Commander Bai let out a cold snort, which made Bai Xue’s heart feel as though it was plunging into an icy abyss.
"What’s happening now? What’s happening now? Auntie, as long as I haven’t married Commander Su, I am still innocent and have room for maneuver, right? Why is it hopeless now?" Bai Xue pleaded anxiously.
Commander Bai gently touched her face, her voice soft and light, "You are very well aware of the type of family that Commander Su comes from, given your regular dealings with the children of high-ranking officials and my understanding that Su Ze is also the nephew of Commander Su, isn’t that right? Bai Xue, Commander Su’s parents and brother are all revolutionaries occupying high positions, it’s a family of high-ranking officers and generals. Still, you can refuse Commander Su, of course..."
Hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Bai Xue’s eyes, "Really, is it possible?"
"Absolutely! Didn’t you just say it yourself? A forced union isn’t sweet." Commander Bai gave a faint smile, "Your stern refusal would certainly embarrass the leader and Commander Su to forcefully insist."
Upon hearing this, the smile returned to Bai Xue’s face despite tear marks covering it.
"Yes, yes, the leader is so loving and understanding, he would never force me!" She said joyfully. As long as she doesn’t have to marry Commander Su, she has a chance at getting close to Lu Jiang, or at the very least, she could marry the son of a high-ranking official and not have to deal with old men.
Next, Commander Bai shattered her optimism with ruthless frankness, "However, you will either remain unmarried for the rest of your life, tread on my old path and become an existence shunned by the world, constantly worried about being severely punished due to improper conduct, or marry an ordinary man while constantly worrying about retaliation from the Su Family, living your whole life in discontentment. You no longer have a bright future, Bai Xue; no good marriage prospects; no promising career prospects." She then patted Bai Xue’s innocent face again.
The smile on Bai Xue’s face and the color in her cheeks disappeared instantly, and she stared blankly at her aunt.
Commander Bai pulled back her hand and sighed, "You’re the one who made a mess of your life, Bai Xue. You can’t blame anyone else. Your overambition has led you to lose everything."
"Auntie, there must be a way out... You can go and..."
Commander Bai, who originally didn’t want to interject, cut Bai Xue off before she could complete her sentence, "Bai Xue, it’s best if you don’t test my patience. My patience has its limits! The situation is tense now, everyone is in fear. The capital is in chaos, only the army is a bit more stable. I can’t stand up for you when I can barely save myself. Do you understand?"
With tears in her eyes, Bai Xue nodded. "I understand, I understand, auntie!"
"Think it over carefully, haven’t the leader and Commander Su given you time to make a decision?" Commander Bai said as she stood up, looking down at Bai Xue, "Either you choose to marry Commander Su, becoming a well-respected officer’s wife and continue your singing and dancing in the Cultural Troupe after your marriage, or you sever all hopes of marrying into a high-ranking family to lead an ordinary life. It’s entirely up to you. As for Colonel Lu, you can forget about it. Even if you choose to follow my path, will he even want you? I believe, considering the existence of Mrs. Lu, who has nurtured Colonel Lu’s high standards, he won’t be interested in someone like you who lives in the shadow of his wife. For the sake of our familial bond, the most I can do is ensure that after your refusal to marry Commander Su, you can stay peacefully in the Cultural Troupe. As long as I am here, you have nothing to fear, but if something happens to me one day, I can’t guarantee anything anymore."