Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

Here, Bai Qingyu can throw punches but must refrain from saying unnecessary words...

As a masked prince attacking Xiao Rongyan here is not without reason, one might say... In the Zhou Palace, they argued for their respective nations' interests. Xiao Rongyan, as the fiancé of the Empress of Zhou, had the advantage, and the matter ended inconclusively due to the Empress of Zhou fainting. The Ghost Prince, unable to contain his anger, attacked Xiao Rongyan at the posthouse, which is reasonable.

Thinking of this, Bai Qingyu didn't hesitate to strike Xiao Rongyan again. Bai Qingyu's fist slammed into the tree, causing the leaves to rustle and fall, scattering into the water that reflected a half moon and silver moonlight, stirring countless bright and dark ripples.

Just as Xiao Rongyan narrowly avoided Bai Qingyu's fist and was yet to find his footing, Bai Qingyu's leg came towards his cheek. Xiao Rongyan caught sight of a shadow approaching, quickly grasped Bai Qingyu's leg, and spoke rapidly: "Tonight Xiao Rongyan is to fall gravely ill, and then marry the Empress of Zhou. If someone sees you acting now, are you planning to associate Xiao Rongyan's death... with the Rong?"

Chest filled with anger, Bai Qingyu understood at once how his mother and elder sister intended to handle this matter from Xiao Rongyan's words.

Seeing others approaching out of the corner of his eye, Bai Qingyu withdrew his leg and tidied the hem of his clothes.

The servant carrying dinner saluted Bai Qingyu and Xiao Rongyan before hastily crossing the wooden arched bridge without lingering.

Once the people had left, Bai Qingyu said: "You deserve to die!"

"This matter is my fault..."

"You deserve to die!" Bai Qingyu's tightly clenched fists trembled.

The path his sister has walked is too difficult; if this Ninth Prince of Yan truly wishes to be with his sister in heart, with complete ceremonial propriety, Bai Qingyu would not utter a word of objection! But between the two nations... a war is inevitable; how dare he!

Xiao Rongyan bowed deeply to Bai Qingyu: "Kid and I have an agreement: when peace is established, I will stay with her and the child! I hope... you can help make it happen."

Bai Qingyu clenched his fist as he approached Xiao Rongyan, lowered his voice at Xiao Rongyan's ear, and said, "After Xiao Rongyan's death, stay away from my sister..."

After speaking, A Yu collided heavily with Xiao Rongyan's shoulder and left.

Xiao Rongyan watched Bai Qingyu's departing figure, understanding his anger. Yet, the urgent matter was how to make Xiao Rongyan sick. He did not linger, lifting the hem of his clothes and made his way to the courtyard where the Yan envoys resided.

"Prince, forgive me, but I cannot agree with your words." The person pretending to be the Ninth Prince of Yan was startled as he stood up, grasping Xiao Rongyan's hand holding the medicine bowl, and said to him, "When the prince left the country at a young age, it was difficult to set up the intelligence network for Yan, and if something happens to Xiao Rongyan..."

His voice paused and then continued: "After Xiao Rongyan marries the Empress of Zhou, all the networks in Zhou will be unusable! Not to mention, we finally opened the situation in Xiliang, and if Xiao Rongyan dies... all our previous plans and the manpower and resources invested in the Xiliang strategy would be wasted and need to restart! After all, Xiliang's Eight Great Families only recognize Xiao Rongyan!"

Xiao Rongyan lifted his gaze to the subordinate tightly gripping his wrist and pried his hand open, voice steady: "This is an order, not a negotiation!"

Having spoken, Xiao Rongyan tilted his head and drank the medicine in one gulp.

Yue Shi hurriedly handed a handkerchief to Xiao Rongyan, sneakily glancing at the subordinate who had been pretending to be his master, lamenting in her heart about his foolishness... Knowing that their master and the Empress of Zhou share affection, could it not be guessed that the Empress of Zhou might already know their master's identity? Once she ascends the throne, wouldn't she deal with it? Those shops... are already useless.

Xiao Rongyan took the handkerchief Yue Shi handed over and wiped his lips: "The intelligence network in Zhou is already being redeployed. As for Xiliang... find a nephew or a son of Xiao Rongyan to take over his business."

"Will Xiliang's Eight Great Families recognize a nephew of Xiao Rongyan?" The subordinate pretending to be the Ninth Prince is indignant, deeply feeling Xiao Rongyan is putting personal feelings over national interests.

"That's not your concern..." Xiao Rongyan tossed the handkerchief onto the small table, "Or... have you been pretending to be the Ninth Prince so long that you believe yourself to be the Regent Prince of Yan?"

The subordinate was shocked and hurriedly knelt: "I dare not!"

Xiao Rongyan glanced at the kneeling subordinate, after a while, he stood before him and helped him up: "I know of your loyalty, but... I have plans for everything, and following orders is of great help to me, understand?"

The subordinate saw Xiao Rongyan's attitude had softened, his eyes reddened, and he cupped his fists: "I remember!"

While Liu Rushi hurriedly convened officials from the Ministry of Rites overnight to discuss the Empress and her fiancé Xiao Rongyan's wedding date, news came from the posthouse that Xiao Rongyan had suddenly developed a high fever after returning from the palace.

Upon hearing the news, the Empress, knowing the Imperial Medical Bureau's physician was already on the way to the posthouse, was restless and also dispatched Doctor Hong and Doctor Huang to diagnose Xiao Rongyan.

The physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau and Doctor Hong both examined him, stating Xiao Rongyan's condition was dire, unprecedentedly.

The next day, after Xiao Rongyan's fever subsided, he awakened, but his pulse was chaotic. Doctor Hong further concluded Xiao Rongyan was unlikely to last a month, and several physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau nodded in agreement.

The news reached the Empress of Zhou, and she decreed Xiao Rongyan to be brought into the palace for care, summoning Commandant Lu, Minister Shen, Minister Dong, and Chief of Staff Liu Rushi to discuss arranging the marriage with Xiao Rongyan at once.

Dong Qingping and Liu Rushi were both quite surprised; just yesterday, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had summoned them to the palace to prepare for the Emperor's wedding, so why was it suddenly advanced today?

Later, Mrs. Dong, the Empress Dowager, explained that Xiao Rongyan is gravely ill... Doctor Hong and the physicians were helpless, believing Xiao Rongyan might not survive the month. Bai Qingyan wanted to marry him sooner to bring good fortune, hoping it might aid his recovery.

Liu Rushi was taken aback; throughout history, it has always been others doing such rituals for the Imperial Family, and it's the first time hearing about the Emperor marrying as a blessing for the future prince.

Nonetheless, Liu Rushi, being a person of character, admired Bai Qingyan's courage and promptly agreed: "Only, Your Majesty, as the Empress Dowager mentioned, within three days, it's likely impossible! The attire for the Emperor and the Prince, even if everyone in the sewing room worked tirelessly, might still not be completed."

"Everything must be simplified; Rongyan's body cannot wait, and within three days, I beseech you all to prepare this matter properly." Bai Qingyan bowed to the officials, "Your efforts are much appreciated."

Commandant Lu and his party quickly rose and bowed, promptly saying they dared not oppose.

Just the day before, ministers concerned with the Empress's marriage suddenly received news that the Empress would marry within three days, leaving them speechless. Upon hearing the Empress's motive stemmed from Xiao Rongyan's failing health and desire to bestow good fortune, recalling Xiao Rongyan's past favor to the Bai family, they unanimously praised Bai Qingyan's gratitude and acknowledgment.