That night, Bai Qingyan had a dream. In her dream, while discussing state affairs with the ministers during the morning court, Prince Hancheng returned. He stood at the entrance of the grand hall without entering, just smiling warmly at her, wearing his armor, lifting his robeâs hem and kneeling, bowing to her.
She invited Prince Hancheng in, but he merely smiled, disappearing into the golden morning light.
After waking up, Bai Qingyan glanced at the still slumbering children beside her. Gently, she tucked in the quilts for the two, got up to tidy the bed curtains, and instructed Chun Tao to call for attendants to come in for her morning wash and change of clothes.
After rinsing her mouth, she dabbed her lips with the handkerchief Chun Tao handed her and asked Wei Zhong, "Has there been any letter from Prince Hancheng from the coastal regions?"
"It arrived, delivered during the night, so I did not disturb Your Majesty!" Wei Zhong stood respectfully by Bai Qingyanâs side and replied.
"Hand it to me so I can take a look." She sat by the window-side chaise, took a sip of hot tea, preparing to read the letter before heading to the morning court.
Wei Zhong placed the letter within Bai Qingyanâs reach.
Bai Qingyan read the letter, which stated roughly... in recent times, warships were dispatched to escort fishermen out to sea for fishing, and the Dongyi Kingdom has been peaceful for some time.
Liu Rushiâs secret letter sent back from the Dongyi Kingdom mentioned that they had already begun contacting the Empress of Dongyi. According to Lu Fenglang, after returning from the palace, the Dongyi Empress also seemed intent on promoting the Seventh Prince to the throne, seeking Bai Qingyanâs advice on whether to assist.
Bai Qingyan looked at the date Liu Rushi wrote this secret letter, calculating the time... by the time Liu Rushi dispatched this letter, her request for Liu Rushi not to involve other princes was likely not received yet, which was why Liu Rushi was still seeking her advice on aiding the Seventh Princeâs ascension.
At this time, Liu Rushi should have received her letter, understanding her intention not to draw other princes into the fray and complicating the situation, surely not involving with the Dongyi Empress.
For some reason, Bai Qingyan felt uneasy, especially as dawn approached, dreaming of Prince Hancheng kneeling outside the hall bidding farewell made her anxious about the situation at the coast.
Seeing that the time was nearly up, Bai Qingyan finally put down the letter, preparing to go to court, not forgetting to remind Nanny Tong: "Tomorrow is the family banquet. Mother will surely be very busy today. After the morning court, nanny should bring the two children to my place; letâs not let them bother Mother today."
"Alright! Eldest Young Lady, rest assured!" Nanny Tong replied with a smile, escorting Bai Qingyan out of the bedchamber before returning to care for the children.
On the way to the front hall, Bai Qingyan thought of Prince Hanchengâs wife. Tomorrow is the fifteenth of August, a time for family reunion, but Princess Hancheng has no children, which must be lonely.
Now, as Prince Hancheng is contributing to Zhou by the coast, itâs not ideal to burden him with worries from the rear.
She said to Wei Zhong, "Tomorrow at the family banquet, send someone to invite Princess Hancheng into the palace."
"Yes!" Wei Zhong replied with a smile.
The next day, during the Mid-Autumn family banquet, Princess Hancheng did not attend.
Princess Hancheng accepted Bai Qingyanâs goodwill but understood... this was a Bai family banquet, and it wouldnât be proper for an outsider to join during their family reunion.
She also knew that Bai Qingyan had invited her to demonstrate to those in Zhou who looked down on their marriage that His Majesty valued Prince Hancheng, and she was very grateful.
The Bai clan members were all invited to the palace, and they were excited beyond measure. Even some married daughters of the Bai family brought their families back to their maternal home, hoping to enter the palace together, thinking perhaps the Empress Dowager or other Bai family ladies might take a shine to their daughters, as several Bai Princes were yet to be married!
Moreover, with the position of the Emperorâs consort vacant, their daughters bore by these married-out daughters, who were of the right age, might get a chance to be noticed by Bai Qingyan, which would be a great fortune for the family.
As the Clan Leader, Bai Qiheâs family naturally had to be present. However, Bai Qihe, after having suffered poisoning and being heartbroken by his daughter, appeared much older and was not in good spirits.
Regarding Bai Qiheâs daughterâs poisoning incident, whether Puliu was involved was quickly clarified by Bai QingpingâPuliu indeed was not involved. Puliu is a smart and prudent person; she knows her humble status and never dared to desire the position of mistress. She only wished for Bai Qihe to marry a virtuous wife who would treat her and her son kindly.
Moreover, after Bai Qiheâs previous experiences with Mrs. Fang, he only wished this time to marry a dutiful and kind-hearted wife. To ensure Puliu was not aggrieved, he promised Puliu that after three years of marrying a new wife, she would be elevated to the status of an honorable concubine.
For Puliu, that was the ceiling; as a servant, becoming an honorable concubine was the highest position she could attain.
Initially, Bai Qingping intended to seek out her biological mother, Mrs. Fang, but Bai Qihe suppressed this, partly out of concern for his daughterâs reputation and partly because he didnât want others to know Bai Qingping had such a biological mother.
Now, Bai Qingpingâs younger sister was confined at home and forbidden to step out of her quarters until a marriage proposal arises. She was not allowed to see her younger sibling, lest she mislead her.
Bai Qihe also sent a loyal servant to see Mrs. Fang with a letter...
Informing her that this conduct of instigating her daughter to poison him has irrevocably severed any remaining bond of matrimony. From that day forth, he would no longer secretly protect Mrs. Fang.
Upon receipt of the letter, Mrs. Fang, who was slightly intimidated by her sister-in-law, promptly sent Mrs. Fang to a family temple, disregarding her well-being.
Although it was a family banquet in the Imperial Palace today, it was ultimately a royal affair, so the specifications were unlike those at the Bai Mansion.
However, Bai Qingyan recently announced measures to cut down on expenditures to support the coastal navy soldiers, so this palace feast was not too extravagant due to Mrs. Dongâs careful planning, making it rather unique and innovative.
One of the elders of the clan started the conversation, saying that his granddaughter was an exceptional musician and offered to perform for Bai Qingyan.
This opened the gate for each family to vie to have their granddaughters or grandsons perform a talent in front of the court, seizing this opportunity.
After a bustling lunch banquet, once the Bai relatives had left, the aunts and children went off to Mrs. Dongâs quarters, while Bai Qingyan and her siblings and Qin Lang stayed behind to enjoy some tea.
"Finally, some peace!" Bai Jinzhi said with a face full of helplessness, "What was that sword dance about? Some big man... winking at Eldest Sister and me, it was simply..."
"Tonight, just our family, letâs have a good meal!" Bai Jinxiu laughed at Bai Jinzhi, "With all the Bai clan in Dadu City for Mid-Autumn, it wouldnât have been appropriate not to invite them."