The Grand Princess gripped her tiger-head walking stick tightly and sighed: “She’s worried about her mother far away in Shouyang, which is why she’s eager to depart for Shouyang. So be it… Let her travel slowly on the road! Otherwise, with her body in the capital… and her heart in Shouyang, it would be emotionally exhausting.”

“Why not have Madam come to the capital instead!” the Crown Prince suddenly said.

The Grand Princess shook her head: “When the Bai family returned to Shouyang as a whole, setting aside that the Bai family’s affairs cannot do without my daughter-in-law, if she were to return to the capital, others would inevitably say… His Majesty is gravely ill and has entrusted state affairs to Your Highness, the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince is already paving the way for his trusted Princess Zhenguo to return to the capital. This would be bad for Your Highness! His Majesty is getting on in years and sometimes suspicion is inevitable—why create trouble over such a small matter and make His Majesty doubt Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”

The Grand Princess spoke very eloquently, appearing to consider everything for the Crown Prince’s sake.

The Crown Prince felt even more grateful toward the Bai family and nodded: “However, the road back to Shouyang is not very peaceful. When the time comes, I will have my guards escort Princess Zhenguo.”

“Thank you, Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”

Hearing that Young Miss had returned, Chun Tao quickly had the bedding warmed until it was cozy, ordered people to prepare several hot water bottles, and had the floor heating started. Since there was no warmth yet, Chun Tao also had people light a charcoal brazier and bring it in.

It was already the twentieth of October, and the capital had grown cold. The leaves in the courtyard had turned yellow, rustling down with every breeze, creating a scene of autumn desolation.

In previous years at this time, Dong Shi had long since ordered the floor heating and charcoal braziers lit in Qinghui Courtyard, with hot water bottles all prepared.

This year, as Bai Qingyan’s health had improved, she had said there was no need to prepare so early, so Chun Tao hadn’t made preparations. Who could have expected that their Young Miss would suddenly suffer such severe injuries again?

The previous few days had been fine, but just now Chun Tao had felt wisps of cold air while sitting in the room. Seeing that it was about to rain again, with each autumn rain bringing more cold, and with Young Miss still injured… it was better to prepare early.

Soon, the sedan chair entered the courtyard. Chun Tao hurried forward, and together with Bai Jinzhi, one on each side, they supported Bai Qingyan into the room, removed her cloak, and settled her on the bed.

Chun Tao tucked a small hand warmer into Bai Qingyan’s arms and poured her a cup of hot water: “Young Miss… are you feeling chest tightness? Should we call Physician Hong?”

Just as Chun Tao finished speaking, Physician Hong had already arrived.

Physician Hong performed a proper pulse diagnosis for Bai Qingyan, knowing in his heart that she was recovering well, though he didn’t show it on his face… only saying he would change her medicine formula tomorrow, instructing Bai Qingyan to rest well, then left carrying his medicine box.

Bai Jinzhi, with reddened eyes, tucked the blanket corners around Bai Qingyan and said with a choked voice: “Elder Sister, please rest well.”

“Is Uncle Ping outside in the courtyard?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Chun Tao nodded: “Guard Lu came with the sedan chair and is still waiting outside in the courtyard.”

Knowing there were still matters to attend to, Lu Ping hadn’t left, understanding that Bai Qingyan still had instructions for him.

Indeed, soon Chun Tao emerged from the main room of Qinghui Courtyard and called Lu Ping inside.

Across the screen, Lu Ping bowed to Bai Qingyan.

Without avoiding Bai Jinzhi, Bai Qingyan instructed Lu Ping: “Uncle Ping, go see Li Mingrui privately and tell him that Liu Ruofu doesn’t count as real sincerity. Have him find a way to rescue Wang Qiulu and settle him well—consider it my acceptance of his gesture of allegiance.”

Lu Ping frowned tightly: “If we rescue Wang Qiulu and hand him over to Li Mingrui… Li Mingrui might very well use this Wang Qiulu against Young Miss and the Bai family!”

