Chapter 256 - 256 254 General Bai_1

Chapter 256: Chapter 254: General Bai_1 Chapter 256: Chapter 254: General Bai_1 Lu Yuanpeng turned around, looking for Qin Lang, and asked Sima Ping, who was riding beside him: “Where’s Qin Lang? Why didn’t he come?”

Sima Ping, the youngest son of Imperial Censor Sima Yan and grandnephew of Qin Lang’s late grandmother, was not only Qin Lang’s friend but also his cousin. The two were quite close.

“Qin Lang is the son-in-law of the Bai family, so it’s naturally more convenient for him to act with them. Otherwise, what sense would it make for him to come here just to pick up his sister-in-law?” Sima Ping leaned closer to Lu Yuanpeng, lowering his voice. “Besides, Qin Lang was originally engaged to the Bai family’s eldest sister. Coming here alone behind his wife’s back wouldn’t be appropriate, would it?”

Lu Yuanpeng nodded in agreement: “You’re right!”

“Hey! Lu Yuanpeng, look over there. Isn’t that someone from the Imperial Palace?” A fop asked Lu Yuanpeng, “Is the wine we prepared going to be wasted?”

Lu Yuanpeng turned his head, only to see the Emperor’s chief eunuch, Gao Demao, personally riding towards them, followed by imperial guards in armor, presenting an imposing air.

When the Emperor sent a eunuch with a decree, they would usually escort the victorious general directly to the palace. Would they still have a chance to speak with Bai Qingyan?

“Dadu City is getting livelier and livelier! On the 28th of this month, it’s the Emperor’s birthday celebration. Not only have envoys from various countries arrived in Dadu, but I’ve heard that the Emperor of Yan will personally come with his princes to celebrate!”

“Yes! I’ve heard that the Emperor of Yan is the offspring of Empress Ji and resembles her closely, reputed to be the most handsome man alive today. I wonder if it’s true!”

Seeing more and more people gathering at the south gate of Dadu City, the common folk, who had taken the chance to have breakfast at vendors’ stalls just outside the city, got up and crowded forward, tiptoeing to get a better glimpse of the grand, imposing returning victorious army. They wondered what the Princess of Xiliang, who came for the marriage alliance, looked like and which one among them was King Yan of Xiliang.

Lu Yuanpeng looked around and didn’t see Xiao Rongyan. He asked Sima Ping beside him: “Why hasn’t Brother Xiao arrived yet? Didn’t he say yesterday when we gave him a welcome feast that he would come to greet the Crown Prince?”

Sima Ping turned back to look into the city: “Right. Could it be that Brother Xiao drank too much last night?”

“Impossible. With Brother Xiao’s drinking capacity, even if he drank us all down, he would still be fine!” Lu Yuanpeng spoke with admiration for Xiao Rongyan. He then turned and instructed his servant, “Go quickly to the Xiao Mansion and ask why Brother Xiao hasn’t come.”

No sooner had Lu Yuanpeng finished speaking than Sima Ping nudged him with his elbow: “Look, look! I see Brother Xiao’s carriage!”

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuanpeng turned and saw the guard Yue Shi helping Xiao Rongyan alight from the carriage. He jumped off his horse and tossed the whip to a servant, walking towards Xiao Rongyan’s carriage and saluting: “Brother Xiao!”

The elegant and composed Xiao Rongyan released the hem of his robe that he had been holding and gracefully returned the salute to Lu Yuanpeng, smiling: “Yuanpeng, you arrived early…”

“Yes, I wanted to come early to greet my sister from the Bai family!” Lu Yuanpeng grabbed Xiao Rongyan’s wrist and pulled him forward, “They are almost here! Brother Xiao, come quickly with me to the front!”

Xiao Rongyan was forcibly pulled to the front by Lu Yuanpeng. His deep and penetrating gaze looked towards the approaching army in the distance. At the front was the elite cavalry, all moving in unison, creating an immensely magnificent sight.

He narrowed his eyes. If only Yan had such heavily armored cavalry…

Looking at the slender figure clad in silver armor leading the way, Xiao Rongyan gently tightened the jade cicada in his hand. A faint smile appeared in his usually serene eyes, which were now bright and scorching.

The woman riding at the front, dressed in military attire and silver armor, had her long hair tied at the back, carried a sun-shooting bow on her back, and held a red tassel spear, exuding a heroic aura.

The morning sunlight pierced through the clouds, and the woman in military attire rode her horse as if treading on light. Her silver armor shone with a golden glow. Despite her slenderness, she exuded an aura of overwhelming might and grandeur.

“Look! Look! They are back! They are back!” The common folk shouted excitedly, “The victorious army is back! General Bai is back!”

This shout of “General Bai” reminded many citizens of the grand scene when the Duke of Zhen and the other generals of the Bai family returned victorious from battle!

General Bai…

Which son of the Bai family wasn’t General Bai?

Now, even the daughters of the Bai family had become General Bai. Leading fifty thousand Jin soldiers and ten thousand Bai family soldiers to a great victory over the so-called million-strong forces of Xiliang and Nanyan. They had decisively defeated Xiliang, leaving it no choice but to sue for peace.

“Well done, Jin Army! Well done, General Bai!”

“Who says women are inferior to men! The eldest Miss Bai of the Duke of Zhen’s Mansion led fifty thousand Jin soldiers and defeated Xiliang effortlessly!”

“Exactly! Not long ago, it was said that Miss Bai was ill, yet suddenly we heard news of a great victory in the southern border. This battle wasn’t won by the Crown Prince, but by Miss Bai leading the troops!”

“The century-old Bai family has always regarded the people as their own flesh and blood. When the people of the border suffered, the Bai family could never stand by and do nothing! That’s why Miss Bai rushed to the southern border to fight a bloody battle!”

“The Bai family has never had a man who wasn’t willing to die for their country and people, and neither do their daughters! With the Bai family defending our country, there is no fear of Xiliang! No fear of any other nation!”

The citizens were emotionally affected, remembering the tidings of the Bai family’s male members perishing at the southern border on New Year’s Eve. They recalled the tragic fate of the Bai family and what King Xin did to them upon returning with their ashes. The Bai family had to knock on the drum of complaint to get justice.

Even with all the men of the Bai family fallen for the nation, the daughters of the Bai family retained their unyielding spirit. With lofty ambitions, they rushed to the southern border, taking on heavy responsibilities and upholding the Bai family’s military banner, defending the country and its people! Such unwavering righteous spirit could not fail to move and impress people deeply!

It was said that in the century-old martial house of the Duke of Zhen, no one of the Bai family was ever useless!

Thinking of the seventeen fallen sons of the Bai family, who among them wasn’t exceptionally talented? Who wasn’t the pride of the capital?

The elderly and children wiped their tears in excitement, choking out cries of “General Bai.”

Lu Yuanpeng was also deeply moved by the atmosphere. A surge of intense emotion swelled within him, tears welling up in his throat: “I never knew that daughters could shine so brilliantly. Bai family’s sister, in her military attire… her aura is truly breathtaking!”

The army drew closer. When they were only ten zhang away from the south gate of Dadu City, the chief eunuch Gao Demao’s servant quickly ran towards the approaching army.

Lu Yuanpeng saw the little eunuch bowing and speaking to someone in the front of the victorious army. Bai Qingyan, riding at the forefront, reined in her horse and raised her red tassel silver spear high. The heavily armored cavalry instantly came to a halt, standing solemnly and silently, with only the messengers turning their horses to relay orders.