Everyone should have something to do. Having something to do… keeps one’s spirit from scattering.
She lowered her eyes, contemplated briefly, then spoke: “Uncle Ping, Nanny Tong, Chun Yan, wait outside. I have something to say to Ji Tingyu.”
“Yes!” Nanny Qin and Lu Ping bowed and walked outside.
Chun Yan was the last to leave, closing the door for Bai Qingyan.
“Ji Tingyu, I have something I need to entrust to you.” She didn’t avoid Bai Jinzhi’s presence and spoke solemnly to Ji Tingyu. “I want you to go to Tonggu Mountain to help my seventh brother A’Jue… rebuild the Bai Family Army!”
Ji Tingyu’s eyes widened as he looked at the calm-faced Bai Qingyan.
Seventh Young Master?
Seventh Young Master was still alive?!
Ji Tingyu felt his legs and face go numb for a moment: “Seventh Young Master is alive?”
Bai Qingyan nodded: “The greatest gain from this trip to Nan Jiang was finding A’Jue and rescuing A’Yun. This matter… I haven’t even told Mother. Only Xiao Si and I know. The Bai family’s situation is difficult now. If His Majesty learned that my two brothers are still alive, it would probably create new turmoil.”
Ji Tingyu opened his mouth, knowing that Bai Qingyan had heard his earlier dissatisfaction and was telling him this, entrusting him with Nan Jiang affairs. But in his current state…
Ji Tingyu quietly gripped his empty sleeve, and after a long while, still shook his head: “You’re not trying to entrust me with this, but wanting me to pull myself together and stop wallowing in self-pity, so you’re telling me such important matters. Ji Tingyu understands! But even if I went… in this state, I’d be useless and only become a burden!”
Seeing that she was about to say something, Ji Tingyu suddenly knelt on one knee: “If you’re still willing to use Ji Tingyu, please give me some time. After you were severely injured and lost all your martial arts, you could still pick up the Sun-Shooting Bow. Though Ji Tingyu has lost an arm, I can learn to wield a sword with my left hand!”
Her heart suddenly felt relieved. As long as that spirit still burned in Ji Tingyu’s heart, that was good.
“Good, I’ll wait for you!” She nodded and personally helped Ji Tingyu to his feet. “On the first of May, our family will move back to Shuoyang. Would you be willing to return to Shuoyang with me?”
Ji Tingyu looked at Bai Qingyan solemnly: “Ji Tingyu has no more attachments. From today forward, I swear to follow you unto death.”
Her nose felt sour. This was the loyal servant of the Bai family that Grandmother had disappointed…
“Then prepare yourself. Come to the Bai Mansion at the end of April.”
“Yes!” Ji Tingyu nodded.
Baoxiang House in Guping Town.
Xiao Rongyan descended from his carriage, then turned to personally help Murong Li, dressed in ordinary clothes, down from the carriage.
Murong Li took two steps up the stairs, then turned to look at the Guping Town temple fair. Everywhere he looked was prosperity, with crowds of people. Vendors at their stalls called out in creative ways, their shouts rising and falling.
In Great Yan, Murong Li had never seen such lively chaos. The Jin Kingdom people within his sight, though wearing coarse cloth and hemp clothing, showed no signs of raggedness. Children rode on their fathers’ necks, holding sugar-coated hawthorns, watching the opera performers on stage, and applauding with cheers.
On the roads between stalls on both sides, pedestrians rubbed shoulders. Everywhere there were sounds of laughter and conversation, and the haggling between people who came to the temple fair for fun and the vendors.
Such clamor—Murong Li envied it greatly.
He hoped that in several years, their Great Yan people could also be as prosperous as Jin Kingdom’s people, not suffering from the hardships of war.
“What are you looking at?” Xiao Rongyan asked Murong Li with a smile.
“Envying Great Jin’s prosperity…” Murong Li spoke truthfully to Ninth Uncle.
