Itâs a pity that Bai Qingyan knows too little about the Tianfeng Kingdom, and in her previous life, she never had direct contact with them, nor did she cross paths with them. Therefore, meeting the Monarch of Tianfeng Kingdom to probe his ambitions and observe the Elephant Army is very necessary.
Bai Qingyan ordered Commandant Lu and her uncle, Minister Dong, to stay in Dadu City to oversee the situation. Besides, just as a precaution, Bai Qingyan left a decree stating that if anything unexpected happened to her, her younger brother Bai Qingyu would inherit the throne.
Although the Tianfeng Kingdom does not dare to make trouble during this visit, itâs always good to have a backup plan.
It was only at this moment that Commandant Lu, Minister Shen, and Uncle Dong Qingping realized that Bai Qingyu was actually alive and had long controlled the Rong!
"I see! I was wondering why the Rong suddenly surrendered to Zhou. So... it was Fifth Young Master Bai!" Shen Jingzhong exclaimed in realization.
Dong Qingpingâs lips trembled silently for a while, his eyes naturally turned red. He turned his head and dabbed the corner of his eyes with his sleeve, continuously nodding with a smile, trying hard to keep his eyes wide open, fearing that he might involuntarily shed tears.
The nephew coming back to life, how could Dong Qingping not be happy?
"A Yu should be escorting the King of Rong back soon, so while Iâm away... if Commandant Lu and my uncle have any uncertainties, they can consult with A Yu," Bai Qingyan said.
"Alright! Then the old minister, Minister Dong, and Fifth Young Master will await Your Majestyâs safe return in Dadu City," Commandant Lu responded.
·
The news of Bai Qingyanâs trip to Pingyang City reached the harem, and several aunts couldnât sit still, promptly heading to Mrs. Dongâs palace.
"Sister-in-law, you must persuade Kid!" Third Lady Mrs. Li frowned and said, "If Kid wasnât pregnant, it would be fine. But now that sheâs pregnant, how can she handle the fatigue of travel? If anything were to happen, we wouldnât even have time to cry!"
"Indeed, sister-in-law, although Kid has stabilized her pregnancy, and the baby is in excellent condition without any issues, traveling to Pingyang City and back could bring trouble on the journey!" Second Lady Mrs. Liu was also anxious, "Sister-in-law, we must persuade Kid! This is her first pregnancy, she might not know whatâs important, we have to watch over her!"
Fourth Lady Mrs. Wang nodded approvingly.
"Kid has always been weak, our whole family is worried about her pregnancy, Sister-in-law, you really canât let Kid go to Pingyang City!" Fourth Lady Mrs. Wang repeatedly rubbed the Buddha beads in her hand, "Once I heard Kid was going to Pingyang City, my heart was terribly anxious. Itâs almost winter... if thereâs a heavy snowfall, what shall we do?"
"Second sister-in-law, third sister-in-law, fourth sister-in-law, donât worry too much!" Fifth Lady Mrs. Qi entered, leaning on the maid, paid respect to Mrs. Dong and several sisters-in-law, and then sat down, "Kid is not an ordinary girl, she is the Emperor of Zhou. Even the always steady Commandant Lu said Kid must go, there must be a reason for her to go, and Commandant Lu isnât someone who doesnât understand priorities!"
Fifth Lady Mrs. Qi saw Mrs. Dong patting second sister-in-law Mrs. Liuâs hand to calm a face of anxiety and then smiled at third sister-in-law Mrs. Li and fourth sister-in-law Mrs. Wang, "Matters of the royal court we have not participated in and do not know, we canât help but certainly shouldnât hold back the child."
"Itâs not as serious as holding back!" Mrs. Dong smiled lightly, "I also worry about Kid and the child, but as the fifth sister-in-law said, Kid is the Empress of Zhou, some things she should do... must do. We canât stop her, we should prepare adequately and... hold the fort for Kid at home."
Standing outside the corridor, Bai Qingyan heard her motherâs and several auntsâ words, warmth surged in her heart, and a very faint smile appeared on her brows. She entered from outside the door holding Chun Taoâs hand, "Mother and aunts, donât worry, this trip wonât be dangerous."
Mrs. Liu wanted to say something, but thinking of the fifth sister-in-law Mrs. Qi mentioning not to hold back the child, she swallowed her words, full of concern.
"Since all the aunts are here today... I want to tell Mother and the aunts, A Yu is coming back soon," Bai Qingyan said with a smile.
Upon these words, the aunts suddenly sat up straight, each clutching the armrest tightly, their expressions joyful and almost ready to cry.
"A Yu! A Yu is coming back?!" Fifth Lady Mrs. Qiâs eyes reddened, turning to look at Mrs. Dong, she saw Mrs. Dongâs face filled with joy but not as shocked as she imagined. She immediately understood that Mrs. Dong knew A Yu was alive all along.
"A Yu is alive?!" Mrs. Liu clutched her handkerchief, her heart racing, thinking of her own child. Now, the eldest sonâs child has returned, perhaps her child is coming back soon!
Previously, without news of A Yu, Mrs. Liu felt alright, but now suddenly hearing that A Yu is coming back, an inexplicable anxiety surged in her heart. Only the second branchâs child hasnât returned!
"Wonderful! Wonderful!" Fourth Lady Mrs. Wang cried with happiness, looking at Mrs. Dong, "Sister-in-law, now thereâs hope for the days ahead!"
"Yes!" Third Lady Mrs. Li dabbed her tears with a handkerchief, "Truly good, I hope the children all come back..."
Mrs. Liu originally wanted to say congratulations, but it felt like something was stuck in her throat, couldnât say it, nor did she want to dampen the mood by asking Bai Qingyan for news of the second branchâs children.
Mrs. Liu felt God wouldnât be so cruel; itâs unreasonable for the other four branchesâ children to return but none of hers!
Bai Qingyan looked at Mrs. Liu, clutching the handkerchief tightly, knowing maybe the hope is slim, but... to live is to always have a bit of hope.
"Second aunt, I will never stop searching for our family, as long as we havenât seen bodies... thereâs always a chance," Bai Qingyan said to Mrs. Liu.
Mrs. Liu, who was originally holding back her tears, couldnât hold them back upon hearing this. She nodded, choked up, "I know! I know! The living ones in our family... will never give up searching! Aunt knows!"
The aunts sat for a while before leaving one after another. The joyous news of Bai Qingyuâs return overshadowed the worries of Bai Qingyanâs trip to Pingyang City while pregnant.
After informing Mrs. Dong about the matters following her trip to Pingyang City, Bai Qingyan hoped her mother would hold court from behind the screen, preside over government affairs, and stabilize the situation in her absence.
Mrs. Dong nodded, gripping Bai Qingyanâs hand tightly, "Donât worry, Dadu City is guarded by your mother, with Commandant Lu and your uncle, you neednât worry, focus on dealing with the people of Tianfeng Kingdom! Although I am in the harem, I heard that Tianfeng Kingdom has long started learning the common languages and writings of nations, showing their ambitions! However... you must give your mother the real bottom line, is there any danger in your trip?"