Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 449 - 446: Change by a Hair’s Breadth _1

Chapter 449: Chapter 446: Change by a Hair’s Breadth _1

These were far more important to her than romantic love between men and women.

But what if, after everything was settled, and the world was peaceful?

Bai Qingyan had never thought about it before.

Hearing the sound of footsteps coming urgently from Yue Shi’s group after they finished packing, Bai Qingyan pushed Xiao Rongyan away, cleared her throat, and straightened her clothes. She couldn’t help but glance at the wrinkled spot on Xiao Rongyan’s chest caused by her grip. She formally bowed to Xiao Rongyan, "Take care, Mr. Xiao."

Seeing Bai Qingyan about to leave, Xiao Rongyan took a step forward, grabbed her slender wrist, and pulled her back behind the wall. His distinct hand bones pressed against the wall of Qing Temple’s courtyard as he lowered his head to ask, "Wanna bet?"

Just as Bai Qingyan was about to speak, she heard Bai Jinzhi’s voice...

"Huh? Where did the eldest young lady go? Wasn’t she supposed to meet Mr. Xiao? Hey... that girl running ahead, is she called Yue Shi? Where are your Mr. Xiao and our eldest young lady?!"

Bai Qingyan shivered, quickly ducked under Xiao Rongyan’s arm, and emerged from the corner holding a whip.

"Little Four!" Bai Qingyan called out.

Hearing Bai Qingyan, Bai Jinzhi happily ran up to her and grabbed her arm. "Eldest young lady, Nanny Jiang has made osmanthus yam. Grandmother asked Nanny Jiang to call you to try it. I was worried Nanny Jiang would see you with Mr. Xiao, so I told her you were cooling off in the backyard. I came to inform you, eldest young lady, so please don’t let it slip."

Interrupted twice, Xiao Rongyan felt annoyed. He straightened his clothes and stepped out. "Fourth Miss..."

"Mr. Xiao!" Bai Jinzhi quickly turned and bowed with a smile.

"Mr. Xiao brought this back for you from the Wei Kingdom. You should thank him!" Bai Qingyan handed the fiery red whip to Bai Jinzhi.

The handle of the fiery whip was inlaid with gemstones, but not in the gripping position. Bai Jinzhi fell in love with it at first sight. She took it and swung it, the crisp sound cutting through the air. She tested it out!

Bai Jinzhi’s face was full of joy as she quickly curtsied. "Thank you, Mr. Xiao, for still thinking of Little Four!"

"It was my pleasure!" Xiao Rongyan didn’t act arrogantly. He still retained his elegant and refined manner as he returned the courtesy, then looked in Bai Qingyan’s direction and bowed again. "Regarding the bet... I’ll take it as Miss Bai’s acceptance."

"I’m not one who likes to gamble," Bai Qingyan clenched her hand and smiled lightly.

"No matter, neither am I. Let’s just consider it a pastime," Xiao Rongyan said. He bowed to Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi before leaving with his guards.

Curious, Bai Jinzhi hooked her arm around Bai Qingyan and entered Qing Temple, whispering, "Eldest young lady, what bet did you make with Mr. Xiao?"

"Betting on who will ultimately rule this land," Bai Qingyan replied calmly. "But I never intended to bet with Mr. Xiao."

Out of the corner of her eye, Bai Jinzhi saw the jade hairpin in Bai Qingyan’s hair and looked up. "You’ve got an extra hairpin, eldest young lady! Ah... it must be a gift from Mr. Xiao?!"

Bai Jinzhi winked at Bai Qingyan.

Xiao Rongyan’s sudden words made Bai Qingyan forget to return the hairpin. She took it out and hid it in her sleeve. "It’s just a thank-you gift!"

Bai Jinzhi laughed meaningfully. "Oh... a thank-you gift, huh!"

When the two of them entered the Eldest Princess’s small courtyard, the Eldest Princess was already awake. Bai Jinse and Bai Jinxiu were sitting in the courtyard, accompanying the Eldest Princess to eat osmanthus yam.

"Nanny Jiang must be partial to the eldest young lady. She doesn’t like sweets, so she made it less sweet," Bai Jinse said with a smile. "Fourth Sister will complain soon enough!"

"Who said I would complain! As long as eldest young lady likes it... any taste is fine with me!" Bai Jinzhi, in a great mood after receiving the whip, had hidden it in the carriage to avoid grandmother’s prying questions.

The Eldest Princess put down her silver chopsticks and waved to Bai Qingyan. "Come here, Kid, try this..."

Nanny Jiang stood by with a smile. "There’s more, this dish is for the eldest young lady, it’s less sweet! The next one coming out will be sweeter."

Bai Qingyan cleaned her hands, picked up a piece of osmanthus yam with her silver chopsticks, and tasted it. The mild flavor was just like what Nanny Jiang used to make for her.

"Nanny Jiang’s skills are still so good," Bai Qingyan said with a smile.

"I will organize the dishes the eldest young lady likes and give the recipes to Nanny Tong. Whenever you want to eat them, just ask her to make them," Nanny Jiang said joyfully as she watched Bai Qingyan take another bite.

After having dinner at the Eldest Princess’s place, Bai Jinse escorted Bai Jinxiu, Bai Jinzhi, and Bai Qingyan to the gate of Qing Temple.

"It’s too quiet here with our grandmother. There are only Nanny Jiang, Aunt Lu, and Little Seven taking care of her," Bai Jinxiu sighed.

"If there were more people, Three Sister’s absence would be noticed. Grandmother did it for the bigger picture," Bai Jinse said with a smile. "Don’t worry, Second Sister. Little Seven will take good care of grandmother!"

Bai Jinxiu nodded and got on the carriage.

Knowing Bai Qingyan would leave tomorrow, Bai Jinse felt a bit reluctant, her eyes reddening. "Eldest young lady, greet mother on my behalf when you return to Shuoyang. Tell mother... I am doing well and not to worry about me!"

"Should anything need to be conveyed to me from grandmother, go find Second Sister. She will send someone to deliver the message to me. If you encounter any trouble, don’t be afraid to bother Second Sister. Know that you can always turn to her," Bai Qingyan said gently as she looked at her wise younger sister.

"Don’t worry, eldest young lady. I understand..." Bai Jinse stepped back and bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan.

When they returned to Dadu City from Qing Temple, the long streets of Dadu City were already lit with red lanterns.

Dadu City was still as lively as before. The sounds of children playing and vendors hawking their wares filled the air, just like when the Bai family had left.

Bai Qingyan lifted the carriage curtain and looked out at the brightly lit streets. There were children of varying heights gathered around an old man making sugar figures. In front of a tavern adorned with red lanterns... the shop assistant was busily welcoming customers with quick banter.

Occasionally, they saw the carriages of noble families heading toward the entertainment district. In the most luxurious private rooms above, some dandies who liked to keep cats and dogs were drinking and boasting... talking about how brave the Jin Army was in their recent battle with Daliang, how they flooded Longyang City to destroy the Liang Army, and how the enemy commander Xun Tianzhang was so enraged he spat blood and died.

Dadu City wasn’t any less lively without Lu Yuanpeng and his gang of flaunters.

Perhaps it was because Dadu City didn’t lack nobility; it didn’t lack flaunters either. Whether they left or stayed, the bustling Dadu City would never change.

Only the Second Lady, Mrs. Liu, left at the Princess of Zhen’s mansion heard that Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi had returned safely from the Northern Frontier. She stood anxiously at the door, awaiting their arrival.