A Rebirth: Joined As One - Chapter 4

The Jing residence received guests for an entire day, and only by evening did they finally have time to rest.

In the whole residence, Jing Ya was the only one who had been idle the entire time. After she finished copying down the names of everyone on the visiting cards, she went alone to the study and hid there to read.

In her previous life, such moments had been far too rare. Now that she had the rare chance to return and enjoy them all over again, Jing Ya naturally had to cherish them.

Just as Jing Ya was reading with full concentration, Father Jing suddenly came in, his expression faintly grave.

Jing Ya closed the book and looked toward Father Jing, asking, “Father, what is it?”

Father Jing sat down across from Jing Ya, his brows tightly furrowed, as though he was extremely troubled. Seeing him like this, Jing Ya gently set the book down on the small table beside her, but she did not urge Father Jing to speak.

There were two reasons she did not urge him.

The first was that she understood her father. If he would tell her something, then he definitely would. If he would not, then even if she kept asking, she would not get an answer.

The second was that she knew exactly what Father Jing was worrying about.

However, regarding the matter troubling Father Jing, even if he did not speak of it tonight and only brought it up a few days later, her answer would still be the same. It would absolutely not change.

But in her previous life, Father Jing had spoken to her about it on this very night. This time, he probably would not change either.

Sure enough, after struggling with himself again and again, Father Jing still spoke to Jing Ya. Only, he used a questioning tone. “Ya’er, do you… have any intention of entering the palace?”

Jing Ya only pretended not to know. She asked, “Entering the palace? Father, what would I go to the palace for?”

Father Jing shifted back slightly in his seat. After a pause, he said, “Ya’er, you know the young Crown Prince, don’t you? This year he is only eight… oh, he has gained another year. He is nine this year.”

“Yes, I know of him. I heard he is three years older than Sister Ling and Brother Yan, but they are all still children.”

Jing Yan and Jing Ling were the pair of twins from the family of Jing Ya’s younger uncle. Jing Ling was younger than Jing Yan by about the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, so she was the younger sister.

Father Jing was amused by Jing Ya’s somewhat old-fashioned tone, and the weight in his heart lightened a little. “What do you mean, children or not children? Ya’er, aren’t you clearly still young yourself?”

Hearing this, Jing Ya pressed her lips together, as though she wanted to smile, yet also did not want to.

Counting her previous life together with this one, she was already older than Father Jing. How could she still be considered young? Besides, even without her previous life, she would never allow herself to be a child.

That was simply the kind of person she was.

The topic had drifted away, so Father Jing pulled it back. After thinking it over repeatedly, he continued, “Ya’er, what do you think of entering the palace as a study companion to the young Crown Prince?”

Jing Ya did not refuse outright. Instead, she changed direction and asked, “Why has Father suddenly brought this up?”

“Could it be that someone said something to Father?”

Father Jing sighed. “As expected, I cannot hide anything from you, Ya’er. But I truly do not wish to hide it from you either. Ya’er, today, when Xu Zhi Yuan came to the residence to offer New Year’s greetings, he mentioned that His Majesty’s health has been declining more and more… and also spoke of how the young Crown Prince has no one supporting him… Although he only said a few brief words and did not discuss it deeply, you should be able to understand the meaning behind them, shouldn’t you?”

Jing Ya avoided the important parts and picked out a less crucial point from Father Jing’s words to ask about. “Xu Zhi Yuan? Is that Xu Zhi Yuan, the Crown Prince’s Junior Tutor?”

“Precisely.”

The corner of Jing Ya’s mouth lifted slightly, but there was no happiness in it. “Father, you have never had dealings with the Eastern Palace, and the Eastern Palace has never shown any intention of drawing close to you either. Yet now, the Crown Prince’s Junior Tutor suddenly came to the residence to offer New Year’s greetings and even said such things to you. Is Father not curious why?”

Prime Minister Jing shook his head and said, “Ya’er, I know what you mean.”

“However, Xu Zhi Yuan’s actions this time were not reckless. They were done on someone’s instruction.”

On someone’s instruction?

Who in court now could direct people from the Eastern Palace?

