Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

"Uncle Ping..." Bai Qingyan looked towards Lu Ping.

"At your service!" Lu Ping responded.

"Bring Sun Wenyao here; I want to see him," Bai Qingyan said with a smile.

She wondered whether it was Sun Wenyao who took orders from the second lady of the Qin family, or if the second lady of the Qin family took orders from Sun Wenyao. She guessed it was the latter.

Interesting indeed...

Since everything was already settled, Li Mingrui and Dong Changyuan followed Lu Ping, who had received his assignment, and took their leave.

Holding Bai Wanqing in her arms, Bai Jinzhi kneeled across from Bai Qingyan and said, "Eldest Young Lady let me leave in fifteen days because she wants to celebrate my birthday!"

"Ever since the Bai family encountered difficulties, Eldest Young Lady has always had you running everywhere and hasn't properly celebrated your birthday. Initially, I wanted to keep you in Dadu City for a few more days to celebrate well and to let you spend time with Third Aunt. I didn't expect that this time we might have to use the excuse of your birthday..."

"Eldest Young Lady! What do you mean by 'use'? If it's beneficial to Zhou, even if it costs Xiao Si's life, Xiao Si is willing!" Bai Jinzhi spoke earnestly.

"What nonsense! As long as I'm here... no one will harm you!" Bai Qingyan scolded with furrowed eyebrows.

The Bai family must not have another mishap.

"Even if it costs my life!" Bai Wanqing, imitating her fourth sister's look, said to Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan was amused by Bai Wanqing's childish voice, and she pinched the little girl's chubby white cheeks: "Do you even know what that means, following along like that?"

Bai Wanqing, a bit confused, rolled her grape-like eyes and grinned, repeating the last four words: "at all costs!"

Bai Jinzhi was also amused and patted her little sister's head: "Our Xiao Ba has spirit! A good daughter of our Bai family!"

"But Eldest Young Lady, when the time comes, can we organize something that the people can enjoy together? Originally, autumn hunting was a good idea, but it wasn't for the people. How about hosting a kite competition outside the city under my name? The prize for the winner will be decided by Eldest Young Lady..."

"Alright, you take charge of this matter. After the kite competition ends, let's have a family dinner in the evening," Bai Qingyan said with a smile.

"Alright, rest assured, Eldest Young Lady!" Bai Jinzhi replied with a smile.

"When Sun Wenyao arrives later, take Xiao Ba and leave first..." Bai Qingyan said to Bai Jinzhi.

Bai Jinzhi looked a bit worried: "Eldest Young Lady..."

"It's okay, Uncle Ping is here; he can't cause any big waves!"

·

In the army camp, while Sun Wenyao was training, he suddenly heard that the Emperor summoned him, and he was taken aback.

Thinking of how he had manipulated that simple and outspoken girl, he immediately felt guilty. Bai Jinzhi must have told the Empress about their mutual affection, which was why the Empress wanted to see him.

Gasping for breath, Sun Wenyao hurriedly bowed to Lu Ping, saying, "This humble one is covered in sweat, please allow me to change into a fresh set of clothes before meeting the Empress, so as not to be disrespectful."

Lu Ping held the sword at his waist and nodded indifferently, watching Sun Wenyao run off, squinting at General Liu Pinggao of Anping Camp, who was training under the scorching sun, and quickly went over to clasp his hands and greet him with a smile: "General Liu, it's been a long time!"

"Minister Lu!" Liu Pinggao, dressed in battle attire, wiped his sweat with a towel, tossed it to a soldier, and quickly walked towards Lu Ping, clasping his hands.

The two had fought on the battlefield together, naturally forming an extraordinary friendship.

Especially since Lu Ping was originally from the Bai family's army. Later, due to injury, he retired to work as a guard at Bai Mansion, and now, having recovered, he was invincible on the battlefield once again.

"Minister Lu, Lu Ping seeks your inquiry about someone; does General Liu know Sun Wenyao?"

Liu Pinggao thought for a moment, then reacted and laughed: "I know him! The boy who saved our Commandery Princess Gaoyi! This kid is good... fit to be a soldier! He's a fervent patriot who would never abandon his comrades on the battlefield!"

Lu Ping pondered upon hearing that he never abandoned his comrades on the battlefield.

Sun Wenyao then wiped the sweat off his face and neck with a towel, changed into black clothes, and felt the lethal heavenly silk at his waist...

When meeting the Empress, he could not carry a weapon, but he hid the heavenly silk at his waist, as it was thin as a thread, unnoticed by anyone.

However, Sun Wenyao had hesitations about the order to kill the Empress.

He was a Hidden Guard of the Jin Kingdom's Imperial Family, originally placed in the loyal Marquis' mansion among court officials to monitor them for the Emperor. Later, after the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage died, he was reassigned to Anping Camp without specific tasks.

Later, the Princess of Zhen rebelled and ascended to become the current Empress of Zhou.

Just when he thought the Jin Kingdom's Imperial Family was finished and he was no longer a Hidden Guard, his captain found him, saying they, as Hidden Guards, are unfaithful if they do not die before the Jin Kingdom's Emperor, disgracing their identity. Although they couldn't protect the Emperor, the Crown Prince was still alive...

The Crown Prince was sent to the former Daliang by the Empress of Zhou, along with the young imperial grandson. Now without military power, they could only cause disorder in Zhou, sabotage the new reforms, making Zhou unstable, and create opportunities for the Crown Prince to reclaim the throne.

Sun Wenyao was entrusted with an important task: to get close to Bai Jinzhi, gain her trust, meet the Empress of Zhou through her, and then assassinate the Empress of Zhou!

Sun Wenyao was born as a Royal Hidden Guard, and only by completing his mission could he avoid bringing shame to the title of "Hidden Guard". Even in death, it would be deemed a worthy end.

The education they received from a young age was to be loyal to the Imperial Family, to give their lives without hesitation, growing up day by day in this environment. Loyalty to the Imperial Family seemed to infuse their bones, becoming instinctual.

However, this time... Sun Wenyao hesitated.

Because he saw the generals of Daliang submitting one by one, saw the Jin Kingdom's people in misery... it was the Empress of Zhou who changed this situation, and he saw her pushing new reforms that genuinely benefited the people. He felt... Bai Qingyan was a good emperor.

"Sun Wenyao, why are you still here?"

Sun Wenyao's companion from the military entered with a basin of water, saw that he'd changed clothes and was standing there dazed, and laughingly tossed a towel over his shoulder. "Minister Lu has been waiting for a long time. Not sure what he's called you for, but I imagine it's something good!"

"Hmm, I'll tell you about it when I return! I'm off now..." With that, Sun Wenyao left for the battle.

When Sun Wenyao followed Lu Ping to the Wude Gate, the twilight was already settling in.

He followed respectfully behind Lu Ping and, after a simple body search, ascended the steps with him, keeping his eyes lowered to look at the sunlit ochre-tinted white jade steps beneath his feet.