After consulting with his subordinates, he could only send people to each residence to request that they come and collect their little ancestors.

Early the next morning, this incident became the hottest topic of conversation at each family’s breakfast table. Even Chun Xing couldn’t help but tell Bai Qingyan about it.

Bai Qingyan wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and after rinsing, asked: “Did they mention why the fight started?”

“I heard that Young Master Lu and the others were playing and singing the Bai Family Army’s military song at Fanque Tower, when someone brought up the matter of burning prisoners at Weng Mountain. Young Master Lu then got into a fight with them.” Chun Tao’s voice was very low, clearly having a changed opinion of wastrels like Lu Yuanpeng.

Regardless of how dissolute they usually were, last night’s fight was all to defend their eldest miss.

“Before I returned, were there many people in the capital discussing this matter?” She stood up while wrapping iron sand weights around her body, asking as she did so.

Chun Tao quickly knelt to help Bai Qingyan wrap the iron sand weights around her legs: “Before Miss returned, there were also people in the capital discussing it, but it didn’t become a big commotion. The common people were more concerned about Miss’s victory.”

Chun Xing knelt on the other side, picking up iron sand weights to wrap around, looking up at Bai Qingyan with a smile: “I heard Young Master Lu was dragged home by his father pulling his ear.”

Bai Qingyan smiled as she adjusted her sleeves, saying to Chun Xing: “Chun Xing, go to Nanny Tong’s place to get a box of sweet rice dumplings. Personally, make a trip to the Qin residence to give the sweets to that little maid Yinshuang, and tell her not to eat too many lest she ruin her teeth.”

Chun Xing stood up, acknowledged the order, and left the main room.

Seeing Chun Xing leave, Bai Qingyan said to Chun Tao: “In a moment, go tell Uncle Ping to have more people keep watch on outside movements these days, and also investigate those Jin and Wei men who were beaten by Lu Yuanpeng’s group of wastrels.”

Chun Tao nodded repeatedly: “Yes!”

Just as Bai Qingyan finished arranging her clothing, Nanny Tong lifted the curtain and entered, curtsying to report: “Miss, Nanny Jiang from the Grand Princess’s side has returned. After paying respects to Madam, she said she wanted to see Miss.”

Bai Qingyan, standing before the bronze mirror, fell silent for a moment before saying: “Nanny Tong, please invite Nanny Jiang in!”

Bai Qingyan turned and sat on the soft couch by the window, listening to Nanny Jiang’s voice inquiring about her health from Nanny Tong, growing closer from far away. She lowered her eyes and adjusted her sleeves, her feelings complex.

Nanny Jiang’s return must mean that Grandmother had received news of her return to the capital and sent Nanny Jiang to come.

By rights, she should have gone to the Imperial Pure Convent yesterday to visit Grandmother, and even tell Grandmother the news that Seventh Brother and Ninth Brother were still alive.

However, Bai Qingyan had not forgotten that her grandmother was first the Grand Princess of the Jin Kingdom’s Lin family, and only then… their grandmother.

Of her seventeen brothers, only two remained. She could not gamble with their safety on Grandmother’s mercy.

The voices of Nanny Tong and Nanny Jiang talking grew closer…

“Miss looks much better this time she’s returned. Physician Hong said having Miss rest quietly before was wrong. Don’t believe me? Nanny Jiang, see for yourself.”

As she spoke, Nanny Tong lifted the curtain for Nanny Jiang, letting her enter.

Nanny Jiang wiped away tears with her handkerchief before lifting her skirt to enter. Going around the screen to see Bai Qingyan sitting properly on the soft couch, Nanny Jiang’s eyes reddened again.

She took small steps forward and curtsied to Bai Qingyan: “Miss has finally returned!”

“Nanny need not be so formal. Chun Tao, serve Nanny Sparrow’s tongue tea and bring some refreshing pastries.” Bai Qingyan turned her head to give instructions.

Chun Tao acknowledged and quietly left the main room.

