Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 705 - 702: Understanding the Times_1

蔡子源 clasped his fists and said to Bai Qingyan, "If Princess of Zhen wishes Cai Ziyuan to teach at the Bai Clan’s academy, Cai Ziyuan is quite willing."

"Mr. Cai, what I meant... was to ask if Mr. Cai is willing to pledge loyalty to the Bai family!" Bai Qingyan’s voice was solemn as she sat straight and looked towards Cai Ziyuan.

"Ah... Princess of Zhen!" Bai Qingping was so shocked that he almost called Bai Qingyan ’sister’ in front of outsiders. He tightened his fist and was very disapproving. "Mr. Ziyuan possesses profound knowledge; teaching the clan’s children is just right!"

First, this Mr. Cai Ziyuan had been in Shuoyang for too short a time; second, Cai Ziyuan came from the Left Prime Minister Li Mao’s residence. Who knows if he can truly be loyal?

The surprised one was not only Bai Qingping. Even Cai Ziyuan himself widened his eyes. "Prin... Princess of Zhen, Ziyuan... but I came from the Left Prime Minister’s residence!"

"I trust my own judgment of people," Bai Qingyan lightly stroked the hand warmer in her hands, with no apparent expression. "I believe Mr. Cai is a man of talent and integrity. Since the Left Prime Minister’s residence abandoned you and asked Mr. Cai to come to Shuoyang to seek atonement from the Bai Mansion, it means the Left Prime Minister has discarded you! Given Mr. Cai’s integrity, you would definitely not be loyal to the Left Prime Minister’s residence again. Although our Bai family is currently without power or influence, we possess something the Left Prime Minister’s residence can never compare to. The Bai family... never abandons any comrade who shares the same hardships and stands side by side!"

The Bai family... never abandons any comrade who shares the same hardships and stands side by side!

This remark suddenly brought tears to Cai Ziyuan’s eyes.

He knew these words. They were the reason the Bai family army fought bravely, died heroically, and remained undefeated!

He recalled seeing Bai Qingyan disciplining the Bai family’s illegitimate child in front of a tavern in the streets of Dadu City under the red lanterns.

At that time, Bai Qingyan had said: Bai family rules were equivalent to the Bai family army rules.

As a counselor, what is the greatest wish in this lifetime? It is to meet a patron who knows and values one’s talent, a leader who does not abandon in life or death.

When he was sent by the Left Prime Minister to Shuoyang to apologize to Bai Qingyan, he thought he was undoubtedly heading towards death. He had initially thought... if Princess of Zhen were merciful and spared his life, he would return to his hometown and become a teacher to live out his remaining days.

Unexpectedly, the Princess of Zhen invited him...

Cai Ziyuan gritted his teeth, lifted the hem of his robe, knelt before Bai Qingyan, and heavily kowtowed three times. "Ziyuan greets the master, pledging loyalty to the Princess of Zhen for life without a second thought. Should I break this oath, my entire clan shall be without descendants forever. After death, I shall not reincarnate, forever unable to find peace!"

"Qingping, help Mr. Cai get up." Bai Qingyan caressed the hand warmer and turned to instruct Chun Tao, "Summon Steward Hao."

Bai Qingping frowned as he helped Mr. Cai up, wanting to voice his full of concerns to Bai Qingyan. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

Soon, Steward Hao entered the door and saluted Bai Qingyan.

"Please arrange for Mr. Cai, Steward Hao. From now on, Mr. Cai is one of the Bai family." Bai Qingyan’s gaze fell on Cai Ziyuan’s faded clothes. "Mr. Cai came in haste and didn’t bring many clothes or daily necessities. Troublesome as it is, Steward Hao will prepare them for Mr. Cai."

"Rest assured, Miss. This old servant will definitely arrange for Mr. Cai properly." Steward Hao smiled at Cai Ziyuan and made a gesture of invitation. "Mr. Cai, please..."

Cai Ziyuan stood up, bowed to Bai Qingyan again, and said, "Ziyuan has a request. If the Princess of Zhen has no instructions, I wish to continue teaching literacy to the people in the military camp, as a small contribution to the people."

