Yue Shi quickly bowed in gratitude: “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

“It’s only proper!” Bai Qingyan thought of A’Yu leading troops to escort medicinal herbs and physicians to Yan, and said to Yue Shi, “Currently, our Great Zhou’s Duke Zhenguo has already led troops to escort medicinal herbs and physicians to Yan’s Zhou territories. No one understands Great Zhou’s heart to protect its people better than Yan’s Regent Prince, therefore… if the Regent Prince doesn’t want the two countries to go to war, it would be best to first send someone to the border to deliver a message, allowing our Great Zhou’s medicinal herbs and physicians to enter Yan.”

“Yes!” Yue Shi nodded in response, “Your Majesty, rest assured, Yue Shi will deliver the message!”

Speaking thus, Yue Shi glanced at Bai Qingjue, Bai Jinzhi, and Bai Jinse, saying: “The Regent Prince also has words for Yue Shi to bring privately to Your Majesty. I wonder if it would be convenient?”

Bai Jinzhi was perceptive and bright—this was their brother-in-law having words to bring to their eldest sister. Bai Jinzhi rose to gesture for Bai Jinse to leave with her, but saw their seventh brother turn to look at their eldest sister, apparently wanting to see what she meant.

Bai Qingyan nodded to Bai Qingjue, and only then did Bai Qingjue rise and lead his two sisters away. Wei Zhong stood guard at the door, preventing others from approaching or eavesdropping.

“Miss Bai, my master originally wanted to celebrate Miss Bai’s birthday. The birthday gifts were all prepared, but Yan suddenly had an epidemic outbreak, and my master had to rush back to take control of the situation; therefore, he only had Yue Shi bring the birthday gifts over. Please forgive him, Miss!” Yue Shi said this while bowing to Bai Qingyan.

“The incident happened suddenly; this is reasonable. Go back and tell your master not to mind these trivial matters—the days ahead are long.” Bai Qingyan looked at Yue Shi, “Tell him that little A’Li’s sudden illness is probably suspicious, and he should be more cautious.”

Yue Shi knew that Miss Bai would understand his master. He kowtowed to Bai Qingyan: “Yes! The message and birthday gifts have been delivered. I must now take my leave to catch up with my master. Please take great care of yourself, Miss!”

“Mm…” Bai Qingyan nodded, “Take care of your master on this journey, and don’t let him contract the epidemic either.”

“Miss, rest assured!”

With that, Yue Shi kowtowed to Bai Qingyan, rose, and hurriedly departed.

Bai Qingyan watched Yue Shi’s retreating figure, her brow furrowed tightly, her heart extremely anxious.

She had not yet returned to the country, and it was difficult to send messages to her. She still didn’t know what state the epidemic had developed to.

This time coming to Dongyi, Bai Qingyan had not brought Physician Hong with her. Physician Hong was in Jinwan City, and learning of the epidemic, he had probably already begun working on developing remedies.

But… without patients in his hands, Physician Hong could probably only formulate prescriptions based on descriptions, with no one to test the medicines.

She leaned back against the armrest, only hoping the ship could go faster, even faster.

The soldiers at Jinwan Harbor received news that His Majesty was returning with Prince Hancheng’s coffin, and would arrive in half an hour at the fastest. Liu Rushi led the Great Zhou soldiers and naval officers to welcome them together at the harbor.

Seeing the imposing Great Zhou naval fleet approaching from afar with Great Zhou banners flying, Liu Pinggao and several naval generals standing at the dock all stepped forward.

The densely packed Great Zhou warships appeared on the sea, with white silk hanging high on the ship hulls, and plain silk draping down both sides, lifted high and fluttering together with the banners as the warships advanced.

The naval soldiers standing at the ship’s bows, like those standing at the harbor, gripped their swords at their waists and wore mourning cloths on their heads.

The Emperor was still on the warships, yet had all the warships draped in white mourning attire. Even when welcoming the remains of legitimate royal relatives, there wouldn’t be such dignity and grandeur.

