Bai Qingyan pressed her lips together without answering, struggling with her wrist, only to be held more tightly, causing her to stumble, her heartbeat growing ever faster.

“In your heart, you are not without feeling for me. As you said… you and I both bear heavy burdens, the path ahead is treacherous and unclear, walking on thin ice, not daring to be distracted or moved by emotion is reasonable. What I seek is also not the present moment, but the future!”

Xiao Rongyan’s manner was both forceful and affectionate, clearly advancing by retreating… pressing aggressively to secure a lifelong commitment.

He gazed quietly at Bai Qingyan, slowly lowering his head, his voice hoarse as he asked: “Do you dare?”

Bai Qingyan’s throat felt as if someone had grasped it, unable to make a sound.

Toward Xiao Rongyan, Bai Qingyan’s heart was not without feeling. In her previous life, she and Xiao Rongyan were evenly matched opponents. At the critical moment of life and death, Xiao Rongyan’s people rescued her from the Jin army’s hands, gifting her a jade cicada and letting her escape on her own.

In this life, she harbored gratitude from her previous life toward Xiao Rongyan, and even more admiration – admiration for how he, like Empress Ji, transformed a barren Yan nation into Great Yan that all nations feared, admiration for his ambition of unifying the world that was identical to the Bai family’s generations-old aspiration, admiration for his methods and strategies.

Such a steady, reserved, and unfathomably deep, powerful man was difficult not to be moved by.

With Xiao Rongyan’s deep woody magnolia scent lingering around her nose, Bai Qingyan’s hand pressed against Xiao Rongyan’s chest unconsciously grasped his clothing, looking into Xiao Rongyan’s profound dark eyes, she spoke: “I once made a vow before Grandfather’s spirit, swearing never to marry in this life!”

“When the world is at peace and Yan faces no troubles, I shall hand state affairs over to my elder brother.” Xiao Rongyan slowly lowered his head, their faces drawing ever closer. He tentatively touched her nose with his nose bridge, his rich, deep voice extremely low: “If you will not marry… then Yan shall marry into your family.”

From beginning to end, Xiao Rongyan had never once used the word “marry” in reference to her, only speaking of them becoming husband and wife to each other.

Her hand grasping Xiao Rongyan’s clothing immediately became sweaty, her earlobes also burning: “If there comes a day when our armies clash… You and I must also show no mercy!”

“Absolutely no mercy!” Xiao Rongyan declared solemnly.

Sensing Xiao Rongyan’s strong arm around her waist tightening, unable to restrain himself from lowering his head to kiss her, Bai Qingyan held her breath and pushed against Xiao Rongyan’s chest: “A gentleman’s promise, sealed with a handshake.”

Taking advantage of the moment when Xiao Rongyan loosened his grip, Bai Qingyan stepped back and raised her hand to shake hands with Xiao Rongyan.

Xiao Rongyan’s brows held an extremely restrained and controlled faint smile as he gently shook hands with Bai Qingyan: “A gentleman’s promise, sealed with a handshake!”

“Let’s go…” Bai Qingyan turned and took the first step, tightly clenching the hand that had sealed the vow, her heart still feeling somewhat unreal.

She had never imagined that one day she would make such a lifelong commitment to a man. She had never even imagined she would have romantic feelings.

Xiao Rongyan walked alongside Bai Qingyan at a leisurely pace, silence spreading between them.

“Yan received word this morning that Physician Hong should enter the city around this evening.” Xiao Rongyan’s voice was now gentle and composed, completely unlike his pressing manner from before. “Physician Hong is indeed loyal to the Bai family, worried about Madam Qin’s childbirth dangers, rushing back without stopping.”

“Physician Hong watched us grow up from childhood. In Physician Hong’s eyes… we sisters are no different from his granddaughter.” Bai Qingyan slowly loosened her tightly clenched fist, her emotions gradually calming with Xiao Rongyan’s gentle words.

Xiao Rongyan recalled the previous letter from Great Yan, saying that besides treating his elder brother, Physician Hong had made a special trip to the frigid lands to search for a medicinal ingredient to treat cold symptoms, presumably for Bai Qingyan.

