The Eunuch Has A Wife - Chapter 41

The air grew still as the two, fingers interlaced, gazed up at the darkening sky. A cold breeze drifted by.

Bai Zhi pursed her lips, her voice softening unconsciously, “It’s getting late, let’s head back to the room.”

She felt strange, wondering why she hadn’t pulled her hand away after Wei Ziwan took it.

Like a clueless fool, she felt uneasy yet inexplicably longed to hold on a little longer, even craving more contact, more closeness… It felt like reluctance to let go…

Wei Ziwan looked down, her fingers pausing briefly before slowly releasing, “Yes, it’s too cold outside, let’s go in.”

“Mm.” Bai Zhi responded softly, her hand unconsciously clenching, a flicker of disappointment passing through her heart.

She walked ahead, her rationality returning only then. The inexplicable atmosphere earlier, and the person behind her…

Why had Wei Ziwan held her hand, and why had she been reluctant to let go?

Bai Zhi suddenly wanted to ask, but the words stuck in her throat. Should she just ask directly: Why did you suddenly hold my hand?

That would be even stranger, what if the other asked back: Then why didn’t you pull away?

How should she answer, say she was reluctant?

No, that’s too odd, better not to ask.

Wei Ziwan followed behind, her bright eyes flickering with a hidden light. Was this eunuch truly clueless or just pretending?

At night, Bai Zhi woke up from the cold again.

She turned over slowly, determined to get a wider quilt tomorrow.

As for tonight…

She gently poked Wei Ziwan’s back, whispering, “It’s too cold sleeping like this, turn over and lie flat.”

Wei Ziwan didn’t move, seemingly deep in sleep.

Bai Zhi sighed inwardly, choosing to wake her rather than adjust her sleeping position herself.

She feared Wei Ziwan might wake up during the adjustment, making it impossible to explain. It was better not to risk such a compromising situation.

So, she poked again gently, “Lie flat.”

Wei Ziwan murmured softly, as if hearing her, but instead turned a full 180 degrees, now facing Bai Zhi.

Bai Zhi: “…”

She watched quietly for a moment, then lay flat, her arm subtly moving closer to Wei Ziwan.

Until they were side by side, from above, it looked as if Wei Ziwan was holding her arm.

The next morning, seeing the snow-covered scenery outside, Bai Zhi realized why it had been so cold last night—it had snowed.

And it was a heavy snowfall.

“So beautiful.”

Wei Ziwan had somehow made her way to the courtyard, bending to scoop up a handful of snow, then tossing it into the air, as if feeling the snowflakes fall.

The woman in light purple stood amidst the white, tilting her head slightly as the snowflakes drifted down, disappearing in an instant.

Bai Zhi gazed at the figure in the courtyard, the vast whiteness around making the light purple silhouette resemble a lilac blossom in a sea of snow.

The snowflakes and the beauty of the scene captivated the onlooker, making it hard to look away.

The figure in the courtyard suddenly turned and smiled, “Husband, do you know how to build a snowman?”

A flash of admiration crossed Bai Zhi’s eyes, thinking that such charm was indeed captivating.

“Husband?” Wei Ziwan called softly, seeing the dazed look.

Was this eunuch staring at her again? If so, why had he been so indifferent yesterday?

Wei Ziwan’s fingers twitched, recalling her own initiative to reach out, a faint disappointment creeping into her mood.

Bai Zhi’s reverie didn’t last long; she snapped back to reality at Wei Ziwan’s second call.

“What is it?”

Wei Ziwan frowned; the man hadn’t been listening. Her earlier enthusiasm waned instantly.

“Nothing, it’s time for breakfast.”

Bai Zhi nodded. After breakfast, just as she remembered about changing the quilt, a servant called her.

“The old master requests your presence.”

Bai Zhi instinctively frowned, then glanced at Wei Ziwan, who nodded calmly.

They both followed the servant, but he stopped and said, “The old master instructed that only Miss Bai is to come.”

Bai Zhi halted, realizing Wei Ziwan wasn’t to accompany her, her brow furrowing again.

“Go ahead, husband, I’ll wait for you in the room.” Wei Ziwan said understandingly. She had no ties to the old master, having met him only once, and it was better not to engage.

Bai Zhi blurted out, “I’ll be back soon, you… don’t worry, nothing will happen.”

She was comforting Wei Ziwan, or perhaps herself.

Wei Ziwan smiled and nodded, watching them leave, then sighed softly. The matter to be discussed required her absence.

Either it concerned her, or it was something she shouldn’t know. The Lingjue Manor was full of mysteries; should they leave?

She looked around; the manor was sparsely populated, usually quiet, but this quietness felt unusual.

Occasionally, she passed hurried servants, pausing to observe their steps—indeed, something was amiss.

“Old Master, Miss Bai is here.” the servant announced before quietly retreating.

