There are now four day's left until the wedding and the village is bustling with activity. The women are preparing the food and putting it away to avoid the food going bad. The men are working the field or hunting to make sure they have enough money to cover the day they don't go out to work.
"There is so much to do if it wasn't the village head's daughter marrying him I wouldn't go since I need the money from hunting everyday."
"You're not the only one but it will seem rude if we don't attend and help make it grand."
During these pass two days Tao Chun has been coming by more and more to spend time with Bai Chun. As their interactions grew so did the amount that Bai Chun touched her from her arm to her waist. It was growing harder and harder for Bai Chun to stop himself from attacking her when they are alone. It was easier when Li Bai was around.
At the moment Bai Chun is seen sitting on his bed brushing up on rolls making sure that he never falls behind his reading since he has taken a short leave from the the city academy. Li Bai is out at the moment doing their laundry. Yesterday he went to the city to buy some cloth so she can make herself a Ruqun. Right now she is wearing some clothing from the neighbors that he gave her ten copper to buy.
Suddenly there is a knock that breaks the silence in the home. Bai Chun places the roll back on the little shelf in the room before getting up and opening the door. Standing there is mother from the orphanage.
"Bai Chun mother is here to visit." She says smiling. Bai Chun looks surprised and gives her a quick bow before letting her inside.
"So tell me how the wedding preparations going? Are you doing ok in this home alone?" She asked while stepping back away from him. Bai Chun sighs while closing the door.
"Mother there is a lot going on right now. The wedding preparations are going well with the help of the village women. But have you heard about Tao Chun coming over everyday?" He asked looking at her. She nods her head while listening.
"Well I don't know her plan but she is trying to seduce me." He tells her bluntly making sure to lower his voice so as not to be heard outside. Mother's eyebrows raise at his words.
"Really?" She asked to which he nods.
"Well two days ago when this all started she started by pretending to fall and had me putting cream on her leg even though it wasn't hurt. I didn't mind since her legs felt so soft and smooth but you know it's not appropriate and I know that. Then over the past her attempts have gotten more bold. Like yesterday I almost went too far with her but Li Bai came in and stopped us." Bai Chun said looking stressed. Mother looks at him and frowns.
"You think she is planning it? But she is unmarried so she can't be the one making the plan." She muttered while thinking.
"The only thing I can get from what you told me she wants to join you or force the marriage between you and her sister to be passed to her." She told him. Bai Chun frowned.
"The other thing that could be happening is that she is trying to become your concubine." At those words Bai Chun nods.
"i though she was trying to become my concubine too because that is the only thing that makes sense to me and if its that I plan on bringing her in by going with her plan. Mother looks at him deeply and sighs.
"Who knew you would become a man with many women." She said while looking at him. Bai Chun blushes and looks away from her embarrassed.
"But then there is Li Bai who I will bring in as a concubine too since her mother plans to marry her to a rich old merchant because of me." He said with a bit of a whisper. Mother smiles at his words.
"I know that girl from what the other villagers say she is very respectful to her elders and they say she does all the housework since there isn't a woman at home for you. I like her just from what they say." She said happily. Bai Chun calms down while listening to her and a small smile appears on his face.
"Yes mother she is very respectful so I don't wish to see her ruined by her mother and a old man." Bai Chun says seriously to which mother nods her head.
"How do you plan to afford all these women before you become an official since it sounds like they coming in at around the same time?" Mother asked him while her hand lowers to her side next to a pouch. Bai Chun glances at the pouch and knows the real reason she is here for.
"I don't know I'm short money since I spent most of my savings trying to pay for this wedding and I haven't even though about food, clothing, and school." Bai Chun says sounding stressed. Mother hums and grabs the pouch on her side handing it over to him.
"Here there is two silver in there it's not much but it will help you to not drown in dept and keep the other villagers from laughing at you while you struggle." She said. Bai Chun grabs the pouch without refusing and bows deeply.
"Thank you mother once I get to a point of being able to expand my home I will have you move in and take you as my blood mother." He said gratefully. Mother smiled happy while looking at him. Once this interaction was done Li Bai enters the room with a basket of wet clothing.
"Bai Chun brother is there a line to hand the clothes to dry on." She froze once seeing mother.
"Li Bai this is mother from the orphanage who raised me. Mother this is Li Bai the girl I was telling you about." Bai Chun introduced them to each other. Mother approached Li Bai and looked her over with a smile.
"Hello mother." Li Bai gave her a bow shyly. Mother nods while looking at her.
"Hmm very pretty you will be a good concubine but be mindful of the sisters. They are very cruel when something gets in their way." She advised her. Li Bai nods her head her face blushing at her words.
