Chapter 68 – Rebirth: The Poisonous Concubine (09)
Bai Residence.
Madam Bai had fainted from shock and remained unconscious for half the night. When she finally woke up, she called out Bai Mo’s name while shedding tears. The maids tried to comfort her again and again, but nothing could ease her sorrow.
“Madam, the young master has returned! The young master is back!” Before the servant’s figure appeared, his voice had already reached the room.
Madam Bai, who had been sitting on the bed, immediately stood up and staggered outside. “Mo Mo, my Mo Mo, my child…”
“Madam… hurry, stop the madam!” She was still in her inner garments and barefoot. The nanny quickly instructed the maids to stop her—she couldn’t meet anyone in this state.
After much effort, they managed to settle Madam Bai down and help her freshen up. Meanwhile, Bai Mo, accompanied by Yu Chenyi, entered the hall to reassure his frightened mother.
“Mother, I’m back~” The young man’s voice carried a hint of exhaustion. Just as he stepped into the main hall, Yu Chenyi, who stood beside him, was suddenly pushed aside by a rushing figure.
Madam Bai, eyes red with tears, grasped Bai Mo’s arms, frantically feeling to make sure he was unharmed, her expression overwhelmed with emotion.
“It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re safe… You nearly scared me to death. If something happened to you, how could I go on…” Madam Bai sobbed in relief. She never cared about Bai Mo achieving great success—she only wished for his safety and health.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” Bai Mo had never been embraced while someone cried for him before. His mother’s arms left him flustered, so he cast a pleading look at Yu Chenyi for help.
Yu Chenyi stepped forward and spoke with a respectful bow, “Madam Bai, I am Yu Chenyi. Due to the urgency of the situation, I regret that I arrived without formally sending word in advance. Minister Bai and my father are currently handling affairs at the government office, so I have taken the liberty of escorting Mo Mo home.”
Madam Bai turned to look at Yu Chenyi. He had a refined demeanor, his expression calm and reserved, but when he looked at Bai Mo, his eyes were filled with tenderness. She nodded in satisfaction, maintaining the composure befitting a noble lady of the Bai family. She ordered tea to be served and conversed with Yu Chenyi for a while.
Knowing that this was his future mother-in-law, Yu Chenyi subtly showcased his best qualities, determined to leave a good impression.
His efforts paid off—Madam Bai grew more and more pleased with him. Handsome, eloquent, and knowledgeable, he was a fine match for her Mo Mo. But all of these were secondary; what truly mattered was whether Momo was willing.
As the night grew late, Madam Bai, worried about safety outside, warmly insisted that Yu Chenyi stay the night and leave in the morning. Seeing her sincerity, he politely accepted the invitation.
Tonight was destined to be an eventful one. Minister Bai and Censor Yu did not return until the break of dawn. After quickly changing into their court robes, they hurriedly boarded their sedan chairs to attend the early morning assembly.
…
Today was the Grand Court Meeting, which was held once a month. No matter how big or small the matter, it had to be reported to the Emperor. After discussions about border affairs, Minister Bai, who oversaw the Ministry of Justice, and Censor Yu stepped forward in unison to report last night’s operation to apprehend the kidnappers.
The imperial court had been cracking down on human traffickers for a long time but had never managed to capture their leaders. This time, with all the remaining fugitives arrested, even the Emperor—who had been feeling drowsy during the morning court session—suddenly became alert.
“Beloved minister, report the details,” the Emperor commanded.
He deeply despised human traffickers, seeing them as direct adversaries to the imperial rule. The trade of people as slaves and servants was strictly regulated, with dedicated government agencies and officially sanctioned civilian organizations handling such affairs.
It was never the place of criminals to interfere. The destruction of families, the separation of wives from husbands—such tragedies, caused by traffickers, had weakened the people’s faith in the government and threatened the stability of the empire.
Understanding the gravity of the matter, the Emperor assigned the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to oversee the case.
Minister Bai, known for his integrity, intended to report another issue, but the Censor swiftly stopped him. The latter shook his head subtly and cast a glance toward the Prime Minister. The matter of Wei Yuyan—the woman claiming to be the Prime Minister’s daughter—was inappropriate to discuss in open court. If it had to be addressed, it should be in private with the Emperor. Publicly bringing shame upon the Prime Minister would only provoke endless trouble, given his notoriously vindictive nature.
Just as Minister Bai was about to step back to his position, his hesitation did not escape the Emperor’s notice.
“Minister Bai, is there anything else you wish to report?” The Emperor was well aware of Bai’s straightforward character—he was a man who spoke his mind without fear. If even he was hesitating, then something serious must be at hand.
All the ministers turned their attention to Bai, waiting for him to speak. But thinking of his wife and child at home, he suppressed his thoughts and bowed deeply. “This minister has nothing more to report.”
The officials lowered their eyes, but the Emperor’s gaze toward Bai became noticeably sharper.
“So be it,” the Emperor replied, his tone so indifferent that it sent a chill down Bai’s spine.
