Chapter 014: Eldest Daughter-in-Law is Reborn (Part 13)

Chapter 014: Eldest Daughter-in-Law is Reborn (Part 13)

"Mother's idea is extremely good!"

Li Xiongniang had been busy with the food shop's business and hadn't given a moment's thought to Gu Feng's future.

After returning home and hearing Zhao discuss it, she couldn't help but nod repeatedly.

Her gaze towards Zhao became even more complicated—

In her previous life, Zhao was shortsighted and vicious, good for nothing except scheming against others.

In this life, however, Zhao did not become a widow, and her children all had bright futures.

Not only did she stop acting like an evil mother-in-law, but she also began to show signs of becoming smarter.

People, after all, are the most complex.

The same person, just because their fate changed, turned from a villain into a good person!

"You also think this is good?" Zhao had already come to regard her daughter-in-law as someone formidable.

Receiving affirmation from her now filled Zhao with the joy of being acknowledged by an expert.

"Yes! That young master—"

In her previous life, Li Xiongniang was just an ordinary farmwife and knew very little about Qing Miao Zhenren.

She had only heard that Qing Miao Zhenren was a noble lady from the capital, and even high officials like the prefect had to be respectful in her presence.

It wasn't until she came to Qingfeng Temple and had a few interactions with Qing Miao Zhenren that the observant Li Xiongniang began to vaguely guess the true identity of Qing Miao Zhenren—

A princess of the royal family!

That's right, a princess.

And not just any princess, but an exceptionally honored and particularly beloved one.

Judging by the ancient heirloom guqin and jade chessboard she used to teach Gu Qingcheng, her status was transcendent.

The servants attending Qing Miao Zhenren were also well-mannered and imposing, more dignified than the wives of officials.

The young master that Zhao referred to was said to be there to recuperate.

He called Qing Miao Zhenren "aunt" directly.

What was a prince if not the nephew of a princess?

At the very least, he was a prince.

And if things went well, perhaps even a royal prince.

The "rustic" servants around the young master were likely elite royal guards like the Qianniu Guard or Jinwu Guard.

If her husband could establish a connection with such people, even without becoming an apprentice, his future should be more or less secured.

Li Xiongniang felt that it would probably be even better than in her previous life.

"You also think that young master is extremely noble? Hehe, I secretly asked the nanny serving the young master, and she said his guards were top-notch!"

Zhao was even more pleased to receive further approval from her daughter-in-law.

However, she soon showed worry again, "I'm afraid that since they are noble, they won't want to associate with our small household."

"Don't worry! Doger is strong and honest; they won't look down on him."

Li Xiongniang had great confidence in Gu Feng.

In her previous life, even though Gu Feng was injured and lost his memory, a discerning eye still recognized his talent.

In this life, Gu Feng's body was even better than before.

Not to mention, there was also the face of Qing Miao Zhenren to consider.

Li Xiongniang was not wrong. When Gu Dahai led Gu Feng to meet that young master, the young master immediately agreed after hearing the beginning: "No problem! If Gu Darlang wants a future, I can help too!"

With that easy statement, Gu Feng's future was secured—a reserve in the Qianniu Guard.

Li Xiongniang looked at her husband training on the plum blossom piles in the backyard of Qingfeng Temple, then went to the front hall to see her quiet, calligraphy-practicing sister-in-law, and suddenly felt that being reborn, without the burden of hatred, she could also live a better life!

……

“……Little Qingcheng, let me tell you about my story, my teacher's story."

"Actually, your astute elder sister-in-law should have already guessed my identity. My father was the founding emperor, and my late husband was a capable general under my father."

"When the new dynasty was established, my father enfeoffed me as the Wan Nian Princess. There are two counties in the capital, one is Chang'an, and the other is Wan Nian."

"To have the county of Wan Nian in the capital as my title is enough to show my father's love and favor for me."

"My father was the emperor, and my husband was a general who held military power. I was probably the most honored and happiest woman in the world."

"Unfortunately, no one is happy forever. Since my husband held military power, he developed ambition and actually wanted to… Hehe, I betrayed him and worked with my father to have him killed."

"I know that people praised me for my righteousness in patricide on the surface, but in reality, they all said I was heartless and vicious."