“How is Grandmother’s health? How are her sleeping hours? How much does she eat?” Bai Qingyan’s calm and indifferent voice sounded as usual, her word choice following proper form, which instead seemed to lack intimacy.

Nanny Jiang knew that because of the Ji Tingyu incident, the Grand Princess had completely chilled Bai Qingyan’s heart. But they were still grandmother and granddaughter… There were no overnight grudges between family members. How had it come to this point?

“Miss, won’t you go see the Grand Princess?” Nanny Jiang’s voice was low, almost pleading.

Chun Tao served tea to both Nanny Jiang and Bai Qingyan, then curtsied with a smile and withdrew.

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes and picked up her tea cup, speaking quietly: “I will go. Today His Majesty is hosting a banquet, tomorrow is His Majesty’s birthday celebration, so I’ve been delayed! The day after tomorrow I’ll bring my sisters to visit Grandmother.”

Nanny Jiang nodded: “The Grand Princess sent this old servant to tell Miss that regarding the matter of burning Xiliang prisoners in Nan Jiang, she fears some in court will use this to make a big fuss. If this matter truly becomes serious in the end, Miss can seek aid from Chancellor Lu.”

As she spoke, Nanny Jiang stood and presented a hairpin wrapped carefully in fine cotton cloth from her bosom to Bai Qingyan: “Miss can take this item to find Chancellor Lu.”

Bai Qingyan didn’t take it, looking up at Nanny Jiang: “Nanny… what does this mean?”

“Years ago, Chancellor Lu owed the Grand Princess a favor. This item is a relic of Chancellor Lu’s mother. Chancellor Lu once said… If the Grand Princess had any instructions, he would certainly comply.” Nanny Jiang answered honestly.

She lowered her eyes and placed her teacup aside: “Nanny, please take this item back to Grandmother. At present, I can keep this matter under my control. Such a precious item… Grandmother should keep it and use it at a crucial moment.”

Nanny Jiang looked up at Bai Qingyan intently. Having watched Bai Qingyan grow up, she naturally knew her character. Since Bai Qingyan said she wouldn’t take it, she wouldn’t take it. Nanny Jiang could only smile and rewrap the hairpin: “Very well, then we’ll wait for the crucial moment for Miss to come ask the Grand Princess for it.”

“On the fifteenth of this month, Prince Liang sent someone to present a painting to His Majesty for his birthday. That person who delivered the painting was the next day conferred the title of Concubine Qiu. I heard… this Concubine Qiu bears some resemblance to Aunt Bai Suqiu.”

Nanny Jiang was startled, only hearing Bai Qingyan continue slowly: “Prince Liang’s ruthlessness and ambition, Grandmother surely understands in her heart. If this Concubine Qiu is Prince Liang’s person, I fear it will be disadvantageous to our Bai residence…”

Nanny Jiang knew this matter was of great importance. Her hand gripping the hairpin tightened as she stood and bowed to Bai Qingyan: “This old servant will return immediately to report to the Grand Princess!”

She nodded: “Thank you for your trouble, Nanny!”

The common people in the capital had long heard that the Emperor of Great Yan, known as the world’s most beautiful man, would come with his son to celebrate the Jin Emperor’s birthday. They all eagerly awaited a glimpse of the most beautiful man’s appearance.

There were even bold daughters of aristocratic families who booked elegant rooms overlooking the long street, inviting several close friends, waiting for the Great Yan Emperor’s procession to enter the capital, secretly hoping the Great Yan Emperor would enter on horseback so they could see him more clearly.

Soon both sides of the long street were cordoned off by soldiers. Great Yan cavalry wearing black armor rode warhorses that were also clad in chain mail, showing only the horses’ dark eyes as they slowly entered the city.

The noble ladies holding round fans to cover half their faces, excitedly standing at the railings of their elegant rooms, whispering to each other, first saw the Great Yan armored cavalry, and their voices involuntarily grew quieter.

For some reason, seeing this cavalry enter the city first gave people a sense of murderous solemnity.