Third Madam Li’s eyes were red. Worry and fear overcame anger, filling her heart: “What can we do? The Emperor wants Xiao Si to depart immediately, and alone… What if something happens?”
Bai Jinzhi looked at her mother, who was about to cry, raised her hand to gently stroke her mother’s arm, suppressing her inner excitement as she spoke: “Mother, it’s alright. If I go alone, then I go alone. Didn’t I go to the southern border battlefield with Elder Sister before? Moreover, I’ve learned so much by Elder Sister’s side, and with General Zhang Duanrui there, there definitely won’t be any problems.”
“How can it be the same?! With your Elder Sister there, she would naturally keep you in check! Moreover, your Elder Sister has a steady temperament and would never let you act rashly! But if you go alone, wouldn’t you be like a wild horse that’s broken free of its reins?! That’s a battlefield! A battlefield! What if…” Third Madam Li was already choking up and couldn’t continue.
What if something happened to Bai Jinzhi – how could she continue living?
“Xiao Si…” After pondering for a long time, Bai Qingyan looked up at Bai Jinzhi and said seriously, “After you reach Chun Mushan, follow General Zhang Duanrui’s instructions in all matters. Tell General Zhang Duanrui to just defend inside the city and refuse to engage in battle. As long as you don’t go to war… Xun Tianzhang will be helpless too.”
Third Madam Li quickly turned to look at Bai Jinzhi: “Did you remember what your Elder Sister said?! Don’t be stubborn or competitive! Just stay in the city with General Zhang Duanrui and don’t engage in battle!”
Bai Jinzhi thought… this was rather cowardly, but seeing her mother’s red eyes, she still nodded and replied: “I remember, Elder Sister!”
“Don’t feel unconvinced or humiliated either…” Bai Qingyan immediately hit upon what Bai Jinzhi was thinking. “Xun Tianzhang is warlike and will use any means to win. General Zhang Duanrui has always been steady and cherishes his soldiers’ lives. In warfare, without complete certainty of victory, he will never easily go to battle and sacrifice soldiers’ lives in vain. Although others may see it as cowering in the city, this is also the best method for now.”
Bai Qingyan knew nothing about the true battle situation at Chun Mushan, and most of the messages Shen Qingzhu sent back were from days ago. On the battlefield, situations change in an instant. Bai Qingyan couldn’t devise enemy strategies for General Zhang Duanrui and Xiao Si based on blind guesses, so… General Zhang Duanrui’s defending in the city and refusing to engage was correct.
“Xiao Si understands. Elder Sister, rest assured. After Xiao Si goes there, I will follow all of General Zhang Duanrui’s instructions and absolutely won’t act rashly!” Bai Jinzhi quickly replied.
Bai Qingyan nodded, then looked at Third Aunt Li, who was tightly clutching her collar: “Third Aunt, rest assured. I’ve already sent Shen Qingzhu to Chun Mushan in advance. When Xiao Si gets there, I’ll have Shen Qingzhu stay close to protect Xiao Si.”
Hearing that Shen Qingzhu had already been sent to Chun Mushan by Bai Qingyan in advance, Third Madam Li immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Li knew that Shen Qingzhu’s martial arts were excellent. She nodded repeatedly: “A’Bao still has foresight, sending Miss Shen there in advance. With Miss Shen at Chun Mushan, I can feel much more at ease.”
The Emperor’s edict stated immediate departure. Third Madam Li didn’t dare delay and accompanied Bai Jinzhi back to the courtyard to pack.
Bai Jinzhi looked at her mother who wanted to bring this and pack that for her, quickly hugging Li’s arm: “Alright, Mother! I’m going on horseback… how can I carry so many things!”
Li turned her face away, unwilling to let her daughter see her tears. She withdrew her arm from Bai Jinzhi’s grasp and lowered her head to tie the bundle securely: “Take everything with you!”
“Alright, alright, alright! Whatever Mother says to bring, I’ll bring!” At this time, Bai Jinzhi didn’t want to upset Li further and nodded repeatedly.
Li tightly clutched Bai Jinzhi’s bundle, tears finally unable to be held back, falling like broken strings. Her husband and sons had all died on the battlefield… why wouldn’t the Emperor even spare her daughter?
The more she thought about it, the sadder she became. Li raised her hand to cover her lips and cried softly.
“Mother…” This was the first time Bai Jinzhi had seen Li cry like this in front of her. Even when she learned of her father’s and brothers’ deaths, Li had never cried like this in front of her.
Li took out her handkerchief to wipe her tears, suppressing her sobs as she spoke: “When you reach Chun Mushan, remember to listen to General Zhang Duanrui! Remember what your Elder Sister said – don’t be rash and impulsive!”
Li raised her red eyes to look at Bai Jinzhi, her voice unusually gentle: “Do you understand?”
“I understand, Mother! Don’t worry. This time, Elder Sister won’t be by my side, so I’ll definitely be obedient and absolutely won’t be reckless!” Bai Jinzhi replied obediently.
Li held Bai Jinzhi’s hand. Hearing from outside that the horses were ready, the tears Li had just stopped nearly burst forth again. She tightly gripped Bai Jinzhi’s hand, her nostrils flaring, tears flowing like broken strings.
“Mother, I’ll be careful! Don’t worry… I’ll send someone back with letters every three days.” Bai Jinzhi hugged Li’s arm. “Nanjiang was so dangerous, and I was fine. Chun Mushan is just defending the city – there won’t be any danger!”
“Mother will see you off!” Li picked up Bai Jinzhi’s bundle, gripped Bai Jinzhi’s hand, and walked outside.
Dong Shi, Fourth Madam Wang, Fifth Madam Qi, Bai Qingyan, Bai Jinzhao, and Bai Jinhua were all at the door to see off Bai Jinzhi.
Perhaps because Bai Jinzhi’s personality was usually too impulsive, and this time she was going to Chun Mushan alone without anyone to restrain her, all the elders were worried without exception.
Fourth Madam Wang insisted that Bai Jinzhi take a string of prayer beads, saying they could protect her safety. Bai Jinzhao and Bai Jinhua also gave Bai Jinzhi safety talismans they had obtained from temples and carried for several years, only hoping their Fourth Sister could return safely.
Bai Jinzhi saw that Lu Ping was also carrying a travel pack, leading two horses and standing below the high steps of the Bai mansion, followed by a team of guards. She looked at Bai Qingyan with some confusion.
“Elder Sister, doesn’t Uncle Ping need to handle tomorrow’s military training?” Bai Jinzhi asked.
She replied: “Don’t worry about the military training. I’ll feel more at ease with Uncle Ping by your side.”
“Elder Sister! If I take Uncle Ping away, won’t this delay the military training? It’s not necessary… I can manage alone!” Bai Jinzhi’s expression was firm.
“Military training is no longer something you should worry about. This is Shouyang City – with the Prefect and Magistrate Zhou assisting, there won’t be a shortage of people for training.” Bai Qingyan’s tone brooked no argument. After speaking, she looked at Lu Ping: “Uncle Ping, I entrust Xiao Si to you!”
“First Miss, rest assured! All the madams, rest assured!” Lu Ping cupped his fists and bowed to all the masters of the Bai family. “Lu Ping will bring Fourth Miss back safely.”
Bai Qingyan nodded. She looked at Bai Jinzhi, her eyes not hiding her worry, and spoke: “Go then…”
“Bai Jinzhi bids farewell to First Aunt, Fourth Aunt, Fifth Aunt, Elder Sister… and two younger sisters!” Bai Jinzhi’s eyes reddened. Besides some apprehension, her heart was filled more with excitement and exhilaration. “Rest assured, I will return safely!”