After Transmigrating As The Second Male Lead In Qn Old-School Angsty Romance - Chapter 5

The Pingnan Marquis, Sun Qishan, was not born into some noble marquis family. On the contrary, he came from a lowly, impoverished background. When he was young, he became an outlaw, and in the end, he even became the leader of a group of fierce bandits that both the common people and the imperial court feared.

At that time, the imperial throne was changing hands between old and new power. The old emperor had died suddenly, and a group of princes fought until blood flowed over the throne. For a time, Great Yao faced both internal unrest and external threats. The imperial court had no energy to care about whether the common people lived or died. Thus, the bandit problem in the southwest grew increasingly rampant. Soon afterward, rebel armies rose up all over the land and gradually formed organized forces, plunging the world into chaos.

It was at that time that Sun Qishan suddenly switched sides and submitted to the imperial court. He helped the court eliminate the bandits and pacify the rebel armies. Sun Qishan almost became a lackey reviled by everyone under heaven.

In the end, Sun Qishan led two hundred thousand Sun family soldiers and pacified the entire thirty-six southwestern commanderies, becoming a mighty warlord of the southwest. He also brought Great Yao’s internal chaos to a perfect conclusion.

By then, the new emperor’s throne had finally stabilized, and he directly conferred upon Sun Qishan the title of Pingnan Marquis.

A rough bandit had leapt straight into becoming a marquis of his generation. It could be called legendary.

As for this old madam, she had already been the wife of the bandit chief back when the old marquis was still a bandit leader. She had followed Sun Qishan through campaign after campaign, sharing life and death with him. After Sun Qishan was made marquis, he personally requested an imperial title for her. Even now, the old couple’s relationship remained unshakable.

It was said that when the old madam was young, she had been bold, frank, and even knew some martial arts. She could truly be called a heroine among women. But after the old marquis was granted his title, she became the dignified wife of a marquis, and was also personally granted a first-rank title by the emperor. Only then did she restrain herself and become more steady.

However, those madams and young ladies from noble families respected the old madam to her face, yet secretly looked down on her background, only feeling that she was vulgar and ignorant.

That attitude was exactly the same as how the officials of the imperial court treated the old marquis.

Sun Zibai, however, felt that the old madam was very good this way. She was open-minded, straightforward, and extremely lovable.

Unfortunately, this family’s ending was tragic. He wondered what kind of feelings the old madam had carried in the end when she lit that fire, burning her own descendants and decades of the marquis residence’s glory cleanly away.

The world only knew how unyielding this old madam was, but they did not know how resilient she was.

In this world, it was extremely common for men to have three wives and four concubines. Aside from the old madam, the old marquis had quite a few concubines, so he had many children. Yet the old madam herself had only given birth to two sons and one daughter. Unfortunately, even those two sons and one daughter had led difficult lives. Now, not a single one of them could remain by her side and fulfill their filial duties.

Her most outstanding eldest son had gone to the capital when the old marquis submitted to the imperial court. It was said that he went to assist the new emperor at the time, but in truth, he was nothing more than a hostage. And once he left, he was gone for thirty years. By now, even if the old madam saw him, she would likely have to look at him for a long while before recognizing him.

Her most beloved daughter had also married into the imperial family when the old marquis was granted his title, becoming the unfavored side consort of an imperial prince. At that time, she had been only fourteen years old.

It was called boundless imperial grace, but in truth, it was merely another bargaining chip the emperor used to control the old marquis.

Her youngest son was the only one who had remained by the old madam’s side, but ten years ago, he had also passed away because of an accident.

This was Sun Zibai’s father.

The original novel centered entirely around the protagonist gong and shou, and a large amount of the story was spent writing about their love, hatred, entanglement, and torturous romance. Who would have known that these things brushed over in a single stroke were actually the old madam’s rough and difficult life?

