Chapter 241 - 241 239 Reminder_1

Chapter 241: Chapter 239: Reminder_1 Chapter 241: Chapter 239: Reminder_1 “I submit!” At this moment, Du Sanbao was overwhelmed with emotions. He turned around to face the direction of the main tent, bowed deeply to the ground, and shouted, “General Bai! Miss Ji! Du Sanbao realizes his mistake! I will go accept my punishment right away! From today on, Du Sanbao will start again as a common soldier and surely regain his original spirit!”

Bai Qingyan’s words reminded Du Sanbao of the time when he first enlisted. It was because the Shu Kingdom killed Jin Kingdom border civilians and humiliated Jin Kingdom women. As a passionate son of the Jin Kingdom, upon hearing of the border civilians’ plight, he was so furious that he wanted to kill the enemy at the cost of his life. That was why he joined the army.

Four words… Protect the country, protect the people!

These four words were once Du Sanbao’s original motivation for enlisting.

But later, as he rose through the ranks from Wufu Zhang, Corporal, to today’s Centurion, his original spirit gradually faded.

Today, General Bai’s words were a thunderous wake-up call.

This punishment, Du Sanbao accepted!

Bai Qingyan turned her head to look outside the tent. She saw Ji Langhua wiping her tears, holding a cloak tightly, and spoke softly, “This cloak…”

Ji Langhua bit her lip, reluctantly caressed the cloak, then tearfully handed it to Bai Qingyan, choking up as she said, “This is General Bai Qingming’s. When I was defiled by Xiliang, it was the general who saved me. I originally wanted to keep this cloak as a memory, but now… I should return it to Young General Bai!”

Bai Qingyan gently touched the cloak that Ji Langhua held up. The cloak had been cleaned, and even the torn parts had been carefully mended. Her eyes welled up for a moment. It was Ah Ming’s; no wonder it looked so familiar.

She looked at Ji Langhua and said, “If you want to keep it as a memory, then you should keep it. Live well!”

Tears welled up in Ji Langhua’s eyes. She bit her lip hard and hugged the cloak tightly. Looking at Bai Qingyan, she expressed her gratitude, “Thank you… Young General Bai! I will surely live well and will never let down General Bai Qingming and the Bai family army soldiers who risked their lives to protect me.”

Bai Qingyan nodded and asked Ji Langhua, “Are you leaving?”

Ji Langhua nodded, “The treaty between the two countries has been signed. Since the battle is over, I should go back.”

“It’s unsafe to travel at night. What if you encounter a pack of wolves? You should rest well first and leave with the main army tomorrow. After we reach Tianmen Pass, I will send someone to escort you back.” Seeing Ji Langhua about to refuse, Bai Qingyan added, “I still need you to help change my dressings in the next few days.”

Ji Langhua looked at Bai Qingyan’s finely defined features, hugged the cloak tightly, and nodded gratefully.

Xiao Ruojiang was already awake, sitting by the window, having his dressings changed by a military doctor. When he saw Bai Qingyan come in, he hastily grabbed his clothes and roughly put them on. The movement pulled at his wound, causing him to frown in pain. He hastily tied his clothes and saluted Bai Qingyan, “Miss Bai!”

“Are you feeling better today?”

Xiao Ruojiang nodded, “Much better!”

“Tomorrow, you will travel back to Dadu with the Crown Prince. The journey will be arduous, and I’m afraid your injuries won’t withstand the exertion. Why not stay here to recuperate… and return to Dadu once you’ve recovered?”

Xiao Ruojiang looked up at Bai Qingyan. Seeing her deep, clear eyes, he looked around and then leaned closer to Bai Qingyan, “Miss Bai, please instruct me!”

“Before returning to Dadu, if Xiao Jiu’s injuries permit, I want to see him.”

Currently, Bai Qingjue was with Xiao Rongyan. She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to see him this time. But Xiao Jiu was in Shaoyang County, so there was a chance. This matter needed arranging, and there was no one more suitable than Xiao Ruojiang.

