Seeing her eldest sister and the upright figure of Bai Qingyu standing at the tent entrance, Bai Jinxiu leaped down from her horse before it had fully stopped. Unable to suppress the choking in her throat, she wanted to call out “A’yu,” but when she opened her mouth, only sobs came out. Her throat was so swollen with pain that she couldn’t utter a single word.
She stared intently at Bai Qingyu… her steps quickening as she ran toward Bai Qingyu and Bai Qingyan.
Seeing Bai Jinxiu’s tear-streaked face, Bai Qingyan smiled and said to A’yu, “Go meet your second sister!”
Bai Qingyu responded and also walked toward Bai Jinxiu.
The siblings met and stood facing each other. Bai Jinxiu gripped Bai Qingyu’s arm tightly, looking at Bai Qingyu, who had grown two heads taller since setting out for war. She reached up to touch Bai Qingyu’s cold half-mask, her nostrils flaring as tears fell like broken pearls, asking softly, “Does it still hurt?”
Bai Qingyu grasped Bai Jinxiu’s hand, his eyes reddening with moisture as he shook his head: “It doesn’t hurt anymore, Second Sister…”
Hearing Bai Qingyu’s voice, Bai Jinxiu felt even more distressed, not knowing how much suffering A’yu had endured.
“All these years… in Rong Di, you must have lived as if walking on thin ice!” Bai Jinxiu looked at her brother, who should have been the most noble young master in the capital, who should have grown up under the attention and love of everyone in the family as the legitimate heir. But because of his grandfather’s utterly selfless loyalty to the Bai family, he had gone to battle and ended up with this appearance.
Originally, their A’yu had been such a devastatingly handsome young man that countless young ladies in the capital were infatuated with him.
Every son of the Bai family was a hero—why… did they have to end up in such circumstances?
“Second Sister, that A’yu can live is the result of countless Bai family army brothers fighting desperately with their lives. They used their lives to exchange for A’yu’s chance at survival. Compared to them… no matter how much suffering A’yu endures, it’s nothing!”
Bai Jinxiu nodded, gripping Bai Qingyu’s hand firmly: “It’s good that you’re back! It’s good that you’re back!”
When the eldest sister ascended the throne in the capital, Bai Jinxiu still didn’t know A’yu’s identity. Only later, when the eldest sister was about to reclaim Rong Di and sent a letter, did she suddenly realize that A’yu had already returned during the enthronement ceremony. Like his eldest sister’s edict proclaiming to all the seas, he had witnessed the enthronement ceremony. Not only that… A’yu had also captured Rong Di for the Great Zhou, making the Great Zhou’s path to unifying the realm even smoother.
Bai Jinxiu gripped Bai Qingyu’s hand tightly, unwilling to let go until they reached Bai Qingyan. Only then did she bow to Bai Qingyan with tears of joy: “Eldest Sister!”
Ji Langhua, who had come from Han City with Bai Jinxiu, also got down from the carriage. Seeing Bai Qingyan, her eyes brimmed with tears as she ran toward her, slipping with each step as she hurried over and knelt to bow to Bai Qingyan: “First Miss!”
Seeing Bai Qingyan lifting her skirts to come down from the tent steps, Shen Qingzhu quickly supported her, fearing the accumulated snow on the ground might cause her to slip.
She smiled as she helped Ji Langhua up, seeing that her veil had been soiled by the snow: “Get up quickly! Get up quickly! We’re all family—why perform such formal courtesy! Let Qing Zhu take you to get settled first…”
“Yes, First Miss!” Ji Langhua responded with reddened eyes.
After Shen Qingzhu led Ji Langhua away, Bai Qingyan grasped Bai Jinxiu’s hand and said, “Let’s go inside the tent to talk—it’s too cold out here…”
Bai Jinxiu smiled and nodded, entering the large tent together with her eldest sister and fifth brother.
