Bai Jinxiu looked toward the carriage, moisture gathering in her eyes. If not for Elder Sister arranging Yinshuang by her side, today… she and Wang Ge’er would have died silently in the palace long ago. But Yinshuang…

Thinking of Yinshuang, Bai Jinxiu turned her head and wiped away tears with her handkerchief. If Elder Sister saw that Yinshuang had lost an eye and was constantly drowsy, she didn’t know how heartbroken she would be. Fortunately, the young girl had an open-minded nature and was content as long as she had food, so she was quite able to see things.

The carriage slowly stopped in front of Princess Zhenguo’s mansion. Bai Jinxiu, supported by Cuibi’s hand, walked down the steps and saw Chun Tao helping Bai Qingyan down first.

Seeing Bai Qingyan in her silver armor military attire, heroic and dashing, Bai Jinse immediately rushed over and childishly embraced Bai Qingyan’s slender waist: “Elder Sister!”

“Young Lady…” Lu Ning’e nodded toward Bai Qingyan. In public, Lu Ning’e was nominally Bai Qingyan’s aunt, so she naturally had to maintain proper decorum to avoid others detecting any flaws.

“Elder Sister!” Bai Jinxiu’s eyes moistened.

In Bai Qingyan’s deep, pool-like eyes was the warm scattered light of sunshine. She gently stroked Bai Jinse’s head, her gaze falling on Bai Jinxiu, who had just become a mother, then greeted Second Madam Liu Shi and Lu Ning’e with proper courtesy.

Physician Hong stroked his beard and said with a smile that when they returned home, everything else could be set aside – he must first examine Bai Qingyan’s pulse.

Amid the laughter, Grand Princess also alighted from the carriage with Nanny Jiang’s support: “Our family shouldn’t be performing courtesies outside the gate. Let’s go home first… and let A’Bao change her clothes!”

Liu Shi hurried forward with small steps, smiling as she greeted Grand Princess before supporting one side of her: “Mother is right, let’s go inside first! Nanny Luo, go check if the pigeon soup stewing in the small kitchen for A’Bao is ready. If it is, serve a bowl first, let A’Bao drink the soup, then quickly bathe and change clothes to relax!”

“Second Madam, please don’t worry. When I saw Grand Princess’s carriage just now, this old servant had already sent someone to handle it!” Nanny Luo said briskly with a smile, her hands folded over her lower abdomen.

Seeing that Bai Qingyan had returned uninjured from her journey, Liu Shi hurriedly urged Bai Qingyan to go bathe and change clothes. Lu Ning’e and Bai Jinse accompanied the Grand Princess back to Changshou Courtyard, while Bai Jinxiu escorted Bai Qingyan back to Qinghui Courtyard.

On the way, the maids walked with lowered heads and humble expressions, following respectfully ten paces behind the two sisters, not disturbing their conversation.

Bai Jinxiu took Bai Qingyan’s arm and spoke to her about Left Chancellor Li Mao: “Li Mao was impeached by the censors for being connected to the Second Prince’s rebellion case from years past. Later, when it was discovered that the letters were forged, the Emperor had already handed court affairs over to the Crown Prince. I suspect it’s because Li Mao’s son Li Mingrui has close ties with Prince Liang’s mansion that the Emperor doesn’t mention letting Li Mao return to court… and the Crown Prince pretends not to know, remaining silent.”

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes, her steps slow, fingers rubbing together as she shook her head: “With Li Mao’s capabilities, if this case were cleared… if he wanted to return to court, he would only need to hint to his disciples to submit a memorial. Even if the Crown Prince didn’t approve, he would certainly have methods. That he hasn’t returned to court by now can only mean Li Mao temporarily doesn’t wish to return.”

Bai Jinxiu nodded: “Just as Elder Sister said. Later, when Imperial Teacher Old Tan assisted Prince Liang in governing, Prince Liang invited Li Mao back to court, but Li Mao claimed illness and refused to attend court, saying his strength was insufficient and submitting a memorial requesting retirement. Imperial Teacher Old Tan said that Li Mao couldn’t act like an elder in his presence, and all matters needed to wait for the Crown Prince’s return before making decisions, so he suppressed the matter.”

