Quick Transmigration: Knowing I'm a Bad Woman, Yet Still Liking Me?

Bai Yuan's mother, Liu, was the eldest daughter of a wealthy merchant in Jiangnan. She was exceptionally beautiful and was immediately noticed by Bai Yaoting, who married her.

Of course, Bai's father was also a dashing figure back then, and the two fell in love at first sight.

Furthermore, Bai Yaoting has never taken a concubine in all these years; he only has her and his brother Bai Jin as his children.

However, his elder brother, Bai Jin, first married the daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue as his principal wife, and they had a son and a daughter.

Later, while on the border, he married the younger sister of one of his subordinates as a concubine, and they had two more sons.

"Master, Madam has arrived," Xiao Qi whispered as she entered the room.

"Quickly let Mother in." Bai Yuan quickly got up and went to greet her.

Upon seeing her, Lady Liu did not approach but instead bowed directly, saying, "Your Majesty, I, Lady Jiang, pay my respects to the Noble Consort. May Your Majesty be well."

Bai Yuan reached out and pulled her up, then walked into the house. "Mother, get up quickly, let's go inside and talk."

Then she gave Wanyue and Tingxue a look, signaling them to stay outside and not let anyone get close.

"Mother, was the journey smooth?"

"Your Highness, the journey was pleasant."

Seeing that her eyes were red, Liu asked, "How have you been these past few years, Your Highness?"

Bai Yuan shook her head. "It's not good, especially hearing my mother speak to me like that makes me feel even worse."

"But..." Liu looked into Bai Yuan's eyes, but ultimately didn't finish her sentence.

Bai Yuan hugged Liu Shi tightly, saying, "Mother, did you hear that? I said I'm not doing well."

Liu choked up as well, "Why is it bad? Is someone bullying you?"

"The concubines in the palace wouldn't dare to bully me."

Liu released the person, wiped her eyes, and looked at her with a puzzled expression. "Mother has heard that His Majesty has been showering you with favor, and the concubines dare not make things difficult for you. Why are you still not well?"

Bai Yuan sat back on the couch, taking Liu's hand, "His Majesty seems to treat me well..."

Bai Yuan recounted to Liu Shi everything about how the emperor drugged her, planted people around her, and what Wei Ci, also known as Qi Hengxuan, had experienced over the years.

"How could this happen?"

Of course, Liu knew that the emperor was wary of the general's mansion, but she was still filled with resentment when she heard that her daughter had been drugged.

Moreover, she really didn't expect that the Qi family's fate was actually orchestrated by the emperor himself.

If the Qi family hadn't been destroyed, her daughter wouldn't have needed to enter the palace.

"Mother, I have been careful all these years, not daring to show the slightest abnormality, but who knew His Majesty would be so cruel."

Liu looked at her with heartache, "I'll discuss this with your father and brother when I get back. We'll surely come up with a solution."

Bai Yuan then straightened her expression and said, "I consulted Physician Yang, whom my father had arranged before. Eating too much of that stuff is not only bad for my health, but judging from His Majesty's stay here, if I continue to eat it, I'm afraid I'll never be able to have my own children in this lifetime."

Liu gripped her hand tighter, saying, "My daughter has suffered."

"If it's just me suffering a little, I'll accept it as long as the General's Mansion is safe, but His Majesty..." Bai Yuan burst into tears.

A chill gradually settled in Liu's eyes. "Don't worry, daughter, I won't let you suffer."

After chatting for a while, Wanyue reminded them to prepare to go to Xiyuan.

Despite her reluctance, Lady Liu could only sigh and get up, "Let's go, Your Majesty."

After Bai Yuan changed her clothes, the group headed to the West Garden.

The scale of this banquet was not too large, after all, Consort Bai Yuan had just made a mistake and was confined to her quarters not long ago.

The fact that the emperor personally went to the city gate to greet Bai Yaoting three days ago already showed Bai Yaoting a great deal of face and demonstrated the emperor's high regard for him.

Today's actions are both a warning and a show for the court officials.

"This wine is to honor the general's three years of service on the frontier and to honor the bravery of the soldiers who shed their blood on the battlefield."

The crowd rose and knelt in worship, saying, "Your Majesty's boundless grace is something we can never repay, even with our lives."

Xiao Chengyu helped Bai Yaoting up, then glanced at Bai Yuan before softly asking, "The Imperial Concubine is virtuous and gentle, and has always served me wholeheartedly. Now that you have rendered such great service, General Bai, tell me, is there anything you desire?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Yaoting bowed and clasped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty flatters me. As a royal concubine, it is only her duty to serve the emperor. I dare not take credit for it. As for defeating the enemy, it was due to the soldiers' bravery and Your Majesty's good fortune. I merely fulfilled my duty as a commander."

Xiao Chengyu stared at him for a while, then spoke again, "Your Bai family has been loyal for generations, and now you have made new contributions. If I do not reward you, it would seem heartless. Whether it's a fiefdom, wealth, or you wish to ask for a favor for your clansmen, just ask, and I will grant it."

This time, Bai Yaoting simply knelt down. "Your Majesty's kindness is boundless, but all I ask for is peace and tranquility for my country and family. Now that my wish has been fulfilled, I have no further desires."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengyu's smile became more genuine. He reached out to help him up, saying, "In that case, I will do as you say and reward the border soldiers handsomely. I am very pleased that you have such a magnanimous heart. However, if you have anything you want in the future, you can always tell me."

The people inside the hall were mostly looking down, their minds completely absorbed in their own thoughts; the emperor's meaning was all too clear.

After the banquet, Liu followed Bai Yaoting back to the mansion, and only started crying when no one was around.

"What's wrong? Did your daughter say something to you today?"

Liu quickly recounted what had happened. Bai Yaoting's chest heaved violently. "This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! Someone, go and fetch the eldest young master!"

"Master, what should we do?" Liu was still crying.

After calming down, Bai Yaoting sat behind his desk, frowning.

Even now, he still doesn't know whether it was because Lord Qi was truly forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices three years ago, or because the emperor was worried about his marriage alliance with the General's Mansion. Bai Yaoting thinks it should be the latter.

The Marquis of Qi was no fool; he began to ally with the Crown Prince when the Emperor was in his prime.

At most, Qi Hengxuan and the Crown Prince were about the same age back then, and they occasionally kept in touch.

According to what my daughter told me, those so-called pieces of evidence were probably released by the emperor's orders.

Not only did it disrupt the marriage alliance between the two families, but the emperor would also be wary of whoever his daughter married, so he simply took her into the harem.

Now that the border war has been settled, he is at the height of his prestige in the army, so the emperor cannot easily make a move against him.

Bai Jin entered the study at this moment, and seeing the expressions on her parents' faces, asked worriedly, "Father, Mother, has something happened?"

Bai Yaoting slowly turned his head to look at his only son, his gaze gradually becoming sharp.

He then bowed towards the direction of the palace, saying, "Taking a step back is an abyss, yielding an inch is being slaughtered. If the emperor is unrighteous, then don't blame this old minister for being unjust."

Inside the Jade Hibiscus Palace, Bai Yuan was already preparing to go to sleep when Xiao Chengyu arrived. "Why is Your Majesty arriving so late?"

Xiao Chengyu sat down on the couch, staring intently at Bai Yuan. "Is the Imperial Concubine happy today?"

Bai Yuan's face immediately lit up with a smile, "Happy, of course I'm happy."

After saying that, she got out of bed, ran over and sat directly in Xiao Chengyu's lap. "Your Majesty has granted my mother special permission to enter the palace. I am overjoyed."