After all, their Young Miss had gone to the prison today to see Wang Jianghai and Wang Qiulu. If they let Li Mingrui rescue Wang Qiulu… and let Li Mingrui settle this person, what if someday Li Mingrui claimed that their Young Miss had secretly ordered him to rescue this treasonous rebel behind the Crown Prince’s back, and then coerced Wang Qiulu… also pinning Prince Xian’s rebellion on Young Miss?

“I spoke very clearly with Wang Qiulu—if he remembers clearly who his master is, he can live. If he betrays his master… I’ll send him to meet his father, which would also fulfill my obligation to Fourth Uncle!” Bai Qingyan’s eyes were cold and stern. “Uncle Ping, rest assured. Since I dare to let Li Mingrui handle this, I can control Li Mingrui.”

Lu Ping suddenly remembered when Bai Qingyan had him break Left Chancellor Li Mao’s youngest son Li Mingtang’s leg. He bit his teeth and acknowledged the order. Their Young Miss never did anything without certainty and always left herself backup plans—he needn’t worry excessively.

Lu Ping acknowledged the order and left Qinghui Courtyard.

Bai Jinzhi was still somewhat bewildered, but seeing that Bai Qingyan already showed signs of fatigue, she restrained her curiosity and didn’t pursue her questions. Her expression carried worry beyond her years as she gently urged Bai Qingyan to rest well before withdrawing.

Even Chun Tao felt surprised. She arranged a warm cloth for Bai Qingyan to wipe her hands: “This Fourth Miss managed to restrain her nature this time and didn’t question everything to the end.”

“Xiao Si will always grow up.” Bai Qingyan leaned against the cushion, wiped her hands, and held the silver hand warmer she’d used for many years, feeling a sense of familiarity and warmth.

“At this hour, there shouldn’t be any more matters. This servant will prepare water for Miss to rest!” Chun Tao said with concern. “Young Miss is about to return to Shouyang—you must improve your complexion so Madam won’t be too heartbroken when she sees you.”

Bai Qingyan nodded, knowing Chun Tao was advising her not to read books tonight.

After attending to Bai Qingyan’s washing and seeing her lie down, Chun Tao lowered the bed curtains, pulled down the jade-green brocade drapes hanging from the gold-plated copper hooks, and carefully checked the window lattices to prevent cold wind from seeping through the cracks and reaching their Young Miss.

Extinguishing the lamp, Chun Tao carefully withdrew from the main room to heat water for washing, then returned to keep night watch.

Chun Tao had only been gone for a moment when the two doors made a soft sound. The moment soft-soled boots stepped into the room, Bai Qingyan opened her eyes.

She pretended not to know, raising her hand to gently part the bed curtains. Through the gap in the jade-green brocade drapes that weren’t completely drawn, she saw that behind the gauze screen in the outer room, which was lit by only one lamp, there was now the vague shadow of another person.

“A’Bao, are you asleep?”

The shadow stood behind the gauze screen, calling out softly.

Bai Qingyan was startled and lifted the bed curtains, intending to sit up, but touched her injured arm and gasped from the pain.

Unable to contain himself, Xiao Rongyan went around the screen, swept aside the drapes in one motion, took two large steps to reach the bedside, supported Bai Qingyan, who was trying to rise, and placed a cushion behind her back.

Having not seen her for many days, although Bai Qingyan’s complexion was much better than when she had first been struck by the arrow, her face was still terribly pale.

Their eyes met, and Bai Qingyan’s ears reddened: “Why are you sneaking in at night again?”

Though the words sounded like a reproach, Bai Qingyan’s eyes sparkled with amusement.

“I’ve been calling at your door for several days in a row, but was turned away each time with the excuse that you were half-asleep.” Xiao Rongyan grasped Bai Qingyan’s slender wrist, gently caressing it, gazing at her with a smile. His rich voice carried a touch of tenderness, low and alluring: “I truly… missed you and worried terribly. Today I happened to see you go out, but later the Crown Prince escorted you back, so I could only resort to this method.”