After the battle at Jiangzi City, General Cui Shanzhong will undoubtedly be extremely cautious and will surely send people to keep an eye on the Zhou military camp.
We must make the Xiliang people truly believe that he was accidentally captured, causing chaos in the Zhou military camp, so that he can act here!
If not, even if General Cui Shanzhong detects a hint of something amiss, he will certainly be strictly guarded and unable to act.
This plan must make everyone in Xiliang believe that the Zhou and Yan Kingdoms were driven apart.
Due to the urgency at the time, Bai Qingyu did not explain to the Seventh Miss Bai Jinse but instead had Yue Shi take away Miss Bai while he led the Bai family army to continue luring the pursuing Xiliang soldiers. Unexpectedly, the Xiliang soldiers arrived so quickly that Yue Shi was also caught in the battle. By the time he struggled to break out of the encirclement and dashed out, Bai Jinse was no longer on the horse he was holding.
Xiao Rongyan said he had already sent a large number of men to search for Bai Jinse, who might have been captured by Xiliang. He vowed to do everything possible to rescue Bai Qingyu and Miss Bai Jinse and told Bai Qingyan not to worry. He swore on his life to protect Bai Qingyu and Bai Jinseâs safety.
Currently, General Chu has been executed for treason, and after the great battle to pacify Xiliang, he will ensure Yan Kingdom provides an account to Bai Qingyan.
He also told Bai Qingyan to trust him once and to rest in Dadu City during her pregnancy. He promised that he would safely rescue Bai Qingyu and Miss Bai Jinse before Bai Qingyan gives birth, and bring them back to Dadu City safely to accompany Bai Qingyan during childbirth.
Bai Qingyanâs emotions fluctuated after reading the letter. A Yu knew about this affair and deliberately allowed himself to be captured by Xiliang. Being hit with several arrows might also have been his strategy, but what about Xiao Qi?
Since Xiao Qi always listened to A Yu, especially on the battlefield, she understood what military orders meant. If A Yu told Xiao Qi to leave, she would have followed Yue Shi without question.
That Xiao Qi went missing without Yue Shi noticing might mean she fell off the horse or someone pulled her directly off.
The very thought caused a buzzing in Bai Qingyanâs mind.
Yue Shi glanced at Bai Qingyan from the inner hall through the gauze curtain, clutching his clothes tightly, feeling deeply guilty...
He was anxious to return and report the new battle plan devised by Fifth Young Master Bai, so he didnât pay much attention to the horse behind. Originally, he should have immediately returned to find Miss Bai when he discovered her missing!
But... fearing it would delay Fifth Young Master Baiâs plan, he first returned to report the strategy to his master before turning back to search for Miss Bai.
He thoroughly searched that area but didnât find Miss Bai, thinking maybe she had returned to the Zhou military camp. But when he hurriedly went to the camp to inquire, he was chased out by Bai Jinzhao and the enraged Bai family soldiers. Eventually, it was his master who personally went and learned Miss Bai had not returned.
Bai Qingyan was silent for a long time, recalling Bai Jintongâs letter mentioning... the intimate dealings between Empress Dowager Yan and the Xiliang people.
She finally raised her head, looking at Yue Shi who was kneeling outside: "The Ninth Prince has brought out a General Chu. Is this General Chu really bold enough to collude with Xiliang, or is it... your Ninth Prince protecting Empress Dowager Yan?!"
Her voice rose, tossing Xiao Rongyanâs letter aside.
Yue Shi, startled, quickly kowtowed: "No, Miss Bai. It was truly General Chuâs doing. Please discern wisely, Miss Bai..."
Chun Tao picked up the letter Bai Qingyan had thrown and handed it to Mrs. Dong...
After reading the letter, Mrs. Dongâs heart was stirred. Her son knew!
She understood her son had risked himself for the Zhou and Yan Kingdoms to take Yunjing with minimal losses of soldiers, but he had exposed himself to danger! And young Xiao Qi was missing!
Mrs. Dong covered her lips with a kerchief, holding back tears.
Taking several arrows was probably also to win Xiliangâs trust!
Fortunately, she knew her son had prepared, ensuring he wasnât severely injured; otherwise, how could he act in Yunjing?
Mrs. Dong truly hated war!
Not only did her heart ache for her son and daughter but for all the young Zhou soldiers. Every one of them was precious to their own families!
Having married into the Bai family, Mrs. Dong understood... why the Bai ancestorsâ goal has always been to unify the realm.
Because only unification can truly stop the swords and halt the flames of war!
"Then let me ask this one more time: Does this General Chuâs allegiance lie with Xiao Rongyan or Empress Dowager Yan?" Bai Qingyan asked, barely containing her fury, her eyes cold, "Go back and tell your Ninth Prince, I will immediately set out for Xiliang! When I arrive... If the Ninth Prince hasnât explained, my Zhou army will drive straight into the Yan Kingdom, and then... when my Zhou army knocks on the Yan Imperial Palace door, I will have Empress Dowager Yan brought to me and myself will ask her if this colluding affair was really General Chuâs audacity... or her own doing!"
Why is Bai Qingyan going to Xiliang? To save A Yu and Xiao Qi and pacify Xiliang, truly! But to trap Yan Kingdomâs main forces presently led by Xiao Rongyan and Xie Xun in Xiliang allowing Zhou forces to directly assault Yan Capital, more truly!
Yue Shiâs throat tightened, hearing Bai Qingyanâs steady, restrained voice yet sensing her uncontrollable anger.
"Before Yue Shi left, Master asked Yue Shi to inform Miss Bai that Master anticipated Miss Baiâs suspicion towards Empress Dowager Yan. Master said if Miss Bai suspects Empress Dowager Yan, instruct Yue Shi to inform Miss Bai that Master will thoroughly investigate this matter, and if involving Empress Dowager Yan, Master will surely provide Miss Bai with an account." Yue Shi couldnât help but defend his master, "Miss Bai, the Ninth Prince would never deceive you! You should know this!"
Bai Qingyan sneered: "I do not know if your Ninth Prince would deceive me, but I am certainly aware of Empress Dowager Yanâs dealings with Xiliang. Go back, Yue Shi! If not for you today, that manâs head would be off!"
"Miss Bai, itâs all Yue Shiâs fault! When Master sent Yue Shi to report to Fifth Young Master, Yue Shi should have brought more people... but... fearing others were slow and would hinder Yue Shiâs speed, so..." Yue Shiâs voice choked, "So I went alone. If I had brought more, Miss Bai wouldnât have gone missing! Miss Bai... please whip Yue Shi! Itâs all Yue Shiâs fault! Please do not blame my Master! My Master... my Master..."
His Master is caught between Miss Bai and his own wife and itâs truly difficult! Heâs seen it firsthand, feeling distressed watching his Master every day.