Chapter 825 - 828: Paying a Visit
Chapter 825: Chapter 828: Paying a Visit
After all these years, the name Gu Wenheng was once again brought up in conversation, and ironically, his current predicament mirrored Bai Jinglie’s exact situation from back then.
He wondered what kind of decision the Holy Emperor would make this time.
Bai Jinglie played out various possibilities in his mind, leaning more toward the likelihood that Gu Wenheng would observe the mourning period as customary.
As for what would happen in three years... Bai Jinglie sneered inwardly. No matter how well the Holy Emperor hid his declining health, everyone in Shangjing knew that he only had a year or two left. When the new emperor ascended the throne, he would naturally appoint his own trusted aides. Even if Gu Wenheng was exceptionally capable, no one would willingly hand over power they had already grasped.
"At least I still have the title of Marquis Wu’an," Bai Jinglie thought. "But what about Gu Wenheng? Oh, how the tables have turned!"
Bai Jinglie delightedly drained the wine in his cup. Over the years, he hadn’t dared to make any reckless moves or show his face before the Holy Emperor, and he had Gu Wenheng to thank for all of it.
"Marquis, the second master’s household sent someone over. They said they have a matter to discuss and request your presence," the butler reported as he walked over.
The "second master" he mentioned was Bai Jingyang, who had been separated from the main family household.
"He certainly puts on airs. A mere commoner daring to order a Marquis around? Go give him a reply. Tell him I’m busy and we’ll talk when I have free time," Bai Jinglie chuckled lightly.
Back then, he had observed a four-year mourning period—Mrs. Bai had passed away during his initial three-year mourning, adding an extra year for a grandmother. He had been overwhelmed with anxiety trying to reinstate his official position, while that mother and son duo caused endless trouble just to avoid moving out of the mansion. Fortunately, he had gained the upper hand and kicked them out. Now, they were merely a collateral branch of the Marquis Mansion, yet after all these years, they still hadn’t given up.
"He said Aunt Kuang has something to discuss with you and wants you to go over personally," the butler added.
Bai Jinglie scoffed. "She’s nothing but a concubine, yet she speaks with such arrogance. Ever since they left the Marquis Mansion, their manners have completely deteriorated.
"Have Nanny Wu make a trip over to teach them the hierarchy of status."
Seeing Bai Jinglie’s impatient expression, the butler didn’t dare say another word and hurriedly withdrew. If he had known earlier, he wouldn’t have accepted their Silver. A few more incidents like this, and his position as butler would be in jeopardy.
Bai Jinglie thought the matter was settled, but unexpectedly, it wasn’t long before Bai Jingyang personally came to the door with Bai Jingli.
Looking at the haggard and disheveled siblings, Bai Jinglie raised an eyebrow. "How rare. So you still remember to come back and visit your eldest brother."
Ever since they moved out, Bai Jingyang hadn’t even returned to offer incense at the ancestral hall during holidays and festivals. To think they would actually show up this time.
"Eldest Brother," Bai Jingyang and Bai Jingli mumbled in greeting.
"Just spit it out. There’s no need to beat around the bush." Although Bai Jinglie felt no brotherly affection for them, their actions outside still somewhat represented the face of the Marquis Wu’an Mansion.
Hearing this, Bai Jingli covered her face and began weeping before she could even speak, while Bai Jingyang stood by to comfort her. Seeing the siblings put on such an act the moment they met, Bai Jinglie’s already irritable mood worsened.
"You didn’t come all the way here just to bring me bad luck, did you?" Seeing them in the mood to cry, he figured it must be related to the rumors he had heard recently.
Bai Jingyang’s face darkened. "Eldest Brother, I refuse to believe you haven’t heard. The Li Family is taking things too far! Even if our younger sister hasn’t borne them a son or daughter after so many years of marriage, it shouldn’t warrant them taking an equal wife!
"They have completely disregarded our Marquis Wu’an Mansion! Are you really going to swallow this insult?"
