She leaned against Xiao Rongyan’s embrace: “Jintong is following the same path you took back then…”
Xiao Rongyan had never imagined that Cui Fengnian would be the Bai family’s third miss. This was because when he was in the capital city, he had seen the Bai family’s third miss, never expecting that in such a short time, the Bai family’s third miss would have traveled through Dongyi Kingdom, discovered Tianfeng Kingdom, even gone to Xiliang to join hands with major families for profit, stirring up storms, and later… even came to Yan Kingdom.
Moreover, Murong Ping had said he had met this wealthy merchant Cui Fengnian and even wanted to cooperate with this merchant, and was even restraining this merchant from leaving the Yan capital before the gambling between the nations ended. Therefore… Xiao Rongyan had sent people to watch this Cui Fengnian, but hadn’t put much effort into investigating this person.
“So, when the Bai family had not yet completely escaped their predicament, you had already begun planning for today.” Xiao Rongyan gently stroked Bai Qingyan’s arm. “Such far-sighted planning… if this world could be unified under your hands, it would also be a good thing!”
Bai Qingyan lowered her gaze, intertwining her fingers with his: “It would be unified under our hands. The Great Zhou implements the new laws that Empress Ji left in the Yan Kingdom, but never enacted. If Empress Ji has a spirit in heaven and sees the prosperous era after unification, with people living in abundance and contentment, she would surely be pleased.”
Xiao Rongyan nodded gently, placing a kiss on the top of Bai Qingyan’s head: “I just heard Great Zhou soldiers saying that Prince Zhongguo will arrive early tomorrow morning. I estimate you want to wait for Prince Zhongguo to bring troops and catch Xiping Prefecture off guard to seek revenge. You have injuries on your leg – let me go in your place.”
Seeing Bai Qingyan about to persuade him, he said: “I’m afraid my infamy has already spread throughout Yan Kingdom. I don’t mind if even more people curse me, but your leg… if you don’t rest, I fear it will make things worse. If something goes wrong… I won’t be able to explain to Mother.”
Bai Qingyan was his wife. If he couldn’t even protect Bai Qingyan properly, how could he face Dong Shi, and what kind of husband would he be?
“A’Yan, that you can stand on my side, I know… although it’s partly because Yan Kingdom has hurt you deeply, it’s more because in your heart, I have already surpassed Yan Kingdom.” Bai Qingyan looked up, her clear black and white eyes brightened by the flickering candlelight from the glazed lamp on the tall table. “You know I will go to Xiping Prefecture. You can’t stop me, and you’re afraid that if I fight again this time, my injuries will worsen, so… you want to go in my place!”
Xiao Rongyan looked down at the woman in his arms, his throat working as he softly acknowledged with a sound.
“But A’Yan, you feel sorry for me, and I also feel sorry for you! Yan Kingdom… is your country, your home.” Bai Qingyan’s voice was clear and ethereal. “Being human, whether as husband and wife, as relatives, or as close friends, tender care must be mutual and from the heart.”
To Bai Qingyan, Xiao Rongyan was not only her lover but also family, a confidant, and a good friend.
Yan Kingdom… could be conquered by Bai Qingyan, but it could not be Xiao Rongyan who struck the first blow for Great Zhou.
How could Xiao Rongyan face A’Li in the future? How could he face himself if he wielded a blade against his own country?
She was unwilling to have Xiao Rongyan remember, in days to come, every time he thought of Yan Kingdom, the scene of himself wielding a blade against Yan Kingdom. He was also human… he would also feel heartache.
Xiao Rongyan had already killed two sons of Prince Xiping and the heir’s wife for her. After the people of Prince Xiping’s mansion returned, who knew how they would explain it to others, and what kind of commentary history would leave for Xiao Rongyan?
Xiao Rongyan understood Bai Qingyan’s words. His gaze, meeting hers, fell on her temples, and he raised his hand to tuck the loose hair at her temples behind her ear, his arm around her shoulders seeming to tighten even more.
