Sima Ping, a shrewd character, noticed Bai Jinzhiâs hesitation yet lack of concern, then glanced at Bai Qingyanâs slender and upright figure, understanding in his heart... Bai Qingyan, as the Emperor of Zhou, must have already received news from Lu Fenglang. It seems... at least Lu Fenglangâs life is not in danger.
He felt more at ease thinking about this and looked at Bai Jinzhi, "Are you going to board the ship with His Majesty to the Dongyi Kingdom this time?"
"Of course, how could such a major event as the downfall of Dongyi proceed without me, Bai Jinzhi!" Speaking of battles, Bai Jinzhi lit up, igniting like a spark, "Little Dongyi, daring to strike Zhou while we gamble on our countryâs strength, if I donât beat them beyond recognition, Iâm not Bai Jinzhi!"
"I believe youâll beat them beyond recognition!" Sima Ping laughed and said, "Iâm waiting to see how our King Gaoyi leads the enemy army, full of anger, back to their brothers. Lu Yuanpeng... we must catch them well!"
"Alright! Then just wait for me to bring back thousands of enemy troops, donât be intimidated! Donât let my good intentions of helping you gain merits go to waste!" Bai Jinzhiâs words suddenly became swift.
"Then Iâll thank the King Gaoyi first!" Sima Ping looked earnest.
Bai Jinzhi rolled her eyes at Sima Ping, but actually quite enjoyed playing around with Sima Ping and Lu Yuanpeng, more carefree than in Dadu City.
"Previously, you were just city loafers, now both families use you as role models..." Bai Jinzhi couldnât help but proudly mention, "They say that even you can find a foothold in Bai familyâs army!"
Itâs evident that the Bai familyâs army still holds significant weight in the minds of the aristocratic families in Dadu City.
"Really!" Lu Yuanpeng, not catching Bai Jinzhiâs pride about the Bai family army, mused, "Iâm a role model now; my grandfather should treat me differently. When I return, he wouldnât make me kneel in the ancestral hall again, right? If I rescue my sister this time, wouldnât my grandfather favor me more! Speaking of my sister, I wonder where she is right now..."
Lu Yuanpengâs voice choked up as he spoke.
Bai Jinzhi: "..."
"Your sister from the Lu family is fine! Donât overthink!" Bai Jinzhi couldnât bear Lu Yuanpengâs demeanor; sheâd seen him sobbing before and feared heâd cry in front of her. She couldnât handle othersâ tears, so she said briskly.
"Really?!" Lu Yuanpeng immediately tightened his reins and moved closer to Bai Jinzhi, "Is there news from Bai familyâs sister?!"
"Just not telling you!" Bai Jinzhi rolled her eyes at Lu Yuanpeng, spurred her horse forward to ride alongside her eldest sister.
"Bai familyâs fourth sibling, youâre being mean!" Lu Yuanpeng saw Bai Jinzhi speeding up and quickly followed suit.
Sima Ping smiled while watching their retreating figures, his lips curling as his eyes filled with cheer... if the two of them could be together, he wouldnât mind stepping back a bit.
Soon, the group entered Jinguan City.
That night, Bai Qingyan stayed in Jinguan City. Bai Qingjue had already prepared, the city guard had cleaned the house, and the residence in the east courtyard was organized for Bai Qingyan and her party to stay. The guards strictly instructed the family not to disturb without orders. The county magistrate had just lost his position; perhaps the Emperorâs anger hadnât subsided yet, so the family better stay alert and not get in trouble.
Bai Qingyan didnât rush to rest. Upon entering the main hall, she instructed someone to invite Fan Yugan, who had been waiting for her.
"Bai familyâs sister!" Lu Yuanpeng impatiently stepped forward, kneeled, and pleaded, "Bai familyâs sister, my sister must have been captured by Dongyi Kingdom. I request permission to lead a team immediately to rescue my sister and Minister Liu... and the body of King of Hancheng!"
"Do not worry about Minister Liu and King of Hancheng. If you lead a team to Dongyiâs land and are discovered, it could be counterproductive!" After Bai Qingyan finished speaking, she mentioned Lu Fenglang, "Your sister was rescued by fishermen, but not the group protected by King of Hancheng who went out to sea; she was saved by fishermen who went to sea privately. Later, concerned that the matter would escalate and the Official Government would discover their unapproved seafaring, they concealed the event. They have been using traditional remedies to heal your sister, thus she has not awakened yet!"
Initially, when Dongyi Kingdom stirred trouble, King of Hancheng ordered fishermen to take turns going to sea...
The ones who rescued Lu Fenglang were the first group, but they waited too long and secretly went to sea, fearing their families couldnât wait any longer. Fortunately, they did, or else... Lu Fenglang might have been buried at sea.
"Really?! Then... where is my sister now? I want to bring her back!" Lu Yuanpengâs emotions surged, his eyes the color of embers. The sadness of his sisterâs disappearance had overwhelmed him many times.
"Donât worry! Eldest Young Lady has already brought your sister back; now sheâs under the care of Jinguan Cityâs most renowned doctor. Mrs. Hong will arrive soon, and everything will be alright!" Bai Jinzhi watched Lu Yuanpeng, whose hands were tightly clenched and eyes reddened, internalized her sympathy and reassured him.
Bai Jinzhi recalled her eldest sisterâs injury when protecting the Crown Prince; though she later learned it was a feigned act, at that time, Bai Jinzhi had been scared half to death, holding her sister and crying uncontrollably. Let alone Lu Yuanpeng, who was naturally sentimental.
"Fourth sibling, take Lu Yuanpeng and Sima Ping to see Lu Fenglang, so they can be reassured!" Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jinzhi standing beside Sima Ping.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Sima Ping was first to bow in gratitude.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Lu Yuanpeng hurriedly followed with gratitude.
"Alright, Iâll first take them over..." Bai Jinzhi responded and said to both, "Letâs go!"
Bai Jinzhi went ahead, Lu Yuanpeng realized it, bowed to Bai Qingyan in farewell, then hurried after Bai Jinzhi, "Fourth sibling of Bai family, you knew my sister was brought back by Bai familyâs sister, didnât you? How could you not tell me, watching me worry, fourth sibling of Bai family... youâre not enough of a brother!"
"Why are you so annoying! Just wonât tell you, so what? Want a fight?" Bai Jinzhiâs cheerful voice came from outside, followed by greetings exchanged with Sima Ping, Lu Yuanpeng, and Fan Yugan.