"Donât be concerned about how it looks lying inside a carriage. Itâs what your elder sister instructed. When we reach the coast, there might be a tough battle, so itâs best to recover soon instead of insisting on riding horses. Apply the medicine well!" Bai Qingyu added.
Cheng Yuanzhiâs eyes turned red, and he nodded vigorously, "Please, Vice Commander, convey to Young General Bai that if a battle truly breaks out, I, Old Cheng, will make sure to slay more enemies to atone for our mistakes to Young General Bai!"
With his hands behind his back, Bai Qingyu nodded, "Alright..."
There was no more time to delay. Cheng Yuanzhi and Shen Liangyu were helped onto the carriage.
Sima Ping also looked at Bai Jinzhi perched on horseback, "King Gaoyi, itâs time for you to return. The army is about to depart! During the days Yuanpeng and I are away, no one will be there to keep you company. You must conduct yourself like a ruler, and donât trouble those playboys in Dadu City, lest the Emperor punishes you again."
"I know! I know!" Bai Jinzhi scratched his head with the whip, "You make it sound like I often cause trouble! Donât forget to apply your medicine!"
After speaking, Bai Jinzhi urged his horse forward and bid farewell to Lu Fenglang.
Sima Ping watched Bai Jinzhi, who was bent down speaking to Lu Fenglang inside the carriage, and smiled as he spoke to Lu Yuanpeng leaning against his side, "I didnât expect someone like your sister Fenglang could get along with the fourth young one of the Bai family."
"My sister just has good manners and treats everyone politely!" Although Lu Yuanpeng didnât admit it verbally, he couldnât help but grin slightly.
Sitting inside the carriage, Liu Rushi listened to the sounds of farewell outside, feeling the weight of his mission to the Dongyi Kingdom this time.
Last night, Bai Qingyan visited Liu Mansion incognito for a candlelit conversation with Liu Rushi, secretly assigning a task that only Liu Rushi from the entire envoy group knew about.
He closed his eyes, recalling Bai Qingyanâs clear yet solemn demeanor under the flickering candlelight last night. She leaned slightly closer to him, her eyes reflected in the wavering flames, deep and serene. With a voice carrying the harshness of winter, she explained the espionage mission in the Dongyi Kingdom and the Yan Kingdomâs Young Emperorâs plan to send envoys there.
"Now, as the Emperor of Yan desires to make Dongyi Kingdom their weapon in the gamble between our two countries, stabbing us in the back of the Zhou Dynasty, Tianfeng Kingdom can no longer hold back, seeking to engage with our Zhou Dynasty by entangling Dongyi Kingdom with us to break through our Zhouâs blockade!"
Liu Rushi, although a court official, understood Bai Qingyanâs reasoning clearly!
For the Yan Kingdom, the outcome of this gamble between two nations determines the ruler of the world, while the loser becomes a homeless dog. Ostensibly, they intend to honor alliances and gamble openly, but it doesnât prevent them from striking covertly.
To the Tianfeng Kingdom and Dongyi Kingdom, being weak countries, the ancient practice dictates that weak nations unite against the strong. The clandestine schemes of Yan, Dongyi, and Tianfeng against Zhou are only to be expected.
"The Monarch of Dongyi Kingdom is already old and ailing, bedridden due to the grief over the Crown Princeâs death, with a decision on succession imminent. The second prince is secretly a vicious and reckless person, oblivious to the immensity of heaven and earth. Yan and Tianfeng Kingdoms now have a unified aim to promote this second prince to the throne, entangling Dongyi Kingdom with our Zhou!" Bai Qingyanâs gaze was stern, "Our Zhou isnât afraid of small countries like Dongyi, but given the priority of the national gamble, avoiding war is preferable."
Her slender fingers tapped on the table, her voice lowered a fraction as she spoke to Liu Rushi once more, "The Crown Prince of Dongyi is gentle by nature and not a warmonger, fearing and holding a reverence for Zhou. Minister Liuâs most critical mission this time... is to support this Crown Prince to ascend the throne!"
Initially, Liu Rushi was astonished upon hearing this. He was a court official of Zhou and couldnât believe Bai Qingyan intended for him to meddle in the succession affairs of Dongyi Kingdom, something not to be taken lightly.
Seeing Liu Rushiâs bewildered expression, Bai Qingyan continued, "I know this is difficult for Minister Liu. You are a talented and righteous gentleman, standing firm and upright. It is indeed a challenge to engage in another countryâs succession affairs, mingling with conspiracies and intrigue, but for Zhou, it is necessary."
Staring intently at Bai Qingyan, whose eyes shone with the flickering candlelight, Liu Rushi solemnly bowed and accepted the mandate, "As a minister of Zhou, I must commit all my efforts for Zhou."
Subsequently, Bai Qingyan ordered Wei Zhong to present him with boxes full of records concerning the family backgrounds, experiences, and personalities of the Dongyi Kingdomâs court officials.
Currently, the carriage Liu Rushi rode and the boxes behind it were filled with these records, which he had to read and memorize before arriving in the Dongyi Kingdom.
In the past, Liu Rushi, taught by his parents, was to be a pure official, never involving himself in political factions, which is why he never learned the ways of conspiracy. It wasnât that he couldnât, but he preferred to act with conscience.
Yet now, the Emperor commands him, for Zhou, to interfere in the Dongyi Kingdomâs succession strife. Despite his reluctance, as a court official of Zhou, he must spare no effort for Zhou, fulfilling his duty as one of Zhouâs people and ministers!
Liu Rushi opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the table where a tripod incense burner of auspicious beasts was placed. He picked up a bamboo slip, opened it, and began reading and memorizing.
Watching the army march away into the distance, Bai Jinzhi then turned with Bai Qingyu to head back...
"Your elder sister asked you to see off General Cheng and then promptly find her!" Bai Qingyu said as he and Bai Jinzhi rode side by side back to the city.
"Eldest Young Lady specifically looking for me?" Bai Jinzhi pondered whether he had caused any trouble since returning, "Fifth Brother... I havenât caused any trouble, have I?"
Noticing Bai Jinzhi, a fearless force on the battlefield, now treading carefully lest his elder sister scold him, Bai Qingyuâs lips twitched into a rare smile, "If you had caused trouble, wouldnât it be easier for Third Brother to scold you directly at Bai Mansion?"
"True! Well then, Iâm off, Fifth Brother!" Bai Jinzhi said, squeezing his horse forward.
Bai Qingyu rode leisurely into the city, his burned scars on his face laid bare without any concealment.
Many women, upon noticing the warm and handsome side of Bai Qingyuâs face, were eager to approach, but fled pale-faced upon seeing the other half of his face.
Recently, his mother had also been busy finding a suitable match for Bai Qingyu. He had once grieved his mother and had long not fulfilled his filial duties under her knee. Not wanting to sadden her, deep in his heart... he didnât wish to burden any ideal girlâs family.