"Well I must go and start looking for someone to take over my position since Bai Chun plans to take me away as his mother." She said teasingly with a smile. Bai Chun and Li Bai stood near each other but Li Bai stood behind him slightly.
"Bye mother see you on the wedding day and thank you for the help." Bai Chun says while giving a slight bow.
Village Head's Home
"Ok mother make sure you reach the clearing near the forest. There will be no villagers there to ruin the plan and I know by the time you grab father and make it there I should be able to get him to kiss me." Tao Chun says with a smile her face slightly flushed. Tao Chun is wearing a dark green Ruqun with a sheer green Ruqun over it making her skin look paler and making her hair look darker. With that Tao Ming rushes off to get the village head while Tao Chun runs off to Bai Chun's home. Inside the house is just Tao Fang who is in her room looking gloomy while brushing her hair.
"I will make both that Li Bai girl and Tao Chun suffer when I enter the home." She said darkly with anger.
Bai Chun's Home
There is a knock at the door like ten minutes after mother left. Li Bai who is the the back yard hanging the clothing peeks her head in to look. Bai Chun placed the roll he was reading down again and opens the door. Tao Chun then enters and clings to his arm as soon as the door closes.
"Brother in-law can we go and talk in the clearing by the forest it's important." She begged while making her eyes look as big as possible. Bai Chun's eyes twitch as he realizes that she is starting to move whatever her plan is. He nods his head and glances at Li Bai.
"I will return soon finish the clothing and give the home a sweep since it's getting dusty." He said before they left with Tao Chun ignoring Li Bai all together. Once outside they walk to the clearing making sure to keep an appropriate distance between the two to avoid the villagers talking. After walking in silence for a few minutes the exit the village and keep walking for another five minutes to the clearing. Once there Tao Chun keeps her back to him and starts talking.
"You know when my parents told me you were to marry Tao Fang I was very sad and even though of hurting her or her reputation so that I can marry you as the main wife." She started off as she spoke Bai Chun just stood there listening to her words with a deep look.
She turns around and takes a step closer to him while looking up at him with watery eyes.
"I love you so much Bai Chun more than my love for my own family." She said to him softly. There is a soft rustling of the branches behind Bai Chun. Tao Chun glances behind him before smiling softly and looking back at Bai Chun. Bai Chun pauses and listens to the rustling while watching Tao Chun's expression.
"I..I don't want her to marry you and have you to herself." She whispers to him a tear dripping down her cheek. Bai Chun pauses again before raising his hand to cup her cheek and looking her in the eyes before glancing down at her lips.
"It's fine don't think about it right now." He said while slowly lowering his head. Tao Chun looks up at him looking a bit dazed before Bia Chun softly pressed his lips on hers. She froze since she hadn't mentally prepared for the kiss. After a small and light peck Bai Chun kisses her again as it slowly heats up. Bai Chun raises his other hand to her cheek and cups her face forcing her to look up. Tao Chun grabs his clothing to keep her balance from the intensity of the kiss. Her face flushes up and she's gasping before long with a slight whimper sliding out here and there.
"Bai Chun! Tao Chun! This is inappropriate!!" Suddenly there is a shout and Tao Chun jumps back in shock because she forgot where she was at for a second. The two turn and see the village head and Tao Ming approaching.
"If you wanted both my daughter you could have just said so instead of doing this. What if someone from the village saw you both this will end bad for Tao Chun." The village head said looking at the two with a frown.
"Now if I wish to marry her off I can't since it is inappropriate because she's been touched." He said with a frown but his lips twitched like he's fighting a smile.
"I think he should take Tao Chun in as a concubine husband." Tao Fang said from the side. He nods his head and looks at Bai Chun.
"You must take her in the next day after the wedding to help us keep face Bai Chun." He said. Bai Chun nods his head.
"Yes village head I will do as you say." Bai Chun says giving a slight bow.
"When you take them in you must acre for my daughter since they are my only bloodline," He told him.
"I will take good care of the village heads daughter." Bai Chun agreed thinking he now has two incoming concubines and a wife.
With that done the village head leaves with Tao Ming and Tao Chun leaving Bai Chun in the clearing. They continue walking for a while before Tao Ming smiles happily.
"Told you the plan to seduce Bai Chun will work out in the end." She said looking at him smugly. The village head smiles happily thinking that even if one of them lose favor the other can still have favor and they will always have money coming in once Bai Chun becomes an official. The family walks home happy while Bai Chun heads home.
"So the village head and mother in-law was involved with the scheme too huh?" He muttered to himself.