Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 707 - 704: Repay Grievance Directly_1

Bai Qingyan noticed that the elder’s shoes and the hem of his long robe were slightly wet. She realized that the elderly man had probably walked all the way without taking a carriage. Soon, she understood his identity and bowed respectfully to him: "Greetings, Mr. Min."

The renowned scholar of Wei Kingdom, Min Qianqiu, was someone Bai Qingyan had never met, but she had long heard of his reputation. In the past, her respected teacher, Mr. Guan Yongchong, had also mentioned this great scholar.

Seeing Bai Qingyan bow in greeting, the guards of the Bai family, including Lu Ping, quickly followed suit and bowed to Mr. Min Qianqiu.

·

The news of Mr. Min Qianqiu’s visit to Bai Mansion was sent back by Lu Ping’s men in advance.

Fortunately, Mrs. Dong had already made preparations and had tidied up an elegant and tranquil courtyard in the front yard for Mr. Min Qianqiu’s residence.

Upon hearing from the people Bai Qingyan sent back that Mr. Min Qianqiu was coming, Mrs. Dong calmly arranged for Mr. Min’s favorite pastries and dishes to be delivered to his lodging.

Over these days, while Mr. Min Qianqiu was staying at the inn, Mrs. Dong discreetly sent people to find out about his daily preferences and habits. They discovered what kind of people he liked to have around him, what kind of teaware he used, and even what type of tea he preferred.

Therefore, Mrs. Dong was able to make the preparations effortlessly and ensure that Mr. Min would feel at home.

The Bai Mansion bustled with activity due to Mr. Min Qianqiu’s visit.

When Mr. Min’s carriage and Bai Qingyan’s carriage arrived at the gate of the Bai Mansion, Mrs. Dong had already led several loyal servants outside to welcome them.

A recent sun shower had just cleaned the green tiles and blue bricks, making them shine.

Mrs. Dong saw Mr. Min Qianqiu, smiling faintly, being helped out of the carriage by his servant. She stepped forward to greet him with a smile. Before she could bow, she saw Bai Qingyan being assisted out of the carriage by Chun Tao, and Bai Qingyan invited Mr. Min with a gesture: "Mr. Min, please..."

"Princess of Zhen, please," Mr. Min replied with a smile.

Mrs. Dong was quite surprised. She had heard of Mr. Min’s reputation as a peculiar old man who would show a sour face regardless of one’s status if he was displeased. She never expected Mr. Min to be so amiable to her daughter.

Watching Bai Qingyan and Mr. Min walking side by side toward the Bai Mansion, Mrs. Dong nodded to Mr. Min: "Mr. Min..."

Mr. Min stopped and bowed to Mrs. Dong: "Mrs. Bai."

Mrs. Dong stepped aside to invite Mr. Min inside.

Since Mr. Min’s clothes were slightly damp, Mrs. Dong had someone lead him to change and rest first.

Before they parted ways, Bai Qingyan respectfully introduced Mr. Gu to Mr. Min: "Mr. Min, this is Mr. Gu... He is a loyal servant of the Bai family, having grown up with my grandfather. He knows more about the Bai family than I do. If Mr. Min has any inquiries, feel free to ask Mr. Gu."

Mr. Gu stepped forward upon hearing this and bowed deeply to Mr. Min: "Mr. Min, if you have any questions, please feel free to send for me."

Mr. Min nodded with a smile and then bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan: "Princess of Zhen, you should go rest. If Min has any needs... I will personally seek you out."

Bai Qingyan coughed twice into her handkerchief, pressing her chest: "I have been rude. Please wait for a moment, Mr. Min. I will meet with you again after I have changed and rested."

Seeing Bai Qingyan leave in her palanquin, Mr. Min finally followed the servants of the Bai family to the courtyard that Mrs. Dong had arranged for him.

Back in Boyun Courtyard, Bai Qingyan shed her earlier sickly demeanor. Although her chest still ached faintly, she was feeling much better.

Mrs. Dong personally helped her daughter to sit on a soft couch, then sat on the other side of the small table, lowering her voice to ask Bai Qingyan: "Did you go specifically to invite Mr. Min?"

Bai Qingyan took a sip of the hot tea Chun Tao handed her, then smiled at her mother: "Not really. Mr. Min said that he specifically went to visit the Bai family ancestral hall today. It was a coincidence that we met on my way out, so I invited him back."

Mrs. Dong nodded, still somewhat anxious: "Mr. Min will write a book about our Bai family. I imagine he has many questions to ask you. Fortunately, Mr. Min is elderly, so there is no need to avoid certain topics! I have set the place in Shaohua Hall. The scenery there is peaceful and elegant. Mr. Min is a refined man and should like it."

"Thank you for your trouble, Mother."

With her mother managing these matters, Bai Qingyan never worried.

Knowing that her daughter had seen Governor Shen today, then had Bai Qingping bring people over, followed by a visit to the ancestral hall and finally bringing Mr. Min back, she must have been exhausted.

Mrs. Dong looked at her daughter with sympathy, brushing the strands of hair at her temples back and whispered: "You go sleep. I will entertain Mr. Min. Rest assured..."

Bai Qingyan nodded. She was indeed seriously injured and needed to avoid overexertion... to prevent anyone from noticing any flaws.

"Mother..." Bai Qingyan called Mrs. Dong softly, lowering her voice, "This afternoon, I fear I will have to trouble Doctor Hong again. Make a bit of a scene. The Crown Prince’s people have not yet left. We should let the Crown Prince know that I am truly near death."

It wasn’t that the Crown Prince’s people purposely hadn’t left. But Bai Qingyan needed to stage a scene to ensure the message reached the Crown Prince.

Mrs. Dong nodded: "Mother understands!"

That evening, when Mr. Min was having his disciples organize the records collected about the Bai family from the Shuoyang folk, and he himself was preparing to write the preface of "Bai Clan," he heard a loud commotion outside. He sent his attendants to inquire and learned that the Princess of Zhen, Bai Qingyan, was feeling unwell from meeting guests and exerting herself with her injuries.

Mr. Min stood silent for a moment after hearing this. He shook his head, picked up his brush, and murmured, "Jin Kingdom’s century-old martial family, the Duke of Zhen’s mansion... Their daughter, so clear and resilient like iron."

"Master..." Mr. Min’s disciple, holding a scroll of records, said, "King of Zhen is soft-hearted towards the Bai clan, but the Princess of Zhen shows no mercy when dealing with them."

Sitting under the lamp, Mr. Min dipped his brush in ink, then smiled and asked: "Is it good or bad?"

"In my humble opinion, the Princess’s approach is good but not optimal. While her way provides temporary relief for the people, it relies solely on her authority for suppression. But how long can such suppression last? The Bai clan is so shameless and rampant. The Saint has said: ’Repay grievance with straightforwardness, repay virtue with virtue!’"

The disciple put down the records and made a decisive gesture: "The Princess of Zhen should renounce her ties to the clan and resign from her position, ensuring that these people can no longer rely on her authority. The common folk will not have to endure suffering while considering her past kindness to them. I dare say... it will not be long before the Bai clan’s vices resurface."