Jin declared that as long as Great Liang handed over several cities that had been seized when Jin destroyed Shu, this conflict could end. Otherwise, they would fight Great Liang to the bitter end.

Liu Rushi spoke eloquently in the Liang court, mentioning the Nan Jiang campaign and praising the Jin Bai Family Army’s undefeated record, as well as the young General Bai, who was skilled in warfare and flawless in strategy, the Pacifying Princess Bai Qingyan.

Only then did the Liang court learn that in the battle that flooded Longyang City, although the commander was Jin’s Liu Hong, the one who devised the strategy was the granddaughter of Jin’s Pacifying Prince Bai Weiting… that woman who had slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Western Liang prisoners in Nan Jiang.

Liu Rushi stated that if Jin was giving Great Liang face this time and Great Liang refused to negotiate peace, he still carried another imperial edict from the Jin Emperor to replace the Pacifying Princess Bai Qingyan as commander. She would surely slaughter Great Liang until its elite forces were destroyed like Western Liang’s, leaving them unable to dare violate Jin’s borders for at least five years.

Xun Tianzhang submitted six consecutive memorials, requesting the Prince of Liang to send reinforcements, willing to issue a military order guaranteeing he would recapture Yushan Pass for Great Liang.

However, the Prince of Liang was determined to negotiate peace and cease hostilities, ceding cities to ally with Jin.

Upon hearing this news, Xun Tianzhang spat out a mouthful of blood and died of rage at Chunmu Mountain.

Bai Weiting had once said that as long as the Bai Family Army existed, they would keep Liang beyond Chunmu Mountain. But Xun Tianzhang refused to believe this curse. Since Yushan Pass had been lost under the Xun family’s watch, he was determined to reclaim it honorably.

Never did Xun Tianzhang imagine that he would die without ever reaching Yushan Pass again.

When the peace treaty was signed and the great army returned in triumph, Bai Jinzhi had already recovered her vitality.

To care for Shen Qingzhu’s injuries, during the journey back to court, Lu Ping personally drove the carriage while Shen Qingzhu and Ji Langhua rode in the carriage.

When passing through Youhua City, the people lined the streets to welcome them, shouting “General Bai!” and “Pacifying Princess!”

That day when Bai Qingyan had passed through Youhua City, she had ordered General Wang De’an to maintain order within the city. At that time, the people knew… as long as a Bai family general came, they didn’t need to flee or become refugees anymore.

Someone who could spare them from the suffering of war, who could protect them so they had homes to return to – how could the people not admire such a general?

Even though others said the Pacifying Princess Bai Qingyan was a killing god incarnate, it was precisely this killing god who protected them, and they remained deeply grateful.

Hearing the people’s jubilant cheers calling Bai Qingyan’s name, Liu Hong’s face was full of smiles. Such grand welcoming scenes by the people had only occurred during Pacifying Prince Bai Weiting’s time.

However, this time Bai Qingyan truly deserved it. Though he was the commander in this battle, victory came entirely from following Bai Qingyan’s strategies.

The great army didn’t travel quickly, arriving at the capital on the twelfth day of the seventh month.

The Crown Prince personally led people outside the city to welcome them, and even Seventh Miss Bai Jinse of the Bai family had rushed outside the city upon hearing the news.

Bai Jinzhi spotted Bai Jinse in the crowd from afar and quickly spurred her horse forward: “Elder Sister, Second Sister, and Xiao Qi are here too! And Nanny Jiang and Wei Zhong.”

Bai Qingyan looked toward Bai Jinse and Bai Jinxiu. Both were protected by guards beside their carriage. As soon as Bai Jinse saw Bai Qingyan, she couldn’t help but wave at her.

Wei Zhong stood properly beside Nanny Jiang, who was wiping tears with her handkerchief, keeping his head lowered without saying a word.

Today, probably because the Crown Prince had come outside the city to welcome them, all the Bai surname families had gathered at the North Gate, and noble families had also come to welcome them.

“Strange, it’s so lively outside the city, why haven’t we seen Lu Yuanpeng and that group of wastrels?” Bai Jinzhi whispered to Bai Qingyan.

Supporting Bai Jinxiu’s arm, Bai Jinse’s eyes reddened, and tears began flowing as soon as she saw her eldest and fourth sisters. Though they had only been apart for less than two months, Bai Jinse acted as if she hadn’t seen Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi for ages.

