Bai Xue disagreed, murmuring, "Aunt, I haven’t done anything!"
"Your scheming can’t fool me! You’re not convinced, are you? You think that due to your beauty, which seems to incite universal envy, Colonel Lu will definitely notice you, right? Dream on! Besides his wife being beautiful and gentle, even if she were plain, a man like Colonel Lu would never choose you over his wife! Men are different, I can tell at a glance. Bai Xue, don’t think that all men are disloyal just because you’ve seen so many fickle ones."
The squad leader Bai spoke while patting her face, "Bai Xue, listen carefully. Everything is negotiable, but if I find out you’ve been anywhere near Colonel Lu... the consequences... well, you know. I believe that even those prestigious offspring who chase and flatter you would not take kindly to it if they knew you were interested in another man! If you bring disaster on Colonel Lu, I also believe that his wife would be ready to take you down at all costs! Don’t underestimate a woman’s methods, especially those who have been alone at home, taking care of elderly and children while their husbands serve in the army. They are extraordinarily strong!"
Bai Xue’s face turned pale, as white as snow, devoid of any color.
Squad Leader Bai said, "You’ve been in the literary and art troupe for several years, and you’ve attended dances at the compound. You should know how intense a man’s possessiveness can be! No one would choose a fickle woman with a tarnished life and reputation. If this woman is a beauty, they have even more reason to punish her. Your conduct is crucial, Bai Xue, don’t treat my words as wind passing by!"
Bai Xue didn’t dare to utter a word, her delicate body trembling slightly. Whether it was the cold wind blowing from outside the window, or the threat in Squad Leader Bai’s words, she seemed like a fragile white orchid on the brink of collapse.
Upon seeing this, Squad Leader Bai sighed softly, and her tone softened.
"Bai Xue, it’s impossible for me to have a normal marriage in this life. You know that, and you know everything about me. You’re my niece, so I don’t wish to see you follow in my footsteps. While I can protect you, perform well and seize the chance to marry a high-ranking offspring as the primary wife. Doing so can guard your enchanting beauty from covetous eyes, and also bring you wealth and honor, sparing you from the plans of your siblings. Be good, and don’t think about ruining other people’s families. How many people can actually get what they wish for? Most of them have to taste the bitter fruits of their actions, just like me, neither part of the living nor the dead!"
She was once young and reckless, believing her beauty could overcome any obstacle, and that love was everything. She thought that if a military official showed any interest in her, she could replace his original wife and become the primary wife, only to realize later that it wasn’t so easy.
That was a road of no return.
Once you step on it, there is no turning back. Even if you realize your mistake and regret it, it’s useless. There’s no turning back.
She was always on edge, always fearing that someone would use her improper conduct against her.
Eventually, under his arranged intention, she married a naive and honest member of his security team. Even so, she still had to be ready at his beck and call, not allowing herself any slack.
His power was overwhelming. Even if some people within the army understood the situation, they dared not leak a single word.