Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 604 - 601: Heroines_1

Thus, the pot of water in Dadu City finally boiled over.

Bai Qingyan placed the book on the black lacquered table beside her, tiredly massaging her temples.

At the hour of Mao, when the sky just barely began to lighten with a glimmer of dawn, the bright moon still hung high in the sky, and scattered stars were faintly visible. With Chun Tao’s call, "Miss, it’s time to wake up," all the lights in the main house of Chunhui Garden lit up.

Maids bent over, lined up under the eaves, carrying copper basins, towels, hot water, and spittoons.

The maids pulled aside the curtains, hooking them with the gold-threaded copper hooks on both sides.

Chun Tao tested the steaming water’s temperature, instructed the maid to add some cold water, then walked briskly across the curtain and gently hung the mosquito net on both sides of the bed. Seeing Bai Qingyan rise, she quickly knelt to help Bai Qingyan put on her shoes.

"This morning, news came from the Fu Mansion. Madam Fu has passed away," Chun Tao said softly.

Bai Qingyan had already known about this last night.

Bai Qingyan stood, taking the rinse water that a maid handed her. "Does grandmother know?"

"Second Madam personally went to Changshou Courtyard to attend to the Eldest Princess getting up. She should have mentioned it," Chun Tao took the towel from the maid, handed it to Bai Qingyan, who spit out the rinse water while covering her mouth, then passed the towel back. "Second Madam said that last night many families received the news. Families in Dadu’s noble circles sent people to inquire who would go to offer condolences. Several families have come to our residence."

Bai Qingyan sensed that Second Madam Mrs. Liu, unsure of what to do, must have gone to the Eldest Princess for advice.

Bai Qingyan dipped her hands into the copper basin, bent over to wash her face, and asked, "Did Second Madam reveal her decision to the steward?"

Chun Tao took a towel from the maid who shuffled forward, handed it to Bai Qingyan, and shook her head. "It seems she hasn’t, for now."

Bai Qingyan nodded. "I will go to have breakfast with grandmother."

Chun Tao acknowledged and started to comb Bai Qingyan’s hair as she sat before the dressing table.

·

At that moment, Second Madam Mrs. Liu was also in Qinghui Courtyard attending to the Eldest Princess’s morning routine. Seeing Nanny Jiang combing the Eldest Princess’s hair, Mrs. Liu handed the ginseng tea brought by a maid to the Eldest Princess. "Eldest sister-in-law isn’t here, so I didn’t know what to do. I intended to go to offer condolences, but everyone says that Fu Ruoxi attacked the Crown Prince. The Fu Family can’t avoid this catastrophe. Besides, when our Bai family was mourning, the Fu family didn’t come to offer condolences. I have a bit of resentment, so I came to trouble you, mother."

Second Madam Mrs. Liu, known for her straightforward and bold nature, didn’t want to go this time because the Fu family didn’t show up at her family’s mourning. However, thinking about how few might go to offer condolences to the Fu family, she couldn’t help but feel compassionate.

The Eldest Princess, her head full of silver hair, sat in front of the carved yellow pearwood bronze mirror, took a sip of ginseng tea, and looked at the frowning Mrs. Liu through the copper mirror, smiling. "Mother knows you’re kind-hearted! You’re upset that the Fu family didn’t send anyone when the Bai family was mourning. But remembering the cold and deserted scene of our family mourning, you empathize."

Mrs. Liu nodded. "Mother is right."

The Eldest Princess smiled more and said to Nanny Jiang, "Look... other families weigh the pros and cons. My daughter-in-law considers her own feelings."

Mrs. Liu, not one to play tricks, assumed that going might be detrimental to the Bai family. She clutched the silk handkerchief tighter and urgently asked, "Mother, will it harm our Bai family if I go now?"

"Not necessarily. Don’t worry! Nowadays, Kid is perceived by outsiders as affiliated with the Crown Prince. You can send someone to ask Kid if going or not will affect him!" the Eldest Princess said.

Mrs. Liu breathed a sigh of relief, nodded. "Alright, I’ll ask Kid later."

As soon as Mrs. Liu finished speaking, a maid came to report that Miss Bai had arrived.

Nanny Jiang, having finished combing the Eldest Princess’s hair, smiled and put down the jade comb. "Just mentioned Miss, and she’s here."

"Kid came early. She probably hasn’t eaten. Prepare some food," the Eldest Princess said, rising with Nanny Jiang’s help.

"I’ll have someone prepare it now," Mrs. Liu smiled as she stepped out.

As Mrs. Liu walked out, Bai Qingyan had just stepped onto the stairs and greeted her. "Second Aunt."

"Your grandmother is already up!" Mrs. Liu instructed Qingshu, who stood under the corridor, to prepare food. She entered the main house with Bai Qingyan, then spoke. "Kid, the Fu family sent people to announce the death. Should we go or not?"

Bai Qingyan paused, turned to Mrs. Liu and said, "Kid thinks second aunt need not be troubled that the Fu family, like the other families in Dadu City, didn’t come early to offer condolences. Our Bai family has always been upright. In people’s eyes, the Bai family must uphold the principle of ’Better the world wrong me than I wrong the world!’"

Before the Bai family had moved back to Shuoyang, Bai Qingyan intended to elevate the Bai family’s reputation to the peak, stating such principles. So... regardless of feelings, logic, or benefits, the Bai family should go.

Mrs. Liu nodded. "Alright, I’ll go myself later."

"I will go with second aunt."

Bai Qingyan said, entering with Mrs. Liu, and paid respects to the Eldest Princess.

The Eldest Princess, seeing Bai Qingyan looking better after a night’s rest, asked, "You escorted the Crown Prince back. You’ve been tired these days. Why not sleep a bit more?"

"I planned to visit grandmother and then go to the Fu Mansion to offer condolences for Madam Fu. Madam Fu... was an exceptional lady. I genuinely admired her," Bai Qingyan said.

Hearing this, the Eldest Princess’s lips parted in a momentary daze.

Yesterday, Madam Fu visited Bai Qingyan, then went to the Crown Prince’s residence. Later, news came that Madam Fu died in prison. The Eldest Princess suspected that Madam Fu must have made some deal with the Crown Prince, sacrificing herself for the safety of her family.

Bai Qingyan’s words today further confirmed this suspicion.

Madam Fu, sacrificing herself for her family’s safety...

While she watched her children and grandchildren die in the southern borders.

The Eldest Princess’s eyes reddened, her demeanor faintly drooped. Looking at Bai Qingyan, she wondered if her granddaughter still blamed her.

But seeing Bai Qingyan’s clear and bright eyes, she knew it was just her imagination.

Probably out of guilt, she couldn’t help but think about it frequently. The Eldest Princess placed the warm tea aside, nodded. "As long as it doesn’t affect the Crown Prince’s opinion of you, after breakfast, you and your second aunt can go."

Soon, Bai Jinzhi and Miss Lu also came to Changshou Courtyard to pay respects. At the time it took for a cup of tea, breakfast was served on the round table outside.