She was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Minister of Works' household, raised in the countryside. Everyone in the capital thought she had nothing going for her but her looks.
They had no idea that she began studying medicine at three, practiced poison at five, mastered painting and calligraphy at eight, and defeated the greatest player in the kingdom at chess when she was twelve.
But she hid her talents, wanting only to stay by the side of the man she loved and help him achieve his ambitions!
Six years passed. She was now twenty, an old maid by their standards, and still hadn't married her young lover.
"Cui Chenzhi, this is the ninety-ninth time I've asked you to marry me. If I reach a hundred, I'm done with you!"
"I know, I know! Once I pass the jinshi exam in a couple of days, I'll come ask for your hand!"
The results were posted, and he finally kept his promise. "I'll come ask for your hand tomorrow. But I've already agreed to buy Niansi's freedom, and there's still some time before our wedding, so I'll bring her into the household first. After all, being known as a mistress doesn't sound good!" Bringing a concubine into the household before the primary wife had even married in was a slap in the face to her and her family. This time, Bai Shaoan decided to live for her family!
"Cui Chenzhi, thank you for not marrying me all these years. It helped me see you for who you are. So I'm not marrying you!"
She turned and left, no longer hiding her brilliance. Before long, paintings by the Immortal of Antu appeared in the capital, along with the Misty Immortal's musical scores. The Medical Immortal and Poison Immortal turned out to be the same person, and even the Chess Sage had a master!
Only later did everyone learn that these were all the talents of the country girl they had looked down on most!
Shaoan, I was wrong. Forgive me, and let's get back together!
