The clapper sounds grew closer. Fearing the night watchman would come by, Bai Qingyan nervously pushed against the man, but her arms were weak and powerless. The more she pushed, the tighter the man’s arms around her waist became, and the more forcefully he kissed her.

Unable to withstand it, Bai Qingyan kept retreating until Xiao Rongyan finally released her, resting his forehead against hers while both breathed heavily. His voice was extremely hoarse: “Don’t be afraid. The night watchman isn’t coming this direction—I can tell.”

With that, Xiao Rongyan gently pecked Bai Qingyan’s rosy lips again, struggling to control and regulate his breathing. He freed one hand to help pull up her hood, seeing her face completely flushed red, which made his burning gaze deepen even more.

After a long while, the clapper sounds passed by the alley entrance and faded into the distance. Only then did Xiao Rongyan release Bai Qingyan, saying gently: “Go back. I’m leaving…”

Bai Qingyan still couldn’t calm down, breathing extremely rapidly. She only pressed her lips together and nodded.

Xiao Rongyan leaped onto his horse in one fluid motion, took one last deep look at Bai Qingyan, then rode away.

Bai Qingyan bit her somewhat swollen and stinging lips, watching Xiao Rongyan depart. After hesitating for a moment, she mounted her horse and turned toward the training ground for a look. Only when it was completely light did she return to the Bai mansion, and the rain had grown heavier.

In Boyun Courtyard, rain drummed against the ancient trees’ dense layers of green leaves, creating a fine rustling sound from outside the window lattice.

Bai Qingyan had just changed into a tea-white diamond-patterned dress when she saw Chun Tao enter with a curtain raised, carrying a black lacquer and gold-decorated tray with a cup of hot soup.

When Bai Qingyan returned earlier, her cloak was completely soaked and her body was cold. Chun Tao had brought the radish and ginger soup that Nanny Tong had been simmering on the stove early in the morning to warm Bai Qingyan and dispel the cold.

The impetuous Bai Jinzhi rushed into Boyun Courtyard without even carrying an umbrella, standing under the corridor and patting her clothes: “How did this rain suddenly become so heavy?”

Bai Qingyan, sitting on the soft couch by the window and frowning as she drank ginger soup, turned her head to see Chun Zhi come forward to bow, then requested Bai Jinzhi to go to the warm pavilion to clean up.

“Chun Tao, go ask Fourth Miss to come in—no need to go to the warm pavilion for cleaning. Also, bring another cup of ginger soup for Fourth Miss to dispel the cold.” After Bai Qingyan finished speaking, she frowned and drank the remaining hot ginger soup in the cup.

Chun Tao acknowledged and went out, smiling as she bowed to Bai Jinzhi and invited her into the main room. She instructed Chun Zhi to have a maid bring hot water and towels for Fourth Miss to clean up, while she went to the small kitchen to bring ginger soup for Bai Jinzhi.

Bai Jinzhi removed her wet outer garments behind the screen, tidied herself up, then came out and sat opposite Bai Qingyan: “Elder Sister, are we going to Dengzhou to bring back Old Madam Dong?”

The maids carrying washing utensils filed out in small steps.

“Fourth Miss, have some ginger soup…” Chun Tao came forward to place the soup cup in front of Bai Jinzhi, gently reminding her.

Bai Jinzhi smiled at Chun Tao but looked eagerly at Bai Qingyan, who was holding ancient bamboo scrolls: “When do we leave? Last time when I heard Cousin Changlan describe Dengzhou’s scenery, I’ve been wanting to visit, especially the Yunjing Mountains—I heard they’re magnificently spectacular!”

“You won’t be going. You’ll stay in Shuoyang to look after your younger sisters…” Bai Qingyan glanced up at the enthusiastic Bai Jinzhi, suppressing the smile at the corner of her lips. “Besides, have you forgotten the task Elder Sister gave you? The matter isn’t resolved yet—how can you go to Dengzhou?”

Bai Jinzhi was stunned. This time, Elder Sister wasn’t taking her along.

