If something truly arose because of this handkerchief, even if the young lady trusted her, once her reputation was ruined, she certainly wouldn’t be able to continue serving by the young lady’s side.
But she truly… didn’t want to leave the young lady’s side.
“I understand this matter, and you needn’t worry so much. I’ll handle this!” Bai Qingyan smiled at Chun Zhi. “Stop shedding tears now, get up and go wash your face and tidy up. We’ll be departing shortly.”
“Yes!” Chun Zhi wiped her tears with her sleeve before bowing and withdrawing.
Bai Qingyan lightly stroked the armrest of her chair, turning her head to say to Wei Zhong: “Send several people to make a big show of looking for Chun Zhi’s handkerchief. Since Chun Zhi lost her handkerchief, say that a young lady’s belongings might be picked up by an outside man, and whoever found it should quickly return it!”
“Yes!” Wei Zhong responded and went out to arrange this matter.
Before long, Shen Qingzhu, who was preparing to depart, came over. She said to Bai Qingyan, “Young lady, the Great Yan Ninth Prince has sent Feng Yao over. According to what Eunuch Feng says, the Yan army has already crossed the river and departed. The spies in Quanya City saw them leave without attacking the city, so they’ll certainly relax their guard. The Yan Ninth Prince estimated that the young lady would also depart today, so he sent Feng Yao over early this morning. The young lady may ask Feng Yao anything, and he will certainly answer everything he knows. Additionally… Feng Yao knows the Yan Kingdom’s marching routes well, so if the young lady has anything that needs to be conveyed to the Yan Kingdom, you can dispatch Feng Yao.”
She nodded: “Have Eunuch Feng board my carriage later. I indeed have matters to ask about.”
“Additionally…” Bai Qingyan looked up at Shen Qingzhu. “I also want to trouble you to follow Xiao Si…”
“Young lady, no matter what, I absolutely will not leave your side this time!” Shen Qingzhu’s expression was grave. “The young lady is now pregnant, which is different from usual. If you have me follow Fourth Miss… neither Fourth Miss nor I would feel at ease. Moreover, the young lady has already placed Xiao Ruohai by Fourth Miss’s side. Please don’t send me away…”
This was the first time Shen Qingzhu didn’t obey Bai Qingyan’s orders. As the eldest sister, the young lady would neglect herself while caring for her siblings, which Shen Qingzhu understood. But now that the young lady was pregnant, Shen Qingzhu naturally prioritized the young lady’s safety above all else.
Not to mention, Shen Qingzhu’s senior brother Xiao Ruohai was by Fourth Miss’s side.
Bai Qingyan gently squeezed Shen Qingzhu’s hand. Before she could say anything, she saw Wei Zhong hurrying in with small steps, bending down to whisper by Bai Qingyan’s side: “Your Majesty, Empress Dowager Yan has come and wishes to see Your Majesty…”
As he spoke, Wei Zhong handed Bai Qingyan the token proving Empress Dowager Yan’s identity.
Bai Qingyan reached out to take the token and glanced at it, then heard Wei Zhong say, “Eunuch Feng, waiting outside, was also quite surprised to see the maid outside the carriage. When this old servant came in, I saw Eunuch Feng going over to the carriage to pay respects.”
Since Murong Yan’s sister-in-law had come, Bai Qingyan naturally had to see her.
“Send someone to invite her in, along with Eunuch Feng.” She stood up. “I’ll come right away. Send someone to tell A’Yu that if I can’t make it in time, have him lead the troops first, and I’ll catch up later.”
“Yes!” Wei Zhong responded again and withdrew.
·
Empress Dowager Yan hadn’t expected to encounter Feng Yao here.
She had come to Pingdu City wanting to see Bai Qingyan after Murong Yan left with his troops, but Feng Yao had spotted her. It seemed she couldn’t hide her visit to see Bai Qingyan from A’Yan.