“Bai Zhi pays her respects to Uncle.” Bai Zhi bowed slightly.

Bai Shu looked up kindly, “No need for formalities, come here.”

Bai Zhi hesitated, then slowly approached, stopping a few steps away.

“What did you wish to discuss?”

Bai Shu examined her before asking gravely, “You’re dissatisfied with Mr. Qiu’s teachings?”

Though phrased as a question, his tone suggested certainty.

Bai Zhi was taken aback, a flicker of discomfort in her heart.

Before she could respond, Bai Shu continued, “The reason.”

Bai Zhi took a deep breath, answering candidly, “Because I feel he doesn’t respect us.”

It wasn’t just Mr. Qiu; even Bai Shu, this so-called uncle, made decisions for others without explanation, regardless of good intentions, it was inappropriate.

They were complete individuals with their own thoughts, pursuits, and desired lives.

No one liked having their life arranged by others, and she was no exception.

Bai Shu paused, a hint of a smile in his eyes before his expression turned serious again, “Mr. Qiu is a scholar, how could he not know respect? I find him very respectful.”

Bai Zhi was momentarily speechless, then after a pause said, “That’s towards you, not us.”

Mr. Qiu, unless a fool, wouldn’t disrespect Bai Shu, as he was employed by Lingjue Manor; in a sense, Bai Shu was his benefactor.

Bai Shu’s expression remained unchanged, as if lamenting, “Is that so? He knows respect, respects me but lacks respect for you. So Mr. Qiu is also a sycophant? Then why don’t you strive to elevate yourself? Drive away those who look down on you, and they won’t belittle you anymore. Is that your solution?”

Bai Zhi’s breath hitched; she hadn’t intended to drive Mr. Qiu away, merely felt no need to feign cordiality with someone who disrespected her, and those perplexing teachings, she instinctively disliked.

“I just don’t want to listen to Mr. Qiu’s nonsensical talk, we just want to live quietly.”

This answer clearly didn’t satisfy Bai Shu.

He frowned, “A quiet life? Quiet isn’t the absence of conversation, but inner resilience, undisturbed by external matters. Do you think you’re right?”

Bai Zhi felt a surge of irritation, as if facing Mr. Qiu’s evasive teachings again; they weren’t on the same page.

Again, these cryptic words, seemingly metaphorical, were endlessly vexing.

“The reason?”

Bai Shu was puzzled, “What reason?”

Bai Zhi raised an eyebrow, “The reason for Mr. Qiu’s teachings, the reason for your words just now, and are you truly my uncle, my father’s brother?”

Bai Shu was visibly startled, not expecting such a question.

After a long pause, he seemed to concede, “You’ll know the reason soon, but before that, you must get along well with Miss Lu.”

“Why should I get along with her?” Bai Zhi pressed on, determined to get to the bottom of it.

This time, Bai Shu was silent even longer, looking at the person a few steps away, as if transported back over twenty years…

“Brother, why should I get along with the Second Prince?”

“Brother, must I sacrifice my life for the family’s benefit?”

“Tell me, why did following your advice lead to the downfall of our clan?”

“Brother, I owe her too much already, can’t you find a way to keep her out of the palace?”

“Brother, I can’t go on living.”

“Brother…”

The once vibrant voice of his sister echoed in his ears, now only filled with despair and desolation.

Bai Shu lowered his head, his eyes slightly moist. After a prolonged silence, he closed his eyes tightly and said, “Because it’s your fate. Getting along with her will help you rise higher, and only by standing tall can you earn respect.”

Bai Zhi looked at Bai Shu indifferently, a hint of mockery at her lips, “What if I don’t believe in fate?”

By fate, she should have perished long ago with Wei Ziwan, yet not only had she been reborn, but she had also escaped death and lived until now.

Bai Shu’s gaze wavered; indeed, they were different. His sister had always been gentle and compliant, but this child was nothing like her mother.

Yet they bore the same destiny, for the family, and for themselves.

Bai Shu closed his eyes tightly once more, his voice heavy, “Whether you’re willing or not, as long as you’re in Lingjue Manor, you must get along with Miss Lu, even deepen your relationship if possible.”

Bai Zhi’s heart skipped a beat; what did deepening the relationship mean?

She looked at Bai Shu, the old and the young locking eyes in silence.

The words ‘I have Wanwan’ were on the tip of her tongue but were swallowed back.

The intensity in that gaze was too palpable, as if not complying would lead to dire consequences, making Bai Zhi involuntarily change her words, “Some things can’t be forced, I’ll try my best, but the outcome is up to fate.”

It seemed they couldn’t stay at Lingjue Manor any longer, perhaps even needing to leave quietly. Given her uncle’s demeanor, he might resort to forceful measures to keep them.

Bai Shu’s expression softened; this was a compromise. After all, she was his sister’s daughter, with some similarities in her bones.