Before long, Fifth Madam Qi Shi’s sister-in-law from her natal family also arrived.

Originally, Fifth Madam intended not to make a big affair of the child’s third-day bath, thinking that with the Grand Princess returning, it would suffice for the family to sit together for a meal.

Sister-in-law Qi smiled warmly as she joked with Fifth Madam Qi Shi, saying that yesterday Fifth Madam had an unpleasant conversation with Old Madam Qi, and the old madam was too embarrassed yet still concerned about her daughter and granddaughter, so she sent her over, begging their young madam not to drive her away…

As they say, one doesn’t strike a smiling face – Dong Shi cheerfully welcomed her in.

Before long, Dong Shi’s sister-in-law Song Shi also arrived with her daughter.

Fortunately, Dong Shi was prepared and had the servants arrange several more tables, holding a lively third-day bath banquet for the Bai family’s eighth daughter, Bai Wanqing.

Unexpectedly, the Crown Princess also sent someone with congratulatory gifts.

While called gift-giving, Bai Qingyan knew in her heart that the Crown Princess was sending someone to see what this Miss Lu looked like.

The noble families in the capital read the wind direction – their mistresses all sent respectable women and nannies ostensibly to deliver gifts, but secretly to observe Miss Lu.

Who knew the Grand Princess hid Miss Lu extremely well? When others asked Grand Princess’s Nanny Jiang about her, Nanny Jiang always said Miss Lu had injured her arm while gathering medicine for the Grand Princess and was recuperating quietly in Qiushuang Courtyard.

At the third-day bath banquet, the Grand Princess rarely drank several cups of osmanthus wine, her cheeks flushed deeply red.

Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinxiu escorted the Grand Princess back to Changshou Courtyard. After having the maids serve tea to the Grand Princess, they heard her say, “I heard you dismissed one of your head maids?”

“I originally wanted to find that maid a good family, but she had high aspirations and asked me to let her redeem her bond, wanting to go to the Minister of Revenue’s mansion… to be a concubine for the Minister’s concubine-born son.” Bai Qingyan accepted the tea that Nanny Jiang offered.

Both the Grand Princess and Bai Jinxiu were astute people – hearing this, they knew there must be something fishy about it.

Otherwise, even if the Ministry of Revenue Minister’s mansion’s concubine-born son couldn’t find a maid in his mansion to elevate to concubine status, why would he specifically want someone else’s indentured servant as a concubine?

“Grandmother need not worry about this matter. Nanny Tong will send someone to deliver the indenture contract to Chun Xing’s home shortly, and will make it clear… that our Bai family will never again employ anyone related to Chun Xing’s family.”

“You! You’re just too kindhearted!” The Grand Princess pointed at Bai Qingyan, her expression calm, but her voice extremely decisive and ruthless. “Such a base servant should have been beaten to death directly to prevent future troubles.”

The Grand Princess put down her teacup and called out: “Nanny Jiang, go instruct Nanny Tong that when she goes to that base servant’s home, she should openly say… that base servant had sticky fingers and stole jewelry from the county princess’s room. That hairpin was a relic of the late Empress that I bestowed upon the county princess years ago. That wretched woman saw that the county princess had kept it in her chest for years, thought the county princess had forgotten about the hairpin, and wanted to steal it to exchange for silver. The county princess was kindhearted and feared I would take that base servant’s life when I returned to the mansion today, so she released her from the mansion overnight!”

“Yes!” Nanny Jiang responded.

Nanny Tong was capable and fierce. With Nanny Jiang’s explanation, Nanny Tong knew exactly what to do. She nodded repeatedly and got on a carriage to go to Chun Xing’s home.

The Grand Princess had been busy all morning and was now tired. Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinxiu served the Grand Princess until she rested, then left Changshou Courtyard together.

“Although I never met Aunt, I also feel that Miss Lu indeed resembles Aunt in the paintings more than Concubine Qiu… Does Grandmother plan to send this Miss Lu into the palace?” Bai Jinxiu asked with a frown.