The Grand Princess was still only the Princess Royal, and the young Crown Prince was truly far too young. Aside from those two, the only person who could direct someone from the Eastern Palace to make friendly overtures to the Prime Minister was probably that one person…

Seeing Jing Ya’s expression, Prime Minister Jing knew that she had already guessed who it was.

“Ya’er, with Father in this position, there are many things I truly cannot help… But if you are unwilling, Father will think of another way. You need not worry.”

Jing Ya rubbed her fingertips together and did not immediately respond to Father Jing’s words.

In her previous life, it was because she could not bear to make Father Jing feel troubled that she had agreed to this matter. Who could have known that that little bit of reluctance to see him suffer would become the wrong move that harmed the entire Jing family?

Now, she still felt the same reluctance.

But she would absolutely not take the wrong path again.

And so, a hint of difficulty appeared on her calm face. Lowering her eyes to look at the wood grain on the floor, Jing Ya said, “Father… please allow me to think about this matter a little longer…”

Father Jing likewise could not bear to push her too hard. He nodded. “All right.”

“Although this matter is important, it is not too urgent. Ya’er can think it over slowly. If you are still unwilling, then do not force yourself. Father will think of another way.”

Jing Ya stood and saluted Father Jing. “Thank you, Father.”

Father Jing hurriedly waved his hand. “Ya’er, what are you doing? Between father and daughter, do we still need such empty formalities?”

Jing Ya straightened, but she did not sit back down in the chair. Instead, she directly took her leave of Father Jing, picked up the book on the table, and prepared to return to her room to rest.

Father Jing knew that what he had spoken of today had been too sudden, so he immediately allowed it.

Jing Ya entered her room and undid her cloak with one hand. Wang Lan took it and hung it up. After hanging it properly, she brought water over for Jing Ya to wash up.

After washing with the warm water, Jing Ya felt much fresher all over.

Wang Lan made the bed, then called Jing Ya to sleep. Jing Ya answered, set the book down on the desk, then returned to the bed and lay down.

Wang Lan shook out the bed curtains and lowered them, smiling as she said, “Miss, sleep well. Call me if you need anything.”

“Mm.”

Only after Jing Ya watched the bed curtains fall closed did she shut her eyes.

But less than a quarter of an hour after closing them, she opened them again. Thinking of what Father Jing had discussed with her that evening, she truly could not sleep.

Today, it had been Xu Zhi Yuan who came, so Father could still maneuver a little. But if tomorrow or the day after, it became a clear imperial edict descending upon them, could Father really defy the decree for her sake?

He could not defy an imperial decree. He could only obey. Even though she had returned to live this life again, would the Jing family still have to walk down that same road?

If that was the case, then what meaning did her rebirth even have?

No. Absolutely not!

Since she had this chance to start over, there was no reason at all for her to repeat the same mistakes.

For now, she could not be anxious. That side had only just sent Xu Zhi Yuan over, and Father had also said he could think of another way. That meant things had not yet reached the point where there was no room to turn around. As long as the Princess Royal could speak before the palace did, then it would not be too terrible.

The tenth day. If, after the tenth day, there was still no movement from the Princess Royal’s side, then Jing Ya would personally make a trip to the Princess Royal’s residence.

She absolutely could not allow the Jing family to fall into their rhythm. Not even by one step. Otherwise, if they wanted to withdraw in the future, it would only become even more difficult.

Having settled her thoughts, Jing Ya stopped worrying further. She turned over to face inward, closed her eyes, and rested her mind.

New Year’s Day had passed, but the New Year’s visits had not yet ended.

It was just that there were fewer guests with each passing day, and compared with the bustle of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, things were much quieter. Over these days, Jing Ya stayed shut inside her room the whole time and even went to the study less often. Whenever she occasionally showed her face, she also looked distracted and dispirited.

This was not entirely an act put on for Father Jing.

After all, with the Jing family in their current position, there were destined to be many eyes watching them.

At first, Father Jing was worried and even specially went to ask Jing Ya about it. Later, after learning Jing Ya’s meaning, he stopped interfering and only reminded her that she should know when to stop.

Jing Ya understood, so she smiled and accepted his instruction.

And so it went, until the eighth day of the first month.

