Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 321

Chapter 321: Chapter 318: How Dare to Be Distracted_1

Xiao Rongyan’s gaze at Bai Qingyan this time was different from last time in Wanping. It was filled with probing and uncertainty.

His overly intense gaze seemed to indicate that he was determined to have Bai Qingyan, regardless of whether she favored him or not.

Since the paper window had already been pierced, Bai Qingyan took the opportunity to speak openly.

"Mr. Xiao, I understood what you said on the boat last time." She placed Xiao Rongyan’s jade cicada on the stone table and said calmly, "But neither of us is suited for romance."

"I have my mother, aunts, and sisters to protect behind me. You have the Yan Kingdom, which needs to be rebuilt. I need to protect the honor of the Bai family. You need to restore the glory of the Yan Kingdom as it was during Empress Ji’s time, and even aim to rule the world."

The smile in Xiao Rongyan’s eyes gradually faded as he deeply gazed at the woman whose delicate features were cold and indifferent under the bright moonlight.

"I struggle to take a step forward in the Jin Kingdom, just as the Yan Kingdom stumbles among the nations," Bai Qingyan’s voice was very light. "The road ahead is difficult. We are both walking on thin ice. How dare we be distracted? How can we afford the weight of love?"

Xiao Rongyan’s gaze fell on the jade cicada. He took two steps forward, picked up the jade cicada with his clearly defined fingers, and looked up at Bai Qingyan, who was only a step away from him. "So, you’re afraid to have feelings?"

Bai Qingyan looked at Xiao Rongyan’s deep eye sockets under his high brow bones. Her hand at her side clenched slightly as she honestly replied, "The Bai family’s future is uncertain and precarious. I dare not have feelings."

Xiao Rongyan grasped the jade cicada. This step nearly brought him directly in front of her. As Bai Qingyan tried to retreat, Xiao Rongyan grabbed her wrist.

He pulled her to him, staring deeply into her eyes, and lowered his voice to ask, "Bai Qingyan, as long as you don’t hate me, I have a chance. I said before... our future is long!"

Bai Qingyan’s long eyelashes trembled slightly. Xiao Rongyan’s hand again stuffed the jade cicada into her palm.

She wanted to refuse, but Xiao Rongyan tightly grasped her hand. "Consider it a charm for peace. Keep it with you for protection. My mother’s life... very few people could understand. You are considered her confidant."

After speaking, Xiao Rongyan smiled slightly at Bai Qingyan. "Rest well. If you need anything from me, just let me know."

Watching Xiao Rongyan leave the simple yet elegant courtyard, Bai Qingyan looked down at the jade cicada in her hand, glowing with a cool luster under the moonlight.

How could Xiao Rongyan understand? Her heart had long since abandoned girlish affections.

In her heart was the tragic state of the Bai family from the past life—the fate of her blood relatives. Whenever she closed her eyes, she saw the bloodied bodies of the Bai family members.

Her greatest wish in this life was to protect the Bai family, uphold her grandfather’s legacy, and never leave any room for romance.

Steward Liu, who had been waiting at the courtyard gate, immediately came in after Xiao Rongyan left. "Eldest Young Lady..."

Bai Qingyan placed the jade cicada into her pouch and said to Steward Liu, "Tomorrow morning, I’ll take Jinzhi back to the clan. Uncle Liu, please find a way to involve more people from the clan in the Tianxiang Tower affair!"

She turned to look at Steward Liu. "Also, find a way to let the local officials know that I returned to Shuoyang but did not stay at the Bai family’s ancestral home by tomorrow morning."

Since the world knew that the Princess of Zhen, Bai Qingyan, was already allied with the Crown Prince, she would borrow the Crown Prince’s prestige. Would the local officials not rush to curry favor with her, knowing that this close confidant of the Crown Prince had returned to Shuoyang?

Magistrate Zhou hurried forward with a flattering and slick smile, kneeling to show utmost respect. "This official pays respect to the Commandery Princess and the County Lord."

Bai Qingyan didn’t put on airs at all. "Both lords, you’re too kind."

Bai Jinzhi stood behind Bai Qingyan, raised her eyebrows without saying a word, displaying a young man’s arrogance.

"Why did the Commandery Princess and the County Lord return to Shuoyang early? The information I received stated you would return on the first of May!" The Governor asked with a smile.

"Yes, why didn’t the Commandery Princess and the County Lord notify us? During the Bai clan leader’s birthday banquet, I discussed with the clan leader about arranging a welcome banquet for you when you returned to Shuoyang!" Magistrate Zhou, not to be outdone, quickly emphasized his closer relationship with the Bai clan.

Bai Jinzhi sneered. "Counting on that old coot to welcome my eldest sister... he probably wants to anger her to death!"

"Jinzhi!" Bai Qingyan admonished Bai Jinzhi in a low voice, glancing at Magistrate Zhou with a sigh, an expression of helplessness. "Jinzhi and I just returned to handle some clan matters. If everything goes smoothly, we’ll leave by noon. We didn’t want to disturb the two lords."

Old coot? Magistrate Zhou’s eyelids twitched, and his heart skipped a beat.

Listening to Lord of Gaoyi’s tone about the clan leader and hearing the Princess of Zhen mention returning to handle clan matters...

Magistrate Zhou felt something was off.

"Is there anything this official can help with?" The Governor asked Bai Qingyan calmly and unhurriedly.

"Family scandals shouldn’t be exposed. We don’t need to trouble the lords..." Bai Qingyan forced a smile. "If it really gets to the point where we need your help, I will inform both lords."