The old madam was only a little over sixty. Her eldest son had been far away in the capital for thirty years, unable to be seen. Her daughter was the same. Her youngest son had already been dead for ten years. The old madam had sent off someone of the younger generation before herself. No wonder she was only in her early sixties, yet her head was already full of white hair. Fortunately, Heaven had still left her something to hold on to, and that was Sun Zibai.

In truth, Sun Zibai was not her only grandson. Father Sun had three concubines, and two of them had given him three sons and one daughter. In other words, Sun Zibai actually had three younger half-brothers and one younger half-sister.

It was truly… lively.

But perhaps because this world clearly distinguished between legitimate and concubine-born children, in any case, the old madam doted solely on Sun Zibai, her legitimate grandson.

Sun Zibai did not know how this old madam had endured all these years. Her husband was away all year round. Not only did she have to bear the pain of missing her children, she also had to bear the grief of losing a son. At the same time, she had to support the entire marquis residence. Therefore, she was undoubtedly a resilient little old madam, and also a heart-wrenching little old madam. The original owner’s completely unprincipled indulgence from her also seemed to have found a reasonable explanation.

“Wasn’t he your darling treasure? Why didn’t you bring him over for Grandmother to see?”

The old madam, who had just been coaxed into happiness, suddenly changed her expression again. “Could it be that you’re afraid Grandmother will bully him?”

Sun Zibai did not know whether to laugh or cry. He refused to believe the old madam did not know that Qin Mo had been kneeling in his courtyard. She clearly knew, yet still deliberately teased her grandson. She was rather adorable.

“Grandmother~”

Sun Zibai once again shook the old madam’s sleeve. “Are you deliberately making fun of your grandson? Look at that gloating expression of yours. You can barely hide it.”

Qiu Momo, who was standing at the side, could not help bursting into laughter. It had been a very long time since she had seen such an intimate scene between grandmother and grandson. However, she did not forget her duty as a servant, and quickly covered her mouth to laugh secretly.

After being teased, the old madam deliberately pretended to be angry, but the smile at the corners of her mouth could not be suppressed at all. She was not laughing because her grandson had refused to listen and suffered a loss. She was simply happy that her grandson’s attitude toward her had changed.

“Grandmother did no such thing.”

“Grandmother, let us not bring up past matters anymore. In the future, your grandson will definitely listen to you more. As for Young Master Qin, your grandson has his own sense of propriety. Grandmother does not need to worry.”

“As long as you have a sense of propriety.”

The old madam did not know exactly what Sun Zibai’s attitude toward that person was, but in any case, he was not anyone important. As long as he did not cause any trouble, it was fine.

Besides, since he had entered this marquis residence, she, this old woman, would naturally keep watch for her grandson.

Sun Zibai accompanied the old madam for a while longer before leaving her Xinlan Courtyard.

Sun Hong sidled up obsequiously, grinning in a cheap and fawning way.

“Master, where are we going next?”

According to the original owner’s daily schedule, it would be nothing more than restaurants and wine houses, riding horses, cockfighting, or perhaps listening to opera, songs, and admiring beauties. In short, it could all be summed up in four words: eating, drinking, playing, and pleasure. But that was the original owner.

Sun Zibai narrowed his eyes. “Is this heir the kind of person who favors one side over another?”

After visiting his grandmother, he naturally had to visit his own mother. Sun Zibai was going to be a master of balancing the waters fairly.

“Huh?”

Sun Hong was completely confused. He could only follow behind the heir in bewilderment, until he realized this was the direction of Madam’s courtyard.

In the plot, this woman had almost no presence. Not only did she not get involved in the original owner’s torturous entanglement with the protagonist gong and shou, she had even watched coldly from beginning to end as he courted death. Sun Zibai felt this was somewhat abnormal.

One had to know that Sun Zibai was her only child. She had also lost her husband.

And what Sun Zibai cared about most was that before the marquis residence’s destruction, this reclusive Madam of the marquis residence had actually helped the protagonist gong and shou deliver a fatal blow to the marquis residence.

