Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

Bai Jintong, with eyes tinged with red, stared at Bai Qingyan: "According to the locals, there was once an army of twenty thousand that came to Tianfeng Kingdom to stir up trouble, and the Elephant Army was deployed... The invading army was almost completely wiped out, and for the next fifty years, no one dared to provoke Tianfeng Kingdom again!"

That's precisely why Bai Jintong hurried day and night to return, she whispered to Bai Qingyan: "Although I think Tianfeng Kingdom is not a warlike nation, and perhaps won't aid Xiliang in going to war, but... if Xiliang offers great benefits, the Monarch of Tianfeng Kingdom might agree. However, I've thought it through and can't figure out what Xiliang could possibly offer to Tianfeng Kingdom! Tianfeng Kingdom is in a prime geographical location, and Xiliang cannot offer benefits sufficient to sway the Monarch of Tianfeng Kingdom. I don't think Tianfeng would mobilize its forces for Xiliang."

"Even so, precautions must be taken. Third Brother said he stayed in the southern borders, prepared to face battle at any moment." Bai Jintong said.

Bai Qingyan had certainly seen elephants, their massive size, and if truly used in warfare in ample numbers, they would be unstoppable, the destructive power could well be imagined.

"Do you know the size of Tianfeng Kingdom's Elephant Army?" Bai Qingyan asked.

Bai Jintong shook her head: "Not sure, but Chen Qingsheng and Xiao Ruohai have been sent by Third Brother to Tianfeng Kingdom to... investigate Tianfeng's Elephant Army and also to explore whether Tianfeng would ally with Xiliang."

"Did your Third Brother give Xiao Ruohai and Chen Qingsheng the token?" Bai Qingyan asked.

Bai Jintong nodded repeatedly: "Third Brother handed the token given by Eldest Young Lady to Xiao Ruohai and Chen Qingsheng. Third Brother said... if it truly doesn't work, they could propose mutual trade negotiations, discussing alliances, essentially to show goodwill, Tianfeng Kingdom would surely think it through."

"Eldest Young Lady..." Bai Jintong softly called Bai Qingyan, "Though it's hard to hear, although we don't know the exact numbers of the Elephant Army, but... Tianfeng is brimming with elephant tamers. If they gather elephants usually used to carry goods by the people, the numbers would be considerable."

Bai Qingyan sat up slowly, fingers rubbing back and forth, after a pause: "I recall you mentioned before, it was after departing from Guanping... lost at sea, exploring all the way until you found Tianfeng Kingdom. Which route did you take?"

Bai Jintong dipped her fingers in tea water again, recreating the faded snow mountains, then drawing the coastlines of Daliang and a distant island, she pointed at the island: "I set off from there with a full load of goods, drifting and exploring the sea until reaching here..."

She pointed behind the snow mountain, to the casually sketched land: "Later, I sent people to investigate and guessed that this is behind the sacred snow mountains regarded by Rong and Xiliang. It's roughly close to the borders of Rong and Xiliang snow mountains. We entered the river here, traveled along it... through the grassland and discovered Tianfeng Kingdom."

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes, gazing at the map drawn with water by Bai Jintong: "Does that mean Tianfeng is closest to Xiliang?"

"It should be, but I can only provide an approximate location. For a precise one... Eldest Young Lady's milk brother Xiao Ruohai needs to go there to map it more accurately." Bai Jintong said.

Bai Qingyan nodded.

"Moreover, there's the situation in Xiliang..."

Bai Jintong discussed the chaos among Xiliang's Eight Great Families and how the Empress of Xiliang decisively suppressed the Eight Great Families. Also mentioned how Xiao Ruohai burned the food stores of the Eight Great Families, leading to a food shortage in Xiliang, and Bai Qingqi's initial plans.

But... if Xiliang seeks aid from Tianfeng Kingdom rather than Yan Kingdom, Bai Qingqiong's plans might not succeed.

"Alright, I understand this matter." Bai Qingyan, seeing Bai Jintong's weary look, felt a deep sense of compassion, pushing her untouched tea towards Bai Jintong, "Have some refreshments, visit Third Aunt, take a bath and have a good sleep. We'll talk more after you wake up…"

Exhausted, Bai Jintong finished discussing the important matters with Bai Qingyan and indeed couldn't hold on, she nodded, rose, and bowed to Bai Qingyan: "I heard from Wei Zhong that Eldest Young Lady is discussing important matters with Commandant Lu and the others, Eldest Young Lady should work first, when she's free, I'll discuss further with her."

Bai Qingyan nodded.

"By the way, Eldest Young Lady, we found General Guan in Xiliang!" Bai Jintong almost forgot this matter.

"Guan Zhangning... General Guan?" Bai Qingyan's grip tightened slightly on the small table, she asked, "Is it General Guan Zhangning from Uncle's side?"

"Yes!" Bai Jintong nodded, "I mentioned in a letter before, it seems the Empress of Xiliang is assembling an army similar to our Bai family's Huying Camp. This army is called the Huoyun Army, trained by General Guan Zhangning. General Guan lost his memory during the southern border battles, was deceived by the Yun family, and believed himself to be one of them, which is why he stayed in Xiliang for these years."

"Besides the memory loss, did he suffer any other injuries?" Bai Qingyan asked with concern.

Bai Jintong shook her head: "Eldest Young Lady need not worry, General Guan has recovered from old injuries and has no major wounds, so it's alright, Eldest Young Lady need not worry! But since General Guan returned, he has been somewhat disgruntled, longing to return to Xiliang and bring back the Huoyun Army…"

Bai Qingyan nodded: "As long as he's alright."

Only now did Bai Jintong earnestly look at Eldest Young Lady's attire, with a smile in her eyes, she bowed again to Bai Qingyan: "Congratulations to Eldest Young Lady for finally achieving what she once aspired!"

Although Bai Jintong didn't make it back for Eldest Young Lady's ascension, her heart was always with the Bai family.

Once Eldest Young Lady spoke of leaving a way out for the Bai family, she knew Eldest Young Lady would rebel, yet didn't expect Eldest Young Lady to overthrow the Jin Dynasty in just a few short years, ascending the imperial throne as a woman.

Bai Jintong's heart was filled with mountains and valleys, Bai Qingyan knew she chose to speak first to Bai Jintong because Jintong understood her, she smiled and said: "Hurry along! Third Aunt will surely be thrilled to see you."

"Eldest Young Lady…" Bai Jintong called Bai Qingyan again, speaking softly, "Mr. Xiao… condolences for Big Sister's husband's passing."

On the way back, Bai Jintong heard that Bai Qingyan married Xiao Rongyan due to his illness, and later heard that despite everything, Xiao Rongyan couldn't survive and had passed away. Bai Jintong feared Eldest Young Lady would keep all her emotions inside, eventually leading to some psychological torment.

Bai Qingyan smiled at Bai Jintong and said, "Rest first, we'll discuss this later…"

Watching Bai Jintong leave with Wei Zhong, she turned to Chun Tao and said: "Prepare water for Jintong, make chicken soup noodles, ensure she eats after her bath and rests."

"Rest assured, Eldest Young Lady, I'll take care of it." Chun Tao hurriedly left after bowing.