Empress Dowager Yan had originally wanted to find out from Feng Yao why he was in Pingdu City, but Feng Yao’s lips were sealed tight—he wouldn’t reveal anything.
She didn’t understand why Feng Yao, who had always been loyally devoted to her husband, should have dedicated himself wholeheartedly to protecting A’Li after her husband’s passing, rather than abandoning his position as Grand Steward in the palace to stay by A’Yan’s side.
Later… she finally understood. Feng Yao had once been the most loyal eunuch on her mother-in-law Empress Ji’s side, so naturally, he would protect Empress Ji’s child. His original choice to stay by her husband’s side was probably because her husband was Empress Ji’s offspring.
And today, seeing Feng Yao here again—didn’t this indicate that A’Yan’s concern for Bai Qingyan and the child in her womb had reached a level more important than himself, which was why he specially sent Feng Yao over to protect Bai Qingyan and her unborn child?
The more Empress Dowager Yan thought about it, the more confused her heart became. She picked up the hot tea brought by a servant and nearly scalded herself.
“Empress Dowager, be careful!” A’Nu quickly took the teacup from Empress Dowager Yan’s hands and used a handkerchief to wipe her hands.
Seeing the woman draped in white fox fur being supported by a maid while lifting her dress hem to step up the stairs, surrounded by a mighty entourage of guards and attendants, followed by a respectful old eunuch, Empress Dowager Yan stood up and almost instantly confirmed Bai Qingyan’s identity.
Seeing Bai Qingyan look toward her, Empress Dowager Yan’s expression changed slightly. Before coming, she had heard rumors that this Bai Qingyan was an extremely beautiful woman, even more beautiful and captivating than Liu Ruofu, the former greatest beauty of the Jin Kingdom. Even Great Liang’s Fourth Prince had mistaken Bai Qingyan for Liu Ruofu and sought to marry her with a promise of lifelong monogamy.
But Empress Dowager Yan had still been somewhat dismissive in her heart. She considered herself to have seen many beauties, but none could surpass their Great Yan’s greatest beauty, Consort Meng.
Seeing her today, she realized for the first time that there existed in this world a woman of such pure and stunning beauty as Bai Qingyan. Though she had a delicate appearance that could melt one’s heart, those eyes were calm and dark as if bottomlessly deep. The composed and calm bearing surrounding her reminded Empress Dowager Yan of her husband, the late Yan Emperor Murong Yu.
Having spent decades in daily companionship with Murong Yu, Empress Dowager Yan knew all too well the imperial majesty hidden beneath Murong Yu’s devastatingly beautiful appearance.
But in Bai Qingyan, besides seeing such majesty, she also saw… the sharp and decisive authority of one who kills without hesitation. This wasn’t something that could be feigned—it was an aura that could only be forged through truly bathing in blood on battlefields, through iron and steel, through countless trials, through life-and-death situations. It was a strength that even a delicate appearance couldn’t conceal.
Empress Dowager Yan recalled Prince Yan of Xiliang’s former assessment of this Great Zhou Empress—beautiful and powerful combined in one body. She had once disbelieved… but seeing her now, she knew such people truly existed in this world.
“I apologize for keeping the Empress Dowager waiting…” Bai Qingyan stepped across the threshold, giving Empress Dowager Yan a slight nod.
Empress Dowager Yan didn’t forget the purpose of her visit, smiling gently as she also nodded to Bai Qingyan: “Coming here presumptuously, I wonder if I’ve affected the Zhou Emperor’s schedule?”
“Not at all.” After Bai Qingyan sat down, she also nodded to Feng Yao. “Eunuch Feng, please sit as well!”
Empress Dowager Yan glanced at Feng Yao, then smiled at Bai Qingyan: “I know the Zhou Emperor’s time is precious, so I won’t beat around the bush. Could the Zhou Emperor dismiss the attendants? I have a few words to say, and then I won’t delay the Zhou Emperor any further…”