Chapter 588
Bai Qingyan stepped into the morning light, with a restrained sharpness, her whole body enveloped in golden light, as if she embodied a majestic righteousness.
Master Tan looked at Bai Qingyan in military attire, as if he saw the once-mighty Bai Weiting, returning victorious in armor, exuding power and prestige.
The Duke of Zhen’s Mansion, a century-old military family, had always been the true pillar and backbone of the Jin Kingdom.
Since Bai Weiting assumed the title of Duke of Zhen, wherever there was war in the Jin Kingdom, there would be the generals from the Duke of Zhen’s Mansion and the Bai family’s army. The Southern Frontier… the Northern Frontier, the eastern border, and the western frontier. Where didn’t the bones of the Bai family’s army lie? Where weren’t the heroic souls of the Bai family’s sons?
The loyalty and righteousness of the Bai family were known throughout the land.
The Bai family’s bravery in battle was feared by all nations.
It seemed that as long as the Duke of Zhen’s Mansion existed, no one in the world could defeat the Jin Kingdom.
Master Tan’s eyes became somewhat moist. It was true that no useless person had ever come from the Duke of Zhen’s Mansion. Bai Qingyan, this young girl who had once personally killed a formidable enemy general, had already made Master Tan look at her in a new light. During the Bai family’s crisis, this young girl fearlessly risked her life to force the Emperor to do justice for the Bai family.
At that time, Master Tan thought that seeking justice for the Bai family was the best this young girl could do as a woman.
Unexpectedly, in the Battle of the Southern Frontier, this young girl managed to repel the formidable Xiliang general Yun Poxing, as if a thunderbolt, establishing the Bai family’s prestige, shaking all nations.
This young girl, who had once been seriously injured and lost all martial arts skills, not only did not disgrace the Duke of Zhen’s Mansion but instead carried the title of Duke of Zhen on her shoulders, upholding the Mansion’s honor.
Some said that this young girl had just been lucky, encountering the chaos in Yunjing of Xiliang and picking up a victory. Otherwise, in the Battle of the Southern Frontier… how could Yun Poxing, the formidable general of Xiliang, be defeated so miserably? Bai Qingyan called herself the God of Slaughter, merely to save the declining Bai family in Dadu, deceiving herself and others.
But later on, when Daliang attempted to seize Yushan Pass in the Northern Frontier, and their renowned general Xun Tianzhang repeatedly defeated the Jin army, advancing beyond Chunmu Mountain and charging all the way in, with the Jin Kingdom’s General Zhang Duanrui dying in battle, it was this young girl who tirelessly rushed to Longyang City, driving Daliang to retreat with their tails between their legs, flooding Longyang City, making Daliang tremble at the mention of her name.
After this battle, who in Dadu dared to say that Bai Qingyan’s victory in the Southern Frontier was due to luck? Which nation dared to provoke the Jin Kingdom again?
The fragile woman of the Bai family once again carried the title of Duke of Zhen, fulfilling her words under the plaque of the Duke of Zhen’s Mansion… to destroy the invaders against Jin’s people, swearing to fight till death! Living for the people, dying for the country! Ensuring the Jin Kingdom’s people live in peace and security, with no regrets in life or death!
Thinking of this, Master Tan’s eyes turned red and moist…
Bai Weiting once told him that his granddaughter was a precious sword. If the sword’s edge was honed, it would be invincible. He just couldn’t bear to see it.
If the King of Zhen, Bai Weiting, were still alive, how proud and heartbroken he would be to see his eldest granddaughter’s sword finally honed and so exceptional.
As a fellow grandfather, how could Master Tan not understand this?
Master Tan sighed softly. If Bai Qishan and all the generals of the Bai family were still alive, what kind of scene would the Jin Kingdom present today?
As they approached the gate of Dadu City, Bai Qingyan raised her hand. The cavalry obeyed the order in silence.
King Liang, with a smile and a look of joy, took two steps forward, gazing into the distance.
He thought of that day at the back gate of the residence of Master Wang, Minister of Rites and Liu Ruofu’s grandfather, when Bai Qingyan aggressed him step by step. His hand by his side clenched quietly.
