“Please rest assured, eldest miss!” Ji Langhua nodded.

On the way back to Junzi Pavilion, Cui Shi very discreetly told Bai Qingyan about how, in her childhood, her maternal family’s concubine-born younger sister had given incense to her mother… but she had taken it to use, and there had been problems with that incense.

When they reached the entrance of Junzi Pavilion, Cui Shi said to Bai Qingyan: “If elder cousin doesn’t mind, please call me Rong Ge’er! Grandmother and aunt both address me this way!”

“Good! I’ll call you Rong Ge’er from now on…” Bai Qingyan smiled and nodded.

Hearing that Bai Qingyan had escorted Cui Shi back, Dong Changlan came out with a smile to greet them, bowing deeply: “Elder cousin…”

“Perfect timing, Changlan. I have something to discuss with you.” Bai Qingyan had brought Cui Shi back precisely to find Dong Changlan.

Cui Shi now had her heart full of the prescription tucked in her robes, so she naturally smiled, curtsied, and excused herself, returning to Junzi Pavilion first.

“I’ll walk with elder cousin…” Dong Changlan reached out to take the sheepskin lantern from the maid who was carrying it.

Knowing the siblings had matters to discuss, Chun Tao led the maids and servants to follow about ten steps behind.

“I heard from Rong Ge’er that the grain provisions for the Dengzhou army are insufficient this time?”

Dong Changlan looked down at the pebbled path beneath his feet and nodded: “Although the court says they’ll make up for the Dengzhou army’s provisions after the imperial palace renovation is completed, autumn is approaching, and the Rong Di will certainly raid extensively this year.”

Bai Qingyan nodded and spoke deliberately: “Due to internal strife, the Rong Di’s grain reserves for winter will inevitably be insufficient this year. The Rong Di’s way has always been to plunder when they lack supplies! Therefore, the Rong Di forces attacking this autumn will certainly be more fierce than in previous years, especially in the Dengzhou direction facing the Nanrong.”

Dong Changlan’s palm tightened: “Father has already made arrangements. If the Rong Di attack, we’ll request aid from Anping Military Camp!”

“After the mother’s birthday celebration, you should return to Dengzhou and tell uncle… the Emperor won’t feel pain unless he loses territory!” Bai Qingyan’s steps paused, her clear and calm eyes looking at Dong Changlan. “After the autumn harvest, don’t delay—immediately evacuate the civilians. If the Rong Di invade, don’t fight to the death defending, just retreat! Report to the court… that the Rong Di, due to internal strife and insufficient winter grain, are raiding extensively, Dengzhou’s provisions are insufficient, the soldiers can’t fill their bellies, making it difficult to resist.”

Having said this much, what didn’t Dong Changlan understand? He was greatly alarmed…

As a general, all his thoughts and concerns were about defending the homeland and never retreating. He had never considered this approach.

Yet what his elder cousin said made Dong Changlan feel… somewhat satisfied!

The Emperor and court withheld the soldiers’ provisions; when soldiers couldn’t eat their fill, naturally, they couldn’t defend the city.

“The Rong Di have always grabbed what they could and run. If they don’t succeed in plundering, they’ll likely continue to harm the people of neighboring counties!” Dong Changlan stood facing Bai Qingyan, staring at the flickering flame in the lantern, speaking his thoughts as they came.

“Isn’t there still Anping Military Camp stationed to guard against the Rong Di! When the Rong Di attack… send someone to notify Anping Military Camp to be on guard and come to aid, but Anping Military Camp may not necessarily move.” Bai Qingyan’s voice carried a hint of amusement. “Once the Emperor loses cities and feels the pain, he’ll naturally send provisions. At that time… let uncle ask for more, and also complain to the Emperor about insufficient troops, requesting court reinforcements! If the court refuses, let uncle submit another memorial… asking the court to give the Shouyang people some conveniences, just like Shouyang, using civilians as soldiers to take the opportunity to strengthen the Dengzhou army.”

