Chapter 557 - 557 554 Alive_1

Chapter 557: Chapter 554: Alive_1 Chapter 557: Chapter 554: Alive_1 Dong Changlan hurriedly pulled Dong Changmao and bowed to Bai Qingyan: “Thank you, cousin, for your generosity!”

Dong Changmao, protected by Dong Changlan, felt a mix of bitterness and warmth in his heart, gazing at his brother with immense gratitude.

“Alright then! Since that’s the case, let’s not punish Aunt Luo! Tell Aunt Luo to go back and reflect on her mistakes, and not to associate with Luo Fugui anymore. If she can consider Changmao like Changlan does, she should confine herself!” Dong Qingyue put down the teacup in his hand and got up to bid farewell to Madam Dong.

After the group dispersed from Madam Dong’s room, Bai Qingyan took Chun Tao back to her room. Chun Tao’s eyes were still swollen.

Bai Qingyan looked at Chun Tao, who kept sobbing but didn’t forget to serve her by bringing water to wash her hands. She said, “From now on, be more mindful of your belongings, especially when you’re outside. It’s different from being in our own mansion; some people might use dirty tricks to deal with you!”

Chun Tao nodded vigorously: “It’s all my fault, causing trouble for you, Miss!”

“What are you talking about? It’s not trouble just because someone targeted you!” Bai Qingyan watched Chun Tao cry as she washed her hands. She took the handkerchief Chun Tao handed over and wiped her hands. “Alright, stop crying! I think… when Chen Qingsheng returns, let’s ask Mother to arrange your marriage soon. This way, no one will covet our Chun Tao as she gets prettier.”

“Miss!” Chun Tao’s tear-streaked face turned red in an instant. She stomped her foot and pouted, then picked up the basin Bai Qingyan had used to wash her hands and turned to leave.

Bai Qingyan chuckled softly. The matter of Chun Tao’s marriage had truly taken root in her heart. She wondered when Jintong would return from the sea, as it had been too long since she had last sent a letter. This made Bai Qingyan feel uneasy.

Just as Bai Qingyan sat down by the window and picked up a book, Chun Tao, still blushing, hurried back in. She bowed respectfully to Bai Qingyan and said, “Miss, Lu Ping has returned with people and asks to see you!”

She quickly stood up and walked outside. Lu Ping’s return meant he brought news or that he brought A Yu back.

“Miss, please slow down!” Chun Tao chased after Bai Qingyan, trotting to keep up.

Bai Qingyan rushed to the Chuihua gate of Dong Mansion, where she saw the travel-worn Lu Ping standing there. As soon as Lu Ping saw Bai Qingyan, his eyes turned red. He quickly stepped forward and knelt in front of Bai Qingyan, clasping his hands, unable to speak. His expression alone conveyed to Bai Qingyan that the masked general must be A Yu!

Bai Qingyan’s eyes filled with tears instantly. She held back her emotions, steadied herself at the Chuihua gate, and then stepped forward, clutching her skirt. Her palms were sweaty, and her skirt got wrinkled from the moisture.

She gazed at Lu Ping, who was kneeling before her, trying hard to keep her tears from falling. But when she opened her mouth, her tears flowed first.

“Miss! It’s the young master…” Lu Ping’s voice was hoarse. This dignified man had shed countless tears on his journey, but he couldn’t help but cry when he saw the young lady.

Bai Qingyan clenched her teeth, her tears streaming. She remained silent as she slowly bent down to help Lu Ping up, trembling as she held his wrist. Her voice was hoarse: “Didn’t he come back?”

Lu Ping hurriedly took out the sheepskin map that Bai Qingyu had stuffed into his chest and respectfully handed it to Bai Qingyan: “This is what the young master entrusted to his subordinate during their brief meeting!”

Lu Ping had cleaned the sheepskin map. Bai Qingyan gripped it tightly, nodded but didn’t immediately look at it. She only asked Lu Ping: “Is he well? What did you say to him?”

“The Rong army watched our meeting closely. There was no chance to speak. The young master, wearing a mask, only had the chance to give this Nanrong map! He is well… I vaguely saw burns on his body and those eyes that look exactly like yours, Miss. I boldly guessed… that must be the fifth young master!” Lu Ping paused, his nostrils flaring, and quickly wiped away his falling tears.

She knew, she knew that it was A Yu…

That must be A Yu!

Bai Qingyan’s throat felt tight with emotion. She nodded: “Is he… healthy?”

Lu Ping nodded, smiling through his tears, and patted his chest: “He hit me hard in the chest. It hurt, so he must be healthy!”

Bai Qingyan chuckled softly and tightly clenched the sheepskin map, nodding.

It must be grandfather and father blessing A Yu, letting A Yu survive!

“Uncle Ping, you’ve worked hard. Go rest now!” Bai Qingyan said to Lu Ping.

Lu Ping nodded, clasped his fists, and left. Bai Qingyan found a secluded pavilion and spread out the sheepskin map to examine it closely.

It was recorded in the detailed manner of the Bai family army, marking where paths were, where water sources were, and where dangerous areas were.

The tiny handwriting marked on it was Bai Qingyu’s.

Bai Qingyan had practiced with Bai Qingyu, so how could she not recognize it?!

Bai Qingyan gently caressed the handwriting, tears streaming down. If A Niang knew A Yu was still alive… how happy would she be!

After a while, she suddenly held the sheepskin map up to the light, her heart guessing something. She immediately sent someone to tell Dong Qingyue and Dong Changlan that she had the most detailed map of Nanrong.

Dong Qingyue sent for Bai Qingyan to come to the study.

Bai Qingyan took out the map and said to Dong Qingyue: “Uncle, have someone copy the map. I have other uses for it.”

“I’ll do it!” Dong Changlan sat at the desk and personally started copying the map.

“Did Lu Ping bring this back?” Dong Qingyue, standing behind Dong Changlan, carefully examined the sheepskin map. “Did you send Lu Ping to the heart of Nanrong for this?”

Only Dong Qingyue, Dong Changlan, and Bai Qingyan were in the study. Bai Qingyan spoke frankly: “This map was given to Lu Ping by A Yu! Uncle… A Yu is still alive.”

Dong Qingyue was startled. He stood upright, looking at Bai Qingyan’s reddened eyes in disbelief.

Dong Changlan also widened his eyes: “A Yu… is still alive?! Father! Cousin A Yu is still alive!”

Bai Qingyan’s expression was a mix of wanting to cry and laugh. Her throat ached as she nodded: “He is alive! This map was given to Lu Ping by A Yu!”

Dong Qingyue took the map and carefully examined the tiny handwriting. Recognizing Bai Qingyu’s handwriting, his eyes reddened as he nodded: “It’s truly A Yu!”

“Where is A Yu now? Is he safe, and is he injured?” Dong Changlan asked anxiously.

“A Yu is the masked general of Nanrong.”

Bai Qingyan did not hide it. After all, Dengzhou was close to Nanrong. On the battlefield, Uncle and Changlan would inevitably meet A Yu…