Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

Chapter 108: Chapter 107: Brief Planning_1

The Emperor wanted to hear it. He also mentioned the Shuoyang Clan’s oppression.

Everyone has a heart. No matter how cold it is… there’s always a trace of warmth that can be touched.

That day in the grand hall, she fabricated her grandfather’s words about the Emperor’s ambition for greatness, which made the Emperor feel guilty.

She firmly believed that if the Emperor could see the Duke’s mansion’s righteousness, “I would rather the world betray me than betray the world,” he would surely make a decision.

“The clan’s oppression, selling off the Duke’s mansion properties to help Mr. Xiao achieve his goals, to push the Emperor to make a decision, and to pave the way for the Duke’s mansion’s future return to Shuoyang without being restrained by the clan.” Xiao Rongyan caressed the jade cicada in his hand, feeling respectful; he asked in a low voice, “Was the clan’s oppression also orchestrated by Miss Bai?”

This Miss Bai always had astounding actions that never failed to impress, followed by meticulous plans, one step after another, leaving people in awe.

“The clan’s greed was something I just took advantage of, making some plans to seek survival.”

In front of someone as shrewd as Xiao Rongyan, denial would only lead to endless questioning. It was better to admit it straightforwardly.

“No matter what, I will never forget Miss Bai’s assistance this time.”

“But each had their own needs and benefits, and it’s not about who helped whom. Let’s consider it mutual fulfillment. Besides, today at Zheliu Pavilion, Bai Qingyan said that if Mr. Xiao encounters difficulties in the future, the Bai family will assist with all the power they have.”

While speaking, she had already escorted Xiao Rongyan to the side gate. She adjusted the fox fur on her body and looked sideways at the man standing under the lamp at the Bai family’s side gate. “If Mr. Xiao still feels uneasy, consider this the Bai family’s way of repaying your two previous acts of assistance.”

The Duke’s mansion servants had already brought Xiao Rongyan’s horse to the door. Seeing Xiao Rongyan, the horse snorted out white mist and pawed its hoof, wanting to come closer.

“Please, Mr. Xiao…”

“Farewell.” After saluting Bai Qingyan, Xiao Rongyan stepped out of the Duke’s mansion and gracefully leaped onto his horse.

He held the reins with one hand and took the black gold whip handed over by the Duke’s servant with the other, sitting tall on the horse, looking in Bai Qingyan’s direction.

Under the swaying white silk lamp, the woman dressed in mourning clothes made a shallow bow, her face pale with a hint of frailty. Through the thin mist and snowflakes, her stunning beauty and noble demeanor were unmistakable.

Elegant and serene, calm and composed, with an inner fortitude and unfathomable scheming.

Xiao Rongyan admired such a person.

The man’s deep eyes lingered on her for a moment before he finally whipped away.

“What a long day it has been!” Chun Tao, holding Bai Qingyan’s arm, couldn’t help but sigh. “Aren’t you tired, Miss?”

She nodded. “Let’s go back. First, let’s look in on Grandmother, then go see Ji Tingyu.”

·

In the kitchen of the Duke’s mansion’s backyard, two maids, carrying winnowing baskets, ran under the kitchen’s eaves, patting the snowflakes off themselves. Looking up at the mist, they sighed: “Today’s weather is really strange! Such heavy fog, and so much snow.”

The other maid looked around to ensure no one was nearby before whispering to her companion: “I heard that second master’s useless son, just hired a carriage with his mother, carrying several large bundles, and slipped out the back door! The Duke’s mansion doesn’t know which god they might have offended, but the Shuoyang ancestors have pressured the lady of the princely heir to run the family into bankruptcy. If that son of hers runs away… there won’t be anyone left to carry on the family.”

“It seems the tasks in this mansion are still too easy.” The steward nanny responsible for meals by the Eldest Princess stood at the kitchen door, hands folded at her lower abdomen, exuding authority without anger.

The two maids were startled and quickly bowed, retreating aside without daring to lift their heads.

The imposing steward nanny in dark green attire glared at the two maids before stepping out of the bustling kitchen. Behind her, a line of maids carrying black lacquer gold-trimmed food boxes followed in single file, walking toward the Eldest Princess’s inner courtyard along the illuminated corridor.

In the main hall of Changshou Courtyard, the stove was burning brightly. The maids arranged the dishes properly, while the firewood maid added a few silver frost coals using copper tongs, covering the stove with a copper cover.

Nanny Jiang stood on the veranda with Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinxiu, listening to the steward nanny report about Bai Qingxuan and his mother’s escape. She dismissed the steward nanny with a wave.

The steward nanny nodded, bowed respectfully, and left.

“I know about this,” Bai Qingyan said frankly. “The nanny at Qingming Courtyard had told me long ago that the concubine’s son wanted to leave, and I didn’t stop them.”

“Let him leave!” Bai Jinxiu frowned, showing rare disgust. “That woman… and that son. I don’t know how my father…” how he could be so blind to choose such a woman.

A child shouldn’t speak ill of their father. Bai Jinxiu, filled with anger, closed her eyes and said nothing more.

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes, watching the snowflakes fall under the eaves, her tone as light as the wind: “What does Grandmother mean? Does she want to detain them?”

“The Eldest Princess doesn’t know yet, Miss… All the men in the Duke’s mansion are gone. After all, that’s still a bit of our family’s bloodline. The child’s bad temperament is due to lack of proper education. A few days ago, the Eldest Princess told this old servant that after the Emperor issues the edict to deal with King Xin, Liu Huanzhang, and the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, and after our family’s mourning period, she would personally teach that concubine’s son,” said Nanny Jiang. She took a step forward to hold Bai Qingyan’s hand. “Miss, the Eldest Princess is old. She’s lost her husband, her son, and her grandson. Her heart is filled with unbearable grief! She needs something to look forward to, something to do, to get through these difficult days!”

“I understand what Nanny is saying.” Bai Qingyan’s gentle tone disguised the killing intent in her heart. “It was intentional on my part to let them go because I know that, with his opportunistic nature, as soon as the Emperor punishes King Xin, he will definitely return to the Duke’s mansion. Trust me, Nanny.”

“I trust you! Of course, I trust you, Miss! It’s my overthinking… Don’t let it weigh on your mind.” Nanny Jiang bowed to her.

“Nanny.” She sighed, holding Nanny Jiang’s hand. “This humility is too much for Kid. You’ve been with Grandmother your whole life, almost like half a senior to Kid and Jinxiu. You spent more time with Grandmother than we grandchildren did. It’s our good fortune to have you care for Grandmother.”

Nanny Jiang’s eyes turned red. She covered her mouth with a cloth, letting her tears fall. “Miss, Second Miss, you don’t know. Since our family’s misfortunes began, the Eldest Princess has been suffering bitterly like tasting gall. Yet she must stay strong and not collapse, being caught between the Imperial Family and our mansion in such a hard position, her heart feels like it’s rolling in boiling oil every day, never having a moment of peace.”