Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

Not long after, the field was filled with young women flying kites, laughter echoing everywhere as if the commotion caused by the two sisters from the Qin family had never happened.

Bai Qingyan, pregnant, went to rest in the tent. Watching her leave, these noblewomen seemed to play even more joyfully, their laughter carefree and exceptionally pleasant.

Some newly-widowed women, skilled with their hands, made grasshoppers or birds out of leaves, surprising the noblewomen. These humble yet self-respecting common women, cautious but not sycophantic towards the noblewomen, were appreciated by the noblewomen who, to show respect for the new policy, were willing to interact with them.

·

Bai Qingyan said she was going to rest, but in fact, the Bai family's fourth wife, Mrs. Wang, was lying in the tent. Beyond the hanging gauze curtain and the Eight Treasures screen, Mrs. Fang and her brother were trembling as they knelt outside, held by eunuchs. She quickly calculated in her heart, realizing Bai Qingyan had been prepared but hadn't made a big scene.

It's better not to make a big scene, as it shows Bai Qingyan cares about her fourth aunt's reputation. As the saying goes, one hesitates to destroy what one fears losing; surely Bai Qingyan wouldn't dare to kill her, otherwise… making a big scene would implicate her fourth aunt without a clear explanation.

At most, it would allow Bai Qihe to vent some anger, but now, with both Bai Qingping and his brother in the process of matchmaking and their daughter growing up, and although the eldest is not promising, Bai Qihe, considering Bai Qingping and his daughter's futures, would surely ask Bai Qingyan to delay dealing with this matter…

As long as Bai Qingyan agreed to postpone it, she could somehow win back Bai Qihe's heart. If she could conceive a child, Bai Qingyan wouldn't disregard the Bai Clan's bloodline!

After all, her fourth aunt wasn't hurt, and her fourth aunt doesn't bear the Bai surname… as long as she bears a child, it would be a legitimate bloodline of the Bai Clan.

Mrs. Fang's mind raced while Bai Qihe stood there rigid, fists clenched, face pale.

Seeing Bai Qingyan enter, Bai Qihe already felt shameful facing her. He hurriedly knelt and kowtowed to Bai Qingyan, but couldn't utter a word.

He guarded against the Bai Clan members, yet failed to guard against his own wife. He thought Mrs. Fang hadn't acted up recently because she learned her lesson and was wary… so Bai Qihe, for the sake of his son Bai Qingping being capable and filial, was willing to tolerate Mrs. Fang for his son.

He didn't expect Mrs. Fang to be so audacious, even daring to scheme against the Bai family's fourth wife!

It was his mistake, he shouldn't have been soft-hearted, shouldn't have feared that divorcing this wicked woman would leave him humiliated before his children. Now, due to this matter, even the Emperor, who already had little affection for the Bai Clan, would likely detest them more!

And his son A Ping, such a good child, his relationship with the Emperor and future prospects… all delayed by this wicked woman!

"Husband! Husband, save me…" Mrs. Fang saw Bai Qingyan's boots adorned with pearls and was finally frightened, crying as she called out to Bai Qihe, kneeling forward, trying to pull at Bai Qihe's clothes, but the eunuchs held her firmly, leaving her immobile.

"Husband…" Mrs. Fang cried softly.

"Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law, for A Ping's sake, save us… plead with His Majesty, sister was just momentarily confused!" Mrs. Fang's brother quickly added.

Upon hearing these siblings' pleas,

"Bai Qihe… sorry to His Majesty! I restrained the clan members, but couldn't restrain my own wife. Not only couldn't I ease His Majesty's worries, but nearly allowed this wicked woman to cause great disaster, unworthy of being the Bai Clan Leader!" Bai Qihe kowtowed heavily.

Bai Qingyan looked at the trembling siblings, their brother already so terrified his arms shook supporting him on the ground.

She gave Bai Qihe a look, speaking softly, "Clan Leader, rise first!"

As she spoke, Bai Qingyan knelt gracefully in front of the table, while Bai Qihe insisted he didn't dare to rise, kneeling and shuffling until he faced Bai Qingyan.

Mrs. Fang shook like a sieve, hearing Bai Qingyan instruct Bai Qihe to stand, thinking Bai Qingyan still acknowledged Bai Qihe's position as Clan Leader, she cried and begged Bai Qihe, "Husband, for A Ping and our daughter… plead for me too, I was momentarily foolish, blame… blame… the Bai Clan members for planting this idea first, and thus I was bewitched like this!"

"The Fang siblings conspired to harm my fourth aunt, wishing to tarnish her name… and force her into marriage, a crime punishable by death, no pleas can save them!" Bai Qingyan's tone was calm but inexplicably carried a chilling intent, "Or do you think because it wasn't a big scene, I intended to let you two off lightly?"

Mrs. Fang, abruptly having her intentions exposed, shivered even more intensely.

"I have many ways to end your lives… making you disappear without a trace or dying of illness would be very easy…"

Mrs. Fang didn't doubt Bai Qingyan's words were meant to intimidate, with the Emperor's authority… as long as he desired it, there'd be countless people eager to carry it out, even having a hundred… a thousand lives wouldn't be enough.

In that moment, Mrs. Fang was overwhelmed with thoughts, tears streaming down her face.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty… my brother knew nothing!" Mrs. Fang hurriedly kowtowed to Bai Qingyan, tears continuously falling, "When I spoke to my brother about this, he disagreed, advising me to behave. Today, I tricked my brother into going to the carriage, it has nothing to do with him! I beg Your Majesty to discern this clearly!"

Mrs. Fang knew it was her doing, and to survive, she must speak of Bai Qingping and her daughter… even if Bai Qihe was unwilling, he would have to keep her in the Bai family for now!

If her brother got involved, he would surely die! Moreover, if Bai Qingyan really intended to kill her, involving her brother wouldn't leave anyone to support Bai Qingping should Bai Qihe remarry and have another child after her death!

Besides, her brother had many nephews and nieces, she couldn't have them all die with her! It would be enough for her to face death… or divorce herself.

Chun Tao glared at Mrs. Fang, clenching her teeth, as she brought Bai Qingyan a cup of honeysuckle tea to quell her anger.

She took the teacup and spoke slowly, "Your brother may not dare, but you're indeed bold, with a daring heart, even scheming against the Imperial Family…"

"Spare me, Your Majesty!" Mrs. Fang continuously kowtowed to Bai Qingyan.

Mrs. Fang's brother, seeing his sister's state, knew she did it for the Fang family, hurriedly kowtowed as well, "Your Majesty… please spare my sister! She never had ill intentions since childhood. She was momentarily befuddled by the Bai Clan's suggestion to use the new law to marry into the Bai family!"