Bai Jinse is still young, and Bai Qingyan doesnât want to pressure Xiao Qi too much, after all... In Bai Qingyanâs view, Xiao Qi may not be a general skilled in charging into battle in the future, but is certain to be an expert in deploying troops and devising strategies.
Bai Qingyan then turned to look at Bai Jinse, her gaze gentle.
Bai Jinseâs palm tightened. Seeing her brother and sister looking at her, she thought they were worried because she almost got hit by a crossbow on the battlefield. She pursed her lips and carefully asked, "Eldest Sister, Xiao Qi... wants to go to the next city with Fifth Brother, is that okay?"
"Of course!" Bai Qingyan nodded with a smile, "Xiao Qi is clever and will surely provide strategies for your Fifth Brother. Eldest Sister will be waiting in Dadu City with Mother and the aunts... Xiao Ba, awaiting your triumphant return!"
Upon hearing this, Bai Jinse smiled and nodded vigorously, "Xiao Qi will not disappoint Eldest Sister, Mother, and the aunts! And Xiao Ba!"
Bai Qingyan laughed, rubbed Bai Jinseâs head, and set aside her teacup: "In that case, prepare yourselves! Once I send you off... After settling Yecheng Pass, I will set off back to Dadu City, awaiting your return!"
"Eldest Sister, rest assured!" Bai Qingqi, standing with hands behind his back, nodded.
Doctor Hong, waiting at the door, saw Bai Qingyan come out, and his white beard was almost curling to the sky. He greeted Bai Qingyan with anger.
"Doctor Hong..." Bai Qingyan smiled at Doctor Hong and quickly bowed deeply to him, "I apologize for worrying you, itâs my fault!"
Bai Qingyu stood behind Bai Qingyan, holding back laughter, clenched his fist and cleared his throat: "Doctor Hong... Elder Sister hasnât slept in a long time and sheâs injured, please examine her pulse carefully."
Upon hearing this, Doctor Hongâs expression changed slightly: "Wasnât it just some minor scratches on the face? Where else is she hurt? Quickly, quickly... Move to the side room!"
Bai Qingyan dutifully followed Doctor Hong into the side room, cooperatively allowing him to examine her pulse and helping as Doctor Hong applied medicine and bandaged her facial wounds.
"Miss..." Doctor Hong sat opposite Bai Qingyan, tidying up his medicine box while earnestly advising, "Even if not for your own sake, you must consider the child in your womb..."
"Is something wrong with the child?" Bai Qingyanâs spine immediately stiffened as she guarded her abdomen with her hand, "But... I havenât felt anything amiss."
"If Miss waits until she feels somethingâs wrong, it will be too late!" Doctor Hong exhaled a long breath in anger, "Miss cannot rely on the child being clever and obedient, canât treat yourself as you did in the past."
Bai Qingyan nodded repeatedly: "I understand, Doctor Hong, I will not participate in the next few large battles, and after settling Yecheng Pass, I will leave for Dadu City. I also wish to discuss with Doctor Hong, whether he will return to Dadu, or stay... to join A Yu in advancing into Yunjing to take a look?"
Actually, Bai Qingyan already had an answer in her heart. Doctor Hongâs spirit was not old; when her grandfather was still alive, he once said... he hoped that one day, her grandfather could lead the Bai family army into Yunjing, so he could see what Xiliangâs capital looked like.
Moreover, with Doctor Hong, Bai Qingyan could feel assured about her brothers and sisters on the Xiliang battlefield. She only worried that the marching speed was too fast; Doctor Hong, after all, was elderly and feared he wouldnât withstand the strain.
Doctor Hong hesitated, as a member of the Bai family army... he very much wanted to enter Yunjing with them, but also worried about Bai Qingqi and Bai Qingyu, as the battlefield was ruthless. If they were injured without a good doctor nearby, it would be very dangerous.
However, Bai Qingyan was pregnant; although the fetal sign was very good, childbirth was akin to stepping into a ghost gate. How could Doctor Hong feel at ease?
Bai Qingyan gently stroked her abdomen: "Doctor Hong does not need to worry about me and the child. In Dadu City, Doctor Huang, your junior, is there, and... as you said, this child in my womb is clever and understanding and will surely be safely born."
Doctor Hong always trusted his juniorâs medical skills.
"Doctor Hong, there is no need to worry about us brothers and sisters. The military doctors in the Bai family army were all trained by you personally. Moreover, Xiliangâs capable generals, one Yun Poxing, one... Ye Shouguan, have both been killed!" Bai Qingyu was also worried about Bai Qingyan and did not want Doctor Hong to have to travel with them at his old age, hoping that Doctor Hong would return to Dadu with Bai Qingyan. He pretended to laugh easily and said, "Xiliang surely wouldnât send an eighty-year-old General Cui to the battlefield. The upcoming battles wonât be difficult!"
Doctor Hong was torn, subconsciously grasping his goatee...
"Doctor Hong, donât worry about what I and A Yu said, just follow your heart." Bai Qingyan smiled.
After a long silence, Doctor Hong said, "I am already this age, if I donât take this opportunity to enter Yunjing with the Bai family army, who knows if Iâll have another chance in the future. This time... this old man is willing to follow Fifth Young Master to Yunjing. With me by the side of Fifth Young Master and the young gentlemen and ladies, Miss should be able to rest easy for childbirth."
Bai Qingyan nodded: "It will be hard for Doctor Hong to have to travel with A Yu and the others."
"If I can enter Yunjing, in the future... when I see the Commander, I can boast to him, just thinking about this... makes the hardship worthwhile!" Doctor Hongâs face was beaming with joy.
Hearing Doctor Hong say so, Bai Qingyan stood and bowed to Doctor Hong.
Doctor Hong quickly stepped aside to avoid Bai Qingyanâs salute.
"Doctor Hong, I entrust A Yu and them to you!" Bai Qingyan said softly.
"Miss can rest assured!" Doctor Hong nodded.
Apart from New Yearâs Eve, the fifteenth of the first month, celebrating out in the field was the Bai family armyâs most lively time of the year.
Bai Jinzhao and Bai Jinhua, with the Bai family armyâs Huotou Army and wounded soldiers, wrapped Yuanxiao dumplings. Some injured soldiers talked about wrapping copper coins in the dumplings during New Yearâs Eve and asked Bai Jinzhao if they could wrap some in the Yuanxiao.
Bai Jinzhao laughed and said, "Then letâs wrap one! Letâs see who in the army can eat this Yuanxiao with a copper coin inside; whoever eats it... must be the luckiest person in the coming year!"
"Alright!"
The Huotou soldiers laughed and wrapped a shiny copper coin into the Yuanxiao, mixing it into a pot of plump white Yuanxiao, which bobbed up and down in the pot.
·
After using the medication, Bai Qingyan fell asleep.
In the dream, Bai Qingyan walked into a foggy place...
She was very aware that she was dreaming, yet couldnât wake up no matter what.
On the mountain steps shrouded in white mist, fresh blood slowly ran down like winding red snakes.
Bai Qingyan guarded her abdomen and tightly gripped the Sun-shooting Bow in her hand, taking two steps back, and upon hearing a subtle sound from the stone steps, immediately drew an arrow and aimed at the silhouette emerging from the thick fog.