“The princess is trapped here, and I’m afraid… she’ll never be able to leave any bloodline for Western Liang’s royal family in this lifetime, because the Great Zhou Emperor, for the stability of Great Zhou, will not allow this to happen, just like Prince Hancheng… who still has no offspring!” Guan Zhangning looked earnestly at Li Tianfu, who seemed as lifeless as dead ashes. “The princess can only fulfill His Majesty’s wish by leaving Great Zhou and the Capital City. Princess… please agree to this subordinate and come with me!”

Seeing that Li Tianfu seemed somewhat moved, Guan Zhangning continued: “Regarding the princess’s desire for revenge, if this subordinate fails in his duties and cannot help the princess achieve revenge even at the cost of his life, the princess can return for revenge after bearing bloodline for Western Liang’s royal family. At that time… it would not only fulfill the princess’s bond with His Majesty and your responsibility as a Western Liang royal princess, but also honor your bond with Lu Tianzhuo—a perfect solution.”

“Bear a child, then return for revenge?” Li Tianfu fell into deep thought.

“Or perhaps, by that time, this subordinate will have already avenged the princess, and the princess can forget the identity of Western Liang princess and start a new life with your husband… and child.” Guan Zhangning spoke earnestly, then, not daring to delay too long here, said, “Princess, if you’re willing to agree, this subordinate will make arrangements upon returning, and in five days, rescue the princess from this prison.”

Li Tianfu’s hand gripping the round table tightened, as if still struggling internally.

“Princess, there aren’t many of us left… we can no longer withstand the princess’s torment!” Guan Zhangning was anxious inside, but his voice was extremely cold, as if his heart had died. “If the princess is unwilling to leave, we can only risk our lives to forcibly take the princess away, exhausting our last bit of life force, which would count as our final loyalty to His Majesty and Western Liang.”

After a long while, Li Tianfu finally spoke in a hoarse voice: “Fine… I’ll go!”

Guan Zhangning nodded: “In five days, this subordinate will personally come to fetch the princess!”

With that, Guan Zhangning climbed back out through the rear window.

Li Tianfu sat at the table with flickering candlelight, her gaze fixed on the ashes on the ground. But every word written on that letter before it was burned clean… Li Tianfu seemed to have engraved them all in her mind.

Did her sister not hate her? She had someone help her survive…

She had thought that from the moment she ignored her mother empress’s dissuasion, watched her mother empress die before her eyes, yet still resolved to usurp Li Tianjiao’s throne, they were no longer sisters but enemies. But why… why was this?

After thinking for a long time, Li Tianfu finally vaguely understood. Perhaps when Li Tianjiao was dying, she still couldn’t let go of her younger sister, just like before… when she should have killed her but ultimately couldn’t bring herself to be so ruthless, only placing her under house arrest!

If Li Tianjiao had been more ruthless back then and not considered their sisterly bond, there probably wouldn’t have been… her later conspiracy with Tianfeng Kingdom to usurp the throne.

“How foolish!” Li Tianfu looked at the pile of ashes as tears fell like broken strings, though she didn’t know whether she was asking herself or Li Tianjiao.

·

The next day, Third Madam Li invited Second Madam Liu to visit the Capital City’s finest cosmetics shop to select high-quality face powder for Bai Jinzhi.

These past few days, sons from various branches of the Bai family had returned, but the second branch still had no news at all, leaving Second Madam Liu inevitably downhearted.

Previously, when none of the children had returned, Second Madam Liu still had hope, and the sisters-in-law could support each other in their worry for their children.

Especially these past few days, watching her sisters-in-law make clothes for their sons and select marriage prospects for them, her heart felt increasingly empty.

She had originally wanted to select some fine fabrics from the storeroom to make clothes for her sons, but thinking… not knowing which of her sons were still alive, she immediately became teary-eyed and couldn’t continue selecting fabrics, let alone choosing marriage prospects for her sons.

Fortunately, Dong Shi was thoughtful and noticed Second Madam Liu’s sadness, so she instructed the other sisters-in-law not to be too conspicuous when making clothes and selecting marriage prospects for their sons.

Early this morning, Third Madam Li happened to be going to the cosmetics shop to select face powder for Bai Jinzhi, so she invited Second Madam Liu, who had been staying cooped up in her courtyard, to come along.

Inside the swaying carriage, Third Madam Li was extremely anxious.

“You tell me about this Xiao Si—previously… though she wasn’t as beautiful as A’Bao and Jinxiu, when she wore a red dress, she was still a pretty young maiden! But now… Second Sister-in-law, look at her, how dark she’s become! That little face feels rougher than the back of my hand!” Third Madam Li deliberately avoided mentioning her son Bai Qingyun, only talking about her daughter. “You tell me, Xiao Si is reaching the age for marriage arrangements, and it’s worrying me to death! Second Sister-in-law, you’ve always been knowledgeable about beauty care, so you must help me carefully select face powder for Xiao Si, so she can at least… regain some of her fairness.”

Second Madam Liu covered her mouth with a handkerchief and smiled: “Speaking of our Xiao Si, it’s strange—they all went on the same campaign… how did she alone become so dark!”

“Exactly!” Third Madam Li clapped her hands. “Look at A’Bao, look at Jinxiu… they all got sunburned and red, with peeling skin on their faces, but they didn’t turn dark! I think… perhaps Xiao Si takes after her maternal grandfather—once tanned, she can’t get fair again. It’s truly worrying, and with Xiao Si’s temperament and personality, sigh… I don’t know what to do!”

“You needn’t worry too much. Children have their fortune! Xiao Si is now Prince Gaoyi! How many women in this world can be enfeoffed as princes? Even among men… how many can achieve such accomplishments at our Xiao Si’s young age!” Second Madam Liu comforted Third Madam Li, gently patting her hand. “As long as our children are safe, we… should be content!”

Upon reaching Furong Pavilion, the carriage stopped steadily, and the two rows of Bai family guards following behind immediately stepped forward to form two lines at the entrance of Furong Pavilion, creating quite an impressive display.

Two nannies stepped forward to help Second Madam Liu and Third Madam Li down from the carriage. As soon as the two entered Furong Pavilion, the shop manager came out to greet them.

“Had we known the madams were coming, everyone at Furong Pavilion has been waiting for you two madams all day!” the manager approached with a smile.

“Furong Pavilion is open for business, there’s no need for such formality. We’re not the type to care about such displays…” Third Madam Li said as she and Second Madam Liu sat down in chairs, speaking kindly to the manager with a smile. “Bring out all your finest face powders. Our Second Madam here is quite knowledgeable about cosmetics, so you’d better present some good items and not try to fool us.”

“Madam, you jest! With both madams gracing us with your presence, how would this humble one dare use ordinary face powders to deceive you!”