Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 976

Chapter 976: Chapter 972: The Best of Both Worlds

Many widows in Dadu City who have been living their days guarding their husbands’ memorial tablets felt tempted after hearing the news, and they explored the possibility of remarriage.

There is still a difference between the couples of poor families and those of nobles. Most poor families engage in blind marriages, and throughout their lives, strive for livelihood and lineage. The number of couples who develop deep feelings for each other, living and dying together, is not many.

Even if couples have affection, men find days hard to endure without a companion after the wife’s death, and thus tend to remarry. In contrast, women are expected to remain chaste until death after their husband’s passing. Many women feel indignant but have no choice.

Now, with the new laws as a backing, they are considering taking that brave step either for their children they can’t raise alone or to avoid enduring solitude any longer. Some have already boldly discussed the topic of remarriage with their maternal family.

Since the incident where Bai Qingyan debated scholars at the Imperial College and dealt with the Bai Clan elder who wanted to drown his daughter-in-law, the new law’s implementation has gradually accelerated.

Notable families in Dadu City were quick to act, allowing their widowed daughters-in-law to return to their maternal homes and permitting them to remarry.

Dong Changyuan seized the opportunity, contacted matchmakers in Dadu City, and instructed them to focus on matchmaking for widows, rewarding them with three gold pieces for a successful match.

For a time, widows became hotly sought matchmaking subjects, especially those young and still within childbearing age, with matchmakers nearly breaking down their doors.

·

Li Zhijie felt deeply uneasy watching the fervent implementation of the new laws in Zhou.

Since Bai Qingyan ascended the throne, the Zhou Imperial Court hasn’t given a clear response whether they will ally with the Rong or Xiliang, keeping both sides waiting.

And with that ghost-faced prince from Xiliang not leaving, Li Zhijie dared not leave either...

Reclining on the soft couch, Li Zhijie braced his elbow on a case embroidered with acacia flowers, gazing at the thin gauze curtains swaying in the breeze, tapping his palm intermittently with a fan, his expression solemn: "We’ve been in Dadu City a full eighteen days, and it’s been eight days since the Empress of Zhou ascended. Yet the alliance can’t be settled. What advice do you gentlemen have?"

The counselors accompanying Li Zhijie from Xiliang, seated on either side, also seemed to have no solution to the matter.

"It’s said that Minister Liu, the one presiding over the negotiations, handed over the lavish gifts sent by the Prince to Commandant Lu entirely, indicating his stubbornness."

"Minister Liu grouping us Xiliang envoys with Rong envoys seems like he’s waiting for the highest bidder to secure the alliance. Now, although we from Xiliang are willing to cede twenty cities and countless treasures, the Empress of Zhou still doesn’t reach a conclusion. I think perhaps the Empress intends to intervene when Xiliang and Rong go to war!" Analyzing counselor beside Li Zhijie said.

"If that’s truly the case, we should immediately return to our country and stand with Xiliang through life and death!" another Xiliang counselor proposed.

Li Zhijie’s palm-tapping action ceased, and he spoke with pursed lips: "Do not panic, send someone back to relay to His Majesty that Zhou seems uninterested in allying with us Xiliang. We have yet to obtain definite news from Zhou, so we cannot depart!"

That war transformed Xiliang from prosperity to decline, a state yet to recover.

If not for the southern battlefield debacle, how could today’s Xiliang fear Rong?!

·

Liu Rushi sat below Bai Qingyan, reporting on the matters of allying with Rong and Xiliang.

Bai Qingyan, pouring tea for herself, placed the bamboo slip aside, listening attentively to Liu Rushi’s words.

"Although I followed Your Majesty’s instruction, refraining from confirming Rong or Xiliang for alliance, dragging this on is improper, after all, diplomatic relations between states aren’t child’s play." Liu Rushi, known for her fearlessness, boldly spoke to Bai Qingyan, "Your Majesty, I know of Your Majesty’s deep-seated enmity towards Yun Poxing from Xiliang, but... in terms of diplomacy, the offer currently from Xiliang indeed benefits our Zhou. Your Majesty may reconsider!"

Wei Zhong personally served hot tea to Liu Rushi, then retreated to the side, softly instructing a eunuch to heighten the palace lantern wicks.

"We Zhou can entirely wait for Xiliang and Rong to suffer mutual losses, then reap benefits..." Liu Rushi feared Bai Qingyan’s heart remained stuck on Bai family’s grudges, hence advised, "Allying with Xiliang, albeit delaying revenge by a year or two, could weaken Rong and Xiliang’s forces! Then we Zhou dispatching troops... can avoid unnecessary soldier casualties. This minister believes it’s a win-win strategy."