Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 401

Chapter 401: Chapter 398: Older Sister_1

The last time Bai Qingyan returned to Shuoyang, she had spent a night at Boyun Courtyard and didn’t find anything dissatisfactory.

Chun Tao placed Bai Qingyan’s favored blue-and-white lotus-patterned tea set on the round table. Looking back, she saw her mistress leaning on the pair of yellow longevity pillows and reading a book. Chun Tao lifted the bamboo curtain and instructed the servants cleaning the courtyard to lower their voices.

Nanny Tong stepped into Boyun Courtyard, hurriedly entered the main room, and saluted Bai Qingyan. "First Miss, he has arrived..."

Nanny Tong referred to Bai Qingping.

She put down the book in her hand. "I will go to see him."

"This old servant will assist you in changing clothes." Nanny Tong turned to fetch some garments.

"No need, like this is fine..." She said.

Bai Qingping sat in the main hall, feeling quite restless. He didn’t know why Bai Qingyan called him alone but understood that perhaps it was because he had settled the mute lady out of guilt, showing that he still retained some goodness compared to other members of the Bai Clan.

Yet, he hadn’t done anything deserving praise, only what a regular person should do.

Understanding this, Bai Qingping felt even more uneasy inside, knowing how disappointed Bai Qingyan was with the Bai Clan.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Bai Qingyan, neatly dressed, step through the door. Slightly startled, Bai Qingping hurriedly stood up and saluted her. "Greetings, Commandery Princess."

Today’s Bai Qingyan was unlike what he had seen before. The last time she returned with her Commandery Princess carriage, splendidly dressed, entering and exiting supported by maids like the noble ladies of Dadu City. Perhaps because Bai Qingyan had ventured the battlefield, her commanding and intimidating aura made him think that was the real Bai Qingyan.

But now, dressed in the simplest and neatest attire, Bai Qingyan truly showed what a commanding presence was. Her calm demeanor still instilled fear in one’s heart.

"No need for formalities, sit..."

Seeing Bai Qingyan stride to the main seat, Bai Qingping nervously clutched his clothing and sat down.

"Regarding the training of troops and eradicating bandits, the Crown Prince and His Majesty are aware and will have the local officials assist the Bai clan in completing it. What are your thoughts on recruiting people?"

A maid served tea lightly and carefully on a black lacquered square tray with gold detailing, then quickly retreated.

"I dare not deceive the Commandery Princess. As for training troops and recruiting, the Bai Clan believes it would be led by you, awaiting your orders." Bai Qingping replied a bit nervously.

"I’m not asking about the Bai Clan, what are your thoughts?"

Bai Qingping raised his head, meeting Bai Qingyan’s deep and calm eyes. "Do you mean this task is for me to handle? But I am still young, what if I fail..."

"In Dadu, boys from the Bai family as young as ten already head to the battlefield. Are you still young?" Bai Qingyan’s tone was measured.

After sending off Bai Qingping, she remained seated, not standing up for a long time.

As the sky darkened, maids came in single file, lighting fifteen-headed brass lotus lamps on either side of the hall with soft movements.

The hall gradually brightened. Chun Tao walked into the main hall, whispering in Bai Qingyan’s ear. "First Miss, Nanny Qin asks you to join Madam for dinner."

Bai Qingyan returned to reality, slowly standing up with Chun Tao’s help.

Stepping out of the main hall, six-cornered lanterns along the gallery were already lit. The warm, yellow light shone on the bluestone floor and red lacquered pillars. The bamboo curtains had been lowered, isolating the bugs amidst willows and locust trees from the gallery.

Following the gallery to her mother’s courtyard, the sound of wind chimes echoed, much like her unstoppable yearning for A Yu.

A Yu still owed her the most beautiful pigeon blood stone in the world.

She always held onto a flicker of hope that A Yu wasn’t dead. Like Ah Jue and A Yun, he might just be trapped somewhere, or perhaps saved by a kind stranger.

She knew her mother missed A Yu too. They both avoided the topic, fearing to sadden each other.

Mrs. Dong had Nanny Qin prepare Bai Qingyan’s favorite simple dishes and discussed the banquet on the sixth of May over dinner.

"Earlier, Mrs. Fang, the clan leader’s wife, sent a message saying that since the Bai family of Dadu had just returned to Shuoyang and might need assistance with social relations, she would be ready to help." Mrs. Dong placed a piece of honey steamed ham on Bai Qingyan’s plate, then sipped her chicken silk porridge. "This Mrs. Fang... probably isn’t an easy person. She seems to want to use the Bai family of Dadu to boost her own standing."