An ordinary woman could never do something like killing someone by her pillow.

"But I don't regret it. Compared to being an empress, I would rather be my father's Wan Nian Princess and my younger brother's eternal princess."

Qing Miao Zhenren spoke slowly, a rare look of reminiscence appearing in her usually calm and unperturbed eyes.

These words, she rarely spoke to outsiders.

Gu Qingcheng was a simple-minded little fool. Every time Qing Miao Zhenren looked into her eyes, she felt an urge to confide.

"My words, this child Qingcheng might not understand them!"

Having thought this, Qing Miao Zhenren opened her heart to Gu Qingcheng.

Suddenly, Gu Qingcheng, who had been bent over writing, looked up and said, "Any man can be a husband!"

Qing Miao Zhenren was startled.

As a well-read noblewoman of the royal family, Qing Miao Zhenren certainly knew the origin of this idiom—

From "Zuo Zhuan, Duke Huan's 15th Year": "Any man can be a husband, but a father is unique; how can they be compared?"

This phrase, much like the later saying "A wife can be remarried, but a mother is irreplaceable," conveyed a similar sentiment.

However, in this male-dominated society, over time, "any man can be a husband" became a phrase used to disparage and insult women.

Qing Miao Zhenren stared intently at Gu Qingcheng. The child's eyes were still so pure, without a hint of sarcasm.

So, she wasn't being ironic but using the original meaning of the idiom!

"Yes, any man can be a husband! A husband can be replaced, but a father is irreplaceable!"

"If I had supported my husband in rebellion, even if he became emperor, he might not have made me empress."

"But I chose my father. As long as someone from my Yang family sits on the throne, I remain a respected imperial princess."

She trusted her father more than her husband.

Subsequent events proved she hadn't made the wrong choice.

Now, over thirty years have passed. Her father and brother have passed away.

Her nephew became the emperor, and she remains the most honored imperial grand princess.

Even the emperor's most beloved son, the Prince of Fu, came to curry favor with her under the guise of "recuperating."

Qing Miao Zhenren is nearly sixty, having experienced and seen all the luxuries and vicissitudes of life.

Ordinary people rarely impress her.

That original daughter of the county magistrate seemed clever enough, but Qing Miao Zhenren only allowed her to work as a "laborer" in the Taoist temple.

As for Li Xiongniang, there was something strange about her. Despite being a young girl in her teens, she carried a sense of world-weariness.

Moreover, her skills were impressive. Her dish of sauerkraut fish with tofu, though a farmhouse style, had a certain flavor.

Impressed, Qing Miao Zhenren generously gave her a shop and allowed her to rely on the large tree of Qingfeng Temple.

...Only Gu Qingcheng!

When Qing Miao Zhenren first saw the child, she was moved by her otherworldly beauty.

In a moment of impulse, Qing Miao Zhenren offered to take her as a disciple.

After accepting Gu Qingcheng as her disciple and spending time together, Qing Miao Zhenren slowly realized that the child was clear-eyed and pure-hearted.

Perhaps a bit slow, but her heart was upright.

But at this moment, hearing Gu Qingcheng say "any man can be a husband," Qing Miao Zhenren suddenly realized that the person who understood her best was actually her seemingly foolish little disciple.

"Prince of Fu has taken in your brother and plans to recommend him to the Qianniu Guard. What do you think?"

Staring intently into Gu Qingcheng's eyes, Qing Miao Zhenren said slowly.

Gu Qingcheng looked blankly at Qing Miao Zhenren, seemingly not understanding her master's words.

After a long, long time, just as Qing Miao Zhenren was beginning to wonder if she had overthought it, Gu Qingcheng finally said, "He wants to curry favor with you!"

Qing Miao Zhenren smiled. "Of course, he needs to curry favor with me. I am the oldest elder in the family, his great-aunt!"

After another long pause, Gu Qingcheng nodded and shook her head. "Not just an elder. There must be something about you that he fears or desires!"

"Ha ha! Good! Good child! Who says you're a fool? To me, you're clearly wise but appearing foolish!"

System: ...

It suddenly had a strange premonition: the Executor's task seemed to be nearing completion.