Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 654 - 651: Adventure_1

Inside the room, Lu Ninghuan had already bandaged Bai Qingyan’s wound. Bai Jinse helped Bai Qingyan lean against the pillow.

Bai Qingyan moved her body with difficulty; with each breath, her chest felt as though something was pulling it, making the pain unbearable.

Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jinse, whose eyes were red, and a faint smile appeared on her pale lips. Watching Bai Jinse tearfully, a warm feeling arose in her heart. She gently wiped away the tears on Bai Jinse’s face. "I’m sorry, did Eldest Young Lady scare you?"

Bai Jinse wiped her tears with her sleeve and lowered her swollen eyelids.

Chun Tao lit incense to disperse the smell of blood in the room. Her eyes red, she brought a cup of hot water through the curtains and handed it to Bai Qingyan, speaking softly, "Eldest Young Lady, Mr. Xiao is still in the side room. He said he was ordered by the Crown Prince to stay until Eldest Young Lady is safe and sound before leaving. Doctor Hong cannot tell Mr. Xiao about Eldest Young Lady’s current condition and can only wait with Mr. Xiao in the side room."

"Chun Tao, please ask Mr. Xiao to come in. I have something to say to him!"

From the moment Xiao Rongyan arrived at the Bai Mansion to protect Bai Qingyan, Bai Jinse had guessed that Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan had a special relationship. She had just heard that Xiao Rongyan carried her eldest sister into the mansion. Moreover, her eldest sister didn’t seem to hide her injury from Mr. Xiao. It seemed their relationship was indeed unusual.

Chun Tao responded and went out to call Xiao Rongyan. Bai Qingyan gently grasped Bai Jinse’s small hand.

"Grandmother doesn’t know about my injury yet. Eldest Young Lady wants you to tell Grandmother, and tell her the truth. This time, I had to reveal too much to protect the Emperor. To return to Shuoyang safely, this was the only strategy. Tell Grandmother not to worry." She raised her hand and touched Bai Jinse’s head. "Change your clothes and then go to Changshou Courtyard, okay?"

Bai Jinse nodded, stood up, and tucked the blanket around Bai Qingyan’s legs. "Eldest Young Lady, rest well. I will go tell Grandmother now. I will explain everything so that Grandmother won’t worry. Eldest Young Lady, don’t worry."

Bai Qingyan nodded. "Go ahead..."

Bai Jinse nodded and looked at Lu Ninghuan because she didn’t want Lu Ninghuan to disturb her eldest sister and Mr. Xiao. She said, "Auntie, could you help Doctor Hong prepare the medicine for Eldest Young Lady?"

Lu Ninghuan understood immediately and nodded, leaving the room with Bai Jinse.

As they walked out, they saw Xiao Rongyan coming along the corridor with Chun Tao. Bai Jinse respectfully bowed to Xiao Rongyan. "Thank you, Mr. Xiao, for protecting the Bai Mansion today. Bai Jinse will always remember."

"Seventh Young Lady, no need to be so formal." Xiao Rongyan returned the bow with a long salute.

Xiao Rongyan entered, his fists slightly clenched. He bypassed the screen and walked toward the inner room.

"Chun Tao, you can leave for now," Bai Qingyan said to Chun Tao.

Chun Tao frowned, feeling uneasy about leaving this man, who had barged into their young lady’s room before, alone with her. Given that their eldest lady was now weak, who knew if Xiao Rongyan would take advantage?

"It’s alright. You can go. Wait at the door." Bai Qingyan spoke softly to Chun Tao.

Only then did Chun Tao hesitate before bowing and leaving.

"Sit..." Bai Qingyan leaned against the bedhead and smiled faintly at Xiao Rongyan. "Thank you, Mr. Xiao, and your people for helping! The Bai family members are too easily exposed, and... if I used my own people, they might hesitate and wouldn’t play the role realistically."

After speaking, she covered her chest with her hand and slightly frowned, trying her best to breathe lightly to avoid hurting the wound.

Xiao Rongyan picked up the cup of hot water Chun Tao had left on a small table. He sat by Bai Qingyan’s bedside and brought the water to her lips. His eyes were bloodshot. "If I had known that pretending to be injured would leave you so seriously hurt, I would never have agreed."

Bai Qingyan didn’t argue, gripping Xiao Rongyan’s wrist as he held the cup. Taking a small sip, she looked up at Xiao Rongyan, whose expression was tense. "If I hadn’t done this, not only the Crown Prince would feel threatened by my act of saving the Emperor, but the Emperor might also not let me return to Shuoyang peacefully. He might even try to use a marriage arrangement to keep me in Dadu City."

Xiao Rongyan clenched his teeth, his expression hard to read.

Having spoken too much, Bai Qingyan’s breathing became labored, but she didn’t dare take deep breaths. She frowned tightly.

"Where does it hurt? Should I call Doctor Hong?" Xiao Rongyan put down the cup but was held back by Bai Qingyan.

In all her past and current lives combined, Bai Qingyan had never seen Xiao Rongyan so flustered. He always seemed confident and calm.

"Xiao Rongyan..." Bai Qingyan showed a faint smile at Xiao Rongyan. "Your people, you should trust them! You gave the order not to harm my life, so they will be careful."

"Kid..." Xiao Rongyan put down the teacup in his hand and looked at Bai Qingyan earnestly. "If you face any difficulties, I won’t stand by idly. We can discuss everything. Two heads are better than one. We don’t have to risk your safety!"

"Alright..." Bai Qingyan nodded and continued, "This unexpected chaos in Dadu City must have given you a lot to plan. You don’t have to stay here. Go back! I will recover properly. If I need anything... I’ll have Uncle Ping find you."

Since Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan were neither married nor engaged, Xiao Rongyan staying here was inappropriate.

He nodded, restraining his voice as he leaned closer to Bai Qingyan and whispered, "I’ll come to see you tonight..."

Bai Qingyan shook her head. "Please leave through the front door so that the elders of the Bai family won’t think poorly of you."

Xiao Rongyan pursed his lips. "I’ll come see you tomorrow."

Bai Qingyan did not refuse again and nodded. "Alright..."

The cool breeze, damp with moisture, blew in through the half-opened window. The lamp flame flickered, dimmed, and then glowed again, casting shadows on Xiao Rongyan’s distinct features and deep, dark eyes.

Xiao Rongyan raised his hand, tucking a strand of Bai Qingyan’s hair behind her ear. His gaze fell on her overly pale lips.

"Kid, promise me, don’t ever risk your safety again!" Xiao Rongyan leaned closer to Bai Qingyan, his deep, rich voice barely above a whisper, tinged with unexpected and heart-wrenching pleading. His fingers gently stroked Bai Qingyan’s fair cheek, brushing over her lips.

Seeing Bai Qingyan get hurt was more painful to him than facing danger himself.

Bai Qingyan looked into Xiao Rongyan’s eyes. Her eyelashes trembled, her heartbeat quickened, making the wound hurt more, but she gently held Xiao Rongyan’s strong, well-defined wrist and responded, "Mm..."

Seeing the shyness in her eyes, Xiao Rongyan could barely contain the emotions built up in his chest.

Moved beyond control, he cupped Bai Qingyan’s face, gently lifting her chin. His voice was low and slow, "Remember, it’s not just the Bai family you have to worry about. You also have me..."