Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

And don't even mention... since this Empress ascended the throne, the new policies she implemented have all been for the country's benefit and the people's welfare. Aside from being a woman... she's undoubtedly a wise ruler!

Sun Wenyao inwardly didn't want to do this, but he couldn't defy the imperial command.

At this moment, Bai Jinzhi, just as Bai Qingyan had predicted, was being pressed by Mrs. Li to apply layers of unknown scented balm, having long since forgotten about Sun Wenyao.

The Commandant Lu, who finally managed to soak his feet and drink some cool tea, when he heard about the commotion Bai Jinzhi caused entering the city, put down his teacup, picked up a fan, fanned himself, and sighed, "This Commandery Princess Gaoyi is so fiery and spirited—a complete opposite of the Bai family. I just wonder what family will be so unlucky..."

As the words left his lips, Commandant Lu suddenly changed his tone, "What family will be so fortunate to gain such a straightforward bride as Commandery Princess Gaoyi."

Lu Jinxian, soaking his feet with his father, smiled, picked up the cup of cold tea, and said, "No matter which family it is... it's a great honor. Everyone should welcome it with joy. By the way... I heard that the mother of the Bai family's third wife brought their legitimate second grandson here, presumably knowing that Commandery Princess Gaoyi is returning to Dadu City. It seems they're hoping to strengthen ties through marriage."

Commandant Lu nodded, leisurely fanning himself. After all, their family didn't desire a marriage alliance with the Imperial Family. As long as it wasn't their family, it was fine, especially since they already had a headache-inducing Lu Yuanpeng who kept going 'buzz buzz' all day, causing Commandant Lu's head to throb. Adding a Gaoyi Commandery Princess to it would be unbearable for his old life.

"Speaking of which, among His Majesty's sisters... except for the Bai family's second daughter, who is already married to Qin Lang, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth daughters of the Bai family are old enough now. We should also pay some attention to them in the court, considering the close relationship between His Majesty and his siblings!"

"Father, what do you think of our family's Langjie getting matched with the Bai family's third son?" Lu Jinxian brought up Bai Qingqi, the most stable of Bai family's many young men, "Why not mention it to His Majesty another day? The third son is of age, and our Langjie would surely be a virtuous wife. Even if she can't be compared to a woman like His Majesty, calling her a female Zhuge Liang wouldn't be wrong!"

Seeing his father pondering in silence, Lu Jinxian continued, "Father, I'm not bragging, but with Langjie's nature, think of it... if Langjie marries the Bai family's third son, wouldn't that alleviate some burdens for His Majesty?"

"Langjie is an ambitious child. Now that His Majesty has established a women's school and given special privileges to scholars, those students with real talent can take exams every month and obtain the Spring Examination qualifications by February next year. She's determined to join the government with her father and brothers and won't willingly marry just anyone! Let's just wait and see! The children's fates... are in the hands of heaven! There's no rushing it..."

Commandant Lu, the old god, firmly believed that neither a son-in-law nor a daughter-in-law would escape if destined to be theirs, and one couldn't force it otherwise!

On September 29, the Prince of Hancheng and General Zhao Sheng arrived in Dadu City with the envoy from the Dongyi Kingdom to pay tribute to the Empress of Zhou.

The Dongyi envoy, much like the Yan envoy, brought up the old tale of marriage alliances with the Liang Kingdom. They wished that the Empress of Zhou could continue this tradition by sending a princess to marry into the Dongyi. Since Bai Qingyan had no daughters but had sisters, the Dongyi envoy specifically came to propose a side consort for their Crown Prince.

Before Bai Qingyan could speak, Liu Rushi smiled and stepped forward, "Previously, the Yan Kingdom offered the position of Empress and the future Crown Prince's title as a betrothal gift to ally through marriage with our Zhou, which His Majesty didn't agree to. Yet, this minor vassal Dongyi dares to ask for the Empress of Zhou's sister to be the Crown Prince's side consort."

Bai Qingyan, with a gentle smile, slowly spoke, "Whether it's the position of Empress or the Crown Prince's side consort, my sisters... and the women of our Zhou, absolutely will not marry abroad for alliances, with no exceptions! This is not specifically against Dongyi, and I ask the envoy to convey this to your country's Monarch."

Nowadays, Zhou has the confidence to refuse such alliances outright.

Historically, women who married afar for alliances were separated from their kin and homeland. Once far away, even if they received their husband's respect, they could never live as comfortably as when they were near their own parents, which is why Zhou absolutely refuses to marry for alliances.

These words of Bai Qingyan allowed many ministers in court to breathe a sigh of relief. Generally speaking, if the Emperor had no daughters or was unwilling to send his own daughters away, he would select daughters from ministers or clan relatives, giving them prestige to marry abroad on behalf of the imperial family. But truly, who would willingly send their daughters so far?

Those who value kinship fear their daughters suffering afar; those who value interests... understand that sending daughters away can't support the family in the current political situation.

Liu Rushi's stiff words embarrassed the Dongyi envoy, but Bai Qingyan's words also kindly gave the Dongyi Kingdom sufficient face, and the Dongyi envoy quickly complied and withdrew politely.

However, the Dongyi envoy's words stirred a thousand ripples, causing Bai Qingyan's aunts and the noble families in Dadu City to become intrigued, as the sons and daughters of the Bai family were all grown.

Men should marry, and women should wed; it has been this way since ancient times.

With Bai Qingqi, Bai Qingjue, Bai Qingyun, and the fifth, sixth, and seventh siblings not around, the recently returned Bai Jinzhi became the center of attention...

After being led by her mother to see her cousin and returning home, she immediately rushed to Bai Qingyan, begging her to assign her to Southern Xinjiang quickly, so she could join her siblings.

"Eldest Sister, look at how my mother has dressed me!" Bai Jinzhi paced in front of Bai Qingyan's desk, glancing at Bai Wanqing nestled in Bai Qingyan's arms. She shook the ruby choker around her neck and pointed at Bai Wanqing, "I'm almost as adorned as Xiao Ba!"

In the military camp, Bai Jinzhi was always in a fitted outfit and had long gotten used to it. Now, being made to wear a young girl's dress, not to mention the numerous ornaments on her head and the heavy choker on her neck, felt like torture!

Bai Wanqing pouted in displeasure, her big, watery eyes glaring at her fourth sister, "Fourth Sister Monkey! Fourth Sister Showy! Xiao Ba is fine!"

The little girl didn't articulate well but sure held a grudge, not having forgotten how Bai Jinzhi previously called her a monkey.

"Our Xiao Ba is fine indeed... the most beautiful!" Bai Qingyan patted Bai Wanqing's head.

The little girl nestled her head into Bai Qingyan's palm with a smile, glanced at Bai Jinzhi, then took a brush and started drawing in Bai Qingyan's arms.

Bai Jinzhi was not angry at her eighth sister and knelt down across from Bai Qingyan's desk, "Eldest Sister, you must think of a way for me! I really don't want to stay in Dadu City any longer. Let me return to the camp!"