Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 356 - 353: Enjoy to the Fullest_1

Chapter 356: Chapter 353: Enjoy to the Fullest_1

That depended on whether the Emperor would listen to Lu Ninghuan.

"How did your grandfather treat those who used the Xiliang aphrodisiac back then?" the Eldest Princess asked in a low voice.

"After acupuncture, my grandfather advised them to never use the aphrodisiac again. Otherwise, their bodies would be exhausted. Headaches would be minor, but their lives would be in danger," Lu Ninghuan answered truthfully.

The Eldest Princess began to manipulate her Buddha Beads again, her eyes deep as she pondered something.

"If someone took this medicine for a long time, how long before it would take their life?" the Eldest Princess suddenly asked, still with that kind and peaceful demeanor.

Bai Qingyan looked up at the Eldest Princess, wondering what she meant by this sudden question.

Lu Ninghuan was also dumbfounded.

"It depends on whether it is used daily." Lu Ninghuan regained her composure and spoke calmly, "If used daily, they would die within half a year. If used two or three times a month, within five years, their body would be completely exhausted."

"Oh..." the Eldest Princess answered, her eyes suddenly turning red as if recalling something. Her hand manipulating the Buddha Beads paused. She looked at Lu Ninghuan and straightened her back, speaking solemnly, "The Emperor works tirelessly for state affairs. It’s natural for him to slightly indulge himself with a favorite Lady Qiu during his leisure. But, is there any way, Ninghuan, for the Emperor to enjoy himself thoroughly without being plagued by headaches?"

Grandmother wanted the Emperor dead?

Bai Qingyan couldn’t believe it. In just a short time, her grandmother had changed her mind and decided not to protect the current Emperor, even intending to kill this nephew.

Lu Ninghuan’s palm tightened. If the Emperor died, she wouldn’t have to worry about someday serving that Emperor as a substitute, enduring disgust.

"Ninghuan will spare no effort!" Lu Ninghuan promised solemnly.

The Eldest Princess’s eyes were full of sorrow, "Then it’s hard on you..."

Knowing that Bai Qingyan and the Eldest Princess surely had something to discuss, Lu Ninghuan paid her respects and left with Nanny Jiang.

The Eldest Princess relaxed her stiff back slightly, leaned against the round pillow, showing her weariness and old age, and spoke slowly, "The current Emperor grows more suspicious with age. Historically, many emperors made mistakes in their later years. Instead of letting the Emperor sit on the Dragon Throne, suspicious of the Bai family all day, it’s better to support the Crown Prince’s ascension. The Crown Prince now trusts you greatly and has promised to ensure the Bai family’s safety."

Before she went to Nanjing, her grandmother had a long talk with the Crown Prince. It was probably at that time that the Crown Prince promised her grandmother to ensure the Bai family’s safety.

She lowered her eyes and said nothing.

Members of the Lin family were all the same. Even the current Crown Prince, who had yet to ascend to the highest position and needed to win people over, appeared more lenient than the Emperor.

If the Crown Prince ascended, it would be the same.

Just as the current Emperor, after being conferred as Crown Prince, spoke to her grandfather to consolidate his position. But after ascending the throne, the Emperor forgot.

On her journey to Nanjing, Bai Qingyan had seen through the Crown Prince and had no expectations of him.

But she didn’t want to argue with her grandmother anymore. Five years should be enough for the Bai family.

"Grandmother’s arrangements will do," Bai Qingyan nodded.

"Hmm!" The Eldest Princess nodded, looking at her granddaughter, who was no longer as close as before, and closed her eyes, recalling the words Bai Qingyan had spoken in the shrine hall, "If one hesitates to cut off ties when necessary, one will suffer endless trouble."

Even if the bond of blood could not be severed easily, her granddaughter had already distanced herself from her.

The Eldest Princess had never imagined that after marrying Bai Weiting and living a life of happiness and stability, she would end up alone in her later years.

The Eldest Princess sighed deeply and instructed, "Kid, go back and rest. Grandmother is also tired."

She rose to take her leave, and upon leaving the main room, she heard the faint sound of her grandmother’s stifled sobs but did not look back. She lowered her eyes and walked out of the Changshou Courtyard.

Her husband, son, and grandson had all died in Nanjing. As a wife, mother, and grandmother, her grandmother must have been full of hatred. But as the Eldest Princess, she could only choose to maintain the Lin family’s royal power.

She guessed that her grandmother probably wanted to use the Emperor’s death to quell the hatred in her heart.

In this way, the Jin royal power would still be in their Lin family’s hands, and she could vent her anger and heal her inner wounds.

As the legitimate daughter of the late Emperor and Empress, the Eldest Princess cared not for the current Emperor but for the Lin family’s royal power.

Anyone in the Eldest Princess’s and her grandmother’s position would face hardships.

But who wasn’t struggling in this world? Her grandmother made a choice, opting for the Lin family’s royal power, which meant that in the future, their paths would diverge greatly.

Bai Qingyan walked out of the Changshou Courtyard and saw Lu Ninghuan standing outside as if waiting for her. Seeing her come out, Lu Ninghuan stepped forward and saluted Bai Qingyan, "Miss Bai!"

"Aunt," Bai Qingyan respectfully returned the salute.

"I wanted to walk with you," Lu Ninghuan said with a smile.

Bai Qingyan nodded and walked alongside Lu Ninghuan.

"Although Ninghuan is nominally the Eldest Princess’s adoptive daughter, Ninghuan knows she is just a commoner," Lu Ninghuan’s clear voice was calm. "But the Eldest Princess has been kind to Ninghuan, and some words might be offensive in front of you. I hope you can forgive me."

"Aunt, please speak freely." Bai Qingyan’s tone was calm.

"Ninghuan doesn’t know if something has happened between the Eldest Princess and you, but the Eldest Princess truly loves you. The scariest thing in life is wanting to meet your elders when they’re no longer around. Ninghuan has experienced this, so I dare to advise you. No matter what the future holds, cherish your elders who love you, so you won’t have regrets," Lu Ninghuan said, then bowed to Bai Qingyan solemnly. "Ninghuan has overstepped. Please don’t blame me."

"I will remember your words," Bai Qingyan said without taking offense.

"If you have no other instructions, Ninghuan will take her leave," Lu Ninghuan said, her eyes lowered.

Bai Qingyan nodded.

Watching Lu Ninghuan walk away, Chun Tao approached Bai Qingyan and whispered with a smile, "Miss Lu’s back view resembles yours somewhat."

Not like her, but like Aunt Su Qiu.

Bai Qingyan looked at Lu Ninghuan’s retreating figure, her hand tightening slightly within her sleeve.

Yes, since her grandmother who loved her dearly was still around, why should she be distressed over differing future paths?

She turned back to glance at Changshou Courtyard and instructed Chun Tao, "Later, have the small kitchen send some soft pastries to Grandmother."

Though she couldn’t share her heart with her grandmother as before, sending pastries would be a gesture of filial piety.

Ultimately, what the Eldest Princess did to Ji Tingyu left Bai Qingyan with a lingering pain, unable to forget or ignore it.

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