Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 567 - 564: Mourn Moderately_1

Chapter 567: Chapter 564: Mourn Moderately_1

"King Liang once had a counselor named Du Zhiwei. This person was King Liang’s strategist. However, this person is now dead. Previously, I thought King Liang would be harmless without Du Zhiwei. Unexpectedly, King Liang tied himself with Liu Ruofu and King Xian," Bai Qingyan said to Dong Qingyue. "King Liang is now eager to claim the throne. Meanwhile, King Xin, the true son of the emperor who was demoted to a commoner, has also returned to Dadu. The Empress is also pregnant with another legitimate son. It seems the struggle for the throne in Dadu City has become... increasingly lively."

In Bai Jinxiu’s letter, she mentioned that after King Xin returned to Dadu, he remained quiet. Aside from visiting the Empress every day, he stayed in his mansion to pray for the Empress and the child in her womb... He received no visitors and made no trips outside.

Because Hidden Guards sent by the Empress protected King Xin’s mansion, Bai Jinxiu’s people could not get in. However, it was said that King Xin’s mansion resembled a Taoist Temple, filled with incense smoke day and night. The emperor even praised King Xin for becoming more sensible.

Although Bai Jinxiu did not mention how this matter influenced Dadu City in her letter, the trend in Dadu had always spread from the top down. It seemed that the practice of alchemy might become even more popular among the nobles of Dadu.

Bai Qingyan’s speculations were not wrong. Not only did the noble families of Dadu start inviting Immortal Masters to practice alchemy at their homes, but this trend was also beginning to spread in the Jin Kingdom. Ordinary wealthy families, unable to invite Immortal Masters into their homes, visited Taoist Temples to seek elixirs. All of a sudden, the Taoist Temples became overcrowded, and even the price of incense skyrocketed.

Even members of the Bai family in Shuoyang imitated this trend and went to the Taoist Temples to seek elixirs. Clan Leader Bai Qihe ordered that members of the Bai Clan were forbidden to visit the Taoist Temples for elixirs, offending many within the clan.

"Last time, the emperor asked King Liang to investigate the death of the sacred deer by poisoning. Jinxiu’s letter did not offer the results, implying King Liang still hadn’t figured it out. Yet, the emperor did not punish King Liang, which means that King Liang’s position with the emperor might be growing stronger by the day."

Bai Qingyan speculated that King Liang might have found another talented person to assist him. Although Li Mao’s eldest son, Li Mingrui, was capable and ruthless, the incident involving Li Mao’s personal letter must have made Li Mingrui cautious of King Liang. Hence, the person advising King Liang was unlikely to be Li Mingrui.

"Be cautious of King Liang, but do not waste your energy monitoring him closely. Let the Crown Prince worry about King Liang’s favor and King Xin’s return to the capital!"

As soon as Dong Qingyue finished speaking, someone reported that the Crown Prince’s convoy, escorting supplies, would arrive in Dengzhou the next day.

The Dong family was in mourning, making it inappropriate to host the Crown Prince. Therefore, his accommodation was arranged at a nearby official’s residence. Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince sent word that he specifically wanted to stay at the Dong Mansion and summoned the Princess of Zhen to greet him immediately.

Upon hearing this, Bai Qingyan did not delay. She changed her clothes and prepared to leave with the Bai Clan’s guard. Just as she stepped out, she encountered Xiao Rongyan, who had come to offer condolences.

Xiao Rongyan dismounted with the help of Yue Shi. Seeing Bai Qingyan adjust her attire, he bowed deeply to her. "Miss Bai..."

In the glaring sunlight, Xiao Rongyan’s eyes were bloodshot, and he appeared exhausted, as though he hadn’t rested well.

"Mr. Xiao!" Bai Qingyan stood with her hands behind her back and nodded slightly.

"Is Miss Bai going out?" Xiao Rongyan’s gaze fell on Bai Qingyan’s ear as he spoke, his expression tensing. "Are you injured?"

"It’s just a minor wound, nothing serious." Bai Qingyan smiled. "The Crown Prince is coming to Dengzhou and has called for me to greet him. Please, Mr. Xiao, make yourself comfortable..."

"Miss Bai, might I trouble you to wait a moment? I wish to offer incense for Brother Changlan and then accompany you to greet the Crown Prince," Xiao Rongyan said, bowing again. "There are matters I need to discuss with you on the way."

Bai Qingyan assumed the Crown Prince knew Xiao Rongyan was in Dengzhou and also invited him to greet him, so she nodded. "No rush."

Xiao Rongyan went inside to offer incense for Dong Changlan and exchanged a few words with Dong Qingyue before coming out of the Dong Mansion.

Seeing Bai Qingyan mount her horse, Xiao Rongyan commanded Yue Shi to bring his horse over. Abandoning the carriage, he rode with Bai Qingyan at a leisurely pace.

"Is the injury on your ear serious?"

"How is Princess Mingcheng?"

Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan spoke simultaneously.

Yesterday, before the people of Dengzhou returned to the city, General Pei of Yan had already left with Princess Mingcheng and the doctor from Jin Kingdom, heading back to Yan Kingdom without entering the city.

"This is just a scratch, nothing serious. But I do wonder about Princess Mingcheng’s condition," Bai Qingyan inquired.

Xiao Rongyan’s grip tightened on the reins, his voice hoarse. "Yesterday, Mingcheng passed away... Xie Xun rode hard to see her one last time. It is said that when Xie Xun arrived, Mingcheng awakened briefly and asked Xie Xun to forget her."

Upon returning, Xiao Rongyan’s men reported that Princess Mingcheng had told Xie Xun that a girl in Yan loved him as she did. She had entrusted Xie Xun to this girl before her passing, hoping he would marry her and live a good life.

After saying this, Princess Mingcheng died in Xie Xun’s arms. With his health already weakened by illness, Xie Xun fell into further despair.

Bai Qingyan remained silent for a moment. Princess Mingcheng’s marriage for the sake of the state was an act of nobility. Bai Qingyan had intended to save such a woman.

Bai Qingyan turned to Xiao Rongyan, whose sharp features were highlighted in the light. "My condolences..."

"Regarding Brother Changlan’s passing, Miss Bai... please accept my condolences as well," Xiao Rongyan vaguely suspected the truth behind Dong Changlan’s death. Still, since the Dong family had held a funeral, some matters were best left unsaid.

The two rode in silence until they met the Crown Prince at Fenping staging post before sunset that day.

The Crown Prince was somewhat surprised to hear Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan had arrived together. He then chuckled softly and took a tea cup from a maid, instructing Quan Yu to invite them in.

Quan Yu smiled and came out to greet Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan, noticing the bandage on Bai Qingyan’s ear with a start. "Princess of Zhen, are you injured?"

"It’s nothing, just a minor wound." Bai Qingyan smiled.

Quan Yu nodded in relief before bowing and gesturing for them to enter. "Please, Princess and Mr. Xiao. His Highness is waiting inside."

When Bai Qingyan entered, the Crown Prince was seated, having his shoulders massaged by a maid.

The Crown Prince, considering Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan as his confidants, did not put down his tea cup or send the maid away. Instead, he waved them to sit while continuing to sip his tea. "This journey has nearly exhausted me to death. It was even more grueling than a hurried march in southern Jiang."

This journey had been so rough that the Crown Prince had vomited bile from the jostling of the carriage.

In just over ten days, the Crown Prince had visibly lost weight.

As soon as Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan sat down, Quan Yu instructed someone to serve tea. For Bai Qingyan, they prepared red date and goji tea to replenish her blood and energy.