Bai Qingyan nodded. "If Mr. Cai has the time, that is naturally fine."

"Thank you, Princess of Zhen!" After Cai Ziyuan saluted again, he followed Steward Hao out of the main hall respectfully.

Seeing Cai Ziyuan leave, Bai Qingping couldn’t wait to speak up. "Sister, that Mr. Cai is from the Left Prime Minister’s residence in Dadu. Aren’t you afraid of being betrayed by employing him so hastily?"

"It is not recklessness..." Bai Qingyan’s voice was very calm as she turned to Bai Qingping. "Anyone with a bit of ability is inherently proud. Left Prime Minister Li Mao sending this Mr. Cai to Shuoyang to apologize means he has already abandoned Mr. Cai, disregarding his life and death! These counselors, their greatest hope in life is to meet an enlightened ruler, one who trusts them and does not betray them. It is the Left Prime Minister who betrayed Mr. Cai, so Mr. Cai will never again be loyal to him!"

"Qingping, in this world, some counselors are devoted to ancient rituals once they choose a lord. Even if their lord betrays them, they will not betray their lord in return! Such counselors we cannot force. But there are also counselors who will not serve one person for life, like this Mr. Cai... He has integrity but knows how to adapt, knowing when to seek new opportunities."

Bai Qingping thought carefully about Bai Qingyan’s words and remembered how Cai Ziyuan seemed to be waiting for death when he first entered the military camp.

After understanding, Bai Qingping stood and bowed to Bai Qingyan. "I am taught."

As Bai Qingping straightened, seeing Bai Qingyan’s pale and thin appearance, he couldn’t help but remind her, "Sister, you should rest well. Whatever it is, you can let me handle it."

Bai Qingyan nodded. "Don’t worry! Nanny Tong, see Qingping out."

Nanny Tong answered affirmatively and escorted Bai Qingping to the door.

Watching Bai Qingping leave, Bai Qingyan was just about to stand up with Chun Tao’s help when Lu Ping hurried in. "Miss, a letter from the second young lady in Dadu City."

Chun Tao helped Bai Qingyan sit down again, and Lu Ping respectfully handed over the letter.

Bai Qingyan opened the letter and scanned it quickly.

In the letter, Bai Jinzhi mainly spoke about two things...

The plague in Huayang City.

The Crown Prince ordered the construction of the Nine-Tier Platform.

Bai Qingyan tightly clenched the letter, gritting her teeth.

First, the Emperor fell from his horse. Then the plague occurred in Huayang City. The Crown Prince decided to build the Nine-Tier Platform to pray for blessings. Once the Nine-Tier Platform was completed, the Emperor would purify himself, fast, and reside in the Nine-Tier Platform to pray for the Jin Kingdom.

In response to the plague in Huayang City, instead of providing disaster relief, the Crown Prince used the plague as an excuse, claiming it was a divine punishment and deciding to build the Nine-Tier Platform to fulfill the Emperor’s desire.

Reading Bai Jinxiu’s words, Bai Qingyan felt a chill in her heart. The Crown Prince only cared about ingratiating himself with the Emperor. He displayed none of the qualities of a true ruler who cares for the nation and its people.

If the Crown Prince ascended the throne... he would likely not rule any better than the current Emperor.

The Lin family Imperial Family had already rotted to the core.

·

Mrs. Dong personally cooked soup and waited in the Boyun Courtyard for Bai Qingyan, but she did not return for so long that she sent Nanny Qin to the front yard. Only then did she learn that Bai Qingyan had gone to the ancestral hall.

Mrs. Dong frowned. "This child, carrying injuries... not taking proper rest, meeting this person, and busy with that. Now she’s gone to the ancestral hall!"

"Madam, don’t you know our eldest young lady’s character? She knows that the Bai family cannot do without her now. She would never joke about her health! Yesterday was the eldest young lady’s birthday... this old servant thinks she might be missing the King of Zhen, the Duke of Zhen, and Brother Yu."