“Princess, Madam Qin, County Mistress, Seventh Miss.” Xiao Rongyan smiled as he bowed to the Bai family ladies. His manner was neither servile nor arrogant, his voice mellow and gentle, making people feel as refreshed as a spring breeze.

Though Bai Qingyan had been on the northern frontier, news about Great Yan and Great Wei had never ceased reaching her ears.

Two months ago, when Great Yan’s main forces were all engaged with the Rongdi, Wei took advantage by mobilizing troops to Great Yan’s borders, intending to cause trouble and expand territory in multiple places. But for some unknown reason, though Wei had stationed troops at Great Yan’s border, Great Yan had never sent forces there, and Wei had delayed starting the war.

Later came news that Great Yan had long intended to conquer Wei. Earlier, Great Yan had deliberately restrained its edge, wanting first to reclaim the lost territories of Nan Yan, then attack Wei.

After Great Yan reclaimed Nan Yan, its national strength greatly increased. Now it was waiting for Wei to make the first move against Great Yan, so it could justifiably attack Wei and occupy Wei’s cities and territories.

It was precisely because of this that Wei hesitated and dared not act. Who knew that in early July, Great Yan’s fierce general Xie Xun would lead Great Yan’s main forces back to the Kingdom, heading straight for Great Yan’s borders. Great Yan’s envoy also entered Wei’s royal city on the Great Yan Emperor’s orders, declaring that if Great Wei didn’t withdraw its border troops within half a month, Great Yan would consider it a declaration of war.

At this time, Great Yan had completely controlled the Rongdi and gained natural pastures – it was at the peak of military strength. How would Great Wei dare touch their sharp edge?

The Rongdi civil war had temporarily ceased, but Great Yan hadn’t eliminated the Nanrong – this was exactly what Great Yan wanted.

Now Great Yan stationed troops in Rongdi under the pretext of assisting them, and claiming Great Yan was in danger, they withdrew all main forces back to Great Yan under the excuse of having Great Yan’s elite soldiers protect the motherland first.

The Nanrong frequently caused trouble, so the Rongdi needed to rely on Yan’s army. Wei’s action of stationing troops at Great Yan’s border seemed to force Great Yan to withdraw its main forces from Nanrong out of desperation, but secretly, it allowed Great Yan to reap all the benefits.

When Bai Qingyan heard this news on the northern frontier, she thought of Xiao Rongyan’s urgent departure from Shuoyang that night to return to Wei, and immediately guessed this was Xiao Rongyan’s handiwork.

Last year, Great Yan was still a Kingdom struggling to survive in the cracks between nations. All countries mocked it for being small and poor, as if any nation could easily destroy it. But it had quietly strengthened itself, and after reclaiming the fertile lands of Nan Yan, even Great Wei didn’t dare easily wage war against it.

From Xiao Rongyan’s actions and schemes, Bai Qingyan had glimpsed his ambition to conquer the world. He was steadily and systematically preparing for Great Yan’s future grand undertaking.

As for Jin’s imperial family, whether this Crown Prince or that Emperor, all they thought about was petty scheming and intricate power-balancing techniques.

When their eyes met, Bai Qingyan couldn’t help thinking of what happened that night in the pavilion at Shuoyang’s Bai Mansion. Her hands clasped behind her back tightened slightly as she nodded briefly: “Master Xiao.”

The Crown Prince smiled with lowered eyes, thinking in his heart that Xiao Rongyan had traveled day and night for his beloved, wanting to welcome the triumphantly returning Bai Qingyan.

“Big Sister and Fourth Sister have finally returned safely! When the Grand Princess heard Fourth Sister was injured, she was so frightened that she had a high fever for several days and knelt daily, praying to heaven for protection. She’s finally… waited for Big Sister and Fourth Sister to return!” Nanny Jiang wiped her tears with her handkerchief, choking up as she spoke. “What about Big Sister? Was Big Sister injured anywhere? Big Sister has always been one to not speak when injured since childhood, and the Grand Princess is extremely worried.”

Bai Qingyan smiled at Nanny Jiang: “Don’t worry, Nanny. I wasn’t injured!”

