Bai Qingyan had already discussed the matter of sending Bai Jinzhi to Anping Camp with Bai Jinxiu.
Bai Jinxiu still had some objections. After all, Bai Jinzhi was young, an innocent and pure little girl, not as calm as Little Seven. She was reckless and might cause trouble if not kept close. She thought Bai Jinzhi needed a few more years of experience.
When this matter was mentioned, Bai Jinzhi raised her hand to touch her nose, fearing the reprimand from her eldest and second sister, her voice lacked confidence: "I almost messed it up; it was our aunt who cleaned up the mess! I had planned everything, but the person pretending to be a wealthy merchant didn’t play the part well and got exposed! But I really don’t like these convoluted schemes. Eldest sister, just give me orders and I’ll carry them out. I can’t handle brainwork..."
Bai Jinxiu turned her head to look at Bai Qingyan, the meaning was obvious... Bai Jinzhi was not suitable to be sent to Anping Camp.
Bai Qingyan’s gaze fell on Bai Jinzhi, and she said with a smile, "Little Four, this is... like poor navigation making one dread the turns of the river!"
Bai Jinzhi opened her eyes wide and looked at Bai Qingyan: "Oh! Aunt said the same thing when she scolded me!"
It was clear that Bai Jinzhi really angered her mother.
Bai Jinxiu covered her mouth and chuckled lightly.
"Little Four, I plan to send you to Anping Camp. But if you really dislike these convoluted schemes, how can I trust that... you will grasp control of Anping Camp and not be overwhelmed by others?" Bai Qingyan asked Bai Jinzhi.
Bai Jinzhi suddenly stood up, her face flashing with surprise, followed by some excitement, her ears turning red: "Eldest sister... are you really letting me go to Anping Camp to lead troops?!"
"But you dislike those convoluted things and are straightforward and easily angered. If I let you go... the small matter of not being able to control Anping Camp is one thing, but I fear you might cause bigger trouble." Bai Qingyan leaned on the ginger-colored pillow embroidered with magpies, her tone slow and unhurried.
Bai Jinzhi became anxious: "No, eldest sister, I don’t like it, but I can learn! As long as I can lead troops, I am willing to do anything."
Bai Qingyan nodded, her gentle eyebrows showing a smile: "Since that’s the case, I will leave the investigation of the sand found in the Northern Frontier military provisions to you. We will set off to return to Shuoyang on October 25. You have five days, and members of the Bai Mansion are at your disposal. If you run out of money, come to me for more. I want results in five days. If successful... you will depart for Anping Camp in November; if not... obediently follow me back to Shuoyang and study a few more years."
"Eldest sister..." Bai Jinxiu was worried.
But Bai Qingyan raised her hand to signal Bai Jinxiu to be at ease: "Let her try!"
No one can do their best at their first attempt. Bai Jinzhi might have had shortcomings in handling the matter with Bai Qiyun, but who doesn’t grow slowly?
Chun Tao received a signal from her young lady and brought a gilded phoenix tsubaki wood box from Bai Qingyan’s yellow rosewood dressing table and respectfully handed it to Bai Jinzhi: "Fourth young lady, this is the only bit of private savings our young lady has. She is giving it all to you today! Don’t disappoint her."
Bai Jinzhi’s palms were sweating nervously. She wiped her palms on her skirt before reaching out to take the heavy tsubaki wood box.
She thought it was money, but when she opened it...
Suddenly, the Hidden Guard called out to the Commandery Princess and then pushed open the door, rushing to her bedside.
Liu Ruofu, clutching her abdomen and trembling under the blanket, gritted her teeth and roared: "How dare you! Who allowed you to come in!"
The leader of the Hidden Guard team wrapped Liu Ruofu in a quilt: "Commandery Princess, forgive me! The Patrol Camp is surrounding us. I must take you away."
Liu Ruofu wrapped one arm around the Hidden Guard’s neck. As he carried her out of the decrepit, damp room, she saw all the Hidden Guards her father had left to protect her crouching under the earthen walls like they were facing a formidable enemy, blades in hand, holding their breaths.
In the distance, the sound of a large force approaching echoed like thunder. At least a hundred men were coming.
Liu Ruofu’s breath caught, and her heart pounded. She felt blood pouring out uncontrollably from beneath her. She clutched her belly tightly, gritting her teeth... but had no idea where in this vast world she could escape to.
All four gates of Dadu City were sealed. Liu Ruofu, without wings, couldn’t possibly fly back to Nandu City.
Even if she could fly back, all the Nandu soldiers had perished in Dadu City. Who would protect her?
Moreover... five days had passed, and the Emperor and Crown Prince must have sent troops to Nandu by now. Even if she miraculously returned, she would only see the corpses of the Liu family.
The autumn wind was bleak, the chill biting. Liu Ruofu couldn’t shake off the feeling... of being homeless and at the end of the road.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress