Chapter 203: A Visit - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter

Chapter 203: A Visit

Liang Luo sighed, realizing how fortunate her fate was. If she had known that Consort Wei believed in such things, she would have gone to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau earlier to adjust her fortune, ensuring even more prosperity for her future husband. Perhaps she could have secured the position of the main wife. Unfortunately, it was all just wishful thinking.

Now, she faced two choices: either agree to become the Ninth Prince’s concubine or forget the matter entirely and consider other options.

After seeing his valiant appearance on the battlefield, Liang Luo found it hard to let go.

Becoming a concubine was one thing; she could still aim for the main wife position later. Once she was in the prince’s residence and had his child, it was hard to say who would have the upper hand!

Thinking this way made her feel a bit more at ease. The most important thing now was to discuss this matter with her father.

She needed to find a way to present it so that he would agree willingly.

The Liang family’s carriage clattered away from the Bai family’s gate, narrowly missing the carriage of the Feng family.

Since the incident, Feng Jinyao had been recuperating at home. Despite taking medicine from Doctor Zhang, she had been bedridden for several days.

The cold wind from that night had blown for hours, and even a man in good health would struggle to endure it, let alone her.

With the Bai family attacking the Wei family, it would have been counterproductive for the Feng family to get involved at this time. Thus, they waited until the situation calmed down before making their visit.

A servant from the Bai family greeted her cheerfully as she arrived.

Feng Jinyao didn’t waste time and headed straight for Bai Siruo’s courtyard.

As she entered the courtyard, she saw Haitang coming out with a bowl of medicine. Haitang’s face lit up with surprise as she said, “Miss Feng, you’re here.”

Inside, Bai Siruo was struggling with an itchy wound that kept her awake at night. Hearing the voice from outside, she was thrilled and called out, her voice rising, “Is that Ah Yao?”

“It’s me, cousin.”

“Come in, come in!”

Bai Siruo tried to get out of bed to greet her but pulled at her wound, causing her to cry out in pain. Feng Jinyao rushed in to hold her down, frowning, “What’s the rush? I’m here now, aren’t I?”

“Humph, how dare you? It’s been several days since I returned, and you didn’t come to see me. Do you dislike me?”

Cloudy, worried that there might be a rift between her lady and her cousin, quickly explained, “It’s not like that. My lady has been ill these past few days and didn’t want to bring illness to you, so she didn’t visit. She has been feeling better these last two days and came straight over to see you.”

Upon hearing Cloudy’s words, Bai Siruo recalled the events of her rescue and realized that Feng Jinyao had come out of concern for her. She felt both touched and guilty, tears streaming down her face, no longer her usual self but looking troubled.

Feng Jinyao comforted her, “Don’t worry, cousin. I’m fully recovered now, so there’s nothing to be concerned about.”

Bai Siruo tightly grasped her increasingly thin hand, feeling heartache, “Recovered? Look at you. You were already thin, and now you’ve lost even more weight from the illness. It’s all my fault for being so foolish and causing trouble for my family.”

“Cousin…”

Bai Siruo’s regret was palpable, and Feng Jinyao was at a loss for how to comfort her. She could only stay by her side and let her express her emotions.

After so many days of pent-up feelings, Bai Siruo finally had a good cry. While her external injuries could heal, her heart would have remained burdened otherwise.

Once Bai Siruo stopped crying, she noticed that the handkerchief Feng Jinyao had brought was soaked with her tears.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yes,” Bai Siruo’s voice was still choked with tears but sweet. Feng Jinyao, though younger, found herself treating her cousin like an older peer, soothing her, “Here is some milk tea, freshly brewed. Drink a bit to soothe your throat.”

Bai Siruo took the tea, holding it warmly in her hands, and the gloom in her heart began to lift. Seeing her mood brighten, Feng Jinyao spoke up.

“After this, don’t trust others too easily. Your status is such that any action can have widespread consequences. If it weren’t for Uncle and Fourth Uncle’s efforts to protect you, the harsh words from outside might have overwhelmed you. Now that you have the title of Anping Princess, no one will dare to speak ill of you.”

“Titles and such are nothing to me. I don’t care for these empty names. What bothers me is that you’ve fallen ill and that Uncle Lin was punished. I feel deeply guilty.”

“Enough. We are family and don’t need to speak of such things. I came today to comfort you and to discuss something.”

Seeing Feng Jinyao’s serious expression, Bai Siruo also stopped her sadness and focused on her.

“The case against the distant relative Feng Yuan has been sentenced to death, and the Lu family has suffered as well. But the Wei family is not in significant trouble. Do you know why they targeted you?”

“Humph, isn’t it because they think the Bai family has no heirs? Now it’s just me and Bai Sihan left. Once we’re married off, the Bai family will be left empty. Even if we adopt a child from the clan now, it wouldn’t be enough to maintain the family’s reputation. The Wei family is taking advantage of this to eliminate me completely.”

Bai Siruo was not foolish. After lying in bed for so many days, she could still grasp this point.

Feng Jinyao nodded, “That’s right. But the Bai family is not truly without heirs. You have a younger brother who has been lost.”

“What? A brother?”

Bai Siruo was shocked, her voice rising. Since her birth, she had never known of such a sibling. How could there be a brother now?

Seeing Feng Jinyao wasn’t joking, she took a few deep breaths to calm herself before asking, “Who is that woman outside? Does Mother know about this?”

Feng Jinyao was momentarily stunned by her question but then realized and replied, “You misunderstood. It’s not Uncle’s child.”

Bai Siruo raised an eyebrow, looking at Feng Jinyao with concern, “Oh no, what about Uncle? How could he have an outside affair?”

Feng Jinyao gently pressed her head, saying calmly, “Listen to me first. The child is not from Uncle or Fourth Uncle but from Third Uncle’s relationship with Qiao Xiu Niang before he was married. The child is now around fourteen years old and has been raised by the Qiao family in Shuanggui Lane. Qiao Xiu Niang had passed away, and only two old servants are left to care for the child.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Siruo’s eyes widened in shock. After a long while, she said, “It must be Third Aunt’s doing. Otherwise, how could we not have known about a Bai family child lost for more than ten years?”

Feng Jinyao nodded, “This is also related to Third Uncle. Otherwise, with his personality, how could he have allowed Third Aunt to mistreat Qiao Shanwei?”