Chapter 11: Position_1

She stood at the doorway of Changshou Courtyard, staring at the plaque in a daze. An indescribable bitterness and loneliness spread throughout her body.

She had believed that her grandmother would, like her, protect the Bai family and their relatives with her life. But her grandmother was the Eldest Princess of Jin; her surname was Lin... Jin was the world of the Lin family!

Chun Tao saw Bai Qingyan gazing at the plaque of Changshou Courtyard with red-rimmed eyes. She thought Qingyan was worried about the Eldest Princess's health and softly consoled her: "Miss Bai, the Eldest Princess has been blessed with profound fortune. She will surely recover after the winter."

Bai Qingyan came back to her senses, clenched the hand warmer tightly, and nodded: "Let's go back!"

Forget it. The matter of rebirth was too illusory to make her grandmother believe in it without doubt. If it caused her grandmother to become wary of her, it would make some things harder to accomplish.

At least, as long as it did not touch the Lin family's sovereignty over Jin, her grandmother and she stood on the same ground when it came to protecting the Bai family.

·

Chun Tao had just helped Bai Qingyan into the courtyard when they saw Chun Yan standing under the corridor, pacing back and forth anxiously with a pale face.

Upon seeing Bai Qingyan enter, Chun Yan immediately rushed over. She twisted the handkerchief in her hands, her eyes red with urgency: "Miss Bai, King Liang was attacked today on Changan Street. He's unconscious, in critical condition! Please ask Doctor Hong to check on His Highness. Doctor Hong is the senior of Doctor Huang, the director, and is highly renowned. He can surely save His Highness!"

Chun Tao, who had accompanied Bai Qingyan to see Qin Shangzhi today, felt her heart pound upon hearing Chun Yan's words.

Bai Qingyan's sharp eyes turned to Chun Yan. She wished she could tear King Liang apart and let him die; it would be too lenient for him. Why should she invite Doctor Hong to save him... what a ridiculous daydream?!

"Chun Yan, have you lost your mind? King Liang was attacked; the Imperial Medical Bureau will handle it! How can our Miss Bai invite Doctor Hong to see King Liang? Does Miss Bai not care about her reputation anymore?!" Chun Tao reproached sternly.

Chun Yan hurriedly knelt, tears falling incessantly: "Miss Bai, Chun Yan knows she was wrong. Chun Yan was just worried for you!"

"The more you talk, the more nonsensical you get! You..."

Before Chun Tao could finish, Bai Qingyan coldly gave Chun Yan a glance: "How about I send you, along with your indenture, to King Liang's residence?!"

Chun Yan was shocked, her eyes wide open as she kowtowed: "This maid knows her mistake. Miss Bai, please calm your anger!"

"Chun Yan, do not forget whose maid you are and where your loyalty should lie. I will not tolerate a servant with divided loyalties!"

After saying this, Bai Qingyan walked towards the inner room. If it weren't for Chun Yan's minor usefulness, she would have had her dismissed long ago.

Chun Tao glared fiercely at Chun Yan and then hurriedly followed after Bai Qingyan, lifting the curtain for her.

Chun Yan, kneeling in the courtyard, did not dare to plead anymore as she watched Bai Qingyan's receding figure. She wiped her tears incessantly, unable to understand why Miss Bai was so heartless. King Liang was deeply in love with Miss Bai, attentive and devoted. Now that he was in mortal peril, how could she be so indifferent? Could it really be that going to the battlefield turned her heart to stone?

Bai Qingyan had just finished her lunch when Bai Jintong rushed into Qinghui Courtyard, not bothering to shake off the snow from her clothes, and burst into Bai Qingyan's room: "Eldest Sister!"

Bai Qingyan covered her mouth with a cloth and spat the mouthwash into the spittoon. Seeing Bai Jintong's eyes sparkle with undisguised joy, she felt a warmth in her heart. It was wonderful to see her third sister's lively smile again!

She smiled and asked: "Did you eat at Grandmother's?"

Bai Jintong handed her cloak to the maid who had followed her in and walked to Bai Qingyan's side: "You all go out first."

"Chun Tao, stand guard outside..." Bai Qingyan said to Chun Tao.