Tender care must be mutual and from the heart…
But he regarded his sister-in-law as the person he most respected after his brother’s death. Why couldn’t he earn even a little bit of… tender care from his sister-in-law, treating him as a younger brother?
“Moreover, with A’Jue there, my appearance is merely to boost morale in my capacity as Great Zhou’s emperor!” As soon as Bai Qingyan finished speaking, seeing Xiao Rongyan lost in thought, she paused and said, “A’Yan…”
Xiao Rongyan came back to his senses and nodded: “In that case, then in a while… I’ll set off back to the Yan capital. A’Li is soft-hearted, and there are some things I still need to handle.”
Originally, Xiao Rongyan had planned to fight in Bai Qingyan’s place, and after settling Bai Qingyan, return to the Yan capital, which was why he had people send letters ahead.
Since Bai Qingyan insisted on fighting, he would depart early.
“Are you afraid that the imperial clan will move against A’Li?” After reading the message Bai Jintong had sent, Bai Qingyan had the same worry.
“No matter what, whether as a subject of Yan Kingdom or as A’Li’s ninth uncle, I must protect A’Li.” Xiao Rongyan looked at Bai Qingyan. “A’Li cannot be lost!”
Bai Qingyan didn’t stop him. If it were her, she would also return to the Yan capital: “Very well, be careful on your journey. I’ll have Liu Pinggao take people to accompany you. Right now in Yan Kingdom territory, you don’t have many people you can mobilize…”
“Bringing an army would slow down the journey and make too big a target. I’ll take guards and ride fast horses day and night without rest to rush back to the Yan capital.” Xiao Rongyan looked down at Bai Qingyan. “We have a long future ahead of us.”
Bai Qingyan nodded: “If needed, the people under Jintong are at your disposal. She… knows you’re family.”
“Good!”
Bai Qingyan originally wanted to personally see Xiao Rongyan to the door, but Xiao Rongyan was concerned about her leg injury. He helped her remove her shoes, settled her comfortably, lowered the bed curtains, and only then left with Yue Shi.
·
As soon as Bai Jinzhi arrived in the city, she anxiously went to see Lu Yuanpeng.
She thought it would be like before, seeing a vigorous and lively Lu Yuanpeng, but looking at Lu Yuanpeng’s face showing not a trace of blood color in the swaying lamp shadows, lying there motionless, appearing to only exhale without inhaling, Bai Jinzhi was extremely anxious.
She knelt on the cypress wood footstool, tightly gripping Lu Yuanpeng’s hand, her voice trembling as she stared wide-eyed at the physician: “Say that again…”
“Reporting to Prince Gaoyi, this general has lost too much blood. This old one is incompetent and truly has no more remedies… I’m afraid he can’t hold on for more than a few hours.” The elderly physician also replied to Bai Jinzhi, trembling with fear.
In that instant, tears nearly burst from Bai Jinzhi’s eyes. After a moment’s hesitation, she became resolute again, saying firmly, “It’s because your medical skills are inadequate! To save Lu Yuanpeng, we still need Physician Hong! Someone come! Prepare a carriage!”
Hearing Bai Jinzhi’s words, the physician hurriedly said: “Prince Gaoyi, this general probably can’t withstand the jolting of the carriage!”
“Then should he just wait here to die?” Bai Jinzhi looked toward the young officer standing at the door, not knowing what to do. “What are you standing there for? Go prepare the carriage! Quickly!”
“Yes!”
Seeing the young officer run out in panic, Bai Jinzhi gripped Lu Yuanpeng’s hand and sat on the footstool, vigorously rubbing Lu Yuanpeng’s hand. Looking at his tightly closed eyes, she almost couldn’t help but wail: “Lu Yuanpeng! Lu Yuanpeng… think of your elderly grandfather. You’ve always had great fortune and a great life! You’ll be fine! As long as you get better… I’ll marry you, alright?”
By the end of her words, Bai Jinzhi could no longer hold back her tears…