Chapter 408 - 408 405 Helpless_1

Chapter 408: Chapter 405: Helpless_1 Chapter 408: Chapter 405: Helpless_1 Mrs. Li’s eyes were red with worry and fear, overwhelming her anger. “What should we do? The Emperor wants our fourth child to leave immediately, and alone… What if something happens?”

Bai Jinzhi looked at her mother, who was on the verge of tears. She gently patted her mother’s arm, suppressing her own excitement. “Mother, it’s okay. I will go alone. Didn’t I go with Eldest Young Lady to the Southern border battlefield before? And I’ve learned so much from her. With General Zhang Duanrui there, we will be fine.”

“How can that be the same?! With your Eldest Young Lady there, she will keep you in check! Your Eldest Young Lady is composed and won’t let you act recklessly! But if you go alone, you’ll be like a wild horse! It’s the battlefield! The battlefield! What if…” Mrs. Li was choking up and couldn’t continue.

What if something happened to Bai Jinzhi? How could she continue to live?

“Jinzhi…” Bai Qingyan thought for a long time before looking up at Bai Jinzhi, speaking earnestly. “Once you reach Chunmu Mountain, you must follow General Zhang Duanrui’s orders. Tell General Zhang Duanrui to remain in the city and not engage in battle. As long as you don’t fight, Xun Tianzhang can’t do anything.”

Mrs. Li quickly turned to Bai Jinzhi. “Did you hear what your Eldest Young Lady said? Don’t try to be strong! Just stay in the city with General Zhang Duanrui and don’t engage!”

Bai Jinzhi thought this was too humiliating. But seeing her mother’s red eyes, she nodded in agreement. “I remember, Eldest Young Lady!”

“Don’t feel aggrieved or humiliated,” Bai Qingyan struck right at Bai Jinzhi’s thoughts. “Xun Tianzhang is aggressive and will stop at nothing to win. General Zhang Duanrui is cautious and cherishes the lives of his soldiers. He won’t engage unless he has complete confidence. Although staying in the city might seem like cowardice, it’s the best option right now.”

Bai Qingyan knew nothing about the real situation at Chunmu Mountain. The news Shen Qingzhu sent back was mostly outdated. The battlefield changes rapidly. She couldn’t blindly suggest a strategy. Hence, General Zhang Duanrui remaining in the city was right.

“Jinzhi knows. Eldest Young Lady, don’t worry. Once I get there, I will follow General Zhang Duanrui’s orders and not act recklessly!” Bai Jinzhi quickly responded.

Bai Qingyan nodded. She then looked at Mrs. Li, who was clutching her collar tightly. “Third Aunt, don’t worry. I’ve already sent Shen Qingzhu to Chunmu Mountain in advance. When Jinzhi arrives, Shen Qingzhu will protect her closely.”

Hearing that Bai Qingyan had sent Shen Qingzhu to Chunmu Mountain in advance, Mrs. Li felt relieved. She knew Shen Qingzhu was highly skilled. She nodded repeatedly. “Kid is always so foresighted, sending Miss Shen ahead. With Miss Shen at Chunmu Mountain, I feel much more at ease.”

The Emperor’s Imperial Edict called for an immediate departure. Mrs. Li didn’t delay and accompanied Bai Jinzhi to her room to pack.

Bai Jinzhi saw her mother trying to pack everything for her. She hugged her mother’s arm. “Mother, I’m riding a horse… how can I carry so much?”

Mrs. Li turned her face away, not wanting her daughter to see her tears. She drew her arm back and tied the bundle firmly. “Take everything!”

“Fine, fine! I’ll take everything Mother says to take!” Bai Jinzhi didn’t want to upset Mrs. Li and nodded repeatedly.

Mrs. Li tightly gripped Bai Jinzhi’s bundle. Tears streamed down her face. Everyone, her husband, and sons died on the battlefield. How could the Emperor also send her daughter?

The more she thought about it, the sadder she became. Covering her mouth with her hand, she started to cry softly.

“Mother…” Bai Jinzhi had never seen Mrs. Li cry in front of her, not even when they learned of her father and brothers’ deaths.

Mrs. Li wiped her tears with a handkerchief and, choking back sobs, said, “Once you’re at Chunmu Mountain, listen to General Zhang Duanrui! Remember what your Eldest Young Lady said, don’t be reckless!”

Mrs. Li looked at Bai Jinzhi with reddened eyes, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. “Do you understand?”

“I understand, Mother! Don’t worry. This time, without Eldest Young Lady by my side, I will be obedient and not reckless!” Bai Jinzhi said, nodding.

Mrs. Li held Bai Jinzhi’s hand. Hearing the message that the horses were ready, Mrs. Li’s tears almost fell again. She held Bai Jinzhi’s hand tightly, her nose flaring, and tears flowing.

“Mother, I’ll be careful! Don’t worry. I’ll send someone to write to you every three days.” Bai Jinzhi hugged her mother’s arm. “The Southern border was so dangerous, but I was fine. Chunmu Mountain is just a garrison; it won’t be dangerous.”

“I will see you out!” Mrs. Li picked up Bai Jinzhi’s bundle and held her hand, walking outside.

Mrs. Dong, Mrs. Wang, Mrs. Qi, Bai Qingyan, Bai Jinhua, and Bai Jinzhao were all at the door seeing Bai Jinzhi off.

Bai Jinzhi’s impulsive nature made the elders worry as she was going alone to Chunmu Mountain without supervision.

Mrs. Wang insisted Bai Jinzhi take a string of Buddha Beads for safety. Bai Jinzhao and Bai Jinhua also gave her amulets they’d gotten from temples, hoping their fourth sister would return safely.

Bai Jinzhi saw Lu Ping with his baggage, holding two horses at the Bai Mansion steps, with a team of guards behind him. She looked at Bai Qingyan, confused.

“Eldest Young Lady, isn’t Uncle Ping supposed to handle tomorrow’s military exercises?” Bai Jinzhi asked.

She replied, “The training isn’t your concern. With Uncle Ping by your side, I’ll feel more at ease.”

“Eldest Young Lady! If I take Uncle Ping, it will delay the training. I don’t need him… I can handle it!” Bai Jinzhi said firmly.

“Training is no longer your concern. This is Shuoyang City with the Governor and Master Zhou helping. There’ll be enough people for training.” Bai Qingyan’s tone was firm. She looked at Lu Ping. “Uncle Ping, I leave Jinzhi in your hands!”

“Don’t worry, Eldest Young Lady! Don’t worry, Madams!” Lu Ping bowed to the Bai family. “I’ll ensure Miss Bai returns safely.”

Bai Qingyan nodded. She looked at Bai Jinzhi, unable to hide her worry. “Go on…”

“Jinzhi bids farewell to Aunt, Fourth Aunt, Fifth Aunt, Eldest Young Lady, and my two sisters!” Bai Jinzhi’s eyes were red. Though her heart was anxious, she felt more excitement and anticipation. “Don’t worry; I will return safely!”