That afternoon, the winter sun was warm and gentle. A few little sparrows hopped back and forth along the top of the wall, occasionally lowering their heads to peck at something. There were still few pedestrians on the street. During this rare moment of leisure, Prime Minister Jing was playing chess with Jing Ya in the study.

Just as the chess match reached a stalemate, a servant came to report that someone from the palace had arrived to announce an imperial decree.

Hearing this, Jing Ya held a chess piece between her fingers without placing it. Father Jing, however, directly withdrew the chess piece in his hand and hurried to change clothes to receive the decree.

“You, go serve tea and ask him to wait a moment. I will change into my court robes…”

The servant hurriedly said, “Master, you do not need to change into your court robes. The one who came said you can go receive the decree directly. There is no need to go to the trouble.”

“Oh, right. That person also said to bring Miss along.”

Father Jing looked at Jing Ya, and Jing Ya looked back. The father and daughter exchanged a glance, each calculating in their hearts.

A moment later, Father Jing brought Jing Ya to the front hall to receive the decree.

Once they were prepared, the person from the palace unfolded the imperial decree and read it aloud. After the decree was announced, that person left the imperial decree behind, took leave of Prime Minister Jing, and returned to the palace without staying even half a moment longer.

The father and daughter rose and faced each other in silence for a long time. In the end, it was Jing Ya who spoke first.

Jing Ya took the imperial decree from Prime Minister Jing’s hand, unfolded it, and read it over again. Then she asked, “Father, what do you think of this matter?”

Prime Minister Jing looked at Jing Ya, his brows drawn together. “Ya’er, why is it the Princess Royal?”

Jing Ya gave a faint smile and asked, “If it were not the Princess Royal, could it be that Father would rather it be the Eastern Palace?”

Prime Minister Jing’s brows locked even deeper, and his expression darkened. “Ya’er should understand what I mean.”

Hearing this, Jing Ya put away the imperial decree. She did not say anything further in the front hall. Instead, she respectfully invited Prime Minister Jing to the study for a detailed discussion.

A short while later, father and daughter once again sat facing each other before the chessboard.

Jing Ya placed the chess piece that had already been warmed by her grip and asked calmly, “Father, if in the future His Majesty passes away and the young Crown Prince ascends the throne, do you think he will be able to guard this realm?”

“Ya’er, watch your words! This matter concerns too much. It is not something you should discuss!”

It was rare for Prime Minister Jing to speak to Jing Ya so harshly.

Jing Ya rubbed her fingertips together and swallowed down everything else she had wanted to say. Now was not the time. Those words could not all be spoken yet.

And even if she did say them, Father most likely would not listen.

Drawing in a deep breath, she pressed her tongue lightly against the roof of her mouth and gathered her scattered thoughts. Only then did Jing Ya lower her head and admit her fault. “Yes, Father.”

Prime Minister Jing stood, his expression still unpleasant. “Tomorrow, you will kneel in the ancestral hall for a full day.”

Jing Ya stood as well. She did not speak in her own defense, only lowered her head and accepted it. “Yes.”

Prime Minister Jing flung his sleeve and was about to leave, but Jing Ya called out to him. “Father.”

“What is it?” Prime Minister Jing turned his head back. There was still a trace of anger in his voice.

Jing Ya raised her head and asked, “How does Father intend to respond to the Princess Royal’s side? Will you reject it?”

“Reject it?” Prime Minister Jing turned around and gave a cold snort. Pointing at the imperial decree on the desk, he said with some anger, “The imperial decree has already been issued. Do you think it can still be rejected?!”

With that said, Prime Minister Jing did not stay any longer and strode straight out of the study.

Jing Ya stood where she was for a while, then walked to the desk and unfolded the imperial decree again. Looking at the few lines written on it, her heart loosened somewhat.

Yes. The clear decree had already been issued. The Jing family could not resist the decree. They could only obey.

“The eldest daughter of the Jing family is exceptionally perceptive, quick-witted, and fond of learning. She is deeply favored by the Princess Royal. Therefore, the eldest daughter of the Jing family is hereby specially granted the position of study companion to the Princess Royal. By imperial command.”

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Countdown until Princess Royal & Jing Ya meet—one chapter~

Love you all~ Mwah~