In her letter, Bai Jinxiu wrote that the day after she spread Li Mao’s letter, Li Mao had entered the palace before the palace gates even opened. Given Li Mao’s cunning nature, he must have gone to see the Emperor first and admitted to that letter.
Later, when Prince Liang’s mansion caught fire, Censor Old Master Pei impeached Left Chancellor Li Mao. After Imperial Teacher Old Tan and Lord Shoushan carefully compared the documents, they discovered the letter was forged. It was now being held by the Court of Judicial Review, Minister Lu Jin. Left Chancellor Li Mao’s grievances had been cleared, but he was still recuperating at his mansion. However, his son Li Mingrui seemed to no longer frequent Prince Liang’s mansion as much.
It appeared that the Li family had developed a grudge against Prince Liang, and the Emperor had also become suspicious of Li Mao.
The imperial Lin family truly never disappointed Bai Qingyan. She just wondered what Prince Liang had done to Li Mao after obtaining that letter that would cause the Li family to harbor resentment toward Prince Liang.
Perhaps Li Mao would consider retiring early to pave the way for his son Li Mingrui sooner. But regardless of which member of the Li family remained in court, as long as the Bai family held the correspondence between Li Mao and the Second Prince, that would be a crime warranting clan extermination. The Li family should no longer dare to offend the Bai family.
Bai Jinxiu also mentioned the date of the fifteenth day of the eighth month in her letter.
The fifteenth day of the eighth month should be a day for family reunions. Grand Princess was practicing Buddhist meditation at the imperial Pure Hermitage, praying for the nation’s welfare. She wondered what plans Bai Qingyan had—whether to send someone with festival gifts or to have Bai Jinzhi personally return to the capital to pay respects to the Grand Princess. It would be good to send word to the capital in advance so Bai Jinxiu could make preparations.
“First Miss!” Nanny Tong entered and bowed to Bai Qingyan before saying, “The carriages and horses are ready. We can depart.”
Chun Tao’s eyes reddened as she hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself. Finally, she stepped forward: “First Miss, please let this servant accompany you! Otherwise, there will be no one to serve you on this journey!”
“Isn’t Qing Zhu there?” Bai Qingyan looked at the worried Chun Tao with smiling eyes. “You and Nanny Tong—one has a weak constitution, the other is advanced in years. Taking you along… if you fall ill from the arduous journey, it would slow down the team’s progress!”
“Speaking of weak constitution, First Miss is the one… How can you have no one to serve you?” Chun Tao knelt before Bai Qingyan. “Miss, please, at least take me! I’ve already packed my small bundle! This servant will take good care of herself on this journey and absolutely won’t fall ill and burden the team. Please grant permission!”
“Yes, eldest sister! Just take Chun Tao! Otherwise… in a moment, great aunt might insist you take Nanny Qin!” Bai Jinzhi also spoke up for Chun Tao.
Looking at Chun Tao kneeling on the ground with an anxious expression, Bai Qingyan finally nodded after a long moment.
“Thank you, First Miss! Thank you, First Miss! This servant will go get my small bundle right away!” Chun Tao wiped her tears with her sleeve, hurriedly rose to bow, and withdrew from the main room to fetch her small bundle.
Bai Qingyan lit Bai Jinxiu’s letter and burned it to ashes, then said to Bai Jinzhi: “While eldest sister is away, take good care of your younger sisters and aunts at home!”
Bai Jinzhi nodded: “Eldest sister, rest assured. Eldest sister should also go and return quickly!”
Without her eldest sister, Bai Jinzhi felt she had no pillar of support.
For this journey, aside from the hastily added Chun Tao, Bai Qingyan only brought over thirty guards, the recently recovered Shen Qingzhu, and Lu Ping. Dong Shi inevitably felt uneasy.