The naval soldiers’ eyes were already brimming with tears.

“His Majesty has brought Prince Hancheng back!”

“Yes! Finally returned!”

“Who would have thought His Majesty could… give Prince Hancheng such honor!” A Great Zhou naval general sighed, “No wonder Prince Hancheng was so loyal to His Majesty!”

“Didn’t we already know this?” A naval commander spoke while holding back tears, “Knowing that Prince Hancheng died in battle against Dongyi’s provocation, not only did His Majesty not let this matter pass because of the country wager, but personally led the expedition to attack Dongyi for Prince Hancheng’s revenge, and personally went to bring back Prince Hancheng’s remains. Serving such a ruler gives us confidence in our hearts, doesn’t it!”

The naval commanders all nodded upon hearing this. Although posthumous glory and dignity were shown to the living, as Great Zhou’s Emperor, Bai Qingyan could do this much—even if it was to win hearts, they all accepted it.

Bai Qingyan was not wearing armor, dressed entirely in plain clothes, standing with hands behind her back at the ship’s bow.

When the warship slowly approached shore, Jiang Huaisheng stepped forward and said to Bai Qingyan: “Your Majesty… we’re about to dock. You, Duke Zhongguo, Duke Gaoyi, and Princess Yinghui should disembark first, then we’ll invite Prince Hancheng to disembark.”

“The deceased takes precedence. Invite Prince Hancheng to disembark first.” Bai Qingyang said softly.

Jiang Huaisheng was stunned for a moment, then clasped his fists in response.

Bai Qingyan could see from afar the soldiers welcoming Prince Hancheng at the harbor, as well as the common people and fishermen. She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly… When Prince Hancheng was still alive, even when Great Liang still existed, Great Liang’s emperor was unwilling to give Prince Hancheng opportunities, so that to the soldiers and people, Prince Hancheng was just Great Liang’s prince, Great Liang’s royal bloodline.

Now, Prince Hancheng had died in battle protecting fishermen and the Great Zhou, but he would also forever remain in the hearts of the naval soldiers and people; though dead, he was still honored.

Standing beside Bai Qingyan, Cheng Yuanzhi felt complicated emotions. After a long while, he stepped forward and said to Bai Qingyan: “Young Marshal Bai, in a moment… I want to personally carry Prince Hancheng’s coffin.”

Bai Qingyan turned to look at Cheng Yuanzhi, who had his hands clasped and wore a sincere expression, and nodded: “Good!”

The warship carrying the Emperor and Prince Hancheng’s coffin docked. Carpet was laid from inside the cabin all the way down, connecting with the carpet they had laid to welcome the Emperor. Armed soldiers lined up on both sides of the carpet, and everyone knelt waiting to welcome the Emperor off the ship…

Standing beside Prince Hancheng’s coffin, Bai Qingyan held the Great Zhou naval battle flag, raised it to cover the coffin, and called out loudly: “Lift the coffin, welcome Prince Hancheng home!”

Cheng Yuanzhi shouldered the coffin and shouted: “Lift the coffin!”

“Lift—”

Eight people carrying the coffin slowly rose, following behind Jiang Huaisheng, who held Prince Hancheng’s memorial tablet, slowly walking outward.

Bai Qingjue accompanied his eldest sister, standing to one side, watching Prince Hancheng’s coffin proceed first, then lifted his feet to follow behind toward the ship’s exterior.

Liu Rushi and other commanders, thinking it was Bai Qingyan disembarking, were about to kneel, but unexpectedly saw Jiang Huaisheng holding Prince Hancheng’s memorial tablet walking down from the ship first.

Following closely behind Jiang Huaisheng was Prince Hancheng’s heavy coffin.

General Cheng Yuanzhi of the Bai Family Army personally shouldered the coffin…

The clear, sharp sound of a whip cracking through the air rang out.

“Welcome, Prince Hancheng home!”

Bai Jinzhi gripped the whip tightly, her penetrating shout carrying from the ship’s bow.