Chapter 18: Past - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter
Chapter 18: Past
It has been almost ten years since he was injured and contracted consumption, and he hasn't appeared in public much since then. It's said that he only occasionally attends royal banquets.
Today, the Bai family was able to invite him, they're really impressive!
"Is he the Seventeenth Prince? The one who swore allegiance to the Southwest Dingwang Army? How come he looks so sickly?"
From a few tables away, a young nobleman with a childish air quietly asked.
His words were filled with confusion. For young nobles like them, they admired the war god Xiao Tingyi, a fierce figure who could fight gods and buddhas alike.
They imagined he might be tall and imposing, with astonishing martial skills, perhaps with round, fierce eyes exuding an imposing aura. They didn't expect him to look like a sickly person who could be knocked down with one punch.
It's really incomprehensible.
"Keep your voice down. Are you saying you can casually comment on the appearance of such a noble person?"
An older brother who knew the truth immediately reprimanded him, his eyes filled with tears as he recalled past events.
"Back then, when His Majesty had just ascended the throne and his position was not yet stable, Nan Yue invaded, and the Southwest region, including thirteen provinces, was taken by the ferocious Tiger Army. At the age of seventeen, Ding Wang was ordered to take command and led a force of three hundred thousand troops to battle against Nan Yue's seven hundred thousand strong army. After months of fierce fighting, not only did he reclaim lost territory, but he also defeated the enemy, severely weakening Nan Yue, which laid the foundation for the peaceful and prosperous era we have now."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but shed a few tears.
Fortunately, they were sitting in a corner and didn't attract much attention.
"And then? How did he... become like this?"
He dared not mention the term 'sickly person' again, as speaking such words would be blasphemous.
"Ah, it's a pity. Ding Wang was injured in the heart by a Nan Yue assassin who turned against them. If it weren't for the miraculous recovery performed by the military doctor Zhang at the time, he probably wouldn't have had the chance to appear in the Eastern Capital."
"Since then, he has contracted consumption, and the medicine in the Ding Wang Mansion is never-ending. There were even several times when high-ranking ministers wanted to send their daughters to the Wang Mansion as concubines, but after several close calls, no one cared about this once illustrious Ding Wang anymore."
There was a deep sense of regret in their words.
Such a talented and stunning individual, like a shooting star that shone brightly for only a few months before disappearing into the dust of history, was truly a pity.
"Ah, if he were still here, I would definitely follow him into the military and show the world the true colors of the men of Da Jin!"
Seeing his appearance, the people at the table couldn't help but shake their heads and smile bitterly.
After all, he was young and full of energy, completely unaware of the current political situation.
Since the defeat of Nan Yue, Emperor Qi had governed diligently for many years, and Da Jin was now a formidable force that made its neighbors tremble. Generals were gradually being marginalized, and more often it was scenes of courtiers debating in the court rather than generals leading troops in battle.
Emphasis was now on culture over martial prowess, all in just a short ten years.
Therefore, the young masters of aristocratic families mostly pursued official careers, and there were fewer people joining the military.
Instead, it was the talented individuals from humble backgrounds who became military commanders.
Most of the important officials in the court were from aristocratic families, while those from humble backgrounds were barely noticed.
Xu Gelao was one of the outstanding figures among them, and his followers included many scholars from humble backgrounds. His prestige among the people was also greater.
After chatting for a while, Bai Xiang had already raised his cup, and the banquet officially began.
Feng Jinyao and Bai Siruo sat with three aunts, while Bai Sihan sat next to Wei Lanxuan. Bai Lin, the main wife, was a little displeased and was about to say a few words, but Shen Shi, the third wife, spoke first.
"Han'er is friends with Miss Wei, so she didn't come over. Aunt, you don't mind, do you?"
Before Bai Lin could speak, Shen Shi immediately added, "Aunt is kind-hearted and naturally wouldn't make things difficult for the younger generation, right?"
With these words, if Bai Lin wanted to make trouble in the future, it would be seen as her being unkind. This third wife couldn't be underestimated.
"Third aunt, be careful with your words. The Bai family and the Wei family have never had much relationship. The two of them are meeting for the first time today. How close can they be? If someone doesn't call her back, is it reasonable for the hostess not to sit at the main table and insist on sitting at the guest table? Do you consider yourself a guest?"
Bai Siruo's words were sharp and fierce, all directed at Bai Sihan and Shen Shi. She was almost openly scolding them for not understanding the rules.
"You..." Shen Shi was furious and wanted to retort, but she was interrupted by the Princess Wen Yi next to her.
"Siruo, mind your manners. No matter what, she's an elder. Being so aggressive, is that reasonable?"
The Prince's mansion had strict rules, and the Princess Wen Yi came from there, so naturally, she was even more strict. Although she didn't like Shen Shi and Bai Sihan either, she didn't think what Bai Siruo did was right.
Bai Siruo pursed her lips and lowered her head, the handkerchief in her hand revealing her unwillingness.
Feng Jinyao gently patted her hand, whispered a few words in her ear, and soon her wrinkled little face relaxed, returning to its usual cheerful state.
Princess Wen Yi glanced at her daughter, who couldn't hide her thoughts, and sighed inwardly. She had been pampered too much, to the point where she didn't realize the consequences of getting into trouble. If she married someone like that, wouldn't she suffer in her husband's family?
Thinking of this, Princess Wen Yi felt annoyed and looked towards her husband, who was sitting at the male main table. She happened to see her nephew sitting next to him.
She saw that he was tall and strong, with a powerful physique, resembling her husband somewhat but not lacking in majesty. Suddenly, she had a plan in mind, and even the food on the table tasted better.
Meanwhile, Shen Shi, who had been overshadowed, had a long face. Her husband was a secondary son of the Bai family. He had not received much love since he was young and after becoming an imperial scholar, had not been promoted. He could only start from a lowly ninth-grade official in Qiongzhou.
Fortunately, he was also ambitious. For many years, he had worked hard, and with the help of his maternal family, he finally obtained the position of governor of Qiongzhou.
Although his elder brother Bai Chaoyu was also a fifth-grade official, he was in the capital and was a respected figure as a Hanlin academician. Naturally, he was higher than the third son Bai Sanlang.
So in her eyes, Bai Xiang's father hadn't done a good job. So what if he's a secondary son? Isn't he still his own flesh and blood?
But she had to consider the Madam Xu who favored him, and she had no choice but to let them stay outside for more than ten years.
Now that her husband could finally go to the capital to report on his work, she must find a way to stay in the Eastern Capital.
Seeing Princess Wen Yi enjoying herself and Baj Lin smiling beside Madam Bai as she toasted the wives of various dignitaries, Shen Shi felt like she had a fishbone stuck in her throat, making it difficult to swallow.
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