Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 490 - 487: Profound_1

Chapter 490: Chapter 487: Profound_1

The fireflies either flew between the trees or rested on the green moss at the tree roots. The chirping of cicadas and insects created a serene and warm atmosphere.

Bai Qingyan changed into a water-green outfit with camellia patterns and silver lotus flower borders, and a lotus-colored gauze skirt. She walked along the lit corridor and came to Qinghe Courtyard.

Inside the main room, Dong Tingzhen was sitting in front of the soft couch by the window, playing with a three-legged gilded beast-shaped incense burner. She replaced the incense with a calming fragrance she specially prepared for Mrs. Dong today and carefully explained to her the ingredients she used.

Bai Qingyan stood in the courtyard and looked towards the half-open window. She saw Dong Tingzhen under the lamp, holding a small brass spoon, elegantly adding incense to the burner, covering it, and smilingly asking Mrs. Dong to smell it.

Mrs. Dong lowered her head closer, gently waved her sleeve with her hand, and praised with a smile, "Hmm, the fragrance is deep and light, very pleasant."

"If Aunt likes it, I will write down the recipe next time. If Aunt doesn’t want to do it herself, Tingzhen can also do it for her..." Dong Tingzhen placed the silver spoon aside, smilingly said.

"The eldest girl is here!" Nanny Qin saw Bai Qingyan, quickly lifted the curtain and went out to greet her with a smile, "Madam is discussing incense with the cousin. Madam was once a master of making incense, but she has to admit our cousin is better!"

Nanny Qin’s words were full of praise for Dong Tingzhen, after all...since the Bai family incident, Mrs. Dong rarely smiled. The visit of Dong Tingzhen to Shuoyang had brought much joy to Mrs. Dong, often reminiscing about her youth at the Dong family.

Mother was skilled and fond of these elegant pursuits, but since she began managing the household, she had no time for them.

Now back in Shuoyang, less busy than in Dadu City, it’s great that Tingzhen is here to accompany Mother with incense and music.

Nanny Qin smiled and lifted the curtain for Bai Qingyan, entered the room, and bowed to Mrs. Dong. Dong Tingzhen quickly got up and greeted her cousin with a smile.

Mrs. Dong seemed still captivated by the incense, pointed to the delicacies and fresh fruits on the small table, "Kid, if you are hungry, have a snack first. Nanny Qin is preparing some fine dishes for us today, but it will take a while!"

"Exactly!" Nanny Qin served tea from a black lacquered tray brought by the maid and handed it to Bai Qingyan, "Eldest girl, please wait a moment. The old servant heard from the maids that Shuoyang has some special dishes. Though tedious to make, they are quite fresh and worth trying for Madam and the two girls!"

"The ancestors of three generations understand clothing, the ancestors of five generations understand food. Grandmother is most skilled in the art of food." Bai Qingyan sat down on the stool, smilingly accepted the tea from Nanny Qin, "Nanny Qin has been by Grandmother’s side since childhood and is naturally skilled as well..."

Nanny Qin was a dowry maid, born into the Dong family.

The Dong family in Dengzhou had a profound heritage as well.

"Cousin is praising Grandmother and the Dong family, and also Nanny Qin! Tingzhen feels proud and honored..." Dong Tingzhen laughed behind her handkerchief.

Just as they mentioned the Dong family, a maid came to deliver a letter from the Dong family in Dengzhou.

Nanny Qin went out to fetch the letter, handed it to Mrs. Dong, who read it and said to Bai Qingyan, "Your uncle wrote that Changlan is coming to Shuoyang. Your Grandmother is sending some things with him."

"In a few days, it will be Aunt’s birthday. Grandmother and Uncle must have sent Cousin Changlan to visit Aunt!" Dong Tingzhen quickly guessed the intention of the Dong family in sending Dong Changlan to Shuoyang.

This year, the Bai family was still in mourning, and Mrs. Dong did not plan to celebrate her birthday. She just wanted to have a meal with her daughters. However, as a mother, Madam Dong naturally cared for her daughter.

Mrs. Dong smiled, repeatedly read Dong Qingyue’s handwritten letter several times, and calculated that Dong Changlan would arrive on July 21. She looked at Nanny Qin, "Changlan and his wife will arrive the day after tomorrow. Nanny Qin, ask the servants to tidy up Junzi Pavilion tomorrow. When Changlan arrives, let him stay there."

Now, the Bai family consisted mostly of women. Mrs. Dong also considered who would accompany Dong Changlan. Bai Qingyan put down her teacup and said, "I’ll tell Bai Qingping to come over in advance to keep Changlan company, or does Mother want to invite more clan brothers?"

"Cousin Changlan is not an outsider, no need to be so formal and find someone to accompany him." Dong Tingzhen didn’t mind at all. After all, the Dong family understood the Bai family’s situation very well. They also knew about the Bai Clan’s ways.

Whenever Mrs. Dong thought of the Bai Clan, she felt uncomfortable. Currently, she only considered Bai Qingping a good child. She waved her hand, "Tingzhen is right; Changlan isn’t an outsider. Let Qingping come over."

Nanny Qin served a local Shuoyang dish, Five Blessings Tofu. The preparation was intricate. Tender tofu was cooked in meat broth, dried, and then cooled. The tofu was fried until golden, with neat cuts applied, coated with rose honey, smoked with fruitwood, and served with plum sauce. It was crispy outside and tender inside, with a fruity aroma that melted in the mouth.

Shuoyang had many famous dishes, but few caught Nanny Qin’s eye. This Five Blessings Tofu...after tasting it, she dared to serve it to her master.

After dining at Mrs. Dong’s Qinghe Courtyard, Dong Tingzhen walked side by side with Bai Qingyan. Crossing the corridor, Dong Tingzhen finally knelt formally before Bai Qingyan.

"Tingzhen, why are you doing this?" Bai Qingyan thought Dong Tingzhen had a request, raised her hand to help her up, "If you have something to say, just say it."

Dong Tingzhen shook her head, her reddened eyes looking at Bai Qingyan, "I can’t thank you enough, Cousin, for your stern warning about King Liang! I misjudged you, thinking you were plotting against me. If not for you, I would still be in deep trouble, unaware, and being used by others, thinking he was true to me."

"We are family, not by the same surname, but our blood tie is the deepest bond in the world. As your cousin, I must protect you!" Bai Qingyan smiled at Dong Tingzhen.

The bond of blood is the deepest tie in the world...

Dong Tingzhen, hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, recalled her father’s words. Her whole family was willing to endure hardships for her desire to be with King Liang. At that time, she didn’t even try to stop her father. Where did she place the bond of blood?

The more Dong Tingzhen thought, the more guilty she felt. Tears couldn’t help but fall. She wondered how disappointed her parents must have been.

"Enough!" Bai Qingyan handed a handkerchief to Dong Tingzhen, "As long as you turn back, Uncle and Aunt won’t blame you! Stay in Shuoyang and relax for a while. When it gets cooler, take a trip with Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu. They love playing with you!"

Dong Tingzhen nodded, wiped her tears with the handkerchief, and changed the topic, "I heard Jinzhi went out today."

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