As Shen Qingzhu walked, he spoke to Bai Qingyan about future plans: "When the Eldest Young Lady returns to Dadu City, Qingzhu will not accompany the Eldest Young Lady back. Qingzhu will stay here to protect the several young masters and mistresses for the Eldest Young Lady. Rest assured... Qingzhu will protect the young masters and mistresses with his own life. The Eldest Young Lady should focus on recuperating after returning, and should not worry excessively about the Xiliang battlefield." Shen Qingzhu knew Bai Qingyan too well; even if she returned to Dadu City now, she would surely still worry about her brothers and sisters fighting on the battlefield. Thus, she was willing to stay, granting Bai Qingyan peace of mind. Bai Qingyan tightly grasped Shen Qingzhu’s hand, her eyes reddening as she turned to look at Shen Qingzhu: "You must take care of yourself! Qingzhu... we grew up together, you are also my family, and you cannot afford to have any mishaps! They need to learn how to protect themselves on the battlefield; they can’t always rely on you!" "I understand, Eldest Young Lady!" Shen Qingzhu nodded, his face revealing a rare hint of a smile. "There’s another matter, the misunderstanding between you and your master has been resolved. How about... once Yunjing is taken, I ask your master to return, and have my mother send someone to discuss with Uncle Shen to arrange things for you. Would that be alright?" Bai Qingyan asked Shen Qingzhu softly. "Qingzhu... wants to stay by the Eldest Young Lady’s side forever!" Shen Qingzhu lowered his gaze, watching the flickering lantern shadows at his feet, cautiously supporting Bai Qingyan as they walked. "Just because you marry your master, doesn’t mean you can’t remain by my side. Even after Chun Tao and Chen Qingsheng got married, I still couldn’t do without Chun Tao. There’s no conflict there." Bai Qingyan said as she followed Shen Qingzhu down the corridor steps, continuing, "Both you and your master have each other in your hearts! The misunderstanding lasted so many years; Uncle Shen... must feel heartbroken watching. Once you marry, Uncle Shen... your master, my mother, and I can be at ease." "Eldest Young Lady, let’s discuss this matter later!" Shen Qingzhu evaded the topic. Bai Qingyan did not press Shen Qingzhu too hard, nodded, and accompanied Shen Qingzhu to the infirmary camp. As Bai Qingyan reached the door, Bai Jinzhao joyfully came out to greet her, smiling as he spoke to Bai Qingyan: "Eldest Young Lady, the rice dumplings are already cooked. Among the tens of thousands of dumplings, only one contains a copper coin. Whoever finds it will be the luckiest in our Zhou Empire! The dumplings are mixed together now, and no one knows which dumpling has the hidden coin! Everyone is curious and just waiting for the Eldest Young Lady to arrive so we can start, and see who gets it..." Bai Jinhua was eager too, smiling as he said: "Third Brother and Fifth Brother put forth a prize. Whoever finds the dumpling with the copper coin will receive a tael of silver from both Third Brother and Fifth Brother!" Though a tael of silver might not be much for Bai Jinzhao and Bai Jinhua, the prize was still desirable for everyone. "Alright! To be fair, when the dumplings are served, let each person choose a bowl!" Bai Qingyan replied with a smile. Just as Bai Qingyan finished speaking, Xiao Rongyan’s voice was heard: "So lively here, I wonder if I might join in the fun!" Bai Jinhua noticed the masked Ninth Prince of Yan, and was first to salute: "Ninth Prince..." Xiao Rongyan nodded and looked at Bai Qingyu, who had been beaming but whose expression now turned icy cold. Only then did he formally salute Bai Qingyan: "Greetings to the Emperor of Zhou." Bai Qingyan nodded: "Ninth Prince, no need for formalities. I heard you came with An Qingshan to escort the war gains this time; it must have been taxing!" "This time, I mainly came to communicate with the Bai family generals, to discuss how our two armies should cooperate in the battles ahead. Who would have expected to encounter such festivity, so I couldn’t resist joining in." Xiao Rongyan smiled and bowed to the members of the Bai family, "I hope it’s no intrusion." "Ninth Prince, please take a seat..." Bai Qingyan gestured an invitation to Xiao Rongyan. "After you, Your Majesty!" Xiao Rongyan replied respectfully, his profound gaze smiling more deeply at Bai Qingyan. Bai Qingyan nodded first and entered the infirmary camp. Seeing this, Bai Qingyu stepped toward Bai Qingyan, supporting her and using his body to shield Xiao Rongyan from closely following his elder sister. Beneath his mask, Xiao Rongyan lightly curled his lips into a smile, taking no offense at this little brother-in-law, and leisurely followed after them. Upon seeing Bai Qingyu, Bai Qingyan’s thoughts returned to the dream she had just had, unconsciously gripping A Yu’s hand. "Sister?" Bai Qingyu noticed the strong grip Bai Qingyan had on him and softly inquired, "Are you feeling unwell?" "No..." Bai Qingyan shook her head with a smile, though her hand tightened further around Bai Qingyu. Seeing Bai Qingyu reminded her vividly of that dream. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝔫𝔢𝔱 In the dream, A Yu’s features and voice were unmistakably clear, almost as if it were reality... Having experienced the life and death of the Bai family kin, her brothers were regained after being lost, she could no longer bear the pain of losing a brother again. Fortunately, it was just a dream! "Today is the fifteenth, a day for eating dumplings, meant to be a time for reunion. I was just thinking of Mother. She must miss us dearly in Dadu City at this time." Bai Qingyan said with a smile to Bai Qingyu. Bai Qingyu nodded: "Please, Sister, tell Mother for me when you return, A Yu is unfilial... Once Xiliang is pacified, I will surely keep Mother company." "Alright, I certainly will convey your words!" Bai Qingyan turned her head to look at her much taller brother, smiling as she spoke, her peripheral vision catching Xiao Rongyan watching her, she then glanced toward him, her eyes deepening with amusement as she took the main seat. Xiao Rongyan was seated at Bai Qingyan’s subordinate position, accompanied by Bai Qingqi. Bai Jinzhao glanced at the Ninth Prince of Yan’s eyes fixed on their eldest sister, then looked at his eldest sister conversing softly with their Fifth Brother, tugging on Bai Jinzhao’s clothes and huddling his head together with Bai Jinzhao, whispering: "I think this Ninth Prince of Yan keeps staring at our Eldest Young Lady, might the Ninth Prince be fond of our Eldest Young Lady?" Looking identical to Bai Jinzhao, Bai Jinhua glanced at the Ninth Prince of Yan and then at their eldest sister, softly saying: "It shouldn’t be likely. The Eldest Young Lady is our Zhou’s Emperor! Although the Ninth Prince is merely a prince, he is known as the uncrowned king of Yan Kingdom, known to all. The Eldest Young Lady can only marry someone who joins our Bai family, and the Ninth Prince would not forsake Yan to join our Zhou just for the Eldest Young Lady. So stop entertaining such unfounded thoughts." Bai Jinzhao nodded: "I only noticed the Ninth Prince of Yan staring at our Eldest Young Lady!"