Bai Qi quickly advised, "That's true. If rumors spread, it will damage the reputations of both of you. Yujing, why don't you take responsibility and think about each other's reputations?"
Bai Yujing never expected her mother to utter such chilling words, and her disappointment was palpable.
His tone was icy cold: "I was drugged and completely unaware, unable to do anything or witness anything. So what responsibility should I bear?"
Bai Qishi appeared helpless. "However, all Wenyin wants is the title of an equal wife. Even if you marry her, what will change?"
Bai Yujing's gaze was icy: "I regard Wenyin as my own sister. Tell me, how can an elder brother marry his own sister?"
"What should we do then? Do you really want Wenyin to take her own life?"
Bai Qishi also felt powerless.
Bai Yujing's gaze was fixed on Xie Wenying, her eyes filled with deep despair. "She acted on her own initiative and should bear the consequences."
Upon hearing his firm refusal, Xie Wenyin felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss.
She didn't care about social status or whether he achieved academic success; she only longed to spend her life with him. Yet, in his eyes, she was utterly vulnerable.
After a moment of contemplation, Madam Yang slowly spoke: "Mother, Uncle, Sister-in-law, this matter has not yet escalated into an irreparable disaster. There are very few people who know the truth, just a handful of us. Wenyin acted impulsively and made a grave mistake, and we cannot let Uncle bear this heavy consequence alone. In my opinion, why don't we work together to hide this matter in the shadows and pretend that nothing has happened? What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Bai Qishi's heartstrings were slightly touched, and a ripple of emotion stirred within her.
However, when she caught a glimpse of the pained expression on Xie Wenyin's face, her heart softened involuntarily, and she still wanted to do her best to fight for her.
"But the doctor has already come, and he must know everything that happened. If the news leaks out, how will Wenyin face the world?"
After a moment's thought, Yang replied, "It shouldn't be that bad. Those itinerant doctors usually keep their mouths shut. We can simply send them gifts again to show our sincerity."
However, who can guarantee that everything will be foolproof and that the news will not leak out?
Madam Bai turned her gaze to her second son, "Yujing, think about this carefully again. You and Wenyin have been as close as siblings since childhood. I think it wouldn't be a bad choice for her to stay by your side. Otherwise, how can you bear to let her be unable to hold her head high because of this incident?"
Bai Yujing and Xie Wenying had played together since childhood, and he naturally had deep feelings for her, but those feelings were merely those of siblings. Although he felt reluctant, he simply could not tolerate being mocked like this.
Furthermore, he never had the idea of marrying a second person.
Therefore, he could not approve of the proposal.
"The bond between siblings is ultimately just that of siblings. I actually think that my sister-in-law's advice is quite pertinent."
Seeing this, Bai Qi was filled with helplessness and conflict.
Bai Yujing's stance is unwavering. His feelings for Wenyin have long since turned cold. If he doesn't agree now, it's unlikely he'll change his mind in the future. The beautiful visions that the aunt and niece once shared will probably all vanish like bubbles.
Two glistening tears silently slid down Xie Wenyin's cheeks.
She suddenly rushed out of the room, her figure hurrying past in the corridor.
Bai Qi wanted to give chase, but Yang stopped her: "Mother, let Wenyin calm down by herself. She needs some quiet time to recover."
Bai Qi felt utterly exhausted and waved her hand, signaling, "Everyone, please disperse."
After everyone left, only Jiang Huaiyu and Bai Yujing remained in the study.
Bai Yujing looked slightly embarrassed and apologized in a low voice, "Madam, it's all my fault."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled gently, "The fault is not yours, so why be like this?"
"Anyway, all of this started because of me."
Bai Yujing let out a long sigh.
Jiang Huaiyu silently poured him a cup of tea. "The doctor once said that sleeping pills are harmful to the body. Husband, you have been working hard for a long time. Why don't you go back and rest for a while?"
"Then it's your decision."
...
Dusk was falling.
Mrs. Yang had already prepared dinner, but Xie Wenyin still hadn't returned home, and she couldn't help but feel anxious.
"This child has been missing all day. Where could he have gone?"
Bai Qishi was deeply worried. "What if she impulsively tries to commit suicide?"
Her brows were furrowed, and her worry was evident.
She knew in her heart that the events before her were undoubtedly a painful disaster for her niece.
“I’m afraid…” Madam Yang frowned, her expression grave.
Jiang Huaiyu and Bai Yujing exchanged a glance, both of them showing some worry. No matter what, they did not want to see Xie Wenyin suffer misfortune.
The atmosphere at the dinner table became heavy, and none of the four people had any appetite.
Bai Qishi resolutely spoke up, "Everyone, go out and search. This child has lost the protection of his parents since he was a child, and he is introverted. If something really happens to him, how will we explain it?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she glanced at Bai Yujing and Jiang Huaiyu, as if blaming them. If they hadn't firmly opposed it and given up on Wenyin's idea, how could she have gone out alone and refused to come back?
Just as everyone was preparing to set off, Aunt Bai rushed over and anxiously asked, "Are you going out to look for Wenyin?"
Bai Qi asked anxiously, "How did you know? Where is Wenyin now?"
Aunt Bai stopped, panting, and after catching her breath, said, "Wen Yin is at my house."
"That's good, that's good. Then why hasn't she come back yet?"
Aunt Bai looked around and sighed, "Shortly after I left your house, I noticed Wenyin walking alone towards the river. I was worried she might do something foolish, so I secretly followed her and kept an eye on her. As night fell, she indeed lost control and tried to jump into the river to end her life. I quickly called my husband, and together we pulled her out of the water."
"What a silly girl! No matter what kind of predicament she faced, how could she choose to take her own life!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Bai was shocked and her face turned ashen. She asked anxiously, "Then how is Wenyin?"
"We rescued her in time, and she is fine."
Bai Qi sighed deeply, her expression complicated. "Sigh, I'll go and bring her back right away."
Upon learning that Xie Wenyin was safe and sound, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Bai Qi deliberately avoided Bai Yujing and his wife, and went straight to Yang Shi and said, "Eldest daughter-in-law, you should go back first. Prepare some sumptuous dishes and send them to my room. I have something to talk to Wenyin about."
As night fell, Bai Qi returned with Xie Wenyin. The two of them stayed at home and rarely went out.
Bai Yujing, weakened by the effects of the medication, had already gone to bed early.
After Jiang Huaiyu finished washing up, she was about to go to bed when Yang came to call her.
She gently pushed open the door and asked in a low voice, "Sister-in-law, what brings you here?"
With a worried look on her face, Madam Yang said, "It wasn't me; it was Mother who asked you to come and talk."
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