Chun Tao didn’t ask why, only carefully folded the paper small and placed it in her sleeve, nodding solemnly: “Miss, rest assured.”
“Eldest Miss.” Chun Yan lifted the curtain and entered, bowing as she said, “Guard Lu Ping came to report that the young master brought back from the estate has been settled in Qingming Courtyard, but he probably won’t be able to get out of bed for half a month.”
Only half a month—that was letting him off easy.
“Mm.” Bai Qingyan nodded. “I understand. Tell Uncle Ping to have someone guard Qingming Courtyard well. No one may enter or exit at will, lest Xiao Si doesn’t know restraint and uses his whip on that mother and son. He worked hard today—tell Uncle Ping to go back and rest early.”
Lu Ping came out from the inner courtyard, carrying two bottles of wine and medicine to Qin Shangzhi’s place. While changing Qin Shangzhi’s medication, he recounted the events at Manjiang Tower today, his face full of worry.
“Previously, when that scene played out at Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion gate, you shook your head, saying that although Eldest Miss’s words defended Duke Zhenguo’s reputation, they would likely make His Majesty even more displeased! Now with this commotion at Manjiang Tower… I’m truly worried about the Duke’s mansion!” Lu Ping sighed and took a sip of wine. “Tell me, is there any way to persuade Eldest Miss?”
Qin Shangzhi’s hand gripping the wine bottle suddenly tightened. He raised his head as something flashed through his mind like lightning, as if enlightened by a divine revelation. His eyes brightened, and he slammed the table with his hand, suddenly laughing heartily: “What an excellent Miss Bai!”
Lu Ping looked at Qin Shangzhi: “What are you laughing about?!”
“Your Duke mansion’s Miss Bai has extraordinary vision and perspective!” Qin Shangzhi tilted his head back and drank deeply, his eyes blazing as he gave a thumbs up, speaking rapidly and urgently. “I could only see ten steps ahead, but she’s already seen the next ninety-nine steps! Your family’s Eldest Miss calculated each step clearly, advancing systematically! She wants to push the Bai family’s reputation among the people to its peak. She’s building momentum for the Bai mansion, winning the people’s hearts for the Bai mansion!”
In Lu Ping’s confused gaze, Qin Shangzhi sighed deeply: “Those skilled in warfare seek victory through strategic advantage, not by blaming people, thus they can choose people and utilize strategic momentum! Your family’s Eldest Miss is using military strategy! What she wants… is to force those in power, force His Majesty not to dare touch the Bai family due to circumstances, due to popular sentiment! Those in high positions may seem to hold power in their grasp, but they still fear public opinion, popular resentment, popular discourse, and fear the historian’s brush a hundred years hence!”
Qin Shangzhi took another large gulp of wine and set the bottle down heavily. His chest boiled with passionate fervor, yet he couldn’t help feeling melancholy about his unrecognized talents: “What a formidable young lady! But alas… if your family’s Eldest Miss were a man, the Bai family’s glory could continue for at least three more generations without question!”
If Bai Qingyan weren’t a girl, there would surely be a place for her in the highest halls of power in the future!
If Bai Qingyan weren’t a girl, just based on her great wisdom, Qin Shangzhi would willingly submit to join the Bai mansion as their advisor! But unfortunately… being a woman, even with the great talents of a Wolong or Fengchu, she could only be confined to the inner quarters.
“What a pity!” Qin Shangzhi’s heart ached as he tilted his head back and drained the wine. This low sigh—he didn’t know if it was for himself or Bai Qingyan.
·
The next morning, after Bai Qingyan finished her morning practice and was having breakfast, Chun Yan entered with a smile, bowing as she said: “Just as Eldest Miss predicted, Fourth Miss heard about yesterday’s street incident and charged to Qingming Courtyard early this morning with a whip. She wielded the whip so fiercely that the newly planted saplings were all cut in half by Fourth Miss, frightening the one lying in bed and that concubine so much that they huddled together, hiding in their room, not daring to come out! If you ask me, Eldest Miss shouldn’t have had the guards stop her… she should have let Fourth Miss beat them bloody to teach them that our Eldest Miss isn’t someone they can afford to offend! What creatures they are!”
