A wicked mother swaps her son and sucks his blood? The true legitimate daughter is reborn and goes o

Qin Shan, the richest man in Runan County.

Song Qingning and Xie Xuanjin had seen this name in a memorial sent by Prefect Zhang Duan.

I've heard that the Qin family has been in business for generations, is quite wealthy, and has a history of charitable acts.

Several years ago, a flood destroyed countless houses in Runan County. During the subsequent reconstruction of Runan County, this richest man in Runan County donated a lot of money.

Qinshan also ranked among the top in terms of financial and material contributions during this severe drought.

Therefore, he is also on the list of invitees to the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet today.

"Is there any reward you desire?" Xie Xuanjin asked, his gaze fixed solely on Qin Shan, not sparing a single glance at the woman beside him.

The others present paid special attention to the young woman beside the richest man in Runan County.

Because the woman was so beautiful, exuding an air of scholarly elegance, with bright and resolute eyes, she didn't seem like a merchant's daughter, but rather a noble lady raised by a wealthy and aristocratic family.

Even among the noble ladies of prominent families in the capital, she would be ranked among the top.

Qin Shan brought his daughter along, which inevitably led people to speculate about his intentions.

Perhaps they harbored the intention of attracting the emperor's attention to their daughter, or perhaps they hoped to take this opportunity to secure a good marriage for their daughter among a prominent family.

If it is the latter, although the Qin family are merchants, they have repeatedly performed good deeds and their family traditions should be good, so aristocratic families would be happy to form a marriage alliance with them.

But if it's the former...

The crowd glanced at the emperor and empress on the main seats, then at the father and daughter kneeling in front of the hall, and shook their heads.

If it's the former, then it's likely that the plan will fail.

Perhaps it was the emperor's majesty that made Qin Shan extremely nervous.

At this moment, Qin Shan knelt on the ground, covered in sweat. Thinking about the reward his daughter had asked him for, he hesitated and became even more fearful.

"Damn it, I'm just a commoner... I'm just a commoner..."

He was so nervous that he couldn't even speak clearly.

"Mr. Qin, don't be nervous, speak slowly," Song Qingning reassured him.

The young woman kneeling on the ground had a slight tremor in her eyes, and her previously tense heart began to relax.

Seeing that her father was of little use, the woman decided to take a gamble and said, "I would like to speak on behalf of my father. He wants to use this reward to give me another chance."

Give her another chance?

Everyone raised their eyebrows. Just as they had guessed, it all depended on whether the father and daughter wanted to marry into a prestigious family or to rise to the top in one fell swoop.

Hong Ling, standing beside Song Qingning, was already on guard.

Sensing the woman's hostility towards her, Song Qingning smiled faintly and asked, "What kind of opportunity do you want?"

"This humble woman wishes to perform a sword dance for the Emperor... for His Majesty!" A hint of anticipation, mixed with a touch of nervousness, burned in the woman's eyes.

They didn't even dare to look up, fearing that their expectations would not be allowed.

Fortunately...

"Granted."

The Empress's voice rang out from above, majestic yet soothing.

Suppressing her joy, the woman hurriedly expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty... Thank you for your grace."

Her voice betrayed a hint of excitement, and she took a deep breath, as if she was determined to succeed. This made Song Qingning subconsciously recall the woman's words, "I must win her favor," from the back of the corridor.

The maidservant presented the sword.

The woman's sword dance went much more smoothly than it had in the corridor earlier.

Everyone present paid attention to the woman; she kept glancing in the direction of the Emperor and Empress, her intentions were quite obvious.

Such a performance suggests an unusual ambition.

But the emperor seemed not to have given her a single glance from beginning to end. The emperor drank his wine, occasionally glancing at Empress Song beside him, but his eyes were fixed on no one else.

This woman's plan is likely to fail.

Everyone thought this way, with a sense of anticipation for a good show.

The woman's dance ended, and overall it was quite good. Song Qingning led the applause, praising her generously, "Miss Qin danced very well, she deserves a reward!"

"What reward do you desire?"

If what she truly desires is the emperor's favor, then this is the time to reveal it.

Song Qingning glanced at Xie Xuanjin, thinking that she was, after all, a woman. Her father, Qin Shan, had spent so much money on the people, and she couldn't let his daughter be too embarrassed in this situation.

