Between grandson and benefactor, she could only choose her grandson, wronging the benefactor.
Grand Princess had made her decision, her tone deep as if soaked in the icy water of a deep well: “Those at the estate who know the new bride is dead, none need to be kept. Bring that wretch back, and tell the world that… the Ji family’s new bride followed that wretch back to Duke Mansion to care for Ji Tingyu. You arrange for a woman of similar age to the Ji family’s new bride to enter the mansion and have her act the part. Ji Tingyu’s injuries are severe… from late tonight, he’ll fall into unconsciousness, and after Duke’s burial tomorrow, the loyal warrior Ji Tingyu won’t be able to hold on and will go to follow Duke. The Ji family’s new bride, overcome with grief, will follow him in death. Let this… settle the matter!”
In just a few words, Grand Princess had decided on Ji Tingyu’s life and death.
Nanny Jiang understood that Grand Princess was handling this matter with lightning speed to quickly settle it, while Miss was still preoccupied with the Bai Family’s funeral affairs and had no energy or hands to spare.
Having followed Grand Princess through thick and thin, Nanny Jiang knew that once Grand Princess made a decision, no one could dissuade her. But she still couldn’t help saying: “Grand Princess, if Miss ever learns of this approach, Miss might… might become estranged from you!”
“Then don’t let A’Bao know!” Grand Princess opened her reddened eyes, her hand clutching the prayer beads, trembling incessantly. “Never let A’Bao know!”
Otherwise, how could she face her granddaughter?
She was a woman who had grown up in the deep palace, never daring to claim her hands were unstained by innocent blood. But she didn’t want her most beloved granddaughter to see the most sordid and dark side of her heart.
She knew her granddaughter was already showing her forbearance everywhere, knew her granddaughter remembered their blood relationship and spared that illegitimate son’s life! Her granddaughter was willing to submit and not rebel for the sake of the land the Bai Family had protected for generations… for her sake. She knew that if she killed Ji Tingyu… it would certainly drive her granddaughter to the opposite side.
With A’Bao’s nature, if she learned that the wretch Bai Qingxuan had driven Ji Tingyu’s wife to death, she absolutely wouldn’t allow that wretch to live!
Despite knowing all this… she still had to do it.
Because she was greedy, harboring that sliver of hope, hoping she could both preserve that illegitimate son and maintain her relationship with A’Bao.
Grand Princess’s expression was filled with grief as she finally shed tears.
When the sky over the capital completely darkened, Bai Qingxuan returned to Duke Mansion alone. Grand Princess had left Bai Qingyan’s birth mother at the estate.
Grand Princess didn’t personally meet Bai Qingxuan, only having Nanny Jiang relay a message: he should go keep vigil at the mourning hall himself, and when he met his elder sister Bai Qingyan, he must be respectful and obedient. If he defied his elder sister… after the Bai Family’s major affairs were settled, he would face severe punishment.
Bai Qingxuan outwardly respectfully agreed and followed Nanny Jiang to the mourning hall.
Upon seeing Bai Qingyan, Bai Qingxuan immediately bowed deeply, keeping his head down to prevent people from seeing the scratches on his face made by a woman’s fingernails: “Elder sister, may you be well. Second sister, may you be well.”
The moment Bai Jinzhi saw Bai Qingxuan following behind Nanny Jiang, anger immediately rushed to her head. She sneered: “Didn’t you run away? How is it… Now that His Majesty’s edict posthumously honoring your grandfather has come down, you’ve shamefully returned?”
Bai Qingxuan’s eyebrows twitched as he lowered his gaze to hide the viciousness in his eyes, kneeling before the mourning hall without saying a word.
“Miss, Second Miss, Third Miss, Fourth Miss, Grand Princess has sent Young Master Xuan to keep vigil tonight. You should return to rest!”
