CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48 I DON’T WANT SUCH GOOD FORTUNE 6

With An Xin’s help, Anning did find quite a lot of herbs, and on her way down the mountain, she even caught a wild chicken.

She returned home, brimming with her spoils, and at night, Zhang Yue Mei prepared a pot of wild chicken stewed with mushrooms for her, which she devoured with relish.

The next day, Anning decided to continue searching for herbs on the mountain, but before she could leave, that County Magistrate Liu came calling.

Having a county official like him visit a commoner’s home such as the Bai family was indeed quite rare.

County Magistrate Liu stood outside the door of the Bai family, frowning as he surveyed the low house, with a flash of disdain in his eyes.

Bai Desheng came out with a smile plastered on his face: "Greetings to the official."

County Magistrate Liu gestured dismissively: "Dispense with the formalities."

Bai Desheng welcomed County Magistrate Liu into their home, and once Liu had seated himself, he assumed a haughty posture: "I am here today on behalf of Scholar Qian. Regretting his impulsive decision to divorce your esteemed daughter, he has asked me to mediate and propose reconciliation."

Bai Desheng stood to one side and remained silent.

County Magistrate Liu cleared his throat: "As the saying goes, forgive and forget. While Scholar Qian has made mistakes, to be able to admit and rectify those errors is admirable. He has recognized his wrongs, so there is no need to hold grudges. Moreover, if your esteemed daughter were to forgive Scholar Qian, wouldn’t their marital harmony be a benevolent outcome?"

That was what County Magistrate Liu said, and also what he believed.

He didn’t think that Qian Du did anything wrong, on the contrary, he felt that the Bai family was being pretentious.

This condescending attitude irked Bai Desheng, who was seething internally, but he dared not show his feelings in front of County Magistrate Liu.

He bowed his hands: "My lord, to speak frankly, my daughter has firmly resolved not to entangle herself with Old Master Qian. Even if I..."

Bai Desheng had not finished speaking when Anning came out.

She approached with a calm demeanor, her steps slow yet determined: "My lord, please allow me to report. It is not that Old Master Qian is at fault; rather, I consider myself too unsightly to be worthy of him. Knowing Old Master Qian to be a man of deep emotions and principles, and not wishing to humiliate him, I decided against reconciliation."

Only when Anning approached County Magistrate Liu did he get a good look at her appearance.

And he was quite startled.

From a distance, Anning truly looked like a beauty, her figure graceful and even her profile quite exquisite. But as she drew closer, the birthmark that covered half her face was unsettling to behold.

The dark, reddish, and disturbing birthmark covered half her face, making it uncomfortable to even glance at her; staring too long might induce the urge to vomit.

County Magistrate Liu, being someone fastidious and squeamish by nature, felt a surge of revulsion upon seeing Anning’s face.

And yet, as Anning approached and greeted him, "Your concern is greatly appreciated, my lord, but I am resolute. It won’t change regardless of who comes to persuade. Please do not..."

County Magistrate Liu abruptly stood up: "In that case, I shall discuss the matter with Scholar Qian. I take my leave."

Anning wanted to see County Magistrate Liu out, but he left even more quickly, almost fleeing from the place.

It was only after passing through Baijia Gully that County Magistrate Liu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Sitting in his sedan, he murmured softly: "Scholar Qian truly is a man of deep commitment; to still seek reconciliation with a woman of such unremarkable looks. If I were him, I’d have her stay as far away as possible."

After a while, County Magistrate Liu considered how Qian Du, now an Advanced Scholar, could choose any bride he wished. Why should he fixate on such an unattractive woman? The County Magistrate thought he should advise Qian Du, seeing how obstinate he was.

After County Magistrate Liu left, Anning pulled up a chair and sat down.

She lowered her head, her eyes flashing with an indescribable light.

Bai Desheng and Zhang Yue Mei were deeply saddened; seeing An Ding weighed down, they too were frightened into silence.

