Chapter 21: Jinxiu’s Future_1

Bai Qingyan mentioned the Marquis of Dingguo. Qin Lang immediately understood. The current series of farces at the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s residence was all because of this title.

The stepmother wanted Qin Lang’s younger brother to inherit the title. However, she couldn’t say it openly due to ancestral laws, so she caused many troubles for Qin Lang in secret. She even drove away Qin Lang’s mentor, damaging his reputation. This time, she aimed to provoke a conflict between him and the Duke of Zhen’s residence by plotting against Bai Jinxiu.

Seeing Qin Lang’s pale face and tightly clenched fists, with veins bulging, Bai Qingyan knew he understood.

Qin Lang understood the thoughts of Mrs. Jiang, the mistress of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s residence, better than Bai Qingyan. But what use was understanding? Qin Lang, bound by filial piety, couldn’t act no matter how capable he was.

Bai Qingyan, sensing Qin Lang wasn’t beyond saving, calmly said, “Using bronze as a mirror can correct one’s attire. Using history as a mirror can discern rise and decline. Using people as a mirror can understand gains and losses. In ancient times, Yao and Shun abdicated. Why doesn’t the Crown Prince do the same? After all, the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage has become an empty title. The Crown Prince has great ambitions, so why worry about not achieving a prosperous future?”

“Eldest Sister!” Bai Jinzhi exclaimed in shock.

Qin Lang’s pupils trembled. He looked up sharply at Bai Qingyan’s calm face. Did she mean he should voluntarily give up his position as the Princely Heir? How could she say such startling words?!

Over the years, Qin Lang had thought of resisting and coping. He mingled openly with the dandies of Dadu City while secretly working hard to win first place in the imperial exams. But this was to secure his position as Princely Heir. He had never thought of not wanting this position.

Not only Bai Jinzhi but even Bai Jintong was taken aback by Bai Qingyan’s words.

From a distance, Lu Yuanpeng, standing with Xiao Rongyan, quietly asked, “Brother Xiao, can you hear what Miss Bai is saying to Qin Lang? Why does Nanny Jiang look so panicked? Could it be she’s asking Qin Lang to divorce their second daughter?”

Xiao Rongyan smiled faintly, brushing off the leaves blown onto his cloak by the wind, his every move elegant, “Forcing entry into the Duke of Zhen’s residence was already impolite. Eavesdropping is even less gentlemanly.”

Xiao Rongyan didn’t expect Bai Qingyan to have such vision and courage.

He observed those in high positions in Dadu City and found few who matched Bai Qingyan’s perspective. Despite Qin Lang’s keen understanding of the affairs in the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s residence, growing up in a wealthy environment made it hard to take drastic actions. He feared Miss Bai’s painstaking efforts might be in vain.

“The second young lady has awakened! The second young lady has awakened…”

The clear voice of a maid rang out from the backyard. The entire Duke of Zhen’s residence seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, with shouts of “The second young lady has awakened” echoing.@@novelbin@@

Bai Qingyan couldn’t hide the joy in her eyes. The heaviness on her brows was replaced by happiness.

Qin Lang’s throat tightened as he craned his neck to look toward the inner residence of the Duke of Zhen.

“Eldest Sister!” Bai Jinzhi looked back at the inner residence, full of joy, grabbing Bai Qingyan’s arm, “Second Sister has awakened! Let’s go see her!”

A maid carrying a lantern quickly approached, bowing to Bai Qingyan from behind, “Miss Bai, third young lady, fourth young lady, the second young lady has awakened!”

Bai Qingyan nodded, turning to Qin Lang, “Failing to comfort your mother is unfilial. Failing to protect your wife fully is unjust! The Crown Prince should know that sometimes things must be broken to be established anew! Or is the Crown Prince truly willing to be an unfilial and unjust person for an empty title? I have said all I can. The Crown Prince must now decide for himself.”

After a shallow bow, Bai Qingyan couldn’t help but glance deeply at Xiao Rongyan before hurriedly heading to the backyard with Bai Jintong and Bai Jinzhi.

