It wasn’t until Li Mao also hurried over that the Emperor opened his eyes: “You all know what happened. Who has any good solutions?”

“Your Majesty, the Rong and Di tribes are currently in civil war. We can transfer troops stationed at the Rong-Di border to reinforce Chun Mushan. General Shi Panshan, who was supposed to lead troops to Yanwo to quell the rebellion, should be returning soon and would be competent for this task. For safety’s sake, it would be best to also send General Liu Hong with him,” Left Chancellor Li Mao spoke.

Vice Minister of War Shen Jingzhong stepped forward: “This humble minister believes that Jiang Ruhai, Shi Panshan, and Zhen Zeping are all military officers who have made achievements on the battlefield. Since Great Liang is led by Xun Tianzhang this time, and battle has already begun, we cannot underestimate them!”

“Jiang Ruhai is still somewhat young and not as steady as Xie Yuchang. Xie Yuchang has served as commander of the Imperial Guards for so many years—perhaps he could be sent to Chun Mushan to test his abilities.” Li Mao took the opportunity to recommend Xie Yuchang.

Chancellor Lu stroked his beard, thinking of someone, but he felt that even if he brought it up… given the Emperor’s wariness of the Bai family, he probably wouldn’t use that person anyway.

“Father Emperor, your son believes… we could send the Princess Zhenguo to Chun Mushan! In the battle at Nan Jiang, the Princess Zhenguo has already demonstrated her astonishing talent in commanding troops and warfare…”

“The Princess Zhenguo! The Princess Zhenguo!” The Emperor clenched his fists, his voice suddenly rising several degrees. “Everything is about the Princess Zhenguo! Can’t even this Crown Prince function properly without the Princess Zhenguo?!”

The Crown Prince’s legs went weak, and he immediately knelt on the polished floor: “Your son doesn’t mean that!”

“Your Majesty!” Chancellor Lu spoke at the right moment. “This old minister knows Your Majesty feels that our Jin Kingdom has not yet fallen to the point of sending a woman to battle, which would make the other nations mock us. But His Highness the Crown Prince’s thoughts and concerns stem from worry about the border people’s suffering—he has a precious heart of compassion. Please calm your anger, Your Majesty!”

Chancellor Lu first placed a flattering hat on the Emperor’s head, then continued leisurely: “However, what His Highness said has enlightened this old minister. The Princess Zhenguo is Duke Zhenguo’s legitimate eldest granddaughter, taught from childhood by the Grand Princess and Duke Zhenguo. After her early education, she read military texts and can be said to have grown up surrounded by military books. Moreover, County Princess Gaoyi is completely missing now, and the Princess Zhenguo must be worried. If Your Majesty could send the Princess Zhenguo there… the Princess would surely be deeply grateful!”

Chancellor Lu’s words made the Emperor feel slightly more comfortable. He closed his eyes: “Let me think about it.”

Whenever the Princess Zhenguo was mentioned, Left Chancellor Li Mao always felt strained. He hesitated about whether to echo the Crown Prince’s recommendation of the Princess Zhenguo.

“Left Chancellor, what do you say?” the Emperor suddenly asked Li Mao.

Li Mao started, stepped forward, his gaze inevitably falling on the Crown Prince, yet afraid the Crown Prince might see through something, he said reluctantly: “Your Majesty, this humble minister thinks… why not let the Princess Zhenguo try? If Your Majesty is concerned, several generals could be sent to accompany her.”

The Emperor gritted his teeth: “Issue the decree: transfer thirty thousand troops from the Rong-Di border to Chun Mushan. Xie Yuchang, Zhen Zeping, and Liu Hong will lead thirty thousand men departing from the capital. Immediately send someone to Shouyang to command the Princess Zhenguo to rush to Chun Mushan.”

After thinking, the Emperor added, “This time, Liu Hong will serve as commander-in-chief. You must stop the Liang army outside Yushan Pass!”

The news of Zhang Duanrui’s death in battle was delivered to Shouyang City just as dawn broke on the twenty-ninth day.

Bai Qingyan had just finished bathing and hadn’t had time to wring out her hair when Chun Tao came running in and handed her the letter.