The Emperor was beginning to suspect him.
After court was dismissed, Bai did not leave. Instead, he, along with the Censor and the Prefect, requested an audience with the Emperor. They had only been waiting outside the imperial study for a short while when the chief eunuch came out to invite them in.
“Minister Bai, what is the reason for your audience?”
When the Emperor was pleased with a minister, he addressed them as “beloved minister.” But when displeased, it became a cold and distant “Minister Bai.”
Having served the Emperor for many years, Bai understood his ruler’s temper well. He was neither offended nor flustered. Kneeling before the throne, he finally spoke the words he had withheld during court.
“While apprehending the traffickers, we unexpectedly captured one of their accomplices. This individual claims to be the daughter of the Prime Minister. Since this matter concerns both the Prime Minister’s reputation and a noblewoman’s honor, I dared not speak of it in open court without verification. I humbly seek Your Majesty’s judgment.”
This explanation eased the Emperor’s suspicions. So Bai’s hesitation during court was due to concern over political balance rather than any hidden allegiance. Indeed, discussing the Prime Minister’s daughter in public would have disrupted the delicate power equilibrium within the court.
“You have considered wisely,” the Emperor said, his tone warming. Minister Bai’s title returned to “beloved minister” once more.
“Xiao Gao,” he called to a young eunuch, “check if the Prime Minister has left. Summon him at once.”
The eunuch quickly acknowledged the order and departed. Meanwhile, the Emperor, now intrigued, wanted to hear the full details of last night’s operation. The traffickers had escaped time and again in the past—how had they been captured so completely this time?
…
At the mention of this, Prefect Sir, who had been a full witness to the entire ordeal, suddenly became wide awake. “It all started with the second son of Minister Bai and the eldest son of Censorate Official Yu…”
According to the prefect’s recounting, Yu Chenyì was valiant and heroic, while Bai Mo was sharp and resourceful. The two were also betrothed, making them a well-matched pair. The former worked tirelessly outside to assist the authorities in gathering intelligence, while the latter, bold yet meticulous, disguised himself to infiltrate the traffickers’ den and rescue the hostages. With their seamless cooperation—one working inside, the other outside—they managed to capture the cunning traffickers in one decisive sweep.
The Emperor listened with great interest, thoroughly entertained. He was overjoyed—talent emerged with each new generation, ensuring the lasting prosperity of the Jin Kingdom.
“Excellent! A true hero in his youth. Minister Bai, Minister Yu, bring your sons to meet me someday,” the Emperor declared with a hearty laugh.
“Yes, Your Majesty. The prefect flatters us—it was all thanks to the young lord of the Yu family and the efforts of the local officers. My son was simply fortunate not to be a hindrance,” Minister Bai responded nervously, sweating profusely at the prefect’s lavish praise of Bai Mo. He knew his son well—Bai Mo had no such grand abilities. The last thing he wanted was for the Emperor to take an interest in him. Serving a ruler was as perilous as living with a tiger; all Minister Bai wished for was his son’s lifelong peace and safety.
Although he appeared to be a strict father, Minister Bai was no less indulgent than his wife when it came to their child.
“Ah, Minister Bai, you’re too modest. Braving danger alone to infiltrate a den of criminals—your son must be extraordinary,” the Emperor said, clearly intrigued by Bai Mo. After offering further praise to those who had contributed to the operation, he ordered rewards to be distributed. Just as he spoke, the Prime Minister arrived.
The Prime Minister’s influence had grown significantly, and he was now involved in the imperial succession struggle. For an emperor, there was no worse feeling than knowing that others were eyeing the very throne he sat upon. The princes’ ambitions for power, for the crown, even for his death—it was a bitter truth. The Emperor, ever suspicious and narrow-minded, had never favored the Prime Minister. But today, he had an opportunity to humiliate him. The thought lifted his mood immensely. As the Prime Minister knelt in greeting, the Emperor’s smile was so cheerful it sent chills down the spines of those present.
“Prime Minister, did your daughter attend the Lantern Festival last night?”
The Emperor, who was often too busy with state affairs to rest before the third watch of the night, suddenly had time to concern himself with the personal matters of his ministers?
The Prime Minister was puzzled, though his face betrayed nothing. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. Indeed, my daughter attended the Lantern Festival,” he replied smoothly. This was something she had reported to him beforehand, so he could answer without hesitation.
From the Prime Minister’s reaction, it seemed he was still unaware that his “obedient” daughter had been caught abducting people under the guise of playing the victim.
The Emperor, pleased to have found a weak spot in the Prime Minister’s defenses, was thoroughly enjoying himself. Even the realization that his future daughter-in-law lacked moral character did nothing to dampen his mood.
Minister Bai and the prefect, unwilling to watch the spectacle unfold, quickly excused themselves. They understood well that the more one lingered in court gossip, the more likely they were to suffer retribution later.
