Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 271

Chapter 271: Chapter 269: Private Meeting_1

Bai Jinzhi’s mentioned two cousins and three female cousins from the Dong family were the children of Bai Qingyan’s eldest uncle, Dong Qingping.

Not long after, Nanny Qin, who served Mrs. Dong, came over to the carriage and whispered, "Eldest Young Lady, Fourth Young Lady, the young masters and young ladies of the Dong Mansion would like to invite both of you to join them for a boat ride. Madam asked me to inquire if the two young ladies would like to go and get some fresh air?"

Mrs. Dong thought that Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi, having returned from the battlefield of southern Xinjiang, needed to relax.

Moreover, letting her daughters get close to their maternal family was naturally a good thing in Mrs. Dong’s view. It was rare that her nephews and nieces did not hold any fear toward Bai Qingyan despite her deeds of burning and killing surrendered enemies in southern Xinjiang, and even invited her for a boat ride. How could Mrs. Dong not agree?

"Eldest Sister! Eldest Sister!" Bai Jinzhi called out more and more urgently, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Bai Qingyan, almost tugging at her sleeve to plead.

Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jinzhi’s eager expression, smiled, and said, "Then please inform Mother that my fourth sister and I will return home a bit later..."

"Alright! I will inform Madam right away," Nanny Qin replied joyfully, as she had been worried that the Eldest Young Lady would refuse.

Mrs. Dong did not feel at ease, so she had Nanny Qin follow them personally. The three young ladies of the Dong family, having heard that their eldest cousin was joining, happily crowded into Bai Qingyan’s carriage.

"My cousin! My cousin!" Dong Tingzhen, lifting her skirt, boarded the carriage. Seeing Bai Qingyan, she smiled and said, "We intended to visit you both yesterday. But Mother did not allow it, saying you would be exhausted after returning from southern Xinjiang and needed to rest well. Knowing that you would be attending the palace banquet today, we waited here all morning to catch you!"

Bai Qingyan was slightly taken aback, thinking it was a coincidence, but she realized they had been waiting here deliberately. She smiled at Dong Tingzhen, "You could have sent someone ahead to inform us. Why wait all morning?"

Dong Tingzhen’s eyes reddened slightly. She gripped Bai Qingyan’s hand and sized her up and down, asking, "Did you get injured when you went to southern Xinjiang? Father and Mother were terrified when they heard you were going, worrying all the time."

She gently squeezed Dong Tingzhen’s hand and said, "I’m fine. Don’t worry."

In contrast to Dong Tingzhen’s familiarity and warmth as a legitimate daughter, Dong Tingyu and Dong Tingfang were happy but seemed somewhat reserved in Bai Qingyan’s presence. It was as if her presence carried an inexplicable sharpness that made them uneasy.

However, they played well with the childlike Bai Jinzhi.

The carriage swayed and wobbled out of town. Before they reached Taoyin Lake, they heard the excited chatter of children and young girls enjoying the spring outing.

Dong Changsheng, the eldest son of Dong Qingping, riding ahead, saw the lively scene, turned his horse around, and approached the carriage. He spoke softly, "Sisters, the spring scenery outside is beautiful. Would you like to come down and take a walk?"

Dong Tingzhen lifted the curtain and glanced outside. The vibrant spring scenery and lush greenery were captivating. She couldn’t help but smile, "The spring scenery is wonderful. The peach blossoms and green willows along the way are lovely. Let us get down and walk around! Cousin?"

Bai Jinzhi, with her sister’s permission, joyfully asked the driver to stop, pulling Dong Tingyu and Dong Tingfang by the hand as they got off the carriage. _{frёewebηovel.cѳm}