The dark guard of the Bai family, who appeared to be two or three years older than Yue Shi, saw Yue Shi holding a teacup, pressing down the tea leaves with the lid, and bending over awkwardly to drink the tea. His brows furrowed, and he brushed aside some peanuts, rubbing off the red skin as he said, "Did you hurt your back?"
Yue Shi held the teacup in his hand, shook his head, and answered politely, "No."
"If you’re not injured, why are you always bending over?" The Bai family dark guard took a sip of tea from the bowl. "When you led us around in circles, you didn’t look this timid."
"Poof..." Yue Shi spat out the mouthful of tea he had just drunk, his eyes widening as he looked at the Bai family dark guard.
The Bai family dark guard handed a handkerchief to Yue Shi with a look of disdain. The other Bai family dark guards also looked at Yue Shi with disdain.
"Sorry!" Yue Shi hastily wiped his mouth with the handkerchief, quickly adding, "It’s all under my master’s orders. I had no choice but to lead you around in circles. I didn’t mean to. I’m really sorry!"
"Look at this little brat looking so guilty!" The Bai family dark guard suddenly laughed. "Did you really think your martial arts were so high that you could single-handedly lead us around the city? We, who were born in the Bai family’s army, are no fools! If not ordered, how could we allow you to come and go freely in our Bai Mansion?"
"Your lightness skill is good, but we also need to guard against luring the tiger away from the mountain." Another Bai family dark guard added.
Yue Shi, who had always thought his martial arts were quite good, even to the point of being extraordinary, suddenly realized that they had been ordered to follow him around in circles.
Yue Shi’s mind quickly clicked. Did this mean that Miss Bai also had feelings for his master?
"Is this Miss Bai’s intention?" Yue Shi’s eyes lit up with joy.
"The first time you led those two away, but I was still there. Although your master’s lightness skill is good, by the time I noticed, your master was already at our lady’s window. Since our lady didn’t seem to have any intention of doing anything, Chun Tao eventually saw him off. Recognizing him as a benefactor of the Bai family, I didn’t stop your master from leaving." The dark guard said, peeling another peanut and tossing it into his mouth. "After that, of course, it was under our lady’s command!"
Xiao Rongyan had done the Bai family a great favor, and it was widely known that the wealthiest merchant in the world held deep affection for their lady. Later, during the Wude Gate incident, Xiao Rongyan risked his life to protect the Bai family. These Bai family guards were well aware of that.
In their hearts, Xiao Rongyan was already seen as part of the Bai family, almost like family.
"Ha..." Yue Shi put the teacup on the table and straightened his back. "If I had known, I wouldn’t have bothered leading you around in circles. Next time, let me prepare some good food and wine to apologize."
"Impossible, impossible. Our Bai family has strict rules. We can’t touch any alcohol while on duty. Please understand." The Bai family guard clasped his hands toward Yue Shi.
Yue Shi immediately followed suit, "I apologize for my oversight. In that case... I’ll prepare good tea and snacks!"
"Great! Anyway, we don’t know when you’ll come, but you’ll know, won’t you..." The Bai family guard laughed.
Early the next day, Bai Qingyan was set to depart for Shuoyang. Xiao Rongyan rode with Bai Qingyan for a while.
In the morning light, Xiao Rongyan dismounted and, standing at Bai Qingyan’s carriage window, bid her farewell. "I will soon pacify Wei Kingdom. Wait for me..."
Bai Qingyan’s ears reddened. Looking at Xiao Rongyan with eyes like spring water, she nodded, "Alright..."
This time, Bai Qingyan’s return to Shuoyang was kept in secrecy. No one met her at the gates of Shuoyang City.
However, the newly appointed Governor Shen Tianzhi visited her upon learning of her return that night.
Bai Qingyan knew why Shen Tianzhi had come and went to meet him in the front hall.
"Yanwo is my Jin Kingdom’s granary, fertile land... Now the Crown Prince has sent people to repair the Guanghe Canal. I believe under your governance, Yanwo will be even better than before." Bai Qingyan said while holding a teacup.
"I hope Princess of Zhen can be straightforward. Is it because you don’t trust me and have sent me so far away, or is it for another reason?" Shen Tianzhi looked at Bai Qingyan with determined eyes, seeking clarity.
"Master Shen, you once said that my father left a retreat path for the Bai family. I believed you." Bai Qingyan put down the teacup, looking intently at Shen Tianzhi. "I am entrusting the kingdom’s granary to you. You, being wise, should understand my intentions."
Shen Tianzhi’s heart trembled. He understood now... He felt a mix of excitement and fear.
If before he had only guessed, now Shen Tianzhi was certain of Bai Qingyan’s plans.
This daughter of Bai Qishan had ambitions too grand...
She was truly preparing for the day to take over the Jin Kingdom and launch a rebellion!
Shen Tianzhi was not a person loyal only to the Monarch by nature. He was fully aware of the current state of the Imperial Family.
Once, Shen Tianzhi even suggested to Bai Qishan that the Duke of Zhen replace the Lin family’s imperial power. But Bai Qishan replied that the Bai family and Bai family army had always been the backbone of the Jin Kingdom, its bulwark. They should remain loyal ministers, not traitors.
Shen Tianzhi admired Bai Qishan but also found him somewhat stubborn.
Now, Bai Qishan’s daughter was making every preparation to take over the Jin Kingdom’s future. This made Shen Tianzhi’s blood boil. The Jin Kingdom would be better off in the hands of a capable ruler than under the corrupt Lin family’s reign!
Moreover, the Emperor was now obsessed with elixirs, constructing the Nine-Story Tower in the name of prayer, but actually seeking immortality...
History had shown that when a Monarch started pursuing immortality, it often signaled the end of the nation’s fortune.
Shen Tianzhi stood up, lifted the hem of his robe, and knelt on one knee before Bai Qingyan. "Shen Tianzhi is willing to follow the Princess of Zhen’s command and shall guard the Jin Kingdom’s granary well for her!"
Bai Qingyan did not put on airs. She stood and gave a deep bow, showing her heroic demeanor, with no sign of weakness.
"I entrust it to you, Master Shen."
There was no need to speak the word "rebellion." As long as Bai Qingyan did not deliberately conceal her intentions, astute individuals could infer her plans.
On February 23, the seventeenth year of Xuanjia reign, Wei Kingdom’s request for assistance from Jin Kingdom was refused.
On February 26, the seventeenth year of Xuanjia reign, Xiliang, disregarding the Jin Kingdom’s warning, aggressively attacked Nanrong, capturing several horse farms, and gained momentum.