Transmigration: The Fate of the Villainess

170 She understood its meaning too late Part III

“Marriage.”

Xu Peipei nodded. At this time, only the Xu family revealed their cards and openly chose sides. As for the Yue family, who had never shown bias, their thoughts were not too hard to guess. With one of the two options being Ouyang Feilong, they would surely choose him, whom they had practically raised.

But if the other military pillar, Ouyang Feilong, did not choose himself and instead supported Ouyang Mingxian, it would be a unanimous decision. However, the commander-general was silent.

The pressure then fell on the Bai family. If they chose Ouyang Mingxian, then he would have enough support to become emperor. And if that support was gained through the marriage to Bai Yu, Ouyang Mingxian would be able to pull the Yue family to his side as well…

“Your father has never said anything, but don’t forget how you used to want this title so much. The Empress Dowager also favors you. The only way for Qin Wang to have the Bai family’s power is not up to just your father anymore, Bai Yu. Right now, the Empress Dowager has yet to give up on this matter. If there’s something you want to do, hurry.” Xu Peipei was well-intentioned with her warning. Bai Yu said nothing in reply, only sitting there in silence, sinking into her own thoughts.

“What if Bai Hua…” The name of the woman who might be able to help free her from this situation was uttered in a low voice. Amidst the silence, Xu Peipei could hear it loud and clear.

“She’s only a concubine’s daughter. No matter how great she is, she’s worthless to Empress Dowager.”

Bai Yu nodded in agreement before wearily closing her eyes. What should she do with this kind of fate?

“I can’t stay here for too long, so I’ll be leaving now.” After letting the host stay in her own head for a while, Xu Peipei then excused herself. Bai Yu walked out to see her friend off, an unusual behavior that further perplexed the servants of Bai Mansion. Everyone knew well how the two misses were seemingly close while fighting each other for the title of Qin Wang Fei, yet now Miss Bai was walking with Miss Xu to send her off at the front gate. Were these young ladies being too close at such a time too strange?

.....

Thud!

“Shit!”

The person who was being absent-minded while escorting her guest exclaimed when she ran into Bai He. How long he had been standing silently in the hallway was unknown to her.

“What are you daydreaming about, hm?” His low voice came at the same time as his arm that was around her waist, preventing her from falling. When Bai Yu could finally regain her balance, he pinched the tip of her nose and asked for the reason that had distracted her so much that she had not seen him standing there.

“Big brother…” Bai Yu called him in a grumbling tone. Then, she glared at her friend, who did not warn her before she ran into her brother.

“Brother He—oh, Master Bai doesn’t allow me to tell you.” Xu Peipei said nothing because the man had shaken his head, signaling her to keep quiet, and continued to follow behind Bai Yu without warning her of an obstacle in her way.

“Just call me the same way you’re used to.” Bai He gave Xu Peipei a smile.

“Used to?” Bai Yu blinked. Just when did they become close?

“Hehheh.” Bai He suppressed a smile, though the gleam in his eyes reflected quite a degree of amusement.

“Uh…” Xu Peipei seemed to already have her mouth sewn shut. Her alluring face was bright red, no different from an embarrassed child who was caught doing something behind her parents’ back.

In truth, Xu Peipei did not do anything behind anyone’s back. She only called this man ‘Brother He’ while he was sleeping.

Wasn’t she the only one who should have known this?!

“Has the commander-general already let Brother come back?” Bai Yu could not handle the strange atmosphere between the two people. She pulled her brother’s sleeve, drawing his attention back to her before her friend’s face would redden even more.

“I came back here to see you.” Bai He tore his gaze away from the woman who was trying to avoid his eyes before turning to look at his sister. He said it in a gentle tone as his hand came to touch her cheek.

“I’m fine, brother.”

“Has a doctor come to examine you?” Even though she herself said so, Bai He could not feel at ease.

“Father has called him here to do that already.”

“Have you taken medicine?” The older brother still could not relax.

“Doctor said I fainted merely from shock.”

“Then—” Still worried, he was going to move on to the next question. However, he was interrupted by his sister, who used a tone so firm that he could only let out a wry smile.

“Has Brother slept yet?” Bai He slowly shook his head.

“Then…” Bai Yu held his arm tightly, fully intending to make him rest.

“Wangye also hasn’t rested. I have to help Wangye first.” Bai He resisted, even though he was exhausted and wanted to let his sister have her way. But with his commander still working, he could not allow himself to sleep.

Bai Yu pressed her lips together. Everyone was working hard, yet she was having a nice, long sleep here.

“I want to see Wangye.” At least let her be beside him. Bai Yu knew that that man was more heartbroken than anyone else.

Bai He shook his head, still smiling. “Now is not the right time.”

The corner of Bai Yu’s mouth instantly curved down. Her spoiled habit that was openly used with her brother made Xu Peipei’s eyes widen in surprise. Was this truly the beautiful and elegant Miss Bai Yu?

The more surprising thing was that, with only a whisper from Bai He, the act of a spoiled young lady instantly disappeared. “Wangye said that you should be more obedient.”

The serious matter that had weighed on her heart was immediately forgotten by that message.

“Then…” Bai Yu’s face automatically heated up. “Please just go!”

Bai Yu grabbed Xu Peipei and pushed her to her brother before either of them could have a chance to react. Bai He put his arm around Xu Peipei, who was sent staggering toward him by his sister. The softness of her feminine curves made him pause for a beat.

Bai Yu looked at the two and spoke loudly. “Please send her off for me!” Then, she turned around and walked back to her building without any concern that she had left behind a bomb for both her friend and her brother.

Though she felt slightly better now, Bai Yu still could not escape reality. She stayed in the main building, waiting for her father until he returned that night. Nevertheless, she did not receive any further answers. Instead, she was even more stressed when she was told the reason why Bai Han had never taken sides: He wanted her to be the one to make that decision.

Because that decision meant her own marriage. No matter who Bai Han chose, it would always result in Bai Yu’s marriage to bind the Bai family to the new emperor. Bai Han did not want to force Bai Yu’s heart, even though that would rest the Bai family’s fate on a string thread.

The events that were contained within one day all happened so fast that she could not comprehend them, despite already knowing the future. Bai Yu fell asleep without seeing a way out and woke up with the news of a visit from someone from the royal palace.