After the three siblings finished discussing matters regarding Tianfeng, Bai Jinxiu spoke to Bai Qingyan about Han City affairs: “Now Qin Lang has gotten the hang of things, and with Lu Yuanqing and Chen Zhao Lu’s cooperation, the people are very enthusiastic about implementing the new policies. Those prominent families also don’t dare act rashly due to their fear of General Zhao’s military authority. However, I told Qin Lang to use more conciliatory policies, combining kindness with authority… those great families wouldn’t dare go too far! When I came this time, I had General Zhao Sheng temporarily remain in Pingyang City to provide rapid support to all quarters.”
Bai Qingyan nodded: “What about Wang Ge’er?”
“On the way here, I sent Wang Ge’er back to the capital. First, because Qin Lang is so busy I was afraid he couldn’t look after Wang Ge’er properly, and second, Mother misses Wang Ge’er too! I thought that with Wang Ge’er and Little Eight keeping aunt and the other ladies company alongside Mother, they certainly wouldn’t be lonely!” When Bai Jinxiu spoke of Wang Ge’er, her expression was filled with gentle smiles.
But thinking of not being able to personally witness Yun Poxing’s death, Bai Jinxiu still felt regret: “It’s just a pity… I couldn’t arrive in time to join Eldest Sister and A’yu in personally killing Yun Poxing!”
“Yun Poxing died under General Cheng’s blade, which can be considered revenge for Grandfather… and Little Seventeen and the others! But this is merely the beginning. Back then, Western Liang allied with Nanyan to provoke war and colluded with treacherous court officials, causing countless casualties among our Bai family army. This grudge… won’t be settled unless we destroy Western Liang!”
Even though Yun Poxing was now dead, when mentioning the Nanjiang battle from years ago, Bai Qingyan still gnashed her teeth in hatred.
She looked at Bai Jinxiu and said, “The spring examinations are at the end of February, so… after capturing Yecheng Pass, I must rush back to the capital. Although I won’t be able to fight alongside you afterward, and Third Sister has more important tasks to handle, but… the remaining Bai family sons, not one can be absent from the war to destroy Western Liang!”
“Eldest Sister has already killed Yun Poxing. Once Yecheng Pass is breached, leave the rest… to us!” Bai Jinxiu was full of fighting spirit. “When Yun Poxing was there, perhaps Western Liang could still slightly delay our destruction of their Kingdom. But without Yun Poxing, once we break through Yecheng Pass and capture Ye Shouguan, Western Liang cannot withstand our Great Zhou cavalry!”
“Western Liang first had internal strife, then Tianfeng’s interference, plus putting Li Tianfu on the throne and pulling Li Tianjiao down from the imperial position. Whether it’s the Western Liang people or their soldiers, they’re all in a state of confusion and panic right now—this is the best time to attack! Li Tianfu is already in Great Zhou’s hands, so we’ll recognize Li Tianfu as Western Liang’s emperor. Once we take Yecheng Pass, within three months, we must destroy Western Liang! Later, we can grant Li Tianfu a princely title and keep him permanently in the capital!”
Bai Jinxiu straightened her spine and cupped her fists: “Eldest Sister, rest assured. After taking Yecheng Pass, within three months, Western Liang must be destroyed!”
That very night, Bai Qingyan set out lightly equipped toward Yecheng Pass to rendezvous with Bai Qingqi, Bai Qingyun, Bai Jinzhao, Bai Jinhua, and Bai Jinse.
Bai Qingyan left Shen Liangyu behind, having him lead the Huying Army to coordinate with Bai Qingyu. After driving away from Tianfeng, they would join Bai Qingyu in rendezvousing with the main army.
When Bai Jinzhi had departed with the Shouyang Army earlier, she had left behind fifteen Shouyang Army squads, planning to use them for siege warfare.
Bai Qingyu and Bai Jinxiu personally saw Bai Qingyan off. Only after seeing Bai Qingyan board her carriage did Bai Qingyu speak to Bai Jinxiu: “Second Sister, we break camp tonight. We must hurry to Liuxiang Mountain! Great Yan has already captured Fangzhong City. Once Tianfeng, determined to withdraw from Western Liang, receives this news, they’ll certainly accelerate their retreat. To be safe, we’d better move quickly!”