Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 488 - 485: Must Be Quick_1

Chapter 488: Chapter 485: Must Be Quick_1

Kid had already become quite impatient after being forced by Mrs. Li to try on two outfits consecutively.

When Bai Qingyan entered the courtyard with Chun Tao’s help, Kid, having been informed, came to the door to greet her: "Eldest Sister, why have you come? Is there something you need me to do?"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Li gathered up her skirt, raised her hand to lift the curtain, and came out laughing heartily: "Kid is here!"

Mrs. Li was dressed in a simple yet elegant gold-threaded lotus pattern, her hair styled in a flowing cloud bun, held together by a pearl tassel hairpin, and a pair of pearl earrings adorned her ears—an appearance that was both modest and luxurious.

Mrs. Li was most skilled at hairdressing and makeup. Given that Kid was still in mourning, she was largely dressed in plain colors. Nonetheless, Mrs. Li put careful thought into her attire. Even with simple colors, she managed to make Kid look exceptionally distinguished.

"Third Aunt!" Bai Qingyan greeted Mrs. Li and then said, "A message has come from Dadu City. Grandmother wants Kid to return to Dadu. I came to have Kid collect some items from me and to give her a few instructions."

"Return to Dadu?" Mrs. Li was taken aback. "Did the Eldest Princess mention why Kid is needed back?"

"Grandmother’s letter did not explain in detail." Bai Qingyan used the Eldest Princess’s name as her shield, making it hard for Mrs. Li to inquire further.

Mrs. Li felt uneasy, tightly clutching a handkerchief that betrayed her anxiety. She asked again, "When should Kid depart?"

"She should leave today!" Bai Qingyan smiled gently, trying to put Mrs. Li at ease, "I will have Uncle Ping accompany Kid; rest assured, Third Aunt."

Seeing Bai Qingyan’s comforting smile and hearing that Uncle Ping would accompany Kid, Mrs. Li felt somewhat relieved. She smiled back at Bai Qingyan and said, "Third Aunt knows that you always handle things meticulously. It was just a casual question. You go ahead and talk to Kid. I’ll supervise the packing."

Mrs. Li understood that Bai Qingyan wanted to avoid her while talking to Kid but did not take offense. In these desperate times when the Bai family needed to stand united with no male heirs left, she admired Bai Qingyan’s resolve to support the Bai family despite her frail health, traveling to the southern borders when necessary. Naturally, her daughter could also sacrifice for the family’s sake, journeying between Dadu and Shuoyang if required.

"Thank you for your trouble, Third Aunt!" Bai Qingyan respectfully curtseyed before taking her leave.

Kid followed Bai Qingyan out of the courtyard, linking her arm with her elder sister’s, and lowering her voice, she asked, "Eldest Sister, is there something you need me to do?"

Kid had been with Bai Qingyan long enough to know that if Bai Qingyan merely wanted her to fetch something from Boyun Courtyard, she would have sent a maid to deliver the message. Her personal arrival, coupled with the instruction to fetch something without carrying it, indicated a desire to avoid conversations with Mrs. Li and suggest something else.

"In a while, you and Uncle Ping will head towards Kongtong Mountain to bring someone back to Dadu City. This person is a disguised bandit sent either by King Liang or the Wang family of Jiuqu Alley, collaborating with him to kidnap children for King Liang’s alchemy!" Bai Qingyan instructed with urgency.

Kid’s eyes widened in shock. Using children for alchemy?!

King Liang dared to be so depraved!

Determined, Kid clenched her fists and said, "Eldest Sister, rest assured. I will travel day and night without stopping to reach Dadu City as swiftly as possible."

Bai Qingyan looked intently at Kid, suppressing her own anger. She clasped Kid’s fist and said, "This mission...is to provide you with a legitimate reason to appear before the Crown Prince in Dadu. Your most crucial task there is to casually suggest to the Crown Prince... that you personally believe it would be beneficial for him to suggest sending new recruits to the southern borders for training under the Bai family’s army. However, do not hint that it is my idea but rather yours, feeling strongly that it is a great opportunity!"

"Additionally, when you meet the old man beside the Crown Prince, remember not to deliberately flatter him. Instead, be friendly with him. Let him see you vent your dissatisfaction about your elder sister’s excessive caution! Earn his approval."

Although Kid did not fully understand Bai Qingyan’s intentions, she nodded firmly, "Eldest Sister, rest assured. I’ll set out immediately and, changing horses along the way without rest, ensure that I arrive in Dadu by tomorrow night to complete this task!"

Bai Qingyan nodded, "This is urgent! Just pack briefly and head to Dadu right away, as fast as you can!"

Otherwise, once the Emperor’s edict is issued, it might be too late to make changes.

Given Kid’s reputation for being impulsive and straightforward, it helped that she would be the one to convey things to the Crown Prince. It would arouse no suspicion.

Kid quickly left with a bundle of Mrs. Li’s packed belongings, amid Mrs. Li’s reluctant farewells.

Bai Qingyan stood outside, instructing Lu Ping to take good care of Kid along the journey, watching their silhouettes fade into the sunset. An overwhelming sense of relief surged in her heart.

Unwittingly, Kid had grown up, becoming a dependable daughter whom Bai Qingyan could entrust with significant responsibilities. If her third uncle were alive to witness this, he would surely be very gratified.

The sharpness of a sword comes from constant honing. Perhaps...Bai Qingyan should now try releasing Kid to handle things independently instead of always having her follow orders. After her return from Dadu, Kid should start learning to make her own decisions.

With predators lurking around every corner, Bai Qingyan couldn’t keep her tied by her side forever.

As long as they were in the territory around Shuoyang, even if Kid made mistakes, it wouldn’t matter.

Only when Kid and Lu Ping’s group vanished from sight did Chun Tao call, "Eldest Young Lady, let’s head back!"

Bai Qingyan nodded, starting to turn back, when they suddenly heard someone shouting, "Princess of Zhen!"

The Bai family’s guards drew their swords, quickly forming a protective circle around Bai Qingyan, with Chun Tao standing protectively in front of her.

A middle-aged man rushed out from behind a tree, falling to his knees before the grand steps of the Bai Mansion, kowtowing heavily, "Princess of Zhen! I am Steward Wu from the late clan leader’s side. I have urgent matters to inform you about!"

Bai Qingyan studied the trembling man, who continued to kowtow, and gestured for the guards to step back.

As the guards sheathed their swords and backed away, Steward Wu managed to lift his gaze slightly, but upon seeing Bai Qingyan’s boots, he hastily lowered his head again, saying, "Pardon... Pardon me, Princess of Zhen, but I must speak with you privately. It is exceedingly important! I have been pacing around the Bai Mansion for nearly two months, finally getting a chance to see you today. Please, Princess, trust me!"

Bai Qingyan had heard from Mr. Gu about a capable Steward Wu in the Bai Clan, who served as Bai Qiyun’s advisor.

Bai Qingyan felt secure inside the Bai Mansion and unthreatened by this Steward Wu. She ordered, "Bring him inside..."

The guards complied, almost carrying the trembling Steward Wu into the Bai Mansion, into the main hall, where he cautiously knelt on the shiny blue-stone floor and kowtowed properly.

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