Chapter 30: Chapter 30 – The Bai Clan.

Bai Meirong was not a fool. She knew that elements of her family did not want her to live a good life. Namely the main wife and her daughter. She suspected that it was them who had poisoned her. She had always thought that her mother’s untimely death was linked to them as well, but she had never had any proof.

Still her father the Patriarch of the Clan had always treated her well. Despite her lack of cultivation, she had been treated as a lady of her heritage should be in the clan.

Meirong hoped that now that she was cured, she could broker a peace between Xiulan and her Clan.

Meirong blushed as she remembered the process of curing Xiulan and Zheng Ling had used. Xiulan had said that sexual pleasure was the only way to unblock her cultivation, but Meirong had not been able to think of the intimacy as a medical procedure.

Meirong hoped that was true for Xiulan as well. The young woman was beautiful and perhaps Meirong could convince her clan that a marriage alliance was a better solution than conflict. Meirong had heard of same sex marriages on the mainland even if it was not common in the Blue Crane kingdom.

Bai Meirong was being marched into the Bai Clan compound by a retinue of guards. She had explained to them that the Collaborative Combine had not been holding her prisoner, but they had taken no notice, shuffling her off back up the winding roads of the Gorge.

The Bai Clan compound was one of the most sprawling in the city. At the very top level of the Gorge, it dominated the shadowed landscape with tall towers. The property extended back several acres and was filled with manicured gardens.

The main family pavilion was the tallest structure and set back from the cliff edge of the Gorge. The Bai Clan had always attempted to keep themselves somewhat aloof from the city. Their ancestors had moved here from the Capital and the Bais had always keep the arrogance and distain that coastal dwellers had for the inhabitants of the interior.

Bai Meirong was escorted into the main hall to find her brothers, sisters and father waiting for her. Technically they were her half siblings her mother had only lived long enough to give birth to her and no other children.

The Patriarch her father was sitting in his chair and the other members of the family were standing around him listening as Madam Bai, the Patriarchs official wife, was mid tirade, “that girl is just like her useless mother. She has probably run off to our enemy on purpose! The Dong Clan has made a perfect proposal. We should send her off quickly.”

That was news to Meirong. The Dong Clan only had one son of marriageable age and he already had several concubines. Rumour had it that he did not treat them well.  

Madam Bai fell into a reluctant silence as Patriarch Bai waved her to silence.

“Daughter,” said the Patriarch addressing Meirong, “I trust you have a valid reason to have gone to see that woman.”

His voice was deep and deadpan. Meirong bowed and replied, “I do father and I also have good news. I apologies for going there without consulting you but I was unaware that there was animosity between our clan and her. I was not informed.”

Madam Bai sneered and barked back, “why should you be informed you useless thing.”

Patriarch Bai cut in, “enough. Meirong what is this good news you speak of?”

Meirong smiled at Madam Bai and continued, “I can now cultivate. Miss Long and Doctor Ling have cured me of a foetal poison.”

Meirong punctuated this statement by looking hard at Madam Bai. The woman flinched and then started to ramp up to another shriek, but the Patriarch spoke before her, “truly?”

Meirong felt a probing into her body with qi she was pleased to know that she could now feel the influence of qi, it had previously been an opaque world to her.

“It’s true.” said the Patriarch in shock.

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He turned to his oldest son Bai Song and commented, “it seems you are right. With this level of medical knowledge, we cannot allow this Doctor Ling free reign. She is trampling on our tradition. She must be captured or killed.”

Meirong could not believe his reaction. “Father did you not hear me I was poisoned as a baby, my mother was likely poisoned too.”

Patriarch Bai looked at her angrily, “nonsense,” he snorted, “you are not to tell anyone that those women cured you. If you were poisoned and the doctors of the Bai Clan were not able to detect it, where would that put our face. You have always been able to cultivate, you are just a slow learner. Also, I have decided your marriage for you. You will be marrying the eldest son of Dong Clan.”

Meirong was stunned at the angry tone of her father. But still thought to protest, “father young master Dong is a cruel…”

She was interrupted when Patriarch Bai sprung from the chair and slapped her to the ground. “Silence!” The patriarch boomed.

Meirong was stunned as she looked up into her father’s cold eyes. A stranger looked back at her placidly.

The Patriarch commanded the guards, “confine her in her rooms until that bruise heals. Young Master Dong will not want to marry her in this state.”

The guards dragged her away.

A few hours later Meirong was sitting in her room still in shock. Her father had condemned her just like that. She had thought he would be happy that she could now cultivate.

The lock of her room clicked as someone unlocked it. Madam Bai entered the room with a smirk. She swept triumphantly towards Bai Meirong and laughed wildly, “silly girl, still cannot believe it? The Patriarch has always known that I poisoned your mother.”

“What!” The news hit Meirong like a bombshell.

Madam Bai grinned, “He confronted me as soon as she died but he was never going to risk his alliance with my natal family. Not for a meager commoner concubine like your mother. He has only kept you around because you are pretty like she was.” There was bitterness in that last statement.

Madam Bai continued, “now you have forced his hand, he has to marry you off cheaply to the Dong Clan. I hear that young master Dong’s concubines have scars underneath their cloths. The young master likes…”

Madam Bai suddenly collapsed. Next to her holding a tiny needle that he had used to prick Madam Bai a man had materialized.

After making sure that Madam Bai was still breathing the man turned to Meirong. “Good evening miss Bai. Long Xiulan sent me to ensure your safety. I can escort you out of the compound now if you wish but we have to hurry. That awful woman only dismissed the guards for a few minutes to gloat.”

Meirong still felt like she was underwater. Everything had happened too quickly, but she allowed the man to lead her out of the room.

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