"We'll see," the matchmaker declared, intending to spread tales of Miss Bai's rudeness, adding her own embellishments.
"Hmph! See we shall!" Lu Shui retorted, hands on her hips, unwilling to back down.
"She actually refused!" Bai Jinxiu was surprised too. She had thought the girl was devoted to her son and this tantrum was merely a ploy to enter the Zheng family. Now, this situation was beyond her understanding.
"Yes, yes, not only did she refuse, she chased me out! You should have seen her fierce expression, a veritable tigress." The matchmaker spoke while observing Bai Jinxiu's reaction.
"You've had a difficult time. I'm sorry for the wasted trip. Take this money for some tea. Don't think it's too little; if you find any suitable girls, please keep my son in mind." Bai Jinxiu said politely to the matchmaker, hoping she would find a good daughter-in-law if this one didn't work out.
"Madam Zheng, you are too kind. With our friendship, I will certainly keep you in mind if anyone suitable comes along," the matchmaker replied courteously as she tucked the money into her sleeve.
Bai Jinxiu had her attendant see off the matchmaker and sat alone at the table, pondering for a long time, wondering where things had gone wrong. Clearly, the easily deceived and simple Bai Xue was no more.
When not attending to business, Wu Caiwei spent her time fostering a good relationship with her younger brother. Although he still couldn't converse normally like other children, he had clearly improved a great deal since they first met.
One day, while Wu Caiwei was inspecting shops on the street as usual, a horse suddenly spooked, pulling its carriage and careening wildly. Pedestrians on the street scattered in alarm.
A little girl, disoriented by the commotion, had lost her parents and stood in the middle of the street, not knowing what to do.
As the horse's hooves were about to trample her, Wu Caiwei quickly stepped forward. Amidst the gasps of the crowd, she swiftly moved the girl to the roadside, leaped onto the horse's back, and with all her might, pulled the reins. The horse bucked a few times but couldn't dislodge her before it gradually calmed down.
The scene felt eerily familiar. Soon, a frail young man emerged from the horse's side. The moment Wu Caiwei saw him, she knew the person she had been waiting for had arrived.
"May I ask which family you belong to, young lady? I shall visit your home to express my gratitude another day." Li Yuqun looked at the young woman before him, her face seeming familiar, and felt an inexplicable sense of closeness, desiring to get to know her.
"I am a young lady from the Bai family, currently residing with the Zheng family in the south of the city. You can find out easily if you inquire." Whether she would reveal this to others was uncertain, but to her future husband, she had to leave an address so he could contact her.
"So you are Miss Bai. I shall repay this life-saving kindness tenfold." Li Yuqun bowed slightly in thanks. He then left, supported by his servant.
Wu Caiwei frowned as she watched his departing, weak figure. It seemed that in this life, his journey was not as simple as in previous ones.
Li Yuqun couldn't understand his own feelings. They had only met once, yet he was reluctant to leave. He suppressed the urge to turn back. With his frail body, he didn't know when he might leave this world. It was better not to burden the young lady, yet his heart couldn't resist the stirrings within.
A few days later, Bai Jinxiu sent for Wu Caiwei to come to the front hall. As she entered, she saw a white-haired old woman chatting with Bai Jinxiu, both smiling.
Bai Jinxiu's solicitous attitude indicated the visitor's significant status.
The old woman greeted her warmly upon seeing her, "Is this Miss Bai? What a beautiful young lady."
Wu Caiwei, composed and graceful, allowed herself to be appraised. The old woman's impression of her grew even better.
"Yes, this is the only daughter left by my elder brother. She has been living in our mansion. I am her only relative in this world; if I don't take care of her, who will?" Bai Jinxiu quickly sought to impress Madam Li, knowing the Li family was the wealthiest in the city, and even a small share from them would ensure endless comfort and sustenance.
"My dear girl, thank you so much. You saved my grandson, which means you saved our Li family. If there's anything we can help you with in the future, please don't hesitate to ask." Madam Li looked at Wu Caiwei gratefully.
Wu Caiwei now understood her identity – the grandmother of her destined husband in this life. Seeing the woman's kind demeanor, she was happy to build a good relationship.
"It was my duty. You are too kind to have come in person," Wu Caiwei replied politely with a smile.
"I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart. These are some gifts I brought for you. They are not worth much, but they represent my sincere intentions. I hope you like them." Following her gaze, Wu Caiwei saw the mountain of gifts and couldn't help but twitch her lips.
"This is too much; I cannot accept it." Although Wu Caiwei wasn't averse to wealth, the gifts were too extravagant, making her feel undeserving.
"Snow, you might not know this, but the young master you saved is the third young master of the Yang family. The Yang family is the foremost wealthy family in our city," Bai Jinxiu quickly interjected, afraid her niece would reject the gift, unaware of its value.
"Not at all, not at all," Madam Li said politely. While she found Madam Zheng somewhat disagreeable, the Bai family girl's demeanor and cultivation were clearly different, and she liked her more and more.
Initially, Wu Caiwei didn't want to accept the gifts, but Madam Li insisted, so she reluctantly accepted them.
From then on, she found herself coincidentally encountering Li Yuqun with increasing frequency. Knowing he was her future husband and that he wanted to see her made her feel especially happy, even though he hadn't exchanged many words with her.
Li Yuqun didn't understand himself. Perhaps this was what people called lovesickness; he felt unwell without seeing her for a day, and when he did see her, he felt inferior, believing his frail body was unworthy of her. Marrying her would only bring her misfortune.
Elder Madam Yang had long noticed her grandson's unusual behavior. Although it wasn't ideal to have a daughter without parents, after meeting Miss Bai, she found her charming and beautiful. Most importantly, her grandson liked her, so marrying her into the family was not out of the question.
As Li Yuqun entered the main gate, a servant was already waiting to inform him that the old madam wanted to see him in the main courtyard.
Upon seeing her grandson, Madam Yang said with concern, "Your health is poor, why aren't you resting at home more? Why are you always going out?"
"Grandson feels restless staying in the mansion all the time. Going out to breathe fresh air improves my mood, and might even be beneficial for my condition," Li Yuqun lied, afraid his grandmother would prevent him from going out again.
"I heard that every time you go out, it's to see Miss Bai?" the old madam asked, seeing through his deception.
"Really? No," Li Yuqun replied unnaturally, his face instantly flushing red.
"If you find Miss Bai agreeable, I shall send someone to propose. Why do you always visit secretly?" Madam Yang said without hesitation. It was the first time she had seen her grandson so shy since he was little. While it was novel, she couldn't bear to tease him any longer.
"No!" Li Yuqun exclaimed.