Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 450 - 447: Jade Hairpin_1

Chapter 450: Chapter 447: Jade Hairpin_1

Bai Jinzhi was the first to jump off the carriage and saluted Mrs. Liu, "Second Aunt!"

Bai Qingyan also got down from the carriage. After helping Bai Jinxiu off, she saluted Mrs. Liu, "Second Aunt!"

Seeing that Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi were both safe, Mrs. Liu’s eyes turned red. "We’ve been waiting for the three of you sisters to return for the feast! Hurry inside!"

Crossing the Chuihua gate, Mrs. Liu walked while examining Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi for any injuries.

Seeing the burn scars on the back of Bai Jinzhi’s hand, Mrs. Liu couldn’t hold back her tears. Fearing to upset the children, she turned away to dab her tears with a handkerchief, tightly holding Bai Jinzhi’s hand. "No matter what, it’s good that you came back safe!"

Ever since Bai Jinzhi went to the Northern Frontier, Mrs. Liu’s heart had been on tenterhooks...

Too many people from the Bai family had died. These children must not meet the same fate again.

Later, she heard that General Zhang Duanrui had died in battle, and Bai Jinzhi went missing while saving others. Bai Qingyan then rushed to the Northern Frontier. Heaven knows how Mrs. Liu survived those days, with nightmares every night, fearful that something might happen to the two children.

After sharing a simple meal together, Bai Jinxiu was about to rush back to the Qin Mansion.

Looking at her eldest sister, who personally escorted her to the gate of the Princess of Zhen Mansion, Bai Jinxiu felt reluctant. "Eldest Sister... can’t you stay a few more days and return to Shuoyang later?"

"In order not to arouse the Emperor’s suspicion, it’s better to enter the palace early tomorrow to see the Emperor, then depart!" Bai Qingyan gently held Bai Jinxiu’s hand. "We have a lifetime ahead! No rush..."

After seeing Bai Jinxiu off, Mrs. Liu held Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi’s hands. "Good children, go and have a good sleep!"

Bai Qingyan nodded.

Bai Qingyan went to visit Shen Qingzhu and Ji Langhua. Seeing that Shen Qingzhu was getting better each day under Ji Langhua’s care, Bai Qingyan felt very grateful.

"Today, I went to the Qing Temple of the Imperial Family because I was worried about Qingzhu, so I didn’t let you come along. If you miss Aunt Lu, you can stay in Dadu City for a few days... I will send guards to escort you back to Shuoyang later," Bai Qingyan said, looking at Ji Langhua, who had escorted her out of the courtyard.

Ji Langhua had once been summoned by the Emperor because of that elixir. Staying long in Dadu City might cause trouble, especially since Ji Langhua moved around with a veil, which drew attention.

"No need." Ji Langhua smiled faintly at Bai Qingyan. "We sisters are fortunate to be under the protection of the Eldest Princess and the Eldest Young Lady. We are very much at ease! Langhua will follow the Eldest Young Lady wherever she goes."

Bai Qingyan nodded.

Qinghui Courtyard was still the same, but without Nanny Tong and Chun Tao, it seemed deserted.

Bai Qingyan sat under a glass lamp, holding a bamboo slip of ancient texts, reading carefully. The maid served tea to Bai Qingyan, then retreated respectfully to the screen outside, turning to close the partition door.

With no one else inside, Bai Qingyan set down the bamboo slip and took out a jade hairpin that she had always kept hidden in her sleeve.

The jade hairpin had a carved wild goose, though not lifelike, it was evident that the carver put in effort.

She lightly brushed the eye of the wild goose on the jade hairpin and looked up at the bright moon outside the half-open window.

Wild geese had always been symbols of fidelity.

Bai Qingyan was born in a family like the Bai family, where she had seen all kinds of treasures. Even though the quality of this jade hairpin was rarely seen, it wouldn’t disturb Bai Qingyan’s heart. What truly unsettled her heart was the person who gave her the jade hairpin.

