Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 763 - 760: Determined to Win_1

"I really hope to see the day when the world is peaceful, to see... all the people living stable lives. Unfortunately, I fear that my health won’t last until the Yan defeats Wei."

Bai Qingyan held her teacup without speaking, merely following Murong Yu’s gaze. She saw several children chasing an old man who carried grass-made insects and birds on a bamboo pole, each clamoring for one, creating a lively scene.

"It is inevitable that the long-divided world will come together again. Someone will make it happen, and there will be a day when everyone lives in peace," Bai Qingyan said.

As soon as Bai Qingyan finished speaking, she saw a Bai family guard hastily board the decorated boat. He entered, saluted Bai Qingyan, and looked at her with urgency, "Young lady..."

Bai Qingyan guessed that perhaps the Daliang army report had arrived. She stood and bowed to Murong Yu, "If you have no other matters, I bid you farewell. I hope you return to your country soon and travel safely."

Murong Yu rose from his seat with the support of the table and returned Bai Qingyan’s salute.

Although this visit had not finalized the marriage between Bai Qingyan and Murong Yan, Murong Yu knew about their affection for each other. He also knew that Bai Qingyan was a broad-minded, honest, and open person. Murong Yu felt content.

"I have one more request. I hope... Ar Yan can honor me with a cup of tea and call me brother," Murong Yu said, a gentle smile on his handsome face. He feared he wouldn’t live to see Bai Qingyan and Murong Yan marry and drink the tea served by his sister-in-law.

Bai Qingyan understood Murong Yu’s meaning. She looked at the cup of tea in front of Murong Yu and nodded.

"Thank you..." Murong Yu, with a smile, knelt on the spot.

Bai Qingyan picked up the tea, knelt before Murong Yu, and spoke, "Brother, please drink the tea..."

Murong Yu’s smile deepened, he took a sip, nodded, and turned to the elderly eunuch, Feng Yao, standing behind him.

Feng Yao respectfully handed Murong Yu a square box inlaid with pearls and turquoise.

Murong Yu took the box and smiled as he handed it to Bai Qingyan, "This was left by my mother. My wife has one, and this one is for you. I give it to you on her behalf."

Bai Qingyan understood. It was a gift for the daughter-in-law from Empress Ji. Although she felt it was inappropriate to receive such a heavy gift at this time, Murong Yu didn’t have long to live. He might not make it to the day she and Murong Yan got married. She respectfully accepted the box with both hands.

Seeing Bai Qingyan accept the box, Murong Yu smiled even more. He stood and helped Bai Qingyan up, whispering, "I hope... you both live well!"

Some words did not need to be spoken. They both understood.

Murong Yu hoped Bai Qingyan and Murong Yan would live well.

"Thank you, brother!"

Murong Yu’s guard thoughtfully handed the wrapped box to Bai Qingyan’s guard, ensuring it was securely wrapped before escorting Bai Qingyan off the decorated boat.

Bai Qingyan mounted her horse in one leap, glanced back at Murong Yu, who stood on the decorated boat and nodded briefly before riding away.

Murong Yu watched Bai Qingyan’s vigorous figure fade away, exhaling deeply... He had a premonition that this would be their last meeting.

As the sound of the copper bell on Bai Qingyan’s horse grew fainter, Murong Yu turned back to the decorated boat. After just a few steps, he stumbled, grabbed the wooden door, and clutched his chest, looking extremely distressed.

"Quick! The medicine!" A guard hurriedly supported Emperor Yan and shouted.

·

As Bai Qingyan quickly left Emperor Yan’s sight, a Bai family guard couldn’t wait to rush forward and report to Bai Qingyan, "Young lady, plague has broken out among the Jin Army. On July 29, August 3, and August 5, we lost three cities in a row!"

Bai Qingyan tightly gripped the reins. The Crown Prince had sent the plague to Daliang... Bai Qingyan had been worried it would backfire on Jin. And it did.

Before Bai Qingyan could enter the city, a Bai family guard left the city urgently and met her head-on, "Young master!"

Bai Qingyan quickly reined in her horse, causing it to rear up and circle before stopping.

The Bai family guard dismounted swiftly, kneeled on one knee, clasped his fists, and addressed her toward the sky, "Young master, a noble from the capital has arrived!"

A member of the Imperial Family?

"Mount up! Return to the mansion!" Bai Qingyan said sternly as she galloped into the city.

Bai Qingyan entered through the side gate of the Bai Mansion. Chun Tao and Nanny Tong were already waiting for her. As soon as she dismounted, Chun Tao hurried forward and handed her a letter from Bai Jinxiu in the capital, "Young lady, Second Miss’s letter just arrived at Boyun Courtyard, and then... Eunuch Quan Yu from the Crown Prince’s Mansion came to see you!"

Bai Qingyan threw the whip to the guard and took the letter. She walked swiftly to the inner courtyard, reading Bai Jinxiu’s letter as she went.

Bai Jinxiu wrote that due to the loss of several cities within a few days during Liu Hong’s campaign in Daliang and Bai Jinzhi’s campaign, the Crown Prince and court officials were dissatisfied. Despite Prime Minister Lu’s efforts to stop it, the Crown Prince had decided to replace Liu Hong and Bai Jinzhi.

Many officials criticized Liu Hong for favoring the Bai family’s descendants and for insisting on using Bai Jinzhi in major battles. But Bai Jinzhi, still young and a woman, despite her earlier successes, began to show the weakness compared to male soldiers. Thus, the ministers petitioned for Bai Jinzhi’s removal.

Seeing that replacing Bai Jinzhi was unstoppable, Prime Minister Lu seized the chance to propose Fu Ruoxi to resume command. But the Crown Prince had no suitable replacement to take over the Patrol Camp. So, Li Mao requested his son, Li Mingrui, to replace Bai Jinzhi.

Li Mao personally issued a military order, promising that if Li Mingrui failed to reclaim the lost cities within three months, he would bring his head in apology.

This was not good for the Bai family. Bai Jinzhi had just gotten control of the Anping Army. The Commander’s Seal had not even warmed in her hands, and she hadn’t had enough time to earn the Anping Army’s loyalty as Fu Ruoxi had. Removing Bai Jinzhi now would mean losing the Anping Army.

Bai Jinxiu knew this would not benefit Bai Qingyan’s plans. And Li Mingrui was not yet loyal to the Bai family.

After reading Bai Jinxiu’s letter, Bai Qingyan clenched it tightly, her gaze deep and somber...

Then, Bai Qingyan could guess why the Crown Prince had sent Quan Yu to Shuoyang. The Crown Prince likely planned to replace Bai Jinzhi with Li Mingrui and, remembering their past dealings, sent his trusted eunuch Quan Yu to inform her.

Li Mingrui, a dismissed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, now intended to gain military merit in Daliang and seemed determined to replace Bai Jinzhi.