Qin Shangzhi was momentarily stunned. He remembered being rescued by Lu Ping and brought back to the Bai family and the words he had said upon meeting the eldest daughter of the Bai family, as well as Bai Qingyan humbling herself to seek his guidance.

Thinking of it now, he had only given a bit of advice, yet the eldest daughter of the Bai family had acted so grandly and resolutely, leaving no retreat, and did it so well.

“Mr. Qin, having faced repeated setbacks in the Crown Prince’s residence, have you ever considered leaving it?” Bai Qingyan asked Qin Shangzhi, tilting her head.

Qin Shangzhi’s palm tightened. He remembered Bai Qingyan’s earlier promise to prepare seats and shook his head after closing his eyes: “The Crown Prince may lack great talent, but among the Emperor’s sons, he is the best. He will surely inherit the throne in the future! It’s not that I seek the merit of aiding a dragon. But with someone like Old Fang by the Crown Prince’s side, if I leave… who knows what the Crown Prince will become? I cannot bear to see the Jin Kingdom have a Monarch molded by Old Fang! I am willing to do my best to correct the Crown Prince, as a slight effort for the Jin Kingdom!”

With his words concluded, Bai Qingyan no longer persuaded him.

Qin Shangzhi also seemed reluctant to continue the topic, smiling as he said: “Quan Yu recounted Shuoyang’s events vividly to the Crown Prince. He described how the Commandery Princess was humiliated in Shuoyang; by May 1st, when the Commandery Princess returns to Shuoyang, the Crown Prince will likely have something to say.”

This was unexpected for Bai Qingyan, as she had no dealings with Quan Yu.

“Is Mr. Qin testing whether I have bribed Quan Yu?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Qin Shangzhi was slightly stunned, seemingly taken aback by Bai Qingyan’s wariness. He replied respectfully: “Commandery Princess, you are overthinking this! Given how favored Quan Yu is by the Crown Prince and his intelligence, he would not risk his future at this time.”

When the Crown Prince ascended the throne, Quan Yu would surely become a chief eunuch by the Emperor’s side. Accepting favors now and getting caught by someone informing the Crown Prince would ruin all his prospects.

In the main hall, the intricately carved bronze incense burners at the four corners emitted a wisp of smoke.

“If Mr. Qin has decided to stay by the Crown Prince’s side, you should harbor suspicion toward me. Thus, the Crown Prince will trust you.” Bai Qingyan looked seriously at Qin Shangzhi. “Why does the Crown Prince trust and rely on Old Fang so much? Haven’t you considered? The Crown Prince doesn’t like his subordinates to interact closely. Especially when they are too friendly with each other, it creates a sense of crisis for him. Do you understand?”

Qin Shangzhi looked surprised. Was Bai Qingyan hinting at him?

Bai Qingyan covered the tea cup with its lid and placed it on the table beside her: “If you wish to assist the Crown Prince, you must first understand his character. The Crown Prince… uses the same methods of control as the current Emperor.”

Qin Shangzhi’s fingers tightened slowly on his lap. He felt a mix of emotions.

He knew a Monarch obsessed with the art of balancing power might never have the capacity to be a wise ruler. But he had no choice.

He could not abandon his motherland to serve another country as a counselor…

He had already chosen his master, and it made no sense to change easily.

“Thank you for the advice, Commandery Princess.” Qin Shangzhi thanked Bai Qingyan.

In the southern border before, to save Bai Qingyan’s life, Qin Shangzhi had once compromised with Old Fang. But his inherently proud nature could not forever tolerate Old Fang’s methods.

Qin Shangzhi came today for the disaster relief in Yanwo. But knowing it would not work as Bai Qingyan advised, and seeing she did not mean to send anyone to stop it, he needed to think of another way. After staying a while, he left.

Before sunset that day, Nanny Tong brought the list of people from Qinghui Courtyard who would accompany Bai Qingyan back to Shuoyang and those who would stay behind to watch over the courtyard to Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan sat under the glazed lamp, surprised to see Nanny Tong on the list. She looked up and asked: “Nanny?”

Nanny Tong smiled: “Originally, Madam intended me to stay in Dadu, but I couldn’t stop worrying about the eldest girl. Although Chun Tao is mature, she is still a child. When the eldest girl was as tiny as a kitten at birth, I was the one who looked after her. I really can’t rest easy!”

“So today, I asked Madam for a favor. My son has recovered, and I asked Madam to bring him back from the estate to serve the eldest girl. Madam has agreed.” Nanny Tong added, “If the eldest girl has time tomorrow, I’ll bring him to greet you.”

Nanny Tong’s entire family served the Bai family. Her son, Zeng Shanru, though young, was the head of the estate due to Nanny Tong’s capabilities and some of his own. Last year, many matchmakers sought his hand in marriage, but Zeng Shanru declined them all, focusing solely on boosting farm yields.

If Zeng Shanru were transferred to Bai Qingyan’s side, it would be like falling from heaven to the mud.

But neither Nanny Tong nor Zeng Shanru felt it was a loss. As servants, they performed whatever tasks the master needed. If they had the ability, the master would surely notice and reward them.

Nanny Tong did not tell Bai Qingyan that she had instructed her son to be efficient and discreet while serving the eldest girl. If he did what was expected of a loyal servant, Bai Qingyan would not mistreat him.

Though Nanny Tong was unaware of Bai Qingyan’s plans, she saw how hard Bai Qingyan worked and hoped her son could ease some of Bai Qingyan’s burdens.

Bai Qingyan felt touched, her eyes moist. She nodded: “Alright, then I’ll meet him tomorrow. It will be hard for you after we return to Shuoyang.”

On the morning of April 28th, Nanny Jiang stepped into Qinghui Courtyard. Seeing Bai Qingyan had just finished her training and bath, sitting by the window twisting her hair, she smiled: “I came just in time. The Eldest Princess ordered the small kitchen to prepare your favorite food. She asked me to invite you for breakfast and discuss something with you.”

Bai Qingyan put down the ancient bamboo book and let Chun Tao help her dress.

Nanny Jiang assisted Bai Qingyan in tying her hair and watched Chun Tao wrap heavy iron sandbags around Bai Qingyan. Her lips moved but she said nothing.

Bai Qingyan paid her respects to the Eldest Princess. The nanny serving the Eldest Princess ordered the maids waiting in the corridor to serve the dishes.

A dozen or so maids entered in single file, placing various dishes and exquisite pastries on the table, then left.

Nanny Jiang passed through the beaded curtain and around the screen, bowed, and said: “Eldest Princess, Eldest Girl, Miss Lu, breakfast is ready. Please start the meal.”

Miss Lu was about to support the Eldest Princess when a noise came from the yard.