She couldn’t help but smile, sitting down in front of the soft couch, holding Xiao Rongyan’s handkerchief in her palms, carefully examining his bold and elegant calligraphy under the lamplight.

The partition doors were pushed open, and maids filed in carrying copper basins, white handkerchiefs, and other washing implements.

After Bai Qingyan finished her morning ablutions, Wei Zhong ordered food to be served.

After Wei Zhong ladled a bowl of porridge for Bai Qingyan, he whispered in her ear: “At the third watch, news came that Xiliang’s Li Tianjiao personally went to request the eighty-year-old General Cui to lead troops against the Great Zhou and Yan alliance. The Ninth Prince of Great Yan was worried about battlefield matters and came to bid Your Majesty farewell. Hearing that Your Majesty had just gone to sleep, he didn’t let this old slave disturb you, only instructed this old slave to tell Your Majesty that the Ninth Prince of Yan had been here.”

Bai Qingyan knew Wei Zhong was well aware that Xiao Rongyan had spent the night here with her, but was playing dumb to explain the situation clearly to her.

She scooped up a spoonful of porridge, thinking of old General Cui Shanzhong’s legendary battlefield tactics, then remembering the dream of A’yu covered in blood. Her brow furrowed as she said to Wei Zhong: “Send someone to fetch A’qi, A’yu, Jinxiu, and A’jue.”

General Cui Shanzhong of Xiliang was once known as “Jade-faced Silver Spear,” with outstanding military achievements. He had crossed swords not only with Grandfather but also with Great-grandfather. Later, because he had pretended to surrender to the Rong without informing Yunjing, the Xiliang imperial court became suspicious, and his wife and daughter all perished under the royal blade.

It was precisely because of this incident that General Cui Shanzhong became disheartened with the Xiliang court, retired from military service, and hadn’t emerged for many years. If Li Tianjiao had persuaded General Cui Shanzhong to come out of retirement, then the upcoming battles for Great Zhou and Yan would likely be more difficult than anticipated.

Bai Qingyan truly hadn’t expected that General Cui Shanzhong, at such an advanced age, would still emerge from retirement.

However, with Xiliang facing a national crisis, General Cui Shanzhong set aside personal grievances to lead troops in defense of his Kingdom, earning Bai Qingyan’s deep respect for the old general. But respect aside, the battle still had to be fought.

Nothing could obstruct the march toward unification.

Wei Zhong’s messenger to fetch Bai Qingqi and Bai Jinxiu had barely left when the siblings, having learned that Bai Qingyan was awake, all came to her courtyard together.

Wei Zhong added bowls and chopsticks for Bai Qingqi, Bai Qingyu, Bai Qingjue, and Bai Jinxiu, then dismissed the others, staying alone to serve.

Bai Qingyan placed a piece of steamed cake in Bai Jinxiu’s bowl, frowning as she spoke: “This General Cui Shanzhong uses cunning tactics on the battlefield. Even Grandfather would be extremely cautious when facing General Cui. In your upcoming battles… You must be even more careful.”

“Who would have thought Fifth Brother’s prediction would come true… Xiliang did have the eighty-year-old General Cui lead the troops!” Bai Qingjue smiled at Bai Qingyu, “General Cui must be eighty-eight this year?”

“You must not underestimate the enemy just because General Cui is old,” Bai Qingyan cautioned Bai Qingjue.

“Elder Sister, rest assured, A’jue understands!” Bai Qingjue never dared to underestimate any enemy. “Back then, Yun Poxing underestimated Elder Sister for being a woman, which is why he lost so miserably in the Southern Border campaign. A’jue keeps this in mind and never dares forget.”

“How is the situation at the government office today?” Bai Qingyan asked after taking a sip of porridge.

“A’yun is watching over there…” Bai Qingqi said. “I just went to look as well. People are already lined up in two queues – one for registering as Great Zhou citizens, and one for preparing to leave! Many are staying to register for Great Zhou citizenship, but quite a few are also preparing to leave. A’yun said… once the time comes, we’ll follow Elder Sister’s instructions to give them travel money and passage tokens to let them leave, and will explain that once they leave, they cannot enter Great Zhou cities again.”

“In that case, A’yu and Jinxiu, you should depart first with half our forces…” Bai Qingyan said after thinking.

“Does Elder Sister want to use these people leaving Yecheng Pass to tell the Xiliang people about our troop strength here?” Bai Qingyu asked.

She nodded: “You depart first. When these people leaving Yecheng Pass see this, they’ll naturally think you’re the Great Zhou forces sent to attack Yunjing. First, this will let the Xiliang people know that half of Great Zhou’s main force remains at Yecheng Pass, so they won’t dare easily attempt to retake it. Second, it will make the Xiliang people think we’re only sending out half our main force, so they won’t be overly defensive. Then A’qi, A’jue, Jinzhao, Jinhua, and Jinse will depart with the remaining half, catching Xiliang off guard.”

Bai Qingqi nodded: “Elder Sister speaks reasonably. Yecheng Pass was hard-won and absolutely cannot be retaken by the Xiliang people!”

“Then A’yu and I will prepare early!” Bai Jinxiu said, picking up her porridge bowl, planning to finish breakfast and depart with Bai Qingyu to marshal the troops.

“Don’t be too hasty in your attacks. Follow the strategy discussed with Yan and advance steadily. If you encounter General Cui, remember – in your tactics… be extremely cautious.” Bai Qingyan was still somewhat worried, turning to look at A’yu. “Never underestimate the enemy thinking General Cui is aged.”

“Elder Sister, rest assured!” Bai Qingyu nodded.

Regarding that dream, though Bai Qingyan knew it was just a dream, she still couldn’t let it go, fearing something would happen to A’yu.

That day, Bai Qingyu and Bai Jinzhi departed Yecheng Pass with half of Great Zhou’s main force, heading for Deyang.

The snow had stopped. Distant morning light gradually pierced through the rolling sea of clouds, slowly illuminating the ancient city walls outside Yecheng Pass from far to near.

Row upon row of heavy cavalry formed ranks, departing in order.

These battle-hardened iron warriors had resolute gazes, holding spears and halberds, their weapons gleaming coldly, their steps unified and identical. None dared oppose their sharp edge.

Bai Qingyu and Bai Jinxiu led the troops at the front, black banners with white python designs fluttering loudly. The massive formation moved like a black dragon, marching grandly into the distance.

Bai Qingyan stood atop the city wall, wrapping her fox fur cloak tightly around herself. For some reason, watching A’yu’s departing figure, that dream kept recurring in her mind.

“Elder Sister needn’t worry. A’yu and Second Sister are cautious enough to earn even Grandfather’s praise. They certainly won’t underestimate the enemy or act rashly,” Bai Qingqi said quietly to Bai Qingyan.

She turned to look at Bai Qingqi, whose temples had grown white, knowing he was worried deep down too, especially since… she had let Bai Qingyu leave first, causing unease in Bai Qingqi’s heart.

Because A’qi, like her, feared losing their younger brothers and sisters again.

A’qi feared it even more than she did…

Once, A’qi had thought their younger brothers were dead and had personally “buried” them, turning white-haired overnight.

Losing what was lost and found again would be even more heart-wrenching than the original loss.

“Grandfather, Father, our uncles, and the spirits of the Bai Family will all protect our Bai Family descendants. Nothing will happen. We needn’t worry too much!” Bai Qingyan turned and walked with Bai Qingqi toward the city wall stairs.

Bai Qingqi carefully supported Bai Qingyan as they slowly descended the city wall steps.