Mrs. Liu choked and nodded, not a single word coming out of her mouth.
Yes, her son must still be alive, just unable to return for the time being. As long as she lives... one day she will be able to see her son!
Mrs. Dong walked in front of Bai Qingyu, and her smile was more painful than crying. She helped her son up, looking at his half-burnt face, no longer the graceful figure he once was, and touched the burn scars on his face with a heartache, wanting to ask if he was still in pain, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she burst into tears.
She bit her lower lip, swallowing her emotions, staring at her son with wide eyes, striving to keep her voice steady. She looked at the Bai family sons, who were already supported by their mothers and servants, and stood up, saying with all the comfort in her heart, "Although your grandfather, father, and uncles are gone, you have grown up and can take on the responsibilities of the Bai family. Whether itâs your grandfather or your father and uncles, they will be proud of you! You have not failed the teachings of your grandfather and father, nor your unclesâ expectations! You are all good sons and grandsons of our Bai family!"
Bai Qingyan stood behind Mrs. Dong, watching her siblings standing in the flourishing morning light, feeling deeply moved. She was proud of her brothers and sisters too!
Her gaze moved past her brothers and sisters, looking toward the distance where the golden sunrise unfolded... one after another, the black sails and white python flags of the Bai familyâs army soldiers, and her eyes grew hot.
The officials, led by Commandant Lu, who followed Bai Qingyan to welcome the army returning from Dasheng, followed behind her.
As a Minister, Dong Qingping shouldnât have surpassed Commandant Lu, but how could he hold back now, seeing A Yu return safely?
Dong Qingping stepped forward and stood beside Mrs. Dong, tears in his eyes as he looked at his nephew. He already knew that his nephew was the ghost-faced prince of the Rong and had endured such great grievances, yet remained committed to the unification of the world! He even captured the Rong for Zhou!
How strong the childâs resolve must be! How ruthless he is to himself!
How could Dong Qingping not feel heartache at this?!
"Uncle..." Bai Qingyu saluted Dong Qingping.
Dong Qingping nodded. As a dignified man, seeing the burn scars on Bai Qingyuâs face and the transformation of his once graceful nephew, tears wouldnât stop flowing. When A Yu hoarsely called him uncle, it felt as if ten thousand arrows pierced his heart.
He bit his teeth, raised his hand to pat Bai Qingyuâs shoulder, wanting to smile, but when he spoke, his voice was choked and out of tune: "Itâs good... itâs good that youâre back! Coming back is the most important thing!"
"Sister..." Bai Qingyuâs voice sounded beside Bai Qingyan.
Bai Qingyan came back to her senses and looked at Bai Qingyu.
"Eldest Young Lady..."
"Eldest Young Lady!"
"Eldest Young Lady..."
Bai Qingqi, Bai Jinxiu, and the others looked at the silent Bai Qingyan, and Bai Jinzhi rushed to her side, looking up to say, "Eldest Young Lady, Fifth Brother said... heâs not the Commander of the Bai Family Army, the true Commander is always the Eldest Young Lady! Thatâs what all of us siblings believe! You were the Young General Bai of our Bai Family Army, and now... you are the Commander Bai of our Bai Family Army!"
Bai Qingyan was slightly stunned, her lips trembled, but feared she would cry if she spoke, so she smiled and reached out to touch Bai Jinzhiâs head, looking at her brothers and sisters, finally saying after a while: "Letâs go home..."
The always calm Bai Qingqi could hardly hold back his tears, and shouted, "Enter the city, go home!"
Standing beside Commandant Lu, Lu Jinxian craned his neck to look back but didnât see Lu Yuanpeng, frowning: "Where is Yuanpeng? Could he have gone directly back to the camp?"
Hearing his son mention Lu Yuanpeng, Commandant Luâs face darkened: "That unfilial grandson, when he returns, let him go kneel in the ancestral hall!"
Hearing his fatherâs words, Lu Jinxian smiled: "Father, I, as the eldest uncle, will plead for Xiao Liu!"
Commandant Lu was burning with anger, already eager to lock Lu Yuanpeng in the ancestral hall and beat his palms swollen with bamboo sticks. He didnât know what Lu Yuanpeng had said when fighting in Xiliang, but there were crazy rumors outside that Commandant Lu had an illegitimate child who was sent to fight with the Bai Family Army!
Commandant Lu didnât know how many times he cursed at home, saying that Lu Yuanpeng was no good, absolutely disgraceful, wrecking his reputation in his old age, and this time, no matter who pleaded, it would be useless. He must enforce family rules and teach that brat a lesson, or heâs not Lu Yuanpengâs grandfather!
·
Since Bai Qingyu is now King of Zhen, he should naturally reside at the Bai Mansion.
The Bai Mansion had been newly renovated under Steward Haoâs management, and the plaque above the gate had been replaced with a black background and gold lacquer reading the "Residence of the King of Zhen".
Even before Bai Qingyu, Bai Qingqi, Bai Qingjue, Bai Qingyun, Bai Jinxiu, and Bai Jinzhi, the younger ones, returned, several aunts had discussed with Bai Qingyan about moving back to the Bai Mansion once the children returned.
After all, following their return, it was against the rules for the children to live in the palace with them, and the aunts wanted to be with their children.
Given the circumstances, Bai Qingyan had Wei Zhong arrange for the auntsâ belongings to be sent back to each auntâs yard in the Bai family.
However, Bai Qingyan, as a woman without the Emperorâs three palaces and six courts indulgence, left the palaces for the aunts, saying they could return to stay anytime they wanted.
Bai Qingyan thought her mother had longed for A Yu for a while, so she had Wei Zhong and Nanny Qin pack her motherâs daily necessities and send them back to her yard at the Bai Mansion, urging her to spend more time with A Yu.
Mrs. Dong never mentioned wanting to stay at the Bai Mansion because she didnât want to leave her daughter alone at the palace. After all, her daughter was now the Emperor and couldnât leave the palace as she wished, nor could she simply stay at the Bai Mansion. If the officials knew, who knows what they might say.
When Bai Qingyan had Nanny Qin prepare Mrs. Dongâs belongings, she said that she would stay at the Bai Mansion for three days and then return to take care of the children, fearing Bai Qingyan couldnât manage alone.
Bai Qingyan agreed on the surface but hoped her mother would stay longer at the Bai Mansion to accompany A Yu.
She had always had her motherâs company, while A Yu had quietly devoted himself to Zhou and general peace while hiding his existence in the southern frontier...
Now that Xiliang was wiped out and A Yu had finally returned, her mother should care more for her brother.
On returning to the Bai family, Steward Hao and Mr. Gu could hardly express their joy seeing Bai Qingyu return.