Ji Langhua clenched her fists tightly at her sides.

“Speaking of hatred, I have more right and reason to hate than Miss Ji, but now is not the time. I need the emperor to live at least three more years… even five years! With Aunt Lu Ning’e involved, this matter was quite secure, but you… are an unexpected variable.” Bai Qingyan looked at Ji Langhua.

Beneath her thin veil, Ji Langhua bit her lip hard, tears welling in her eyes.

“You are clever, knowing how to use the Duke’s mansion to cause a commotion and let the emperor know of your existence, but what you’ve schemed so hard for… is merely the momentary satisfaction of striking with blade in hand, without considering the long term or the bigger picture. In my view… you’re not even as steady as my young fourth sister.”

Ji Langhua’s throat worked: “I can do it too! Let the emperor live at least three more years… even five years! Let Lu Ning’e leave this place of right and wrong!”

Bai Qingyan shook her head. “To the emperor, Lu Ning’e is a substitute for my aunt Bai Suqiu. This destines Lu Ning’e to be unable to leave the capital. Moreover, Lu Ning’e treats the emperor’s headaches but never gives him anything to ingest—this will allow Lu Ning’e to escape unharmed when the emperor dies. But you’re different. If you succeed, regicide means death! If you fail, the emperor’s fury also means death! The Bai family army and Bai Qingming saved you… not so you could come to the capital to die.”

Ji Langhua tightened her fists.

“If you want revenge, then come with me back to Shouyang!” Bai Qingyan set down her teacup and solemnly invited Ji Langhua. “I will let you see that day come.”

Ji Langhua’s tear-filled eyes met Bai Qingyan’s deep, cold gaze, her heart pounding with shock.

Ji Langhua deeply felt that within Bai Qingyan’s seemingly calm gaze lay what seemed like vast oceanic hatred, yet it was all restrained and suppressed in the depths of her heart by her amazing self-control.

“If you think it through, tell the emperor that you shed blood to assist a master in refining elixirs, obtaining only this one pill to save Bai Qingming. In the emperor’s eyes… if you’re just a madwoman who wanted to repay a debt of gratitude but was deceived by charlatans, he won’t blame you.”

“I imagine before the Bai family returns to Shouyang, the emperor will send someone to summon you.” Bai Qingyan didn’t continue persuading, only saying to Ji Langhua, “Go then. Think carefully about my words, and also think about how you should speak to the emperor.”

Ji Langhua stood hesitantly and uncertainly while Bai Qingyan had already risen to return to her chambers to bathe and change clothes.

Ji Langhua stood in Qinghui Courtyard for a moment, watching the maids carrying pots and water file in and out, before finally turning to leave Qinghui Courtyard with a somewhat bewildered expression.

Lu Ning’e waited for Ji Langhua at the entrance of Qinghui Courtyard. Seeing Ji Langhua’s eyes instantly redden, she forced a smile for Ji Langhua: “I’ll walk with you…”

On the morning of the thirtieth of the fourth month, the emperor sent someone to summon Lu Ning’e to the palace, having her bring along Ji Langhua, who claimed to possess a resurrection elixir.

This was the first time Lu Ning’e had been so nervous about entering the palace. Although Ji Langhua said she planned to return to Shouyang with eldest miss Bai Qingyan, willing to serve the eldest miss and contribute to the Bai family as repayment for Bai Qingming’s life-saving grace, until matters were settled, Lu Ning’e remained uneasy.

Tomorrow, the Bai family will relocate entirely back to Shouyang. The maids and servants had long since packed everything and bid farewell to good friends.

The various masters of the Bai family had also gathered at Changshou Courtyard, staying there today to accompany the Grand Princess.

Bai Jinxiu, who had married into the Qin family, had also returned to the Bai family today, accompanied by Qin Lang. Qin Lang had thought that with the capital Bai family relocating entirely to Shouyang tomorrow, leaving only the Grand Princess, third miss of the Bai family, and seventh miss of the Bai family in the capital, there would surely be tears at this parting. Even Bai Jinxiu had reddened her eyes several times on the way to the Bai mansion.

Unexpectedly, when Qin Lang accompanied Bai Jinxiu across the threshold of Changshou Courtyard, they heard cheerful laughter coming from the main room.

“Good heavens! When I went to grandmother’s little treasury… not to mention the jade artifacts and gold ornaments piled like small mountains and the silk brocade with intertwining lotus patterns, I immediately spotted that three-foot-tall agarwood pixiu carved beast. A whole block of agarwood is already rare, not to mention the carving work that isn’t ordinary! Grandmother, are you testing our sisters’ self-control?”

Fourth Miss Bai Jinzhi’s clear, silvery laughter drifted out through the carved partition screens…

“It’s fine for grandmother to test our self-control, but why test little eight? Look at that silly girl… she’s blowing bubbles in eldest sister’s arms.”

White clouds passed swiftly, the blazing sun was dazzling, and a cool breeze passed through the luxuriantly leafy Changshou Courtyard, brushing past the gilt bronze bells hanging from the copper hooks of the bamboo curtains under the corridors, creating rustling sounds mixed with bell chimes that suddenly gave one the feeling of entering summer.

Bai Jinxiu stopped in her tracks, seemingly reluctant to interrupt the cheerful laughter inside.

The Grand Princess chuckled a few times without taking offense: “Little Four has quite the eye. Even so… that agarwood auspicious beast is yours! What else did you fancy when you went to the treasury? Speak up freely. While you can coax things from grandmother today, hurry and take them away tomorrow morning before grandmother regrets it!”

Though they would part tomorrow, Bai Jinzhi’s jest had made the atmosphere cheerful and relaxed instead.

Early this morning, the Grand Princess had Nanny Jiang open the treasury, picking and choosing to bring out some treasured items from the bottom of the chests, planning to distribute them among her granddaughters.

“Second miss, second master!” Nanny Jiang smiled as she came forward to bow to Bai Jinxiu and Qin Lang, leading them inside.

“Second sister, you’re finally here!” Bai Jinzhao stepped forward to take Bai Jinxiu’s arm, prettily calling out, “Second brother-in-law!”

Qin Lang nodded to Bai Jinzhao with a smile, properly bowing to the Grand Princess and Dong Shi, second madam Liu Shi, third madam Li Shi, fourth madam Wang Shi, and fifth madam Qi Shi who had just finished her confinement.

Bai Qingyan suddenly felt warmth in her palm as Bai Wanqing in her arms burst into tears with a loud “wah.” Bai Qingyan rarely lost her composure, standing up anxiously and calling out, “Wet nurse…”

This was her first experience being urinated on by a swaddled infant. Though she didn’t mind her sister, she was quite at a loss.

Bai Wanqing’s wet nurse quickly stepped forward to take Bai Wanqing, smiling, “This servant will take Eighth Miss down first.”

Fifth madam Qi Shi covered her lips with a handkerchief and laughed: “Eldest sister has always been the most mature among these children. This is the first time I’ve seen the eldest sister like this!”

Bai Qingyan’s ears reddened as she smiled and bowed, going to change clothes. When she returned, Qin Lang was about to leave, and the two met in the corridor.

“County Princess!” Qin Lang quickly stepped aside and bowed to Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan nodded: “In the future, when we’re no longer by Jinxiu’s side, I hope second brother-in-law will be even more attentive to Jinxiu.”

“Naturally. County Princess, rest assured. For the rest of this life, Qin Lang will certainly protect and cherish Jinxiu, never failing her in this lifetime.” Qin Lang spoke solemnly.

She nodded. She had intended to speak briefly, but Qin Lang had made a vow, showing his heart to protect Jinxiu. Now she could return to Shouyang with peace of mind.