Just then, the woman said, "I don't want any reward. I only want Your Majesty's praise. Your Majesty just said that my sword dance was very good. I am already satisfied. My name is Qin Mingzhu."

"This year's recruitment of female officials includes commoners. I believe that my talents are no less than others, but my Great Jing is full of talented people, and there are many capable women."

"Therefore, I dare to make a fool of myself before Your Highness today, hoping only to gain Your Highness's favor and be remembered by Your Highness. I am looking for an opportunity, a chance to be seen in the selection of female officials."

The woman was neither humble nor arrogant, and showed no restraint whatsoever.

The sound echoed in the hall, and a moment of silence followed.

Beneath the silence, however, lay a sudden and unanimous surprise in everyone's hearts.

Even Song Qingning was surprised.

[You must gain favor]

These words jumped into Song Qingning's mind again, as if something had struck her heart hard.

Surprise, shock, and even some guilt and self-mockery.

When the woman said she wanted to gain favor, she naturally assumed that the woman admired Xie Xuanjin and was trying hard to win his favor, but it turned out...

not like this!

Not only Song Qingning, but everyone else present also felt somewhat ashamed because of their previous guesses.

They thought that what women sought was either to marry into a noble family or to gain the emperor's favor, never imagining that she was actually seeking a position as a female official.

Lady Anguo has been running a girls' school for several years.

Several years ago, the Emperor and Empress of the Great Jing Dynasty ruled the country together.

More and more women are now appearing in public to engage in business and academic pursuits, and this is gradually becoming commonplace.

The women's garrison grew strong, and there were a few women who held official positions in the court, but not many.

Beside Song Qingning, Hongling and four palace maids were responsible for taking care of her daily life. However, there was a lack of a female official who could draft imperial edicts and decrees for her and share her burdens.

A year ago, the Emperor and Empress led the Shence Army back to the capital and began the selection of female officials.

After rounds of selection, a few women were finally chosen half a month ago, and the list is now on Xie Xuanjin's desk.

However, in the end, it was Song Qingning who made the decision.

Song Qingning looked at the woman kneeling in front of the hall and asked, "Your name is Qin Mingzhu?"

Song Qingning had seen this name on that list.

Born into a merchant family, she was just as talented as any man, and stood out among the women who had competed.

"You're quite frank!" Song Qingning said.

The woman was overjoyed. "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness."

but……

She didn't have time to be happy for long before the voices in the hall subsided.

"but……"

Song Qingning frowned. "Isn't this unfair to the others?"

The woman was slightly taken aback, but she was not flustered. As a lady-in-waiting to the Empress, she could not panic in the face of trouble.

"I know that my actions may have undermined fairness, but I also know that everything depends on human effort and we must strive for it."

"I am doing this fair and square, without scheming or slander. I am simply looking for an opportunity for Your Majesty to see me. I have no regrets about what I have done."

No scheming, no slander...

indeed!

Everyone present knew that today was the day to reward those who had made contributions.

With the money her father, Qin Shansan, had, it would have been more than enough to buy an official position.

If Qin Shan were to publicly propose placing his daughter in the position of a female official, the Emperor and Empress would likely not refuse.

She, however, only sought an opportunity to gain exposure and win the Empress's favor.

Song Qingning raised an eyebrow.

After a while, she beckoned to Qin Mingzhu, "Come here."

The woman paused slightly, then stood up and walked forward with measured steps, before kneeling down at Song Qingning's feet.

In everyone's sight, Song Qingning took off a pearl flower from her hair and put it on the woman's head.

As Song Qingning put on the flower, she lowered her head and whispered something above the woman's head. The woman looked up in surprise, then suppressed the excitement in her eyes, kowtowed to express her gratitude, and withdrew.

No one knows what Song Qingning said to her.

The woman followed her father, Qin Shan, back to their seat.

Qin Shan knew his daughter's temperament; her calm demeanor meant that things must have gone well.

While the others were receiving their rewards, Qin Shan whispered, "Did Her Majesty say she chose you?"

The woman shook her head.

"No? Sigh, I told you, you should listen to your father..."

Qin Shan slapped his thigh. His daughter's ambitions lay not in the inner quarters, nor in business, but rather in admiring Lady Anguo, Empress Song, General Wan Zi, Empress Dowager Meng, and even Princess Rou'an.