But thinking about it, it made sense… Elder Sister had told her to deal with Bai Qiyun, but she still hadn’t handled it well. First, Bai Jinzhi indeed hadn’t put much effort into this matter—she preferred teaching her two younger sisters archery and horseback riding.

Second, since Bai Qingyan hadn’t given a deadline, Bai Jinzhi felt she could procrastinate. After all, it wasn’t something she was good at.

Chun Tao brought in cheese and pastries on a silver tray, placing them before Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi. She waved her hand to call Chun Zhi, who was standing by the screen, out of the main room, allowing the Bai sisters to talk privately.

“If I handle Bai Qiyun’s matter before Elder Sister departs, will Elder Sister let me come along?” Bai Jinzhi asked anxiously.

Bai Qingyan shook the bamboo scroll in her hand, closed it, and set it aside. She scooped a spoonful of cheese with a small silver spoon and drank it in small sips: “Even if you handle it well, Elder Sister can’t take you this time. With Elder Sister away… Shuoyang needs someone to watch over it. Little Four… you’re no longer a child. You’re Little Five and Little Six’s older sister. You must take good care of them and guard Shuoyang for Elder Sister.”

Bai Jinzhi bit her lip. Since childhood, she had always had Elder Sister, Second Sister, and Third Sister ahead of her. Taking care of younger sisters was never something she had to do, but she had to admit Elder Sister was right—she was an older sister… she should care for her younger sisters, just as Elder Sister cared for them.

“Little Four, if Elder Sister entrusts Shuoyang to you, can you be trusted?” Bai Qingyan looked up at Bai Jinzhi.

Bai Jinzhi’s palms tightened as she nodded solemnly: “Elder Sister, rest assured. Little Four will keep watch over Shuoyang!”

On the first day of the eighth month, the Crown Prince received news that the initial bandit suppression had yielded small results, which made him quite happy.

The person Bai Qingyan sent to report said that the number of bandits in this suppression was considerably fewer than they had expected, speculating that, like cunning rabbits with multiple burrows, those bandits might have other strongholds.

Looking at the number of bandit heads taken in this suppression, the Crown Prince also felt something was wrong. With so few people, how would they dare to rob his convoy and that of the Princess?

The Crown Prince gave some brief instructions to the Bai mansion guard who came to report, then had someone open the treasury to prepare some rare treasures, along with ginseng and deer antler for Bai Qingyan’s health, for the Bai family guard to take back as a show of closeness to Bai Qingyan.

After the Bai family guard expressed thanks, he took the Crown Prince’s rewards and headed straight out of the city back to Shuoyang.

These past few days, the Crown Prince had been quite displeased because his forcible entry into Prince Liang’s mansion and the resulting exposure of Prince Liang’s elixir refining… the Emperor had been very cold toward him lately, refusing to see the Crown Prince despite several requests for audience.

While Prince Liang was supposedly confined to his mansion to cultivate himself, and Prince Liang indeed hadn’t left his residence… the Emperor’s visits were frequent, and officials going to pay respects at Prince Liang’s mansion were numerous.

Within the capital, some families had already begun following the trend, openly inviting alchemists into their mansions. After refining elixirs, they would send them to Prince Liang’s mansion. When censors impeached this practice, the Emperor showed no intention of restraining Prince Liang.

Thus, it seemed that elixir refining was about to become fashionable among the noble families of the capital, and even the price of saltpeter in the city had risen considerably.

The Crown Prince even felt that exposing Prince Liang’s elixir refining this time was counterproductive—he had lost the Emperor’s favor without dealing any substantial blow to Prince Liang. Instead, it allowed officials to see the Emperor’s protection of Prince Liang, and some had already begun going to Prince Liang’s mansion to curry favor.

Old Fang, hearing that news about bandit suppression had arrived from Shuoyang, felt this was a good opportunity for the Crown Prince to enter the palace and show goodwill to the Emperor. He suggested the Crown Prince enter the palace to present the news of Shuoyang’s bandit suppression victory, then take the opportunity to apologize to the Emperor—crying and begging for mercy would suffice.