Xiao Ruojiang nodded.

“You are like an elder brother to me. If you stay here to recuperate, the Crown Prince will undoubtedly have someone watching you. You must be cautious in every action. Even if it is impossible to meet… you must act prudently!”

“You can rest assured, Miss Bai!”

“On the way back, I will inform the Crown Prince that I will go to various places to pay respects to my grandfather, father, uncles, and brothers who have passed away. If I can meet… I will send a message using a bone whistle!”

“Quan Yu, what brings you here?”

Bai Qingyan had not finished speaking when Bai Jinzhi’s voice came from outside the tent.

Quan Yu, who was almost at the main tent’s entrance, turned back and saw the heroic Bai Jinzhi approaching with hands behind her back. He smiled and saluted Bai Jinzhi, “The Crown Prince has an errand for General Bai, so I came to invite her personally…”

Bai Jinzhi briskly walked over, hands behind her back. She lowered her voice and asked, “Does the Crown Prince know my elder sister was angry here? The Crown Prince won’t blame my elder sister, right?”

Quan Yu smiled, “Fourth Young Lady, you’re overthinking. Why would he?”

“So he really knows?” Bai Jinzhi made a worried face.

Quan Yu looked up and saw Bai Qingyan coming out. He quickly saluted, “General Bai, His Highness the Crown Prince summons you and your loyal Bai family servants.”

Her hand tightened around her sword. Was he referring to Xiao Ruojiang?

“The loyal Bai family servant who follows me?” She pretended not to know. “Are you referring to my elder brother?”

“Yes!” Quan Yu, showing great respect, took a few steps forward and whispered to Bai Qingyan, “After seeing several generals of the Bai family army, His Highness was somewhat displeased. General Bai should hurry and not delay!”

Quan Yu was giving Bai Qingyan a hint.

She nodded to Quan Yu in thanks, “Thank you for the reminder!”

“Jinzhi, go tell Xiao Ruojiang… that the Crown Prince wants to see him. Have him quickly change his clothes and head over. I will go with Lord Quan Yu first.” Bai Qingyan gestured respectfully for Quan Yu to lead the way. Quan Yu nodded and led the way.

Bai Jinzhi looked at her elder sister, who glanced back at her, and gave a light nod.

Seeing Bai Qingyan leave with Quan Yu, Bai Jinzhi rushed into the main tent.

Throughout the journey, Bai Qingyan followed Quan Yu without stopping, her mind also racing.

Quan Yu said that the Crown Prince was displeased after meeting the Bai family army generals. Was it because the Bai family army wanted to see her and her people, or was it for another reason?

If it concerned the Bai family army, why summon Xiao Ruojiang from her side?

Was it about the Qiushan Pass incident? Did he have more questions?

Or did the Crown Prince discover that the person serving her before, Xiao Ruohai, had been replaced by Xiao Ruojiang and was now concerned about her personnel?

Did Zhang Duanrui and the others not report this matter to the Crown Prince early on? Why would the Crown Prince think of questioning this now?

Soon, Bai Qingyan arrived at the Crown Prince’s main tent.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!” Bai Qingyan respectfully saluted and saw the old man sitting beside the Crown Prince, smiling as she saluted him too.

The Crown Prince was sitting by the chessboard, showing no signs of displeasure, only staring at the board as he said to Bai Qingyan, “Where is that servant of yours?”

“Your Highness, he is my elder brother, not a Bai family servant,” Bai Qingyan responded respectfully yet firmly.

Standing by, Quan Yu looked up at the Crown Prince, then at Bai Qingyan, nervously. Before coming, he had warned Bai Qingyan that the Crown Prince was displeased. Why was Miss Bai still speaking so straightforwardly to the Crown Prince? Couldn’t she at least soften her approach a bit?

The Crown Prince threw all the chess pieces back into the box and turned to look at Bai Qingyan.