Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

"Eldest Young Lady, there is a reason why I shook off General Zhao." Bai Jinzhi's expression turned rarely solemn, "Do you remember back when our second sister had just married our second brother-in-law, I once swung my whip to teach those two Qin family girls a lesson at the Qin Mansion, and the Qin family guard who stopped me?"

Bai Qingyan set down the pen in her hand and looked at Bai Jinzhi with a serious expression: "I vaguely remember, you mean..."

If Bai Qingyan remembered correctly, the guard caught Bai Jinzhi's whip; she had briefly seen it and the most lasting impression was probably the guard's eyes, their sharpness.

"This guard is named Sun Wenyao. I heard that shortly after our second sister married into the Qin Mansion, he left to join the military, and after the Hancheng rebellion was quelled, when Hancheng's nobles and royals began revolting, this Sun Wenyao saved my life..." Bai Jinzhi deliberately emphasized the words 'saved my life', yet not in a grateful manner.

"This Sun Wenyao is an old acquaintance, who dared pick a fight with me while just a minor guard, so I thought he was a man of integrity, and kept him by my side so we could spar and compete from time to time."

Bai Qingyan appeared as if she was all ears, listening intently.

Bai Jinzhi pursed her lips and said, "Earlier, those of the Daliang nobility claimed to have handed over all their family assets, pleading for a chance for their family to live. Coupled with Hancheng King's plea, I granted it. Later, it was Sun Wenyao who found out that when they left Hancheng, they were smuggling out large boxes in the night, and asked me to stop them!"

Bai Qingyan narrowed her eyes upon hearing this.

"Mr. Cai suggested that I give them a warning, turn a blind eye to what they've already smuggled out, and seize what hasn't been taken out yet, to stabilize Daliang in the meantime. After Daliang is fully in our Zhou's hands, we can settle accounts then." Bai Jinzhi leaned closer to Bai Qingyan, "I agreed wholeheartedly with Mr. Cai, given it's a special period just after the battle... Most of Daliang has now submitted to you. So our approach should be to appease people with gentleness."

That Bai Jinzhi could articulate this made Bai Qingyan look at her with newfound respect.

"After stopping them, I originally planned to follow Mr. Cai's advice by seizing their properties to frighten them before releasing them. At that time, I let Sun Wenyao take them back to their residences and forbade them from leaving the city for the time being..." Bai Jinzhi spoke in a low voice, "Later on, for some reason, the two remaining nobles of Daliang were assassinated while handing over their assets, with the servants who brought the assets turning out to be top assassins, all coming for me!"

"Sun Wenyao took a blow for me, those two nobles shouted that I had broken my promise and intended to take their families' lives, claiming heaven's retribution, and they died by Sun Wenyao's blade." Bai Jinzhi's voice was heavy.

"Afterwards, seeing this, the other nobles obediently handed over their assets and hurriedly left Hancheng! Mr. Cai felt Sun Wenyao shouldn't have killed those two Daliang nobles immediately, but should've inquired… as to why they thought I wanted to kill their families." As Bai Jinzhi spoke, her gaze grew colder, "I appeared furious and reprimanded Mr. Cai, claiming Sun Wenyao was my lifesaver! Questioned whether Mr. Cai doubted Sun Wenyao, implying doubting him was like doubting me."

Bai Qingyan's lips parted slightly, her gaze towards Bai Jinzhi growing softer. Bai Jinzhi hadn't seemed to change from her past personality: emotional, loyal, impulsive, easily angered.

"In private, I urged Mr. Cai to investigate what Sun Wenyao did and said after escorting those nobles back. Later, it was found that although Sun Wenyao did nothing, his subordinates privately gossiped that Commandery Princess Gaoyi was squeezing these Daliang nobles dry before getting rid of them. Upon hearing this, those left behind in the city smuggled out the message, which led to this turmoil."

Bai Qingyan nodded.

"Afterwards, when Sun Wenyao's wound gradually healed, I finally asked him why he had executed the Daliang nobles without mercy..." Bai Jinzhi sneered, "Sun Wenyao surprisingly claimed it was because he couldn't bear to see me harmed, confessing his affections for me—knowing that due to his lowly status he couldn't express them—and was ultimately compelled by the assassination attempt."

Seeing Bai Jinzhi in this manner made it clear she didn't believe a word of it.

"And then...?" Bai Qingyan asked.

"And then naturally, I went along with the act!" Bai Jinzhi reached for the half-finished tea next to Bai Qingyan and drank a few gulps, "Did they truly take me for a fool with no brains! When someone likes someone else, their eyes can't hide it! Even if I haven't experienced it myself, I haven't not seen it before!"

Bai Jinzhi placed the teacup aside: "Besides, if he genuinely considered his status too low, he should've kept quiet forever! Why say it now? What is he after? Life-saving grace compounded with romantic affection... isn't it just a ploy for me to view him differently, to extort gratitude? Who is he fooling!"

Bai Qingyan nodded: "Our little four has grown up..."

Bai Jinzhi lifted her chin slightly, smiling as she said, "I privately informed Mr. Cai of this matter, and Mr. Cai thought I should play along, to see what Sun Wenyao ultimately wants. If he enjoys my protection... Sun Wenyao would be more bold, eventually revealing his true intentions. It's best if I act as if I have certain feelings for him, meanwhile, Mr. Cai has already sent someone to investigate him."

"On the way back, I didn't mean to leave General Zhao behind out of conscience, but because along the way each city needed re-fortifying, and I didn't want Sun Wenyao to find out, I acted as if I couldn't bear it and returned with my people ahead!" Bai Jinzhi reached for the teacup again, seeing it empty, childishly complained, "Eldest Young Lady, I've talked for half a day, let Sister Chun Tao bring me some tea!"

Bai Qingyan was amused by Bai Jinzhi and called out: "Wei Zhong, bring tea for Commandery Princess Gaoyi!"

Wei Zhong promptly brought in Yunwu tea and Bai Jinzhi's favorite chilled plum juice, and then retired respectfully.

"Oh! This plum juice clearly shows Sister Chun Tao's craftsmanship!" Bai Jinzhi sipped the plum juice in small mouthfuls.

"Chun Tao knew you were returning, she's currently in the small kitchen preparing your favorite snacks." Bai Qingyan said.

"Sister Chun Tao really spoils me!" Bai Jinzhi downed the plum juice in one go, set down the jade bowl, and continued, "Eldest Young Lady, I've already brought Sun Wenyao back—if I'm not mistaken, once we reach Dadu City, he will act even more recklessly..."