“Mm…” Bai Qingyan’s gaze fell on the silver armor in Dong Shi’s hands. She sat down beside Dong Shi and raised her hand to hold onto Dong Shi’s arm. “Mother, rest assured that I will be careful and take care of myself on this trip to Great Liang! A’Bao promises that in just a few years… I will let A’Yu return openly and honorably to Mother’s side!”

Hearing A’Yu’s name, Dong Shi couldn’t hold back her tears again. She forced herself to endure it, patting her daughter’s hand that was holding her arm: “Mother knows that you and A’Yu are both people with lofty aspirations. Don’t worry… Mother will guard the rear for you. Go to Great Liang with peace of mind! Hold military power… firmly in your grasp! As long as you hold military power… those in the capital will naturally fear you!”

Bai Qingyan nodded.

Dong Shi raised her hand to embrace her daughter: “What you want to accomplish is a matter of kings and losers. Success… and the Bai family will be remembered with honor for all generations. Failure… and the reputation the Bai family has accumulated over generations will be completely lost. If you don’t have complete certainty, you must not act rashly because of anything that happens in Shouyang, understand?”

Dong Shi was thinking long-term. She feared that if her daughter displayed her prowess on the battlefield again this time, the Emperor and Crown Prince would become suspicious of the Bai family and would want to grasp Bai Qingyan’s weak points to force her to submit!

If such a day truly came, Dong Shi hoped her daughter would never hesitate or even surrender because of them.

How could Bai Qingyan not understand Dong Shi’s meaning? She hugged Dong Shi’s arm tightly and smiled: “Such a day will never come. I won’t give them the opportunity!”

In the capital, Fu Ruoxi was her person… and there were also her people among the Imperial Guards!

Ever since the Bai family suffered great calamity, Bai Qingyan had always acted carefully and cautiously, not daring to be slack or take chances. Now things were generally arranged properly.

“Mother won’t be by your side, but your father will surely protect you from heaven, just as he protects A’Yu…” Dong Shi gently stroked her daughter’s back, more like she was comforting herself. “But you must take care of your own body. Don’t think you’re still the same as before!”

“A’Bao understands! Mother, don’t worry…”

That night, Dong Shi stayed in Boyun Courtyard, sleeping together with her daughter, using a round fan to fan her daughter, wanting to let her sleep more comfortably.

Looking at her daughter’s sleeping profile, Dong Shi secretly wiped away tears, staying awake almost the entire night.

When dawn was breaking the next day, Dong Shi finally dozed off drowsily. Bai Qingyan didn’t want to disturb Dong Shi, so she quietly got up to cover Dong Shi with a thin blanket, then tiptoed out of the inner chamber to the warm pavilion to get ready.

Chun Tao, with reddened eyes, helped Bai Qingyan bind her long hair high and don her armor. She wanted to ask the eldest miss to take her along to the battlefield, but she knew that going to such a place would only burden the eldest miss, so she forced herself to swallow the words.

Nanny Tong fastened the red cloak over Bai Qingyan’s armor: “Last night, the third, fourth, and fifth madams worked through the night to make this new cloak. They sewed peace talismans in all four corners, hoping the eldest miss can return safely.”

Bai Qingyan looked down and touched the cloak with its tight stitching, saying to Nanny Tong: “Please thank the three aunts for me.”

Chun Tao knelt to arrange Bai Qingyan’s cloak properly, then stood up with tears streaming down uncontrollably. Bai Qingyan looked at Chun Tao, whose eyes were swollen like walnuts, curved her index finger to wipe away the tears hanging on Chun Tao’s face, and said: “While I’m not home, take care of Mother and guard Boyun Courtyard well.”

Chun Tao was even more choked up and used the back of her hand to wipe away tears, nodding.

In front of the main hall of the Bai mansion, twenty Bai family guards were already armored and armed, ready to depart. Cai Ziyuan, dressed in blue robes and carrying a small bundle, saw the disciplined Bai family guards and unconsciously straightened his clothes.

Before long, he suddenly heard Lu Ping call out loudly, “Eldest Miss.”

Cai Ziyuan looked up to see a woman in silver armor and military dress, radiating killing intent, coming from the brightly lit corridor. She held a silver spear, walked with steady steps, bringing wind with her, her cloak billowing behind her. Her presence carried the dignity of summer thunder, with an imposing aura rarely seen even among men. That sharp yet restrained killing intent – how could anyone who hadn’t experienced hundreds of battles possess it?

Cai Ziyuan stared at Bai Qingyan’s slender but upright figure, his palms quietly tightening. The Bai Qingyan before him… had an elegant bearing and stood proudly apart from others. Where was any trace of her usual sickly appearance?

“Eldest Miss, outside the gate and along the street… many common people have gathered, seemingly all wanting to see you off!” Lu Ping stepped forward and said to Bai Qingyan in a low voice.

“We didn’t disturb Old Master Min Qianqiu, did we?” Bai Qingyan asked.

“Although Old Master Min Qianqiu hasn’t come out, his disciples have already left their homes and are… mixed among the common people. Eldest Miss should still be careful!” Lu Ping said, taking the silver spear from Bai Qingyan’s hand and following quickly at her side.

Old Master Min Qianqiu was writing books and biographies for the Bai family, emphasizing truthfulness. Lu Ping was reminding Bai Qingyan that she should still outwardly appear physically weak.

Bai Qingyan adjusted her wrist guards and said, “No need at all. Old Master Min has seen my frail appearance before, so he will surely think… I’m forcing myself to appear fine to boost military morale.”

Lu Ping nodded and said no more, mentioning that clan members had worked through the night to make handkerchiefs soaked in medicinal water for the departing soldiers. This time, the clan had rarely worked together with one heart, preparing five thousand handkerchiefs overnight with extras to spare.

“Please thank the clan elder and those who contributed on my behalf, and tell them that I, Bai Qingyan, keep this in my heart.” Bai Qingyan said.

Bai Qingyan turned back to see Physician Hong also hurrying over with a bundle on his back. Bai Qingyan was startled – she hadn’t notified Physician Hong to come along. Physician Hong was getting old after all. Back when Grandfather went on campaigns, he couldn’t bear to bring Physician Hong along. Later, when she went to Nan Jiang, it was because of her physical condition… not wanting the Bai family to worry that she brought Physician Hong. This time… no matter what, she couldn’t bring Physician Hong.

“Physician Hong…” Bai Qingyan’s gaze fell on the precious sword in Physician Hong’s hand. “This time you shouldn’t come along. Stay home to care for Mother and the aunts.”

“Does Eldest Miss look down on these old bones of mine?” Physician Hong pretended to be angry, putting on a stern face. “These old bones of mine are still sturdy! Your grandfather was older than I, so I had no choice but to follow his orders. If Eldest Miss won’t allow it… this old man will just ride behind the main force!”

Bai Qingyan felt moved in her heart and could only bow deeply to Physician Hong, agreeing to let him come.

Chun Tao, who had been following beside Bai Qingyan with reddened eyes, quickly stepped forward: “Eldest Miss, I…”

“Good girl, don’t join in the excitement! The first person’s method works, but when others use it later, it won’t work anymore!” Physician Hong said to Chun Tao with a smile.

Chun Tao forced herself to swallow her words, looking at Bai Qingyan with teary eyes.

“Stay home obediently and behave!”

After Bai Qingyan finished speaking, she lifted her feet to walk down the steps. Seeing Bai Qingyan approaching, Cai Ziyuan quickly bowed respectfully.