Bai Qingyan and Bai Jintong flanked the Grand Princess on either side, listening to her restrained, low voice as she gave her instructions: “Today, you two must both leave home. Remember to be extremely careful! Especially A’Bao… you’re going to Nanjiang, where swords and blades have no eyes. Remember to stay close to the Crown Prince to ensure your safety.”

“Yes.” She responded quietly.

After escorting the Grand Princess into the courtyard, Bai Jintong kowtowed with reddened eyes before leaving to change clothes and prepare for departure.

Though the small courtyard chambers of the Imperial Pure Nunnery couldn’t be called magnificent, they lacked for nothing.

The underfloor heating in the chambers had already been lit. Lifting the thick felt curtain, spring-like warmth greeted them.

She escorted the Grand Princess inside, and after the maid served hot tea, she curtsied: “Since Grandmother is settled, granddaughter will take her leave.”

“A’Bao!” The Grand Princess anxiously rose as she saw Bai Qingyan about to leave.

Her weathered, bony hands grasped Bai Qingyan’s hand, hanging the prayer beads from her wrist onto Bai Qingyan’s slender wrist: “These have been blessed by Master Guanghe and will surely protect your safe return!”

Looking at this string of prayer beads that her grandmother had worn for years, Bai Qingyan didn’t refuse. After curtsying, she said: “Thank you, Grandmother.”

“A’Bao, you must… return safely!” The Grand Princess’s eyes were completely red, restraining herself from letting tears fall.

She nodded slightly and withdrew from the chamber, then from the small courtyard. Hearing the sound of curtains being lifted behind her, she looked back… and saw the Grand Princess, supported by Nanny Jiang, lifting the felt curtain and coming out, tears streaming as she watched her.

Unable to bear it, she gave a shallow curtsy to the Grand Princess before leaving.

When Bai Qingyan reached Bai Jintong, she had already changed into men’s clothing. She led Bai Jintong out through the nunnery’s side gate, having her leave from the north face of the mountain.

The two had just walked to the bamboo grove on the north mountain when they saw a team of well-trained guards standing beneath the dancing emerald bamboo leaves.

Wei Zhong hurriedly stepped forward to pay respects: “Master, half the guard unit—ten men—are here.”

She nodded and turned to Bai Jintong: “Grandmother placed one of her hidden guard units under my command. This half will go with you!”

Bai Jintong pressed her lips together and thought: “Elder Sister is departing for Nanjiang today and needs them more! Take them with you, Elder Sister!”

“Following beside the Crown Prince, I won’t encounter danger, but you’re different. Hiding your identity, you can only rely on manpower!” Bai Qingyan grasped Bai Jintong’s hand and escorted her down the mountain. “My mother has already placed documents for the Bai family’s reputable shops in various locations in your luggage! Fortunately, everyone knows… the Bai family has spent all their wealth, so shops changing hands won’t attract attention!”

“Mm…” Bai Jintong nodded. Seeing that the mountain path was difficult, she supported Bai Qingyan and unexpectedly felt the iron sandbags wrapped around Bai Qingyan’s arms.

“The current state of the world is changing. For long-term planning, you can’t focus only on Jin this time. If with your abilities you can spread business throughout all nations… gathering intelligence from various countries will be much more convenient in the future.”

Is the state of the world changing?

Bai Jintong’s heart suddenly pounded heavily, as if clouds had parted in her mind.

Yes, not only was Jin changing, but the world was changing too!

For Jin…

Internally, sycophantic flatterers and treacherous officials in court had climbed to high positions and wielded great power.

Externally, the allied armies of Xiliang and Nanyan pressed at the borders, while no generals in court dared go to the front lines.

Internal strife unresolved, external threats pressing—signs of a nation’s downfall.

For the world, the Great Jin, once mighty and dominant, showed signs of decline after reaching its peak. Xiliang was ambitious, and Nanyan was a rising power—the situation would change.

