Wei Zhong, with sharp eyes and a bright mind, led a group of eunuchs and palace maids to retreat to a position fifty feet away after Mrs. Dong left.
Seeing Bai Qingyan watching Mrs. Dong leave, her face turned solemn. Bai Jinxiu couldn’t help but ask worriedly, "Eldest Young Lady, has something happened?"
Bai Qingyan turned around and didn’t hide the truth from Bai Jinxiu and Bai Qingqi: "Jintong has been imprisoned in Xiliang for unknown reasons. If it is discovered that she is disguised as a man, or if it is due to her identity as a person from Zhou, and the Empress of Xiliang suspects her of having ulterior motives, it won’t be a big problem. Being women, the Empress of Xiliang also understands the hardships women face in this world. Disguising as a man to do business avoids many troubles. I’m just afraid that Jintong might have given away some information."
Bai Jinxiu’s heart jumped to her throat: "Jintong has always been clever..."
Bai Qingyan nodded: "I have already sent my milk brother, Xiao Ruohai, to Xiliang. When necessary, he will inform Xiliang that Jintong is our Bai family’s third lady. This will make Xiliang wary, but I am still not at ease. Xiao Ruohai might not be able to approach the Xiliang Imperial Family, and even if he discloses that Jintong is the third lady of the Bai family, if Xiliang pretends not to know and does something to Jintong in secret, there is no guarantee we will know."
"Therefore, while Xiao Ruohai operates in the dark, I plan to send someone openly, under the guise of a Zhou envoy, to negotiate an alliance with Xiliang. This way, Xiao Ruohai can work in secret, and if it becomes necessary, we can demand her return as an envoy representing the Empress of Zhou. If Xiliang refuses, it would mean war!"
Bai Qingyan’s words were powerful and resonant.
No member of the Bai family should come to harm again.
"After determining the candidate for the envoy to Xiliang, let General Shen Kunyang return to the southern borders and await orders. If, ultimately, we must reveal Jintong’s identity to get her back, have General Shen Kunyang mobilize 200,000 soldiers to the Xiliang border to threaten them," Bai Qingyan said, thinking quickly and speaking with determination.
At the same time, she needed A Yu’s cooperation to make it appear as if the Rong were about to attack Xiliang.
By putting Xiliang in a situation where they face the threat of destruction, Bai Qingyan didn’t believe that... Xiliang would truly not fear the destruction of the nation just to detain Bai Jinxiu.
Ideally... they could have Xiao Rongyan’s help. In everyone’s eyes, Xiao Rongyan is now considered a person of Yan, and also a businessman. It wouldn’t be surprising for Bai Jintong to have a friendship with Xiao Rongyan. Moreover, Xiao Rongyan has already established a foothold in Xiliang, and he might even find out more easily than them why exactly Bai Jintong was imprisoned.
Bai Qingyan clenched her fists. However, if she rashly asked Xiao Rongyan for help, would it disrupt Jintong’s plans?
With poor communication, information delays, and Bai Jintong’s uncertain situation in Xiliang, she couldn’t make hasty decisions. It was best to send someone reliable to Xiliang.
Regarding Bai Jintong’s safety, Bai Qingyan did not care about the cost, only her security.
"Eldest Young Lady, let me go this open route..." Bai Qingqi spoke, "Xiliang now faces the Rong, and wouldn’t dare to confront Zhou again. I am the brother of the Empress of Zhou. Once I arrive, I’ll respond according to the situation. If my third sister’s identity has not been discovered, I will say I am an old friend. I think the Empress of Xiliang will be willing to owe us this favor and release her. I will depart immediately!"
Bai Qingyan’s lips moved briefly; A Qi had just returned... had only just seen their fifth aunt, and hasn’t had a proper chance to spend time with her and Xiao Ba.
After a while, Bai Qingyan nodded and further instructed Bai Qingqi: "One more thing, Jintong previously sent a message back, saying... it seems the Empress of Xiliang is assembling a troop modeled after the Huying Camp. Take note of that too, but the first priority is Jintong."
"Rest assured, Eldest Young Lady, I understand the importance," Bai Qingqi replied.
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