Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 238 - 236 Even-Stevens_1
Chapter 238: Chapter 236: Even-Stevens_1
Chapter 238: Chapter 236: Even-Stevens_1
Xiao Rongyan had already arrived at Kuntian City, which was very close to Dadu City. By the time the guard brought the message, Xiao Rongyan had likely taken Dadu City.
Bai Qingyan finished reading the letter and used the torch in Shen Liangyu’s hand to set the letter on fire.
Watching the flames consume the paper, she said to Yue Shi, “You can take this fine horse back. The Jin Kingdom and Xiliang have already signed a peace agreement, so I won’t need such a fine horse when I return to the Jin Kingdom.”
Yue Shi was taken aback and looked up at the steadfast and calm woman on horseback. Seeing Bai Qingyan’s serene demeanor, he realized she was serious and not just being polite.
In her past life, Xiao Rongyan had once shown her a kindness. Although she eventually couldn’t escape Dadu City, she never forgot the jade cicada Xiao Rongyan gave her that time, which was intended to help her escape.
During the palace banquet in Dadu City, she discreetly helped and supported him, all the while keeping his identity secret. She thought this act would repay Xiao Rongyan. However, he later helped the Bai family and saved her fourth aunt, making Bai Qingyan feel even more indebted to him.
Last time, she advised Xiao Rongyan on the most convenient and least harmful way to reclaim Nanyan, believing this would repay her debt to him from her previous life.
Later on, Xiao Rongyan saved her seventh brother. But her brother, stubbornly insistent on repaying kindness, said he wouldn’t leave until he had done so. Therefore, Bai Qingyan couldn’t accept Xiao Rongyan’s horse today. Otherwise, how could they ever settle their accounts?
She only wished that from now on, neither of them would owe the other anything.
With that, Bai Qingyan squeezed her horse’s flanks and galloped away.
Yue Shi, who had come happily to deliver the horse, stood there stunned. He watched Bai Qingyan ride away, her cloak fluttering, and scratched his head. Could it be that their master had written something in the letter that upset the eldest Bai daughter?
·
In Youhua Road military camp, Ren Shijie received orders to go ahead and prepare the auspicious birthday gift for His Majesty’s birthday on the twenty-eighth of March.
Before he left, Old Master Fang, who came to see him off, quietly called him aside and reminded him, “Besides preparing the birthday gift for His Majesty, you must also make sure to spread the news about Bai Qingyan’s brutal act of burning and killing the Xiliang captives. Let the citizens of the Jin Kingdom know how treacherous and cruel Bai Qingyan is.”
“Old Master Fang, haven’t you stopped doubting Bai Qingyan’s loyalty to the Crown Prince? Why do this?”
“Naturally, it is to make Bai Qingyan rely solely on the Crown Prince. A person like Bai Qingyan, who is skilled in both war and strategy, can only be used by the Crown Prince. The power of public opinion should not be underestimated. If the people of the Jin Kingdom come to fear her cruelty, wouldn’t she be all the more grateful and loyal to the Crown Prince when he defends her?” Old Master Fang said slowly.
Ren Shijie pressed his lips together, seemingly reluctant, and said, “But when we came, those commoners were kneeling and begging Young General Bai to recover their homes. Would they believe General Bai is cruel?”
“Commoners are ignorant; it depends on how you guide them!” Old Master Fang sighed softly. “Bai Qingyan’s achievements in this battle are too prominent; they have overshadowed the Crown Prince. This battle is one that the Crown Prince led, and we, as his counselors, must not let the people see Bai Qingyan as the hero, boosting her arrogance! She must always remain beneath the Crown Prince!”
Just as Old Master Fang finished speaking, he saw Bai Qingyan’s group galloping back to the camp from a distance.
He stopped talking and said to Ren Shijie, “Remember my words. Go now…”
Ren Shijie bowed deeply to Old Master Fang, took a last look at Bai Qingyan’s approaching group, and got into the carriage.
Bai Jinzhi rode closely beside Bai Qingyan and whispered, “Eldest Young Lady, that seems to be the counselor by the Crown Prince’s side who doesn’t talk much! Isn’t he supposed to leave tomorrow? Why is he leaving in the dark? There must be something suspicious… Should we send someone to follow him?”
Bai Jinzhi suddenly remembered that the remaining Dong family guards had all been taken by Sister Shen Qingzhu to protect Ninth Brother, and the Bai family soldiers couldn’t be mobilized. “Eldest Young Lady, how about I go ahead secretly and follow that counselor?”
Bai Qingyan slowed down, her eyes falling on Old Master Fang, who was looking at her. She said to Shen Liangyu, “Send someone skilled in tracking to follow him, just to find out which direction the Crown Prince’s counselor is headed. He must be back before dawn.”
“Yes!” Shen Liangyu answered with clasped fists.
“Eldest Young Lady, what if the Crown Prince finds out…”
“Don’t worry! The Crown Prince is busy with important matters and has no time to track the whereabouts of every single Bai family soldier.” Bai Qingyan looked back at Bai Jinzhi and patted his head, content that the usually impulsive Bai Jinzhi had learned to be cautious.
When they returned to camp, Old Master Fang was still waiting at the entrance. His eyes scanned the people following Bai Qingyan, and he greeted them with a long bow. “The Crown Prince had someone call for the Generals of the Bai family army earlier, but the Generals were not here.”
She dismounted and returned Old Master Fang’s greeting. “The Generals followed me to send off the elite soldiers of the Huying Camp who fell at Qiushan Pass. Sorry to have kept the Crown Prince waiting…”
She then turned to Shen Kunyang and the others. “You all go with Old Master Fang to see the Crown Prince. Do not keep the Crown Prince waiting!”
Old Master Fang was very pleased with Bai Qingyan’s attitude and stroked his goatee.
Pingan, whom Bai Jinzhi was leading, suddenly clopped closer to Old Master Fang. Before Bai Jinzhi could pull back the reins, Pingan’s wet nose sniffed Old Master Fang’s face, startling him into ducking away and shooing Pingan with his hand.
“Pingan!” Bai Jinzhi quickly pulled back Pingan’s reins.
Pingan turned around unhappily and whipped Old Master Fang’s face with his tail. Old Master Fang’s expression changed immediately.
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Bai Qingyan quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, Old Master Fang! This animal is wild and untrained. It didn’t hurt you, did it? Bai Jinzhi, apologize to Old Master Fang!”
“Ah?” Bai Jinzhi was stroking Pingan’s mane when he saw his Eldest Young Lady’s look. He quickly bowed and apologized, “I’m sorry, Old Master Fang. Did it hurt you? It’s all my fault!”
Bai Qingyan’s humble attitude left Old Master Fang no choice but to let it go. He dusted off the dirt from the horse’s tail and said, “Forget it! It’s not Miss Bai’s fault. At my age, how can I argue with a little animal? Seeing the Crown Prince is more important. Generals, please…”
Watching the Generals follow Old Master Fang away, Bai Jinzhi led Pingan and whispered to Bai Qingyan, “Eldest Young Lady, why are you so polite to that counselor? That old man is just like Liu Rushi, full of arrogance!”
“A counselor’s words in front of the Crown Prince hold a thousand times the weight of others’ words. Bai Qingyan handed her reins to Bai Jinzhi. “There are many smart people in this world, but to have a place by the Crown Prince’s side… to have a place in the court, one must not only be smart but also capable! So being courteous to others is giving yourself space.”