Nanny Jiang gestured to Qin Lang, “Please have the two young gentlemen wait in the hall. Crown Prince, this way, please.”

“Nanny Jiang…”

Lu Yuanpeng called out, just about to follow them to the inner residence, but was stopped by Xiao Rongyan, “This is a private matter between the Duke of Zhen’s residence and the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s residence. We shouldn’t get involved.”

Bai Qingyan and her sisters hurried to the Green Bamboo Pavilion. Bai Jinxiu was leaning against the bed, softly comforting the tearful second wife, Mrs. Liu.

As soon as they entered, Bai Jintong and Bai Jinzhi rushed to the bedside, asking about Bai Jinxiu’s condition, while Bai Qingyan stood by the screen, feeling a mix of emotions.

Though she knew Bai Jinxiu was safe, Bai Qingyan had always felt on edge until now. With Bai Jinxiu awake, her anxiety finally eased.

Nanny Jiang entered after lifting the curtain, bowing to the Eldest Princess, “Eldest Princess, the Crown Prince is waiting at the Chuihua gate.”

The Eldest Princess played with her Buddha beads, looking at Bai Jinxiu, “Second daughter, if you don’t want to see him, then don’t.”

After this ordeal, Bai Jinxiu had made up her mind. Her eyes were clear as she said, “Grandmother, this wasn’t the Crown Prince’s fault. I don’t blame him. I want to… speak with him alone.”

Since Qin Lang and Bai Jinxiu were husband and wife, meeting alone wasn’t inappropriate. The Eldest Princess nodded and instructed her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Dong, “All of you sisters-in-law may leave. We’ve had enough for today. Let the children rest. Nanny Jiang, you stay. Whether the Crown Prince stays or leaves, let the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s residence know.”

“Understood!” Nanny Jiang responded.

Seeing Bai Qingyan by the screen, Bai Jinxiu’s smile became more radiant, hoping to reassure her eldest sister. Bai Qingyan didn’t approach but returned the smile, her eyes reddening slightly.

For Bai Qingyan, as long as Bai Jinxiu was safe, nothing else mattered.

Though Bai Jinxiu hadn’t been conscious, she knew what happened outside the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s residence that day. Without Bai Qingyan causing a scene, Bai Jinxiu couldn’t imagine the torment she might have faced from her mother-in-law in the future.

After settling Bai Jinxiu, the women of the residence slowly left the Green Bamboo Pavilion. Nanny Jiang then invited Qin Lang into the yard.

Bai Jinzhi stood at the doorway of Bai Jinxiu’s room, glaring at Qin Lang as he entered. She gripped the whip behind her tightly. Seeing Nanny Jiang shake her head, Bai Jinzhi grudgingly released the whip and walked away, but not before roughly bumping Qin Lang with her shoulder in anger.

Entering the room, Qin Lang saw Bai Jinxiu leaning against the bed, her face pale and breathing weak. He was filled with shame, his lips trembling as he wanted to ask about her well-being but remembered how he, under the pressure of filial piety from Mrs. Jiang, hadn’t visited her after she was injured. Ashamed of his cowardice, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

It wasn’t until a faint noise came from the burning silver frost charcoal in the brazier that Qin Lang finally bowed deeply, unable to utter a word.

“The Crown Prince’s clothes are thin. Nanny Jiang, please bring a cloak for him,” Bai Jinxiu said gently.

Nanny Jiang immediately fetched a fur cloak for Qin Lang, placed it over him, served him hot tea, and moved the brazier closer before stepping out with the maids, standing guard at the door.

Not long after his conversation with Bai Jinxiu, Qin Lang, looking distraught, emerged from the room and half bowed to Nanny Jiang, “Qin Lang takes his leave. I will visit to pay respects to the Eldest Princess and mother-in-law another day!”

Without waiting for a maid to bring a lantern, he hurriedly left the Green Bamboo Pavilion.