Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

If anything happens because of this handkerchief, even if the Eldest Young Lady believes her, if her reputation is ruined... she certainly cannot continue to serve by the side of the Eldest Young Lady.

But she truly... does not want to leave the Eldest Young Lady's side.

"I am aware of this matter, you don't have to worry so much, I will handle it myself!" Bai Qingyan said with a smile to Chun Zhi, "Stop shedding tears, go wash your face and freshen up, we'll be departing soon."

"Yes!" Chun Zhi wiped her tears with her sleeve, then curtsied and retreated.

Bai Qingyan's fingers gently caressed the armrest, and she turned her head to speak to Wei Zhong, "Send some people to make a fuss about finding Chun Zhi's handkerchief, saying that the handkerchief belonging to a girl might be picked up by a man, and request the finder to return it quickly!"

"Yes!" Wei Zhong responded and went out to order people to handle this matter.

Before long, Shen Qingzhu, who was preparing to depart, came over. She spoke to Bai Qingyan, "Eldest Young Lady, the Ninth Prince of Yan has sent Feng Yao over. According to Eunuch Feng, the Yan Army has already crossed the river and set out. Scouts from Quanya City saw them leave without attacking, which likely means they will lower their guard. The Ninth Prince of Yan estimated that the Eldest Young Lady would set out today as well, so he sent Feng Yao over early today. The Eldest Young Lady can ask Feng Yao anything, and he will certainly answer truthfully. Also… Feng Yao is well-versed in the Yan Kingdom's marching routes, so if the Eldest Young Lady needs to communicate something to the Yan Kingdom, she can instruct Feng Yao."

She nodded, "Have Eunuch Feng come to my carriage in a while. I do have questions to ask."

"Additionally..." Bai Qingyan looked up at Shen Qingzhu, "I wish to trouble you to follow Fourth Young Lady..."

"Eldest Young Lady, no matter what happens this time, I will never leave your side!" Shen Qingzhu said solemnly, "The Eldest Young Lady is now with child, unlike ordinary times. If you want me to follow Fourth Young Lady...neither Fourth Young Lady nor I would be at ease, especially since the Eldest Young Lady has placed Xiao Ruohai by Fourth Young Lady's side. I implore the Eldest Young Lady not to send me away..."

This is the first time Shen Qingzhu has defied Bai Qingyan's orders. The Eldest Young Lady, as the older sister, tends to care for her younger siblings and overlooks herself, which Shen Qingzhu understands. But now that the Eldest Young Lady is with child, Shen Qingzhu naturally prioritizes the Eldest Young Lady's safety in all matters.

Not to mention, Shen Qingzhu's senior brother, Xiao Ruohai, is by Fourth Young Lady's side.

Bai Qingyan gently grasped Shen Qingzhu's hand, and before she could say anything, Wei Zhong stepped in quickly, bowed, and quietly said beside Bai Qingyan, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager Yan is here to see you..."

With that, Wei Zhong handed the token proving the Empress Dowager Yan's identity to Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan took the token, glanced at it, and heard Wei Zhong continue, "Eunuch Feng, waiting outside, seemed quite surprised to see the maid outside the carriage. When I came in, Eunuch Feng was going to pay respects by the carriage."

Murong Yan's sister-in-law has arrived, so Bai Qingyan naturally intends to meet with her.

"Send someone to invite her in, along with Eunuch Feng." She rose and said, "I will come right away. Send someone to inform A Yu, if I am delayed, for him to lead the troops ahead, and I will follow shortly."

"Yes!" Wei Zhong once more acknowledged and exited.

·

The Empress Dowager Yan did not expect to encounter Feng Yao here.

She had come to Pingdu City after Murong Yan led the troops away, intending to meet Bai Qingyan. However, seeing that Feng Yao had seen her, it seemed that her visit to see Bai Qingyan could not be hidden from A Yan.

Initially, she wanted to extract some information from Feng Yao as to why he was in Pingdu City, but his lips were tightly sealed, and he refused to disclose anything.

She simply could not understand; Feng Yao had been loyal by her husband's side at all times, so after his passing, he should devote himself to protecting Ah Li. Why would he abandon his prominent position in the palace to stay by A Yan's side?

Later on... she came to understand. Feng Yao had been the most loyal eunuch by the side of her mother-in-law, Empress Ji, and naturally, he wanted to protect Empress Ji's children. He likely chose to stay by her husband's side initially because her husband was Empress Ji's offspring.

And today, seeing Feng Yao here again, did it not indicate that A Yan already valued Bai Qingyan and the child in her womb so much that he sent Feng Yao specifically to protect Bai Qingyan and her unborn child?

The more the Empress Dowager Yan thought about it, the more confused she became, almost burning herself as she picked up the hot tea sent by a servant.

"Be careful, Empress Dowager!" Ah Nu took the tea from her hands and used a cloth to wipe the Empress Dowager Yan's hands.

Seeing the woman wrapped in a white fox fur, supported by a maid with one hand and holding her garment with the other as she stepped onto the stairs, followed by a large entourage of guards and attendants, with an elderly eunuch respectfully tagging along, the Empress Dowager Yan stood up and instantly recognized Bai Qingyan.

When Bai Qingyan glanced her way, the Empress Dowager Yan's expression subtly shifted. She had heard rumors before she came that Bai Qingyan was a stunning beauty, surpassing Jin Kingdom's former renowned beauty Liu Ruofu, to the extent that even Daliang's Fourth Prince mistakenly thought Bai Qingyan was Liu Ruofu and proposed marriage without taking a concubine for life.

However, the Empress Dowager Yan had harbored skepticism. She had seen many beauties, but none as surpassingly beautiful as their Yan's top beauty, Meng Zhaorong.

Witnessing it firsthand today, she realized it was the first time she had encountered a woman as exquisitely beautiful as Bai Qingyan — possessing a tender and captivating look that could melt one's heart, yet those eyes were profoundly serene, like an unfathomable abyss. The calm and composed demeanor reminded the Empress Dowager Yan of her own husband, the former Emperor Murong Yu of the Yan Kingdom.

Having lived with Murong Yu for countless years, she was all too aware of the imperial aura hidden beneath Murong Yu's breathtaking facial features.

Yet in Bai Qingyan, beyond that aura, she also saw... a decisive and commanding presence that could not be feigned — a presence only tempered through countless battles, on the brink of life and death, which even a delicate appearance could not conceal.

The Empress Dowager Yan recalled Xiliang's King Yan's assessment of this Empress of Zhou, both beautiful and powerful. She hadn't believed it then, but upon witnessing it now, she realized such people truly exist.

"Sorry for keeping the Empress Dowager waiting..." Bai Qingyan stepped over the threshold and gave a slight nod to the Empress Dowager Yan.

The Empress Dowager Yan did not forget her purpose of this visit and softly smiled, nodding back to Bai Qingyan, "I came uninvited. I hope it hasn't affected the Emperor of Zhou's journey?"

"Not at all." After Bai Qingyan sat down, she nodded to Feng Yao, "Eunuch Feng, have a seat as well!"

The Empress Dowager Yan glanced at Feng Yao, then smiled as she spoke to Bai Qingyan, "I know the Emperor's time is precious, so I will get straight to the point. Would you mind dismissing everyone else? I have a few words to say and won't take much of the Emperor's time..."