It was a long while before Anning sighed softly: "Let it be. If I am as insignificant as a blade of grass, why should I care about such extrinsic renown?"

With those words, both Bai Desheng and Zhang Yue Mei were moved to tears.

Especially Zhang Yue Mei, who hugged Anning as she wept bitterly: "My child, it’s all mother’s fault, causing you such distress."

Bai Desheng bowed his head and wiped his tears: "My son, just endure for a few more years. In a few years, I will surely make everything go your way."

Anning, with tears in her eyes, replied: "If enduring can let our family live in peace, then what’s the harm in enduring? I’m just afraid that the more we endure, the more others will bully us."

These words made Bai Desheng’s heart ache even more.

"If it really becomes unbearable, father will take you all and leave Baijia Gully. We will go somewhere else where Qian Du cannot find us."

Anning thought for a moment and nodded: "This could work, but... all of our family assets, and..."

Zhang Yue Mei stroked Anning’s hair: "My child, as long as you are well, how could any amount of family assets be too precious to part with?"

Bai Desheng gave a bitter smile: "These land and properties can only be sold for a pittance."

Anning’s eyes flickered faintly, becoming more certain about her own origin.

Bai Desheng was a decisive man. Once he resolved to leave, he certainly wouldn’t drag his feet.

That very day, he quietly found a broker to sell the properties. In the afternoon, Bai Desheng and Zhang Yue Mei packed their valuables and left with Anning.

Sitting in the ox cart, Anning, while nibbling on some snacks, asked Bai Desheng: "Dad, where are we going? If we travel far, how will we manage travel permits and identity documents?"

Bai Desheng smiled and took out some travel permits and documents for Anning: "Look, dad has already prepared everything. I had these made earlier by paying someone; now we are finally putting them to use."

Anning glanced at the permits and concealed the contemplation in her eyes.

She increasingly understood that Bai Anning’s identity was probably not ordinary.

It’s very possible that Bai Anning was a member of the Royal Family, and the reason for Bai Desheng and Zhang Yue Mei taking her away could very well be due to power struggles within the palace.

But if that were the case, Bai Anning, being a girl, should logically not be impacted by the conflicts of the harem. Why then...

Anning began to sort through the royal affairs she had learned about in recent days, and some ideas started to take shape in her mind.

The ox cart shook continuously, taking the Anning family farther and farther from Baijia Gully.

Shortly after the Anning family left, Ms. Qian He came with people to their door.

Qian Du had originally expected County Magistrate Liu to persuade Anning to have a change of heart, but Liu ended up siding with Anning, advising Qian Du to give up on her.

This made Qian Du feel quite uncomfortable.

As for Anning, the plain girl—if possible, Qian Du wouldn’t want to have anything to do with her at all.

But who would have thought that this plain girl could bring good fortune to her husband?

Of course, Qian Du couldn’t possibly tell County Magistrate Liu this.

Since Liu couldn’t help, Qian Du could only think of other ways.

After much thought, Qian Du discussed the matter with Ms. Qian He.

Upon hearing this, Ms. Qian He was outraged. It was as if Anning was practically rebelling—Qian Du had knelt down to her, yet she showed no giving in. Such a woman needed to be taught a lesson.

So, Ms. Qian He found some brutes and went to the Bai family with great aggression.

She planned to use her status as the mother-in-law to pressure Anning and if she resisted, Ms. Qian He would simply have her kidnapped and brought back.

With the few people at the Bai family home, they wouldn’t stand a chance in a fight against the roughnecks Ms. Qian He had brought.

Moreover, being an Advanced Scholar, even if the people of Baijia Gully didn’t support the Qian family, they wouldn’t dare to side against the Qian family and fight alongside Bai Se.

Ms. Qian He was confident as she went there full of fierce momentum.

But what she never expected was that the Bai family had already left, and when she arrived, all that was left was an empty house.