Dong Changlan’s hand gripping the lantern pole tightened, keenly sensing the hidden meaning in Bai Qingyan’s words: “Taking the opportunity to strengthen the Dengzhou army, elder cousin… what do you mean by this?”

“The world’s situation is about to change, Changlan…” Bai Qingyan spoke frankly. “We should prepare early.”

The sound of cicadas in the tall trees and flowing water grew louder.

The lantern light from the long corridor beside the pebbled path shone through bamboo curtains, flickering bright and dim across Bai Qingyan’s delicate, pale features.

Bai Qingyan didn’t dare speak more deeply with Dong Changlan. If she were facing Uncle Dong Qingyue this time, she would suggest that Uncle gradually encroach upon the Nanrong.

Currently, Great Yan, under the pretext of helping the Rong Di restore legitimacy, controlled the Northern Rong and gained natural horse pastures.

To lay the foundations for future great undertakings, the uncle should gradually occupy the Nanrong. Otherwise, within three years… Great Yan would greatly increase its national strength due to the fertile lands of Southern Yan, swallow the Nanrong, and Jin would be attacked from both sides by Great Yan.

At that time, with Western Liang suppressed by Jin and unable to develop strength, and Great Yan becoming a powerful nation attacking from both sides, the speed of national destruction would be swift.

Step by step—first wait for uncle to accept the feigned defeat to force the court to allocate provisions, then persuade uncle to use Jin’s military provisions… to maintain his private army.

Although this would obstruct Yan’s grand plan, she and Xiao Rongyan had agreed beforehand to pursue their respective interests regardless of sentiment.

Dong Changlan looked at Bai Qingyan, who spoke these words with such calm composure, while his heart was already in tumultuous waves.

Bai Qingyan lifted her foot and walked forward gracefully. Dong Changlan hesitated only briefly before following.

“In these chaotic times… having no military force won’t do! We cannot protect all the people under heaven, but we must protect the people before our eyes!” Bai Qingyan’s voice remained as peaceful as usual.

“Changlan remembers the elder cousin’s words! Changlan will write a letter to her father tonight, telling father to prepare early!”

“Letters can easily be intercepted midway—no need to be so urgent. After your mother’s birthday, you can personally tell your uncle about this matter. There’s still time for Uncle to prepare.”

Dong Changlan now understood what Bai Qingyan’s military training and bandit suppression were truly for.

Suppressing bandits wasn’t important—what was important… was training civilians as soldiers.

·

Ji Langhua waited until Bai Qingyan returned, then came out from the main room to greet her: “Eldest miss…”

“Earlier, you said my cousin-in-law had used incense containing musk—is it true that it won’t affect pregnancy?” Bai Qingyan was concerned that Ji Langhua might have said this to avoid putting pressure on Cui Shi, so she needed to ask clearly to prescribe the right treatment.

“Eldest miss, it truly won’t affect pregnancy. She doesn’t even need medicine to regulate her body. However, Langhua suspects… the reason Young Madam Dong hasn’t conceived is because she’s always worried about having used musk in the past, causing excessive psychological pressure. So Langhua prescribed some warming, heat-clearing, and detoxifying remedies for Young Madam Dong—harmless to use in summer. Those medicinal foods are also just for regulation.”

Doctors treat people, but heart disease… still requires heart medicine.

The doctors Cui Shi had encountered before weren’t all quacks—they simply couldn’t understand the suffering in Cui Shi’s heart, so they honestly told her that her body was fine. With this knot in her heart and continued childlessness, it naturally became a heart disease.

Only after Ji Langhua explained this did Bai Qingyan feel relieved.

“Thank you for making this trip. Qing Zhu has also recovered so well because of your care!” Bai Qingyan smiled at Ji Langhua.

“Eldest miss, such words are too much praise for Langhua! Langhua’s life… General Bai saved once, and the eldest miss saved once! Being able to serve the eldest miss at the Bai family makes Langhua very happy.”