Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Grandmother_1

"Big Miss!" Chun Yan responded, lifting the heavy curtain and coming in from outside. She saw Bai Qingyan sitting on the bedside and quickly grabbed a cloak lined with thin cotton to drape over Bai Qingyan, saying, "Sister Chun Tao went to help Mrs. Luo at the madam's place and hasn't returned yet."

Seeing that Bai Qingyan didn't look well, Chun Yan couldn't hide her worry. "Why did you get up without calling someone to assist you?"

"What time is it?"

"It's past noon." Chun Yan pulled up the bed curtains on both sides. "Do you want some shredded chicken porridge? Mrs. Fang has been simmering it in the small kitchen, and the aroma is quite tempting."

She adjusted the cloak. "Help me get up."

With the call of, "Big Miss is up," the once-quiet courtyard quickly became lively. Those sweeping snow continued sweeping, and those preparing water continued their tasks.

Soon, the maids in charge of washing lined up under the eaves, holding rinse water, spittoons, copper basins, and towels. Chun Yan then ordered the curtain to be lifted and led the maids in.

Chun Tao returned to Qinghui Courtyard. Hearing that Big Miss was up, she dusted off the snow on her body and quickly entered to serve. Seeing Bai Qingyan dressed in a plain, white jacket and skirt embroidered with flowers, draped in a white fox fur cloak looking ready to go out, Chun Tao hurriedly stepped forward to fasten her cloak.

"It's snowing heavily outside, Miss. You're still ill. Where are you going?"

"To visit Grandmother."

Chun Tao hesitated but helped Bai Qingyan put on the cloak. She took a hot coal from the brazier and put it in a hand warmer. She knew that no matter how she tried to convince her, it was futile against their determined Big Miss.

Bai Qingyan took the hand warmer from Chun Tao and held it to her chest. She instructed, "Later, when I am with Grandmother, you need not serve us. Instead, discreetly go to the front courtyard and have Lu Ping wait for me by the rockery corridor in the back courtyard in half an hour. I have something to tell him."

"Yes!" Chun Tao responded.

Bai Qingyan took a few steps, tightened her grip on the hand warmer, and glanced back at Chun Yan, who was tidying up the clothes trunk. Currently loyal to her, she said, "Chun Yan, ask Qingzhu to come find me at the hour of the rooster."

Considering the timing, she feared the men of the Bai family were all lost. But since fate had given her another chance, Bai Qingyan wanted to strive with all her might. If she could save even one, it would be better than doing nothing at all.

"Got it! I'll finish packing and then go find Miss Shen!" Chun Yan replied cheerfully.

The snow had not yet stopped. She walked through the snow, the smart little maid sweeping snow outside Changshou Courtyard spotted her from afar and hurried inside to report.

Bai Qingyan hadn't even reached the courtyard entrance when Nanny Jiang, who served her grandmother, rushed out to meet her.

"Big Miss, the snow hasn't stopped. Why are you here?" Nanny Jiang held an umbrella and, with a group of maids, walked briskly to Bai Qingyan. Naturally, she took the half-warm hand warmer from Bai Qingyan and replaced it with a new, warm one, personally holding the umbrella for Bai Qingyan.

Years ago, Bai Qingyan had been stabbed in the abdomen and fell into the water, leaving her with a condition that made her intolerant of the cold. Everyone in the household knew this.

Nanny Jiang had served by her grandmother's side since she was seven. She never married and later followed her grandmother in death by swallowing gold. Her loyalty was evident.

"Nanny..." Bai Qingyan queried while walking towards Changshou Courtyard with Nanny Jiang. "Has Grandmother woken from her nap?"

"The Eldest Princess is awake. She is currently praying to Buddha for the safe return of the Duke and the Crown Prince."

"How has Grandmother's health been lately?"

"You needn't worry. The Eldest Princess has been well cared for by the Imperial Medical Bureau's director. The only issue is the nearing year's end. With the Duke, the Crown Prince, and the brothers not yet back, the Eldest Princess hasn't been sleeping well." Nanny Jiang reported.

Bai Qingyan nodded and entered the warm room to adjust her clothes. Nanny Jiang methodically instructed others to change Bai Qingyan's snow-drenched shoes and socks and to bring hot water for her to wash her hands.

"Nanny, there's news from the southern frontier..." _{freeweɓnøvel.com}