Chapter 83: Matters of Marriage

Damn it! His insults were way too cutting!

“Heartless abandonment, fleeting affections!”

Tian Mi’s composure deflated instantly. Clearing her throat, she tried to reason. “Your Highness, Duke Ding, it’s not that I refuse to take responsibility. It’s just that you’re a royal prince. Marrying is a significant affair that demands proper alignment of status. Only noble daughters from esteemed families are suitable. I’m hardly a good match. Look at me—I’ve been considerate and noble enough to avoid interfering with your prospects of marrying a high-born lady. I promise I won’t cause any trouble.”

Bai Mucheng’s voice was calm, yet with a tinge of menace. “Fine then. Since you always have excuses for shirking responsibility, I’ll have to trouble my parents to decide for me. Imagine—going out for a simple errand and returning with my reputation utterly ruined.”

He didn’t even need to mention that ridiculous incident with the bandits. After all, he had been foolish enough to sign that accursed document promising not to hold her accountable.

But the truth remained undeniable: she had, indeed, slept with him. The evidence? The child.

There was no room for denial.

Bai Mucheng glanced at her challengingly, as if he truly intended to take this matter to his parents—the emperor and empress no less. That would be a nightmare.

Tian Mi didn’t believe he had the audacity to tell anyone, but she couldn’t risk it. She would lose far more face than him.

She weighed her options carefully. Marrying this beautiful man was far from a bad deal. She had to admit, he was the ideal husband in every sense. But joining a royal household? That was a whole new level of trouble.

Besides, the disparity in their social status would be a constant disadvantage.

What am I even thinking? Marrying into the royal family isn’t some casual decision. Royals demand their wives be pristine and virtuous. And me? An unwed mother? At best, I’d be a concubine.

Wait, that’s it! Just pass the ball right back to him.

She quickly put on her most heartfelt expression, gazing deeply into Bai Mucheng’s eyes. With a trembling voice full of affection, she said, “Mucheng, how could you not see my love for you? From the moment I first saw you, I was utterly captivated.”

Ugh. Acting like a green tea girl was disgusting—Tian Mi almost gagged at her own words.

She lowered her head, pretending to wipe away tears, and continued, “But the Tian family has a rule: its daughters shall never be concubines. Mucheng, I don’t want to put you in a difficult position!”

Tian Mi delivered her performance with remarkable flair, embodying the image of a deeply devoted woman. At the end, she turned away to “weep,” mostly to hide her smirk.

Good heavens, pretending to cry was harder than she’d thought.

Bai Mucheng struggled to suppress his laughter. If he hadn’t overheard her plotting to open a bookstore and flirt with attractive young men, he might’ve believed her act.

He moved closer and embraced her from behind, resting his head on her shoulder. Softly, he kissed her earlobe and whispered, “Really? If my beloved Mi’er feels so strongly, then I’ll find a way to bring you into my household. Would that make you happy?”

Tian Mi’s cheeks burned, her body turning weak from his affectionate actions. She could only nod, murmuring, “Mm. Mucheng, Mi’er will wait for you.”

Bai Mucheng turned her to face him, his deep gaze locking onto hers. In a voice laced with gravity, he asked, “Say it, Tian Mi. Bai Mucheng, will you marry me?”

His penetrating stare made her falter, but she steeled herself and replied, “Bai Mucheng, will you marry me?”

There. The ball was back in his court. Tian Mi finally felt a sense of relief.

But Bai Mucheng didn’t stop there. Instead, he leaned in and kissed her.

His kiss was tender yet intense, filled with undeniable passion.

Tian Mi’s mind went blank as she succumbed to his embrace. She even found herself brushing her tongue lightly against his lips.

That one gesture seemed to ignite something in Bai Mucheng. The kiss grew deeper, more fervent, as he explored her mouth and claimed her completely.

When his hand slid into her robe, Tian Mi snapped back to reality, pressing her hand against his to stop him.

Yet, she found herself still trapped in his arms.

Bai Mucheng leaned closer, his breath tickling her ear. “What’s wrong, little fairy?”

Tian Mi clung to the last shred of her rationality.

“Bai Mucheng, I should go back now!”

He glanced around at the dark, silent night. Indeed, it was late.

Without a word, he scooped her into his arms and began walking toward his residence.

Her feet left the ground, and a sudden sense of vulnerability overtook her. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Bai Mucheng’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

It wasn’t until much later that Tian Mi realized they weren’t heading in the direction of her home.