She said she wanted to be a female official.

Merchants are not like established families; they have no connections.

Fortunately, the Qin family had done a lot of good deeds, and this time they were given the opportunity to attend the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet and be rewarded for their good deeds.

He was originally willing to risk the reputation the Qin family had built up through good deeds, even if it meant shamelessly asking for an official position, just to fulfill his daughter's wish.

But she said she would fight for it herself.

And the result...

Qin Shan was about to sigh when suddenly a low voice sounded beside him.

"Her Majesty the Empress said that my swordsmanship lacks strength, and she will teach me properly in the future." Qin Mingzhu said this, a smile on her lips that she could not suppress.

Qin Shan: "..."

Does this mean... it's done?

Qin Shan was overjoyed, his earlier lament completely gone. "My daughter will definitely be a good official."

Qin Mingzhu looked at the women at the table: Lady Anguo, Princess Rouan, General Wanzi, and finally her gaze fell on Song Qingning.

One day, she will be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with them and shine just like them.

At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, many people received rewards.

At the end of the table, Tuoba Rui watched quietly, his face hidden by the light veil of his hat, his brows furrowed with a mixture of envy and sadness.

The whimsical idea popped into his head again, and a self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips once more.

He reached for the wine glass on the table, tilted his head back, and drank it down in one gulp.

It was as if the wine in the cup was a reward.

The strong liquor burned his throat, causing a burning sensation in his heart and chest, which triggered a choking cough.

Just as he was trying his best to stop coughing, a voice came.

"Young Master Wu."

It was Xie Xuanjin's voice.

The word "Wu" made Tuoba Rui's heart tremble slightly, but he didn't feel that it had anything to do with him.

Then another voice came.

"Young Master Wu."

This time, it was Song Qingning.

Besides the sound, all eyes were on him.

Historically, at such palace banquets, when meeting the Emperor and Empress, it was never permissible to conceal one's appearance or wear a veil. If someone appeared without being reprimanded, everyone would know that their identity was extraordinary.

His presence here, concealing his appearance, must have been at the behest of the Emperor and Empress.

So everyone was curious about who he was, but no one dared to easily find out his identity.

"Young Master Wu, please." The palace servant walked to Tuoba Rui's side, and Tuoba Rui suddenly woke up.

Is Young Master Wu calling him?!

Tuoba Rui snapped out of his daze, immediately stood up, walked to the front of the hall, and bowed.

Then the Emperor and Empress's voices rang out again, "Young Master Wu once said he would atone for his crimes through meritorious service. Now that he has done so, what reward does he desire?"

Merit...

The emperor and empress said he had rendered meritorious service.

"I..." Tuoba Rui's heart was pounding like a drum, and a surge of excitement almost filled his entire heart.

He then immediately changed his form of address, saying, "This servant is guilty and dares not presume to ask for any reward."

He never forgot that he had plotted to use the young prince, and because Song Qingning had brought his enemy to his doorstep, his guilt and self-blame were deeply rooted in his heart and never disappeared.

"Those who have made contributions should be rewarded," Song Qingning said.

Song Qingning always clearly distinguished between gratitude, resentment, merit, and sin.

He has rendered meritorious service and deserves a reward...

Tuoba Rui was about to refuse again, but in the end he couldn't resist the sliver of hope in his heart. He recalled what he had heard in the tavern a few days ago.

If someone were to request a painting from Her Majesty the Empress as a reward, it is unknown whether Her Majesty would still be willing to paint.

Mingyue Xian's painting...

That was what he had always longed for.

Tuoba Rui lowered his eyes, as if he had made up his mind, "If this servant is truly to receive a reward, then may Your Majesty the Empress commission a painting for this servant?"

Give him the painting!

Everyone present became interested, as Empress Song had not painted for a long time.

During the gathering, the renowned scholars from prominent families who had admired "Mingyue Xian" all wished to see her paint again, but none dared to make such a request.

This "Young Master Wu" actually wants such a reward...

Everyone was amazed by his boldness and thought that if this matter could be accomplished, wouldn't they also be able to feast their eyes?

Immediately, everyone's faces lit up with anticipation.

But as soon as Tuoba Rui finished speaking, Xie Xuanjin frowned.

