Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

He remained expressionless, but his heart was filled with an indescribable warmth as he looked up at Bai Qingyan and nodded, "What the Emperor of Zhou said is very true!"

After sending Murong Yan and the generals from the Yan Kingdom out of the residence, Bai Qingyu stuffed a hand warmer into Bai Qingyan's hand. Shen Qingzhu then presented a fine white mink fur muff: "Even though Pingdu City isn't far from Pingyang City, it's much colder. It would be good for the Eldest Young Lady to bring a muff."

She smiled and did as instructed, hiding her hand warmer and hands inside the muff, and walked back.

The luxurious mansion, symbolizing wealth and exquisite craftsmanship, was covered by snow, with bamboo blinds lined with cotton hanging on both sides of the corridor, and hexagonal lamps made of sheepskin swaying in the wind, not yet lit.

Bai Qingyu, dressed in a frost-colored gown with swirling cloud patterns at the edges, walked alongside Bai Qingyan, accompanying her slowly through the winding corridor.

He asked Bai Qingyan, "Why did Sister allocate most of the giant elephants to the Yan Kingdom? Considering this battle's outcome… even if you are taking care of the Yan Kingdom, an even split would already be quite generous. Giving most of them to the Yan Kingdom makes many of our Zhou soldiers uncomfortable; otherwise, there wouldn't be unrest outside the city!"

"I understand…" Bai Qingyan smiled and nodded.

"Fifth Brother! Although we gave most of the giant elephants to the Yan Kingdom, Eldest Young Lady said it could allow for better cooperation between the two nations!" Bai Jinzhi recounted the follow-up of the disturbance outside the city caused by An Qingshan and Wang Dagou to Bai Qingyu in a vivid manner.

Bai Qingyu thought for a moment, and his mind cleared. He looked at Bai Qingyan: "Is Sister trying to… win the hearts of the Yan Army?"

"Yes, it is to win the hearts of the Yan Army!" Bai Qingyan nodded, "Human nature is insatiable. Even with fair distribution, people feel shortchanged. If they think it's fair, then the other side must have suffered a loss! Since we aim for long-term cooperation, we shouldn't be petty. By being more generous, our two countries can collaborate better in the future, win the upcoming wars, and drive the Tianfeng Kingdom back to the Tianshan! More importantly… for the future when the two countries unite into one, the most challenging part isn't the court officials and noble families, as they always follow the prevailing winds…"

Bai Qingyu noticed stairs ahead, lifted the hem of his robe, and extended his hand to support his sister's arm.

The gloomy sky began to snow again, with snowflakes falling on the stone platform of the corridor, where a dwarf pine bonsai was placed.

Outside the corridor, the snow fell in small, pear blossom-like flakes. From afar, Bai Qingyan, Bai Qingyu, and Bai Jinzhi walked in front, with Shen Qingzhu and Wei Zhong, along with a group of eunuchs, leisurely following ten paces behind, showing a degree of leisure.

After ascending the steps, Bai Qingyan continued speaking to Bai Qingyu, "Being a military man, you surely understand the military's hard and unwavering nature… bending without breaking. The real headache in merging two countries is often the military. If dissatisfaction arises among the troops, combined with the actions of individuals with status and familial connections seizing opportunities to stir up trouble, it would cause unnecessary trouble! But if the Yan Kingdom's soldiers remember the benevolence and righteousness of Zhou, perhaps further conflict causing people to suffer can be avoided."

Bai Qingyu nodded, finally understanding Bai Qingyan's intentions: "I understand Sister's meaning."

Bai Jinzhi also came to a sudden realization: "So that's the deeper meaning behind Eldest Young Lady's actions!"

"Little Fourth, this matter has not been settled yet, and it must not be disclosed." Bai Qingyu cautioned Bai Jinzhi.

Bai Jinzhi nodded in assurance, "Don't worry, Fifth Brother, I know what's important."

Bai Qingyu believed if his sister's led Zhou competes with Yan in state affairs, Zhou would surely prevail, so in his mind, Yan Army's future integration into Zhou was inevitable. If this were so… treating them well now was only right.

"Moreover, I noticed An Qingshan outside the city today. He seems decent, and by building rapport with that Yan Kingdom's young general named Wang Dagou through conflict, you could bring An Qingshan under your wing, and future interactions with the Yan Army could be entrusted to him." Bai Qingyan advised.

"Alright, I'll handle this matter, Sister need not worry!" Bai Qingyu said after Bai Qingyan's words, "Sister, after New Year's Eve, you should return to Dadu City! The imperial examination will take place in late February or early March, and Sister needs to preside over the palace examination, and according to the timeline… you will give birth by April or May! Staying on the battlefield would worry Mother and Aunties, and the officials likely would not be at ease either!"

"Yes, Eldest Young Lady! With Fifth Brother and me here, and Second Sister on her way…" Bai Jinzhi suddenly recalled Bai Qingyan's previous order to send Ren Shijie back to the Yan Kingdom and realizing that she forgot about it, she stopped in her tracks, face turning apologetic toward Bai Qingyan and said, "Eldest Young Lady, I forgot your order to send Ren Shijie back to the Yan Kingdom…"

Bai Qingyan: "…"

Seeing her sister's expression, Bai Jinzhi frowned and said, "It's not my fault! Ren Shijie is still here because the Yan Kingdom didn't bring it up. If the Yan Kingdom doesn't care, and with me being so busy every day, it slipped my mind…"

Bai Jinzhi's once confident tone diminished under her sister's gaze, eventually dwindling, looking timidly at her sister.

"Go now before the Yan Kingdom's people get too far, and send him back! Let Ren Shijie go home and have a good New Year." Bai Qingyan advised.

Bai Jinzhi quickly accepted the task and went to fetch the person.

"Catch up quickly and come back soon; tonight is New Year's Eve, and we'll have dumplings together!" Bai Qingyu called after Bai Jinzhi's retreating figure.

"Got it!"

Shen Qingzhu looked at Bai Jinzhi with some concern, and after offering a bow to Bai Qingyan, said, "Eldest Young Lady, I'll accompany Fourth Sister!"

"Sure, I'll be more at ease with you accompanying her!" Bai Qingyan nodded.

Watching Bai Jinzhi leave in a rush, she then heard Bai Qingyu say that the Huotou Army had tried making dumplings with elephant meat, and they tasted good. Since everyone was spending New Year's Eve away from home, Bai Qingyan wanted to have dumplings with the soldiers, just like her grandfather and father, and celebrate the festival together.

Bai Qingyu smiled and nodded, "As Sister wishes!"

·

Lu Yuanpeng and his group, having just entered the city, saw Bai Jinzhi riding swiftly toward the city gates, shouting for people to make way, and the soldiers entering the city quickly cleared a path at the entrance…

Lu Yuanpeng, seeing it was Bai Jinzhi, put down the snow-wrapped handkerchief from his eyes and shouted, "Bai Jinzhi, what's got you in such a hurry?"

The soldiers accompanying Lu Yuanpeng gasped, not understanding how their general was so bold as to call the Lord of Gaoyi by her first name; after all, she was the emperor's sister!

At the sound of this, Bai Jinzhi reined in her horse and turned back, seeing Lu Yuanpeng's swollen eyes like walnuts, she smiled and said, "Going to send someone back to the Yan Kingdom! Are you okay? If you're alright, come with me…"