Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 1311

Chapter 1311: Chapter 1306: Indulgence

But today, he found himself inexplicably fearing Bai Qingyan.

He dared not claim to be deep and calculating, but at least he was older than Bai Qingyan, even older than Bai Qishan, always managing to conceal his thoughts. Yet now, he was completely seen through by that high and mighty... what he thought was a little girl, Bai Qingyan.

If Sima Yan said he wasn’t surprised, that would be impossible. He even felt a moment’s panic.

"So..." Bai Qingyan heavily placed the teacup she held onto the table, the porcelain clattering with a resounding noise, "Master Sima, don’t think you can easily deceive me because of my age. Just speak honestly!"

Sima Yan’s head buzzed as he immediately kowtowed to Bai Qingyan, his forehead pounding the ground so hard stars appeared: "Your servant is fearful; your servant would rather die a thousand times than deceive Your Majesty!"

In truth, Sima Yan knew that since Bai Qingyan valued Sima Ruodan, she would definitely send people to investigate the matter after returning. He had thought that once the deed was done, and with his mother’s intervention, the certainty of Sima Ruodan’s death meant no one would know—clinging to a faint hope—and chose not to deal with the aftermath.

His mother had not involved herself in household affairs for many years, possessing few competent people, inevitably leaving various flaws. Bai Qingyan now had many capable subordinates.

In a fleeting moment, Sima Yan’s mind raced, cold sweat running down his spine, and he hurriedly kowtowed: "Your Majesty, regardless of who did this, the matter arose in our Sima household. As the head of the Sima family, I should naturally shoulder everything. Please understand my intentions, Your Majesty, punish Sima Yan, but spare my family!"

Just as Sima Yan finished speaking, Wei Zhong hurried in, covering his mouth as he whispered to Bai Qingyan: "Your Majesty, the mother of the Imperial Censor, Madam Sima, is currently at the Court of Judicial Review, admitting to having harmed Princess Xiangxie, requesting punishment from the Court, and even brought a confession... The Court is still aligning things, so it hasn’t been sent over yet."

This was both unexpected and yet within Bai Qingyan’s expectations.

Bai Qingyan nodded to show she understood, then turned to look at Sima Yan, still kneeling on the ground. Her fingers tapped the table intermittently: "Master Sima, Madam Sima has already gone to the Court of Judicial Review, admitting to having harmed Princess Xiangxie, and even brought a confession."

Sima Yan understood his mother knew he came to the palace to plead guilty to the Emperor, afraid he would be implicated, so she confessed first. Though he had initially decided to take the blame for his mother, he inexplicably felt relieved, yet tears welled in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, please take into account my mother’s old age, let all the blame fall on Sima Yan, I am willing to resign... as a commoner, to take my mother’s punishment." Sima Yan kowtowed again, sincerely.

"Master Sima, the country has its laws. It’s not up to you to take your mother’s punishment just because you wish to. Besides... your mother’s life is a life, but isn’t Princess Xiangxie’s mother’s life a life? Isn’t Princess Xiangxie’s life a life?" Bai Qingyan paused, her tone softening as she spoke to Sima Yan, "Master Sima, I value Sima Ping greatly..."

Hearing these words, Sima Yan’s hands clenched against the floor, understanding what they implied.

"Like Master Sima, Sima Ping is very cautious, and it’s this caution that saved many soldiers’ lives on the battlefield," Bai Qingyan saw Sima Yan stiffen and spoke, "The law of the land cannot be disrupted, but... if you want Sima Ping’s future to be smooth, at least Sima Ping’s father cannot create trouble for him — do you understand?"

Sima Yan’s spine tightened, it felt as if his throat were choked, unable to make a sound, he could only heavily kowtow to Bai Qingyan, indicating his understanding.

She pointed to Sima Yan because she wanted to use Sima Ping, and also... wanted to use Sima Yan.

Sima Yan was capable, and now Zhou needed talent, regardless of age.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify