When Bai Qingyan passed through the hanging curtains and bamboo screens, walking around the nanmu wood and jade screen to enter, Fifth Madam Qi Shi was teasing Bai Jinxiu: “These pomegranates your grandmother gave you carry the auspicious meaning of many sons and grandsons. Don’t refuse them, just accept them… and remember to fulfill your grandmother’s wish for you to have many children!”

Second Madam Liu Shi looked at the pair of red jade pomegranates, each as large as a small melon. Their quality was unparalleled in the world, carved so realistically they looked genuine. Even in an ordinary noble family, they would be more than sufficient as heirloom treasures.

Bai Jinxiu held the black lacquered gold-decorated flower box, her face flushed red, and rose to bow to the Grand Princess: “Thank you, Grandmother.”

“What does A’Bao want?” The Grand Princess looked at the returning Bai Qingyan and asked with a smile.

She smiled and said, “A’Bao only wishes for the safety of all the Bai family members.”

Especially A’Jue and A’Yun, who were not before her eyes – she hoped everything would go smoothly for them, that they would be safe and healthy.

The Grand Princess looked at her granddaughter’s peaceful expression, her palm tightening slightly, her eyes suddenly reddening.

Yes, what could be better than having all the Bai family members safe…

On the first day of the fifth month, before dawn broke, with stars and moon still hanging overhead, servants stood properly by the carriages outside the gates of the Zhenguo Princess’s mansion, waiting for their masters to come out and board.

As morning light gradually intensified, slowly rising from east to west, the outline of the bright moon suspended between the bright and dark of the horizon had already faded.

Outside the gates of the Zhenguo Princess’s mansion, Nanny Jiang instructed the servant women remaining in the capital to load the steamed cakes, pastries, and seasonal fruits prepared by the kitchen that morning onto the carriages.

The Grand Princess held her glossy black tiger-headed cane in one hand and grasped Bai Qingyan’s hand with the other, suppressing her tears as she stood at the gate giving instructions: “Be careful on the road back, it’s not peaceful these days!”

Bai Qingyan looked at the Grand Princess’s deeply lined hands, raised her head, and nodded to her: “Grandmother, please rest assured. After we arrive home safely, I will send someone back to report our safe arrival to Grandmother.”

“Mother, don’t worry!” Dong Shi held Bai Qingyan’s shoulder and smiled at the Grand Princess, “The Crown Prince has sent escort guards to accompany them; nothing will happen.”

“Mother, Elder Sister…” Bai Jinse curtsied to Dong Shi and Bai Qingyan, tears streaming uncontrollably: “Mother and Elder Sister, please take good care of yourselves on the journey. Xiao Qi will take good care of Grandmother and will earnestly study medicine with Aunt Lu.”

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes and touched her youngest sister’s head, her gaze falling on Bai Jinxiu, who couldn’t stop crying.

Bai Jinxiu nodded slightly. She knew… that one day, Elder Sister would return with all the Bai family members in glory!

Elder Sister was playing a grand game of chess. She must prepare herself so that in the future she could lend Elder Sister a hand.

“Go on! Go on…” The Grand Princess squeezed Bai Qingyan’s hand and said with a choked voice.

Dong Shi, Third Madam Li Shi, Fourth Madam Wang Shi, Fifth Madam Qi Shi, along with Bai Qingyan, Bai Jinzhi, Bai Jinzhao, and Bai Jinhua, bid farewell to the Grand Princess and Second Madam Liu Shi.

Second Madam Liu Shi wiped her tears with her handkerchief: “Sister-in-law, once Jinxiu successfully gives birth and completes her confinement month, I’ll return immediately!”

Dong Shi patted Liu Shi’s hand and nodded with a smile, then, with Nanny Qin’s support, was the first to board the carriage.

“First Miss…” Lu Ning’e finally found an opportunity to step forward and speak with Bai Qingyan, “Langhua… I entrust her to First Miss!”

Bai Qingyan nodded: “Please take good care of Grandmother and Seventh Sister, Aunt.”

“First Miss, rest assured!” Lu Ning’e nodded.

Yesterday, Ji Langhua had indeed spoken to the Emperor as Bai Qingyan had instructed. Later, the Emperor had the Imperial Medical Academy examine that pill, discovering it was merely ordinary tonic medicine. The Emperor was greatly disappointed, while Ji Langhua wept bitterly, crying that it was impossible.

Seeing the nearly deranged Ji Langhua, the Emperor sighed and said she was also a pitiful person, then let Lu Ning’e take her away, which meant Ji Langhua had passed this trial.

Seeing Bai Qingyan lift her skirts to step onto the carriage, the Grand Princess could no longer contain herself. She took a step forward with her cane, her voice hoarse and choked: “A’Bao…”

After today’s parting, the Grand Princess didn’t know if she would ever see her granddaughter again. She was already aged… not knowing how many more days she could live.

Hearing the Grand Princess’s sorrowful call and the restrained sobbing in her trailing tone, Bai Qingyan paused in her steps.

Her grandmother, the Grand Princess, had been strong her entire life, dignified and steady her entire life, always maintaining a composed and strategic demeanor before outsiders and servants. When had she ever shown such vulnerable grief?

She turned around to see the silver-haired Grand Princess finally unable to maintain her composure, tears flowing freely as she clutched the clothes at her chest and looked at her with tear-filled eyes.

All the memories flashed through her mind like scenes from a revolving lantern.

Grandmother holding her hand to teach her calligraphy practice, a kind and gentle smile between her brows.

When she had a persistent high fever, Grandmother’s red-rimmed eyes as she knelt before the Buddhist shrine, her choked words praying to sacrifice ten years of her own life in exchange for her safety.

She lifted her skirts and stepped back down from the carriage, her gaze calm and resolute.

“A’Bao…” The Grand Princess called her softly, her wet red eyes looking at Bai Qingyan. Just as she was about to quickly walk down the high steps, she saw Bai Qingyan kneeling in her direction.

She kowtowed three times heavily to her grandmother, then rose with Chun Tao’s support and turned to board the carriage…

“A’Bao…” The Grand Princess’s throat was choked, desperately suppressing her sobs.

“Grandmother, don’t worry, Elder Sister and the others will arrive safely in Shouyang.” Bai Jinse stepped forward to support the Grand Princess.

With a call of “Depart,” the carriage convoy of the Zhenguo Princess slowly began to move.

The Grand Princess and her party stood at the gate until the sky brightened, morning light illuminated the entire capital city, and the carriage convoy disappeared from view. Only then did Second Madam Liu Shi step forward and quietly advise the Grand Princess: “Mother, let’s go back!”

The Grand Princess wiped away her tears, nodded, turned toward the interior of the Zhenguo Princess’s mansion, and instructed Nanny Jiang: “Have people prepare… let’s return to Qing’an!”

Nanny Jiang nodded: “Yes!”

Outside the capital city gates, Lu Yuanpeng waited with Sima Ping and a group of others. Seeing the carriage convoy from the Zhenguo Princess’s mansion from afar, he was about to step forward when a man dressed in the guard uniform of the Zhenguo Princess’s mansion rode up quickly, dismounted with a leap, and after bowing to Lu Yuanpeng and his group of young nobles, said: “Young Master Lu, the Princess sent this humble one to inform Young Master Lu that with so many carriages and horses, we won’t stop at the city gates. Please take good care of yourself, Young Master Lu.”

Lu Yuanpeng was anxious and about to speak when Sima Ping grabbed him and smiled at the guard from the Zhenguo Princess’s mansion: “There will surely be opportunities to meet Sister Bai in the future. Don’t forget… Sister Bai promised you a silver spear.”

Hearing Sima Ping say this, Lu Yuanpeng’s fists tightened at his sides as he nodded. After his grandmother’s birthday celebration, he would set out for Nan Jiang to join the Bai family army. Once he made a name for himself and met Sister Bai again, he would be able to claim that silver spear with more justification.

Lu Yuanpeng said to the Bai family guard, “Please convey to Sister Bai: take care!”