Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 442 - 439: Foundation of the Nation_1

Chapter 442: Chapter 439: Foundation of the Nation_1

In the carriage, Bai Jinxiu talked to Bai Qingyan about the events that had transpired in Dadu City recently.

"The youngest son of the Left Prime Minister, Li Mingtang, has completely lost the use of his legs. The Left Prime Minister opened the ancestral hall of the Li family to apologize to their ancestors and sent Li Mingtang back to their ancestral home. However, his eldest son, Li Mingrui, performed meritoriously in the disaster relief and has now been transferred to the Ministry of Revenue. The Emperor appointed him as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and many in Dadu City are envious. They say Li Mingrui has benefited from his father’s influence, but who would have thought that upon his appointment, he handled the food and funds preparation for the Northern Frontier war so beautifully that no one has anything to say anymore."

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes slightly. Li Mingrui’s abilities were undeniable. As the eldest son of Li Mao, he was personally educated by his father from a young age and had some means.

"This disaster in Yanwo triggered a rebellion. The Crown Prince went to provide disaster relief but returned injured after falling from his horse the day after setting out. Later, soldiers arrived in Yanwo and executed anyone who resisted. This eventually quelled the rebellion. After returning to the capital, Li Mingrui reported to the Emperor that most of the refugees headed towards Yan. There was even a rumor that those who went to Yan enjoyed the benefits of the new policies under Empress Ji, including good farmland and tax exemptions. The Emperor was quite pleased to hear this, thinking that the influx of refugees would be Yan Kingdom’s problem."

While saying this, Bai Jinxiu’s expression showed clear disapproval.

The people... are the foundation of a nation!

These five words were taught to them repeatedly by their grandfather!

Without the people, there would be no nation.

Only a strong populace can form a strong army. Without people... how can there be soldiers? And how can the soldiers be strong?!

"Eldest Sister... if this is true, Yan Kingdom will be formidable!" Bai Jinxiu lightly patted her abdomen, unable to help but sigh.

Indeed, Yan is quite formidable!

Bai Qingyan had seen the Yan Emperor and the legitimate second son of the Yan royal family, who was a hostage in the Jin Kingdom, and she knew Xiao Rongyan as well.

Those of royal birth could not withstand comparison...

After expressing her admiration for Yan Kingdom, Bai Jinxiu continued, "Speaking of the Yanwo disaster, King Liang was brought back this time. After meeting the Emperor in the palace, he was summoned several times. King Liang acted like a filial son, visiting the palace frequently to pay his respects, always appearing humble and fearful when he saw the Crown Prince. Except for these visits, he stayed secluded in the King Liang Mansion. Yet, it seems the Emperor’s favor towards him grows daily!"

Bai Qingyan squinted her eyes. The Emperor wouldn’t bestow favor upon King Liang without reason, especially after he botched the disaster relief in Yanwo.

"Eldest Sister, the more I think about it, could it be that the Emperor knew the Crown Prince hindered King Liang during the disaster relief? Not wanting to embarrass the Crown Prince but wishing to warn him, he deliberately showed favor to King Liang?" Bai Jinxiu was also puzzled by this matter.

After thinking for a moment, Bai Qingyan asked, "Has the Emperor’s attitude towards the Crown Prince changed?"

Bai Jinxiu shook her head. "No, it hasn’t."

Hearing this, Bai Qingyan leaned slowly against the carriage’s round pillow, pondering as her fingers unconsciously stroked the fringe of the pillow. After a while, she said, "It seems King Liang did something to align with the Emperor’s intentions!"

But what could King Liang have done to align with the Emperor’s intentions? Bai Qingyan couldn’t help but recall the incident before their departure from Dadu, when Ji Langhua caused a scene.

At that time, the Emperor summoned Ji Langhua to the palace. Bai Qingyan didn’t believe the Emperor did this out of mere curiosity. The Emperor must have a keen interest in this matter.

King Liang presented Lady Qiu to the Emperor. But due to Lu Ninghuan’s presence, Lady Qiu’s standing with the Emperor significantly declined.

King Liang botched the disaster relief in Yanwo.

Given the Emperor’s personality, who never liked the overly humble King Liang, King Liang would have certainly faced punishment.

Yet the Emperor did not punish him but instead showed him favor, summoning him to the palace frequently. There was something fishy about this.

Bai Qingyan thought of Nanny Jiang intentionally mentioning the Eldest Princess’s fever in front of the Crown Prince earlier, clearly intending to have her visit her grandmother at Qing Temple.

It must have been Miss Lu who discovered something and needed to inform her before she entered the palace!

If her guess was correct, the Emperor’s favor towards King Liang was likely related to the incident caused by Ji Langhua.

If that were the case, King Liang was really like a cockroach that couldn’t be killed, always finding a way to make a comeback.

"There’s one more thing. That disgrace of my father... since being sent to Jiuqu Alley to the Wang family’s young master, I’ve had people watch Jiuqu Alley. Strangely enough, I found out that the steward of the King Liang Mansion somehow got involved with the Wang family’s young master there."

When Bai Qingyan heard this, she furrowed her brow. "For this matter, send someone to investigate closely and find out the situation."

"I’ve already sent people to investigate! If the results come after Eldest Sister returns to Shuoyang, I’ll send someone to report to you as soon as there’s news."

Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jinxiu, whose belly was already greatly swollen, and gently patted her abdomen. "It’s hard for you, dealing with these things while pregnant!"

"Eldest Sister’s words make me ashamed! Eldest Sister has worked much harder to support the Bai family than I have! I just hope to help you share some of the burden!" said Bai Jinxiu.

"Since Doctor Hong has not yet returned to Dadu, take extra care in everything you do while pregnant! Doctor Hong said he would be back at least a month before you give birth. He should be back soon. When he’s here to oversee things, I’ll be more at ease!" Bai Qingyan said softly, looking at Bai Jinxiu’s stomach.

"It’s okay, Eldest Sister. Even if Doctor Hong can’t come back on time, Miss Lu is here! And Doctor Huang is also around! Doctor Huang is Doctor Hong’s junior and is skilled in medicine!" Bai Jinxiu said, with a touch of warmth in her expression. Qin Lang was even more worried and had already spoken to Doctor Huang, who secretly told Bai Jinxiu that he admired Qin Lang very much.

"Has Qin Lang’s brother and two sisters caused any more trouble?" Bai Qingyan asked again.

Bai Jinxiu shook her head. "There’s been some minor fuss, mainly using filial piety to pressure me into bringing their mother, Mrs. Jiang, back to handle their marriages. But each time, they were sent back. Qin Lang even stated yesterday that if they missed their mother, they could be sent to reunite with her. They wouldn’t dare cause more trouble. Don’t worry, Eldest Sister."

Now that the two Qin daughters had reached marriageable age, their marriages should be arranged soon. Seeing that bringing Mrs. Jiang back was impossible, they had to rely on Bai Jinxiu, who held a first-rank title.

But with Mrs. Jiang as their mother, what family would dare to propose to them? These two high-spirited girls couldn’t settle for anything less.

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