Bai Qingyan came treading through the morning light, her sharpness restrained, her entire figure enveloped in golden radiance, as if she possessed an awe-inspiring righteousness that pierced through heaven and earth.

Imperial Teacher Old Tan gazed at Bai Qingyan in military armor, as if seeing the once victorious return of Bai Weiting in full armor… mighty and glorious.

The century-old military household of Duke Zhenguo’s Mansion—generations of Dukes Zhenguo had been Jin’s true pillars of the state, the backbone of the nation.

When Bai Weiting inherited the position of Duke Zhenguo, wherever there was warfare in Jin, there would be the generals of Duke Zhenguo’s Mansion and the Bai Family Army! Southern frontier… northern frontier, eastern borders, western boundaries—where were there no bones of the Bai Family Army, where were there no heroic souls of Bai family sons?

The Bai family’s reputation for loyalty and righteousness was known to all nations.

The Bai family’s courage in battle was feared by all nations.

It seemed that as long as Duke Zhenguo’s Mansion existed, there would never be a nation in this world capable of defeating Jin.

Imperial Teacher Old Tan’s eyes grew somewhat moist. Duke Zhenguo’s Mansion never produced worthless people—this saying was true. When Bai Qingyan had personally beheaded enemy generals, it had already made Imperial Teacher Old Tan look at her with new respect. When the Bai family faced calamity, this girl was audaciously bold, using her life to force the Emperor to restore justice to the Bai family.

At that time, Imperial Teacher Old Tan thought that seeking justice for the Bai family… was already the best this girl could do as a woman.

Unexpectedly, in the Southern Frontier War, this girl had repelled Western Liang’s fierce general Yun Poxing. Like a thunderclap, it once again made the Bai family’s reputation reverberate across all nations.

This girl who had once suffered severe injuries and lost all her martial arts, had not only avoided bringing shame to Duke Zhenguo’s Mansion’s honor but had instead shouldered the two characters “Zhenguo” alone, upholding the mansion’s dignity.

Some said this girl had struck lucky, encountering the chaos in Western Liang’s Yunjing and picking up an easy victory. Otherwise, how could Western Liang’s fierce general Yun Poxing have been defeated so miserably in the Southern Frontier War? Bai Qingyan, calling herself the God of Killing… was merely trying to salvage the Bai family’s declining fortunes in the capital, deceiving herself and others.

But later, when Great Liang wanted to seize Yushan Pass in the northern frontier, Great Liang’s famous general Xun Tianzhang beat Jin’s army into consecutive retreats, crossing Chun Mushan and driving straight in. Jin’s great general Zhang Duanrui died in battle, and again it was this girl who rushed day and night to Longyang City, fighting a battle that sent Great Liang fleeing with their tails between their legs. She flooded Longyang City, killing until Great Liang fled at the sound of the wind.

After this battle, who in the capital still dared say that Bai Qingyan’s Southern Frontier victory was luck?! Which nation still dared to provoke Jin?!

This weak woman of the Bai family had once again shouldered the two characters “Zhenguo,” truly fulfilling what she had declared beneath the plaque of Duke Zhenguo’s Mansion… Never to return without annihilating the bandits who harm Jin’s people! Born for the people, die for the nation! Protecting Great Jin’s people to live without worry or fear in peaceful mountains and rivers, with no regrets in life or death!

Thinking of this, Imperial Teacher Old Tan’s eyes had already grown red and moist…

Bai Weiting had once told him that this granddaughter of his was a precious sword. Once the blade’s edge was honed and emerged, it would be invincible. He simply couldn’t bear to part with her.

If Duke Zhenguo Bai Weiting were still alive and saw his eldest granddaughter’s blade finally honed and emerged, and performing so excellently, how happy he would be, yet how heartbroken too.

As someone who also loved his granddaughter, how could Imperial Teacher Old Tan not understand?

Imperial Teacher Old Tan sighed deeply. If Bai Qishan… and the Bai family’s generals were still here, what kind of scene would the Great Jin present now?

Seeing they were about to reach the capital’s city gates, Bai Qingyan raised her hand. The cavalry followed orders and prohibitions, silent as crows and sparrows.

Prince Liang wore a smiling face, appearing joyful as he stepped forward two paces to greet them, gazing into the distance.

He remembered that day at the side gate of Miss Liu Ruofu’s grandfather, Minister of Rites Old Master Wang’s house, when Bai Qingyan had pressed him step by step. His hand at his side quietly tightened.