“Hey! Bai Mucheng, I need to go back to my place!”

Bai Mucheng halted, stealing a quick kiss on her lips before murmuring, “Hush. The royal residence is your home, too.”

Tian Mi refused; entering the royal family was like stepping into a tiger’s den.

“I won’t, Bai Mucheng. If I enter the palace, it must be with dignity and honor.”

Well, you’ve got a lot of reasons. But where were all these considerations when you drugged the prince?

Since she’d already agreed to marry him, there was no running away now. Eventually, she was destined to be his.

Bai Mucheng escorted Tian Mi back to the princess’s estate. Just as he was about to help her inside, Tian Mi jumped down and said, “It’s getting late. You should go back and rest early too. Bai Mucheng, I’ll wait for you to come and marry me.”

Bai Mucheng knew she was just brushing him off, but he still found it endearing. You little troublemaker, just wait for my surprise. If you dare go back on your word, the prince will make you pay.

He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “Alright, wait for your husband to come and fetch you.”

With that, he left. The crescent moon hung in the sky, exceptionally enchanting tonight. Even the autumn breeze wasn’t as chilly; instead, it carried a hint of warmth, filling the heart with a cozy feeling.

Tian Mi returned to her room and soaked in the space’s bath, pondering how likely it was for Bai Mucheng to succeed.

Not a chance, right? She felt a bit dejected. The imperial family was cold and unfeeling. She shouldn’t have ventured into that world in the first place. No matter how attractive the man was, he’d only make life unpleasant in the long run—it wasn’t worth it.

Tian Mi shut her eyes tightly. Transcending emotions is truly rare.

Suddenly, Tian Mi realized she’d developed some expectations for this relationship. If fate brought them together but didn’t allow them to stay, it couldn’t be helped.

People should prioritize a happy life—no forcing, no retreating, and just let things flow naturally.

Meanwhile, Bai Mucheng returned to the palace with a faint smile on his lips. Marrying that little troublemaker wouldn’t be difficult; the hard part was figuring out how to phrase it.

How was he supposed to tell his father and mother that he and Tian Mi already had two children? He cared about his dignity, but he also had to protect Tian Mi’s reputation.

He’d better craft a good story.

He came up with several drafts, but they all had flaws. Sigh, it’s hard to make this work!

But who would dare challenge his version of events?

First, he needed to head to a nearby city to forge a marriage certificate from last year before discussing it with his parents.

---

Looking back at their journey, their first meeting had been too brief and chaotic.
Their second meeting had been tense and combative, yet unforgettable.

Her confidence and flair, the way she called him “beautiful husband,” jokingly professing her love at every turn, lingered in his memory.

Although he knew that cheeky troublemaker was teasing him back then, those moments had become cherished memories.

The resentment of the past had transformed into sweetness in the present.

Bai Mucheng gazed at his reflection in the bronze mirror. He’d always known he was exceptionally handsome, but as a man, he’d never cared much about his looks. Still, for a woman so drawn to appearances, he suddenly thought his face wasn’t bad after all.

---

The next day, Qiu Yi took Feng Bao’s family to the manor, bringing along Zhong Guanshi and two young assistants, Qiu Wu and Qiu Ba, as he still needed to craft plows and find storefronts.

Qiu Wu and Qiu Ba were clever and sharp young men. Qiu Yi intended to train them as his assistants.

Zhong Guanshi, a man in his forties, exuded an aura of warmth and approached Tian Mi with great respect.

Tian Mi asked where she could find someone skilled in engraving seals. He replied, “The back street of Chessboard Street is lined with such craftsmen, but Hui Mingzhang is the most skilled.”

Hui Mingzhang’s workshop was also on Chessboard Street.

---

Today, Tian Dabiao returned to Qinghe County.

After seeing him off at the docks, Tian Mi took Xu Feiyan and Chen Miaomiao out for a stroll.

Xu Feiyan said, “Sister Tian Mi, Zhong Guanshi introduced me to several suppliers of calligraphy supplies like brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. I plan to meet with them in the next few days.”

Preparation was necessary, but it wasn’t safe for Xu Feiyan to handle it alone.

Tian Mi said, “Bring Qiu Wu along when the time comes, and take a few more servants and maids. Don’t go out alone.”

Xu Feiyan nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, her second uncle had started contacting medicinal merchants, also through Zhong Guanshi’s introductions. Flying the Prince’s banner made everything proceed extraordinarily smoothly.