372. The Scheme

The theft of Master Liu's corpse was a major disgrace for the Liu Clan.

That very day, the Liu Clan conducted a carpet search throughout the entire city, but after several days, they still found no trace of Master Liu's body.

Master Liu acted like a kind-hearted uncle and presided over the funeral of Master Liu.

As they couldn't find the corpse, they had to use a Clothing and Crown Tomb as a temporary substitute during the burial.

Watching her father's symbolic tomb being laid to rest, while his actual corpse was nowhere to be found, unable to rest in peace, Liu Baixue's hand hidden in her sleeve clenched into a fist.

That night, Liu Baixue secretly went to investigate her uncle through a secret passage in the manor and encountered a few black-clothed people. During the fight, Liu Baixue accidentally suffered a relapse of her illness and was discovered by Master Liu.

When he grabbed Liu Baixue's wrist, he paused, looking at her in surprise. "You've secretly learned our Liu Clan's Forbidden Skill!"

Liu Baixue pulled her hand back, her expression indifferent, and turned to leave.

"I always wondered what kind of martial arts deviation you were suffering from and why my dear elder brother couldn't cure it all these years. Turns out it's our Liu Clan's Forbidden Skill! I underestimated you. You've got guts, just like me. I like that!" Master Liu said, stroking his beard and laughing heartily.

Not wanting to get entangled with her uncle any further, Liu Baixue tried to leave, but at that moment, Master Liu suddenly spoke up, "I can cure you."

At these words, Liu Baixue couldn't help but halt her steps, turning back to look at him, waiting for him to state his conditions.

As expected, Master Liu glanced at Liu Baixue's delicate face and said, "I can cure you, but you have to agree to marry the young master of the Bai Clan."

The Bai Clan was a family that had risen to prominence in recent years, second only to Liu Mansion in all corners of the country.

She had met the Bai Clan's young master a few times but had no strong impression of him. All she knew was that he had once proposed marriage to their family but was rejected by her father.

At that time, she had no interest in romance and had not paid it much attention. If it were in the past, she might have agreed to her uncle's condition, but now, her heart was already occupied by someone else.

Thinking about her life, which was nearing its end, Liu Baixue hesitated. She didn't immediately agree to Master Liu's condition, only saying, "I need to think about it."

Master Liu smiled and patted Liu Baixue's shoulder, saying earnestly, "No problem, take your time. Your uncle will wait for you."

After saying that, he laughed and turned to leave.

After returning, Liu Baixue told Zhao Zhitong and Qiao Muchen about her uncle's plan.

Zhao Zhitong was astonished. "Marrying into the Bai Clan? Why does your uncle insist on an alliance with the Bai Clan? Is it to strengthen the family?"

Liu Baixue shook her head. "I'm also trying to figure out my uncle's intentions. The Liu Clan and the Bai Clan have always coexisted peacefully. When my father was alive, the Bai Clan did propose a marriage alliance, but he refused it."

Qiao Muchen remarked, "For your uncle to agree, there must be some benefit driving it. He's probably trying to get something from the Bai Clan."

After all, Master Liu wouldn't make a deal that didn't benefit him.

Zhao Zhitong asked, "Xiao Xue, what do you think?"

Liu Baixue pursed her lips, replying, "I'll pretend to agree for now and see what my uncle is really up to."

Zhao Zhitong and Qiao Muchen actually thought the same, but a question remained.

Zhao Zhitong asked, "Should we tell Xiao Ge about this?"

Liu Baixue shook her head. "Don't tell him for now, so we don't reveal our hand and let Uncle find out."

Zhao Zhitong felt that Xiao Ge might be upset. However, knowing Xiao Ge's nature, if he learned the truth, he might not be able to act convincingly and could even let Master Liu see through their ruse.

So, he nodded in agreement.

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Afterward, with Master Liu's backing, Liu Baixue quickly took control of the Liu Clan's power.

To find out her father's true cause of death and investigate her uncle's real conspiracy, Liu Baixue also pretended to agree to marry into the Bai Clan.

As for Liu Baixue suddenly taking control, Liu Yian didn't have any extreme reactions.

After all, Liu Baixue had already informed Liu Yian in advance. She showed him the evidence of her Uncle's various overreaches that she had uncovered over the years, convincing Liu Yian that his uncle was not as unambitious as he appeared on the surface.

Liu Baixue said, "Brother, Uncle's ambitions may be huge, so for now, let's follow his lead. I will temporarily act as the Villa Master. Once we bring down Uncle and secure Lingjian Villa, I will willingly return the position of Villa Master to you."

That's what Liu Baixue said.

Liu Yian was never a power-hungry person. Besides, he knew his sister's character, so he didn't think she would try to wrestle the position of Villa Master from him.

And Liu Baixue indeed had no intention of seizing the position of Villa Master. She knew her brother's character all too well; if he became Villa Master now, he would only become their uncle's puppet. Therefore, she had to take control first and gradually reclaim the Liu Clan's power.

Having heard Liu Baixue's explanation, Liu Yian understood. However, what he completely disapproved of was Liu Baixue agreeing to the marriage their uncle had arranged for her!

"Little Snow, don't you like Zhao Yu? Why did you agree to marry into the Bai Clan? Did Uncle threaten you? Don't be afraid. With your brother to support you, we can refuse this arrangement."

Liu Baixue shook her head and insisted, "Brother, don't try to convince me otherwise. I willingly agreed to this marriage."

Liu Yian couldn't understand. He didn't want his sister to lose her happiness over this. "Then do you like Bai Siyuan?" he asked.

Liu Baixue replied indifferently, "Whether I like him or not, what does it matter? After all, I'm a dying person. At least marrying into the Bai Clan can further strengthen our family's power, right?"

Just then, Zhao Yu, who had just heard the news of the Bai Clan and Liu Clan's engagement, rushed over impulsively. He happened to hear Liu Baixue's words. With a pained expression in his eyes, he stepped forward and asked, "So, this is why you've always refused me?"

Zhao Yu's sudden appearance caught Liu Baixue off guard. She almost instinctively wanted to deny it, but in the end, she held back and only looked at him coldly.

Seeing Zhao Yu, Liu Yian quickly stood up to leave and give the pair some space.

"Brother, you don't have to go," Liu Baixue called out, stopping Liu Yian. If they were alone, she feared she wouldn't have the heart to be so cruel.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at Zhao Yu with determination and said, "Yes, this is my reason. You see it clearly now, don't you? I'm just such a vain and opportunistic person. You can leave. Marrying into the Bai Clan is my own choice; no one forced me."

Zhao Yu's eyes were filled with pain. He was inwardly denying what he had heard, comforting himself that Liu Baixue must have her reasons for deliberately hurting him.

But at this moment, he was genuinely hurt. Under her cold gaze, he was utterly defeated and fled in disarray.

As soon as Zhao Yu left, Liu Baixue slumped into a chair, as if all her strength had been drained.

Liu Yian opened his mouth, wanting to say something comforting.

Liu Baixue weakly said, "Brother, I'm fine. You can go back first. I want to be alone for a while."

Liu Yian knew his sister's temperament. Once she made up her mind, it was hard to change her stance. He could only sigh and leave, letting her think things over, hoping she could come to terms with it herself.

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