Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 924 - 921: Loneliness

Chapter 924: Chapter 921: Loneliness

Throughout the journey back, Eldest Young Lady had very little rest, almost entirely occupied with handling political affairs urgently sent by Prime Minister Lu via express messengers. She hardly saw Eldest Young Lady taking a proper break, and meals were often shared with the soldiers as makeshift arrangements.

Now returned to Dadu City, Eldest Young Lady did not rest for a single moment, settling Grandmother first and then immediately assembling several eminent ministers whom Eldest Young Lady intended to rely on for discussions.

Bai Jinxiu worries that at this rate, Eldest Young Lady’s body might not hold up.

Bai Jinxiu stood under the covered veranda, her brows tightly furrowed, and soon a Hidden Guard hurried over, saluted Bai Jinxiu, and lowered his voice to report: "Several Vassal Kings met the families of Anxi and Shuofang outside the city, each visibly tense. The eldest among them, King of Guangan, left without a word, taking King of Baishui with him. However, King of Hedong, after expressing surprise, greeted the families of Shuofang and Anxi smilingly. King of Anxi scolded Princess of Anxi and the Princely Heir, but was stopped by King of Hedong, after which both Kings, along with their families, headed back first for arrangements."

After hearing the detailed report on the reactions of those five Vassal Kings outside Dadu’s city gates, Bai Jinxiu’s hands rubbed subtly against her abdomen, pondering... this King of Hedong seems to be quite interesting.

Bai Jinxiu glanced towards the study; through the open lattice window, she saw Bai Qingyan discussing something with Prime Minister Lu. She then asked the Hidden Guard: "Before Eldest Young Lady departed, did the people sent to investigate the detailed situations of these five Vassal Kings return?"

"Returning, Second Young Lady, they returned three days ago, and Seventh Young Lady has already met them," the Hidden Guard looked up at Bai Jinxiu and asked, "Shall I summon them to report directly to both master and Second Young Lady?"

Bai Jinxiu shook her head: "I’ll ask Little Seven later, you may go... assign someone to closely watch the movements of these five Vassal Kings, and report at any moment!"

"Yes!" With the command given, the Hidden Guard departed.

Bai Jinxiu gazed at the pure white lanterns and plain silk swaying in the wind at Bai Mansion, faintly hearing the cries of mourning coming from the front hall. Compared to the earlier days... when Grandfather, Uncles, Father, and Brother were not present, the quietness of Bai Mansion with loud cries increases her realization of human indifference.

When the Bai family faced adversity, with twenty-three coffins displayed in the yard, almost all dignitaries claimed the Bai family would have no standing in Dadu City, were wary of the Emperor’s dislike toward the Bai family, and dared not come to mourn, leaving only the commoners to silently weep outside the mansion, genuinely grieving for the Bai family.

Now, with Grandmother’s passing, the nobles of Dadu City come incessantly to mourn because Eldest Young Lady is about to ascend as the Empress of Zhou, with those noble women crying, each more sorrowful than the next, their wails echoing through Dadu, but how many in the crowd outside truly shed tears?

Bai Jinxiu feels that leaving Little Seven alone upfront to keep vigil for Grandmother isn’t right; just as she was about to head to the front hall, the gatekeeper old lady reported that Second Madam, Mrs. Liu, had returned, bringing Qin Lang and Brother Wang along.

Since March, when King Liang rebelled and forced the palace, Bai Jinxiu instructed Cuibi to carry Brother Wang, have Mrs. Liu follow Shen Bozhong to find Qin Lang until today, Bai Jinxiu hasn’t seen Brother Wang for three months.

As a mother, how could she not miss Brother Wang? Her eyes moistened, and she hurriedly walked outside.

·

Inside the study, Dong Qingping from Honglu Temple spoke about the accommodations for envoys from various countries arriving to congratulate Bai Qingyan’s ascension.

Bai Qingyan was travel-weary, with severe dark circles under her eyes, yet she still sat upright, her demeanor austere.

