Having been made to try on two sets of clothes in succession by Li Shi, Bai Jinzhi was already quite impatient.
When Bai Qingyan entered the courtyard gate supported by Chun Tao’s hand, Bai Jinzhi, who had received word, was already waiting at the entrance: “How come Elder Sister has come? Is there something you need me to do?”
Third Madam Li Shi, hearing this, lifted her skirt and raised the curtain to come out, her laughter bright and clear: “A’Bao has come!”
Third Madam Li Shi wore a plain-colored lotus pattern with twining branches in scattered gold, her hair arranged in a hanging cloud coiffure secured with a pearl tassel hairpin, and pearl earrings dangling from her ears. Her attire was both simple and elegant.
Li Shi was most skilled at grooming and dressing. Though Bai Jinzhi was still in mourning and wore mostly plain colors, Third Madam Li Shi had put thought into it—even with subdued colors, she could make Bai Jinzhi look quite striking.
“Third Aunt!” Bai Qingyan bowed to Li Shi, then said: “A letter has arrived from the capital direction. Grandmother wants Jinzhi to return to the capital for a visit. I’ve come to call Jinzhi to my place to get some things and give her a few instructions.”
“Return to the capital?” Li Shi was startled. “Did the Grand Princess say why she wants Jinzhi to return?”
“Grandmother didn’t elaborate in her letter.” Bai Qingyan invoked the Grand Princess’s authority, and Li Shi couldn’t probe further.
Li Shi was somewhat worried, gripping her handkerchief tightly, her expression revealing some unease as she asked again: “When should Jinzhi depart?”
“Depart today!” Bai Qingyan’s brows carried a light smile, putting on a normal appearance to reassure Li Shi. “I’ll have Uncle Ping take people with Jinzhi. Third Aunt can rest assured.”
Seeing Bai Qingyan’s smiling expression and hearing that Lu Ping would accompany her, Li Shi felt much more at ease and smiled at Bai Qingyan: “Third Aunt knows you’re always thorough—I was just asking needlessly. You go speak with Jinzhi first, and I’ll oversee the packing of her luggage.”
Li Shi knew Bai Qingyan intended to speak privately with Bai Jinzhi, but she wasn’t a narrow-minded or short-sighted person. Now that the Bai family had no men left and faced dire straits, this was precisely when they needed harmony among siblings and unity of purpose. Since Bai Qingyan could drag her ailing body to the southern frontier for the Bai family, her daughter could naturally also travel between the capital and Shuo Yang for the family’s sake.
“Thank you for your trouble, Third Aunt!” Bai Qingyan curtsied in farewell.
Bai Jinzhi followed Bai Qingyan out of the courtyard gate, linking arms with her and lowering her voice to ask: “Elder Sister, is there something you need me to do?”
Bai Jinzhi had been with Bai Qingyan for quite some time now. If Bai Qingyan truly wanted her to fetch something from Boyun Courtyard, she would have just sent a maid with a message. Since she came personally, she must have brought the items with her. Not bringing anything yet saying she needed to fetch something was clearly to avoid her mother and give her other instructions.
“In a while, you and Uncle Ping will go to Kongtong Mountain, bring someone back to the capital. This person is either from Prince Liang or the Wang family of Nine Curves Lane who conspired with Prince Liang—they were sent to disguise as bandits and kidnap children for Prince Liang’s alchemical purposes! Interrogate this person thoroughly and quickly hand him over to the Crown Prince.”
Hearing this, Bai Jinzhi’s eyes widened. Using children for alchemy?!
Prince Liang dared to be so utterly unconscionable!
Bai Jinzhi gritted her teeth and cupped her fists: “Elder Sister, rest assured, Little Four will rush to the capital day and night without stopping!”