—Bai Qingyan, if you dare to bet, I, Murong Yan... will never fail you in this lifetime!

Xiao Rongyan’s rich, hoarse voice echoed in her mind. She clenched the jade hairpin in her hand abruptly, only feeling a slight itch on her lips where Xiao Rongyan’s hot and thin lips brushed over.

She untied the sachet at her waist and took out the jade cicada that had always been kept inside.

The jade cicada glowed with a warm and soft light under the glass lamp. She lightly caressed it with her thumb.

—I once swore... if I were to marry one day, I would trust my wife implicitly and protect her for a lifetime.

These were the words Xiao Rongyan said when he gave her the jade cicada.

Bai Qingyan felt uneasy, wrapped the jade cicada and hairpin in a cloth, and then practiced spear moves in the courtyard as usual.

·

Early the next morning.

Bai Qingyan had just finished her morning exercise and was about to have breakfast when Bai Jinzhi rushed to Qinghui Courtyard. She asked the maid to set a place for herself and said, "Eldest Sister, news from yesterday’s banquet at the palace has spread! They say that when the Emperor awarded General Liu Hong, General Liu Hong claimed he dared not take credit. This great victory at the Northern Frontier was all due to Eldest Sister’s strategy! He pleaded with the Emperor to reward Eldest Sister. Later, the Emperor said Eldest Sister indeed deserved great credit, and as for the reward, he would think carefully. Once Eldest Sister enters the palace today, he will grant the reward. After the morning court session, an inner servant will come to summon Eldest Sister to the palace."

Bai Jinzhi lifted her bowl of porridge, looking eagerly at Bai Qingyan. "Eldest Sister, do you think the Emperor, knowing Eldest Sister’s ability, will confer her the title of Great General?"

Letting a woman become a general, Bai Qingyan thought the Emperor wouldn’t have the courage to and wouldn’t set such a precedent.

If women were allowed to be generals, it would elevate the status of women in Jin Kingdom. Then, many talented and intelligent women confined to the inner chambers would want to step forward, and Jin Kingdom would undergo tremendous change.

Not to mention that the Emperor wouldn’t agree... even the men of Jin Kingdom would probably not accept it.

Take Yan for example. Even though Empress Ji spent ten years building Dadu City, relocating the capital to Dadu, and implementing new policies benefiting the people, transforming Yan from a weak state to a strong one.

But when the Emperor of Yan awoke from his madness, the first thing he did was kill Empress Ji. From the top to the bottom of Yan... even the common people cheered because of male superiority and female inferiority.

So, at most, the Emperor would reward Bai Qingyan with valuable gold and silver treasures, and the best he could possibly do would be to grant her a princess title, but certainly not allow her to step into the royal court as a woman.

After all, to appoint her as an official or general, the Emperor would have to contend with the noble families and men of Jin Kingdom. Bai Qingyan didn’t believe the Emperor would exert such effort for her.

Not long after Bai Qingyan finished breakfast, the Emperor sent someone to summon her to the palace.

Bai Qingyan changed into a new outfit, lightly applied makeup, and the woman in the mirror looked pale, with white lips, appearing even more frail than before.

The Emperor was suspicious. The worse her health appeared, the more at ease the Emperor would be.

Bai Jinzhi changed her clothes and returned to Qinghui Courtyard. Entering, she was startled at Bai Qingyan’s poor appearance. "Eldest Sister, are you not feeling well? Should we call the Imperial Physician?"

"Eldest Sister’s health has always been poor. This campaign in the Northern Frontier took a lot out of her... it’s natural she looks unwell. She needs to return to Shuoyang to recuperate," Bai Qingyan said, squeezing Bai Jinzhi’s hand as she came to support her.

Bai Jinzhi nodded understandingly.

The Emperor, perhaps to show the world and silence gossip, dispatched a grand carriage procession to the Princess of Zhen Mansion to escort Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi.