After Dong Tingzhen returned, she unexpectedly wanted to hold Bai Wanqing. Bai Wanqing was blowing bubbles, her large eyes staring at the tasseled step-sway ornament on Dong Tingzhen’s head. Dong Tingzhen immediately pulled it off and gave it to Bai Wanqing to play with, her affection overflowing.

Perhaps because both Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi had returned, the Bai Mansion was filled with rare laughter and joy. The mansion’s servants and maids walked with happiness in their brows and eyes. The maids, led by the nannies, going in and out of Shaohua Hall, would smile brightly at each other when they met face to face, bowing to each other while speaking of what was making their masters laugh so heartily inside. It was extremely lively.

Light gauze and bamboo curtains hung from the corridors to keep out flying insects, swaying in the wind. The bells on the gilded copper hooks chimed clearly.

The Bai Mansion’s maids, led by nannies, carried pots and held dishes, filing into Shaohua Hall in an orderly line. They then took small steps, moving lightly and quietly up the right-side stairs and down the left-side stairs, sending up plates of seasonal fresh fruits and cold dishes of delicacies.

Today Dong Shi was happy and had someone warm a pot of rose sweet wine, saying Dong Tingzhen could wet her lips to join in the festivities.

Seeing meat dishes on the table, Dong Tingzhen felt somewhat uneasy. After all, the Bai family was still in mourning, and she couldn’t have them accommodate her just because she was visiting.

Fifth Madam Qi Shi patted Dong Tingzhen’s hand and said: “The Grand Princess said that avoiding meat and fish during mourning is all for show to outsiders. If we truly avoided meat and fish for three years, the children’s health would collapse along with it! Just put on a show in front of outsiders—you’re not an outsider… Let’s eat well and stay healthy. Only then will our ancestors be truly happy!”

Hearing these words, Dong Tingzhen’s heart finally settled down somewhat.

She watched as the Bai family sisters sat together discussing the northern frontier battlefield, feeling very envious in her heart. Although many noble families in the capital said that the Bai family treated their concubine-born children too well, they didn’t know how lively the Bai family truly was.

Take Dong Tingzhen herself—although her relationship with her two concubine-born sisters was decent, she was the legitimate daughter and understood in her heart that there was a difference between herself and the concubine-born daughters. She would inevitably hold herself in higher regard.

But in the Bai family, legitimate and concubine-born children mingled together as one, yet you could see… these sisters were genuinely close to each other, with no trace of false courtesy in their eyes.

Dong Tingzhen felt envious for a moment, then became philosophical. Every family had their way of living. The Bai family had been a military household for generations and needed harmonious relationships between legitimate and concubine-born children to unite as one force on the battlefield, working together to be invincible.

Her father followed the scholarly path, so naturally, he valued the hierarchy between legitimate and concubine-born children.

Surrounded by the Bai family’s laughter and joy, Dong Tingzhen gradually forgot about Prince Liang, and her mood brightened considerably.

During the meal, Fifth Madam Qi Shi left early to take her child back to rest. Dong Tingzhen, who had been greedy and drunk several cups of rose sweet wine, had flushed cheeks and somewhat hazy eyes.

Dong Shi smiled and stood up to escort Dong Tingzhen back to rest, with Bai Qingyan also accompanying Dong Shi as they left the table.

After escorting Dong Tingzhen back to her courtyard, Dong Shi watched the maids serve Dong Tingzhen as she washed and lay down on the bed before rising to leave together with Bai Qingyan.

Perhaps because she wasn’t used to the bed, Dong Tingzhen, who had just been unable to keep her eyes open after drinking several cups of sweet wine, was now wide awake.

She got up and lifted the light azure brocade bed curtains, looking at the room’s furnishings—the nanmu wood screen inlaid with eight treasures and jade coral that had been part of Dong Shi’s dowry, and the gilded copper flower incense burner burning her favorite agarwood incense. The scent was extremely rich yet elegant and refined; one could tell at a glance it was of the finest quality.

Not only did her parents treasure her like a pearl, but even her aunt and cousin treated her so well. Why should she grieve over a man who had used her?

Bai Qingyan walked arm-in-arm with Dong Shi along the long corridor with bamboo curtains and gauze hanging on both sides. The corridor was brightly lit with lanterns. Nanny Qin led the maids and servants, following several steps behind, not disturbing the mother and daughter’s conversation.

“Mother hasn’t had time to properly ask you today—why did you suddenly bring Qingzhen to Shouyang? Did something happen?” Dong Shi gripped Bai Qingyan’s hand as they stepped up onto the corridor steps.

“What could happen? It’s just that Mother’s birthday is approaching, so A’Bao brought Qingzhen over to celebrate Mother’s birthday.” Bai Qingyan helped Dong Shi up the steps.

“Stop trying to fool Mother! When you wrote saying you wanted to bring Qingzhen back, Mother already sensed something was amiss. If it weren’t a last-minute decision… given your eldest aunt’s personality, she would have sent a letter early! Moreover, this time when Qingzhen came to Shouyang… she didn’t even bring Haitang, who usually serves her personally. Do you think you can hide this from Mother?” Dong Shi glared at Bai Qingyan. “Tell me the truth!”

“Mother, it’s nothing major. Grand Tutor Chen’s family asked someone to arrange a marriage between Chen Qiaolu and the Dong family. Qingzhen wasn’t very pleased and was unhappy about it, so I brought Qingzhen to Shouyang to clear her head!” Bai Qingyan squeezed Dong Shi’s hand with a smile. “As Mother knows, Qingzhen has always been thin-skinned. Mother must never mention this or hint at anything. During this period, we’ll wait for Qingzhen to figure things out herself.”

“I remember that Chen Qiaolu from Grand Tutor Chen’s family is quite a talented young man!” Dong Shi lowered her eyes thoughtfully. “Has Qingzhen set her heart on someone?”

Bai Qingyan nodded: “Mother must never ask Qingzhen about this, or she’ll think A’Bao likes to gossip behind people’s backs!”

Dong Shi was amused by Bai Qingyan and laughed, reaching out to tap Bai Qingyan’s forehead with her finger. She asked gently, “Did you suffer hardships in the northern frontier? I heard Nanny Tong report that you weren’t injured—did you tell her to say that, or is it true?”

“It’s true that I wasn’t injured!” Bai Qingyan didn’t want Dong Shi to worry, so she said: “In this northern frontier campaign, A’Bao was only responsible for offering strategies to General Liu Hong. A’Bao promised to bring Xiao Si back safely, and I will never break my promise to Mother.”

Dong Shi firmly squeezed Bai Qingyan’s hand, smiling and nodding. Her daughter’s safety was more important to her than anything else.

Bai Qingyan escorted Dong Shi back to Qinghe Courtyard. Just as she emerged from Qinghe Courtyard, Chunzhi from Boyun Courtyard hurried over, bowing to Bai Qingyan: “Eldest Miss… Second Miss sent word back. Nanny Tong instructed this servant to summon Eldest Miss.”

Chun Tao’s heart skipped a beat. Today, just after Eldest Miss returned, Second Miss had already sent one letter. How could there be another letter now? Could something have happened in the capital?

Bai Qingyan was slightly startled and quickly walked with Chunzhi toward Boyun Courtyard. As soon as she entered the gate of Boyun Courtyard, she saw Nanny Tong standing under the corridor, holding a letter. She stepped forward two paces to support Bai Qingyan and said to Chunzhi: “You may go. Chun Tao can serve here.”

Chunzhi bowed and withdrew.

Nanny Tong took out the letter she had been keeping close to her chest and handed it to Bai Qingyan: “Eldest Miss, the person who delivered this letter traveled day and night to catch up. Lu Ping wasn’t here, so this old servant received the letter together with Chunzhi, so I couldn’t hide it from Chunzhi.”

“It doesn’t matter. We can also take this opportunity to test Chunzhi. If she proves useful, we can keep her close for service.” Bai Qingyan took the letter and entered the room, sitting under the lamp to open it.