Chapter 689: Chapter 686: Assistance_1

“Troubling both of you to come and greet me here, cough, cough…” Bai Qingyan pressed her chest, coughing lightly twice, sounding weak.

Magistrate Zhou’s heart sank. This time the Princess of Zhen’s effort to save the throne was meritorious. Could it be as the rumors he heard, that her life was nearing its end?

“Princess of Zhen, please take good care of yourself!” Magistrate Zhou said with sincere emotion.

Then, as he raised his head, tears filled Magistrate Zhou’s eyes, almost falling, his emotions perfectly grasped as he choked out, “We people of Shuoyang, still count on the princess to lead us in training soldiers and eliminating bandits. We hope the Princess of Zhen recovers soon.”

“Thank you for your concern, Magistrate Zhou. As for training soldiers and eliminating bandits… until I recover, Bai Qingping will be in charge. I hope Magistrate Zhou can assist him more!” Bai Qingyan turned her head to look at Bai Qingping.

Bai Qingping respectfully bowed to Magistrate Zhou, who hurriedly waved his hand, “Not at all! As long as Mr. Bai orders, naturally, I will comply. Moreover, the Governor’s son has been helping with the soldier training, I think it won’t require my involvement.”

Magistrate Zhou bowed towards the direction of the Governor.

Bai Qingyan just smiled without speaking, her gaze fell on Governor Shen, “If the Governor has time in a few days, you can come to Bai Mansion.”

Governor Shen knew what Bai Qingyan was implying and quickly bowed, “Princess of Zhen, rest assured, within three days… I will certainly visit.”

Magistrate Zhou didn’t understand what secret conversation Governor Shen and the Princess of Zhen were having, but he didn’t want to miss the chance to build a connection with her either and followed, “I will also definitely visit to check on the Princess of Zhen.”

Bai Qingyan weakly covered her chest, using a handkerchief to cover her mouth and catching her breath for a moment, before signaling Chun Tao to release the curtain held open by hand. From inside the carriage, severe coughing could be heard.

“Gentlemen, my eldest sister is seriously injured and cannot stay outside the city for long. We must set off now, please understand!” Bai Jinzhi, riding on a tall horse, tightly gripped the reins and bowed to Governor Shen and Magistrate Zhou.

Governor Shen quickly stepped aside, “Farewell to Princess of Zhen, farewell to Commandery Princess Gaoyi!”

Magistrate Zhou followed suit, stepping aside and bowing deeply, “Farewell to Princess of Zhen, farewell to Commandery Princess Gaoyi!”

“Enter the city!” Bai Jinzhi shouted.

The carriage procession slowly moved forward until the entire entourage of the Princess of Zhen entered the city. Only then did Magistrate Zhou straighten his already stiff old waist. Seeing Governor Shen about to board his sedan, he quickly held his waist and ran towards him, “Governor! Governor, wait for me!”

Governor Shen turned to look at Magistrate Zhou, who was running towards him, stopping his movement to get into the sedan. Straightening up, he asked, “Magistrate Zhou, is there something you need?”

“Governor, aren’t you going to Bai Mansion within three days? When do you plan to go?” Magistrate Zhou smiled, looking at Governor Shen, speaking informally, “I’ll go with you, it’s good to have some company!”

This good opportunity to show attentiveness by visiting the Princess of Zhen couldn’t just be monopolized by the Governor!

If he went too early, it would be inappropriate to disturb the Princess of Zhen’s recovery. If he went a bit later, the Governor would have already shown attentiveness. If he went second, wouldn’t it seem insincere?

Moreover, the Princess of Zhen invited the Governor to visit. She didn’t invite him. It wouldn’t be a disturbance for the Governor to go. For him, it would definitely be a disturbance.

So after thinking it over, Magistrate Zhou decided… it was still better to go with the Governor.

Governor Shen looked Magistrate Zhou up and down, smiling faintly, “Do you know why the Princess of Zhen asked me to go to Bai Mansion? If you want to curry favor, I advise you to choose another day, or you may regret it and suffer a scolding with me too!”