From Duke Zhenguo Bai Weiting’s death until now, watching Bai Qingyan emerge from the Bai family’s back courtyard to the forefront, Prince Liang finally believed Du Zhiwei’s words… that Bai Qingyan was a natural-born military talent.

He didn’t know why, when Bai Qingyan had softened toward him initially, her attitude toward him had suddenly changed. Moreover, this change wasn’t because he had Chun Yan place the letter of Bai Weiting’s treason in Bai Weiting’s study, but happened before that… Bai Qingyan had already become wary of him.

Prince Liang squinted as he watched the Crown Prince’s banners fluttering in the morning sun. The Crown Prince was truly blessed with great fortune, having Bai Qingyan and the soldiers of Anping Camp protecting him all the way.

Now that he had already torn his face with Bai Qingyan, and she had turned to serve under the Crown Prince, hoping for Bai Qingyan to serve him was probably impossible. Since he couldn’t make Bai Qingyan serve him, then… Bai Qingyan could not be allowed to remain.

Prince Liang’s hands, clasped behind his back, quietly tightened, making an extremely soft sound.

However, killing Bai Qingyan absolutely could not involve the idle prince’s people. Otherwise, once traces were left, people would inevitably suspect him. He wondered if Great Yan’s Ninth Prince would be willing to help with this favor.

Bai Qingyan had the soldiers of Anping Camp wait in place. She brought Lu Ping, who had caught up with them from Anping Camp, to guard beside the Crown Prince’s carriage, accompanying the Crown Prince’s guards as they advanced to the city gates and dismounted.

The Crown Prince, pale-faced, was helped down by Quan Yu. Due to his high fever, his entire body was weak and powerless, but he forced himself to step forward with Bai Qingyan.

“Imperial Brother!” Prince Liang hurriedly bowed respectfully to the Crown Prince, appearing both excited and happy, “Imperial Brother, you’ve finally returned!”

“We respectfully welcome Your Highness, the Crown Prince’s safe return!” Imperial Teacher Old Tan led the hundred officials in kowtowing.

“Imperial Teacher Old Tan!” The Crown Prince hurried forward to support Imperial Teacher Old Tan, “Old Imperial Teacher must not bow!”

After supporting Imperial Teacher Old Tan, the Crown Prince stepped back and performed the proper etiquette of a junior toward the Grand Princess and Imperial Teacher Old Tan: “In my absence from the capital, the Grand Princess and Old Imperial Teacher have worked hard!”

The Grand Princess was dressed in grand attire, holding a black and lustrous tiger-head cane inlaid with gold and jade, her spine straight. Seeing Bai Qingyan in silver armor with heroic bearing, her red-rimmed eyes showed a smile, the wrinkles at her eye corners deepening.

Bai Qingyan bowed to the Grand Princess and Imperial Teacher Old Tan respectively: “Grandmother! Old Imperial Teacher!”

Chun Tao, following behind Bai Qingyan, also hurried to bow to the Grand Princess.

Imperial Teacher Old Tan looked at the Crown Prince’s respectful and humble manner and couldn’t help nodding, then looked toward Bai Qingyan: “This journey has been hard on Princess Zhenguo!”

“This is my duty and responsibility. I dare not accept Old Imperial Teacher’s words of hardship.” Bai Qingyan’s posture showed no arrogance or pride, composed yet respectful, making Imperial Teacher Old Tan increasingly favorable toward her.

“How is Father Emperor?” the Crown Prince asked the Grand Princess.

“Your Highness, rest assured. The imperial physicians say His Majesty was injured in the head, but fortunately was rescued in time. These past few days have shown improvement. It’s estimated that in the next day or two… His Majesty should awaken!” the Grand Princess said.

Hearing that the Emperor would awaken in the next few days, the Crown Prince didn’t dare return to his residence. He headed straight to the palace to keep vigil in the Emperor’s bedchamber, wanting to be a filial son.

Before leaving, the Crown Prince ordered Lu Jin to take Fu Ruoxi into custody. The twenty thousand soldiers from Anping Camp would make camp outside the capital, while the generals would follow Bai Qingyan into the city for settlement.

Bai Qingyan comforted Fu Ruoxi’s subordinate generals, telling them that Lu Jin had always been fair and asking them to be at ease, then followed the Grand Princess back to the Bai family first.

Fu Ruoxi was detained, and although his subordinate generals trusted Bai Qingyan, once they entered the city, they still flocked to the Fu family, planning to ask the Fu family’s old matriarch for guidance.