Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 440 - 437: Out of Breath_1

Chapter 440: Chapter 437: Out of Breath_1

The Jin Kingdom claimed that as long as Daliang handed over a few cities that were occupied during Jin’s conquest of Shu, they would cease hostilities. Otherwise, they would fight Daliang to the bitter end.

Liu Rushi eloquently spoke in the Liang court, mentioning the battle in the Southern Frontier and the White Family Army of Jin, undefeated and fearless under the command of Young General Bai... the Princess of Zhen, Bai Qingyan.

Only then did the court of Liang learn that, during the battle of flooding Longyang City, although the commander was Liu Hong of Jin, the strategy came from the granddaughter of King of Zhen, Bai Weiting... the woman who had slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Xiliang captives in the Southern Frontier.

Liu Rushi stated that if Jin gave Daliang face this time and Daliang refused to negotiate, he held an Imperial Edict from the Emperor of Jin. This edict named Bai Qingyan as the commander, vowing to destroy Daliang’s elite forces just like Xiliang’s, making them unable to challenge Jin’s borders for at least five years.

Xun Tianzhang submitted six petitions, pleading with King Liang to send reinforcements, swearing an oath to reclaim Yushan Pass for Daliang.

However, King Liang decided to negotiate for peace, ceding cities to ally with Jin.

Upon hearing this, Xun Tianzhang spat blood and died on Chunmu Mountain in anger.

Bai Weiting once said that as long as the White Family Army existed, they would keep Daliang out of Chunmu Mountain. But Xun Tianzhang did not believe in such superstitions. Having lost Yushan Pass at the hands of the Xun family, he vowed to reclaim it honorably.

Unexpectedly, Xun Tianzhang died without ever seeing Yushan Pass again.

When the peace treaty was signed and the army retreated, Bai Jinzhi had already recovered.

To care for Shen Qingzhu’s injuries, Lu Ping personally drove the carriage, with Shen Qingzhu and Ji Langhua traveling inside.

As they passed through Youhua City, the citizens lined the streets, welcoming them and shouting, "General Bai," "Princess of Zhen."

On that day, Bai Qingyan had ordered General Wang Dean to maintain order in the city. The people then knew that as long as a general from the Bai family was present, they would not have to flee or become refugees.

Able to protect them from being plundered and ensure they had homes to return to, how could such a general not earn the people’s admiration?

Although others said that the Princess of Zhen, Bai Qingyan, was a God of Slaughter, it was this God of Slaughter who protected them; they remained grateful.

Liu Hong heard the people’s cheers for Bai Qingyan, his face filled with smiles. Such grand welcomes were only seen during King of Zhen Bai Weiting’s time.

But this time, Bai Qingyan lived up to her name. This battle, though Liu Hong was the commander, the victory was due to following Bai Qingyan’s strategies.

The army marched slowly, returning to Dadu City on July 12.

The Crown Prince personally led people to welcome them outside the city. Even Bai Jinxiu, the seventh girl of the Bai family, hurried outside the city upon hearing the news.

From afar, Bai Jinzhi saw Bai Jinxiu in the crowd and hurriedly rode her horse forward. "Eldest Sister, Second Sister, and Little Seven are here! Even Nanny Jiang and Wei Zhong!"

Bai Qingyan looked towards Bai Jinxiu and Bai Jinse. The two were protected by guards next to the carriage. Seeing Bai Qingyan, Bai Jinxiu couldn’t help but wave to her.

Wei Zhong stood beside Nanny Jiang, who was wiping her tears with a handkerchief, silent and head lowered.

Today, likely due to the Crown Prince’s presence, many citizens gathered at the North City Gate, even nobles came out to welcome.

"Strange, it’s so lively outside the city. Why haven’t we seen Lu Yuanpeng and his crowd of idlers?" Bai Jinzhi whispered to Bai Qingyan.

