C7 Death

Jing Bao shook her head. Lin’an Prefecture was a long way from the capital, and any news from there was always delayed. Besides, given her status, she couldn’t easily venture outside and spent her days quietly reading at home.

Jing Ruosu lowered her voice to a whisper. “The Emperor was seriously ill a few days ago, and several regional lords were summoned back... So, Uncle sent a secret letter, stating that these lords were becoming too powerful with their private armies and that reducing their forces was necessary to ensure peace in the country.”

Jing Bao was taken aback, quickly grasping the situation. A sense of melancholy welled up inside her. While reducing the power of the lords was for the good of the nation, now was not the right time. If it weren’t for the old Emperor’s lingering sentiments, the Xuanping Marquis Mansion might have already become a casualty in the power struggle between the Crown Prince and the Emperor.

Jing Ruosu glanced at the maid standing by the door. The maid, understanding the cue, quickly closed the main door and sat by it with a bamboo chair.

Jing Ruosu leaned closer. “Bao, listen to your big sister. Let’s not go to the Imperial College. Let’s quietly return to Lin’an Prefecture, change our identities, and find a decent, honest husband for you.”

Jing Bao gave a bitter smile and shook her head. “Father only knows how to indulge himself. If I give up, what will happen to our family? What about our sisters?”

Jing Ruosu was left speechless.

"I've taken on this responsibility, and I don't plan to put it down. Please, sister, stop trying to persuade me. I know what I'm doing." Jing Ruosu's eyes suddenly felt misty.

"Bao, you're still young and don't understand the differences between men and women. If your secret gets out... it could be disastrous for the whole family."

Jing Bao replied calmly, "When you all decided to raise me as a boy, no one asked if I wanted it. Now you're asking me to change back. Sister, let me ask you, is that even possible?"

Jing Ruosu felt a pang of sorrow. Could things really go back to how they were?

Everyone knows about the prodigy, Seventh Master Jing. Even the Wu family respects her more because of this brother.

Seeing her sister's eyes well up again, Jing Bao softened her tone, "Sister, don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

The road ahead is tough, full of thorns and dangers. But turning back is even harder, not just for herself but for her mother and sisters too.

Since neither path is easy, she decided to push forward. She refused to believe she couldn't carve out a bright future.

"Jing, Jing, where are you?" A voice called from outside. It was Lu Huaiqi!

Jing Bao straightened her clothes and was about to step out when Jing Ruosu grabbed her arm, "Don't hang around with him. That kid's trouble!"

"Okay."

"Wait!" Jing Ruosu didn't let go, "Are you and Mother really planning to stay here with Grandma?"

"Come on, you can't be serious. It's just something to appease the old lady. If you really moved in, where would that leave the aunts? Just visit often, that'll do."

"Jing, why are you acting like a woman all the time? If you don't come out soon, I..."

"I'm coming, I'm coming!"

Jing Bao quickly pushed the door open and walked over to Lu Huaiqi with a cheerful smile. "Cousin Lu, what's up?"

Lu Huaiqi scratched his head. "Not much, really. Just wanted to hang out. Wherever you want to go, it's on me."

Jing shot him a cold glance. "Have you returned all the confiscated property?"

Lu Huaiqi: "..."

Jing: "Got money to burn again?"

Lu Huaiqi: "..."

Jing: "Your sister died for nothing?"

"Jing, you son of a...!"

Lu Huaiqi was about to explode, but seeing Jing's eyes glistening with unshed tears, he softened.

"I'm just trying to thank you, you know. I even brought out my last stash of silver. You really don't appreciate a good heart."

Jing Bao was both amused and exasperated. "Put your silver back where it belongs. I need to study, no time for fun!"

"Jing, are you really going to disrespect me like this?"

"And if I am?"

Lu Huaiqi was at a loss for words, his face turning red with frustration. A young man from a noble family, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, when did he ever get dismissed like this?

"Well... well... just do me a favor next time, alright?"

After saying that, he added in a more subdued tone, "Is that okay?"

Jing Bao just wanted to curb this person's overbearing attitude, not really offend him.

"Alright!"

"Good buddy!"

Lu Huaiqi slapped him on the back so hard that Jing Bao stumbled a few steps, almost falling over.

"I didn't use much force, Little Seven!" Lu Huaiqi said, looking genuinely puzzled.

Jing Bao glared at him.

Lu Huaiqi chuckled, "I'll be gentler next time, don't get mad at me, Little Seven!"

Jing Bao was speechless, "If you really want to thank me, come with me to check on Fourth Miss's room?"

Lu Huaiqi's smile froze, "What are we going there for?"

Jing Bao rolled his eyes at him.

Lu Huaiqi was taken aback, "Do southern guys roll their eyes that well?"

Fourth Miss's courtyard was in the northwest corner. Before they even got there, they could hear a woman softly crying.

Lu Huaiqi paused, "That's Fifth Miss, she's closest to Fourth Miss!"

Fifth Miss, Lu Jinyun, was dressed in plain clothes with a small white flower in her hair, her eyes red from crying. Seeing a man, she turned away to wipe her tears.

"Brother, who is this?"

"This is your cousin, Jing."

"Cousin Jing!"

Jing Bao spoke softly, "Fifth Miss, aren't you scared?"

Fourth Miss had just met a tragic end, and the courtyard was eerie and chilling, even the maids and servants avoided it.

Lu Jinyun shook her head, "We're family, sisters by blood. She wouldn't harm me!"

Jing Bao took a deep breath, feeling a sharp pain in her chest.

...

Three days later, the Marquis of Xuanping submitted his resignation, and the old emperor approved it with his own hand.

A few days after that, Consort Lu's funeral was held. The entire Lu family, dressed in mourning clothes, attended the procession, even the elderly matriarch, despite her illness.

Jing Bao watched the grand funeral procession, finding the absurdity of life almost laughable.

On the way back, the matriarch suddenly fainted, unable to catch her breath.

Everyone hurried to carry her back to the Marquis Mansion, summoning several doctors who all advised preparing for the worst.

The matriarch was at the end of her life, likely to pass within days.

Her children kept vigil by her bedside day and night. Jing Bao stayed at the mansion as well, and after just two nights, the matriarch unexpectedly perked up, insisting on having some sweet red bean dumplings.

Even Jing Bao knew this was probably her final burst of energy.

Sure enough, after eating one dumpling, the matriarch gazed blankly at the Marquis of Xuanping.

The marquis stepped forward to hold her hand.

She sighed, "Son, come closer, let me look at you one last time..."

Before she could finish, her body swayed and she collapsed.

The people in the mansion were all wailing in sorrow. Jing Bao, however, couldn't bring herself to cry. She stood quietly, gazing at the serene face of the old lady, thinking that passing away peacefully like this wasn't such a bad thing. She was genuinely happy for her.

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