Ning'er is too busy with official duties to have time to paint for him.

"Wu..." Xie Xuanjin began, wanting Tuoba Rui to give a different reward.

Song Qingning glanced at him and gently interrupted him, "Of course you can."

Xie Xuanjin frowned even more, but Song Qingning smiled and poured him a glass of wine. Just one glass of wine was enough to soothe Xie Xuanjin's displeasure.

Then Song Qingning ordered someone to bring him writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and had the table moved to the front of the hall.

With everything prepared, Song Qingning picked up her brush and began to paint.

Although I haven't painted for a long time, my skills haven't become rusty.

The pen in her hand seemed to possess magic, like a spell, as it sketched out what she wanted to draw on the paper one after another. She drew with extreme detail, as if she were meticulously sculpting something.

The main hall was completely silent.

They all stared at that figure, earnest and devout.

After an incense stick had burned for a while, Song Qingning put down her pen.

That painting was not of her forte, such as landscapes or flowers and birds.

The painting depicts a vast field with a few villages. In one of the village courtyards, a woman dressed in simple white robes has her dark hair simply tied up. Her gentle eyes gaze down at a child playing with a windmill in the yard. A sense of love overflows from the woman's eyes, conveying a sense of tranquility and peace.

Mingyue Xian had never painted such a picture before.

The Wen Qing in the painting is captivating.

Beneath the light veil of his hat, Tuoba Rui's eyes were already blurred with tears.

Song Qingning painted him and his mother!

He didn't know how Song Qingning had created such a painting, but this scene was exactly how his mother looked in his memory. At that time, he and his mother were in the courtyard, and everything was peaceful and beautiful.

A low sobbing sound came from the main hall.

Everyone listened without saying a word, knowing that this painting was of great significance to this "Young Master Wu".

After an unknown amount of time, Tuoba Rui's emotions calmed down slightly.

"This servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace." Tuoba Rui expressed his gratitude.

He emphasized his "thank you," as if along with his gratitude, a certain decision in his heart was becoming increasingly firm.

Tuoba Rui carefully put the painting away.

He moved with extreme care, as if he were treating the painting as a precious treasure.

The palace banquet has ended.

Tuoba Rui took the painting and left the Sifang Pavilion.

Walking on Zhuque Street, you are surrounded by crowds of people, and colorful lanterns are dazzling.

This was his second time seeing the lanterns in Dajing City.

The last time was a few years ago, when she left the palace with the young prince Xie Heng.

"There's a boat full of lanterns ahead, let's go take a look."

A pedestrian pointed in a direction, which immediately attracted the attention of many people around. Pedestrians all walked in that direction. There were so many people that Tuoba Rui was also pushed along in that direction by the crowd.

Finally, it stopped on a bridge.

Not far from the bridge, on the river, a boat is adorned with colorful lanterns.

Big and small, all kinds of shapes, they have it all.

"Who has such a grand gesture? I heard that last Mid-Autumn Festival, there was also a boat like this, covered with lanterns."

"I remember, I remember. I heard it was a child, probably a young master from a noble family. Last year I even asked him specifically. His servant said that all the lanterns on that boat were arranged by the young master for an old friend."

"He said that his young master once wanted to give that person a surprise, but due to an accident, it didn't work out. The person's whereabouts are now unknown, but the young master said that he would prepare something every Mid-Autumn Festival so that if the person came back, he could see it..."

"His young master said that the man had never seen lanterns before, so he prepared a lot of lanterns so that he could see all kinds of lanterns at once."

"I wonder who that person was, to be treated with such sincerity by a child..."

The sound was clear in my ears.

Tuoba Rui's mind was buzzing.

He recalled what the young prince had said when he left Jinhua Palace that day.

He said: I originally had a surprise for you that Mid-Autumn Festival night, but a sudden change disrupted the plan.

He said: But it's okay, there's still a long way to go. I'll give it to you next Mid-Autumn Festival. It's not too late.

So this was the surprise he wanted to give him.

However, I lied to him that night when I said I had never seen a lantern. He had seen one; his mother had made lanterns for him when he was a child.

Tuoba Rui gripped the painting in his hand tightly.

Looking at the boatload of lanterns on the river, I felt a lump in my throat, a mix of emotions swirling within me.

