Three ex-husbands and a marriage

Connection

"There's nothing to worry about. Mother said that as long as you and Auntie are content, she will arrange things according to what is right. Mother promised me that, and Father always goes along with what Mother says. Besides, you have me as your backer!" Bai Mingling proudly exclaimed. She leaned her head on my shoulder and hooked her arm through mine. We sat silently side by side until she giggled and broke the silence. "I am a powerful backer, you know," she joked.

A warmth surged in my heart as I observed her bright, clear eyes and charming deep dimples. Bai Mingling's radiant confidence shone in this moment. I smiled, realizing that the girl had basked in her parents' unconditional love and attention since birth. She was the golden child who could do no wrong, always the pearl in their palm, no matter how arrogant and domineering she could be. I had experienced a taste of it and became addicted, so addicted that I would always return here, no matter what life I was in. This type of joy and privilege could be difficult to comprehend and accept as an outsider. I giggled, both charmed by the simple girl and mocking the plot.

"Mingling, Cousin, why are you so good to me?" I asked softly. It was difficult to accept that someone could be so lucky, and the thorn of jealousy could really cut deep if your life was filled with abuse and mistreatment. I sighed. It was no wonder that the original female lead had jealously loathed Bai Mingling. Every kind word and gesture could be misinterpreted through her own lens.

"I only have one female cousin, so of course, I like you. You are beautiful and brave. No young girl can survive and do what you did without carrying a heavy burden and pessimism. But I can see that you possess a clarity that even seasoned men do not possess. Mother said that you are strong and wild, like grass, and that you will survive whatever may befall you," she said earnestly.

"Wild grass? I suppose that's right," I replied. She must have sensed a hint of dejection in my tone and quickly added, "Mother meant that you are destined for freedom and survival. She said that everything is beautiful and precious in its own right. One of Mother's fondest memories was riding in the open grass plains of the north when she was a little girl."

Before I could respond, a maid came running up to Mingling, shouting excitedly, "Miss! Miss! Hurry, the Third Young Master is back!" Mingling jumped up, grabbed the maid's hands, and hopped with excitement. "Really? Did he bring a lot of gifts? Oh my goodness, I need to go see Brother quickly and get the best gifts. Those candied meats he brought back before were delicious! I'm salivating just thinking about them. Cousin, we'll see you tonight at dinner. Don't worry, if he gives them to me, I'll save a portion for you." I laughed and waved as she galloped away, with the maid following behind. Bai Mingling was only fifteen years old this year, a beautiful age where she was radiant, innocent, and spoiled. According to the novel, she would die in two years. I clenched my fist. Now that I am Bai Xiao Wei, I will not let it happen. Bai Mingling deserves to live a long and happy life.

I sighed. To do that, I must break the curse, whatever it is. I stood up and began to wander around, feeling an aversion to returning to my room engulfing me. With each step, I paced around the walls of the courtyard, my finger tracing the contours of the white clay bricks. As I moved, a mournful tune floated through the air, carried by a gentle breeze that brushed against my face. It was the haunting melody of a xun flute, its melancholic notes piercing deep into my heart. Each tone seemed to carry a profound story, narrating tales of heartache and yearning, weaving a tapestry of lost love and unfulfilled desires.

The mournful melody tugged at the strings of my heart, eliciting tears that welled up in my eyes and traced paths down my cheeks, while the music continued to play. In that moment, a realization dawned upon me. The sound of the xun was distinctive and tribal, far from belonging to the southern region where we currently resided. Yet, the player was undoubtedly a native, effortlessly evoking the essence of their heritage through the instrument. In the vast Tang Empire, it was highly unlikely for anyone to possess the skill to play the xun flute at such a masterful level.