Biyon, Roxanna's principal husband, came from a very distinguished background. He was the young master of the Song family, a prominent household of scholars in the capital.
It was no exaggeration to call the Song family a scholarly household. In nearly every generation, someone had entered the Hanlin Academy. Although few reached the top official ranks, many held third or fourth-grade positions. The Song family had always maintained a good reputation, and the emperor trusted them.
The current head of the Song family—Biyon's mother—was a fourth-rank official in the Ministry of Rites. His biological father was a third-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue. He also had another father who worked in the Ministry of Justice.
Biyon's older brothers were married, but they had all taken the imperial exams and held small official posts. His second brother worked in the Hanlin Academy as an editor. Biyon himself was preparing to take the spring exams.
When Biyon married into the Bai family, not only was it shocking to many in the capital, even Roxanna herself hadn't expected it. After all, the difference between their family backgrounds was too great. Biyon had been bitten by a snake while out traveling, and Roxanna happened to be nearby buying herbs and saved him.
At that time, Biyon hadn't brought any servants and was dressed like an ordinary youth, so Roxanna didn't recognize him. She brought him back to Ningshui City. As soon as they entered the city, one of Biyon's panicked servants stopped them, and Roxanna finally realized he was a noble from the capital.
But Biyon was bold. He expressed his feelings to Roxanna and asked her to propose marriage to his family. Roxanna didn't agree.
Biyon swore he would marry no one else and said he would persuade his family. Roxanna hesitated for a long time before finally speaking to her family about it.
After discussing it, Roxanna's fathers decided that if they were going to the capital to propose, then so be it. Even if they lost face, it didn't matter. Missing out on such a son-in-law would be a greater loss.
So they packed up and traveled with Roxanna and Biyon to the capital. The trip to the capital wasn't smooth. At first, when the Song family heard Roxanna had saved Biyon, they were all smiles.
But when they found out it was for a marriage proposal, their faces turned cold. They politely asked the Bai family to leave. Biyon was placed under house arrest.
As the youngest child, he was spoiled and had thought his mother would agree if he begged her enough. But she absolutely refused. Biyon's love for Roxanna was genuine.
He felt that if he couldn't marry her, he'd rather die, so he went on a hunger strike to force their hand. Even when the Song family asked Roxanna to persuade him, it didn't work. Roxanna had always liked Biyon.
Seeing him suffer for her deepened her feelings. Her sympathy turned into stronger affection, and the two truly became devoted to each other. Perhaps their bond moved the Song family.
Or maybe the family simply couldn't hold out anymore. Eventually, the Song family gave in and held a grand wedding to send Biyon to the Bai family.
Thanks to the Song family's connection, even Governor Mo of Ningshui City came to offer congratulations and drink wedding wine. With this marriage, no one dared treat Roxanna as an ordinary merchant anymore.
So when Mister Mo received Roxanna's invitation, he examined it carefully and asked the servant what it was about. Then he smiled with interest.
"Is that the Bai family's ninth child, the one said to be as beautiful as a fairy, who's returned?"
"Yes," the servant replied respectfully. Mister Mo stroked his short beard. "Hmm, I've lived in Ningshui for years but haven't seen Bai Nine's face yet.
I wonder if the rumors are true. Fine then, when Bai Nine comes, let him see me." Mister Mo's curiosity ended up causing trouble for Minnie.
When he finally saw Bai Nine, Governor Mo smiled broadly. He thought the reputation was well deserved. This kind of beauty was rare, even in the capital.
In such a good mood, his tone was gentle. "Is this the young lady here to process her travel pass and household registration?" Roxanna nodded.
"Oh? May I ask where this young lady is from?" Governor Mo asked, his eyes on Roxanna even though he was speaking to Minnie. "Ningshui," Roxanna answered.
"So, a native of Ningshui." Governor Mo nodded, but then frowned. "If you're from Ningshui, why do you lack both a travel pass and registration?"
"There's a reason, but it's not something to share with outsiders." Governor Mo's brows twitched. She may be beautiful, but he was still a government official.
She should show some respect. He was about to get angry when Roxanna pulled out a jade pendant from his sleeve and showed it. Governor Mo's expression changed instantly.
He stood up in alarm. Roxanna had already put the pendant away and said calmly, "Sir, we just need to process the travel pass and household registration. Please help us."
"No trouble at all." Governor Mo quickly called the registrar to help Minnie. When the registrar asked for her birth year, Minnie froze.
She didn't know the era's naming system, so she said, "I'm twenty-five this year." As soon as she spoke, several people in the room turned to look at her with different expressions.
Governor Mo spoke first. "Miss Minnie, you're twenty-five?" Minnie nodded.
She saw Jax winking at her but didn't understand the meaning, so she ignored it. "Have you ever been married?" Minnie shook her head.
"Are you engaged?" She shook her head again. "Do you have someone in mind?" Still shaking her head.
"Good! Good!" Governor Mo laughed loudly. Minnie didn't know what was so funny. Jax frowned, and Roxanna's expression darkened.
She realized she must have said something wrong. But what was it? Governor Mo stroked his beard.
