Chapter 157: Adopting an Heir - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter

 Chapter 157: Adopting an Heir

The meaning was clear: if he wanted to become a child of the first branch, he had to be wholeheartedly a part of the first branch. If his heart was divided, she would not tolerate him.

Although the words were not harsh, Qiao Shanwei detected a sense of threat.

He lowered his head and remained silent for a moment, then looked at Feng Jinyao with clarity in his eyes.

"Rest assured, Third Miss. If I make up my mind, even if Bai Sanlang kneels before me and begs, it will be useless."

This was true. In his past life, he had been decisive and strong-willed, much like his grandfather.

"In that case, we will await the good news."

After the Feng siblings left, Qiao Shanwei picked up the jade pendant and kept rubbing it, pondering over what they had said.

When the Qiao couple, who had been avoiding the conversation, entered the room and saw the jade pendant on the table, their eyes lit up with joy.

"Young Master, were those two sent by the Master?"

They hadn't forgotten that Shen Shi had said the jade pendant was only borrowed temporarily and would be returned later. It seemed she was trustworthy.

It looked like the matter of Young Master acknowledging his ancestry would soon be resolved.

"No."

"Then how did they have Madam's family heirloom jade pendant? This is..."

Uncle Qiao looked puzzled, but seeing the Young Master's expression darken, he dared not ask further.

"Uncle Qiao, Bai Sanlang and Madam Shen never truly intended to acknowledge me as part of the Bai family. They deceived my mother to get the jade pendant for money."

"What!" The Qiao couple was stunned. "But... didn't Madam say everything was fine? How could this be?"

They had taken care of Qiao Shanwei for so many years to fulfill the dying wish of their young mistress, hoping the child could live openly and honorably. They never expected it to end in vain.

Uncle Qiao was deeply disturbed and said fiercely, "Hmph, I thought that Madam had changed, but she turned out to be such a monster. Young Master, what are your plans?"

Since Qiao Shanwei's household registration was with the Qiao family, although they were commoners, they were still far inferior to the descendants of the prime minister's household.

"This morning, Bai Sanlang set off for Qiongzhou. I inquired about it, and he never mentioned me or intended to acknowledge me. So, Uncle Qiao, my mother's last wish cannot be fulfilled."

The news struck Uncle Qiao hard, causing him to hunch over even more. How could this be?

"Young Master, could someone be deliberately sabotaging this? I witnessed the affection between the Master and Madam back then. He wouldn't, shouldn't be so heartless!"

But Uncle Qiao's hopes were dashed.

"I don't know what kind of person Bai Sanlang was in the past, but the truth I've uncovered now is clear."

Old tears streamed down Auntie Qiao's face as she cried bitterly, "Miss, look at how your child is being bullied! That heartless Bai family deceived you and us for so many years, and now they've abandoned us. Miss, if you have a spirit in heaven, please help the Young Master."

Uncle Qiao comforted his wife, and Qiao Shanwei's heart ached.

In the past, he occasionally comforted himself by thinking that perhaps his father was unaware, and maybe the heartless letter was arranged by Madam Shen. But as he investigated further, he realized that Bai Sanlang had abandoned him before he was even born, and they had only been pretending to uphold this dream all these years.

"From today onward, I sever all ties with the third branch of the Bai family. Hmph, what ties were there in the first place? Uncle Qiao, remember, no matter what I do in the future, it has nothing to do with that so-called father of the third branch."

The old couple looked at Qiao Shanwei's frail but resolute figure and couldn't bring themselves to offer more comfort.

If anyone harbored deeper resentment towards Bai Sanlang, it was Uncle Qiao.

After all, Qiao Shanwei had never met his mother or father, but they had watched their young mistress transform from a renowned embroiderer of Dongdu City into an abandoned woman. She had been so gentle and talented but died in despair and sorrow.

"The Young Master is right! The third branch of the Bai family has always been our Qiao family's nightmare. In the past, we were unwilling to wake up, but now that we understand, what do they matter? With the Young Master's talent and ability, he will surely achieve great things in the future, and Madam can rest in peace."

Uncle Qiao's words were both to comfort himself and Qiao Shanwei.

They didn't know that the pair who had just delivered the jade pendant had paved a bright future for Qiao Shanwei. Whether he chose to walk that path was up to him.

Qiao Shanwei knew little about the first branch of the Bai family, only that Bai Sifu was a Hanlin scholar and the first Madam Bai was from the Lin family. If what Third Miss Feng said was true, he should investigate further if he wanted to join the first branch.

His wise eyes showed determination. Bai Sanlang, one day, you will regret your decision.

In the carriage, Feng Jinlin asked his sister, "Do you think he will agree to join the first branch of our uncle's family?"

"If he's not a fool, he should know this is the best path he can choose."

"Although that's true, after being raised outside for fourteen years and having such deep grudges with the third branch, I'm worried he might turn the Bai family upside down."

Feng Jinlin's knowledge of Qiao Shanwei came only from some gathered information.

His mother, Qiao Xiu Nang, was a famous embroiderer, hence saved some family wealth. Unfortunately, she died shortly after giving birth. He was raised by an elderly couple and was frail and sickly as a child. Later, a traveling barefoot doctor cured his illness, but there was no mention of him hiring a teacher or attending a private school. Yet, his mannerisms and speech were very cultured.

It seemed there were still some secrets about him that Feng Jinlin hadn't discovered.

"No, despite his young age, he is resolute and intelligent. If he joins our uncle's branch and receives guidance from our grandfather, I believe he will transform within five years. Moreover, his dissatisfaction with the third branch ensures he won't harbor any ill will towards our uncle and aunt once he inherits the Bai family, right?"

Feng Jinyao analyzed honestly, "The Bai family only has Cousin Siruo and Cousin Sihan. Instead of looking for a distant relative to inherit, it's better to acknowledge Qiao Shanwei. After all, he is Grandfather's grandson."

In terms of bloodline, indeed, it would be best if he could be adopted as the heir.

"But I'm afraid the third uncle will hold a grudge against the first uncle's branch. Brotherly conflict is not a trivial matter."

"Don't worry. With Qiao Shanwei, he will protect the first uncle's branch."

Feng Jinyao had seen him ten years later, full of hatred for the Bai family, with ruthless yet honorable means. It was evident that he was a person of true character, although he had taken a wrong turn.

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