Xiao Rongyan smiled and spoke slowly: “In just a few years, our Great Yan will be like this too! No need to be anxious…”
“I believe in Father Emperor, and I believe in Ninth Uncle!” Murong Li’s bright eyes, distinct in black and white, looked at Xiao Rongyan.
Xiao Rongyan knew someone was following them, so he made a show of being respectful to Murong Li, asking Murong Li and Feng Yao to enter Baoxiang House first.
Just as Murong Li was about to step into Baoxiang House, he saw another carriage stop at the door. Bai Jinzhi nimbly leaped down, and his steps paused: “Is that Princess Gaoyi?”
Xiao Rongyan followed Murong Li’s gaze and saw Bai Jinzhi turn to extend her hand into the carriage. Bai Qingyan lowered her head as she emerged from the carriage, supporting herself on Bai Jinzhi’s hand as she stepped down.
Xiao Rongyan’s lips parted slightly. He hadn’t expected such a coincidence, meeting them here.
He stood in place, gazing toward Bai Qingyan.
Looking up, Bai Qingyan met Xiao Rongyan’s smiling, profound gaze. She was startled, her gaze falling on Great Yan’s Fourth Prince Murong Li.
Murong Li looked like an ordinary, well-mannered young man from a wealthy family, smiling broadly as he bowed respectfully toward Bai Qingyan from a distance.
To Murong Li, the Xiao Bai Commander of the Bai Family Army was not just someone he admired, but his future Ninth Aunt. Naturally, he should be respectful and courteous.
Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi curtsied in return and stepped up the stairs of Baoxiang House.
“Princess Zhenguo, Princess Gaoyi.” Xiao Rongyan bowed.
“Are Princess Zhenguo and Princess Gaoyi also here to eat Baoxiang Duck?” Though Murong Li was still just a child, he already had the steady manner of an adult, properly inviting them: “Master Xiao reserved a private room in advance. Would Princess Zhenguo and Princess Gaoyi honor us with your presence? That day, Father Emperor offended Your Highnesses. Today, Li will borrow flowers to offer to Buddha… consider it apologizing to you both on Father Emperor’s behalf.”
With that, Murong Li bowed again.
Bai Jinzhi glanced at Xiao Rongyan and smiled: “Elder Sister, we came suddenly… and didn’t reserve a private room. All the private rooms must be fully booked by now. We can’t very well eat downstairs!”
“Your Highness… since we’ve met by chance today, I happen to have something to request of Your Highness. Why don’t we discuss it in detail in the private room?”
Xiao Rongyan’s expression was serious. She nodded: “Then we’ll trouble Fourth Prince and Master Xiao.”
Xiao Rongyan had reserved the best private room in Baoxiang House. Opening the window, one could see the bustling temple fair.
Murong Li was extremely interested in Bai Family Army matters, showing his childlike nature as he leaned against the window with Bai Jinzhi, watching the excitement outside while discussing Bai Family Army affairs.
Bai Jinzhi was just like a storyteller, eloquently recounting this trip to Nan Jiang with Bai Qingyan. She told it even more thrillingly than the last time at the Bai Mansion, making Murong Li’s eyes shine as he exclaimed repeatedly.
Xiao Rongyan and Bai Qingyan sat at the red wooden round table. He poured tea for Bai Qingyan, then spoke in a low, hoarse voice: “Last time on the painted boat, Emperor Yan felt he had offended Your Highness. Please forgive him.”
“Not really. As long as Emperor Yan doesn’t set his sights on my Bai family daughters, it’s not an offense.” Bai Qingyan picked up her teacup.
“Everyone has their reverse scales. Your Highness is the eldest sister… Emperor Yan is the eldest brother. Upon reflection, one can understand why Your Highness was angry.” Xiao Rongyan picked up his teacup and held it in his palms, turning to look at Bai Qingyan as he spoke slowly. “I have something I need Miss Bai’s help with. I hope Miss Bai won’t refuse.”
This was the first time she had seen Xiao Rongyan with such a serious expression. She set down her teacup.