She stood forward and bore witness to each and every one of the original owner’s evil deeds.

From the perspective of the protagonist gong and shou, this was righteousness over family. But placed within the entire environment, it was actually rather absurd. In ancient times, it could even be called shocking and outrageous.

What exactly could make a widowed mother living deep in the inner residence ruthlessly stab a knife toward her only son?

The plot did not explain in detail, but Sun Zibai cared very much.

Wen-shi’s marriage had likewise been bestowed by the emperor when the old marquis was granted his title, in order to control the old marquis.

The original owner’s father had been ordinary in both appearance and ability, but Wen-shi was the legitimate daughter of a high-ranking official. If the plot was correct, Wen-shi’s father, who was far away in the capital—Sun Zibai’s maternal grandfather—had now already risen to the position of prime minister, with high status and great power.

Back then, he had already been a minister and an important official before the emperor. The emperor’s bestowed marriage was undoubtedly meant to display the imperial family’s favor toward Sun Qishan, but it inevitably offended his own important official as well.

What made Sun Zibai even more puzzled was that after Wen-shi married far away to the southwest, Minister Wen’s relationship with Sun Qishan did not improve at all. In fact, they stopped contacting each other from then on. To this day, Sun Zibai had never received any affection from his maternal grandfather’s family. It was as if they had completely cut off contact.

Who knew what had happened in between? In any case, it was very strange.

After sorting through the original owner’s memories, Sun Zibai was actually rather puzzled.

It was true that the original owner was a wastrel, but it also seemed he was not entirely just a wastrel. And the old marquis now commanded four hundred thousand troops and occupied the thirty-six southwestern commanderies. Even the emperor had to consider his attitude. Yet such an enormous force had been destroyed just like that, and by two ultimate love-brains at that.

That was very absurd, even a little childish.

Sun Zibai was not the original owner, so he would not entangle himself endlessly with Qin Mo, much less fall into eternal ruin for his sake. Therefore, he wanted to part the clouds and fog.

The two soon arrived at their destination.

Wen-shi had an indifferent temperament. She was neither warm nor cold to everyone. If not for the fact that the heir’s brows and eyes somewhat resembled hers, no one would be able to tell that these two were actually mother and son.

Seeing Sun Zibai, the managing auntie here, Jing Li, could hardly conceal her surprise. After all, this ancestor rarely came here even twice in an entire year.

Jing Li was Wen-shi’s dowry maid, and also the most capable person by his mother’s side now. Because of his cold and indifferent mother, the original owner had not liked this woman either. But when Sun Zibai saw her, he politely called out, “Auntie Li.”

Jing Li was startled again.

“Is Mother here? Is it convenient for me to go in now?”

“Please wait a moment, heir. This servant will report at once.”

Very soon, Auntie Li came out again and led Sun Zibai inside.

What entered his eyes was clean and elegant. Although Wen Wan’er was already over thirty, her appearance and bearing were still outstanding. The only thing was that her temperament was cold. Her eyes were deep and unfathomable, and no joy or anger could be seen in them. Toward the original owner, she had been so indifferent that he could not feel even a little maternal love from her. Because of this, the original owner had resented this mother in his heart and had never been close to her since childhood.

“Mother.”

Sun Zibai naturally sat down beside her, but the mistress and servant opposite him were once again surprised.

The original owner had not been close to her. Even when he saw her, he would only call her “Mother” in the formal sense, not the more intimate “Mother” that sons in ordinary families used.

Wen Wan’er gave a soft “mm.” Her face remained calm, but because of this call of “Mother,” a slight ripple finally stirred in her eyes.

“Have you eaten breakfast?”

Originally, he had already been fed full at the old madam’s place, but Sun Zibai still said, “Not yet. Does Mother have anything good to eat here?”

