The Eunuch Has A Wife - Chapter 72

A spring rain fell softly through the night, and the crown prince suddenly passed away. Upon hearing the news, the old emperor’s condition worsened.

The tranquility of the court was abruptly shattered. Without the crown prince to keep him in check, the third prince, supported by a group of military officers, no longer had any reservations.

In his final moments, the old emperor did not leave a will. Naturally, the third prince, who held military power, became the victor.

In just two days, with nothing more than a spring rain, the world outside had changed.

After fasting on the first day, Bai Hongmo did not make the same mistake again. Her father and eldest brother had become utterly ruthless and were likely to disregard her life. Now, the only thing she could do was rely on herself, so she absolutely could not fall.

She still had to see Yingbai.

“Little sister, it was fine before, but now that the third prince has ascended the throne, and Father had already agreed, if you refuse to enter the palace, our Bai family will be defying the imperial decree. Do you want to see the Bai family exterminated?”

Bai Shu’s face was dark as he spoke, his tone seemingly persuasive, but his expression was like a final ultimatum.

The entire Bai family… Bai Hongmo’s heart was in turmoil, but her face remained silent.

Bai Shu narrowed his eyes. The third prince would issue an imperial decree in the next two days, but his little sister remained stubborn. It seemed she wouldn’t relent until she hit a wall.

He sneered and turned to call a servant: “Go to the Prime Minister’s residence and invite Miss Chu to the general’s mansion in my sister’s name.”

Hearing the noise from her room, Bai Hongmo felt a sudden panic: “What are you doing? If you dare touch her, Prime Minister Chu will not spare the Bai family.”

She hated this—her only leverage was invoking Prime Minister Chu’s name. She had a sincere heart but no power to protect the one she loved.

Bai Shu turned back: “Don’t worry, little sister. I’m just inviting Miss Chu over for a visit.”

With that, he closed the door, ignoring Bai Hongmo’s pounding.

The sun set, and evening fell.

When Chu Yingbai heard from a servant that Miss Bai had invited her, her eyes curved with joy. Had Hongmo convinced General Bai?

Could they now discuss marriage? She would have to remind her father not to worry about who married whom; the important thing was that they could be together first. They could figure out the details after the wedding.

If she wanted to stay at the Prime Minister’s residence for a while, Hongmo would surely agree.

Chu Yingbai remembered the day when Bai Hongmo had whispered sweet nothings in her ear, using all the beautiful words in the world, her tone filled with indescribable tenderness and love.

The carriage swayed gently, and the person inside occasionally chuckled, lost in her own joy.

When she arrived at the Bai residence, she was told that Bai Hongmo was preparing soup for her.

The one who greeted her was Bai Shu, Bai Hongmo’s eldest brother.

Two bowls of soup were brought out.

Bai Shu smiled: “My little sister insisted on making the soup herself. She must be in the kitchen, her face smudged, busy getting ready to see her beloved. Please, Miss Chu.”

Chu Yingbai’s face flushed slightly. It seemed the Bai family already knew.

She looked at the steaming bowl of soup in front of her. Did Hongmo really make this? But an inexplicable unease crept into her heart.

“What? Does Miss Chu doubt my sister’s cooking skills? Let me, her elder brother, taste it first. It’s the first time I’ve seen her cook in so many years.”

Bai Shu smiled warmly, took a few sips, and then looked over: “Not bad. I didn’t know my sister had such talent.”

Chu Yingbai, seeing this, glanced toward the front door. Why hadn’t Hongmo come yet? Lost in thought, she unconsciously picked up the spoon and began to drink the soup.

“It’s delicious.” The soup Hongmo made was truly wonderful.

“Hahaha, my sister certainly didn’t misjudge you. Miss Chu, let me take you to her courtyard so you don’t have to wait any longer.” Bai Shu laughed heartily and personally led Chu Yingbai to the backyard.

She had been to Bai Hongmo’s courtyard before, so seeing the familiar path, she followed without hesitation.

As they entered the courtyard, she heard the sound of someone pounding on a door.

“Bai Shu, don’t touch her! Eldest Brother, Prime Minister Chu will not spare the general’s mansion…”

A mix of anger and sobbing, filled with endless despair, like a trapped animal, utterly helpless.

It was Hongmo’s voice. Chu Yingbai’s heart ached, and she turned to look at Bai Shu.

Bai Shu’s smile faded: “Escort Miss Chu to the side room to rest.”

Two maids stepped forward, flanking Chu Yingbai.

She wanted to resist, but her strength failed her. Her legs had gone weak, and she could barely stand.

“That bowl of soup…”

Panic flashed in Chu Yingbai’s eyes. Had Hongmo failed to convince her father and brother?

Was she alright? Being locked in a room couldn’t be good…

She wanted to see Hongmo, to take her away…

Chu Yingbai’s mind grew foggy, her thoughts consumed by Hongmo… Hongmo…

“Since my sister clearly doesn’t care about this family, doesn’t care about me or Father’s lives, then don’t blame me for being ruthless. Miss Chu is waiting for me in the side room. You’ll hear good news soon.” Bai Shu opened the door, his face full of disdain, as if looking at an ant.

