Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

Chapter 22: 22nd Chapter: The Path of Filial Piety_1

Qin Lang had just left, and Second Lady Mrs. Liu returned. She was worried about Bai Jinxiu; with her husband not at home, she planned to stay at the Green Bamboo Pavilion watching over her daughter tonight.

Nanny Jiang, seeing that the Green Bamboo Pavilion had been settled, instructed the maids to take good care of Bai Jinxiu tonight and then braved the snow to return to the Changshou Courtyard to report the day’s events to the Eldest Princess.

“As soon as Sister Two was carried into the Green Bamboo Pavilion, Sister One immediately gave orders, instructing everyone in the house to mind their tongues and not speak rashly about Sister Two’s injury. Talking about it to people outside the house was also forbidden, with a penalty of fifty lashes and being sold if caught! The servants in the house have been quite honest. I heard from Nanny Hai that quite a few servants from the Qinggui Mansion came to our house to use silver to ask around today, but our servants didn’t dare spill anything,” Nanny Jiang gently massaged the Eldest Princess’s shoulders.

The Eldest Princess nodded.

Nanny Jiang then recounted what happened in the front yard after Qin Lang was invited in, including Bai Qingyan’s words encouraging Qin Lang to follow in the virtuous footsteps of Yao and Shun and abdicate. @@novelbin@@

The Eldest Princess, with closed eyes, fiddled with Buddha beads in her hand and slowly said, “Kid sees things clearly. The words ‘filial piety’ weigh heavily on Qin Lang, and if he lacks the courage to renounce his title, even as the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, he will still be controlled by Mrs. Jiang. Jinxiu is Qin Lang’s wife, and as a married couple, their days will inevitably be difficult.”

Nanny Jiang nodded in agreement before sighing, “Eldest Princess, you mean Sister One is planning for Sister Two’s future. But I worry if Crown Prince Qin loses the title and must compete for accomplishments, our Sister Two will endure hardship for several more years.”

“Having me here can always lend a hand or two, better than a lifetime being controlled by Mrs. Jiang. Kid made it very clear; it depends on whether Qin Lang can make a decisive move,” the Eldest Princess sighed.

·

The next morning, the heavy snow had stopped.

Just at dawn, Qin Lang, alone without his attendants, stood at the entrance of the Duke of Zhen’s mansion, seeking an audience with the Eldest Princess.

The Eldest Princess had just risen and had not yet had breakfast. When she heard from Nanny Jiang that Qin Lang had arrived, she was quite surprised.

The Eldest Princess vaguely guessed that Qin Lang had made up his mind to renounce his title and understood why he sought her instead of reporting to his father, the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage. She admired Qin Lang’s decisiveness.

“Have someone invite Qin Lang in,” the Eldest Princess instructed Nanny Jiang, “and prepare the carriage. Today, we might need to go to the palace.”

As soon as Qin Lang entered the main house of the Changshou Courtyard, he solemnly knelt before the Eldest Princess, “Grandson-in-law could not protect his wife, causing Jinxiu to nearly lose her life. I am ashamed before my grandmother and mother-in-law, beyond words. After reflecting deeply upon returning to the mansion yesterday, I realized that while I hold the title of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s heir, I am unworthy of the title. Being physically strong but unable to be loyal to the ruler, as a son unable to ease my mother’s worries, and as a husband unable to protect my wife, I am ashamed to face my parents and owe my wife. I am willing to repent and renew myself, voluntarily renouncing my title, and focusing on studying, hoping not to waste the ancestral legacy and to someday become a useful person in Jin.”

Qin Lang had not slept all night. He initially thought of earning military merit on the battlefield like the Bai family sons but knew he was not suited for it. His skills were enough for self-preservation, but battling the enemy would be challenging.

Since ancient times, during war, generals wielded power; in peacetime, scholars held the world. After considering it, Qin Lang realized his only path was to pursue scholarly honors.

