Chancellor Lu nodded.

“Chancellor Lu has underestimated the bond between my Bai family siblings…”

Just as grandmother had underestimated Bai Qingyan, the current Bai Qingyan was no longer yesterday’s Bai Qingyan. She understood what it meant that mountains and marshes harbor illness, rivers and lakes accept filth, and even fine jade conceals flaws.

She also acknowledged that an emperor’s heart capable of unifying the world should be able to embrace both the greatest good and the greatest evil under heaven. But this didn’t mean a ruler couldn’t maintain bottom lines or preserve bonds of affection.

Chancellor Lu glanced at Bai Jinse behind Bai Qingyan and saw that Bai Jinse showed no joy or anger despite Bai Qingyan just saying she would select a suitable person from among their siblings to inherit the throne.

“Chancellor Lu has also underestimated my physical condition.” Bai Qingyan smiled lightly, “To be honest with Uncle and the three distinguished masters, my body… has recovered quite well. Previously, when the imperial physician went to Great Liang to treat me… it was thanks to Physician Hong’s help that I managed to deceive them.”

Hearing Bai Qingyan say this, Chancellor Lu finally felt relieved: “Then we should find an opportunity to have an imperial physician take Your Majesty’s pulse, which would dispel everyone’s concerns.”

“There’s another matter…” Bai Qingyan looked toward Chancellor Lu, “Order the Ministry of Revenue to hand over all the documents of commercial establishments registered under the name of the world’s wealthiest merchant Xiao Rongyan within Great Zhou’s territory to the Bureau of Investigation, have them strictly guarded, and investigate further… to see if there are any hidden shops or residences, focusing primarily on pleasure houses and taverns.”

Chancellor Lu and the others didn’t ask why. After all, merchants becoming spies between nations was not uncommon. The more famous the merchant, the more vigilant one needed to be – this was reasonable and nothing surprising.

Even the former Jin Emperor had investigated this wealthy Wei merchant Xiao Rongyan, let alone the already meticulous Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan’s discussion with Chancellor Lu, Dong Qingping, Lu Jin, and Lu Jinxian lasted until the third watch before ending. Bai Jinse ordered people to escort the four distinguished masters out of the mansion, and while returning to Qinghui Courtyard with Bai Qingyan, brought up Xiao Rongyan.

“From how Master Xiao brought people to guard the Bai mansion last time, Master Xiao’s identity must certainly be extraordinary. But… he should also genuinely admire his eldest sister. If the eldest sister ascends as empress, is the eldest sister considered Master Xiao?”

Bai Qingyan raised her hand to pat Bai Jinse’s head, smiling without speaking.

·

On May 21st, Chen Zhaolu and Lu Yuanqing received orders to immediately proceed to Han City to oversee the new laws for the newly acquired territory north of Hong Queshan that the Great Zhou had taken into its embrace. Dong Changyuan and Li Mingrui were to oversee the implementation of new laws in the old territory.

On May 22nd, Bai Qingjue and Shen Kunyang, returning with troops from the southern frontier, had just galloped to outside Shouyang City when they saw the black sail white python flag hanging above Shouyang’s city gates. Bai Qingjue’s heart, which had been suspended throughout the journey, finally settled back down.

Even though scouts had reported that Shouyang was safe, he had remained anxious throughout the journey.

Looking toward Shouyang’s city gates from afar, he suddenly felt that strange sensation of being more timid the closer he got to home, and couldn’t help but tighten his reins, slowing down his mount’s pace.

“Seventh Young Master?!” Shen Kunyang turned to look at Bai Qingjue, who had slowed down and also reined in his horse.

When Bai Qingyan sent Shen Qingzhu from Great Liang’s Han City to the southern frontier to deliver the message, Shen Qingzhu had already spent considerable time traveling from Han City to Tonggu Mountain. Upon receiving orders, Bai Qingjue and Shen Kunyang had led their troops almost without rest from Tonggu Mountain to Shouyang.

