Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

Dong Changyuan once again bowed deeply to Bai Jinzhi before turning to Li Mingrui and saying, "Minister Li, it would be best for you to speak with His Majesty!"

Li Mingrui understood that Dong Changyuan did not want to take credit, so after nodding gratefully, he said to Bai Qingyan, "Your Majesty, within the new laws, there is legislation encouraging the remarriage of widows. I have received reports that there are rumors spreading, claiming... claiming that the Bai family is entirely composed of widows, yet neither the Empress Dowager nor the ladies of the Bai family have remarried, nor... have you remarried, Your Majesty. This new law clearly targets only the commoners, not the nobility!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Jinzhi was immediately incensed: "What business is it of theirs whether my aunt, my stepmothers, or my elder sister remarry or not? The new law is meant to encourage widows to remarry, not to force them to! If my mother wishes to remarry... I, Bai Jinzhi, would be the first to support her wholeheartedly!"

"You better be careful, or your third aunt might hear this and reprimand you..." Bai Qingyan scolded Bai Jinzhi, although inwardly pleased. When children grow up, the remarriage of their mother or father can leave some emotional knots, whether it's about reputation or personal feelings.

Bai Jinzhi's ability to think this way showed that she truly prioritized her mother's feelings above all else, and Bai Qingyan was gratified by her sister's filial piety.

She recalled when the new policy was introduced and discussed it over breakfast with her mother, who had expressed concerns that the new law might target the Bai family.

"Your Majesty, it is natural for Commandery Princess Gaoyi to think this way, but if someone harbors the intention to resist the new law and uses this as an excuse to stir trouble, forbidding widows to remarry while claiming widows are unwilling to remarry, and constantly invoking the Imperial Family, it might well dismantle the positive momentum just emerging..." Li Mingrui seemed truly concerned.

"Where did these rumors originate…" Bai Qingyan asked.

Li Zhijie would not have come to Bai Qingyan with Dong Changyuan without strong evidence.

Especially after the incident with the former Left Prime Minister Li Mao, Bai Qingyan, holding no grudges, had promoted Li Zhijie to implement the new law. Li Zhijie always seized opportunities and would not act without purpose in Bai Qingyan's presence, destroying his prospects.

"I have spent some effort and have discovered that these rumors initially emerged from the Qin Mansion..." Li Zhijie said.

What a coincidence indeed...

Bai Qingyan rubbed the agarwood table with her fingers. First, it was the guard from the Qin Mansion approaching Xiaosi, then the second girl from the Qin family met Sun Wenyao, and then Li Zhijie found that the rumors came from the Qin Mansion.

Bai Qingyan had met the two girls from the Qin family before and could not see them possessing such thoughts or methods. There must be someone advising them behind the scenes.

"How do you two think this should be handled..." Bai Qingyan raised her eyes towards Dong Changyuan and Li Mingrui.

Li Mingrui glanced at Dong Changyuan, hesitating before he spoke, "If one of Your Majesty's aunts were willing to remarry, or if... Your Majesty could choose another Emperor Consort, it might relieve the tension somewhat."

Dong Changyuan frowned tightly; this was the worst idea possible... Yet he couldn't think of a more suitable solution. If the rumors were left unchecked and grew more intense, they would inevitably obstruct the implementation of the new policies.

Especially about encouraging widows to remarry, they must not back down. Once backing down on one point, others would latch onto it to attack the new policies, particularly the nobles.

"Minister Li's answer lacks confidence, I assume it's a last resort." Bai Qingyan said with a smile.

"I am ashamed for not being able to ease Your Majesty's worries. Minister Dong and I could not come up with a solution and, feeling the gravity of the situation, came to apprise Your Majesty of it."

"Actually, if Your Majesty could choose another Emperor Consort, it would be for the best..." Since Dong Changyuan was Bai Qingyan's cousin, he dared to speak more boldly than Li Mingrui, fearing he might touch Bai Qingyan's pain. He quickly bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan, "Your Majesty, I understand you are heartbroken by the Emperor Consort's passing! The bond with him was deep, I understand that too—but as the Emperor's consort and the Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty, you must consider the continuation of the Imperial Family, the more offspring, the better. If there is any offense in what I have said, I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

It was clear that Dong Changyuan truly cared for his cousin: "Cousin Changyuan, no need to be so cautious, I understand your words."

Dong Changyuan quickly bowed deeply. Though Bai Qingyan called him cousin, with Li Mingrui present, he mustn't breach the etiquette between ruler and subject.

"Your Majesty, do not worry. If you find this plan infeasible, Minister Li and I will do our utmost to suppress these rumors!" Li Mingrui clenched his teeth; rumors are notoriously difficult to suppress, neither too lightly nor too heavily, making the balance difficult to achieve.

"Guarding against public opinion is harder than guarding against a flood. Solving this issue isn't akin to reaching for the moon. In ten days, it will be Commandery Princess Gaoyi's birthday; before that... the two esteemed ministers should do your utmost to fan the flames."

Dong Changyuan and Li Mingrui looked bewildered.

"The Zhou Dynasty has reformed laws, established schools to broaden education, and opened up avenues for discourse precisely so the people can know about governance and discuss politics. As the ancient saying goes... clarity comes from debate. Whether the new policy is good or bad, right or wrong, it is not the nobility who decides, but the people. Since this policy concerns widows, it is the widows who lost their husbands who should decide!"

Li Mingrui understood Bai Qingyan's intent and glanced at Commandery Princess Gaoyi: "Is Your Majesty intending to resolve this issue on Commandery Princess Gaoyi's birthday?"

"Most of the Bai family heirs' birthdays are in October, so let's take the opportunity of Commandery Princess Gaoyi's birthday to organize a celebration to enjoy with the people. If anyone truly intends to stir trouble, isn't this the best opportunity! Thus... the matter can be debated openly before the people. By then, let Commandery Princess Gaoyi invite Minister Liu, who is unmatched in debate and has sharp rhetoric." Bai Qingyan thought for a moment and further added, "Additionally, you can invite recently remarried widows to speak to the people about the differences between keeping single and being remarried."

Dong Changyuan hadn't expected Bai Qingyan to have such generosity, daring to let the people discuss and debate governmental matters.

"The common people are simple, especially those who have not had formal education, and they need guidance... When the rationale is broken down and explained thoroughly, once they see the benefits, they will understand the advantages of the new policies." Bai Qingyan lightly laughed at Dong Changyuan, "I know Cousin Changyuan has always been noble, preferring to be reserved and dislike boasting, but I hope Cousin Changyuan understands that being able to guide public opinion will make the implementation of the new policies doubly effective! Blocking is not as good as dredging; public opinion is fearsome... but it can also be respectable, depending on how the Imperial Court guides it."

Bai Jinzhi turned to look at her eldest sister, just like back then... when her sister tirelessly enumerated the accomplishments of the Bai family before the people, elevating the Bai family's reputation to its peak.

Recalling the scene of the people welcoming the loyal souls of the Bai family at the south gate, kneeling on the long street to bid farewell to the Bai family heroes...

Bai Jinzhi clenched her fists tightly, determined to remember this by heart!