“The reason Aunt Suqiu remains unforgettable to His Majesty to this day is precisely because His Majesty never possessed her.” Bai Qingyan said slowly.

Just as she finished speaking, she saw Nanny Qin hurrying over. After paying respects, she said: “Eldest Miss, Master Xiao has come, saying he’s here to deliver a third-day bath gift for Eighth Miss. The gift is too precious, and Madam declined it, but Master Xiao said to have Eldest Miss look at it before deciding whether to accept it or not.”

Then Nanny Qin turned to look at Bai Jinxiu: “Second Master accompanied him here.”

Bai Jinxiu was quite surprised. She had a deep impression of this Master Xiao – not only was he someone who had once helped the Bai family, but Qin Lang also frequently mentioned Xiao Rongyan to Bai Jinxiu, often praising Xiao Rongyan’s bearing and learning, always saying that if Xiao Rongyan abandoned commerce for literature, he would surely become a literary master of the age.

She turned to look at Bai Qingyan: “Elder sister?”

Bai Qingyan guessed that Xiao Rongyan probably came to deliver gifts as an excuse to see her. She nodded: “I’ll go take a look.”

When Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinxiu arrived, Steward Hao was accompanying Dong Shi in the front hall, entertaining Xiao Rongyan and Qin Lang.

Seeing the Bai sisters enter, Xiao Rongyan and Qin Lang quickly rose to pay respects.

After Qin Lang paid respects to Bai Qingyan, he stepped forward two paces to support the pregnant Bai Jinxiu.

“County Princess, Madam!” Xiao Rongyan’s features carried a gentle, scholarly smile, perfectly courteous.

“Master Xiao…”

Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinxiu curtsied.

Steward Hao smiled and said: “County Princess, Master Xiao’s congratulatory gift is too precious, and Madam declined… but Master Xiao said to have the county princess look at it before deciding whether to accept it or not.”

As soon as Bai Qingyan entered, she saw the phoenix jade carving displayed in the main hall. It was carved from a single piece of supreme quality jade, crystal clear and translucent. Not only was the jade quality transparent and lustrous, but it was also half a person’s height – truly a rare treasure. Not to mention a family of bells and tripods like the Bai family… even the imperial palace would rarely see such a treasure.

It would be more than adequate as an heirloom.

Dong Shi glanced at her contemplative daughter: “Master Xiao’s gift is far too precious – our Bai family really cannot bear such a burden.”

She calmly looked toward Xiao Rongyan’s profound eyes and spoke: “Master Xiao, may I have a word in private?”

Xiao Rongyan nodded, turned to properly bow to Dong Shi, then cupped his hands toward Qin Lang and Bai Jinxiu before composedly following behind Bai Qingyan as she stepped over the threshold.

“Nanny Qin, you and Chun Tao accompany the county princess and attend to whatever instructions the county princess may have…” Dong Shi spoke.

Although they were within their own mansion, with an unmarried man and unmarried woman, Dong Shi had Nanny Qin and Chun Tao follow to avoid impropriety.

The two stood under the sunlight-filled corridor, speaking in low voices, with Nanny Qin and Chun Tao standing at a distance.

“The Emperor of Yan is prepared to let Physician Hong give it a try?” Bai Qingyan spoke. Though phrased as a question, her tone was certain.

“Precisely. So Yan has come today to request that Miss Bai allow Physician Hong to secretly accompany my elder brother into Yan.” Xiao Rongyan’s tone was sincere as he bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan in request.

For so many years, the Emperor of Yan had seen so many physicians, but not one could diagnose the poison in the Emperor of Yan’s body so clearly.

The Emperor of Yan had three types of poison in his body.

The Emperor of Yan was poisoned by his father emperor, while the remaining two poisons were both administered by Empress Ji herself to save the Emperor of Yan’s life.

Originally, the Emperor of Yan didn’t want to try, but in the end, was persuaded by Xiao Rongyan.