Bai Qingyan didn’t let her aunts and sisters see her off, only taking Dong Shi’s arm as they walked toward the main gate together, saying: “With Uncle Ping and Qing Zhu… and Chun Tao there, what is there for Mother to worry about? Rather, Mother… the fifteenth day of the eighth month is a day for family reunions. Grandmother is still at the Imperial Pure Hermitage. You should make arrangements early for who should go pay respects to Grandmother on the fifteenth, and send word to second aunt in the capital so she can prepare early.”
“I’ve already discussed this matter with your third aunt. Little Eight is too young for the arduous journey, and your fifth aunt naturally cannot travel! Your fourth aunt’s health has never been good, so I’ll have your third aunt take Little Four, Little Five, and Little Six back to the capital! They can visit your grandmother, and having the children there will make it livelier for her. They can also deliver festival gifts to the ladies’ maternal families.” Dong Shi spoke quietly with her daughter.
Third Madam Li had always been socially adept. When returning to the capital, Third Madam Li was very skilled at managing social relations.
“Little Four’s mother could be considered to stay in Shouyang. When I’m not here… if Bai Qingping and Shen Yancong can’t make decisions about military training matters, someone needs to be in charge.” Bai Qingyan said.
Following Bai Qingyan’s side, Bai Jinzhi felt the burden on her shoulders grow heavier upon hearing these words.
“That’s quite right!” Dong Shi nodded and stepped across the threshold together with Bai Qingyan.
Hearing the sound, Bai Qingping turned to look toward the interior of the Bai mansion and bowed deeply to Dong Shi, Bai Qingyan, and Bai Jinzhi: “My Lady, Princess, County Princess!”
Outside, Bai Qingping always addressed Bai Qingyan as Princess, never overstepping propriety.
“While I’m away during this period, military training matters are entrusted to you. If there’s anything you’re uncertain about, you can come discuss it with Fourth Miss.” Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Qingping with careful instructions. “That Cai Ziyuan, who was sent to teach the recruits literacy, and the Li family guards who entered the recruit camp together—have Shen Yancong watch them closely… Don’t let anything go wrong! If they show any suspicious behavior, there’s no need to keep them.”
“Yes!” Bai Qingping respectfully acknowledged. “Qingping will escort the Princess out of the city.”
Bai Qingyan nodded, turned to bow to Dong Shi: “Mother, your daughter is departing.”
“Good!” Dong Shi’s throat tightened. Even knowing her daughter was only going to her maternal family, she still inevitably worried about the hardships of the journey. “Be careful on the road, and remember to send someone back with news when you arrive!”
Bai Qingyan nodded, her gaze falling on Bai Jinzhi: “The household is entrusted to you!”
“Eldest sister, rest assured!” Bai Jinzhi cupped her fists to Bai Qingyan. “Little Four will do her utmost!”
Bai Qingyan raised her hand to pat Bai Jinzhi’s head, then turned to board the carriage. Shen Qingzhu also bowed deeply to Dong Shi and Bai Jinzhi, quickly walked down the high steps, leaped onto his horse, and followed Lu Ping at the very front to lead the way.
“My Lady, rest assured, this servant will take good care of First Miss!” Chun Tao bowed to Dong Shi, declaring earnestly.
Dong Shi nodded: “I know you’re a good one. Go on!”
Only then did Chun Tao lift the hem of her skirt and hurriedly board the carriage.
Bai Qingping bowed deeply to Dong Shi and Bai Jinzhi, then mounted his horse and escorted Bai Qingyan out of the city.
On the road, Bai Qingping rode alongside the carriage, speaking quietly with Bai Qingyan, who had lifted the carriage curtain with one hand.
Previously, the Bai family clan descendants weren’t of much use, simply because they followed bad examples, all thinking of eating, drinking, and making merry, lying around waiting for the clan to support them. Now that we’ve gradually begun employing some clan members, Father has borrowed the management methods from our recruit camp—those who perform well are rewarded, those who don’t are punished. Now the clan members strive to do things well, hoping to catch Sister’s attention and earn good prospects. They’ve become much more dedicated!” Bai Qingping spoke of the current situation within the clan, finally showing some joy in his expression.