Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 394

Chapter 394: Chapter 391: Can_1

It might have been due to years of labor, but Zeng Shanru’s physique appeared robust, his skin tanned, and his demeanor very steady.

Zeng Shanru solemnly bowed to Bai Qingyan, standing aside with lowered eyebrows, not daring to look directly at her.

"Bringing you from the estate to my side has been wronging you," Bai Qingyan said gently.

"Serving the Commandery Princess is my duty," Zeng Shanru responded steadily.

Bai Qingyan nodded. "These days, the Bai family is going through turbulent times. Indeed, it’s a time when we need capable people. I am short of hands."

Zeng Shanru clasped his fists. "Commandery Princess, your orders are my duty, even unto death."

"These days, you will accompany Nanny Tong. When we return to Shuoyang, first stay by Steward Liu’s side to get familiar with things. Steward Liu is an elder I trust greatly, but he is old, and many affairs will need to be handed over to trustworthy people in the future. Do you understand what I mean?"

Zeng Shanru’s heart trembled. To be handed over to trustworthy people? These words meant that the young lady did not treat him as an outsider.

Zeng Shanru lifted the hem of his garment, knelt, and kowtowed. "Since the Commandery Princess does not treat me as an outsider, I will certainly not disappoint you. I will be loyal to you all my life. Should I have a divided heart, let me die a dreadful death, condemned by both humans and gods."

A perceptive person indeed.

Bai Qingyan nodded and said, "Get up! From now on, call me young lady. I’m used to it."

"Yes, young lady!" Zeng Shanru agreed.

Bai Qingyan had heard Xiao Ruohai mention Zeng Shanru once or twice. During the time Xiao Ruohai and Xiao Ruojiang returned to the estate to recuperate, they seemed to have interacted with Zeng Shanru. It was said that he didn’t talk much but was reliable in his work. _{freeweɓnovel.cøm}

However, whether Zeng Shanru could take over Steward Liu’s interactions with Xiao Rongyan’s people and manage the mines and weapon crafting matters still needed to be determined after Steward Liu had met him.

The survival of the Bai Clan was at stake. Even though Zeng Shanru was Nanny Tong’s son, Bai Qingyan remained cautious.

Chun Tao, who was guarding by the rockery pavilion, spoke a few words with the maid who came to report from the Qinghui Courtyard, watching the maid leave. Then she hastily lifted her skirt hem and hurried over, saluting, "Young lady, Miss Lu has returned to the mansion. She is waiting for you in the Qinghui Courtyard to talk."

"I understand!" Bai Qingyan responded, her gaze falling on Zeng Shanru. "Go find Steward Liu. I have already sent someone to inform him."

"I understand."

Bai Qingyan got up, holding Chun Tao’s hand, and walked to the Qinghui Courtyard.

Lu Ninghuan sat restlessly in the side hall, drinking tea. Only when she saw Bai Qingyan entering did she calm down, standing up to salute, "Young lady."

"Aunt..." Bai Qingyan returned the salute, "Have you seen grandmother after returning from the palace?"

Bai Qingyan pressed her lips together and said softly, "Even if Aunt Suqiu stood before the emperor, he would not give up on immortality for her. Our Jin Kingdom’s emperor... cares about only himself the most."

Even before Lu Ninghuan appeared, the emperor was already pampering Lady Qiu to the point where he listened to her every word. However, that was under the premise that it did not involve his interests.

Lu Ninghuan gritted her teeth: "Is there really no way?"

"There is, but that depends on Ji Langhua..." Bai Qingyan looked solemnly at Lu Ninghuan, "If Ji Langhua sees the emperor and tells him that the elixir was obtained by spending everything she had from someone else rather than being self-made, once the elixir is tested and found useless, she would simply be dismissed as someone who was deceived herself. However, if Ji Langhua wishes to stay by the emperor’s side, she surely will be able to."

If Ji Langhua proved to the emperor that she could make the elixir herself, the emperor would surely test it. If the elixir proved useless, she couldn’t escape the crime of deception; it meant death.

But if the emperor tested it and it worked, he would regard Ji Langhua as most valuable. To leave the palace, she could only do so if... the emperor was already dead before the elixir was made.

Alternatively... she could die with the emperor.

"Young lady, what if I say it was I who provided the elixir? I could..."

"Aunt! You are overthinking this!" Bai Qingyan cut Lu Ninghuan off with a calm look. "Instead of us expending energy trying to find a way here, Aunt should persuade Ji Langhua to abandon the thought of staying by the emperor’s side."

Lu Ninghuan’s tears almost spilled. She clutched the clothing at her chest, biting her lip to stifle her sobs. It was because she knew Ji Langhua couldn’t be persuaded that she came to the young lady for help...

Bai Qingyan deeply understood that Lu Ninghuan, wanting to protect Ji Langhua yet feeling powerless, must be feeling an immense sorrow.