Chapter 697: Chapter 694: Request to See the Eldest Miss_1

“I know that you, Cousin, are the eldest daughter of the Bai family and the Princess of Zhen. You lack nothing. But this is my heartfelt gift. Please do not refuse it!” Dong Tingzhen said with a smile.

Bai Qingyan looked at the box and thought of the pair of bracelets Xiao Rongyan had given her yesterday, causing her ears to turn a bit red.

She thanked Dong Tingzhen and accepted the wooden box. Inside was a pair of hairpins sculpted with warm jade into a smiling flower. The petals were intricately layered with thin pieces of jade connected by gold threads. The center of the flower was carved from a piece of jade, surrounded by gold-beaded stamens bent into various shapes, looking lifelike. If placed in the sunlight, it would surely attract bees and butterflies.

If Bai Qingyan was not mistaken, this should be a treasured item of Dong Tingzhen’s.

“Our Tingzhen is quite generous,” Bai Qingyan teased Dong Tingzhen.

Knowing it was Dong Tingzhen’s heartfelt gift, Bai Qingyan did not refuse and accepted it, thinking she would reciprocate with an equally valuable gift when Dong Tingzhen got married.

Dong Tingzhen smiled, covering her lips with a handkerchief. “Of course. During my time here in the Bai family, I’ve gathered quite a few treasures from my aunt. For this year’s birthday, it’s only fitting to give my cousin a precious keepsake from my own collection.”

Mrs. Dong playfully poked Dong Tingzhen’s forehead.

Before long, Bai Jinzhi, Bai Jinzhao, and Bai Jinhua also came to celebrate Bai Qingyan’s birthday.

Perhaps due to being twins, both Bai Jinzhao and Bai Jinhua secretly prepared gifts for Bai Qingyan without informing each other. When they opened their gifts, it turned out both had brought the ruby headgear that Consort Yu had gifted them when they entered the palace the year before, leaving Bai Qingyan both amused and exasperated.

Soon, various ladies also sent birthday gifts for Bai Qingyan.

Seeing the sisters joyfully laughing together, Mrs. Dong instructed Nanny Qin to prepare a feast in the small kitchen before excusing herself.

With the elder gone, the children could truly relax and play.

As soon as Mrs. Dong left, Bai Jinzhi reverted to her usual lively self, lounging on a chair without decorum and animatedly recounting to her two younger sisters how she had pretended to have a sore hand the previous day, earning her mother’s sympathy and avoiding punishment for having to transcribe books.

Bai Jinzhao and Bai Jinhua listened eagerly, while Dong Tingzhen, smiling, admonished Bai Jinzhi not to lead the younger sisters astray.

Bai Qingyan, with a light wool blanket draped over her legs, watched her sisters laughing and playing. She then turned to the window, where the sky was high and clear with no clouds, feeling a sense of peace and warmth at the rare tranquility of the day.

For some reason, she recalled the pair of bracelets Xiao Rongyan had given her, wanting to try them on. Yet, worried her sisters might ask about their origin, she kept the thought to herself, her eyes and brows softening into a smile.

Chun Tao entered with a basket, smiling and greeting Bai Qingyan. “Eldest Young Lady, these are treats personally made by the mute nanny. There’s also a charm she prayed over for forty-nine days, hoping it will bring you peace.”

Hearing it was from the mute nanny, Bai Qingyan smiled warmly. “Let me see!”

“Is this a birthday gift from the mute nanny?” Bai Jinzhi asked, coming over.

“The mute nanny didn’t know today was the Eldest Young Lady’s birthday. She heard you returned, so she sent these over,” Chun Tao replied with a smile.

The treats, though not particularly delicate, were freshly made by the mute nanny. Bai Jinzhi touched them and found them still warm.

The peace charm was stored in a beautifully embroidered pouch with a bird pattern, likely stitched by the mute nanny herself.

Bai Qingyan pushed the treats toward Bai Jinzhi for her to enjoy, then asked Chun Tao to store the peace charm safely.

“In two days, you will set off for Anping Camp. Are your preparations in order?” Bai Qingyan asked Bai Jinzhi with a smile.

“Don’t worry, Eldest Young Lady. Everything is ready! Uncle Ping has already selected the people, and I’ve reviewed them all. My mother, however, is still worried, checking for anything we may have missed. But I think we have everything we need,” Bai Jinzhi replied confidently.

Bai Qingyan nodded. “Since everything is packed, spend more time with your third aunt today. Once you leave, who knows how long it will be before you return, and she will surely be concerned.”

The decision for Bai Jinzhi to go to Anping Camp had not been discussed with her third aunt in advance. However, she had agreed, even though Bai Jinzhi was leaving the next day. Though it was Bai Qingyan’s birthday, she felt Bai Jinzhi should spend more time with her mother.

“I’ll accompany the Eldest Young Lady for lunch, then go to my mother,” Bai Jinzhi agreed.

“I’ll join you to accompany Aunt!” Dong Tingzhen added.

Bai Jinzhi was about to leave for Anping Camp, and Dong Tingzhen also had to return to Dadu City.

Nanny Tong walked in with a plate of honey tangerines, smiling and saying these were sent quickly on horseback by Madam Dong from Dengzhou. Mrs. Dong had already distributed them to the various courtyards, and this plate was brought first for the young ladies to taste.

Madam Dong remembered her granddaughter’s birthday and not only sent honey tangerines but also a birthday gift for her. Nanny Tong placed the fruit plate in front of the young ladies, then walked briskly to Bai Qingyan’s side, lowering her voice. “Eldest Young Lady, Madam Dong and your uncle sent Shi Huishu to deliver your birthday gift. Master Shi requests to see you.”

Shi Huishu wanted to see her? Could it be her uncle sent a message through Shi Huishu?

Bai Qingyan, looking at the playful Dong Tingzhen, Bai Jinzhi, Bai Jinzhao, and Bai Jinhua, said, “It’s about time. Fourth Sister, take Tingzhen and Fifth and Sixth Sisters to Shaohua Court. It’s a nice day. We can admire the ginkgo trees. I will join you after changing.”

“Cousin, will you be all right?” Dong Tingzhen asked, concerned.

“It’s fine. Today is beautiful. I want to enjoy the fresh air as well.”

“Very well. I’ll take Cousin Tingzhen and Fifth and Sixth Sisters over. Eldest Young Lady, don’t hurry!” Bai Jinzhi said.

After her sisters left, Bai Qingyan had Chun Tao help her change clothes, while Nanny Tong went to fetch Shi Huishu.

When Bai Qingyan was properly dressed and seated in the main hall, Nanny Tong brought Shi Huishu to Boyun Courtyard.

Shi Huishu, not yet forty, had an imposing presence. He still appeared as he had in Dengzhou–robust, with a warrior’s aura.

Seeing Bai Qingyan in her frost-colored silk brocade robe and an elm-green skirt, Shi Huishu was slightly stunned. He hadn’t expected his cousin to have become so much frailer in just a few months. Could her injury have been truly serious?

Shi Huishu had seen Bai Qingyan’s valiant demeanor in battle against the Nanrong last year in Dengzhou and was familiar with her martial prowess. Although he had heard along the way that she had been injured, with rumors saying Bai Qingyan had taken an arrow for the Crown Prince and wasn’t expected to live much longer, Shi Huishu hadn’t been particularly worried…