“Excellent!” Bai Qingyan wasn’t polite either. Supporting herself on Chun Tao’s hand, she stood up. Her gaze swept over the bloody scratches on Bai Qingxuan’s face as she said to her sisters: “Let’s go back. Tomorrow’s funeral will still be busy.”
Returning to Qinghui Courtyard, Chun Xing quickly had maids bring warm water to attend to Bai Qingyan’s washing, and arranged for maids to set out several light refreshments, hoping Bai Qingyan would at least eat something before sleeping.
“Did Ji Tingyu wake up this afternoon?” She wiped her face with a hot towel and turned to ask Chun Tao.
Chun Tao, who was arranging the bedding, bit her lip and controlled her sour nose, shaking out the quilt with more force. She avoided the question and deliberately smiled to change the topic: “I heard that Ji Tingyu’s wife came today, saying she wanted to personally care for Ji Tingyu. I secretly went to peek and she’s a very beautiful woman!”
Nanny Tong had instructed that Ji Tingyu’s sudden lapse into unconsciousness temporarily couldn’t be told to Miss. Ji Tingyu was a hero of the Bai Family, and Physician Hong would definitely do his utmost to treat him. There was no need to have Miss worry unnecessarily. Miss was already tired enough sleeping only one or two hours each day.
She had heard from Lu Ping a few days ago about Ji Tingyu marrying a new bride before the New Year.
She handed the towel to a maid and turned to instruct Chun Tao: “Ji Tingyu has no elders in his family, so his new bride staying alone at home must feel uneasy. It’s good for the couple to be reunited. Tell the people below to treat Ji Tingyu’s wife courteously.”
“Miss, rest assured. When Madam learned that Ji Tingyu’s wife had come, she had Nanny Qin personally go to provide guidance. The people below are very respectful to Ji Tingyu’s wife.” Chun Tao had already lowered the bed curtains. “Miss, please have something to eat and rest! I’ve lit some sleep-inducing incense. Tomorrow will be busy!”
From New Year’s Eve, when the news came back, one thing after another had indeed made her very tired. But her heart couldn’t let go of what Jintong said about Nanny Jiang hurriedly taking people to the grandmother’s Changshou Courtyard today.
“Chun Xing, call Nanny Tong in. I have something to ask her.”
“Yes!” Chun Xing curtsied and withdrew.
She sat at the square table, picked up the warm water Chun Xing had placed on the black lacquered small table and drank two sips. She had just eaten two pieces of refreshment when Nanny Tong arrived.
“Miss.” Nanny Tong bowed.
“Did you investigate the matter?” She picked up the goat’s milk and took a sip.
Now that Dong Shi had completely handed over all mansion affairs to Bai Qingyan, Nanny Tong was the most favored nanny on Bai Qingyan’s side, making investigations very smooth.
“It’s clear. The woman Nanny Jiang brought into the mansion today is from the outer courtyard, surnamed Qi. Today, Nanny Jiang sent several women to the estate to fetch Second Master’s illegitimate son, and Woman Qi was one of them! But for some reason, later it was only Woman Qi who returned alone to see Nanny Jiang, and then Nanny Jiang took her to Changshou Courtyard. After coming out of Changshou Courtyard, that woman went to the estate again, and only then returned together with Second Master’s illegitimate son! Later, when this old servant went to find this woman again, she was nowhere to be found! The women and coachmen who went to the estate to fetch people were all gone!” After Nanny Jiang finished, she added: “Oh yes, Ji Tingyu’s wife also returned together with this Woman Qi and Second Master’s illegitimate son. I heard the Ji family was at this estate.”
Going to fetch that illegitimate son… but returning alone, hurriedly meeting grandmother, then making a second trip to bring the illegitimate son back – this matter was inherently suspicious.
Now with the women and coachmen who went to fetch people all missing, she didn’t believe there wasn’t some intrigue involved.
It wasn’t that she was overly suspicious, but that the Bai Family absolutely couldn’t afford any mistakes now.