Murong Li revealed a delighted smile: “Many thanks to Duke Zhenguo’s Princess.”
“But Fourth Prince, Yan must speak to the Fourth Prince beforehand. If Physician Hong is also helpless, please do not blame him.” Bai Qingyan said with a low laugh.
Murong Li stood up and bowed again: “Regarding Father Emperor’s illness… Li understands in his heart. If this time, Physician Hong can treat Father Emperor, he will be a benefactor to our Great Yan! If he cannot cure Father Emperor, he will surely have done his utmost, and Li will be grateful! Li understands this clearly.”
She nodded and instructed Chun Tao beside her: “Chun Tao, go invite Physician Hong.”
“Yes!”
Seeing Chun Tao withdraw, Murong Li sat properly in his chair and enthusiastically began discussing military strategy and warfare with Bai Qingyan.
“Military strategy states: ‘Terrain is the army’s assistance. Assessing the enemy to achieve victory, calculating dangers and distances – this is the way of a superior general.’ Those who know this and use it in battle will surely win; those who don’t know this and use it in battle will surely lose.” Murong Li earnestly sought guidance: “In the Battle of Weng Mountain, Duke Zhenguo’s Princess achieved victory with fewer troops against many. Was this due to thorough mastery of the terrain?”
“Besides familiarity with terrain, one must also understand the opponent’s customary methods of conducting military campaigns, their temperament, and habits.” Bai Qingyan looked at the earnest Murong Li, the corners of her lips curving in a slight smile. “Military strategy teaches: know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.”
Murong Li stood up and bowed to Bai Qingyan: “Li has been enlightened.”
Soon after, Physician Hong arrived with Chun Tao, carrying his medicine chest on his back.
“Physician Hong, this is the Fourth Prince of Great Yan…”
Physician Hong cupped his hands toward the Fourth Prince, saying, “On the way here, Miss Chun Tao already explained everything to me. Since our Princess has agreed, this old man will accompany the Fourth Prince. If my abilities fall short, please forgive me, Fourth Prince.”
Murong Li respectfully thanked Bai Qingyan, then formally thanked Physician Hong before requesting that Physician Hong leave with him.
Watching Murong Li and Physician Hong depart, Bai Qingyan stood under the corridor, looking at the azure stone floor in the courtyard. After a moment, she turned and instructed Chun Yan: “Have Uncle Ping go to the estate to bring Ji Tingyu here. I have something to entrust to him.”
“Yes!”
When Dong Shi heard from Bai Qingyan about the Fourth Prince’s purpose, she felt that the Fourth Prince was a filial and reasonable child.
“However, Great Yan is still a foreign Kingdom. Having Physician Hong examine and learn about someone’s physical condition – will Physician Hong be safe?” Dong Shi was somewhat uneasy.
This matter had been arranged in advance. After Fifth Aunt gave birth yesterday, Bai Qingyan had already discussed this with Physician Hong. Regardless of whether Physician Hong could treat the Emperor of Yan this time, they would publicly claim that the Emperor of Yan had a congenital weakness that required gradual treatment.
The prescriptions for the Emperor of Yan would also be two sets – one open, one secret – to deceive observers.
“Mother, please rest assured. Physician Hong is my elder. I would never truly let Physician Hong take risks.”
Dong Shi patted Bai Qingyan’s hand: “Mother has always been at ease with your arrangements.”
The Bai family became lively due to the birth of Little Eight, Bai Wanqing. Several sisters spent the entire day gathered around Little Wanqing.
Dong Shi sat beside Qi Shi’s bed, watching Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss holding toys and playing with Little Wanqing in the cradle. She turned to ask Qi Shi: “There’s something I still need to discuss with you! We’ve set the first day of the fifth month to depart for Shouyang, but considering you just gave birth and caught wind, for safety’s sake, you should stay at Duke Zhenguo’s Princess’s residence. Wait until you’ve completed a full two months of confinement, then return to Shouyang with Little Wanqing.”
Qi Shi, wearing a forehead band, lowered her gaze with slight hesitation.
