Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 22

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.

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.