Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 565 - 562: Believe in Me_1

Chapter 565: Chapter 562: Believe in Me_1

"Why don’t I see Changlan and Changmao? Are the two children still tidying up?" Mrs. Cui suddenly asked.

Mrs. Dong was aware of the truth behind Dong Changlan’s "death in battle." However, Dong Qingyue had not disclosed this to Mrs. Cui. While stationed outside, Dong Qingyue told others that he feared Madam Dong couldn’t bear the news of her eldest grandson’s death, so everyone should keep it from the entire Dong family.

Dong Tingyun and Dong Tingzhi had heard some rumors. In recent days, they did not dare to speak loudly, especially Dong Tingyun, who avoided getting close to Madam Dong, fearing that she might accidentally reveal the death of her eldest brother to her grandmother. If something happened to her grandmother because of this, what would she do?

Moreover, she was an illegitimate daughter. If something happened to her grandmother because of her, her father might send her to Qing Temple, never to set foot in the Dong family again.

Madam Dong also knew this was not the place to talk. She glanced back at Mrs. Cui and the naive young Mrs. Cui and said, "Men are doing proper things. Don’t ask too many questions!"

After saying this, Madam Dong signaled Dong Qingyue to reveal some details to Mrs. Cui eventually. Mrs. Cui was not strong enough to handle such news. If she assumed her son was gone and cried uncontrollably, how would Changlan bear the guilt in the future?

Dong Qingyue nodded to Madam Dong.

After escorting Madam Dong back to her courtyard, Dong Qingyue still had many tasks to attend to.

He needed to send a memorial to the Imperial Court, detailing the heavy losses in the recent Dengzhou battle and requesting tax exemptions and grain relief for the people.

In fact, Dong Changlan had already taken half of Dengzhou’s grain. This time, they intentionally left some in the city for Bai Qingyu to seize. Although Dengzhou still had some surplus grain, why not take this opportunity to seek help from the court?

Additionally, Dong Qingyue requested recognition for Bai Qingyan in his memorial. He stated that without Bai Qingyan’s proper planning, it would have been impossible to regain Dengzhou temporarily. Otherwise, the people of Dengzhou would have become refugees, causing security issues in other regions.

That night, Dong Changmao, who had led 3,000 light cavalry to pursue the retreating Nanrong soldiers, returned to the city, feigning severe injuries. He claimed that the 3,000 light cavalry had been ambushed and annihilated by Nanrong forces. In reality, Dong Changmao had handed the entire 3,000 light cavalry over to Dong Changlan.

Covered in blood, Dong Changmao was carried into the Dong Mansion under the watchful eyes of Dengzhou officials and citizens, where he was treated by the mansion’s doctors.

To make his performance convincing, Dong Changmao had inflicted many wounds on himself, fortunately avoiding any vital areas.

Dong Qingyue submitted another memorial that night. He subtly criticized and praised the Nanrong Ghost-Faced General, stating that, unlike previous Nanrong commanders, this general was deeply versed in military strategy, which the Dengzhou Army could not match.

Young Mrs. Cui, seeing Dong Changmao return home severely injured and not seeing Dong Changlan, couldn’t sit still. She came to Mrs. Cui to inquire about the situation, only to be stopped by Mrs. Cui’s personal nanny, who said that Dong Qingyue had business to discuss with Mrs. Cui.

Upon hearing this, young Mrs. Cui’s face paled, and she nearly lost her balance. Fortunately, her maid supported her: "Young Madam!"

With Dong Changmao severely injured and her father-in-law talking privately with her mother-in-law, and the maids dismissed from the room... Could it mean that something had happened to Changlan?

"Sister Rong..."

Young Mrs. Cui suddenly heard Bai Qingyan’s voice calling her. She turned to look at Bai Qingyan. After hurriedly performing a courtesy, she asked, her voice trembling, "Cousin... Changmao returned home severely injured. Father went to speak to Mother. Has something happened to Changlan? Cousin... if something happened to Changlan, you must not hide it from me!"

It wasn’t that young Mrs. Cui was overly worried, but she knew Dong Changlan too well. If Dong Changlan and Dong Changmao were attacked together, he would undoubtedly protect Dong Changmao with his life, leaving Dong Changmao the chance to escape.

Only because... he was the legitimate eldest son!

Bai Qingyan gently grasped young Mrs. Cui’s cold, trembling hand and said, "I came to tell you about this matter. Come with me..."

Upon hearing this, young Mrs. Cui felt as if the sky had collapsed. Her face turned pale, and she clutched Bai Qingyan’s hand, her feet seemingly nailed to the ground, unable to move an inch: "Did... did something really happen to Changlan?"

Seeing young Mrs. Cui in this state, Bai Qingyan ordered Chun Tao and young Mrs. Cui’s maid to step back and quietly told young Mrs. Cui, "Changlan is fine, even the injuries on Changmao are self-inflicted for a performance!"

Young Mrs. Cui looked at Bai Qingyan in confusion.

Bai Qingyan smiled at young Mrs. Cui, led her to the corridor, and helped her sit down: "You know about the court’s delayed grain rations for the Dengzhou Army. If this continues, the Dong family will end up like the Bai family! So, my uncle needs Changlan to do some things that cannot be known to outsiders and cannot be done using Changlan’s identity. To avoid suspicion, my uncle had Changlan feign death and Changmao pretend to be seriously injured."

Originally, Bai Qingyan did not agree to tell young Mrs. Cui about this. Not that she didn’t trust her, but she believed that the fewer people who knew, the safer Changlan would be.

However, her grandmother said that young Mrs. Cui could be trusted and must be informed since she was pregnant. If not told, what if something happened to the child?

Although Bai Qingyan didn’t know young Mrs. Cui well enough, she trusted her grandmother. So as soon as she heard that young Mrs. Cui was looking for Mrs. Dong, she followed to explain things herself.

"Feigned death?!" Young Mrs. Cui’s eyes widened. She stood up, trembling with emotion, seemingly disbelieving Bai Qingyan, with tears streaming down her face.

"Sister Rong, I swear on the honor of the Bai family that Changlan is safe! If there’s any falsehood in what I say today, may I die a terrible death!" Bai Qingyan held young Mrs. Cui’s hand and helped her sit down again, "Trust me!"

With Bai Qingyan’s serious vow, young Mrs. Cui had no reason not to believe her. She hurriedly wiped her tears with a handkerchief and clutched Bai Qingyan’s hand tightly, crying: "No, cousin, it’s not that I don’t believe you! I’m just scared..."

As she spoke, young Mrs. Cui cautiously glanced at her own belly, bit her lips tightly, and looked at Bai Qingyan standing under the corridor light, choking up: "I know, Father, Changlan, and you all have great responsibilities. Being a mere housewife, it’s reasonable for you and Changlan not to tell me what needs to be done. I’m not ignorant, but Changlan should have personally told me! We are husband and wife... doesn’t he trust me?"

Seeing young Mrs. Cui’s handkerchief nearly torn apart, Bai Qingyan handed her another one.