Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 159 - 158: Match_1
Chapter 159: Chapter 158: Match_1
“I know! I know everything!” She hugged her mother tightly with reddened eyes, choking with emotion. “Mother, don’t worry. I will come back safe and sound. Please trust me!”
Mrs. Dong handed the white jade pendant, the token of command for the Dong family’s dead warriors, to Bai Qingyan. “This is the symbol commanding the dead warriors of the Dong family.”
She accepted it and said softly, “If I weren’t in heavy mourning, I would have gone to see my grandmother and uncle personally to thank them.”
“Your grandmother and uncle don’t mind these things! You should stay home to pack properly. Be as thorough as possible! Your second aunt just sent over a heart protector made for you before the New Year and asked me to give it to you to take to the Southern Front! I checked it, and the material is quite solid. It’s a good item! Take it with you!” Mrs. Dong tucked a strand of hair behind her daughter’s ear.
“Okay!” She nodded and smiled faintly. “With you, grandmother, uncle, and all my aunts thinking of me, I’ll do my best to return before the New Year in Shuoyang!”
“Good!” Mrs. Dong let out a long breath, feeling infinite melancholy.
After Mrs. Dong left, Bai Qingyan started arranging the affairs of the Qinghui Courtyard.
Nanny Tong, Chun Tao, and Yingshuang were called in quietly, standing properly while Bai Qingyan warmed herself by the copper stove.
“After I leave, listen to Nanny Tong’s instructions, especially Yingshuang!”
The bewildered Yingshuang nodded.
“I have a favor to ask the eldest young lady,” Nanny Tong glanced at the naive Yingshuang and said, “I have no daughters and would like to take Yingshuang as my goddaughter. Although my status is not high, being the steward nanny by the eldest young lady’s side, no one would dare to bully her if she becomes my goddaughter.”
Bai Qingyan hadn’t yet discussed with Nanny Tong her plan to send Yingshuang to her second sister.
“Nanny, I was planning to have you teach Yingshuang for some time. Once the affairs of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage are settled, I would send her to my second sister…”
Nanny Tong was taken aback, then quickly said, “No matter, I was just worried about others bullying Yingshuang.”
“Very well, if Yingshuang agrees, you can discuss this with her!”
Chun Tao’s tears started to flow. She knelt in front of Bai Qingyan, took two steps on her knees, and grasped Bai Qingyan’s knees with her hands. “Eldest young lady, please let me go with you! I promise not to cause any trouble! At least… let me attend to your daily needs, okay?!”
How could she not understand Chun Tao’s loyalty? But she couldn’t take Chun Tao with her to the war zone. In her past life, Chun Tao had died because of her; in this life, she had to keep Chun Tao safe.
“If you leave, who will take care of Qinghui Courtyard for me?” She smiled and helped Chun Tao up, holding her hand strongly. “I only trust you here in Qinghui Courtyard. If Yingshuang leaves and Nanny Tong, who is older, falls ill, what if someone takes advantage? Hmm?”
Chun Tao bit her lips hard, tears falling uncontrollably.
“Don’t worry. I still need to come back to send you off when you get married!” She smiled at Chun Tao.
This was not a joke. She owed Chun Tao a wedding in her past life and had to ensure she got married gloriously in this life.
“Young lady, why are you saying that at a time like this!” Chun Tao choked.
“I have been to the battlefield before. This time, I am merely providing counsel for the Crown Prince. What is there to fear?!”
Knowing her young lady’s determination, Chun Tao could only help Bai Qingyan pack with tears in her eyes, feeling incredibly sad.
·
For several days, boxes and boxes of accounts were carried in and out of the back gate of the Duke’s Mansion. Today, the accounts were finally sorted out and handed over to Xiao Rongyan.
Others saw the hustle and bustle, but only Mrs. Dong’s and Xiao Rongyan’s confidants knew what was inside those boxes.
This chapter is updated by freēwēbnovel.com.
Xiao Rongyan had assisted the Bai family when the clan pressured them, and it was only right to invite him to a banquet after the matter was concluded.
But the Bai family had no males, and having the steward or managers act on their behalf was too lowly, even though it would have been sufficient for a merchant like Xiao Rongyan. However, it would not be appropriate for the Bai family’s benefactor.
Today, with the accounts sorted, Dong Qingyue and his son Dong Changyuan stood in for Mrs. Dong and invited Xiao Rongyan to a banquet at the Duke’s Mansion, which surprised Xiao Rongyan.
Xiao Rongyan had heard that Mrs. Dong intended to marry Bai Qingyan to Dong Changyuan. Dong Changyuan was a young provincial graduate, handsome and learned, indeed an exceptional young man.
However, in Xiao Rongyan’s eyes, Dong Changyuan was still too immature for Bai Qingyan.
Although Bai Qingyan was a woman, she had grand ambitions, an open heart, unparalleled wisdom, and the ability to strategize and govern a country. Such a woman needed an extraordinary hero of her time to match her.
Dong Changyuan, following his father to invite Xiao Rongyan to the banquet, despite looking down on Xiao Rongyan’s merchant status, attended because Xiao Rongyan had helped the Bai family.
Unexpectedly, after a few rounds of conversation, Dong Changyuan was impressed by Xiao Rongyan’s breadth of knowledge, conversation, and demeanor, feeling that this man was indeed a true gentleman.
Dong Qingyue raised a cup to toast Xiao Rongyan on behalf of Mrs. Dong. “Today’s toast is to thank you, Mr. Xiao, on four accounts. First, for intercepting King Xin at the south of the city; second, for saving the fourth madam of the Bai family; third, for assisting the Bai family widows during their time of need; and fourth, for guiding Doctor Hong with the acupuncture so that Qingyan could wake up! I toast you on behalf of my elder sister.”
“Lord Dong flatters me. How dare this junior accept such thanks? It was merely a coincidence!” Xiao Rongyan raised his cup a bit lower than Dong Qingyue’s, showing respect in his posture. “The Bai family has shown Rongyan great kindness. I hope to repay it in the future. Should there be any request, I will give my all.”
Dong Qingyue drank the wine with a smile. “To receive your promise today is our good fortune.”
Looking at the young man in front of him, who exuded elegance and grace in every gesture, Dong Qingyue felt that the younger generation was indeed formidable.
He had seen many, and he knew that this man was extraordinary. Gaining his promise could only benefit and not harm the Bai family.
“I heard, sir, that you will be leaving Dadu soon?” Dong Changyuan asked.
“The emperor has decreed that there will be no lantern festival this year on the fifteenth. The whole country will mourn King Zhen; thus, I will not stay in Dadu.” Xiao Rongyan replied.
Dong Changyuan, as gentle and refined as jade, raised his cup with a smile. “Then I wish you a smooth journey.”
·
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, before dawn.
The Bai family members sent the Eldest Princess to the Qing Temple for royal prayer. The convoy started from the Bai family’s main gate, proceeding majestically up the mountain, and stopped at the grand steps as the first light of dawn appeared.
Mrs. Dong personally helped the Eldest Princess up the steps. The third madam, Mrs. Li, unaware that Bai Jintong would leave Dadu, earnestly instructed her to take good care of the Eldest Princess and to be diligent in attending to their grandmother’s well-being.
Bai Jintong agreed to everything.
“You should all return now. No need to escort me further! Let Kid accompany me inside.” The Eldest Princess gently squeezed Mrs. Dong’s hand. “Don’t come to visit me without reason. Live your lives well!”
The daughters-in-law stood at the entrance of the Qing Temple, respectfully saluted, watched the Eldest Princess go inside, then returned to the front hall to offer incense and bow.
