In the letter, Xiao Rongyan didn’t mention a single word about… how to deal with Meng Zhaorong, who had been captured by the Tianmen Pass garrison commander as a spy. He didn’t intend to interfere.

As Bai Qingyan read Xiao Rongyan’s letter, the smile in her eyes gradually faded toward the end. Although Xiao Rongyan had written only a few strokes in the letter, Bai Qingyan knew that previously, Xiao Rongyan had been caught off guard and hurt by his sister-in-law’s wariness. This time, it seemed he was accustomed to it, but his heart must still be extremely pained.

Xiao Rongyan was originally someone skilled at calculating human hearts, but judging from his treatment of Murong Yu and Murong Li, he was someone who wouldn’t use underhanded tactics on his own family. But… this time he was forced to calculate his own sister-in-law’s heart.

What kind of person was Murong Yu to have married such a soft-eared Empress?

He left behind an edict for Xiao Rongyan and Empress Dowager Yan to assist Murong Li. Wasn’t he afraid that Empress Yan would delay Murong Li’s development?

What Bai Qingyan didn’t know was that the position of Yan Emperor was originally Xiao Rongyan’s. It was Xiao Rongyan who falsely transmitted his imperial brother’s edict to let Murong Li ascend the throne. It was also because he remembered his sister-in-law and feared she would follow her brother in death out of longing that he added Empress Dowager Yan to the false imperial edict.

Even if Xiao Rongyan didn’t explain these things to her in the letter, she could understand them.

After all, Empress Dowager Yan knew that she and Xiao Rongyan had married and had a child. Xiao Rongyan had to appease Empress Dowager Yan somewhat, otherwise… if Empress Dowager Yan constantly guarded against Xiao Rongyan, Yan Kingdom’s already fractured court would split even more distinctly into the Regent’s faction and the Empress Dowager’s faction.

This was something Xiao Rongyan, whether as Regent or as Murong Li’s uncle, was unwilling to see.

However, when the matter of merging the two kingdoms was settled with no room for maneuver, presumably whether it was the Empress Dowager’s faction or the Regent’s faction among Yan Kingdom’s ministers, they would unite and work together wholeheartedly to build Yan Kingdom!

Because Bai Qingyan was pregnant, they traveled relatively slowly. When they reached Baiwu City, it was already the third day of the third month.

Military reports were constantly delivered to her by fast horses daily. Today’s news was… both the Yan Kingdom and the Great Zhou had already reached outside Yunjing City, waiting only for the final battle.

Bai Qingyan estimated that by the time she returned to the capital city, the outcome of who would prevail at Yunjing would be determined, and then would come the matter of merging the two kingdoms.

For this matter, Bai Qingyan needed to communicate with trusted ministers before Murong Li sent envoys to the capital city. Bai Qingyan felt it would be sufficient to first communicate with Grand Commandant Lu, and she couldn’t say much to others.

It wasn’t that Bai Qingyan didn’t trust Shen Jingzhong and her uncle Dong Qingping, but before this matter was finalized, the fewer people who knew, the better.

It was already evening. The golden crow was setting in the west, the horizon ablaze with sunset clouds, the entire sky purple-gold.

On the official road outside Baiwu City, carriages laden with goods still came and went in an endless stream, pedestrians wove through like fabric, and the sound of copper bells from horses passing by the carriages was constant.

She lifted the carriage curtain to look outside. On both sides of the bustling official road with its stream of carriages and horses, the trees already showed signs of budding, sprouting tiny green shoots.

She remembered that Xiao Rongyan had once said he wanted to settle in Baiwu City after the realm was pacified, and inexplicably felt much more favorable toward Baiwu City.

After a while, she called out: “Wei Zhong…”

“Eldest Miss!” Wei Zhong pulled the reins and moved forward, approaching the carriage window. “What orders does Eldest Miss have?”

“After we leave, send someone to stay in Baiwu City to look at houses there. Buy any suitable ones.” Bai Qingyan said.

