Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 160 - 159: Feigning Illness_1
Chapter 160: Chapter 159: Feigning Illness_1
Bai Qingyan and Bai Jintong stood on either side of the Eldest Princess. They heard the Eldest Princess restrain her emotions and whisper: “Today, both of you are leaving home. Remember to be cautious in all things! Especially you, Kid… You are going to the southern border, where swords and knives are blind. It is crucial that you stay close to the Crown Prince to ensure your safety.”
“Yes,” she replied softly.
After sending the Eldest Princess into the yard, Bai Jintong knelt and bowed, then left the entrance with red eyes to change clothes and prepare for departure.
The small courtyard room of the Royal Qing Temple, though not luxurious, lacked nothing.
Inside the room, the Earth Dragon had already been lit. As the thick felt curtain was lifted, a wave of warmth greeted them, as if it were spring.
She accompanied the Eldest Princess inside. After the maid served hot tea, she bowed and said, “Now that Grandmother is settled, your granddaughter will take her leave.”
“Kid!” The Eldest Princess hurriedly got up when she saw Bai Qingyan about to leave.
Her wrinkled, withered hands grasped Bai Qingyan’s hand and placed the Buddha Beads from her own wrist onto Bai Qingyan’s thin wrist: “These are blessed by Master Guanghe. They will surely protect you to return safely!”
Bai Qingyan looked at the Buddha Beads that her grandmother had worn for years. She did not decline, bowed, and said, “Thank you, Grandmother.”
“Kid, you must… come back safely!” The Eldest Princess’s eyes were red and swollen, trying to hold back her tears.
She nodded slightly, withdrawing from the room and the small courtyard. Hearing the sound of the curtain being lifted inside the yard, she looked back and saw the Eldest Princess, supported by Nanny Jiang, lifting the felt curtain and watching her tearfully.
She couldn’t bear it. She bowed lightly to the Eldest Princess before leaving.
When Bai Qingyan arrived at Bai Jintong’s place, Bai Jintong had changed into men’s clothes. Bai Qingyan led Bai Jintong out through the side gate of the Qing Temple, heading north.
As they walked through the bamboo forest on North Mountain, they saw a troop of well-trained guards standing under the fluttering green bamboo leaves.
Wei Zhong hurriedly came forward to salute: “Master, half of the guard team is here.”
She nodded, turned to Bai Jintong, and said, “Grandmother has assigned one of her secret guard teams to me. Half of them will go with you!”
Bai Jintong bit her lip, thought for a moment, and said, “Elder sister, you are leaving for the southern border today. You need them more! You take them!”
“I will be by the Crown Prince’s side; nothing will happen to me. But you are different. You will be traveling incognito and will need manpower to rely on,” Bai Qingyan held Bai Jintong’s hand and led her down the mountain. “Mother has placed the listings of all Bai family shops in your luggage. Luckily, everyone knows… the Bai family has spent all its fortune, and no one will notice the shops in someone else’s name!”
“Yes…” Bai Jintong nodded. Seeing the difficult mountain path, she supported Bai Qingyan and accidentally touched the iron sandbag wrapped around her arm.
“The world is changing now. For long-term planning, you must not focus only on the Jin Kingdom. With your abilities, if you can spread the business across various countries… it will make it much easier to gather information in the future.”
The world is changing?
Bai Jintong’s heart pounded heavily. Her mind seemed to clear through the fog.
Yes, not only is the Jin Kingdom changing, but the world is also changing!
For the Jin Kingdom…
Internally, sycophants and treacherous officials are climbing to high positions.
Externally, the allied forces of Xiliang and Nanyan are pressing on the border. No general in the court dares to go to the front lines.
Internal unrest is unresolved, external threats are pressing. Signs of the kingdom’s downfall are imminent.
For the world, the once-powerful Jin hegemony shows signs of its eventual decline. Xiliang is ambitious, and Nanyan is rising. The world’s situation is changing.
If you only focus on the Jin Kingdom, you can only see its transformations. But if you look at all the countries… you can see how the world and its circumstances change and shift.
The situation changes rapidly. Whoever seizes the initiative can stand firm in this chaotic world.
Bai Jintong knew deeply that her elder sister’s goal was to protect the Bai family. But if possible, beyond protecting the Bai family… her elder sister’s ambition was probably not confined to the Jin Kingdom.
The Bai family had not yet escaped danger, but her elder sister had already made long-term plans, paving the way for the Bai family’s great ambition. Her intentions were vast. Bai Jintong had to adjust her strategy to keep pace with her elder sister.
“Elder sister! Jintong understands the importance. Rest assured, I will not fail you, not the Bai family, nor the ancestors’ beliefs.” Bai Jintong clasped her hands in salute, “Elder sister, stop here. I will go down the mountain by myself!”
She was gratified that Bai Jintong understood her meaning. She nodded: “Be cautious in all things. You are kind-hearted, but when traveling, do not show the kindness of a woman!”
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“Jintong understands!”
Starting today, Bai Jintong would travel under another identity.
The Hidden Guards followed Bai Jintong quietly. Her figure disappeared from sight.
The cold wind blew through the bamboo forest, making a rustling sound. Wei Zhong heard Bai Qingyan’s indifferent voice…
“The remaining half of the Hidden Guards, after the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s troops leave, will be handed over to the Second Young Miss Bai Jinxiu at her command without fail. You are getting older. From today on, serve Grandmother, protect her well, and retire in peace. No need to follow me anymore.”
Wei Zhong heard this without any hesitation, nodded, thanked her, and accepted the order.
A new emperor brings new courtiers. Wei Zhong had seen this in the palace many times. For servants like him, a good ending was the best they could hope for.
·
The expeditionary force was set to depart between 7 and 9 a.m. Bai Qingyan had arranged to meet the Crown Prince ten miles outside the city.
This morning, after bidding farewell to her Grandmother and third sister, she had Xiao Ruohai take the visible guards and luggage to wait ten miles outside the city.
She descended the mountain and shared a carriage with Mrs. Dong. Mrs. Dong held her daughter’s shoulder, tears streaming down her face, as she repeatedly urged: “Remember, you must not, like before, take risks just because you think the battle is under your control! You must know that I only have you left. Do you understand?!”
“Don’t worry, Mother. Kid understands! Kid will stay close to the Crown Prince to keep herself safe. Besides, with two wet nurse’s sons protecting me, I will surely return safely! Mother, protect the Bai family for Father! I must live to protect you for him!”
Mrs. Dong couldn’t help but cry out loud, holding her daughter tightly, her heart wrenching.
She had always planned that if her child were a daughter, she would teach her poetry; if a son, her husband would teach him martial arts.
But why, her son died on the battlefield, and her daughter also had to go, dragging her frail body?
After sending Mrs. Dong and the other aunts back to the mansion, Bai Qingyan solemnly bowed, then quietly left the mansion, avoiding attention.
Nanny Qin came to report to Mrs. Dong that Bai Qingyan had left. Mrs. Dong’s tears flowed like cotton thread. After a long time, she sighed deeply and choked out, “From today, the eldest young lady is to be declared ill…”
“I understand!” Nanny Qin said with red eyes.
“Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law!”
The panicked voice of the third lady, Mrs. Li, came from outside the courtyard. Mrs. Dong opened her aching eyes and glanced outside, instructing Nanny Qin, “Go meet the third lady.”
As Mrs. Li rushed in, clutching her skirt, she held a letter in her hand, tears streaming down her face: “Sister-in-law! The fourth… the fourth little one…”
