Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 302

Chapter 302: Chapter 300: Comprehensive Lifetime_1

But when it involves life and death, the Emperor of Yan could not stay in the Jin Kingdom even if he detoxifies.

"Alright..." Bai Qingyan nodded. "But as for the jade relic... you should take it back. Publicly, you can say that I refused your gift."

"This is my elder brother’s intention." Xiao Rongyan’s lips carried a very faint smile. "If you don’t accept it, my brother can’t be at ease."

"Accepting it would only invite criticism." Bai Qingyan’s attitude was resolute. "If Mr. Hong successfully detoxifies the Emperor of Yan this time, it won’t be too late for me to accept it then. Otherwise, given the nature of the Shuoyang Clan, they would likely pressure our Bai family to hand over this heirloom treasure, betraying both the Emperor of Yan and Mr. Xiao’s good intentions."

What Bai Qingyan said was indeed true. Xiao Rongyan had seen the nature of the Shuoyang Clan before.

"Then I’ll take it back as if Miss Bai is temporarily keeping it with me." Xiao Rongyan gently stroked the jade cicada in his hand, looked up at her, and extended the jade cicada to her. "Since that’s the case, Miss Bai, please accept this first."

The jade cicada...

Her pupils trembled slightly. In her previous life, Xiao Rongyan had given her the jade cicada when she was at her lowest point.

Xiao Rongyan had given her the jade cicada for her to flee for her life...

Unexpectedly, in this life, Xiao Rongyan again offered this jade pendant to her, in a completely different gentle tone.

"This is a personal item of Mr. Xiao’s. It is not appropriate for me to accept it." Bai Qingyan’s hand hidden in her sleeve tightened slightly.

Xiao Rongyan took a step forward, blocking Nanny Qin and Chun Tao’s line of sight with his back. He overstepped boundaries and grasped Bai Qingyan’s slender wrist, placing the jade cicada into her hand. "This is a relic of my mother’s. It was given to her by a sage back then, claiming it could ensure safety. Later, during the chaos at the palace, my mother hung the jade cicada she never parted with around my neck and had my uncle take me to escape. I remained safe and sound..."

Xiao Rongyan took a step back and stared at the towering tree in the courtyard, with young green buds sprouting from it.

The chaotic scenes from back then were still vivid in Xiao Rongyan’s memory.

He also remembered his mother hanging the jade cicada on him, hugging him tightly, and urging him to save his elder brother and live well.

It was the first time Xiao Rongyan had seen his mother’s tears in his memory. She was such a strong and powerful person. Believing her husband couldn’t even protect their child must have been utter despair, something Xiao Rongyan didn’t understand at the time.

Later, when his brother had children and was secretly harmed by the lingering remnants left by the emperor, he vaguely understood the heart-wrenching agony his mother must have felt back then.

Seeing Xiao Rongyan deeply gaze at the tall tree, he seemed to be lost in some emotion.

"The tree in the palace back then was even taller than this one. My uncle hid me in it, the dense leaves and branches providing cover. I saw father coming and wanted to call for help, but my uncle covered my mouth. I watched as the black-clad assassins of the palace knelt in front of father, reporting. That’s when I knew it was father’s intention."

The lifelike jade cicada still carried Xiao Rongyan’s hand warmth. Bai Qingyan lowered her gaze... sure enough, it was identical to the jade cicada from her previous life.

Xiao Rongyan lowered his gaze, pulling himself out of that deep sorrowful emotion, turning to gaze at Bai Qingyan. "So, I once swore... if I ever took a wife, I would never doubt her and would protect her all her life."

His deep, captivating eyes gazed quietly at Bai Qingyan, making her feel as if he harbored deep feelings for her.