Chapter 684: Chapter 681: Suspended Heart_1

The lead Hidden Guard stated that they were sent by the Crown Prince to escort Prince Li of Yan back to Yan.

The Yan envoy respectfully bowed towards the Crown Prince’s men. First, they humbly bowed towards the direction of Dadu City, then thanked the Crown Prince’s men. They expressed their gratitude for the care shown by the Emperor of Jin and the Crown Prince towards their Prince, Murong Li. Afterward, they mentioned that their Prince Li, because he was concerned about Emperor Yan’s health and found the carriage too slow, had already ridden ahead quickly back to Yan.

After sending one person to report back to the Crown Prince, the rest of the Hidden Guards set off quickly along the official road to catch up with Murong Li.

On the early morning of October 25, the dawn light was faint.

Wei Zhong waited early at Qinghui Courtyard, watching the maids bowing with the washing utensils, filing into the upper part of Qinghui Courtyard.

Today was the day Bai Qingyan was to set off back to Shuoyang.

The sedan chair brought by Wei Zhong was to carry Bai Qingyan out from Qinghui Courtyard.

Wei Zhong came personally because Bai Qingyan had asked him to investigate the Du Residence in Jiuchuan Alley, which he had now clarified.

That residence had always been under Li Mingrui’s name, but it had Du Residence’s lantern hanging outside. It was said that someone would occasionally stay there for a short period, looking like a frail scholar, accompanied by a cold-faced guard.

The guard appeared stern, but he was actually warm-hearted, always giving candy to the children and helping the elderly in the alley fetch water. However, the guard did not like to talk, and they only knew his surname was Gao.

Wei Zhong found it difficult to investigate this line, so he checked the three previous owners of the residence. Before it was transferred to Li Mingrui’s name, it was bought by someone named Yang Dong, who had purchased it from someone named Du Zhiwei.

Wei Zhong followed this lead and found that this Du Zhiwei was originally a counselor in the mansion of the Second Prince who had plotted rebellion. After the Second Prince’s failed attempt, Du Residence fell into the hands of Yang Dong.

Wei Zhong found Yang Dong, who had since settled in Dadu City and moved to the west of the city. He learned that a steward had paid a large sum to buy the residence from Yang Dong, saying the original owner wanted to buy it back. When the house was sold again, it was not to someone with the surname Du. Yang Dong, curious, asked and was told that the house was originally meant to honor their master’s mentor, but the mentor did not accept it, so it was placed under his master’s name.

This clarified the relationship between Du Zhiwei and Li Mingrui.

Seeing Bai Qingyan come out of the house, Wei Zhong quickly bowed and, helping Bai Qingyan onto the four-person sedan chair, lowered his voice as they walked beside the sedan, explaining the situation at the Du Residence in Jiuchuan Alley.

“So, Du Zhiwei is indeed Li Mingrui’s mentor?” Bai Qingyan held a hand warmer, rubbing the silver-carved handle through the warmer sleeve.

It was not surprising if they were master and disciple. Back then, Li Mao had instigated the Second Prince’s rebellion. Naturally, he was close to the Second Prince, and his son apprenticing under Du Zhiwei made sense.

To clarify the matter, upon returning to Shuoyang, Bai Qingyan decided to summon the counselor sent by the Li Mansion, Cai Ziyuan, for questioning.

“Thank you for your hard work!” Bai Qingyan lifted the curtain and looked at Wei Zhong, who was respectfully walking beside the sedan. “After I return to Shuoyang, I will trouble you and Nanny Jiang to take good care of Grandmother.”

Concerned by the lack of news from Bai Jintong for too long, Bai Qingyan casually asked Wei Zhong, “Has Wan Ruozhong sent any messages?”

Wan Ruozhong was the leader of the secret guard given by Grandmother, later sent by Bai Qingyan to accompany Bai Jinxiu.

“Reporting to Master, there has been no news,” Wei Zhong replied.

Bai Qingyan let the curtain fall, leaning back in the sedan chair with a frown. Jintong had ventured out to sea a long time ago with no news. How could Bai Qingyan not be anxious?

Seated in the multilayered curtains of the sedan chair, Bai Qingyan was assisted by the maids and servants onto the carriage after arriving outside.

The Eldest Princess, her eyes red, instructed Bai Jinzhi to take good care of Bai Qingyan.

Mrs. Liu advised Lu Ping to prioritize safety over speed on the journey back to Shuoyang and to take care of Bai Qingyan’s health. She approached the carriage window to speak to Bai Qingyan: “Kid, relay a message to your mother from your second aunt. Before December, your second aunt will certainly return to Shuoyang.”

Bai Qingyan, lifting the curtain and smiling, shook her head at Mrs. Liu: “The Bai Mansion in Dadu City needs someone to stay. Grandmother, Jinxiu, and Brother Wang are all in Dadu. It cannot be left unattended; I am afraid it will still trouble you, second aunt, to stay in Dadu City for now. There is no need to hurry back to Shuoyang.”

“But…”

“Even if you write to mother, she would surely say the same!” Bai Qingyan reassured Mrs. Liu. “Otherwise, with you back in Shuoyang, the Bai Mansion in Dadu City would be unattended, and mother would be worried!”

Mrs. Liu, understanding from Bai Qingyan’s words that she was unwilling to part with Bai Jinxiu and Brother Wang, turned to look at the Eldest Princess. Seeing the Eldest Princess nodding, Mrs. Liu said, “Then… Kid, please thank my sister-in-law for me. Shuoyang, I will trouble her to take care.”

Nanny Jiang, wiping her tears with a handkerchief, said, “Why leave so quickly? Can’t you wait until the eldest girl recovers?”

The Eldest Princess, knowing Nanny Jiang was distressed for Bai Qingyan, patted her hand and suppressed her countless feelings of reluctance. Doctor Hong, after bidding farewell to the Eldest Princess and the Second Madam, boarded the small carriage behind.

The group watched the carriage slowly move towards the main street, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

The Eldest Princess knew her granddaughter had grown up, far-sighted and wise. She knew how to pave her path ahead. She also understood that with the sacrifice of the Bai family’s sons, Bai Qingyan bore the burden of the Bai family on her shoulders. She dared not and could not afford to let anything happen to herself.

Thus, the Eldest Princess was distressed but not worried.

After all, it was her granddaughter whom she had raised; she understood her deeply.

Only when they could no longer see the convoy heading to Shuoyang did the Second Madam, Liu, dab her eyes with a handkerchief and say, “Mother, let’s go back. It’s cold and windy; you’ll catch a chill.”

“I won’t go back…” The Eldest Princess turned and nodded towards Wei Zhong, who quickly bowed and went to fetch the carriage.

“Mother, are you headed to Qing Temple now?” The Second Madam Liu, reluctant, asked.

The Eldest Princess nodded: “The unrest in Dadu City is settled now. Kid is gone… Only if I leave too will the Emperor and the Crown Prince be at ease.”

The Second Madam Liu did not understand these matters but recognized that the Eldest Princess had her reasons. She could only shed tears as she saw off the Eldest Princess and Bai Jinse, constantly urging Bai Jinse to take good care of the Eldest Princess and the ailing Bai Jintong.