It was said that back when General Guan’s wife and children were killed by the Rongdi people, he knelt outside the Bai Family Army camp for an entire night, begging for the Bai Family Army to take him in because he wanted revenge. Later, Fifth Uncle took pity on him and accepted General Guan, making him a cook in the army. Perhaps because his wife and children had been slaughtered… it was precisely because Fifth Uncle only made him a cook that he never thoroughly investigated this General Guan.

“Later, General Guan’s parents, wife, and children all passed away one after another. General Guan enlisted, and there were no more people left in the Guan family!” Seeing steps ahead, Shen Qingzhu supported Bai Qingyan’s arm as they walked down several stone steps, then continued, “I couldn’t find anything suspicious in Feng County, so I took the risk and made a trip to Xiliang to investigate General Guan’s name in Xiliang – Yun Lan. Only then did I discover something fishy…”

Bai Qingyan nodded, signaling for Shen Qingzhu to speak directly.

“I heard that this person called Yun Lan from the Yun family did exist, but he left home at the age of thirteen, claiming he was going to study abroad. For more than twenty years after that, he never returned to Yun Capital. Calculating the time, his age would be similar to General Guan’s. When the Yun family brought General Guan back to Yun Capital, they falsely claimed that General Guan was Yun Lan…”

Upon hearing this, Bai Qingyan’s steps paused as she looked at Shen Qingzhu, whose face was illuminated intermittently by the swaying hexagonal palace lanterns.

Shen Qingzhu nodded slightly. Because more than twenty years had passed and Yun Lan had left no portrait behind, Shen Qingzhu had not found any solid evidence to prove that Guan Zhangning was Yun Lan.

Speaking of it, there was nothing particularly suspicious about Yun Lan and Guan Zhangning being of similar age, but this person named Yun Lan from the Yun family left home at thirteen and never returned to Yun Capital for more than twenty years. It was quite coincidental that General Guan arrived in Feng County when he was thirteen or fourteen years old. Wasn’t this too much of a coincidence?

Combined with Bai Qingyan’s previous suspicions about Guan Zhangning, Shen Qingzhu already felt that Guan Zhangning must be guarded against. Therefore… before returning to the capital to report to Bai Qingyan, Shen Qingzhu had already told what she had discovered to the Bai family’s Third Young Master Bai Qingqi, asking Bai Qingqi to be cautious and on guard.

“Both were thirteen or fourteen years old! Sister Qingzhu, you mean… this General Guan is that Yun Lan!” Bai Jinzhi also realized what this meant.

Shen Qingzhu nodded: “But it’s only a suspicion. I haven’t obtained solid proof. The Bai Family Army has always operated on the principle that without solid evidence, they would never suspect their comrades. However, the lesson from the battle in Nan Jiang was too devastating for the Bai Family Army. This time, I would rather suspect a comrade than see the tragic events of the past happen again! So before returning, I told Third Young Master about this matter.”

Hearing Shen Qingzhu mention the Battle of Nan Jiang, Bai Jinzhi’s hands clenched tightly into fists…

Back then, Grandfather had complete faith in Liu Huanzhang, which was why the Bai family ended up in such a dire situation.

The wind passed by, causing the pearl curtains and gauze drapes hanging on both sides of the long corridor to sway gently. The copper hooks hanging on either side of the red lacquered pillars swayed, and the copper bells collided, producing delicate tinkling sounds.

“Sister Qingzhu’s suspicion is correct! Telling Third Brother was also right. It would be best if Third Brother could test him. If we can truly clear General Guan of suspicion, then our Bai family owes him, and we can make it up to him later! But… the Bai family and the Bai Family Army can no longer take risks!” Bai Jinzhi’s voice was firm. “After all, trusting the wrong person once… with over a hundred thousand Bai Family Army soldiers, we cannot afford to lose!”

It was rare for Bai Jinzhi to think this way. Indeed, she had… grown up.

Bai Qingyan raised her hand and gently patted Bai Jinzhi’s head. From childhood, they had been taught that comrades were as trustworthy as blood relatives – people you could entrust your back to.

