Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 506 - 503: Celebration_1

Chapter 506: Chapter 503: Celebration_1

Ji Langhua’s emotions were genuine, her eyes were slightly red.

"Let Chun Tao take you back to rest..."

"No need, Miss!" Ji Langhua hoisted her small medicine chest on her back. "I still remember the way to Bai Mansion. Let Miss Chun Tao serve you and rest quickly!"

Bai Qingyan escorted Ji Langhua out the door and watched as Chun Zhi left. Just as she turned to return inside, she noticed Chun Zhi sitting under a lamp in the corner of the corridor, shaded by a silk curtain, reading a book.

Seeing Bai Qingyan gazing in Chun Zhi’s direction, Chun Tao smiled and said, "Lately, Chun Zhi has suddenly taken an interest in reading; she’s quite diligent. When she encounters words she doesn’t know, she even knows to ask for help."

Bai Qingyan nodded. "Being literate is beneficial."

Seeing Chun Zhi reading reminded her of the new recruits in the military camp. Many of these recruits were illiterate. In the common villages, those who could read were rare.

Although soldiers didn’t necessarily need to be literate, the first batch of new recruits being trained by Bai Qingping and Shen Yanzong, and those responsible for "mountain bandits" under Ji Tingyu’s command, were expected to at least rise to the ranks of Wufu Zhang or Corporal. Being illiterate wouldn’t be suitable for such positions.

"Go and tell Chun Zhi to inform Steward Hao to find some loyal, literate older servants to teach the new recruits at the training ground how to read." Bai Qingyan said, pulling aside the curtain and stepping into the room.

"Alright!" Chun Tao responded and quickly ran off to find Chun Zhi.

Bai Qingyan sat under the lamp and picked up a book. She thought about how those who volunteered to fight bandits were generally brave. Asking them to learn like children might not be effective. There must be some reward and punishment measures, like rewarding the top three performers in literacy, similar to those in training, with meat to take home.

This way, one might identify those who excel in both literacy and martial arts for future important roles.

It would be more prudent to leave the matter with Ji Tingyu to Uncle Ping.

·

Xiao Residence.

Xiao Rongyan sat under a copper lamp adorned with intertwining branches, leaning against an embroidered cushion, reading a letter sent from Yan.

Autumn was approaching. Yan’s army facing the Rong was about to encounter shortages of provisions in winter. Despite reclaiming fertile land in Nanyan, transporting grain to Beirong was tricky due to Jin Kingdom’s location. Thus, Xiao Rongyan needed to handle this matter.

Xiao Rongyan’s trade convoy had already entered Xiliang, spreading rumors of Jin’s intention to station troops at Xiliang’s border. This would entangle Xiliang with Yan, giving Jin the chance to seize Xiliang’s cities.

Once Jin’s army set out, the news would quickly reach Xiliang and Wei. Xiliang’s envoy might enter Jin as a result; Jin would never allow Xiliang to strengthen by taking over Nanyan.

Hence, Xiao Rongyan set aside the matter temporarily and began planning the grain transport to Rong. This would involve negotiating with the Crown Prince of Jin, ensuring proper transport of grain. There would be financial benefits for the Crown Prince.

With food supplies, Rong wouldn’t plunder Jin as usual, pleasing the Crown Prince.

On this trip, Xiao Rongyan intended to take grain and return with horses, half to be sold at high prices in Jin, and half brought back to Yan.

After reading the first letter, Xiao Rongyan burned it and then opened a secret letter from the Capital.

The secret letter stated that the Emperor had approved sending the new recruits to the Xiliang border and drawing ten thousand troops from the Daliang border to Xiliang. The recently victorious Jin Army from the Northern Frontier wouldn’t be sent to the Southern Border.

New recruits?

Xiao Rongyan frowned while holding the letter.

After a while, he suddenly understood and chuckled... It must have been Bai Qingyan’s doing.

Thinking of Bai Qingyan, taking advantage of the dispatched recruits to the Southern Border, he couldn’t help feeling admiring and proud at her ability to seize opportunities and steer events favorably.

Remembering the gathering at Shaohua Court, Dong Changlan had mentioned coming to Shuoyang to present gifts for Bai Qingyan’s mother, Mrs. Dong’s birthday. Xiao Rongyan felt he should also prepare.

Although there was no banquet held by the Bai family this time, the family would still celebrate Mrs. Dong’s birthday.

·

July 26 was Mrs. Dong’s birthday, and the weather was exceptionally good.

Due to mourning, the Bai family did not host a banquet but, as per Mrs. Dong’s instructions, gave the servants some money. The family gathered for a meal.

As Mrs. Dong woke up, Nanny Qin smiled and used a copper hook to draw the curtains aside. "Madam, you are awake."

"What’s happening outside?" Mrs. Dong had spent the previous night silently weeping over her husband and son, hadn’t slept well, and looked a bit weary. She pressed her temples that were throbbing with pain.

Nanny Qin noticed Mrs. Dong’s swollen eyes but didn’t mention it. She smiled and said, "Miss Bai and the Fourth Miss are busy in the small kitchen with the Fifth and Sixth Misses. They said they want to personally make you a bowl of longevity noodles. Even the cousin-in-law joined later, though it didn’t turn out well. Miss Bai invited Miss Ji over, and they’re all in the small kitchen now."

Nanny Qin knew Bai Qingyan was trying to keep Mrs. Dong from thinking about A Yu and getting sad on a day like today, so she gathered the siblings to create a lively atmosphere, allowing them some freedom in the kitchen.

Mrs. Dong felt a warm surprise. She looked outside through the window, sat by the carved copper mirror, and picked up a jade comb to brush her hair. "Prepare a cold compress for my eyes."

As Mrs. Dong finished getting ready, Bai Qingyan, along with Mrs. Cui and the three younger sisters, set up breakfast in the outer room.

Bai Jinzhi, upon seeing Mrs. Dong emerge from behind a twelve-paneled nanmu screen, smiled and greeted her. "Aunt, I wish you boundless happiness and longevity as vast as the East Sea."

"Aunt, I wish you eternal brightness and longevity as long as the Southern Mountains."

"Aunt, I wish you good health and peace!"

Mrs. Cui also stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Then I wish you, Aunt, good fortune and eternal spring!"

"Mother, have a bowl of longevity noodles!" Bai Qingyan stood by the redwood table, holding chopsticks and handing them to Mrs. Dong. "We sisters made the noodles together, one long continuous strand..."

"You all are so thoughtful!" Mrs. Dong smiled, instructing Nanny Qin to give each child a red envelope, and started eating the longevity noodles. "Everyone, sit down. You haven’t eaten breakfast yet, right? Let’s eat together."

Although noble families followed strict mealtime etiquette, today was Mrs. Dong’s birthday, and they were all family. The breakfast was lively, with Bai Jinzhi being especially spirited.

Mrs. Cui watched the scene, feeling quite envious.

The Bai family was a model of the aristocratic family, deeply rooted in tradition. Such a family... stood as an example. Even though they spoke during meals, who could say... that the Bai family lacked propriety?

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