However, Censorate Official Yu did not follow suit. He pretended not to hear his colleagues’ urging whispers. As long as the Emperor did not explicitly order him to leave, he had no intention of going anywhere.
The one who had been kidnapped was his own wife. If it weren’t for Bai Mo rescuing her in time, who knew where she might have been sold—perhaps to some remote mountain village—or worse, she might have taken her own life after suffering unbearable humiliation, leaving him forever separated from her.
Thankfully, his wife was unharmed, and the traffickers had been caught. Yet, no matter what, he couldn’t quite swallow his anger.
Well, what could he do? Since he and Censorate Official Yu were in-laws, Minister Bai had no choice but to take the fall alongside him. He cupped his hands toward the Emperor and skillfully diverted the Prime Minister’s wrath toward himself. “Your Majesty, my son also narrowly fell into the hands of those traffickers. My heart aches deeply.”
A woman’s reputation was of utmost importance. Although Madam Yu had only been missing for a few hours and nothing had happened to her, the fear of gossip was still real. On the other hand, Bai Mo, being a man, would suffer little harm to his reputation even if his name got caught up in the incident.
Realizing Minister Bai’s intent, Censorate Official Yu cast him a grateful glance. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister was utterly confused—what did the crackdown on human traffickers have to do with his daughter?
In the end, the Emperor, using the excuse that Wei Yuyan was the future consort of the Third Prince, sent word to the Prime Minister’s residence, ordering her to enter the palace and pay respects to the Empress Dowager.
Normally, it would have been the Empress Dowager herself who summoned Wei Yuyan. However, the gossip was simply too entertaining for the Emperor to pass up, so he personally gave the order. As the father of the Third Prince, wasn’t it perfectly reasonable for him to take an interest in his son’s marriage?
Watching the Emperor’s gloating expression, the Prime Minister felt a vein throb on his forehead, and an ominous premonition arose in his heart.
At that moment, however, Wei Yuyan was still locked up in the prison. When the eunuch arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence with the imperial decree, he naturally found no trace of her. The Prime Minister’s wife immediately interrogated Wei Yuyan’s personal maid, only to learn that her daughter, who had gone out to enjoy the Lantern Festival, had not returned home all night.
Connecting this with the news that a group of traffickers had been captured earlier that day, the Prime Minister’s wife’s instincts told her that something terrible had happened to her daughter.
The one who had been kidnapped was his own wife. If it weren’t for Bai Mo rescuing her in time, who knew where she might have been sold—perhaps to some remote mountain village—or worse, she might have taken her own life after suffering unbearable humiliation, leaving him forever separated from her.
Thankfully, his wife was unharmed, and the traffickers had been caught. Yet, no matter what, he couldn’t quite swallow his anger.
Well, what could he do? Since he and Censorate Official Yu were in-laws, Minister Bai had no choice but to take the fall alongside him. He cupped his hands toward the Emperor and skillfully diverted the Prime Minister’s wrath toward himself. “Your Majesty, my son also narrowly fell into the hands of those traffickers. My heart aches deeply.”
A woman’s reputation was of utmost importance. Although Madam Yu had only been missing for a few hours and nothing had happened to her, the fear of gossip was still real. On the other hand, Bai Mo, being a man, would suffer little harm to his reputation even if his name got caught up in the incident.
Realizing Minister Bai’s intent, Censorate Official Yu cast him a grateful glance. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister was utterly confused—what did the crackdown on human traffickers have to do with his daughter?
In the end, the Emperor, using the excuse that Wei Yuyan was the future consort of the Third Prince, sent word to the Prime Minister’s residence, ordering her to enter the palace and pay respects to the Empress Dowager.
Normally, it would have been the Empress Dowager herself who summoned Wei Yuyan. However, the gossip was simply too entertaining for the Emperor to pass up, so he personally gave the order. As the father of the Third Prince, wasn’t it perfectly reasonable for him to take an interest in his son’s marriage?
Watching the Emperor’s gloating expression, the Prime Minister felt a vein throb on his forehead, and an ominous premonition arose in his heart.
At that moment, however, Wei Yuyan was still locked up in the prison. When the eunuch arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence with the imperial decree, he naturally found no trace of her. The Prime Minister’s wife immediately interrogated Wei Yuyan’s personal maid, only to learn that her daughter, who had gone out to enjoy the Lantern Festival, had not returned home all night.
Connecting this with the news that a group of traffickers had been captured earlier that day, the Prime Minister’s wife’s instincts told her that something terrible had happened to her daughter.
The eunuch sent to deliver the imperial decree could not find Wei Yuyan, so he had no choice but to bring her personal maid back to report to the Emperor.
Worried that the young eunuch might speak carelessly, the Prime Minister’s wife secretly sent people out to search for her daughter while also slipping the eunuch a bribe, urging him to wait a moment and enjoy some tea and refreshments. Meanwhile, she returned to her chambers to change into her formal attire befitting a first-rank official’s wife, preparing to accompany the eunuch to the palace to give an official report.