Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

Hearing the side hall door slowly open, Mrs. Dong and Doctor Hong turned around to see Xiao Rongyan nervously supporting Bai Qingyan as they walked out. Mrs. Dong immediately retracted her peaceful and respectful demeanor she had when discussing external statements with Doctor Hong earlier and looked sternly towards Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan.

Xiao Rongyan saw Mrs. Dong release Bai Qingyan, then knelt and bowed to Mrs. Dong once more, saying, "Mother, A Yan and Kid have reached an agreement. Externally, we will say... Xiao Rongyan is gravely ill and has not long to live, Kid, out of deep affection, is willing to marry Xiao Rongyan. This provides a reasonable explanation for the hasty marriage. As for the severe illness, A Yan will handle it properly to ensure Kid's reputation is not tarnished in the slightest. Tonight, Xiao Rongyan will fall seriously ill, and Doctor Huang will be asked to personally diagnose, confirming the shortness of life."

Upon hearing Xiao Rongyan's words, Mrs. Dong finally breathed a true sigh of relief. After all, Kid is the Empress... a grand marriage is not so simple, with complex procedures. She was indeed very worried. If Xiao Rongyan's illness required simplification, the hasty arrangements would make sense.

Moreover, if Xiao Rongyan is gravely ill and Kid is still willing to marry him, it would be beneficial to Kid's reputation.

Mrs. Dong sighed again, looking at her daughter who was smiling brightly at her, feeling so angry she wanted to hit her daughter twice hard, but since this was outside the main hall, she couldn't really lay a hand on her.

Mrs. Dong cleared her throat and said coldly, "If so, then go back and prepare. Do not make any mistakes."

Xiao Rongyan bowed to Mrs. Dong, "Thank you, Mother!"

"Hurry and go..." Mrs. Dong urged, as if she didn't want to see Xiao Rongyan any longer.

"A Yan, take my leave!" Xiao Rongyan stood up and bowed respectfully again, then took a deep look at Bai Qingyan before leaving.

"Wei Zhong!" Mrs. Dong suddenly reacted and loudly called out to Wei Zhong in the distance, "Quickly stop the ones going to invite Minister Dong and the Chief of Staff Liu!"

Wei Zhong was about to leave when Bai Qingyan signaled him not to hurry.

"Mother! I think it's unnecessary; we can invite Uncle and Minister Liu to discuss together. Mother is naturally concerned about my marriage. Using this time when Kid is exhausted... Mother thinks that once Kid is married, she can be distracted and rest well. Let Uncle and Minister Liu come up with a plan. Who would expect Xiao Rongyan to suddenly fall gravely ill... then it won't seem deliberate." Bai Qingyan said.

She held Mrs. Dong's arm: "Although deceiving even Uncle and Minister Liu makes Kid feel guilty, recalling them now, followed by Xiao Rongyan's serious illness, would be too obvious. Smart people... or even those with ulterior motives, might see through it. Moreover... Mother needs a proper reason to have Doctor Hong by Kid's side. Kid thinks... with Xiao Rongyan's passing, Mother's concern for Kid's health is a good reason."

"Now you're clear-headed!" Mrs. Dong still felt displeased.

"Mother, Kid truly knows her mistake! Today you enlightened Kid, in the future... Kid will be sure to speak and act with caution!" Bai Qingyan stepped back, performing a deep bow towards Mrs. Dong.

Seeing her daughter like this, Mrs. Dong's anger subsided significantly. She helped her daughter up, holding her hand as they walked towards the main hall, saying, "However, you are carrying twins now. No matter how busy the national affairs, you must rest well..."

Beneath the neatly swaying hexagonal palace lanterns in the breeze, under the flickering light, Bai Qingyan held her mother's arm, walking with her towards the main hall, listening to her mother's gentle admonitions, her eyes slightly moist.

The yellow light of the palace lanterns reminded Mrs. Dong of her first pregnancy, of her husband...

On countless nights, Bai Qishan tossed and turned restlessly, secretly wiping tears, regretting having let his daughter accompany him to the battlefield, failing to protect her, thus preventing her from ever having children. Though this child came at an inopportune time, Mrs. Dong couldn't help but think how joyous her husband would be to know that Kid was pregnant.

On that day, Dong Qingping and Liu Rushi were invited into the palace to sit below Bai Qingyan and Mrs. Dong, listening to Mrs. Dong mention Bai Qingyan's grand wedding plans. This truly relieved Dong Qingping and Liu Rushi.

As they exited the main hall, Liu Rushi smiled and said to Dong Qingping, "Minister has been working hard these days!"

Dong Qingping knew Liu Rushi was referring to his efforts in finding portraits of talented young men and managing Bai Qingyan's marriage, saying, "Now that the Empress has ascended the throne, many people are hoping for her marriage and for the early birth of an heir."

"An heir..." Liu Rushi clenched his fist, the cool breeze brushing across his face, his disheveled hair flying, whispering, "But after all, the Empress is a woman; historically, childbirth is a step into the underworld. This minister... inevitably worries."

Since Bai Qingyan ascended the throne, Liu Rushi had witnessed a clear government, noticed Bai Qingyan's diligence, and admired her boldness in delegating new policies. Encountering such a candid and wise monarch was a lifelong blessing for any court official. While knowing his thoughts were improper, Liu Rushi genuinely feared losing this monarch.

Dong Qingping gazed at Liu Rushi's slightly parted lips, understanding Liu Rushi's thoughts. As court officials... encountering a monarch like Bai Qingyan was a tremendous fortune in life...

"It's too early to think so much. After all... the people in Dadu City know the Empress's condition. An heir... is merely our hope, and whether it happens depends on fate." Dong Qingping smiled and patted Liu Rushi's shoulder, "Minister of Rites, we rely on you to arrange the Empress's grand wedding procedures."

Seeing Dong Qingping walk down the high steps, Liu Rushi stood momentarily stunned, then quickly lifted his official robe to chase after him: "Didn't the Empress Dowager assign you to be responsible for this with me?"

"You are now the Minister of Rites. You are the highest authority in the Ministry. This matter is naturally your responsibility."

"It's not right to say so! Minister Dong... you are indeed the Empress's uncle!"

Dong Qingping and Liu Rushi, one walking and one chasing, debated as they headed out of the palace.

·

Xiao Rongyan had just returned to the posthouse and was preparing to arrange matters for tonight's serious illness when suddenly footsteps sounded behind him. His eyes turned cold, his steps paused, and he quickly turned around, raising his hand to intercept the incoming punch. As his sleeve slipped, he was about to use the hidden blade on the attacker, only to see it was Bai Qingyu wearing a mask of a fierce green face. Xiao Rongyan quickly restrained his blade.

"You..."

Before Xiao Rongyan could finish speaking, Bai Qingyu punched him hard in the face, causing Xiao Rongyan to stagger back and collide with a tree trunk.

Bai Qingyu's fists were tightly clenched, his chest heaving violently.

With his back against the tree, Xiao Rongyan put away the dagger and asked, "Do you really want to have a fistfight with me at the posthouse?"