Bai Yujing raised her head and looked at Princess Ziyan with a firm gaze: "Princess, although I, Bai Yujing, am just a weak person, I have my beliefs and my dignity. I would rather ruin this face than let you have me."
Princess Ziyan smiled slightly, gently reaching out to caress Bai Yujing's cheek. Her fingers lightly traced the bloodstains on his face, her eyes filled with tenderness.
Princess Yan's eyes swept over Bai Yujing, looking him up and down with admiration and affection. She smiled and said, "Scholar Bai, ever since that fleeting glimpse of you in the Golden Palace, I have been unable to forget you. You are not only exceptionally handsome, but also incredibly courageous, which is truly admirable."
Bai Yujing politely returned the greeting, but there was no joy on her face. She said calmly, "Your Highness is too kind. I am not worthy of such praise. However, I already have a wife and come from a humble family. I dare not presume to aspire to such a higher status."
A hint of displeasure flashed in Princess Ziyan's eyes, but she quickly smiled and said, "Scholar Bai, why are you so bound by worldly etiquette? What use is status and position in this chaotic world? I admire you precisely because you come from a humble background. Your perseverance, integrity, and self-discipline are unmatched by those scions of noble families."
Bai Yujing frowned slightly, clearly disapproving of Princess Ziyan's words: "Princess, although I come from a humble background, a teacher for a day is a father for life. My wife, Jiang Huaiyu, is my master's only daughter. We are husband and wife, and our bond is deep. I dare not betray this bond."
Princess Ziyan's expression changed slightly, a complex look flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and chuckled, "Scholar Bai, you misunderstand. I don't want you to abandon your wife who has shared your hardships. I just want you to know that I have feelings for you. In this chaotic world, sometimes, status can change overnight. Now that you've become the top scholar, your status is far beyond what you could have achieved in your humble beginnings. Don't you want to find a wife of equal social standing?"
Bai Yujing remained silent for a moment. He looked at Princess Ziyan, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, and then slowly said, "Princess, although I come from a humble background, I have always been honest and upright, and have never been burdened by my social status. The reason I refuse you is not because of prejudice against social classes, but because I already have a wife in my heart, and I am deeply in love with her. I cannot accept polygamy, and I cannot betray the days I have spent with her."
Princess Ziyan's face turned pale. She gripped the armrest of the chair tightly, and a hint of pain flashed in her eyes, but she still forced a smile and said, "Scholar Bai, you are truly a kind and righteous person. Then I will not disturb you any longer. I only hope that you will remember that Princess Ziyan will always support you. No matter when or where you need help, just give me a call."
Bai Yujing bowed slightly: "Thank you, Princess."
Bai Yujing's eyes were firm, and she refused resolutely, saying, "Princess Ziyan, my marriage to Huaiyu is what my heart desires, and my feelings for him are deep and unwavering. Although I, Bai Yujing, am not a wealthy person, my loyalty is as clear as day."
Upon hearing this, Princess Ziyan's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. With a smile in her eyes, she said gently, "Bai Yujing, why are you so persistent? I know you have someone on your mind, but matters of the heart are unpredictable. Although I, Ziyan, am of noble status, I do not mind spending my life with you, even if you already have a wife."
Bai Yujing frowned, feeling somewhat annoyed. He looked coldly at Princess Ziyan and said, "Princess Ziyan, are you forcing me? My marriage to Huaiyu is a family matter of the Bai family, and you have no right to interfere."
A flash of anger crossed Princess Ziyan's eyes, but she concealed it well. She simply smiled and said, "Bai Yujing, I'm not forcing you, I just think you deserve better. That Jiang Huaiyu, in terms of status and talent, how could she be worthy of you?"
Upon hearing this, Bai Yujing's eyes flashed with displeasure. He said seriously, "Princess Ziyan, you may not know, but although Huaiyu is not from a prestigious family, she is gentle, virtuous, well-educated, and we are kindred spirits. In my heart, she is the best woman in the world."
Princess Ziyan's face darkened. She stared at Bai Yujing, her tone becoming sharp: "Bai Yujing, are you mocking me? Do you think I don't know what you're thinking? You just think I'm of high status and difficult to get along with, so you'd rather choose that lowly woman."
Bai Yujing raised an eyebrow and looked coldly at Princess Ziyan, his tone firm: "Princess Ziyan, you have misunderstood. I, Bai Yujing, am not a snobbish person. The reason I rejected you is because I only have Huaiyu in my heart. I am willing to spend my life with her, and even if she is of lowly birth, I will never despise her."
A flicker of panic crossed Princess Ziyan's eyes. She stared intently at Bai Yujing, her voice trembling slightly, "Bai Yujing, are you really willing to give up my status and position for that woman?"
Bai Yujing smiled gently, looking at Princess Ziyan, and said in a calm tone: "Princess Ziyan, you may not understand, but true love has nothing to do with status or position. My union with Huaiyu is a meeting of hearts and a fusion of souls. I, Bai Yujing, am willing to give up everything for her."
Princess Ziyan's face grew paler and paler. She gritted her teeth, a resolute glint in her eyes: "Bai Yujing, if you are so determined, then I will show you that I, Princess Ziyan, am not someone who gives up easily."
Facing Princess Ziyan's aggressive gaze, Jiang Huaiyu said sternly, "Princess Ziyan, isn't it going too far for you to address Bai Yujing's ex-wife like that? Bai Yujing and I are a legally married couple. Are you questioning our marriage with these words?"
Princess Ziyan's lips curled into a cold smile as she said sarcastically, "Jiang Huaiyu, do you think that by donning the Bai family's robes you can replace me as Bai Yujing's wife? Let me tell you, if I marry Bai Yujing, you will have no choice but to step down!"
Jiang Huaiyu's eyes turned cold, but his face remained calm: "Princess Ziyan, are you threatening me? I, Jiang Huaiyu, am never afraid of any threats, but I must remind you that your actions may damage the reputation of your father, Prince Hao."
Princess Ziyan curled her lip in disdain, a sly glint in her eyes: "Jiang Huaiyu, do you think your warning will make me back down? On the contrary, your warning makes me like Bai Yujing even more. I'd like to see how you're going to protect your position."
Jiang Huaiyu frowned and said in a serious tone, "Princess Ziyan, are you not considering the stability of the country and the well-being of the people when you act so willfully?"
Princess Ziyan snorted coldly, glaring at Jiang Huaiyu: "Jiang Huaiyu, who do you think you are? You're just a woman who depends on the Bai family. What right do you have to lecture me?"
Jiang Huaiyu took a deep breath, trying to remain calm: "Princess Ziyan, I admit that I am a daughter-in-law of the Bai family, but I am also a daughter of the Jiang family. The education I received from childhood has taught me what the country and the people are. The reason I married Bai Yujing is for the prosperity of the Bai family and the stability of the country. If you insist on going your own way, I'm afraid you will only harm yourself and others."
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