. After a year or two, Zhuang Yulang would marry her and let her be a noble concubine. If she had children in the future, she would be no different from being the main wife.
Bai Yi wasnât that ignorant now. She knew how difficult it was for women in the world and knew the difference between the main wife and a concubine. She found every word that Zhuang Liu uttered ridiculous. What were they without her?
She raised her head and asked what Zhuang Yulang meant, âBrother Zhuang, do you think so too?â
Embarrassment and dejection painted Zhuang Yulangâs face. He said dimly, âYiyi, IâŠâ
Zhuang Liu immediately took over the conversation, âYiyi, donât make things difficult for Yulang. Of course he doesnât want to turn his back on you. Itâs me, itâs all my idea, but itâs all for the sake of this family and Yulang. You are so considerate. You should understand, right? You are sensible. We canât forget all your kindness and will not treat you unfairly.â
Bai Yi looked at Zhuang Yulang, âNo matter what Aunt Zhuang says, I wonât agree. Brother Zhuang, I want you to tell me personally. As long as you say the word, I will break off the engagement with you.â
Zhuang Yulang asked Zhuang Liu to step forward because he didnât want to bear the crime of betraying someoneâs love. How could he be willing to say the word? However, Bai Yiren ignored whatever Zhuang Liu said and just waited for Zhuang Yulangâs words. In the end, he had no choice but to take a personal stand.
Bai Yi chuckled. Without looking in the mirror, she knew that her smile was worse than crying. She stood up and walked to the door. She stopped there and said, âOur engagement is then annulled. Thereâs no need for you to be embarrassed, or the need for you to take care of me. If you want to break off our engagement, letâs do it cleanly. Iâm going to live in the shop and wonât come back again. From now onâŠwe will go our separate ways completely. If we ever meet on the street, letâs pretend we donât know each other. Oh, I probably will close the shop and go back to my hometown in the next couple of days, so there will be no chance of me ever seeing you again. Brother Zhuang, thank you for your care these months⊠Take care.â
Even though she was sad, the fact remained that Zhuang Yulang was the benefactor who saved her. The simple words âTake careâ were probably the greatest kindness she could leave behind.