Although the mistress and servant grew even more puzzled by the heir’s drastic change in temperament, this kind of change was ultimately good. Auntie Li could not hide the smile at the corners of her mouth, while Wen Wan’er turned her head and instructed her to prepare breakfast.

The room immediately contained only the mother and son, who were not very familiar with each other. Fortunately, Sun Zibai had come with the intention of improving their relationship. How could he let this awkwardness continue?

Fortunately, Auntie Li quickly served breakfast. Mother and son ate quietly. However, Wen Wan’er, who was used to seeing her frivolous wastrel of a son, could not help feeling something strange in her heart as she watched him wolf down food in front of her without any restraint.

“Did something happen?”

Sun Zibai raised his head. “No. Why does Mother ask?”

Wen Wan’er lowered her eyes. She was the standard noble young lady from an influential family, and she was also extremely beautiful. Sun Zibai recalled the appearance of the original owner’s father in his mind. He had to say, if not for the emperor’s bestowed marriage, that father truly would not have been worthy of this mother. No wonder she had always been cold and indifferent. It was not that she was putting on airs. She truly did not fit in with this residence from top to bottom.

“You rarely come here.”

Sun Zibai immediately smiled. “That was this child’s fault. In the future, I will definitely come often to accompany Mother.”

Wen Wan’er was slightly stunned, but in the end, she said nothing.

After Sun Zibai ate and drank his fill, he left. Before leaving, he even took two apples with him. Once he stepped out the door, he tossed one to Sun Hong, making that fellow grin happily.

“Madam, what do you think is going on with the heir…”

Auntie Li looked puzzled. Wen Wan’er watched that disappearing back, also somewhat dazed. But in the end, she only said faintly, “Let him be.”

“Yes.”

Sun Hong followed behind Sun Zibai while gnawing on the apple, all while thinking about his heir’s abnormal behavior today. He simply could not make sense of it. What exactly had happened? Could it be that Qin-shi had angered him into confusion last night?

Aiya, that had to be it. Just thinking of his family’s elegant, handsome, and beloved heir—his looks were unparalleled enough, and his status was so noble, yet that Qin family young master failed to appreciate what was good for him. It was one thing to give the heir a bad face, but he even dared to cuckold their heir. That wild man had actually come all the way to the heir’s residence. It was simply going too far.

Therefore, his heir must have been severely angered. Look, he had become abnormal.

“Aiya!”

Sun Hong was still thinking when Sun Zibai in front of him suddenly stopped. Sun Hong could not brake in time and directly crashed into his heir’s broad, mighty back. His nose bridge immediately ached, and Sun Hong was forced to tilt his head back and look at the sky.

“Master, you… what are you doing?”

Sun Zibai glanced at him. This fellow was the most capable lackey by the original owner’s side. He had grown up beside the original owner since childhood, and his loyalty to the original owner could be witnessed by Heaven and Earth. It was just that his noisy, flustered manner inevitably made people question his ability to do his job.

“That Divine Doctor Liao…”

“That old man?” Sun Hong quickly picked up the topic. “Master, don’t worry. He’s still locked up in the other courtyard. People are guarding him. He absolutely won’t be able to escape.”

Sun Zibai stared at this fellow’s nose, which had turned red from the collision. After pausing for a second, he instructed,

“Have someone release the news that Divine Doctor Liao is currently in the Pingnan Marquis Residence.”

“Huh?”

Sun Hong was confused again.

He was shocked. He was someone who could tell what fart his heir was about to let out from a single look, yet today, he had suffered setbacks one after another.

Since when had he become completely unable to figure out his own heir?

Sun Zibai flicked him hard on the tip of his red nose, and the fellow immediately screamed miserably in pain.

“Hurry up! If you don’t handle it well, I’ll throw you to the dogs.”

Sun Hong immediately ran off, looking pitiful and aggrieved.

The corner of Sun Zibai’s mouth curved up, revealing an unreadable smile.