Bai Hongmo wiped the tears from her face: “What are you planning? Prime Minister Chu is the head of the officials. If you make an enemy of him, even the emperor may not fully support you.” Prime Minister Chu had influence everywhere, both inside and outside the court, with immense prestige.

If the third prince wanted to secure the throne, he would need his support.

Bai Shu naturally understood this: “If Prime Minister Chu becomes my father-in-law, would he still oppose the general’s mansion? Miss Chu is talented, beautiful, and wise—perfect to be your sister-in-law.”

Bai Hongmo’s pupils contracted, her mind racing to stay calm.

She sneered: “So that’s your plan.”

Bai Shu also smiled: “You know the emperor has had his eye on Miss Chu. If she enters the palace, the position of empress might not be yours. This way, it’s a win-win. Or do you want to see her enter the palace and share a husband with you?”

Bai Hongmo took a deep breath and said word by word: “I know Yingbai’s temperament best. If you dare touch her, she will not live, and I will give up my life too. Then you can explain our corpses to Father, to Prime Minister Chu, and to your emperor. I don’t know what will happen to the Bai family, but I know this—you won’t get away unscathed.”

With that, she pulled a hairpin from her head and pressed it against her neck, drawing bl00d without hesitation.

“Stop! Are you crazy?” Bai Shu shouted, his heart filled with panic. If both of them died, not only would Father be furious, but the emperor and Prime Minister Chu would never let him go.

Flustered, he forced a smile: “Little sister, put the hairpin down first. Let’s talk this over.”

Bai Hongmo kept the hairpin at her neck, her grip firm: “Take me to see Yingbai. I will obediently enter the palace. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it.”

Bai Shu frowned, staring at her: “Fine. I hope you keep your word. Otherwise, don’t blame me for suggesting to the emperor that Miss Chu also be summoned to the palace to keep you company. Don’t think about running away. The entire world belongs to the emperor. Hiding for a lifetime won’t be easy.”

“I’ve made my promise. I won’t go back on it.”

Bai Shu, fearing that pushing too hard would lead to two more deaths, took Bai Hongmo to the side room. Seeing Chu Yingbai in a daze, he couldn’t help but add: “She drank that kind of medicine. The first time should be given to someone, so why not let me help her relieve the effects?”

“Get out, or I’ll bite off my tongue right now. Do you think she’ll do the same?” Bai Hongmo’s eyes burned with deep hatred. How dare he? How dare he treat her Yingbai like this?

Seeing her ready to fight to the death, Bai Shu snorted and left.

Bai Hongmo rushed to hold Chu Yingbai: “Are you a fool? Why did you drink whatever he gave you?”

The familiar voice brought a sliver of clarity to Chu Yingbai’s muddled mind. Her chest felt hot, her body burning, but she caught the anger in Bai Hongmo’s tone.

She pouted: “It was the soup you made for me.” How could she not drink the soup Hongmo made?

Bai Hongmo sighed. She regretted it. Perhaps they should never have started this, or today wouldn’t have happened.

“Sister, shall we consummate our love today? Are you willing?” she asked softly, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Chu Yingbai’s remaining rationality was like a thread, snapping and reconnecting: “But Father said a woman shouldn’t stay out before marriage… What should we do…”

The person in her arms suddenly began to sob softly, as if facing an insurmountable problem.

Bai Hongmo was stunned, then smiled through her tears: “Then let’s go home. We won’t stay here. I’ll go home with you.”

The carriage traveled from the general’s mansion to the Prime Minister’s residence without stopping.

Bai Hongmo didn’t get out of the carriage, only poked her head out to say a few words. To prevent Chu Yingbai from making any inappropriate noises, she sealed her lips with a kiss.

The servants were unsure what to do and went to consult the master.

Prime Minister Chu frowned upon hearing the report, but remembering how his daughter spoke of the Bai girl, he waved his hand in consent.

The carriage drove straight into Chu Yingbai’s courtyard. Bai Hongmo dismissed all the servants before carrying Chu Yingbai into the room.

The door slammed shut, blocking out the world.

Chu Yingbai, in her haze, glanced around and saw it was her own room. The person holding her was Hongmo, so she felt at ease. Her last thread of rationality snapped.

Her palms were hot, burning but not scorching…

When she woke, before she could make sense of what had happened, the girl beside her clung to her.

Bai Hongmo took Chu Yingbai’s hand, guiding her movements…

“Yingbai, take me…”

Chu Yingbai’s rationality shattered once more…

Before falling asleep, Chu Yingbai held Bai Hongmo tightly: “Hongmo, let’s get married tomorrow, okay? Stay with me in the Prime Minister’s residence, okay?”

“Okay, I won’t leave. I’ll stay with you forever…”

Chu Yingbai fell asleep contentedly, but when she woke, the person beside her was gone. That same day, news came that Bai Hongmo had accepted the imperial decree and entered the palace, where she was named Virtuous Consort.