With eyes only on Jin, one could only see Jin’s rise and fall, but with eyes on all nations, one could see how the world and circumstances would transform and shift.

The situation changed rapidly—whoever could seize the initiative could establish themselves in this chaotic world.

Bai Jintong deeply understood that Elder Sister sought to protect the Bai family, but if within her capabilities, beyond protecting the Bai family… Elder Sister’s ambitions probably extended beyond just Jin.

The Bai family hadn’t escaped danger yet, but Elder Sister was already planning far ahead, paving the way for the great aspirations the Bai family had pursued for generations. Her goals were not small, and she too must adjust her strategy to match Elder Sister’s pace.

“Elder Sister! Jintong understands the importance. Elder Sister, rest assured—Jintong will not fail Elder Sister, will not fail the Bai family, will not fail our ancestors’ beliefs.” Bai Jintong clasped her fists in salute. “Elder Sister, please stop here. Jintong will go down the mountain alone!”

She was gratified that Bai Jintong understood her meaning and nodded: “Be careful in all things. Though you have a kind heart, when away from home, you cannot afford a woman’s soft-heartedness!”

“Jintong knows!”

From today, Bai Jintong would travel under another’s identity.

The hidden guards silently followed Bai Jintong as she left, until her figure could no longer be seen.

Cold wind blew through the bamboo grove, rustling the bamboo leaves, as Wei Zhong heard Bai Qingyan’s indifferent voice…

“The remaining half of the hidden guards, after the troops surrounding Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion withdraw, deliver them to Second Miss Bai Jinxiu for her command without error. You’re getting old—from today, stay by Grandmother’s side to serve and protect her, rest peacefully in your old age. You need not follow me anymore.”

Hearing this, Wei Zhong showed no hesitation, nodding in acknowledgment and thanks.

One emperor, one set of officials—Wei Zhong had seen this often in the palace. For servants like them, being able to end well when masters changed was the best possible outcome.

—

The expedition army would depart at the end of the chen hour and the beginning of the si hour. Bai Qingyan had arranged to meet the Crown Prince ten li outside the city.

This morning, after seeing off her grandmother and third sister, she had already sent Xiao Ruohai ahead with her public guards and luggage to wait ten li outside the city.

She rode down the mountain sharing a carriage with Dong Shi, who held her daughter’s shoulders as tears streamed down, speaking words of caution throughout the journey: “Remember, you absolutely cannot act like before, thinking the battle situation is under your control and then take risks! You must know that Mother only has you left, do you hear?!”

“Mother, rest assured, A’Bao understands! A’Bao will stay close to the Crown Prince to protect herself. Moreover, with two foster brothers protecting me, A’Bao will surely return safely! Mother must guard the Bai family for Father! I still need to live to protect Mother for Father!”

Dong Shi couldn’t control her sobs, hugging her daughter tightly, her heart filled with grief.

They had agreed—if it was a daughter, she would teach poetry and books, making her learned and well-mannered; if it was a son, her husband would teach him martial arts to protect home and Kingdom.

But why did their son die on the battlefield, and their daughter also had to rush to war with her frail body?

After seeing Dong Shi and the various aunts back to the mansion, Bai Qingyan solemnly kowtowed before quietly leaving the mansion away from prying eyes.

Nanny Qin came to report to Dong Shi that Bai Qingyan had left. Dong Shi’s tears fell like threads. After a long while, she let out a long sigh and choked out: “From today, First Miss is ill…”

“This old servant understands!” Nanny Qin said with reddened eyes.

“Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law!”

Third Madam Li Shi’s panicked voice could be heard from outside the courtyard. Dong Shi opened her swollen eyes, glanced toward the window, and instructed Nanny Qin: “Go welcome Third Madam.”

Third Madam Li Shi hurried in holding up her robe, clutching a letter in her hand, tears streaming down her face in panic: “Sister-in-law! Xiao Si… Xiao Si she…”