Therefore, asking Bai Jinzhi to suspect a general in the Bai Family Army, especially one who had followed Fifth Uncle, was like asking her to suspect her family member. This was extremely conflicting for Bai Jinzhi internally.

“So when you go to Nan Jiang this time, keep an extra eye on this General Guan, but don’t let it show…” Bai Qingyan instructed Bai Jinzhi.

Bai Jinzhi was stunned for a moment, then her face lit up with joy: “Elder Sister, you agree to let me go to Nan Jiang!”

Bai Qingyan smiled gently: “Today, you gave such a precious gift. Having accepted your kindness… naturally, I must let you go!”

Bai Jinzhi quickly bowed to Bai Qingyan: “Thank you for saving me, Elder Sister! If you don’t let me leave… Mother will force me to go matchmaking again! I really can’t stand it anymore!”

“Tomorrow morning, you’ll depart with the troops. Don’t accompany me… go spend time with Third Aunt.” Bai Qingyan raised her hand and gently stroked the top of Bai Jinzhi’s head.

Bai Jinzhi responded affirmatively, then turned around with a smile, lifting the hem of her dress and running toward her mother’s sleeping quarters. If she told Mother that Elder Sister had allowed her to go to Nan Jiang, Mother definitely wouldn’t stop her.

Watching Bai Jinzhi’s cheerful figure disappear into the distance, Bai Qingyan supported Shen Qingzhu’s hand as they walked toward the sleeping quarters together, asking softly: “You’ve reconciled with your sworn brother?”

Shen Qingzhu, who was supporting Bai Qingyan, nodded and lowered her eyes: “Previously, I had been blaming Senior Brother for Master’s death. Now that I know Master is still alive, I’ve let go of everything…”

“After returning this time, let you and your sworn brother rest well for a few days. You two should go visit your master together.”

Since the Bai family’s troubles began, neither Shen Qingzhu nor Xiao Ruohai had properly rested, always staying busy.

“I still prefer to stay by Miss’s side and await your orders. Now that the great endeavor remains unfinished, Miss needs people most. Qingzhu cannot leave.” Shen Qingzhu’s attitude was resolute.

“The great endeavor may be unfinished, but it cannot delay your marriage. All these years… your sworn brother has always been thinking of you, yet you stopped associating with him because of your master.” Bai Qingyan lifted the hem of her dress and stepped up the corridor steps. “Even my mother says it’s a pity about you two childhood sweethearts.”

Shen Qingzhu lowered her eyes, only listening to Bai Qingyan’s words without refuting. It wasn’t until Bai Qingyan finished speaking that she said: “Ever since Miss vowed to fulfill the Bai family ancestors’ aspiration of unifying the world, Qingzhu also made a vow to the gods and Buddhas… that unless I protect Miss to complete her great endeavor, I will never marry and create another burden for myself! Having burdens means being unable to risk one’s life for Miss’s affairs! Qingzhu’s life was given by Miss. To Qingzhu… Miss is the priority. Everything else is unimportant.”

Bai Qingyan’s steps paused as she turned to look at Shen Qingzhu. Although she had always known in her heart that Qingzhu would forever put her first, seeing Shen Qingzhu state this so solemnly still made Bai Qingyan’s heart ache involuntarily.

Qingzhu was highly skilled in martial arts. In her previous life, if not for leaving behind a younger brother for her, she wouldn’t have been… by that beast Bai Qingxuan…

Bai Qingyan gripped Shen Qingzhu’s hand tightly and said: “Very well, then we’ll wait until we repel Tianfeng Nation and the world is at peace. I’ll personally arrange your wedding with your sworn brother!”

Shen Qingzhu only said, “I’ll escort Miss back to rest.”

After escorting Bai Qingyan back to her sleeping quarters, Shen Qingzhu was just about to leave when she saw Wei Zhong approaching with Xiao Ruojiang.

Seeing Shen Qingzhu, Xiao Ruojiang first bowed to her: “Miss Shen…”

Shen Qingzhu returned the courtesy with cupped fists: “Did Miss call you back?”

Xiao Ruojiang nodded: “Probably because of those few elephants outside the military camp.”