The Eunuch Has A Wife - Chapter 61

Bai Zhi looked at Bai Hongmo. It was only after meeting Bai Shu that this person began to show the emotions that a human should have—joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.

No, perhaps even earlier, it was after seeing the Empress at Qingshi Temple that Bai Hongmo’s face began to show signs of life, emotions beyond mere indifference.

For example, the undisguised hatred when mentioning Bai Shu, and the worry in her eyes when speaking of the Empress.

Even when facing Bai Zhi, she wasn’t as cold as before.

Bai Zhi recalled what Bai Hongmo had said earlier, that she was willing to give birth to her.

“Why were you willing to give birth to me?”

The air suddenly grew still.

Just as Bai Zhi thought she wouldn’t get an answer this time either, Bai Hongmo let out a soft sigh and slowly spoke, “Because you are hope.”

You are that person’s hope.

She turned her head to look into the distance, as if seeing the past many years ago.

She had foolishly entered the palace, was sent to the cold palace, and then discovered she was pregnant. When she learned that the person she loved had also entered the palace to serve the despicable emperor, the last bit of hope in her heart was shattered.

Later, that person became the Empress and even bore a prince. She had originally planned to end both their lives, but changed her mind because of one sentence.

“Hongmo, this world is too bitter. Let me go with you.”

It was because of this sentence that Bai Hongmo held on. She could die, but she couldn’t bear to let the Empress die with her.

That night, she gave birth in the cold palace. Before faking her death and leaving, she only had time to leave a letter with six words: “Protect my child.”

That short sentence was enough to dissuade the Empress from following her to the grave.

She had always known that the Empress would never refuse her, nor would she refuse her child.

So, over the years, all her longing and resentment turned into hatred.

Bai Hongmo snapped back to reality and looked at Bai Zhi, “You are her hope.” You are the Empress’s hope to keep living.

Bai Zhi was stunned as she met Bai Hongmo’s gaze, a look of sorrow mixed with tenderness. She thought she knew who Bai Hongmo was referring to—the Empress. But all these years, the Empress had never shown her any care.

In her past life, even at the moment of death, the Empress had not come to her rescue. Perhaps it was because of her identity; if discovered, it would only hasten her death.

Or perhaps it was because she had lived too simply in the cold palace, overlooking many details.

For example, when she was learning to read as a child, how did the old concubine have so many books for children’s education?

And later, when she grew up and was appointed as the manager of the cold palace’s small kitchen, never worrying about food or clothing, she had always thought it was her adoptive father’s doing.

But now, thinking carefully, although her adoptive father served the emperor, he didn’t have that much power. After all, anything he wanted to do required the emperor’s approval.

So, who could arrange things in the palace without alerting the emperor?

The master of the palace, the Empress.

If that was truly the case, in her past life, when she died, Bai Hongmo hadn’t had the chance to meet the Empress. What about the Empress?

With hope gone, what would she do?

Bai Zhi looked at Bai Hongmo with a complex expression. The speculation was too cruel: “I won’t ask anymore.”

A seemingly nonsensical statement, perhaps only she understood it.

Some questions don’t need to be dug into deeply because the answers behind them are too heavy. She didn’t want to delve into Bai Hongmo’s past anymore, nor did she want to know if her mother had any feelings for her.

Because she was afraid that the unknown reasons would be too bitter.

Bai Hongmo observed Bai Zhi’s expression, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes. But her curiosity wasn’t strong, and she simply nodded slightly, indicating she understood. Perhaps it was for the best.

After arranging their accommodations, Bai Hongmo left the backyard and went to the front hall of Lou Shang Lou.

Wei Ziwan noticed Bai Zhi was still lost in thought and walked over to gently embrace her: “Husband, are you troubled?”

Just moments ago, she felt that Bai Zhi was hiding something from her, or perhaps from everyone. The emotions in her eyes were too complex.

It seemed no one could understand, not even her.

Bai Zhi’s breath hitched, and she tightened her embrace. After a long while, she slowly said, “I had a dream. In it, we didn’t even make it out of the capital before we both died. In that dream, there was no mother, no Empress, no Lingjue Manor, and no Song Village. In the dream, there was only you and me.”

A strange and mutually wary version of us, forced to stay together yet distrustful of each other, and ultimately executed.

“A dream with only you and me, shouldn’t that be good?” Wei Ziwan smiled softly, trying to comfort her. So it was just a dream, no wonder she couldn’t understand.

Bai Zhi’s breath faltered, and her heart ached. A dream with only you and me wasn’t good, not at all.

She gently exhaled and kissed Wei Ziwan’s earlobe: “Wanwan is right, it should be good.”

Fortunately, she had been given a second chance at life, and she held the person in her arms tightly.

“That tickles…” Wei Ziwan tilted her head to avoid it, giving her a reproachful look.

But Bai Zhi didn’t stop. Instead, she grew more daring.

She leaned in and gently nibbled on Wei Ziwan’s earlobe, biting down ever so lightly.

Wei Ziwan had no choice but to endure the tickling sensation, her body stiffening. When Bai Zhi bit down gently, she couldn’t help but tremble.

