Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

Chapter 109: Chapter 108: Observing Mourning_1

Nanny Jiang’s words were clear in her heart. It was precisely because she understood that she was willing to restrain her murderous thoughts for her grandmother and spare that illegitimate child.

“I will handle the matter of keeping the child and dismissing the mother for Grandmother. Don’t let her worry about it anymore,” she said.

“Nanny, it’s hard for Grandmother, but isn’t it also hard for Eldest Young Lady?” Bai Jinxiu clutched her handkerchief tightly, speaking tearfully for Bai Qingyan. “That bastard my father left behind is a disaster for the Bai family! What he said on the street that day was terrifying. Leaving him might bring great trouble to the family at any time. Would Eldest Young Lady have to clean up the mess again then? Her health is already poor, she’s exhausted for this family, and she was whipped at Wude Gate today. Up to now, she hasn’t had a moment to let Doctor Hong properly take her pulse. Nanny, instead of feeling sorry for Eldest Young Lady, you are asking her to think of a way to keep that bastard?”

Bai Jinxiu choked with sobs, tears flowing like broken beads. “Since childhood, Eldest Young Lady has never complained about pain or discomfort even when injured. Does Nanny really think she’s invincible and never hurts?”

Under the light, Nanny Jiang woke up as if from a dream. She panicked, looking Bai Qingyan up and down nervously, her voice trembling with tears. “Eldest Young Lady, Eldest Young Lady, can you hold on? It’s Nanny’s muddleheadedness…it’s Nanny’s fault! I’ll send for Doctor Hong right away!”

“Doctor Hong is currently tending to Ji Tingyu. Ji Tingyu has lost a lot of blood and…” she bit her lip, unable to continue, thinking of Ji Tingyu cutting off his arm again for the Duke’s family. Her eyes ached with tears. “I’m fine.”

Compared to Ji Tingyu, what did one whip mean?!

She gripped Bai Jinxiu’s hand, comforting her. “The executioner showed mercy. Compared to the punishment cane, it was much lighter. Otherwise, how could I still be standing here?”

Hearing the sound of the beaded curtain, maids and nannies quietly left the main hall.

Nanny Jiang wiped her tears, lifting the curtain for Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinxiu. Inside, Mrs. Dong was already supporting the Eldest Princess to sit at the round table.

Mrs. Dong had come to report to the Eldest Princess about selling the Duke’s family properties, explaining the reasons and handling of the matter clearly. The Eldest Princess knew that Mrs. Dong and Bai Qingyan were making plans for the widows of the Duke’s family to return to Shuoyang, and had no objections. Instead, she admired their decisiveness, not worrying about being bullied by the clan after returning to Shuoyang.

Having finished speaking with Mrs. Dong, she felt a bit relieved and was about to dine when she heard Nanny Jiang’s words outside the door.

The Eldest Princess and Mrs. Dong stood inside listening for a while before coming out from behind the beaded curtain.

The Eldest Princess, with her eyes closed, fingers playing with her Buddha beads, her silver-streaked hair shining under the candlelight, making her face look even more haggard.

“Kid…” the Eldest Princess extended her hand wrapped in Buddha beads to her, eyes red.

She took a step forward and was enveloped in the Eldest Princess’s embrace. The Eldest Princess closed her eyes, tears streaming down, biting her lip hard and then said loudly, “Have someone take my name card and invite the Imperial Physician for Kid.”

She realized they had overheard the earlier conversation and looked at the Eldest Princess. “Grandmother, I’m fine, you don’t have to worry.”

“Listen to your grandmother!” Mrs. Dong was already anxious, her eyes red, almost tearing the handkerchief in her hand. “Why be so strong in front of family?!”

Today, she only knew the Eldest Princess took the children to knock on the Dengwen Drum. Seeing the children return unharmed, she thought everything went smoothly. How could she imagine her daughter was whipped at Wude Gate, and no one had informed her?!

If she had known, she would never have let her daughter suffer such exhaustion!

“How can it be nothing! You’ve been like this since childhood, never saying a word about pain or injury. You drag a small ailment until it becomes serious and only admit it when found out!” the Eldest Princess’s voice was stern. “If you don’t want your grandmother to worry, let the Imperial Physician check you properly!”

With the matter of inviting the Imperial Physician settled, the Eldest Princess spoke resolutely. “Let that bastard go. Our Duke’s family doesn’t need such a disgraceful descendant.”

Since Bai Qingxuan was Jinxiu’s father’s sin, Jinxiu felt guilty. “Grandmother…”

The Eldest Princess opened her red eyes, maintaining her dignity and determination. “Without that bastard, we can still rely on the child in the fifth daughter-in-law’s womb. Even if it’s a daughter, can’t the daughters of our Duke’s family uphold the Bai family name?! Sit down and eat. Nanny Jiang, send someone to the front hall to bring the children back for dinner.”

Glancing at the table full of vegetarian dishes, the Eldest Princess’s tone was unquestionable. “Though we are in mourning, the children are growing. How can they avoid meat like an old woman like me?!”

“Grandmother, we’re in mourning…” Bai Jinxiu said with red eyes.

“How can you have the strength to keep vigil or uphold the Duke’s family without meat?! Filial piety lies in the heart, not in these superficial things. It’s all for the living…what’s the point of you observing it! Kid is weak, and Jinxiu needs to take care of herself for the future. The younger sisters are still young. If they truly mourn for three years, what will happen to their health?! Your well-being is the greatest filial piety to your grandfather and father! This matter is not up for discussion. Anyone who complains…I’ll use filial piety to press them to let you eat!” The Eldest Princess mustered her spirit and said to the maid beside her, “Have the small kitchen make the children noodle soup with chicken broth, with pickled bamboo shoots, matsutake, and two eggs! Steam two plates of ham that we prepared before the new year! Starting tomorrow, the kitchen must always have meat broth. Say it’s by my order!”

“Good child, Auntie knows you’re filial, but your grandmother is right!” Mrs. Dong patted Bai Jinxiu’s hand. “Your grandfather and father are gone. Don’t let your health suffer for the sake of mourning! Listen to your grandmother!”

After comforting Bai Jinxiu, Mrs. Dong ordered the maid, “Make a bowl of noodles for the second son-in-law too, with some refreshing side dishes. He’s been helping a lot in the Duke’s family these past days.”

In the mourning hall, Bai Jintong and Bai Jinzhi brought their three younger sisters over, while their mother and aunts stayed to keep vigil.

After dinner, the nanny took the fifth girl, sixth girl, and seventh girl back to rest. The Eldest Princess personally oversaw the Imperial Physician taking Bai Qingyan’s pulse. Hearing that she was not seriously injured, she finally felt relieved.