"This marriage was single-handedly arranged by your Aunt Kuang," Bai Jinglie replied. "How did she brag about it back then? ’Such an excellent son-in-law. Given time, he will definitely top the imperial examinations.’ How long has it been? Are you already slapping your own faces?"
"Eldest Brother, don’t just stand there making sarcastic remarks! Don’t forget, we are brothers of the same lineage. For them to act so brazenly is undoubtedly a slap in the face to the Marquis Wu’an Mansion.
"If you wash your hands of this, the daughters of the Bai family will be looked down upon wherever they go!"
Bai Jinglie clapped his hands. "Not bad. You’ve actually made some progress these past few years. You’ve learned perfectly from your Aunt Kuang how to slap big labels on people.
"Let me put it this way. It’s been so long since this happened, and you’re only just now coming to my door. I thought you had already swallowed the insult, but it seems I was wrong. You weren’t waiting for me to take the initiative to help you handle it, were you?" By the end of his sentence, Bai Jinglie was laughing. "Honestly, you could hold out a little longer. Who knows, I might even receive a wedding invitation from the Li Family by then."
"You’re gloating over my misfortune!" Bai Jingli cried out. "Eldest Brother, I know you’ve disliked us since we were young, but for our late father’s sake, you shouldn’t kick us while we’re down!
"It’s precisely because you’ve treated us with such public indifference all these years that the Li Family dares to humiliate me like this!"
Back then, if it hadn’t been exposed that Ms. Kuang was never entered into the clan genealogy and thus didn’t count as a primary wife, she wouldn’t have been reduced from a legitimate daughter to a concubine-born one, making her marriage prospects so difficult.
They couldn’t climb the social ladder to marry into a high-ranking family, but she refused to settle for a concubine-born son and live her life at the mercy of a legitimate mother-in-law. After picking and choosing, they settled on a scholar from the Li Family who had just arrived in the capital. At first, bringing a handsome dowry into the marriage, she had enjoyed a few good years.
But unfortunately, her womb had failed her, and for years, she couldn’t bear a single child.
Her in-laws’ attitudes gradually soured. Still, out of wariness toward the Marquis Wu’an Mansion, they had tolerated the situation for years. This time, however, something had gotten into the Li Family. They seemed determined to bypass the customary practice of taking a concubine and instead sought to directly elevate another woman to the status of an equal wife.
Bai Jingli had kicked up a fuss, and Bai Jingyang had even paid a visit to demand justice on her behalf. But the other side always presented a mountain of unassailable justifications.
Carrying on the family line was a matter of immense importance. Since Bai Jingli couldn’t fulfill this duty for the Li Family, they couldn’t just keep delaying year after year. A child born of a concubine would face much greater difficulties entering officialdom than a legitimate son. If they were going to have to elevate the child’s status eventually, why not do it right from the start?
"I even agreed to let him take a concubine!" Bai Jingli cried, burying her face in her hands. "I figured I could just register the concubine’s child under my name when the time came, but they wouldn’t even agree to that!
"They disrespect me this much simply because they don’t give a damn about our Marquis Mansion!"
Hearing this, Bai Jinglie felt a twinge of discomfort, but he maintained his rationality. "Don’t forget, our family has already split. You are no longer a young lady of the Marquis Mansion. Besides, you’ve been married into the Li Family for years. Since you failed to give them an heir, you should have prepared for this long ago instead of letting them seize such an advantage over you."
Bai Jinglie then shot a malicious glance at Bai Jingyang. "Second Brother, I hear you’ve taken in a few more concubines recently. I assume your birth mother stuffed them into your courtyard, right?
"How come you can accept that just fine, but when it happens to Bai Jingli, you suddenly can’t sit still?"
Bai Jingyang fell silent.
Bai Jingli was left speechless.
"I also recall your mother trying to force women onto me back in the day, though I rejected them all." Seeing the siblings’ faces turning paler by the second, Bai Jinglie grinned. "It seems this kind of matter really depends on how an individual chooses to handle it."