She wanted to frame Prince Xin with the crime of collaborating with the enemy, even if it wasn’t in these bamboo scrolls!

Did only Prince Xin know how to use rumors as a sword? She could too…

Regardless of whether these words were true or false, when all the people of the capital saw the half-dead Ji Tingyu and heard the news he risked his life to bring back, how could anyone think it was fake?

Even if the court one day released the so-called truth, the people would think it was the court’s shameless lies to cover for Prince Xin.

Since Prince Xin dared strike at the Bai family, she would cut off Prince Xin’s path to the throne, and even… take his life!

Ji Tingyu understood what Bai Qingyan intended to do and nodded vigorously: “First Miss, rest assured, Tingyu understands!”

Seeing Bai Qingyan straighten up, filled with murderous intent, Ji Tingyu added: “First Miss, General Yue Zhizhou also brought a message… Seventh Young Master and Ninth Young Master led troops in a cavalry raid on Xi Liang’s capital and haven’t returned. They might preserve a Bai family bloodline! Miss Shen and Wei Gao have already ridden swiftly there! First Miss… please take care of yourself! You must not pursue a path of mutual destruction.”

“Elder sister!” Bai Jintong wept with joy, “Elder sister was right yesterday! Not seeing the bodies is a good thing! Maybe they’re all still alive!”

She hadn’t expected that her words of comfort to her sister last night would seem to come true today.

Seventh Brother and Ninth Brother…

She felt a warm current surge from her feet to the top of her head. A bright light drove away the bleakness in her eyes, making her cry uncontrollably. The surging hatred suddenly gained a few degrees of peace because of these words.

One sorrow, one joy – it made even her scalp tingle, leaving her with mixed emotions for a moment!

Could this be considered that she had finally caught up, enabling Shen Qingzhu to save two of them…

Could this be considered not having been reborn in vain, at least snatching two back from the King of Hell’s hands?!

No, before seeing her two brothers, everything was premature.

May Heaven pity the Bai family and let Shen Qingzhu save them!

She suddenly perked up. Though her heart was in turmoil, she remained composed as she ordered, “Uncle Ping! Immediately select elite fighters from the Bai family’s death warriors to rush to Xi Liang. Spare no cost to ensure… that Seventh Brother and Ninth Brother are safe and sound!”

Lu Ping nodded: “Yes!”

Her heart pounded rapidly. She had to go to Nan Jiang personally – whether to meet Seventh Brother and Ninth Brother’s safe return or to manage the Bai family’s network within the army, she had to go personally. She was already impatient to leave.

Bai Jintong supported Bai Qingyan as they emerged from that room reeking of burned flesh. Her eyes were so sore and swollen that she couldn’t open them under this bright winter sun.

Though it was warm winter sunshine, the wind sounded like cranes crying, and withered leaves rustled bleakly.

“Elder sister…” Bai Jintong gripped Bai Qingyan’s hand tightly, clenching her teeth, “When Ji Tingyu presents the six bamboo scrolls before the spirit altar, I’ll read them! Let all the people of the capital know about our Bai family’s tragedy at the front lines! Let them know that shameless Prince Xin’s true face! Otherwise… these six military records will be sent before the emperor, and he’ll protect Prince Xin by not publishing them!”

“Not only must we read them…” She opened her eyes, deeply concealing all the grief and sorrow.

She looked at the white silk mourning banners fluttering in the wind throughout the courtyard, the killing intent radiating from her body making people shiver with terror: “I want to take these bamboo scrolls to the palace gates and beat the Dengwen Drum! Make the contents of these scrolls known to the world! Let scum like Prince Xin… have nowhere to hide! Use this popular sentiment, popular anger, and popular resentment to force the emperor to give the Bai family justice!”

The woman’s clear voice rang out with determination.

Bai Jintong’s heart boiled with fury and grief as she said firmly, “I’ll accompany elder sister to beat the Dengwen Drum!”

She lowered her gaze to stare at the polished azure brick floor of the long corridor, speaking with melancholy: “Go to Changshou Courtyard to request grandmother, tell her… Old Master Cui Shiyan and Old Master Guan Yongchong have come! Also let grandmother hear with her ears what kind of beasts the imperial family she wants to guard and protect have produced.”

Also, let their grandmother hear how these beasts killed her husband, sons, and grandsons!

Watching Bai Qingyan’s firm steps toward the front courtyard, Bai Jintong clenched her fists tightly, swallowing her tears and pain, then turned toward Changshou Courtyard.

Since her elder sister hadn’t mentioned telling grandmother about Seventh Brother and Ninth Brother, she wouldn’t speak of it either.

The subtle estrangement and wariness between grandmother and elder sister – how could the perceptive Bai Jintong not notice?

It was just that the grandmother was the current dynasty’s Grand Princess, and she always had her difficulties that Bai Jintong could understand. But after seeing these military records and Prince Xin’s despicable actions…

Bai Jintong clenched her fists tightly. Her feelings toward her grandmother were both respectful and admiring. Though she could sacrifice her life for her grandmother without blinking, if her grandmother still insisted on protecting the imperial family members, then she could only disappoint her grandmother.

Front courtyard spirit hall.

Bai Jinxiu looked at the pale-faced Bai Qingyan, who had returned to kneel beside her, and whispered, “Elder sister, if you’re unwell, you needn’t force yourself.”

She shook her head. Looking up, she saw an exquisite carriage carved with Prince Qi’s mansion totem slowly stopping before the Duke’s mansion gates. Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, tightened, trembling slightly.

In her previous life during the Bai family’s great mourning, though she was gravely ill, she knew Prince Qi had never come. Could it be… Xiao Rongyan?!

Perfect timing!

She feared the matter wouldn’t be big enough, that not enough people would know!

A handsome eunuch helped Prince Qi step down from his carriage. Just as he crossed the copper-edged threshold of the Duke’s mansion and prepared to solemnly pay respects to the spirit altar set up at the entrance, suddenly… a fast horse charged straight up the Duke’s mansion’s high steps. The blood-covered Ji Tingyu rode up and tumbled from his horse…

“Protect His Highness!” Prince Qi’s guards all drew their swords in unison, protecting the deathly pale Prince Qi as they quickly retreated.

The neighing horse reared up in fright. Lu Ping reacted quickly, rushing over to grab the reins and control the blood-covered horse.

The people at the gate cried out in shock, retreating repeatedly while staring fixedly at the man who had just fallen from horseback, covered in blood and lying on the ground as if no longer breathing.

“It’s Ji Tingyu! Madam, First Miss! It’s our mansion’s Ji Tingyu!” Lu Ping, gripping the reins tightly, looked up and shouted.

Bai Jintong, who was supporting the Grand Princess from the long corridor, heard Lu Ping’s shout and felt her throat tighten. She quickly said, “Grandmother, I’ll go look!”

The Grand Princess nodded: “Go quickly!”

Bai Jintong released her hold on the Grand Princess and ran toward the front courtyard.

Bai Qingyan, who had been kneeling before the spirit altar, rose and pushed through the Prince Qi mansion guards blocking her path, rushing over in quick steps, her eyes widening in shock…

Just now, Ji Tingyu hadn’t been injured this severely!

His arm had been bandaged by Physician Hong to stop the bleeding, so how was it again…

She understood in her heart. To seek justice for the Bai family, Ji Tingyu was risking his life!

What kind of court was this? To force a noble family like the Bai family, one that dined from bronze vessels and lived in luxury, to have a loyal servant risk his life just to seek justice!

“Ji Tingyu?” She crouched down to support Ji Tingyu, seeing that his already severed arm had been shortened by another section. An intensely bitter ache assaulted her eyes.