After saying that, Governor Shen bent down and got into the sedan, leaving.

Magistrate Zhou looked slightly astonished as he watched Governor Shen’s sedan go away, secretly pondering what Governor Shen had done to offend the Princess of Zhen?

Magistrate Zhou didn’t doubt for a moment that Governor Shen was deceiving him, planning to secretly go to show attentiveness to the Princess of Zhen alone. After all, in all the years this superior had held the position of Governor, he had never tripped up anyone below him.

Magistrate Zhou stroked his narrow mustache, thinking that after the Governor had visited Bai Mansion, he would wait two or three days before going. That way, he wouldn’t risk offending the Princess of Zhen and getting caught up in unlucky trouble. In the meantime, he would find a way to meet the esteemed Mr. Min Qianqiu. If he could obtain a piece of calligraphy from this great scholar, it would be worth a fortune in the future.

*

Rumor had it that the Princess of Zhen’s carriage had already turned into the alley. Mrs. Dong and the third lady, Mrs. Li, the fourth lady, Mrs. Wang, and the fifth lady, Mrs. Qi, along with Bai family’s fifth young lady, Bai Jinzhao, Bai family’s sixth young lady, Bai Jinhua, and Bai family’s eighth young lady, Bai Wanqing, being held in the arms of Mrs. Qi, and the cousin staying at Bai family, Dong Tingzhen, all stood in front of the grand, imposing red door of Bai Mansion to welcome them.

Everyone in Bai Mansion knew Bai Qingyan was injured, but how badly she was injured, no one could know without seeing her.

Mrs. Dong was extremely worried, only comforted by Dong Tingzhen’s soft words by her side.

Seeing Bai Jinzhi dismounting from her horse, Mrs. Dong quickly called out, “Little fourth… how is your eldest sister’s injury?”

Bai Jinzhi first saluted the elders, then asked, “First aunt, is there a sedan chair prepared at home to carry eldest sister?”

Hearing that Bai Qingyan needed to be carried, Mrs. Dong nearly couldn’t stand it, her face suddenly turning pale, “Your eldest sister…”

“Aunt!” Dong Tingzhen quickly supported Mrs. Dong, her heart also flustered. Could it be that her cousin was seriously injured?

Afraid of worrying Mrs. Dong, Bai Jinzhi winked at her, cleared her throat, and deliberately said loudly,” Eldest sister was seriously injured saving the Crown Prince. She probably won’t be able to walk back to Boyun Courtyard from the door. First aunt, please quickly prepare a sedan chair to carry her back.”

Mrs. Li, seeing Bai Jinzhi winking, knew there must be a twist, glanced back at the fourth lady, Mrs. Wang, and the fifth lady, Mrs. Qi.

It was Mrs. Qi who reacted first, and said to Mrs. Dong, “Eldest sister-in-law, let someone prepare the sedan chair. No matter how Kid is injured, we can’t speak at the door. First, carry Kid back to Boyun Courtyard!”

Mrs. Dong, extremely worried, nodded and told Nanny Qin to prepare the sedan chair. As the carriage slowly stopped at the door, Mrs. Dong lifted her dark purple skirt with one hand, holding onto the maid Tingzhu’s hand with the other, and walked down the high steps towards the carriage.

Chun Tao stepped out from the carriage first, red-eyed, saluted Mrs. Dong, “Madam!”

Unable to bear waiting for the sedan chair, Mrs. Dong stepped into the carriage while asking, “How is the eldest young lady? Where is she injured?”

Mrs. Dong’s voice trembled slightly, unable to conceal her worry.

Although Dong Tingzhen was also concerned for Bai Qingyan, she didn’t join the bustling scene and board the carriage.

Bai Qingyan, leaning against the cushion, saw Mrs. Dong boarding the carriage, quickly sat up straight, dared not act weak to make her mother worry, smiled and called out, “Mother…”