Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 572 - 569: Destiny Lies in Virtue_1

Chapter 572: Chapter 569: Destiny Lies in Virtue_1

Qin Shangzhi tapped the table with his fingers, exerting great force. "Because this is order and rule! A legitimate heir is a legitimate heir! A monarch is a monarch. Since being born as a human... one should be loyal to the monarch and love the country, putting the country before the family. Do you agree, Miss Bai?"

"Being loyal to an incapable monarch is foolish loyalty. Mr. Qin, you possess great wisdom and should see that King Liang, to win the Emperor’s favor, is using children for alchemy. And the Emperor knows this and even protects King Liang. It is likely that our Crown Prince also desires to take over this alchemy from King Liang to win the Emperor’s favor. Not to mention that in Dadu City, people are following suit. Prestigious families are emulating alchemy. With your intelligence, Mr. Qin, consider that the Emperor, in his quest for immortality, might do even more outrageous things. And this Crown Prince, to gain the Emperor’s favor, might do anything."

"That’s why I must stay by the Crown Prince’s side. That’s why I must help him become a wise monarch! Yes! The Crown Prince is currently controlled by Elder Fang, but as long as I’m here, I can at least stop him from going too far. If I leave, Ren Shijie, who follows Elder Fang’s lead, will ruin the Crown Prince! The Crown Prince is the cornerstone of the nation! If the cornerstone crumbles, the nation will be no more!" Qin Shangzhi said, his chest heaving intensely.

Bai Qingyan pursed her lips and looked at Qin Shangzhi, whose face was flushed with anger. She waited until he calmed slightly and then spoke. "When a ruler loses their virtue, they will inevitably lose their kingdom. This has always been the case. This Jin Kingdom, this world, has never belonged to the name of a single family. Heroes compete for supremacy, and whoever ascends to the highest position is the rightful ruler. Mr. Qin, you have read history. Destiny lies in virtue, not in power. Do you not understand this principle yet?"

Qin Shangzhi’s lips moved, but no words came out.

Bai Qingyan did not wait for him to respond and continued in a calm and composed voice. "What is the virtue of a ruler? It is governing the nation and bringing peace to the people, caring for the world. Ensure that the people have roofs over their heads and are free from hunger and cold. Allow the people to live peacefully and securely. Whether it is the Emperor or the Crown Prince, who can achieve this?"

Qin Shangzhi clenched his fists tightly and stood up, bowing deeply to Bai Qingyan. "I dare not agree with what you said, Miss Bai. When the ruler loses virtue, I believe we should correct and guide him, not replace him, causing the people to suffer the chaos of upheaval."

Qin Shangzhi was not convinced by Bai Qingyan; instead, he tried to persuade her. "Miss Bai, think about it. If King of Zhen were alive, would he rebel or correct? The Bai family has always been loyal. How can you damage the Bai family’s century-long reputation for personal revenge?"

"Whether it is the Bai family or the Bai family army, their initial purpose was to stabilize internal chaos and defend against external enemies for the people. To protect and bring peace to the people!" Bai Qingyan sat firmly opposite Qin Shangzhi. She raised her deep eyes to look at him, her gaze steady and unwavering. "The Bai family has always been loyal to the people... not the ruler! If the ruler can bring peace to the people, the Bai family will be loyal to him. If the ruler oppresses and harms the people, the Bai family will sacrifice everything to protect the people, even at the cost of their lives!"

Although Bai Qingyan’s voice was not high-pitched and was as calm as a gentle stream, it caused great turmoil in Qin Shangzhi’s heart.

·

The night market in Fenping was also very lively. The street was full of bright lanterns, with people bustling about, creating a prosperous and bustling scene.

Although this night market was not as flourishing as that in Dadu City, where brothels were filled with laughter and restaurants were brightly lit, the high-hanging lanterns brought a cozy atmosphere filled with the common people’s smoke and fire.

Children wearing masks surrounded the sugar figure stalls. The leading chubby girl acted like a grown-up, shouting for the grandfather to add more honey and not to fool them.

A laborer who had just finished his hard work had a coarse cloth towel around his neck and bought some snacks from a thatched hut with a half-hanging blue cloth. He then went straight to the stall opposite, with a flag reading "Wine" on the thatched hut. The stall was brightly lit and displayed jars of wine of various sizes. The stall owner put the coarse cloth towel on his shoulder, took the wine flask handed by the laborer, and chatted with him.

Another man held a child with a string of candied haws, took out a few copper coins from his waist, and handed them to a woman selling wontons. The woman wore a slightly old and new blue apron, wiped her flour-dusted hands on the apron, took the copper coins, and greeted the customers to sit down.

An old man brewing tea was busy by a half-human tall stove. The old man’s son was smiling as he wiped a small square table with peeling paint and invited guests to sit down.

Seeing Xiao Rongyan standing outside the tea hut, the old man’s son ran out quickly and bowed, inviting Xiao Rongyan to sit inside. "You seem like an outsider! You must try our family’s sweet plum tea. My father’s skills are passed down from our old Wang family and are famous in Fenping!"

Xiao Rongyan glanced at the tea hut and nodded.

The old man’s son quickly turned around. "Dad, there are guests! Two bowls of sweet plum tea!"

Xiao Rongyan took a seat, and Yue Shi followed him inside, sitting beside Xiao Rongyan.

Unexpectedly, just after the steaming tea was served, someone called out, "Mr. Xiao."

Xiao Rongyan stood up with a smile and cupped his hands towards Ren Shijie. "Mr. Ren..."

Ren Shijie smiled as he bowed, entering the tea hut. "Mr. Xiao also knows the sweet plum tea from Wang’s?"

Xiao Rongyan, Ren Shijie, and Yue Shi, all tall, bent over in the cramped tea hut, creating a very comical scene.

"Please sit!" Xiao Rongyan smiled and gestured for Ren Shijie to sit, then asked the old man brewing tea for another bowl. "Another bowl of tea, please!"

By chance, Ren Shijie and Xiao Rongyan had a pleasant conversation. After finishing their tea, Ren Shijie personally took Xiao Rongyan for a stroll in the Fenping night market. Not far behind, someone followed them. Yue Shi had noticed it long ago, but their master would not let them make a fuss.

"Mr. Qin is indeed exceptionally talented but proud and lofty... and suppressed by Elder Fang. Even with great talent, he cannot display it." Ren Shijie walked ahead with Xiao Rongyan, laughing and talking, his eyes occasionally noting the person following them. He smiled and pointed out a wonton stall to Xiao Rongyan as well. "This wonton stall is the most famous in the Fenping night market! If you haven’t had dinner, Mr. Xiao, you should try it."

Xiao Rong indicated with a smile that he wasn’t interested and declined. The two walked along the lake, where Ren Shijie bought some fish food from a vendor and handed it to Xiao Rongyan. The two stood on the brightly lit wooden bridge over Minghu Lake. This place provided a broad view and wasn’t suitable for hiding people. Even those monitoring Ren Shijie could only hide in the greenery and couldn’t get close.

This was the famous Minghu Lake Bridge in Fenping.

The bridge was splendid with lights. At night, it illuminated the large and plump carp swimming in the lake. The Governor’s wife in Fenping loved carp, so the Governor ordered that no one was allowed to catch them. If caught, there would be heavy penalties. This area had become a scenic spot in Fenping.

Xiao Rongyan furrowed his brows slightly, holding the fish food in his hand. He sprinkled some into the lake, watching the carp scramble for it. He handed the fish food box to Yue Shi, took the cloth Yue Shi handed him, and wiped his hands while listening to Ren Shijie whispering.