“Hu—husband—”

Her words were cut off as Bai Zhi’s lips sealed hers…

When their legs grew unsteady, their breathing more hurried, and their gasps louder, Bai Zhi finally slowed down, holding the person in her arms as they both calmed their breaths.

“Husband?”

“Hmm?”

Bai Zhi responded, and when Wei Ziwan didn’t say anything more, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

Wei Ziwan shook her head: “Nothing.”

It was just that things felt different now. She felt that the distance between them had subtly closed.

It was as if this person’s heart, which had only been slightly open before, had now swung wide open, fully enveloping her.

The feeling was strange, but it was also something she longed for and found satisfying.

Bai Zhi’s eyes softened: “Wanwan, do you like it?”

“Like what?” Wei Ziwan’s thoughts were moving too fast, and she couldn’t keep up.

Bai Zhi chuckled softly, teasing, “Do you like how I just treated you… Ouch, that hurts…”

The soft flesh at her waist was pinched, and Bai Zhi cried out in pain while dodging, the corners of her eyes filled with obvious affection.

“Nonsense.” Wei Ziwan’s ears turned red as she shot her another reproachful look. This person was becoming more and more shameless.

Where had all her previous seriousness gone? Hmph, it seemed it had all been an act.

Bai Zhi took a step back, her eyes filled with adoration: “Doesn’t Wanwan like it?”

Wei Ziwan reached out to pinch her waist again: “You’re so improper…”

“Wanwan, I was wrong. If you keep being so cruel, you’ll never get married.” Her voice was sweet.

“Still talking… No need for Eunuch Bai to worry, this servant is already married.”

“Ouch… Wanwan, call me husband, or madam is fine too.”

“Alright, Eunuch Bai.”

Bai Zhi: “…”

Bai Hongmo stood outside the door, hearing the faint sounds of laughter and play inside. She lowered her hand, which had been about to knock. How wonderful!

Her thin figure returned to the front hall, where Lou Shang Lou was filled with joy.

But in the palace, chaos reigned once more.

The emperor sat on his dragon bed, having not attended court for many days. He had left state affairs to his ministers, but he felt as if his power was slipping away.

Using the excuse of teaching Zhou Luo’er, he summoned his ministers to his chambers to discuss matters.

Things had been progressing smoothly. This daughter of his had some insight and could barely keep up with the discussions.

The emperor suddenly remembered that Zhou Luo’er had mentioned she was married, so he summoned her husband to the palace to meet him.

He wanted the ministers to take a look at him. If this man was troublesome, he would have Zhou Luo’er remarry, preferably to someone with influence who would be easy to control.

But when he saw Bai Li’s face, he felt a sense of unease.

“Your surname is Bai?”

“Your servant is Bai Li. My father is Bai Shu.” Bai Li raised his head, his voice trembling slightly but still brave, his words clear.

“…”

The chamber fell silent. Bai Shu! The Bai family!

A family that had disappeared twenty years ago, yet their name still struck fear into people’s hearts.

The emperor’s face darkened. He glanced at Zhou Luo’er, then back at Bai Li: “Bai Shu is still alive? How impressive.”

Not only had he survived, but he had also stolen his daughter and had the audacity to let a son of the Bai family marry a royal princess.

How impressive. After twenty years, the Bai family had resurfaced to torment him.

They must be tired of living, rushing to their deaths.

“My father is doing well.” Bai Li bowed his head, not daring to meet the emperor’s sharp gaze.

Remembering the bloodshed of the past, the ministers couldn’t gauge the emperor’s current mood and all remained silent.

The emperor snorted coldly and looked at Zhou Luo’er: “Is this your fine husband?” His tone was filled with undisguised anger.

Zhou Luo’er’s heart panicked, and she quickly knelt: “Father, please calm your anger. The Bai family raised me, and I was unaware of my true identity, so I had no choice but to marry into their family. Now that it concerns the royal lineage, Bai Li is unfit for this role. I beg you to issue an edict for our divorce.”

Finally, the moment had come. The Bai family, ha! They thought they could control her? Dream on.

The emperor glanced at Bai Li, his expression subtle: “What do you mean by this?”

“Father, the truth is that Bai Li has been impotent. Although I am grateful for his care and thus married into the Bai family, now that the royal lineage is at stake, I must make the difficult decision to divorce. I beg you to issue the edict.”

The ministers pricked up their ears. Today was truly a spectacle.

This princess raised among the commoners was not simple.

Just listen to her words: she was forced to marry into the Bai family out of gratitude for their care, but now that she had returned to her roots, she had no choice but to betray that gratitude and seek a divorce.

Not only did she not appear ungrateful, but she also shifted all the blame onto the Bai family.

Clearly impotent, yet they forced the princess to marry. The Bai family was rushing to their deaths.

The emperor sneered but remained silent. After a moment, he looked at the ministers: “What do you all think should be done?”

The ministers quickly exchanged glances. What else could be done?

The Bai family had already been exterminated to the ninth degree. Now, with their audacity to abduct the princess and interfere with the royal lineage, they should be punished for multiple crimes.