Bai Jinse held onto Bai Jinxiu’s arm. Seeing their eldest sister and fourth sister, she couldn’t help but tear up. Even though it had been less than two months, it felt like a long time since she had seen Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi.

When Liu Hong and the group dismounted, the Crown Prince stepped forward to bow deeply. "Many thanks to all the generals!"

Bai Qingyan and the others quickly returned the gesture, saying they didn’t dare accept the thanks.

"This victory would not have been possible without General Bai’s ingenious strategies. Though I am the commander, I dare not claim the credit!" Liu Hong said, smiling broadly without any displeasure.

The Crown Prince smiled at this, looking at Bai Qingyan, and said to Liu Hong, "I understand your sentiments, General Liu. During the Southern Frontier battle, I too was the commander. The victory was entirely due to the Princess of Zhen."

Bai Qingyan quickly clasped her fists. "It was because the Crown Prince and General Liu trusted my advice."

Quan Yu brought forward the court eunuchs carrying wine. The Crown Prince raised a cup to toast the generals.

For this triumphant return, the Emperor had arranged a feast in the palace, waiting for the generals to rest at their residences before coming to celebrate and receive rewards.

Standing next to Bai Qingyan, Bai Jinzhi noticed a courteous Quan Yu presenting wine to her sister and herself. She quickly thanked him, "Thank you, Eunuch Quan Yu!"

The Crown Prince noticed Liu Rushi getting off the carriage and had Quan Yu offer him a cup of wine as well. "Minister Liu, you have worked hard!"

Liu Rushi nodded and humbly declined any credit.

"Everyone, please return to your residences for rest, change into fresh attire. The Emperor has prepared a banquet in the palace to honor and celebrate our victorious generals!" The Crown Prince announced loudly with laughter.

As soon as the Crown Prince finished speaking, the generals’ families, who had come to welcome them, surged forward, eyes brimming with tears of joy.

"I will escort the Commandery Princess back to the Princess of Zhen’s residence," the Crown Prince said, understanding that the Bai family had no one left in Dadu City. The Eldest Princess was sick and needed the third young lady, Bai Jintong, to care for her. Thus, Nanny Jiang took the seventh girl of the Bai family, making their welcome less grand compared to other generals.

The Crown Prince intended to honor Bai Qingyan, acknowledging her current service to him.

Bai Qingyan quickly replied, "There’s no need to trouble Your Highness!"

"Eldest Sister! Little Fourth!" Bai Jinxiu and Bai Jinse approached, guarded by the soldiers.

"Eldest Sister, were you injured? Little Fourth, were you hurt?" Bai Jinxiu couldn’t hide her distress, holding Bai Jinzhi’s hand to inspect. "Indeed, you were burned. This will surely leave a scar!"

News from the Northern Frontier battlefield kept Bai Jinxiu on edge in Dadu City.

"It’s nothing, Second Sister. A scar is better than losing a life!" Bai Jinzhi said nonchalantly. Considering the presence of the Crown Prince and the citizens, she added, "Besides, gaining this wound to ensure the border people’s safety makes it worth it!"

Bai Qingyan gently patted Bai Jinzhi’s head, unable to suppress a smile.

Bai Jinzhi turned at the sound of the carriage driver shouting "Whoa."

The carriage stopped. By it, Yue Shi dismounted, helping the elegant Xiao Rongyan, dressed in a moon-white robe, out of the carriage.

Xiao Rongyan bowed deeply towards Bai Qingyan and the Crown Prince.

Seeing Xiao Rongyan, Bai Jinzhi exclaimed with joy, "Mr. Xiao!"

"Wasn’t Mr. Xiao supposed to arrive tomorrow?" The Crown Prince was equally surprised.

Xiao Rongyan’s gaze rested on Bai Qingyan. "The roads within Jin were clear, so I arrived sooner than expected."

Bai Jinzhi secretly delighted, thinking Mr. Xiao must have hurried just to see their eldest sister.

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