Even after Bai Qingyan later took control of the capital and sent people to deliver messages to the Bai Family Army separately rushing to aid Shouyang and heading to the capital, telling them they didn’t need to hurry to arrive at the capital by June twentieth for the coronation ceremony, Bai Qingjue still led the Bai Family Army in their relentless return journey.

Bai Qingjue spurred his horse to catch up with Shen Kunyang, his emotions indescribable in words.

This was Bai Qingjue’s first time returning home after the southern frontier battles, but he… hadn’t been able to bring back Little Seventeen for mother, hadn’t been able to bring back Fourteenth Brother and Fifteenth Brother. Only he had returned safely…

The Bai family ancestral teaching that concubine-born should protect legitimate-born was one thing, but Little Seventeen… his blood brother from the same mother, he not only failed to protect him but let him die so tragically.

He still remembered before the expedition, Little Seventeen in full armor standing before mother, smiling as he grasped his hand, excitedly telling mother: “Mother, rest assured, elder brother will protect me!”

But he had disappointed Mother and disappointed Little Seventeen.

Bai Qingjue gripped the reins tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hands.

Seeing the black sail white python flag from afar, Bai Jinzhao, who was patrolling on the city tower, immediately ordered the city gates closed and the entire city on alert. All warfare is deception… Bai Jinzhao feared this might be Prince Liang’s group deliberately using the black sail, white python flag to deceive them.

“Archers ready!” Bai Jinzhao shouted.

Seeing Shouyang City on full alert with closed gates from afar, Bai Qingjue raised his hand to signal the great army to halt their advance, while he and Shen Kunyang spurred their horses forward toward Shouyang City.

Seeing the mighty army stop not far from Shouyang City while two riders galloped toward the city, Bai Jinzhao nocked an arrow and drew her bow, aiming at the two approaching riders with sharp eyes.

Not until Shen Kunyang and Bai Qingjue had nearly reached beneath Shouyang’s city tower did Bai Jinzhao call out loudly: “Who goes there?!”

Shen Kunyang looked up to see a young woman in battle armor standing boldly on the city wall, aiming an arrow at him.

The banners on the city wall fluttered loudly in the wind, the black hair ribbon binding the young woman’s hair already blown into wild dance, yet she stood extremely steady, quite possessing the fierce spirit of Fourth Miss, the Princess of High Righteousness.

Shen Kunyang couldn’t help but show joy in his eyes, guessing this must be one of the Bai family young ladies, and quickly reined in his horse to call out: “Shen Kunyang, under orders to lead the Bai Family Army to Shouyang to escort the Bai family ladies to the capital to attend the coronation ceremony.”

Hearing Shen Kunyang’s name, Bai Jinzhao found it somewhat familiar but hadn’t yet reacted when she saw the man beside Shen Kunyang remove his helmet, look up at her, and say: “Bai Qingjue, seventh son of the Bai family, under orders to lead the Bai Family Army to Shouyang. Please open the city gates!”

Bai Jinzhao’s hand holding the bow trembled, and she quickly lowered her arrow to look down at the city below…

Just the day before yesterday, the Bai family had received news that Seventh Brother was still alive, and unexpectedly, today, Seventh Brother had arrived!

“Seventh Brother…” Bai Jinzhao murmured, couldn’t help but support herself against the city wall with both hands, and shouted toward the bottom of the wall: “Seventh Brother!”

Bai Qingjue looked up at Bai Jinzhao, his reddened eyes showing an extremely gentle smile. Under the sunlight, he was an exceptionally handsome young gentleman.

“Quick! Quick, open the city gates!” Bai Jinzhao shouted while rushing down from the city tower, not forgetting to order: “Quickly go to the Bai mansion to report! Tell them Seventh Brother has returned! Quickly!”

“Yes!” The gate guards received the order and immediately went to the Bai mansion to report.

Shouyang City’s gates slowly opened a crack, and Bai Jinzhao had already squeezed out from within the gates, running swiftly toward Bai Qingjue.

“Seventh Brother! Seventh Brother…” Bai Jinzhao’s face was covered with tears, her voice choked with sobs, continuously calling out to Bai Qingjue.