Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Reluctant Marriage_1

“Miss…” Chuntao set down the white jade comb, solemnly knelt beside Bai Qingyan, and choking with red eyes said, “Chuntao knows that Chun Yan’s betrayal deserves death, but this servant only begs Miss to spare Chun Yan’s life. It is not that I am soft-hearted, but I wish to repay the favor Chun Yan did when she once saved my life.”

She looked at the innocent and kind Chuntao, sighed after a moment, and helped her up. “Enough, as long as she does nothing to harm the Bai family, I will spare her on your account. Hopefully, she won’t disappoint your pleading for her. Wipe your tears and go tell Uncle Ping to quietly keep the servant captured by Yingshuang under watch. Don’t let this get out.”

Chuntao, with tearful eyes, looked at Bai Qingyan. “Yes! Thank you, Miss!”

King Liang, who was still nursing his injuries in the mansion, received the news. He closed his eyes, leaned back against the cushion, clutching his chest. His handsome face, angular and pale as snow, lacked any trace of blood. His voice, as cold as a corpse’s tomb, said, “Has this Dong Changyuan been investigated thoroughly?”

“Dong Changyuan studied under the great scholar Mr. Lu. He became the top provincial graduate in his youth. Some even predicted he would achieve the highest honors in all three imperial exams. Over the years, many matchmakers have almost broken down the Dong family’s door, but Madam Dong seems intent on keeping this legitimate grandson for her granddaughter. She refused everyone. Moreover, this top scholar doesn’t have even one chamber maid, quite clean indeed,” reported King Liang’s subordinate truthfully.

King Liang opened his eyes, his deep, fox-like eyes showing intense coldness. His heart thrumming with anger, he couldn’t help but cough softly, his chest tearing with pain. After a long while, he called, “Tongji…”

Tongji quickly entered, carrying a steaming bowl of bitter medicine. “Master!”

“Tomorrow morning, take my royal jade pendant to the Duke of Zhen’s mansion to find Chun Yan. Instruct her to pass the pendant to Bai Qingyan! Tell Bai Qingyan I wish to marry her as my Princess and to wait for me.”

King Liang’s calculation was clear. First, the status of a Prince would pressure the Dong family not to propose marriage. Second, as long as Chun Yan accepted the jade pendant, it would prove Bai Qingyan had a private relationship with him. Her reputation would be tarnished and her chances of bearing children slim. Who would dare to marry her then?

Tongji’s brow knitted into deep furrows. “But Your Highness initially said side consort. The title of Princess is so honorable… What about the heir of the Bai family…”

“How dare you disobey me? Cough, cough…”

Tongji, shaken by King Liang’s gaze, nodded quickly and agreed. @@novelbin@@

The next morning, Dong Changyuan accompanied Madam Dong with rich gifts to visit. Firstly, to visit the Eldest Princess, and secondly, because Dong Changyuan spoke regretfully to Madam Dong the night before, pleading for another chance with the Duke’s family to see if their marriage to Bai Qingyan could still be negotiated.

It wasn’t that Dong Changyuan lusted for beauty. He saw his cousin Bai Qingyan as bright as a clear moon and flawless as ice. The thought of her marrying someone else and being disdained by her husband’s family over her offspring was heartbreaking.

The Eldest Princess and Madam Dong chatted warmly in the inner hall when Nanny Jiang was sent to invite Bai Qingyan to Qinghui Courtyard.

Chun Yan, after sending Nanny Jiang out, stood at the door with her face long and drooping as if someone owed her money. She muttered, “Why did that Lord of Dengzhou come to our mansion again after seeing the Duke’s family yesterday?”

Yesterday, Chun Yan had someone report to King Liang. She wondered if he had received the message and had any countermeasures.

If Miss really married into Dengzhou, how could she ever see King Liang again?

Seeing Bai Qingyan was already dressed and out, Chun Yan stepped forward to assist, but Bai Qingyan said, “Chuntao can accompany me.”

Chun Yan retracted her hand, eyes reddening as she stood aside.

Bai Qingyan ignored her and left Qinghui Courtyard holding Chun Tao’s hand.

Holding a bowl of sugared pine nuts and eating heartily, Yingshuang noticed Chun Yan’s red eyes. She looked at her own candy, painfully furrowing her brows, and offered it forward. “Candy?”

Chun Yan glared at Yingshuang, raising her hand to knock the candy out of Yingshuang’s hand. “Who wants your candy, fool!”

Yingshuang watched the pine nuts scatter across the ground, then casually pushed Chun Yan to the ground. Chun Yan turned, glaring at Yingshuang. “You…”

Yingshuang, fearless of heaven or earth, raised her chin. Chun Yan, knowing she couldn’t match Yingshuang, got up, brushed the dust off herself, and angrily said, “I won’t argue with a fool like you!”

After Chun Yan left, Yingshuang bent down to pick up the pine nuts given by Chuntao, blew off the dust, wrapped them again, and sat under the eaves happily eating again.

The Eldest Princess and Madam Dong were talking inside while Dong Changyuan, unable to contain himself, kept looking out to Changshou Courtyard.

In the brilliant morning light, a slender, tall figure in white slowly appeared. Dong Changyuan’s heart warmed, and he couldn’t help but walk down the steps, bowing deeply. “Cousin…”

She smiled in return. “Why are you standing under the eaves, Cousin? Is it too stuffy inside?”

“I was waiting here for you,” Dong Changyuan, ears turning red, bowed again. “Firstly, to apologize for my neglect yesterday.”

“No harm.” She nodded lightly.

“Secondly… secondly…” Dong Changyuan, unable to straighten up, blushed and his heartbeat raced. “May I ask you to speak privately?”

Bai Qingyan turned to look at Chuntao. Understanding immediately, Chuntao stood at a distance.

Fortunately, this was Changshou Courtyard, observed by many servants, not a breach of propriety.

“Please speak, Cousin.”

Dong Changyuan, face red, straightened up. “I know your marriage has caused Aunt much worry over the matter of heirs. You’re a woman of virtue and talent, bright as jade and flawless as ice. How could… How could you accept a marriage that slights you because of heirs and suffer at your husband’s family’s disdain?”

Dong Changyuan bit his lip and solemnly declared, “I cannot bear to see your brilliance dim. I boldly ask you to reconsider me.”

Surprised for a moment at Dong Changyuan’s earnestness, Bai Qingyan gently laughed. “Thank you for your kindness. I never intended to marry. Grandfather and Father have arranged my retreat. Cousin needn’t worry for me. You are an upright gentleman, an uncut gem fit to match with someone pure. Compassion is no reason for compromise. But… such talk of lifelong celibacy might pain my mother. I ask Cousin to keep this secret, not letting her know.”

Dong Changyuan could see she didn’t wish to marry him. Yet he hadn’t expected she intended never to marry.

Inside, the Eldest Princess and Madam Dong shook their heads. Madam Dong remarked, “Seeing Changyuan’s expression, Kid doesn’t seem willing. Last night, Changyuan knelt before me, begging me to use this old face once more. He didn’t wish to see such a bright, clear woman suffer from a marriage for heirs.”