After a long pause, he spoke:

"Your Highness, this servant will serve as Your Highness's Attendant Wu for the rest of my life."

The unwavering decision in my heart seemed to have taken root completely and could no longer be shaken.

Even after everyone around him had left, Tuoba Rui continued to gaze at the boatload of lanterns, as if trying to etch the brightness of that boatload into his very being.

Not far away, on the upper floor of Cangling Pavilion.

Two figures stood by the window; from this angle, they could take in everything on the bridge and on the river.

The night breeze was slightly cool.

Xie Xuanjin took a cloak and draped it over Song Qingning's shoulders.

A pair of arms wrapped around her waist from behind.

Xie Xuanjin followed Song Qingning's gaze and looked at the figure wearing a veiled hat on the bridge.

"Are you sure he won't have any ulterior motives? He is now the tutor of the young emperor of Beirong and holds the imperial power of Beirong. Power is the most corrupting thing."

Xie Xuanjin's voice was slow and gentle, softer than the night breeze.

Song Qingning leaned against him, the fatigue from the palace banquet gradually dissipating. "If His Majesty wasn't certain, he wouldn't have harbored any disloyalty. He was already beheaded the moment he stepped back into the territory of Dajing, wasn't he?"

Xie Xuanjin's body stiffened slightly.

He then chuckled softly, "The Empress understands me more and more; I am very pleased!"

Xie Xuanjin would not allow any uncertainty to get close to Heng'er.

Song Qingning was the same!

Tuoba Rui was inherently good.

She knew what hatred could turn a person into, and she also knew that a person who holds grudges can also remember kindness.

A year ago, she brought his enemy to him.

At that time, she did it on a whim and never thought he would repay her kindness. But later, he went to Bei Rong to stir up trouble. Now, the young emperor of Bei Rong has submitted to Da Jing. It is all because of Tuoba Rui repaying his kindness.

Back then, Tuoba Rui disguised himself as Wu Wang and actually became a eunuch.

He will not have any more children. In Beirong, he holds great power and there is no one to succeed him.

That painting and that boatload of lanterns will forever remain in his heart.

Not only will he not have any ulterior motives, but he will also be Heng'er's most capable helper in the future!

As Song Qingning pondered, the long arm around her waist tightened its grip.

"Today, you painted a picture especially for him..." Xie Xuanjin buried his head in the back of Song Qingning's neck, as if he was jealous.

Song Qingning frowned, wondering how to dispel his jealousy.

But he managed to calm himself down.

"You have also painted paintings specifically for me, so I am not jealous of him."

Song Qingning: "..."

Whether in her past life or this one, Song Qingning couldn't recall ever having painted a picture specifically for him.

She was about to ask when she had painted a picture specifically for him.

Xie Xuanjin's voice rang in my ears again:

"I have always treasured that painting, 'The Lantern Festival Banquet'."

Lantern Festival Banquet?

That is one of Mingyue Xian's most famous works.

but……

"Are you in the painting 'The Lantern Festival Banquet'?"

"Um."

"How come I don't remember?"

"Don't you remember? Shouldn't I punish you? I'm giving you a chance to think it over carefully."

Song Qingning tried hard to recall the scene when she painted the Lantern Festival Banquet.

Scenes flashed through my mind, and finally, the image of a boy appeared. The boy was carrying pastries, his face full of smiles, bright and cheerful. He was walking hurriedly, as if he was in a hurry to see someone.

Lantern Festival...

Suddenly, Song Qingning realized something, and her expression froze.

Xie Xuanjin hugged her tighter. "Ning'er, you recorded my last happy moment. After that, my brother died, and I thought I would never be happy again in this life. Fortunately, I still have you."

"Whether in my past life or this life, you are a gift from God."

"Ning'er, thank goodness, I have you!"

Xie Xuanjin murmured softly, his voice restrained and trembling.

Outside the window, a firework burst open, illuminating the smile on Song Qingning's face.

At this moment, she felt exceptionally at peace.

She didn't realize that the two of them had already met once before.

Whether in their past lives or this one, they were already bound together.

Perhaps everything is preordained.

—End of main text

Thank you so much for being with me all this time!

Next, I'll be sending you my blessings! May you all have a path to follow, light in your hearts, and happiness, joy, and fulfillment—may all good things accompany you!