Chapter 560
The commoners silently gazed at Madam Dong.
Just as Madam Dong said, the Dong family had protected Dengzhou for generations. They would rather die in battle than abandon the city or forsake its people!
Even Master Dong had died for the people of Dengzhou. freёwebnovel.com
Back then, when Master Dong died in battle, it was Madam Dong who led the defense of Dengzhou City, holding out until Dong Qingyue brought the Bai family army for reinforcement, thereby saving Dengzhou from the Rong people’s massacre.
Because of this, Madam Dong was held in extremely high regard among the citizens of Dengzhou.
Thinking of her late husband who died protecting Dengzhou, Madam Dong’s throat tightened, and her voice choked up slightly. “My late husband, who died in battle to protect Dengzhou, once said… the people of Dengzhou are like our kin by blood! How could we, as humans, forsake our kin!”
“I swear by the entire family to the heavens that the Dong family will protect and love the people. If we ever harbor the slightest intention to harm, may the heavens punish us and our lineage end! Fellow villagers, please… trust our Dong family! Trust our descendants!”
After she finished speaking, Madam Dong bowed deeply towards the citizens.
“Madam Dong, your words humble us! We have been under the Bai family’s protection for generations, how dare we accept such a grand gesture from you! Though we are mere common folk… we know the Dong family’s love for the people. We are willing to trust the Dong family! We are willing to trust Lord Dong!”
A man in the crowd, dressed in a long robe, shouted loudly.
With this one man responding, the citizens quickly joined in, shouting their trust in the Dong family and Dong Qingyue, making the Dengzhou drum tower as lively as a festival.
Seeing this, Dong Qingyue stepped forward and cupped his hands towards the crowd. “Since you all are willing to trust me, I assure you that I will protect you. Now, please return home, gather your belongings, and meet at the north gate in two hours. My eldest son, Dong Changlan, and my elderly mother will accompany you to the camp! Today, I ask you to leave your homes… tomorrow, I vow to bring you back safely!”
The common folk responded and went back to pack up.
Bai Qingyan stood beside Madam Dong, deeply admiring her grandmother.
“Has Mr. Xiao left?” Dong Qingyue turned and asked Dong Changlan.
Dong Changlan shook his head. “No, he said he still has some unfinished business here. Moreover, he has a guard detail with him, so he intends to leave the city with Grandmother. After escorting her to the camp, he will head to the Yan Kingdom. However, I told Mr. Xiao that if he doesn’t leave soon, he might have to wait until the end of the battle.”
“Currently, the Yan Kingdom’s Princess Mingcheng is still in the city. Do we know if she plans to evacuate Dengzhou or leave with the Beirong and Yan forces?” Bai Qingyan asked Dong Qingyue.
“Cousin, you may not know this. When Mother took Sister Rong and the two younger sisters out of the city, General Pei from Yan came to inquire. He offered to persuade the Beirong forces to attack Nanrong, thereby alleviating Dengzhou’s crisis. Father declined, saying it’s better to rely on ourselves. At that time, he suggested relocating Princess Mingcheng to the camp, and General Pei agreed. That night, to avoid raising suspicion… they left the city with Mother.”
“So, General Pei from Yan is also at the camp?” Bai Qingyan asked.
Dong Changlan nodded. “I have ordered strict surveillance. Don’t worry, Cousin.”
Seeing the citizens disperse to their homes to pack, Bai Qingyan asked Dong Qingyue again, “Did the doctors say whether Princess Mingcheng can be saved?”
Dong Qingyue shook his head. “She’s merely hanging on! But… she probably won’t last a few more days. I already told General Pei to bring anyone the Princess wishes to see for a final farewell.”
The Princess Mingcheng, in her rare moments of consciousness, would always call out a name, showing a deep and unyielding attachment.
“You should also pack up and then leave the city with your grandmother,” Dong Qingyue said, patting Bai Qingyan’s head. Seeing that Bai Qingyan wanted to say something, he led her to a secluded area.
Looking at his calm and composed niece, Dong Qingyue lowered his voice. “Uncle knows what you want to say. You wish to use this opportunity to see A Yu. But this battle is a strategic retreat! The undefeated reputation of the Princess of Zhen must remain intact. It’s not about your fame, but that reputation will be your greatest asset and confidence when you take action in the future.”
He patted her shoulder. “When the counterattack comes, Uncle will let you see A Yu. Be obedient!”
Bai Qingyan knew Dong Qingyue truly cared for her. It was already hard for women to survive, especially as generals…
The reason she could stand firm in the Bai family army wasn’t just because she was the eldest daughter of the Bai family, but also because she had beheaded the enemy general and never lost a battle, earning her the title of “Young General Bai.”
In troubled times, strength was respected—this applied to men. But for a woman to be respected in troubled times, she had to be a hundred times stronger. Dong Qingyue understood this principle well. So, losing the city to Nanrong wasn’t a problem, but he couldn’t let his niece’s undefeated reputation be tarnished.
“This time, stay under my protection. Let Uncle shield you. Because… in the days ahead, once you leave Dengzhou… your path will be even more challenging and dangerous. Uncle cannot reach you from afar.”
Bai Qingyan understood Dong Qingyue’s good intentions and bowed deeply. Her heart filled with mixed emotions. “Then this time, Kid entrusts her safety to Uncle!”
Dong Qingyue smiled warmly at her, patting her head.
Whether it was Kid or A Yu, his niece and nephew were no longer the little children who needed his protection.
Dong Qingyue felt an overwhelming sense of age. The current generation was indeed stronger than theirs.
Whether it was Bai Qingyan, Bai Qingyu, or his son Dong Changlan,
perhaps it was indeed as Bai Qingyan said. He should let go and allow Dong Changlan to experience some things himself.
When Bai Qingyan finished helping Madam Dong pack and they exited the Dong Mansion, they saw Xiao Rongyan respectfully waiting outside.
Bai Qingyan had heard that Xiao Rongyan would be escorting Madam Dong out of the city.
“Madam Dong, Miss Bai…” Xiao Rongyan greeted them.
Madam Dong, seeing the outstanding and elegant young man before her, smiled and nodded, then got on the carriage with Bai Qingyan’s support.
Chun Tao, looking highly vigilant, watched Xiao Rongyan until her mistress boarded the carriage. Then she hurriedly got on and dropped the curtain, blocking Xiao Rongyan’s view.
Seeing this, Yue Shi stepped forward and whispered, “Master, did you offend Miss Bai’s maid Chun Tao somehow? Why does she look at you so unfavorably?”