Since the passing of King of Zhen, Bai Weiting, Bai Qingyan emerged from the Bai family’s inner court to the forefront. King Liang finally believed the words of Du Zhiwei… that Bai Qingyan was a born military talent.
He did not understand why, when Bai Qingyan had clearly softened towards him, her attitude suddenly changed. And this change had not been due to him having Chun Yan plant the letter accusing Bai Weiting of colluding with the enemy in Bai Weiting’s study. It had been before that… Bai Qingyan had already been wary of him.
King Liang narrowed his eyes at the Crown Prince’s banner fluttering in the morning sun. The Crown Prince was indeed fortunate… protected by Bai Qingyan and the soldiers of Anping Camp along the way.
Now, having broken ties with Bai Qingyan, she turned to support the Crown Prince. Expecting Bai Qingyan to serve him became hopeless. Since he could not make Bai Qingyan serve him, then… Bai Qingyan could not remain.
King Liang’s hand behind his back tightened secretly, making a faint sound.
But killing Bai Qingyan could not involve King Xian’s men. Otherwise… once traces were left, it could not avoid suspicion falling on him. It was uncertain if the Ninth Prince of Yan would be willing to help with this favor.
Bai Qingyan ordered the soldiers of Anping Camp to wait in place and brought Lu Ping, who had followed them all the way from Anping Camp, to guard by the Crown Prince’s carriage, accompanying the prince’s guards to dismount at the city gate.
The sickly Crown Prince was supported by Quan Yu as he dismounted, his whole body weak from the high fever, barely able to walk with Bai Qingyan to the front.
“Brother!” King Liang hurriedly bowed respectfully to the Crown Prince, seemingly both happy, “Brother, you finally returned!”
“Welcome back safely, Your Highness!” Master Tan and all the officials knelt in salute.
“Master Tan!” The Crown Prince quickly stepped forward to support Master Tan, “Master, you mustn’t bow!”
After supporting Master Tan, the Crown Prince stepped back a pace, bowing deeply to the Eldest Princess and Master Tan in a junior’s salute, “In my absence from Dadu, the Eldest Princess and Master have worked hard!”
The Eldest Princess, dressed in full regalia, holding a black, oiled and gold-inlaid tiger head cane, stood straight. Seeing the valiant Bai Qingyan in her silver armor, her moist eyes smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deepening.
Bai Qingyan saluted the Eldest Princess and Master Tan respectively, “Grandmother! Master!”
Chun Tao, following Bai Qingyan, hurriedly saluted the Eldest Princess.
Master Tan, looking at the Crown Prince’s respectful and humble manner, couldn’t help but nod; then he looked at Bai Qingyan, “This journey must have been hard for the Princess of Zhen!”
“This is my duty, it is only proper. I wouldn’t dare claim the hardship before you, Master.” Bai Qingyan’s demeanor was neither arrogant nor self-effacing, calm and respectful, making Master Tan grow even fonder of her.
“How is my father?” the Crown Prince asked the Eldest Princess.
“Rest assured, Your Highness, the Imperial Physician says His Majesty hurt his head. Fortunately, he was saved in time. In the past few days, he has been improving. He should wake up in the next day or two!” the Eldest Princess said.
Upon hearing that the Emperor would wake up in a few days, the Crown Prince did not dare go back to his residence but went straight to the Imperial Palace to keep vigil by the Emperor’s bedchamber to fulfill his duty as a filial son.
Before leaving, the Crown Prince ordered Lu Jin to take Fu Ruoxi into custody, with the two thousand soldiers of Anping Camp setting up camp outside Dadu City. The commanders would accompany Bai Qingyan into the city to settle down.
Bai Qingyan, after reassuring the commanders under Fu Ruoxi, telling them that Lu Jin was always fair and just and asking them to rest assured, followed the Eldest Princess back to the Bai family.
Fu Ruoxi being detained, although his commanders trusted Bai Qingyan, upon entering the city, they all rushed to the Fu family, intending to ask the old lady of the Fu family for advice.