Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 1537 - 1532: No Visitors Received

The family tradition of the Lu family is well-known: Commandant Lu is upright and shrewd, Minister Lu never abuses power or takes bribes, and Lu Yuanpeng is a leader among the younger generation. The Wei family is indeed reaching high by this marriage; if Commandant Lu holds the Wei family in high regard, she would be willing to marry.

Wei Bugong and his wife observed how their daughter analyzed the situation logically. They also knew that their daughter usually had her own firm opinions, but Wei Bugong still said to her, "Child, I know you’re doing this for our family, for your younger siblings. I feel... I was suddenly promoted by His Majesty and have no roots in the court. I think if you marry into the Lu family’s first grandson, it would be beneficial for your siblings’ futures and marriage. But what about you? His Majesty allows women to study and take the imperial exams. You clearly want to take the exams. Now, marriage is not the only path for women!"

Wei Bugong’s daughter lowered her head to think for a moment, then looked up at her father, smiling with confidence, and said, "Who says that after getting married, I can’t continue with the imperial exams? After marrying into the Lu family, I can still take the exams. Lu Yuanpeng isn’t pursuing the path of imperial exams anymore, and if I, as the granddaughter-in-law of the Lu family, can pass the exams and enter the officialdom, it would be beneficial for both the Lu and Wei families."

Seeing his daughter was resolute in her decision, Wei Bugong no longer persuaded her and nodded, saying to his wife, "When Master Lu Jin’s wife comes to our home, please convey this intention to her."

"I understand." Wei Bugong’s wife watched her eldest daughter with worry. She knew her daughter was capable and impressive, and even if she married into Commandant Lu’s family, she should be able to handle relationships with her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law. But she still couldn’t help worrying that their family’s status was not as high as Commandant Lu’s, and her daughter might be bullied.

In Wei Bugong’s wife’s view, the best marriage relationship is one of equal status. This way, when a daughter marries, she stands with more confidence.

After Commandant Lu received the confirmation, he did not delay or hesitate. He immediately asked a matchmaker, selected an auspicious day, and prepared to visit. In Dadu City, nothing is a secret. Even though the matchmaker hadn’t arrived yet, almost all the noble families in Dadu City already knew that Lu Yuanpeng was going to marry the eldest daughter of Minister of Revenue, Wei Bugong.

Upon hearing the news, Sima Ping paused in the middle of drawing his bow. Without changing his clothes, he hurried to Commandant Lu’s residence, only to be stopped at the gate, being told that Lu Yuanpeng was ill and refused visitors.

Sima Ping immediately realized that Lu Yuanpeng was likely under house arrest by Commandant Lu, who probably didn’t want Lu Yuanpeng to marry into the imperial clan. However, that day Lu Yuanpeng rushed back to request the Commandant to propose to Bai Jinzhi, which sped up the process for arranging a marriage for Lu Yuanpeng.

Since the matchmaker hasn’t arrived yet, there is still room for change...

Sima Ping glanced at the smiling steward who stopped him at the Commandant’s gate, nodded tacitly, "In that case, I won’t disturb you!"

He turned to leave, mounted his horse, but hesitated to spur it onward. He looked at the gold-studded main gate of the Lu Mansion. If he does nothing about this... the marriage between Lu Yuanpeng and the eldest daughter of the Wei family would be settled, leaving no room for Lu Yuanpeng and Bai Jinzhi.

And the crux of the matter does not lie with Lu Yuanpeng. Even if Lu Yuanpeng made a scene, Commandant Lu would not allow it. Lu Yuanpeng, driven by filial piety, simply had no way. The key lies with Bai Jinzhi.

If Bai Jinzhi has feelings for Lu Yuanpeng, even Commandant Lu couldn’t forcefully separate them, especially since His Majesty’s affection for Bai Jinzhi is well-known.

Thinking of this, Sima Ping decided to help Lu Yuanpeng once more emotionally, and went to find Bai Jinzhi...

Sima Ping spurred his horse and went to the Bai Mansion, using military affairs as an excuse to seek Bai Jinzhi.

Bai Jinzhi was being made to practice calligraphy by her third brother, Bai Qingqi. Hearing that Sima Ping had come, she happily threw down her pen and went to the front hall to meet him.

When she reached the main hall, she saw Sima Ping standing in front of the grand hall, not having entered to have tea. She smiled and called out, "What urgent military affairs prevent you from sitting inside? Or is it that the scenery in my family’s courtyard is just too beautiful?"

Sima Ping turned around and saw Bai Jinzhi approaching with a smile, dressed in a frosty-colored cross-collar narrow-sleeve ru shirt, with bamboo-green brocade cloud trim on the hem. She was a world apart from the boyish figure in the military, with hair tied neatly atop her head. This outfit, combined with her martial arts training, gave her a lithe and upright posture, lending a heroic spirit to her delicate charm, making one feel that Bai Jinzhi was like a vibrant seedling sprouting suddenly in the depths of winter, basking in the golden sunlight.

Since returning home, whenever Bai Jinzhi was not in the army, the third wife, Mrs. Li, would have her groomed at home. Thanks to Mrs. Li’s relentless efforts, Bai Jinzhi had become much fairer, and her style had gradually become more prominent.

"What are you looking at?" Bai Jinzhi stood with hands clasped in front of Sima Ping, smiling as she asked.

Sima Ping snapped back to reality and glanced behind Bai Jinzhi, "Could I have a word in private..."

Bai Jinzhi turned back to signal Lingzhi and Lingcui, who were following her, to step away, and then she asked, "What’s the matter? Is there urgent military news?"

"Are you aware that Commandant Lu intends to have Lu Yuanpeng marry the eldest daughter of Minister of Revenue, Master Wei?" Sima Ping closely watched Bai Jinzhi as he asked.

Upon hearing this, Bai Jinzhi became a bit agitated: "Of course I know! Because Lu Yuanpeng is about to get engaged, my mother said... even someone like Lu Yuanpeng is almost engaged, and yet I still have no prospects!"

She paused, considering the special relationship between Sima Ping and Lu Yuanpeng, decided to swallow her words, and merely said, "Even Lu Yuanpeng is about to get engaged, and I still have no prospects!" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"You..." Sima Ping looked at Bai Jinzhi’s carefree demeanor and cautiously asked, "With Lu Yuanpeng engaged, do you have no other thoughts? Aren’t you upset?"

"Isn’t his engagement a good thing?" Bai Jinzhi widened her eyes at Sima Ping. "My cousin from the Dong family said that the girl from the Wei family has a very good and calm personality. My mother also said that, regardless of family background, based on the individuals alone, the girl from the Wei family is more than suitable for Lu Yuanpeng; it’s a great match for him!"

Sima Ping observed Bai Jinzhi’s clear gaze and straightforward speech, realizing she had no feelings for Lu Yuanpeng. His throat tightened, and he asked, "What if I were to get engaged?"

Bai Jinzhi stared at Sima Ping with wide eyes, not uttering a word.

"If... I were to get engaged to someone else, would you be sad?" Sima Ping’s deep black eyes fixed on Bai Jinzhi.

Originally, Sima Ping was willing to support Bai Jinzhi and Lu Yuanpeng, but if Bai Jinzhi had no feelings for Lu Yuanpeng, it wouldn’t be considered a betrayal of Lu Yuanpeng.

"What... what are you implying?" Bai Jinzhi’s hands, clasped behind her back, slightly tightened.

Bai Jinzhi knew of Lu Yuanpeng’s and Sima Ping’s intentions, her eldest sister had told her, both Sima Ping and Lu Yuanpeng harbored romantic feelings for her...