Bai Qingyan kept her head down, eating porridge without responding. Chun Tao frowned and said, “No matter what, he’s still Second Master’s bastard son and Second Master’s concubine. As servants, we mustn’t speak such words! Don’t say such things in the future, lest you bring trouble to Miss.”
Chun Yan pouted indignantly and stood to one side.
Just as Bai Qingyan finished her meal, Nanny Jiang arrived with people from Tianxiu Fang.
“These imperial jade chess pieces were bestowed by the late Emperor when Grand Princess was about Eldest Miss’s age.” Nanny Jiang placed the chess box to one side. “Grand Princess feels heartache for Eldest Miss and had this old servant bring these chess pieces to Eldest Miss.”
“Thank Grandmother for me!” She caressed the supremely fine jade chess pieces, knowing Nanny Jiang was trying to comfort her on behalf of Grandmother. “Nanny, I know Grandmother fears I might feel slighted. I won’t!”
Nanny Jiang’s eyes reddened: “This old servant knows Eldest Miss won’t! Eldest Miss was raised by Grand Princess and this old servant… Grand Princess and this old servant know your temperament well!”
After seeing off Nanny Jiang, Chun Tao gently stroked the intricate embroidered patterns on the magnificent garments, sighing with emotion: “Eldest Miss, the clothes made by Tianxiu Fang are truly exceptional. Look how beautiful they are! Miss, which outfit do you plan to wear to the palace banquet?”
She looked at the five sets of clothing sent by Tianxiu Fang, pointed to a plain white set, picked up a chess piece, and asked: “Shen Qingzhu… how many days has she been gone?”
“Replying to Eldest Miss, Miss Shen has been gone nine days,” Chun Tao said.
Bai Qingyan nodded. Then Shen Qingzhu should have reached Zhangcheng by now.
In her previous life, news of all the Bai family men perishing in Nan Jiang came back on New Year’s Eve. She was reborn on the fourteenth of the twelfth lunar month. Calculating the timing, she knew in her heart it was probably too late to save her Bai family men, but she still sent Shen Qingzhu.
She only prayed heaven would pity the Bai family—even if Shen Qingzhu could arrive in time to save just… one Bai family man!
She closed her eyes wearily, steadying her hot, rolling breath, tearfully placing the chess piece back in the box. Now was not the time for sorrow. New Year’s Eve was approaching soon, and she didn’t have much time left to act.
Chun Tao had just instructed the maid managing Bai Qingyan’s clothing to put away the garments and was coming out from behind the curtain when she saw Chun Yan looking unhappy. She couldn’t help asking: “What’s wrong? Why are you pouting so early in the morning?”
Chun Yan frowned and lowered her voice to tell Chun Tao: “Just now, I saw from afar that the heir of Marquis Zhongyong bowed toward our courtyard and then left. So strange!”
As Bai Qingyan wrapped sandbags around her wrists and began grinding ink, she felt lighter in her heart, even a faint smile gracing her lips. Qin Lang hadn’t disappointed her—he was a perceptive person…
Yesterday, Qin Lang had already moved out of Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion to live in the residence bestowed by His Majesty. Qin Lang was inherently benevolent and intelligent. Once Bai Jinxiu recovered, they would move to their new mansion, and their future days would surely be peaceful.
“You meddle far too much…” Chun Tao adjusted her sleeves helplessly. “That Second Young Master didn’t even come to disturb Eldest Miss.”
Chun Yan was about to argue when she saw a gatekeeper woman peering around at the entrance to Qinghui Courtyard. She couldn’t help but look pleased and perceptively bowed to Chun Tao: “I understand, Sister Chun Tao! I suddenly remembered that Sister Bamboo told me yesterday to find her today to get some embroidery patterns. I’ll go now!”