Upon Dong Qingping finishing his speech, Prime Minister Lu addressed Bai Qingyan: "It’s heard that Emperor Yan decreed that the throne be passed to Prince Li, who was once held in Dadu, with the enthronement ceremony set for July 19th. The young ruler of Yan ascends, young and with doubts in the nation, so... the aged minister believes this rarely seen Ninth Prince of Yan coming personally this time, besides congratulating Your Majesty’s ascension, they might be looking to solidify an alliance..."

"Not just Yan, possibly Xiliang shares this intention too. This time, Xiliang’s envoy coming to Dadu City is again King Yan, Li Zhijie, along with Yun Poxing’s grandson... by Li Zhijie’s saying, Yun Poxing’s grandson is here to apologize!" Dong Qingping faithfully shared Li Zhijie’s gifting matter with Bai Qingyan, "Since his arrival in Dadu, King Yan has been gifting everywhere... especially generous to the Dong Mansion!"

Lu Jinxian nodded: "King Yan also sent lavish gifts to Lu Mansion, but the humble minister already followed Father’s command, accepted Xiliang’s gifts, and will later donate them to the national treasury..."

"Even in my place, King Yan’s gifts were received, and Mr. Shen Jingzhong too received gifts! Oh... and Chen Mansion also received lavish gifts, although Chen Zhaolu is on mission to Hancheng to supervise new policy affairs, King Yan still prepared gifts for Chen Zhaolu, it’s said... it was the ’Searching Plum Blossom in the Snow’ painting Chen Zhaolu long coveted!" Lu Jin’s tone was deep and slow, indicating some hint, "Oh... also to Li Mingrui, whose father joined King Liang’s rebellion, King Yan sent gifts as well."

Bai Qingyan understood Lu Jin’s implication, whoever Bai Qingyan entrusted significant duties upon, Li Zhijie gifted them, and she nodded: "It seems... this King Yan of Xiliang is quite informed about Dadu City’s happenings."

"Wei was conquered by Yan Kingdom, now incorporated into Yan’s dominion, that Wei merchant Xiao Rongyan is also now a Yan citizen. This time accompanying Ninth Prince of Yan, Murong Yan, to Dadu City, King Yan Li Zhijie even humbled himself to meet Mr. Xiao, seemingly for knowing Mr. Xiao once benevolently helped the Bai family, trying to cozily associate..." Dong Qingping looked up at Bai Qingyan, seemingly trying to determine whether Bai Qingyan had affection for Xiao Rongyan from her expression.

Seeing Bai Qingyan with lowered eyes, utterly calm, deep in thought, Dong Qingping further said: "This Ninth Prince of Yan brought Mr. Xiao, likely aware of Mr. Xiao’s benevolence to the Bai family, speaking of it... this Ninth Prince Murong Yan and Mr. Xiao Xiao Rongyan have such similar names, now Wei Kingdom merges into Yan Kingdom, yet Ninth Prince doesn’t ask Mr. Xiao to tactfully change his name, unless their friendship is deep, otherwise, it’s Ninth Prince of Yan intentionally utilizing Mr. Xiao."

Prime Minister Lu nodded along; he also reacted this way when he first heard Ninth Prince of Yan was bringing Xiao Rongyan, later upon learning Xiao Rongyan’s business in Yan was cared for by Ninth Prince, one expects some friendship, also intending to gain benefit from Xiao Rongyan’s benevolence towards the Bai family.

Xiao Rongyan’s brother had just left not long ago, now her Grandmother is also gone...

The pain of losing loved ones, they understand.

Bai Qingyan’s expression dimmed, as she restrained the urge to cry.

They once said, after Yan Kingdom conquered Wei... Xiao Rongyan proposed.

But now neither she nor Xiao Rongyan have the mind for matrimony anymore.

Zhou is yet to recover, Yan’s young ruler has ascended, neither country is stable...

She is about to ascend the throne, Xiao Rongyan certainly cannot abandon Yan Kingdom.