Wei Zhong was stunned, then hurriedly asked: “This old slave presumes to ask, what does Eldest Miss intend to use the house for? Knowing the purpose, the person sent to buy the house can weigh things clearly and won’t bungle Eldest Miss’s task.”

“For living. The house needn’t be too conspicuous – ordinary and spacious would be good.” Bai Qingyan said.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhong immediately understood Bai Qingyan’s meaning – she wanted to find an upper-middle-class house in Baiwu City.

“This old slave understands and will give instructions immediately.” Wei Zhong said with a smile.

“Don’t be too hasty about this matter. Look carefully before buying.”

“Yes!” Wei Zhong responded.

Chun Zhi poured Bai Qingyan a cup of hot tea and asked softly: “Why does Eldest Miss want to buy a house in Baiwu City?”

Bai Qingyan smiled and picked up the teacup without answering. Sensing the fetus in her belly move, Bai Qingyan lowered her gaze and gently supported her abdomen, the smile in her eyes deepening.

Even the child liked Baiwu City, which showed… Baiwu City was a good place.

That night, Bai Qingyan stayed in Baiwu City. The next morning, she set off for Qufeng, unexpectedly finding that Chen Qingsheng and Chun Tao had already been waiting to greet Bai Qingyan in Qufeng.

Chen Qingsheng was thoughtful in all matters. Knowing that Bai Qingyan had returned with a light entourage and didn’t want to disturb the people, he had already reserved an entire inn early.

Coming with Chen Qingsheng and Chun Tao was also Physician Hong’s junior brother… Imperial Physician Huang from the Imperial Medical Academy.

Chun Tao had already put up her hair in a simple style with a white jade hairpin, cut neat bangs, and wore a narrow-sleeved jacket embroidered with magpies on branches and a moon-white underskirt.

As soon as she saw Bai Qingyan getting down from the carriage, Chun Tao’s eyes immediately reddened. Lifting her skirt, she hurried forward: “Eldest Miss!”

Bai Qingyan got down from the carriage, supporting herself on Chun Zhi’s hand, and was immediately supported by Chun Tao. She held Chun Tao and examined her carefully. After a long while, she turned to Chen Qingsheng, who was still bowing and hadn’t yet risen, and said: “Not bad. She hasn’t lost weight, and her complexion looks much better. This shows that Chen Qingsheng treats our Chun Tao well.”

“Miss!” Chun Tao reproached with a single sentence, her tearful eyes from just seeing her miss immediately turning to complete embarrassment.

Chun Zhi covered her lips with a handkerchief and laughed softly: “Indeed! Sister Chun Tao looks much more radiant than when she got married!”

“Oh! You little minx are teasing me too!” Chun Tao pretended to be angry and pinched Chun Zhi’s arm, then supported Bai Qingyan as they walked toward the inn. “Eldest Miss, you’ve worked hard traveling all this way. Please rest first and have some junket. This servant will prepare bath water for you and attend to your bathing so you can sleep more peacefully.”

Chun Tao was always meticulous in such small matters.

“Good…” Bai Qingyan gently squeezed Chun Tao’s hand and walked inside with her.

The inn Chen Qingsheng had chosen was the best in Qufeng, with a separate small courtyard in the back.

Knowing that Bai Qingyan had returned with only Bai family guards and shadow guards, Chen Qingsheng had brought many imperial shadow guards on this trip to greet Bai Qingyan. This wasn’t because Dong Shi was overly cautious, but because Bai Qingyan was now pregnant and presented too obvious a target.

“Madam was worried about Eldest Miss, so she had this humble one bring Imperial Physician Huang along.” Chen Qingsheng said to Bai Qingyan with a smile. “Imperial Physician Huang is waiting to take your pulse.”

Bai Qingyan nodded: “Good!”

The maids Chun Tao brought were all those Bai Qingyan had been accustomed to using at the Bai mansion. As soon as Bai Qingyan arrived, they attended to everything for her according to their usual routine, taking care of her perfectly.