Hearing this, Bai Qingyan recalled Bai Jinxiu’s previous letter mentioning Li Mingrui’s continued association with Prince Liang’s mansion. Her rubbing fingers paused as she gazed at the rippling lake water beside the corridor: “Perhaps because Li Mao holds a high position and great power, Li Mingrui detected early that Prince Liang wanted to use Li Mao’s Left Chancellor authority to do certain things. Since Li Mao couldn’t refuse or shirk, he simply claimed illness and didn’t return to court!”

“Regarding Prince Liang and the Left Chancellor’s mansion, I’ve already arranged people to keep strict watch. If there’s any movement, they’ll notify Elder Sister immediately!” After saying this, Bai Jinxiu continued: “Recently, there’s been a strange incident. Due to this year’s consecutive major battles on the southern and northern borders, our Kingdom’s military strength has been severely depleted. In late July, the Emperor also transferred newly conscripted soldiers who were to be sent to guard the northern border to the Western Liang frontier… to deter Western Liang from joining forces with Wei to attack Yan! Jin’s military reserves are insufficient, so the Ministry of War urgently organized conscription. But then… the soldiers conscripted from Baiwok and Huayang mysteriously disappeared! According to local people, the officers leading the recruits took a mountain route and may have encountered supernatural confusion, unable to find their way out.”

Hearing this news, Bai Qingyan chuckled softly.

“Why does Elder Sister laugh?” Bai Jinxiu was quite puzzled.

As they approached Qinghui Courtyard, Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinxiu entered the main room and sat down. After the maids served tea and withdrew, Bai Qingyan picked up her teacup and said: “The recruits from Baiwok and Huayang should have been taken by Ji Tingyu!”

Bai Qingyan didn’t hide this matter from Bai Jinxiu, as she still had tasks that needed Bai Jinxiu’s help.

“Since Ji Tingyu has soldiers under his command, he cannot be without provisions and supplies. In the future, these recruits can… farm during peacetime and serve as soldiers during war, but the first year’s grain supply is extremely crucial! In the coming days, I’ll arrange for people to disguise themselves as merchants about to enter Yan, coming in batches to buy grain. You must find ways to facilitate this – higher prices don’t matter, but we absolutely cannot let the recruits go short of food.”

“Elder Sister, rest assured, I’ll handle this matter!” Bai Jinxiu’s expression was composed.

“Now that we’ve finished discussing business, let’s talk about you…” Bai Qingyan set down her sweet porcelain tea cup with gold trim and looked at Bai Jinxiu. “Why did you give birth prematurely? Grandmother said you wanted to tell me about this matter personally.”

Hearing this, Bai Jinxiu gently clenched the handkerchief in her hand and, after setting down her teacup, said: “This incident wasn’t directed at me, but at Aunt Lu!”

Bai Qingyan’s deep, dark pupils remained calm as she stared steadily at Bai Jinxiu, murderous intent already evident in her eyes: “The Empress?”

“The Empress was pregnant, and the Emperor was delighted, so he held a banquet in the palace! That day, Aunt Lu happened to enter the palace to give the Emperor acupuncture treatment, so she was also among the banquet guests. During the palace banquet, the Empress suddenly experienced severe abdominal pain for unknown reasons. The Emperor commanded Aunt Lu to examine the Empress’s pulse. The Empress initially refused… claiming she didn’t trust Aunt Lu, but later, under the Emperor’s command, Aunt Lu examined the Empress’s pulse and administered acupuncture, alleviating the Empress’s abdominal pain symptoms. She said the Empress’s pregnancy didn’t look good, and she needed to rest in bed.”

Speaking thus, Bai Jinxiu glanced toward the window lattice, confirming no one was there before moving closer to Bai Qingyan: “Aunt Lu detected that the Empress’s pregnancy timing was wrong…”

Though this was unexpected, knowing that the Empress and Fu Ruoxi had deep affection for each other, and knowing that Fu Ruoxi had met privately with the Empress, it was also within reason.

No wonder Fu Ruoxi had been so panicked at Anping Military Camp, acting like a madman trying to kill the Crown Prince.

Seeing Bai Qingyan remain silent with a solemn expression, Bai Jinxiu continued: “The Empress left the banquet due to abdominal pain, and the Emperor, worried about the dragon heir in the Empress’s womb, followed…”