Bai Qingyan looked steadily at Bai Jinzhi, who was suppressing her fury, reached out to grasp her cupped hands, and said: “This matter… is to give you a reason to appear before the Crown Prince in the capital. Your most important task on this trip is to casually mention to the Crown Prince… that I originally wanted to suggest the Crown Prince send recruits to the southern frontier, having the Bai family army’s soldiers train new troops for Jin, but I feared others might think I had ulterior motives, so I never mentioned it to the Crown Prince, though you deeply feel this would be a good thing!”
“Also, when you meet that Old Fang by the Crown Prince’s side, remember you don’t need to deliberately curry favor—just be somewhat close to him. You can also complain to this Old Fang in his presence about how Elder Sister is too cautious! Seek Old Fang’s approval.”
Though unclear about Bai Qingyan’s intentions, Bai Jinzhi nodded vigorously: “Elder Sister, rest assured. Little Four will depart now, changing horses without resting, and will surely reach the capital by tomorrow evening to handle this matter!”
Bai Qingyan nodded: “This matter is urgent! Pack simply and then rush to the capital—you must be quick!”
Otherwise, once the Emperor’s edict was issued, it might be too late to salvage the situation.
Bai Jinzhi had a reputation for being impulsive, rash, and lacking in scheming. Having her relay this to the Crown Prince was most appropriate—the Crown Prince wouldn’t think too much of it.
Soon, Bai Jinzhi departed with the bundle Li Shi had packed for her, amid Li Shi’s reluctant farewell.
Bai Qingyan stood outside the gate, instructing Lu Ping to take good care of Bai Jinzhi along the way. Watching the figures of Bai Jinzhi, Lu Ping, and their party galloping away in the sunset’s afterglow, Bai Qingyan suddenly felt a sense of comfort in her heart.
Unknowingly, Little Four had grown up and become someone Bai Qingyan could entrust with important tasks. If Third Uncle’s spirit could see the current Bai Jinzhi, he would surely be very pleased.
A sword’s edge comes from grinding—perhaps… Bai Qingyan should now try letting Bai Jinzhi act independently rather than arranging everything for her to follow orders. When she returned from the capital, she should let her learn to make decisions herself.
With wolves circling… Bai Qingyan couldn’t keep her tied to her side forever.
As long as it was within Shuo Yang’s territory, even if Bai Jinzhi made mistakes, it wouldn’t matter.
Only after Bai Jinzhi, Lu Ping, and their party disappeared did Chun Tao finally call out: “Eldest Miss, let’s go back!”
Bai Qingyan nodded and was about to return to the mansion when she suddenly heard someone shouting: “Princess Zhenguo!”
The Bai family guards drew their swords and quickly surrounded Bai Qingyan protectively, while Chun Tao hurriedly stepped forward to shield her.
A middle-aged man emerged from behind a tree, prostrating himself at the bottom of the high steps of the Bai mansion and kowtowing heavily: “Princess Zhenguo! This humble person is Steward Wu, who served beside the former patriarch of the Bai clan. I have urgent matters to report to the Princess Zhenguo!”
Bai Qingyan gazed at the man who kept kowtowing, trembling like chaff, and waved her hand, signaling the guards to step back.
After the Bai mansion guards withdrew and Steward Wu heard the sound of long swords being sheathed, he dared to raise his gaze slightly. But as soon as his eyes fell on the boots at Bai Qingyan’s feet, he kowtowed heavily again and lowered his head, saying: “Please… please allow this humble person to speak privately with the Princess! This matter is extremely urgent. I have been lingering outside the Bai mansion for nearly two months. Today I finally have the chance to see the Princess—please trust this humble person!”
Bai Qingyan had once heard Old Gu mention that the Bai clan had a capable Steward Wu who served as Bai Qiyun’s advisor.
Since they were in the Bai mansion, Bai Qingyan wasn’t afraid of what schemes Steward Wu might have. She ordered: “Bring him in…”
The guards acknowledged and almost carried Steward Wu into the Bai mansion, bringing him to the main hall. Steward Wu knelt carefully on the polished stone floor of the main hall, properly kowtowing.