"Miss Minnie, according to our laws, all men and women must marry once they turn twenty-five." What? There's a law like that? Minnie stared in shock.
"And since you're neither engaged nor in love, by law, the government must assign you a match." What? The news hit Minnie like a blow to the head.
Seeing Roxanna about to speak, Governor Mo quickly added, "But Miss Minnie just arrived, so there's no rush. I'll grant a special exception and give you half a year.
If you haven't married by then, I'll have to step in." "Half a year? That's too short. Can't it be longer?" Minnie asked.
"Half a year is already bending the rules." How was six months enough to find someone and fall in love? But then she thought, in six months, she'd hopefully be on her way back to Phoenix Mountain.
Maybe she wouldn't be stuck under these strange laws. With that in mind, she calmed down and said nothing more. "Each month during this period, I'll have someone arrange a meeting with you."
"A meeting?" With who? "With eligible, respectable men already registered. You'll see if anyone suits you."
Because marriage at twenty-five was mandatory and there were too few women, the government kept a record of unmarried men and tried to help them find partners. If a woman reached the age and remained unmarried, the government arranged blind dates.
But healthy, unmarried women of that age were rare. Most were disabled or mentally ill. Someone like Minnie had never appeared before.
Governor Mo already had someone in mind, and he smiled even more brightly. "Where are you staying now?" he asked.
"She's staying with the Bai family." "Oh?" Could Roxanna… this might be complicated. Governor Mo thought.
"Miss Minnie, someone will inform you. You must attend. If you refuse, you'll be thrown in jail." He smiled as he warned her.
"And if six months pass and you're still unmarried, that will also land you in jail." After sending them off, Governor Mo called for his page.
"Send word to the Han family. Tell Logan I'm coming over for dinner tonight. I've got good news for him."
After the page left, Governor Mo stroked his beard proudly. "Logan, I don't believe you'll resist this gift." Then his smile faded as he muttered, "How did Roxanna get involved with that family?
No wonder the Song family agreed to the marriage. So that's why. The Song family really does know everything."
Minnie held her papers with a bright smile. From today on, she was no longer unregistered. She didn't have to fear the authorities anymore. It felt great.
"Why do you all look so serious?" she asked. Roxanna and Jax both looked grim. "Didn't everything go well?"
Roxanna's face darkened even more. A cold aura surrounded him as he hissed, "Well?" Minnie shrank back and didn't dare speak.
"Stop the carriage!" Normally, Roxanna hated drawing attention, but this time he was so angry he jumped out and stormed ahead.
"What happened? Jax, what's going on?" Minnie turned to him for help. Jax gave a bitter smile.
"Minnie, why didn't you tell us you were twenty-five?" He sighed. "A woman's age is a secret." Minnie muttered.
Besides, she knew both Roxanna and Jax were younger. Why bring it up? She wished she were still eighteen.
"If you'd told us, this wouldn't have happened today." Jax sighed again. "You could've said twenty or twenty-one. Why say twenty-five?"
Minnie's round face made her look younger, maybe twenty at most. They'd both been fooled. Neither had guessed she was twenty-five.
"I don't want to be twenty-five either." Minnie sighed. "How was I supposed to know your laws treat being single as a crime?"
"So what will you do now?" "Isn't there still six months?" "Six months go fast."
After a pause, Jax added, "What if you don't find someone you like?" Minnie looked down.
If she couldn't return home, then what? Would she really find a man and settle down here? Seeing her gloomy, Jax tried to comfort her.
"Enough. Don't think too much. There's still time. Roxanna's up ahead. Let's go find him."
They got out of the carriage too. "Teacher Bai." Minnie caught up. "Don't be upset. Get back in."
Roxanna still wore a cold expression, but he definitely turned heads as he walked. "Teacher Bai, I know you're worried about me…"
Minnie scratched her head. "I'm not going to jail. I still have to learn medicine from you." Roxanna's face softened a little, but he kept walking.
"Teacher Bai…" Minnie had no choice but to follow. "Pirates! There are pirates up ahead!" a commotion broke out.
Roxanna stopped walking.
Jax grabbed a middle-aged man running past him and asked, "Excuse me, what's going on up ahead?"
"You don't know? There are pirates ahead, and they've even captured a woman."
"Minnie, get in the carriage," Sanruwi said sternly.
"Minnie, get on the carriage," Jax added.
Minnie understood how serious the situation was and obediently got into the carriage.
This road was the only way back to the Bai family.
The driver, Shuran, asked, "Young master, what should we do?"
"Just keep going," Sanruwi said.
He didn't get on the carriage and walked alongside Jax.
"I want to meet that pirate too," Jax said with a smile.
"Be careful, both of you," Minnie said from inside the carriage.
She stuck her head out.
"Mr. Bai, aren't you getting on? You don't even know martial arts..."
"Sit down!" Sanruwi shouted.
"Pull your head back in."
Minnie had no choice but to sit back down.
She remembered that Sanruwi once poisoned Kai.
If the pirates angered Sanruwi, they might end up even worse.
Even so, she quietly hoped that nothing would happen to either of them.