“Does Master Xiao know about Great Wei’s secret envoy entering Jin?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Xiao Rongyan originally didn’t want to mention this matter to Bai Qingyan, to avoid giving her the illusion that his words of admiration… were only to obtain information from her.

But since Bai Qingyan had brought it up, Xiao Rongyan might as well discuss it with her: “Great Wei’s secret envoy not only came to Jin, but also went to Xi Liang and Great Liang!”

“Master Xiao’s information network is indeed well-informed…” Bai Qingyan said with a low laugh.

“Because Wei’s secret envoy entered Jin… following my merchant caravan!” Xiao Rongyan said with a wry smile.

Bai Qingyan suddenly understood. No wonder Xiao Rongyan’s information was so well-informed – he controlled the information from the source.

“Great Liang is far from Great Yan, separated by sea and Jin. If they want to launch a distant campaign against Yan, they must either… take the sea route or borrow passage through Jin. The cost is too high with insufficient benefit – Great Liang will not ally with Great Wei! Xi Liang’s Empress has only gradually quelled rebellions, with the court finally showing signs of stability… Her authority relies entirely on the military strength under Yun Poxing’s command. She cannot rashly deploy troops to attack Yan! As for Jin, both Jin and Great Wei desire Yan’s southern fertile lands. As long as interests are unevenly distributed… they cannot unite.” Xiao Rongyan analyzed carefully.

“But in the long term, Jin occupies the central position, bordering Xi Liang to the south, Great Liang to the north, the Rong and Di to the east, and Great Yan to the west. If they can destroy Yan this time, when Jin draws its sword upon the world in the future, they can avoid the predicament of facing enemies on the western front, and the west would also become Jin’s place of retreat! So… if Jin desires to embrace the world, they need… to first destroy Great Yan in the west, or first destroy Great Liang in the north!”

Xiao Rongyan knew that Bai Qingyan’s words struck directly at the vital point, with far-reaching vision.

“Miss Bai has foresight, but it’s uncertain whether Jin’s Emperor and Crown Prince will adopt such counsel…” Xiao Rongyan smiled.

This Crown Prince of Jin completely acted according to the Emperor’s thoughts, single-mindedly only wanting to please the Emperor, while Jin’s Emperor… preferred ease and disliked war, not being an emperor with great ambitions.

“Indeed!” Bai Qingyan’s voice carried a note of melancholy. “All that should be said has been said. It remains to see how the Emperor and Crown Prince choose.”

Xiao Rongyan nodded, escorting Bai Qingyan toward the Duke’s mansion.

He harbored not a trace of blame toward Bai Qingyan. The two of them were not from the same Kingdom, standing on opposite sides. Bai Qingyan’s hesitation to commit to him for life was precisely due to such concerns.

Before their great cause was achieved, they were opponents. Whatever difficulties they posed for each other were perfectly natural.

Only after their great cause was achieved would the time be for them to speak of affection.

Xiao Rongyan escorted Bai Qingyan to the entrance of the Duke’s mansion, bowing deeply in farewell, his eyes holding some reluctance and attachment.

Watching Bai Qingyan enter the mansion, Moon Ten led the horse forward and asked quietly: “Master, why don’t you go in and sit for a while?”

Having been able to establish this lifelong agreement with Bai Qingyan today, Xiao Rongyan was already very satisfied. He couldn’t push for more.

·

Bai Jinxiu was sitting in Qinghui Courtyard waiting for Bai Qingyan. Upon seeing Bai Qingyan enter the courtyard, she immediately stood and said with a smile: “Elder Sister has returned!”

Yesterday, Bai Qingyan had instructed Bai Jinxiu to send people to investigate the purchasing situation at Prince Liang’s mansion. Having received news, Bai Jinxiu immediately hurried over.

With today’s imperial decree, they would depart for Shouyang tomorrow. Qin Lang, knowing the deep sisterly bond between Bai Jinxiu and Bai Qingyan, had someone prepare a carriage for Bai Jinxiu, instructing her to dine peacefully at the Bai mansion, and he would personally come to the Duke’s mansion to fetch Bai Jinxiu later in the evening.