Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 298 - 296: Accomplish_1

Chapter 298: Chapter 296: Accomplish_1

Chun Xing wasn’t considered beautiful, but she was quite charming. A few days ago, when the eldest lady was titled Commandery Princess, Chun Xing’s status rose significantly as she became the head maid by the Princess’s side.

Two days ago, her mother came to see her. Aunt Wang from next door visited along with the steward of the Minister of Revenue’s residence. The steward explained that the legitimate wife of the Minister’s concubine had suffered complications during childbirth last month and could no longer have children. Thus, the Minister of Revenue’s residence sought a good concubine for him. Aunt Wang was familiar with the wife of the steward and recommended Chun Xing, who served by the Princess of Zhen’s side. But upon inquiry, they discovered that Chun Xing had signed an indenture.

The steward of the Minister of Revenue’s residence turned to leave but was persuaded by Aunt Wang. She spoke highly of Chun Xing, mentioning how favored and trusted she was by the Princess. She assured that if Chun Xing requested to be redeemed from servitude, the Princess would likely agree.

Chun Xing’s mother, fearing that this excellent match might slip away, nodded vigorously and made guarantees. The steward then said, out of respect for Aunt Wang, that if Chun Xing could be redeemed from servitude, the marriage could proceed.

Chun Xing’s mother immediately agreed and rushed to find Chun Xing, telling her that the family was counting on her to become the concubine of a noble family to support her two younger brothers in their studies.

Hearing this, Chun Xing’s heart raced. She had met the Minister’s concubine’s son before. A few days prior to the eldest lady’s return, while applying for permission to go home from the mistress, her money bag had been stolen and she had no money to pay for her purchases. She was almost accused of theft when the Minister of Revenue’s concubine’s son stepped in to help.

So, she was convinced that the Minister of Revenue’s concubine’s son had feelings for her.

Seeing that her daughter didn’t object, her mother told her to ask the Princess for a favor to redeem her servitude and return home. Otherwise, once the Princess returned to Shuoyang, Chun Xing would be unable to look after her family.

These past few days, Chun Xing had been worrying about how to broach the subject with the Princess. Since the Princess was willing to grant a favor today... and Nanny Tong might find her a good family, perhaps she should seize the opportunity to ask for redemption from servitude.

Bai Qingyan reclined on the soft couch by the window, holding a book with one hand and a blue and white porcelain teacup with the other. She didn’t question why Chun Xing was being so attentive today.

After Chun Xing dried Bai Qingyan’s hair, seeing Chun Tao leave, she knelt at Bai Qingyan’s feet and softly called out, "Commandery Princess..."

"Just call me eldest lady," Bai Qingyan set down the cup and turned a page, "Do you have a request?"

Chun Xing bit her lip, "Yes, eldest lady. You will return to Shuoyang in early May, but my parents are here. I wish to ask for your favor to redeem my servitude..."

She raised her eyes to look at the kneeling Chun Xing and softly said, "We have been master and servant for a while. Once Nanny Tong finds you a suitable family, your indenture will be returned to you when you marry. There’s no need to rush."

Her voice paused for a moment before she asked, "Or have you already set your heart on someone?"

"Yes, eldest lady. My mother... she has already found a match for me." Chun Xing’s ears turned red as she spoke.

Originally, this wasn’t something she should have said. As a maid who had sold herself, her parents had no right to arrange a marriage for her. Whom she married was entirely up to her master.

Upon hearing this, Bai Qingyan closed her book with a gentle smile, "That’s good news. The family your mother found, are they reliable? What do the people do? How are the in-laws?"

It wasn’t that Bai Qingyan was particularly interested in this matter. She had heard Nanny Tong mention what kind of people Chun Xing’s parents were, and she feared they might have arranged a marriage recklessly for silver. After all, they had been master and servant. She couldn’t watch Chun Xing fall into a pit of fire.

Chun Xing’s ears reddened further, "It’s... the Minister of Revenue’s illegitimate sixth son. His legitimate wife was injured during childbirth and can no longer have children. They wish to find a good concubine to carry on the family line."

The Minister of Revenue, Chu Zhongxing’s illegitimate son?

Bai Qingyan squinted. The Minister of Revenue, Chu Zhongxing, was publicly known as once being King Xin’s ally... but in reality, he was Left Prime Minister Li Mao’s man. Although Chu Zhongxing hid it well, Bai Qingyan knew from her past life.

She looked down at the kneeling Chun Xing, her gaze cooling.

While no ordinary women would want the position of a legitimate wife, she was eager to become the concubine of the Minister’s illegitimate son.

She wasn’t angry. She casually placed the book on the black lacquered table, "Chun Xing, is this your mother’s wish, or... do you wish for this as well?"

Chun Xing couldn’t tell if the eldest lady was angry or not and remained silent, biting her lip and lowering her head.

"Chun Xing, concubines of noble families are only a step above maids, even good concubines. The children wouldn’t call you ’mother,’ nor could they be close to you. If the legitimate wife of the sixth son was injured during childbirth, they wouldn’t place the children by your side. There have been cases where mothers were left to die during childbirth while the children lived. We don’t have such hidden dangers in our Duke’s mansion, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist elsewhere," Bai Qingyan advised earnestly.

She didn’t delve too deeply into it, fearing that Chun Xing wouldn’t understand. She picked parts that Chun Xing could comprehend.

After all, Chun Xing had never wronged her. If she could be reasoned with... then their master-servant relationship wouldn’t have to turn ugly, honoring their past bond.

Chun Xing trembled upon hearing Bai Qingyan’s words.

"Even in our mansion, though the concubines have maids attending to them and live without worry, have you seen an illegitimate son or daughter close to their concubines? Have you seen a concubine daring to overstep her bounds with the legitimate daughters and sons? Concubines don’t need to follow the stringent rules of the Qing Temple like the secondary wives, yet they can’t even leave their own courtyards."

She sighed softly, "Chun Xing, one mustn’t be too ambitious. Being a concubine has never been easy, and it’s even more challenging in noble families. With just one mistake, you could lose your life. It would be better to let Nanny Tong find you a wealthy family where you could be the legal wife and live comfortably."

Chun Xing thought of the handsome young man who had once helped her and bit her lip. But she believed that the sixth son of the Minister of Revenue had feelings for her. With him, she would surely be protected.

Chun Xing’s eyes reddened. After making up her mind, she knocked her head heavily on the floor and looked up, "I hope the eldest lady will grant my wish."

Bai Qingyan pressed her lips together and gently stroked the edge of her book. Seeing Chun Xing’s determined expression, she added, "Chun Xing, do you know that the Minister’s residence might have chosen you because you are my close maid?"

"No, eldest lady! It couldn’t be! That day, while I was on my way home, my money bag was stolen. I didn’t have money to pay for my purchase and was seen as a thief. It was the sixth son of the Minister of Revenue who helped me out!" Chun Xing explained anxiously.

Bai Qingyan’s hand paused on the book spine.

If there had been any doubt before that the Minister’s residence was targeting her, it was now certain... they were targeting her.