Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 391

Chapter 391: Chapter 388: Haggard_1

Bai Qingyan nodded. The overall situation had just been stabilized. The Bai family must lie low and strengthen themselves. If the Emperor passed away, unnecessary changes would surely occur. So she did not want the Emperor to die so soon.

"With Aunt’s medical skills, you can certainly alleviate His Majesty’s headaches and maintain his vigor for at least five more years."

Lu Ninghuan understood the implication of Bai Qingyan’s words: the Emperor should live for another five years.

She replied, "Today, when I was examining His Majesty’s pulse, he seemed to suggest, though not forcefully, that I enter the palace to prevent the recurrence of his headaches. What does the Eldest Young Lady think, should I enter the palace?"

"Discuss it with Grandmother first!" Bai Qingyan said. She was about to leave but then added, "Does Grandmother know that you are the granddaughter of Imperial Physician Ji Bingfu?"

Lu Ninghuan’s palm tightened. She had merely noticed Ji Langhua’s slip-up and yet the Eldest Young Lady of the Bai family could deduce this.

"Why wouldn’t you guess that I’m the granddaughter?" Lu Ninghuan asked, puzzled.

"You have a set of gold needles, which you said were given by your grandfather before your mother got married. When I saw them at the time, they seemed familiar to me. It wasn’t until I met Ji Langhua today that I realized the resemblance. The carved patterns on the needle tails are identical to those I saw with Ji Langhua." Bai Qingyan narrowed her eyes. "But Ji Langhua mentioned that it was after the Imperial Censor Jian Congwen’s case that your grandfather married off your mother..."

Bai Qingyan had figured it out. So, Lu Ninghuan did not conceal the truth. "I dare not hide it from the Eldest Young Lady. After my mother was widowed, she returned to the Ji family with me. Later, when trouble befell the Ji family, Grandfather wanted me to leave with my uncle and Langhua. But I did not wish to part from my mother. Mother took me along when she remarried in a hurry, so the marriage wasn’t very good."

Lu Ninghuan’s hand tightened within her sleeve, her eyes reddened. She was prepared for Bai Qingyan to question further and reopen old wounds.

However, Bai Qingyan gently asked, "Does Grandmother know?"

"The Eldest Princess... she knows." Lu Ninghuan lowered her eyes.

Bai Qingyan nodded and looked deeply at Lu Ninghuan. "Please take care of Miss Ji these few days and comfort her."

Lu Ninghuan seemed to hear a sigh in Bai Qingyan’s words. She watched Bai Qingyan’s departing figure, clenched her fists, then turned back into the house.

Bai Qingyan returned to the Qinghui Courtyard, changed clothes, and took Bai Jinzhi to pay respects to the Eldest Princess. Afterward, she dined at her mother Mrs. Dong’s courtyard. Just as she was leaving her mother’s courtyard, Steward Hao came to report that Mr. Qin Shangzhi was outside the Princess of Zhen’s mansion, asking to see Bai Qingyan.

"Mr. Qin?" Bai Jinzhi frowned, recalling the counselor by the Crown Prince’s side during their journey to Nanjiang. "Is he the Crown Prince’s man?"

Qin Shangzhi would never seek her out without reason. His visit today was certainly not for reminiscing. _{freёwebnovel.com}

As she considered it, she thought Qin Shangzhi’s visit might be related to the Crown Prince’s prior inquiries about interfering with disaster relief in Yanwo. Or perhaps it was in response to her actions against Left Prime Minister Li Mao and his unexpected reaction, which aroused suspicion.

It was early summer. The corridors of the Princess of Zhen’s mansion were adorned with bamboo screens. Gilded copper hooks hung with copper bells. The rich fragrance of ancient pagoda flowers in the courtyard wafted gently with the breeze, and the clear, crisp sounds of the bells were continuous.

She regained focus and said to Steward Hao, "Invite Mr. Qin to the main hall first."

"Eldest Sister, I’ll go with you!" Bai Jinzhi quickly offered when she saw Bai Qingyan turn to her.