Seeing Liu Hong and Bai Qingyan’s group dismount, the Crown Prince hurried forward with a deep bow: “Thank you for your hard work, generals!”

Bai Qingyan and the others quickly returned the courtesy, saying they didn’t dare accept such an honor.

“This victory of our Jin army was entirely due to General Bai’s divine strategies. Though I was the commander, I truly dare not claim credit!” Liu Hong said with a beaming smile, showing no displeasure whatsoever.

Hearing this, the Crown Prince smiled and looked at Bai Qingyan, saying to Liu Hong: “I understand General Liu’s feelings. After all, during the Nan Jiang campaign, I was also the commander, but victory… was entirely thanks to the Pacifying Princess!”

Bai Qingyan quickly cupped her fists toward the Crown Prince: “It’s also because Your Highness and General Liu trusted my words.”

Quan Yu led the eunuchs forward carrying wine. The Crown Prince raised his cup to toast the generals.

Returning victorious from this great triumph, the Emperor had long ordered the palace to prepare a banquet, waiting for the great army to camp outside the city and for the main generals to return home for brief rest before entering the palace for the feast and rewards.

Bai Jinzhi stood beside Bai Qingyan, watching as the refined-looking Eunuch Quan Yu respectfully offered wine to Bai Qingyan, and seeing there was even a cup for her, she smiled and said: “Thank you, Eunuch Quan Yu!”

The Crown Prince looked at Liu Rushi descending from the carriage and had Quan Yu send him a cup of wine as well, smiling: “Minister Liu, thank you for your hard work!”

Liu Rushi nodded and hurriedly said he didn’t dare accept such praise.

“All ministers should return home to rest and change clothes. Father Emperor has already ordered a banquet prepared in the palace to welcome and celebrate the generals!” the Crown Prince announced loudly.

As soon as the Crown Prince finished speaking, family members who had come outside the city to welcome the generals all surged forward with tears in their eyes.

“I shall escort the Princess back to the Pacifying Princess’s mansion.” The Crown Prince knew the Bai family had no one left in the capital. The Grand Princess was unwell and needed Third Miss Bai Jintong’s care, so she had sent Nanny Jiang with Seventh Miss Bai. Compared to other generals’ families welcoming them en masse, it inevitably seemed rather lonely.

The Crown Prince was intentionally honoring Bai Qingyan, since she was now serving him effectively.

Bai Qingyan quickly said: “I dare not trouble Your Highness!”

“Elder Sister! Xiao Si!” Bai Jinxiu and Bai Jinse, protected by guards, came toward Bai Qingyan.

“Was Elder Sister injured? Was Xiao Si injured?” Bai Jinxiu couldn’t contain her heartache, grabbing Bai Jinzhi’s hand to examine it. “Sure enough, it’s burned – this will scar!”

As news from the northern battlefield kept arriving, Bai Jinxiu had been on pins and needles in the capital.

“It’s nothing, Second Sister. Scars are better than losing one’s life!” Bai Jinzhi said nonchalantly. Perhaps because the Crown Prince and people with the Bai surname were present, Bai Jinzhi added: “Besides, trading this small injury for the peace of border residents – Xiao Si thinks it’s very worthwhile!”

Bai Qingyan raised her hand to pat Bai Jinzhi’s head, unable to suppress the upward curve of her lips.

Bai Jinzhi heard the carriage driver’s “whoa” and turned around.

The carriage stopped steadily. She saw Yue Shiyi, who had been riding alongside the carriage, leap down and stand beside it, helping a tall, slender figure in moon-white robes with a gentle, steady temperament – Xiao Rongyan – descend from the carriage.

Xiao Rongyan bowed deeply toward Bai Qingyan and the Crown Prince.

Bai Jinzhi saw Xiao Rongyan and exclaimed with delight: “Master Xiao!”

“Didn’t Rongyan say he wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow?” The Crown Prince was also extremely pleased.

Xiao Rongyan’s gaze fell on Bai Qingyan as he said: “The roads within Jin territory were smooth all the way, so I arrived faster than expected.”

Bai Jinzhi secretly rejoiced – Master Xiao had rushed here for their Elder Sister.