After speaking, Bai Qingyan looked toward the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness.” After bowing to the Crown Prince, Bai Qingyan said, “When I came to Shuoyang, Grandmother was already unwell. Now that the northern frontier conflict is settled, I want to go to Qing Convent to visit Grandmother. Please ask Your Highness to explain to His Majesty on my behalf. I’m truly worried about Grandmother and afraid I cannot attend tonight’s palace banquet. After visiting Grandmother, before departing for Shuoyang tomorrow, I will enter the palace to apologize to His Majesty.”

“Departing for Shuoyang tomorrow?!” The Crown Prince was quite surprised. “So soon?”

“I also want to take Fourth Sister back to Shuoyang early, so Mother and Aunt won’t worry.” Bai Qingyan said.

The Crown Prince glanced at Xiao Rongyan, with matchmaking intentions, and nodded: “I wonder if Rongyan would be willing to escort the Princess, County Mistress, Madam Qin, and Seventh Miss Bai to Qing Convent for me?”

Xiao Rongyan quickly bowed deeply: “Since Your Highness has given orders, how dare I not comply?”

Before her elder sister could politely refuse, Bai Jinzhi quickly thanked Xiao Rongyan first: “Then we’ll trouble Master Xiao!”

The Crown Prince smiled meaningfully at Xiao Rongyan and got into his carriage with Quan Yu’s assistance.

Bai Jinxiu looked sideways at Bai Jinzhi, lowering her eyes as her hand covering her belly tightened slightly. The matter of Xiao Rongyan’s affection for Elder Sister had almost reached the point where everyone in the capital knew about it. Bai Jinxiu understood why the Crown Prince was matchmaking for Elder Sister, but why was Xiao Si doing this too?

Could it be that Elder Sister had also developed feelings for this Great Wei merchant Master Xiao?

But based on Bai Jinxiu’s understanding of Elder Sister, until the Bai family was restored and could intimidate the Lin family and imperial power, Elder Sister would never discuss romantic feelings.

“Princess, please!” Xiao Rongyan gestured for Bai Qingyan to go ahead.

Bai Qingyan didn’t stand on ceremony. She instructed Lu Ping to escort Shen Qingzhu and Ji Langhua back to the Pacifying Princess’s mansion, then got into Bai Jinxiu’s carriage. She had Bai Jinzhi ride with Seventh Sister Bai Jinse so they could have a good chat, instructing Bai Jinse to take good care of the injured Bai Jinzhi.

Nanny Jiang understood this meant Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinxiu had matters to discuss, and quickly said: “Big Sister, rest assured. This old servant will take care of Fourth Sister!”

“Thank you for your trouble, Nanny!” Bai Qingyan nodded to Nanny Jiang.

As Bai Jinzhi helped Bai Qingyan into the carriage, she lowered her voice and whispered: “Elder Sister, Master Xiao must have known Elder Sister would arrive in the capital today and specially rushed back!”

Bai Jinxiu tapped Bai Jinzhi’s head with a warning look: “Don’t speak nonsense!”

Bai Jinzhi grinned and properly bowed to Bai Jinxiu: “Yes! I obey!”

Bai Jinxiu was both amused and exasperated by Bai Jinzhi, and could only get into the carriage.

It was now July, and Bai Jinxiu was nearly eight months pregnant with a very large belly. Xiao Rongyan specifically instructed the carriages to go slowly.

Xiao Rongyan’s carriage led the way, with armed guards riding on both sides, escorting three carriages slowly toward the Royal Qing Convent.

Quan Yu looked back and saw Bai Qingyan’s group getting into carriages and leaving, then reported to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince was in good spirits today. He nodded and closed his eyes, leaning against the round pillow.

In the Nan Jiang campaign, he had promoted Bai Qingyan as a killing god. How many people had initially taken this as a mocking title – of course… the crowd’s mockery had also followed the Crown Prince’s intention.

But now, in the northern frontier battle against Great Liang, Bai Qingyan could be said to have again shocked all nations. Even if she hadn’t quite earned the title of killing god, she was a general who could make all nations tremble with fear!

With such a fierce general guarding their Jin, what other countries would they need to fear?!

However… Bai Qingyan’s physical condition was a major problem!

Before Jin had new, fierce generals capable of deterring all nations, Bai Qingyan absolutely could not die!