The second convoy was even more spectacular than the first departure, with nearly a hundred towering cargo carts covered by oil cloth and bound tightly with hemp rope, concealed impenetrably. This caused much discussion among the capital’s citizens, who all said the capital’s Bai family was probably sending even the ladies’ dowries back to Shouyang—they truly weren’t planning to return.
Back then, when the various Bai family ladies married into the family, which one didn’t have a ten-li red dowry procession? Which dowry wasn’t carried in flowing streams for an entire day?
Especially Fifth Madam Qi Shi—Old Lady Qi had gained a daughter in her old age and treasured her like the apple of her eye. Though they said her dowry was kept modest to avoid surpassing the heir’s wife Dong Shi’s grandeur, secretly Old Lady Qi had given Qi Shi many of the Qi family’s estates and profitable shops, fearing her daughter wouldn’t live comfortably in the Bai household.
The common people lined the streets to watch the Bai family’s magnificent carriage and horse convoy, protected by Bai residence guards, exit the city. They couldn’t help but sigh with emotion—the capital’s Bai family, which had been glorious since the founding emperor’s time, had fallen to this fate of departing the capital in dejection after Duke Bai Weiting and all the Bai residence’s men died wrapped in horse leather.
The capital’s citizens always had more timely information than people elsewhere. Everyone in the capital knew that General Zhang Duanrui had just returned from Nan Jiang not long ago, only to lead troops toward Chun Mushan again.
In the past, because Duke Bai’s residence existed, they had deterred Great Liang from attacking for ten years. Now, shortly after Duke Bai Weiting’s death, Great Liang was beginning to stir restlessly. Even though Great Jin still had Princess Bai Qingyan, perhaps because the Princess was a woman… Great Liang didn’t take her entirely seriously.
Indeed, Princess Bai Qingyan had returned triumphant from Nan Jiang, yet there were no signs the Emperor intended to make important use of her, ultimately because the Princess was female.
But if the Princess returned to Shouyang and no longer engaged in warfare, when foreign enemies invaded… they wondered which general could protect the nation and its people, which family could bear the title of “Duke.”
As the Bai family’s carriage convoy departed amid great fanfare, the previously noisy and bustling main street quieted down. Though the Bai family members were still all within the capital, after such a spectacular cargo convoy left the city, it suddenly gave people the feeling that… the Jin capital’s former prosperity was no more, already showing signs of hidden decline.
Seeing the spectacular carriage convoy finally leave, children came out in twos and threes, laughing and chasing each other. The innocent, clear, and joyful laughter of carefree youth dispelled the anxiety welling up in people’s hearts. Peddlers raised their voices hawking their wares, and the onlookers finally dispersed with laughter and conversation.
Standing by the railing in the elegant room of Yanque Tower, Qin Lang heard the frivolous revelry of the capital’s playboys inside. For some reason, his heart felt heavy.
His hands clasped behind his back tightened. Perhaps because Duke’s residence had resided in the capital for generations, guarding Jin with undefeated victories, they had never feared foreign invasion. Even when battles raged at the front, the capital remained filled with song and dance.
Now Duke’s residence was gone, and even the Duke’s people were leaving the capital. This filled his heart with inexplicable anxiety.
At noon on April 27th, the Princess’s carriage returned to the city.
Unlike when the Princess left the city, she had departed quietly, but returned with an imposing array. Shen Qingzhu led the Bai family guards on horseback clearing the way ahead, followed by nearly a hundred Crown Prince’s guards on horseback—a truly magnificent display.
Many citizens didn’t know who was coming and thought it might be envoys from some foreign nation arriving in the capital.
The Princess’s residence steward, leading guards, had been waiting outside the city gates early. Seeing Bai Qingyan’s carriage slowly stop, Steward Hao saw that Eunuch Quan Yu from the Crown Prince’s residence had already descended from his carriage and was standing properly before Bai Qingyan’s carriage, taking his leave. Steward Hao quickly led servants forward.
Bai Qingyan lifted the curtain and smiled at Quan Yu: “Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch. Tomorrow, Bai Qingyan will personally visit to thank His Highness!”
Steward Hao stepped forward to bow to Bai Qingyan, then smiled at Quan Yu: “Eunuch’s hard work cannot be repaid enough by Princess’s residence. Hearing that Eunuch enjoys collecting exquisitely crafted tea sets, Madam specifically ordered this old servant to present this tea set to Eunuch. Please don’t refuse.”
The servant following Steward Hao stepped forward and opened a brocade box containing a set of exceptional jade tea implements. Most remarkable was their intricate and ingenious carving, not ordinary items.
Quan Yu hurriedly declined, but heard Bai Qingyan speak: “Please accept it, Eunuch! Now the capital’s Bai family has fallen on hard times… even clan members can ride roughshod over us orphans and widows. We rely entirely on His Highness’s favor, and Eunuch Quan Yu gave me such face before the clan members—I understand! Without Eunuch’s careful attention… the clan matters probably couldn’t have been resolved so smoothly!”
“But this is truly too valuable! Quan Yu serves the Princess… genuinely willingly!” Quan Yu looked earnestly at Bai Qingyan.
Quan Yu truly admired Bai Qingyan from the bottom of his heart and was indeed willing to serve her. He admitted he was a petty, opportunistic person, but his heart retained a pure portion. He didn’t want monetary relationships to taint his dealings with Bai Qingyan, turning his sincere intentions into transactions.
Bai Qingyan looked deeply into Quan Yu’s earnest eyes and nodded: “Since that’s the case, I won’t force you. This journey… thank you for your assistance, Eunuch Quan Yu. I’ll remember it in my heart.”
Hearing this, Steward Hao had the servant put away the brocade box.
Quan Yu quickly bowed to Bai Qingyan: “Quan Yu’s duties—I dare not accept the Princess’s thanks.”
Watching Bai Qingyan’s carriage enter the city, Quan Yu’s face showed gentle, warm smiles as he turned to board his carriage and lead his team back to the Crown Prince’s residence.
Steward Hao followed alongside Bai Qingyan’s carriage, quietly telling her about last night’s events.
“Last night, the guards watching the grave caught this woman attempting to dig up Sixth Young Master’s tomb. Not knowing their strength, they beat her half to death. Early this morning, when the city gates opened, they brought her into the city and delivered her to our residence. When Madam asked why she was digging the grave, she refused to speak. Madam was furious and ordered servants to hide this from Second Madam, having the woman sent to the authorities. But since this woman only intended to dig the grave without actually doing so, the authorities warned her and released her!”
Bai Qingyan lifted the curtain, her eyes cold as she looked at Steward Hao: “Continue…”
“Who knew this woman would cause a great commotion at the government office entrance, claiming she possessed life-restoring elixirs? She said she wasn’t trying to dig the grave, but that Sixth Young Master had shown her kindness, so she wanted to revive him! The officials thought she was talking nonsense and drove her away. This woman knelt at our residence gates requesting to see Miss, claiming she could revive the Sixth Young Master. She’s still kneeling at the gates now!”
Steward Hao looked up at the thoughtful Bai Qingyan: “There are many onlookers. This old servant rather thinks… this girl seems to intentionally use Princess’s residence to gain fame for herself.”
Failed grave digging leading to capture, remaining silent when the Princess’s mother asked why she was digging, yet causing a great scene at the government office, claiming to possess life-restoring elixirs.