Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 521 - 518: Leaving the City_1

Chapter 521: Chapter 518: Leaving the City_1

Bai Qingyan burned Xiao Rongyan’s letter. She roughly guessed that Xiao Rongyan went to Rong to deliver food to the Yan troops stationed there.

After all, winter was approaching soon. Although Beirong might provide food for the Yan soldiers, Xiao Rongyan, being cautious, would certainly make comprehensive preparations to avoid any food shortages for the Yan army.

Watching the blue flames gradually consume the letter, she couldn’t help but think of Dengzhou. She wondered if she should visit Dengzhou herself to have a heartfelt conversation with her uncle. With his wisdom, if he knew how corrupt the Imperial Family was and saw signs of the nation’s decline, he would surely plan ahead to protect the people of Dengzhou in these chaotic times.

That day, she didn’t speak clearly with Dong Changlan because relaying messages through someone else could lead to miscommunication.

But she couldn’t easily leave Shuoyang. As soon as she left, someone would immediately report her whereabouts to Dadu City.

Looking at the letter now turned to ashes, Bai Qingyan pondered carefully.

Next month was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Perhaps she could discuss with her mother using the pretext of sending festival gifts to her grandmother and uncle in Dengzhou, or even bringing her grandmother to Shuoyang for a short stay. She would make a trip to Dengzhou.

Before heading to Dengzhou, she could send a message to the Crown Prince, telling him that to avoid any urgent messages about Shuoyang being missed while she wasn’t there, he should instead send any urgent messages directly to Dengzhou. This would be more reasonable.

That evening, during dinner with Mrs. Dong, Bai Qingyan mentioned wanting to go to Dengzhou to deliver Mid-Autumn Festival gifts and to bring her grandmother Madam Dong to stay with them for a while.

Dong Tingzhen was quite surprised. "Didn’t aunt already send the Mid-Autumn gifts with Brother Changlan when he left? Is cousin worried about the Beirong autumn raid?"

Dong Tingzhen, being intelligent and having been learned from the King Liang affair, now regarded Bai Qingyan as her sister and spoke candidly in front of Mrs. Dong and Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan nodded and said to Mrs. Dong, "I didn’t explain things thoroughly to Changlan that day. I’m afraid relaying messages might cause problems. The best way is to go myself."

"You just returned from the Northern Frontier and now you are thinking of leaving again..." Mrs. Dong frowned deeply, clearly displeased.

"The Northern Frontier is a battlefield, Dengzhou is my maternal home. How can they be the same?" Bai Qingyan said with a smile, placing a piece of bamboo shoot on Mrs. Dong’s plate.

Dong Tingzhen tightened her grip on her chopsticks. "When Brother Changlan left that day, many people saw the convoy was full. Cousin, why not say... I am throwing a tantrum and that you are taking me to Dengzhou! Or... saying that I had a quarrel with Xiaosi would also do!"

"Sisters quarrel? What would happen to your reputation if that spread!" Mrs. Dong disapproved.

Dong Tingzhen thought for a moment and then raised her eyes, "Then, we could say that my cousin is sending me to Dengzhou because I dreamed of my grandmother and miss her..."

"Tingzhen, you shouldn’t go. I will ride there swiftly. The journey is too bumpy for you to endure." Bai Qingyan decided, "You stay in Shuoyang and keep mother company. I will bring our grandmother back quickly."

"Will you take Xiaosi this time?" Mrs. Dong knew her daughter’s nature; once she made up her mind, no one could stop her. "Take Lu Ping and Steward Liu as well!"

"I won’t take Xiaosi this time. I’ll take Uncle Ping and Qingzhu instead!" Bai Qingyan thought for a moment, deciding to leave Steward Liu for Bai Jinzhi.

Mrs. Dong sighed heavily, then nodded, "Go ahead!"

"Mother..." Bai Qingyan held Mrs. Dong’s hand and smiled at her, "This year, Beirong will definitely come to raid. Dengzhou will not be stable. I really plan to bring our grandmother here to stay for a while. What do you think?"

"When you get to Dengzhou, ask your grandmother if she’s willing to come," Mrs. Dong said.

With the decision made, Bai Qingyan let the word out that she was going to Dengzhou on behalf of her mother to bring Madam Dong to Shuoyang for a stay. She also sent someone to Dadu to inform the Crown Prince so that if there were any urgent matters, he could send messages directly to Dengzhou to avoid wasting time.

On the way, Bai Qingyan wanted to meet Ji Tingyu to ask if training new soldiers according to her method of training her female guards had shown any results.

Early the next morning, before the sky had fully brightened, a light drizzle like mist enveloped Shuoyang City. The air carried a subtle coolness.

The drizzling rain silently cleaned the high eaves and tiles, making them shine dark green. In the Bai family courtyard, the trees stood lush, their leaves decorated with beads of water, almost falling. The intricate paintings on the beams and the nine-turn corridors were veiled with moisture. The wind brought faint ringing from the bells.

As usual, after her morning exercise, Bai Qingyan took a bath and asked Chun Tao to help change her into a practical outfit.

"Are you going out, Miss?" Chun Tao knelt to fasten the iron sandbag on Bai Qingyan, "It’s raining outside. Though it’s not heavy, it’s still quite cold in the morning."

"Bring a cloak. I’ll ride around the city and check the training ground. I’ll be back soon." Bai Qingyan adjusted her sleeve and thought for a moment, then took out a jade hairpin carved with a wild goose from a box and inserted it into her hair. She then left Boyun Courtyard.

When Bai Qingyan stepped out of the main gate of the Bai Mansion, Lu Ping was already there holding a horse. Seeing Bai Qingyan, he bowed.

Bai Qingyan took the black gold whip handed to her by a servant, walked down the high steps with her cloak on, and asked, "Are you waiting here for something, Uncle Ping?"

"Ji Tingyu sent a message..." Ji Tingyu’s voice was very low, "It seems that the bandits you drove away the other day went to seek refuge with Ji Tingyu. Ji Tingyu’s suggestion is to take them in. If you want to eradicate the bandits again, you’ll need another opportunity."

Bai Qingyan nodded, mounted her horse, "Got it."

With that, she urged her horse forward.

She had just ridden out of the alley when she heard the urgent sound of bells and hoofbeats approaching. Seeing a figure emerge from the rainy mist, Bai Qingyan quickly reined in her horse, the sudden movement making her steed turn in place.

Coming through the thin rain mist was Xiao Rongyan, who looked equally surprised to see Bai Qingyan. He pulled the reins to stop his horse.

Their eyes met. Xiao Rongyan noticed Bai Qingyan’s attire and realized she was leaving the city to see him off. A restrained smile appeared in his deep eyes. He gently nudged his horse forward until he was next to Bai Qingyan.

Their black and white horses faced each other, seemingly curious, stepping closer and sniffing each other before suddenly snorting and retreating.

Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan quickly pulled the reins, bringing the horses under control. They were now standing very close, nearly shoulder to shoulder.

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