“Listen to me on this matter. A woman’s confinement month is of utmost importance.” Dong Shi spoke and then thought of Bai Wanqing’s full moon celebration. “Although we’re still in mourning, adding a new member to the family is a great joy. Mother just sent word back that the full moon celebration must be held grandly. Tomorrow, when Little Eight has her third-day washing ceremony, Mother will return and stay until the full moon celebration is finished. I’ll send an invitation to Old Madam Qi then, and you can have a good talk with her. There are no overnight grudges between mother and daughter.”
“I understand, Elder Sister-in-law.” Qi Shi said with a smile.
Suddenly, Bai Wanqing in the cradle began crying incessantly. A nanny picked up Bai Wanqing and went around the screen into the inner room. After bowing, she smiled and said, “Our Eighth Miss is hungry!”
This was Qi Shi’s first time personally nursing a child, and she suffered greatly. She had never known that a child could bite so painfully, making her scalp tingle with pain.
But seeing her daughter’s adorable, fair little face, Qi Shi felt that personally nursing her was worth any amount of suffering.
That evening, Lu Ping and Ji Tingyu returned to Duke Zhenguo’s Princess’s residence.
Bai Qingyan met Ji Tingyu at the Guanghua Pavilion in the courtyard, with Lu Ping and Chun Yan standing guard by the artificial mountain to prevent anyone from approaching.
“The eastern side of Shouyang is entirely mountainous terrain. Hiding people there won’t be easily discovered. I’ll select some people for you… You choose a good location to set up camp. Later, I’ll have Uncle Ping send people over. You’ll pretend to be bandits and wait quietly in this area! Try to create some disturbance before the Bai family moves back to Shouyang. This way, when the Bai family relocates to Shouyang, we can legitimately train troops to suppress bandits.” Bai Qingyan said.
Ji Tingyu blinked: “The Princess intends to… train private soldiers.”
Bai Qingyan nodded: “In these chaotic times, the situation and the strength of various nations change unpredictably. Right now, it seems peaceful everywhere, but who knows when chaos might erupt? It’s better to prepare early!”
With Bai Qingyan’s frank admission, Ji Tingyu no longer hesitated. He nodded: “Princess, rest assured. Ji Tingyu will not fail in this trust.”
“Remember, although I’m asking you to create some disturbance, absolutely do not truly harm lives. The common people are innocent.”
Hearing Bai Qingyan say this, Ji Tingyu’s lips curved in a smile. Indeed… Miss Bai was still the same Miss Bai, upright in character and caring for the people.
“Miss, please rest assured. Ji Tingyu will handle this matter properly.”
“Uncle Ping!” Bai Qingyan called out.
Lu Ping responded and came up from below the artificial mountain: “Miss, what are your instructions?”
“Assign twenty reliable, loyal servants to go with Ji Tingyu, and give Ji Tingyu one thousand taels in bank notes for temporary use. Also prepare five hundred taels, all exchanged for small denomination bank notes, and fifty taels in small pieces of broken silver. Have everything ready before Ji Tingyu departs tomorrow morning.”
Lu Ping glanced at the one-armed Ji Tingyu and nodded: “Yes…”
“If Ji Tingyu needs anything afterward, send someone back to find Uncle Ping. Uncle Ping, you just agree to whatever he asks, saying I instructed it.”
“Yes…”
Ji Tingyu looked at Bai Qingyan’s eyes that concealed sharp intent, his heart surging with emotion. He vaguely guessed that Bai Qingyan seemed to be laying out a strategic plan.
Concealing the news that the Seventh Young Master Bai Qingjue had survived, Bai Qingjue trained troops in the Tonggu Mountain area.
Now, having him go to Shouyang first to play bandits, intending to openly train troops to suppress bandits.
Their Miss was building an army!
In chaotic times, with military power in hand… one could overturn heaven and earth.
Ji Tingyu’s fist at his side tightened slightly. He controlled his excited emotions. Was Miss preparing to rebel against the Lin family’s empire?
If so… he, Ji Tingyu, would sacrifice everything without hesitation.
He had read those military campaign records, knew about the treacherous officials rising to power in court, and there was the Grand Princess’s completely different imperial style from the Bai family. All of this made Ji Tingyu’s hatred burn like vinegar.