The message Lu Ping sent back was also simple: Zhang Duanrui had left the city to engage the enemy and had fallen into an ambush. Bai Jinzhi had led troops to rescue him with Shen Qingzhu accompanying her, but Xun Tianzhang had sent back Zhang Duanrui’s corpse, while Bai Jinzhi was missing.

A chill instantly crawled up her spine from the soles of her feet. Fear churned like stormy seas in her heart, her heartbeat pounding so hard her ribs ached.

She had originally thought that with Zhang Duanrui, Lu Ping, and Shen Qingzhu there, they would surely be able to restrain Bai Jinzhi. But why had Zhang Duanrui left the city to engage the enemy?!

Had Xun Tianzhang set a trap? Making Zhang Duanrui see hope of victory?

Bai Qingyan’s hand trembled as she lit the letter by candlelight, her mind rapidly calculating.

“Chun Tao… immediately send someone to tell Steward Hao to select twenty guards to accompany me to Chun Mushan! Summon Steward Liu and Zeng Shanru—I have instructions for them! Quickly!” Bai Qingyan’s voice paused, then she stood up, speaking both urgently and steadily. “Also, send someone to the main camp to inform Bai Qingping and Shen Yancong that from today forward, the matter of recruiting and training soldiers is their responsibility. If there are matters they cannot decide, they should consult Steward Liu! Have Nanny Tong pack two sets of plain clothes for me and bring my Shooting Sun bow and silver spear. Tell Mother that Xiao Si is in trouble and I need to go to Chun Mushan. Have Mother keep this from Third Aunt, and wait for me to bring Xiao Si back safely!”

“Yes!” Chun Tao responded and immediately ran outside to carry out Bai Qingyan’s instructions.

Bai Qingyan appeared steady on the surface, but her palms were already covered in fine sweat.

She had never been this afraid before. Even when she received the battle report from Nan Jiang, she hadn’t been this frightened. Perhaps it was because she had long known the fate of the Bai family men, so for her, finding even one Bai family man alive was like snatching someone back from the King of Hell!

But Xiao Si was different…

In her previous life, Xiao Si had lived well and even became an enemy nation’s war general!

At that time, Xiao Si had been protected by her two milk brothers, but now… she only had Shen Qingzhu by her side.

The flickering candlelight gradually consumed the letter, the blue flames slowly and gently devouring the paper into ash. Fear was also like a giant python slowly swallowing Bai Qingyan’s composure bit by bit.

The message had taken an unknown number of days to travel from Chun Mushan to Shouyang. Whether Xiao Si was safe remained uncertain.

Besides this, when passing through the capital, she would probably need to speak with the Crown Prince. Otherwise, if the Emperor and Crown Prince became suspicious, even the Bai family’s refuge in Shouyang would hardly keep them safe.

She had to rush to Chun Mushan immediately. Even if there was only a sliver of hope, she would go and bring her little sister back safely!

In this life, she could not lose any family member—not a single one!

Bai Qingyan had just simply packed her luggage and changed clothes to prepare for departure when Dong Shi hurried over.

Upon hearing the news, Dong Shi hadn’t even combed her hair and came wearing only a cloak, supported by Nanny Qin, walking swiftly to Boyun Courtyard.

“Miss! Madam has arrived!”

Chun Zhi’s announcement had just ended when Dong Shi lifted the bamboo curtain and stepped inside.

“A’Bao!”

Bai Qingyan, who had already changed clothes and neatly bound her still-damp long hair on top of her head, looked at her pale-faced mother, stepped forward to support Dong Shi’s hand, and helped her sit on the soft couch: “Mother, General Zhang Duanrui died in battle, and Xiao Si is missing! I must go to Chun Mushan to bring Xiao Si back!”

Tears immediately streamed down Dong Shi’s face. She bit her teeth hard and gripped her daughter’s hand tightly. In her heart, she didn’t want her daughter to go, but… she knew that with her daughter’s nature, she would not abandon Xiao Si. She was the eldest sister… from the time she became sensible, she knew she had to protect her younger siblings.

Bai Qingyan looked at Dong Shi, her eyes slightly red: “Mother, rest assured. A’Bao will bring Xiao Si back safely. A’Bao keeps her word!”