The current predicament of Zhan Feiyu was not a cause for concern. Bai Zhaohui, after reviewing the entire affair in his mind, turned to the Prefect Bai and asked, "Father, the death of You Haoran now seems more like it was aimed at you and Lord Chang."
Although Zhan Feiyu was also involved, thinking of her identity and the scholar Gu behind her, Bai Zhaohui did not believe that the mastermind would use the Marquis Wu'an's estate to scheme against her. After all, from the perspective of the case, Zhan Feiyu was indeed innocent. Upon reviewing all the clues, it was Prefect Bai who was implicated.
Prefect Bai's face grew solemn as he continued, "Yao Damin committed suicide in prison, a message conveyed by the jailer Lai San. Secondly, Lai San, who should have been imprisoned, infiltrated Lord Chang's residence and assassinated You Haoran."
"Thirdly, Zeng Pin was my mother's steward and must know a great deal about my mother or the Li family. If he betrayed my mother, it would undoubtedly be a heavy blow to you, Father." Even if some matters were indeed done privately by Madam Bai behind Prefect Bai's back, in the eyes of outsiders, it was a result of Prefect Bai's lax household management. If he couldn't even manage his own wife, how could he govern Shuntian Prefecture?
Prefect Bai looked at his worried youngest son and, instead, patted his shoulder reassuringly, "After the spring imperial examinations, I might be appointed to an official post outside the capital." The situation in the capital was becoming increasingly complex, with schemes and calculations that were impossible to guard against. Prefect Bai, being an incorruptible official, was not afraid, but unfortunately, Madam Bai was a liability, not to mention Madam Bai's maternal family, the Li family. Since the mastermind was targeting the position of Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, Prefect Bai would go with the flow and relinquish the post to protect his entire family.
"Father intends to avoid this?" Bai Zhaohui pondered for a long time before nodding in agreement. Compared to the glory of the Bai family, Bai Zhaohui cared more about Prefect Bai's safety.
"For the days before the New Year, you will stay at the Imperial College and not return home." Prefect Bai had not intended to elaborate, but thinking of Madam Bai's actions, and not wanting his youngest son to be schemed against, he spoke again, "Regarding your marriage, I plan to discuss it in a few years."
This topic suddenly turning to his own marriage caught Bai Zhaohui off guard, and an embarrassed look appeared on his young and handsome face. "Everything is up to Father's decision." Bai Zhaohui also knew that if he were to get engaged first, and his father were to be posted outside the capital, the bride's family might think the Bai family was deceiving them, as marriages between noble families emphasized matching social status. Rather than leaving behind estrangement in the future, it would be more prudent to wait a few years for the situation to stabilize before getting engaged.
Looking at his pensive youngest son, Prefect Bai stroked his beard and had to state it plainly, "The current unclear situation is only one reason. The key is that your mother intends for you to marry a princess. After you return, please sort out your personal belongings."
A quarter of an hour later, Bai Zhaohui walked towards his courtyard with unsteady steps, his mind in a turmoil. If his father had not said it himself, Bai Zhaohui would not have believed that his own mother would ruin his future! Once married to a princess, what was the point of his decades of diligent study?
"Young Master?" His attendant glanced at the dazed Bai Zhaohui and couldn't help but softly remind him, "Young Master, watch your step." Bai Zhaohui recalled his father's instructions and then thought about how Madam Bai, in order to prevent rumors of Zhan Feiyu marrying Bai Zhaohui out of gratitude, had gone so far as to have Steward Zeng bribe Lai San and coerce Yao Damin into framing Zhan Feiyu. Suddenly regaining his senses, Bai Zhaohui's expression changed. He no longer thought his father was exaggerating. If rumors of "private dealings" with the Seventh Princess were to spread, he would have no choice but to marry the princess, even if he didn't want to. Therefore, he absolutely had to pack his belongings, destroy what could be destroyed, and pack what couldn't be destroyed into boxes to take back to the Imperial College.
...
Bai Zhaohui was so frightened that he spent the entire night packing. Meanwhile, at Yufeng Tower, Zhan Feiyu was, as usual, attending to her studies, preparing for the spring imperial examinations two months away.
"Miss, the Laba porridge is ready," He Nuan entered with a tray. The bowls contained steaming, sweet-smelling Laba porridge. After Laba Festival, the New Year was not far off.
"Place it on the table first, I'll eat it later." Zhan Feiyu was currently engrossed in her writing. A thick stack on her desk contained the monthly and ten-day examinations from the second half of the year at the Imperial College, as well as the essays of the top twenty students. Zhan Feiyu was now also learning from others' essays to improve herself. After finishing an essay, Zhan Feiyu stood up to stretch her stiff shoulders. "A Nuan, were there any developments in the morning court today?" Logically, Marquis Wu'an's wife, Madam Du, had acted arrogantly and outrageously in full view of the public yesterday, disregarding national laws and statutes. The Censorate would surely impeach Marquis You in the morning court today.
The Laba porridge, kept warm on the charcoal stove, was still steaming. He Nuan brought the bowl over again. "The Marquis Wu'an's estate sent people to spread rumors yesterday, saying that Madam Du was acting erratically due to the death of her son, and Marquis You has placed her under house arrest."
"So, it means that the Marchioness had a reason for her actions? It was understandable?" Zhan Feiyu scooped a spoonful of porridge and ate it in small bites. Even the sweet and soft delicacy couldn't stop her from rolling her eyes in sarcastic complaint. "Did they also implicitly threaten the censors, suggesting that if they dared to impeach the Marquis Wu'an's estate, Madam Du, being stimulated, might do something crazy again?" For example, making the censors also taste the pain of losing a son or a grandson? As for revenge, would Madam Du be afraid? Her only son was dead, and the Marquis's lineage was broken. Madam Du was truly "fearless and without restraint."