“Stand up!” The Eldest Princess’s face was full of gratification, “After breakfast, you will accompany me to the palace.”

Qin Lang kowtowed heavily once more, “Thank you, Grandmother.”

Qin Lang understood that although Mrs. Jiang wished day and night for him to renounce his title on his own, she would never let him make a move right after Bai Jinxiu’s accident. So, Qin Lang bypassed the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage and Mrs. Jiang and sought out the Eldest Princess.

Over the years, Qin Lang had felt resentment. Now, right after Jinxiu’s accident yesterday, Qin Lang came to the Duke of Zhen’s mansion to ask the Eldest Princess to take him to the palace and renounce his title. He intended to put Mrs. Jiang on the spot.

He wanted to show the world that, out of filial piety, he could not stand up to his stepmother to seek justice for his wife, feeling ashamed towards his wife and thus choosing to renounce his title and endure hardship.

Yesterday, the incident in front of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s mansion was known to everyone in Dadu City, ensuring that Mrs. Jiang’s reputation had taken a hit.

By decisively making this choice today, Qin Lang ensured that Mrs. Jiang’s reputation would be thoroughly tarnished.

The Eldest Princess grew more appreciative of Qin Lang. While he seemed indecisive, once he made up his mind, he acted with lightning speed. Without using deceit or trickery, he managed to ruin Mrs. Jiang’s reputation. It was truly impressive.

·

Qinghui Courtyard.

Bai Qingyan had just finished her morning exercises when Chun Yan told her that Qin Lang had visited Grandmother’s courtyard this morning and was now heading to the palace with Grandmother.

“The more I think about it, the more scared I become. Thank goodness you didn’t marry into the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s mansion. That place is indeed as Second Lady said, a fiery pit and den of demons!” Chun Yan assisted Bai Qingyan, who was steaming from her exercises, into the inner room.

Bai Qingyan frowned, feeling disgusted by Chun Yan’s words. Before she could scold her, Chun Tao spoke first, “Chun Yan, don’t say such things again!”

Chun Tao held the curtain open for Bai Qingyan and then turned to Chun Yan, saying, “You are the eldest miss’s personal maid! With Second Miss still bedridden, if anyone hears what you said, how will they see our miss?!”

“I only said it in front of the miss!” Chun Yan chuckled, slipping into the room ahead of Chun Tao.

Once inside, Chun Yan lowered her voice and flatteringly said to Bai Qingyan, “Miss, this morning Tongji, who is by King Liang’s side, came. He conveyed a message from King Liang to the miss, saying His Highness is fine and asking the miss not to worry.”

Bai Qingyan tightly gripped the face-washing cloth. He’s not dead? What a tenacious life…

If only she had known, she would have hired an assassin to ambush him, stabbing King Liang’s heart a few more times to ensure there was no possibility of survival.

Bai Qingyan closed her eyes, suppressing the anger in her heart, and flung the cloth into the copper basin.

Chun Tao, terrified, poked Chun Yan’s forehead, “Why are you always around people from King Liang’s side! We are the eldest miss’s maids. If others see it…”

“Sister Chun Tao, I know my limits!” Chun Yan interrupted Chun Tao, looking unhappy. She then scooted over to Bai Qingyan, saying, “I was just afraid the miss might worry about King Liang.”

Just hearing the words “King Liang” made Bai Qingyan incredibly uncomfortable. She suppressed her irritation and instructed Chun Tao to prepare breakfast.

“Chun Yan will be sixteen this year, right?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Chun Yan’s ears turned red, and she joyfully replied, “Miss, I will be sixteen next month.”

Bai Qingyan, with a faint smile, looked at Chun Yan, “Chun Yan is growing up and having more thoughts. After all, a grown woman can’t be kept. When Nanny Tong returns, I will instruct her to find a good family for you and prepare a dowry. It won’t be in vain for our time as master and servant.”