“Eldest sister, I had my reasons for leaving General Zhao behind.” Bai Jinzhi’s expression became unusually solemn. “Eldest sister, do you remember when second sister had just married her husband, at the Qin mansion, I once used my whip to discipline those two Qin family young ladies, and the Qin family guard who stopped me?”

Hearing this, Bai Qingyan put down her brush and looked at the serious-faced Bai Jinzhi: “I have some impression. Tell me…”

If Bai Qingyan remembered correctly, that guard had caught Bai Jinzhi’s whip. She had glanced at him casually, and what left the deepest impression now was probably the guard’s eyes—sharp and piercing.

“This guard is named Sun Wenyao. I heard that not long after the second sister married into the Qin mansion, he left to join the army. This time, after pacifying Han City, when the Han City nobles caused trouble, Sun Wenyao saved my life…” Bai Jinzhi deliberately emphasized the four words “saved my life,” though she didn’t seem particularly grateful.

“This Sun Wenyao is an old acquaintance. Back then, even as a mere guard, he dared to fight with me. I thought he was a man of iron backbone, so I kept him by my side, where we could spar and compete from time to time.”

Bai Qingyan maintained an attentive listening posture.

Bai Jinzhi pressed her lips together and said: “Previously, the Great Liang royal family members claimed they had surrendered all their family wealth, wanting to secure a way out for their entire families. With the King of Han City interceding, I agreed. Later, it was this Sun Wenyao who discovered that when those nobles and royal relatives left Han City, they were moving large and small boxes out at night. He asked me to go intercept them!”

Hearing this, Bai Qingyan narrowed her eyes.

“Master Cai’s opinion was that I should go warn them, turn a blind eye to the family wealth they had already moved out of Han City, confiscate what remained in the city, and use this to stabilize Great Liang first. After we completely control Great Liang in our Great Zhou’s hands, settling accounts later wouldn’t be too late.” Bai Jinzhi leaned her elbow on the desk, moving closer to Bai Qingyan as she continued: “I deeply agreed with Master Cai’s words. After all, it’s a special time now, having just fought… Most of Great Liang has surrendered to the eldest sister, so we should use gentle methods to comfort people’s hearts.”

That Bai Jinzhi could speak such words impressed Bai Qingyan.

“After I intercepted these people, I originally planned to follow Master Cai’s advice—confiscate their family wealth, frighten them a bit, then release them. At the time, I had Sun Wenyao take them away, first escorting them back to their respective mansions, temporarily not allowing them to leave the city…” Bai Jinzhi’s voice became extremely low. “Later, somehow, two Great Liang nobles and royal relatives who hadn’t yet left the city—when they handed over their family wealth, the servants delivering the wealth were all top assassins, every one of them coming for me!”

“This Sun Wenyao blocked a blade for me. Those two royal relatives shouted that I had broken my word and wanted to take the lives of their entire families, cursing that I would die a terrible death and be struck by lightning. They both died under Sun Wenyao’s blade.” Bai Jinzhi’s voice was deep and heavy.

“Afterward, seeing this, the other nobles all obediently handed over their family wealth and hurriedly left Han City! Master Cai also felt that Sun Wenyao shouldn’t have directly killed those two Great Liang royal relatives—he should have asked why they all believed I wanted their entire families’ lives.” Bai Jinzhi’s eyes grew increasingly cold as she spoke. “So I pretended to be extremely angry and scolded Master Cai, saying Sun Wenyao was my lifesaver! I questioned whether Master Cai suspected Sun Wenyao, and if he suspected Sun Wenyao, then he suspected me.”

Bai Qingyan’s lips parted slightly, her gaze toward Bai Jinzhi becoming increasingly gentle. What Bai Jinzhi displayed was indeed no different from her previous temperament—valuing relationships and loyalty, impulsive, and easily angered.

“Privately, I also instructed Master Cai to investigate what Sun Wenyao had said and done after escorting those royal relatives back to their respective mansions. Later, we discovered that although Sun Wenyao himself had done nothing, his subordinates had privately discussed that Princess Gaoyi was squeezing these Great Liang nobles and royal relatives dry of their family wealth before disposing of them cleanly. Hearing this… those royal relatives confined to their mansions found ways to send out messages, which led to this uprising.”

Bai Qingyan nodded.

“Later, when Sun Wenyao’s wound gradually healed, I went to ask him why he had been so ruthless with the Great Liang royal relatives…” Bai Jinzhi sneered coldly. “That Sun Wenyao said it was because he couldn’t bear to watch anyone attack me, because he had developed feelings for me, but knowing his lowly status, he didn’t dare reveal them. This time, when the royal relatives tried to assassinate me, he simply couldn’t hold back anymore.”

From Bai Jinzhi’s expression, it was clear she didn’t believe a single word.

“And then?” Bai Qingyan asked.

“Then naturally I played along!” Bai Jinzhi reached for the teacup beside Bai Qingyan’s hand and gulped down several mouthfuls. “Did he think I was stupid and brainless! What it looks like when someone likes another person—those eyes can’t hide it! Even if I haven’t experienced it myself, I’m not blind!”

Bai Jinzhi set the tea cup aside: “Besides, if he felt his status was too lowly, he should have kept it to himself! It would be best to keep it bottled up for life! Why say it at this time? What’s he trying to do? Life-saving grace plus romantic feelings… isn’t he just trying to make me look at him differently, isn’t he just trying to use kindness to seek repayment! Who’s he trying to fool?”

Bai Qingyan nodded: “Our little fourth has grown up…”

Bai Jinzhi lifted her chin slightly and smiled: “I told Master Cai about this privately. Master Cai thought I should play along and see what Sun Wenyao wanted to do. If he had my protection… Sun Wenyao would become more unbridled and unscrupulous, which would expose his purpose. He suggested I pretend to have developed other feelings for Sun Wenyao, while Master Cai had already sent people to investigate Sun Wenyao.”

“On the way back, it wasn’t that I wanted to abandon General Zhao against my conscience, but because we needed to redeploy defenses in various cities along the way. I didn’t want Sun Wenyao to know, so I pretended I couldn’t wait and brought people back first!” Bai Jinzhi reached again for the teacup, saw it was empty, and said childishly, “Eldest sister, I’ve been talking for so long—have Sister Chun Tao bring me some tea!”

Bai Qingyan was amused by Bai Jinzhi and called out, “Wei Zhong, serve tea to Princess Gaoyi!”

Hearing this, Wei Zhong hurriedly entered with cloud-mist tea and Bai Jinzhi’s favorite chilled sour plum soup, then respectfully withdrew.

“Ah! This sour plum soup—I can tell it’s Sister Chun Tao’s handiwork with just one taste!” Bai Jinzhi held the sour plum soup and sipped it in small mouthfuls.

“Chun Tao knew you were coming back. She’s in the small kitchen right now preparing your favorite pastries,” Bai Qingyan said.

“Sister Chun Tao still dotes on me the most!” Bai Jinzhi drained the sour plum soup in one breath, set down the jade bowl, and continued: “Eldest sister, I’ve brought this Sun Wenyao back now. If I’m not mistaken, once he’s back in the capital, he’ll become even more unbridled and unscrupulous…”