Chun Tao nodded and led the maids out of the inner room.

"Eldest Sister!" Bai Jintong sat on the stool next to Bai Qingyan, unable to contain her excitement as she grabbed Bai Qingyan's hands: "Grandmother has given me capital and men. She's allowing me to dress as a man and go into business! Grandmother won't force me to marry anymore!"

The Eldest Princess planned to bring back the grandson raised on the estate and, by the fifteenth day of the first month, would take the Bai sisters to Qingan Temple to pray. At that time, she would find an excuse to stay at Qingan Temple and teach her long-unseen grandson well.

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes, smiling as she rubbed Bai Jintong's cold fingers that had frozen in the wind. She asked: "Did Grandmother explain why?"

Bai Jintong replied cheerfully: "Grandmother said that the Bai family has seventeen sons and will need to split the family estate in the future. Since I have a talent for business, she's entrusting me to earn a prosperous family fortune for my brothers and cousins! Although Grandmother didn't state it outright, I can see it. But what does that matter? I've always wanted to pursue business!"

Bai Qingyan lowered her gaze, recalling how Grandmother had questioned if she harbored rebellious thoughts. The intense emotions and unintentional killing intent had made her eyes mist, making it almost impossible to breathe.

Suppressing the pain in her heart, she poured a cup of hot tea for Bai Jintong and pushed it in front of her, then solemnly spoke: "What we talked about today stays between you and me. You must keep it to yourself..."

There were things Bai Qingyan couldn't say to her grandmother but had to tell Bai Jintong. They were both Bai family children. Bai Qingyan believed that Bai Jintong, like her, would protect the Bai family with her life.

Bai Jintong looked seriously at Bai Qingyan: "Eldest Sister, please speak."

"Grandfather's high achievements have alarmed the Emperor. His honesty and straightforwardness have long been at odds with the court ministers close to the Emperor. The current Emperor, believing falsehoods, sees our Bai family as a fierce tiger lying beside him that he wants to eliminate! Grandfather's situation in the southern border is dangerous..."

Bai Jintong's heart tightened as she gazed at Bai Qingyan, whose eyes held a deep rage and killing intent. She trembled with fear: "Eldest Sister?!"

Bai Qingyan gripped her hand tightly to indicate she should listen: "You changing your name and dressing as a man is to protect you and to entrust you with the Bai family's way out! Why is the wealthy merchant Xiao Rongyan received like a prince and frequenting the homes of aristocrats in Jin? Because wealth can protect lives...and open doors."

Bai Jintong, who had initially only wanted to use her business talents, suddenly felt a heavy burden on her shoulders, making it difficult to breathe.

Bai Qingyan's voice turned hoarse: "The Bai family, a prominent aristocratic family, doesn't lack silver coin or worldly possessions. What we lack is an escape route. The household is under Grandmother's care; the outside world is yours. The extent you can achieve with your intelligence is both your opportunity and the Bai family's fortune. Eldest Sister hopes you understand the gravity of this."

Bai Jintong clenched her fists, no longer as energetic as when she had rushed into Qinghui Courtyard. She had become much more composed. She stood up and bowed to Bai Qingyan: "Eldest Sister, rest assured! Jintong will do her utmost."

Bai Jintong left Bai Qingyan's place with a heavy heart. Her maid hurried forward to put the cloak over her shoulders. She looked down at her feet in a daze.

Eldest Sister's cautious and prudent nature meant she never spoke without purpose...

Standing outside Qinghui Courtyard, Bai Jintong gazed at the intricately decorated Duke of Zhen's Mansion. She broke into a cold sweat. Perhaps the Bai Mansion's illustrious reputation in Dadu City had blinded her and everyone else in the family. If not for Eldest Sister pointing it out, she would never have thought that the Duke of Zhen's Mansion might provoke the Emperor's jealousy.

Chun Tao, after seeing Bai Jintong off, was about to enter the house when she saw two young maids at the door rummaging through things. They had found the sandbags the steward Nanny had put away long ago.

Chun Tao frowned, glanced towards the main house, and walked quickly down the steps, lifting her skirt as she went, whispering: "Why have you brought these out?"

Ever since Bai Qingyan had been injured, Mrs. Dong, worried that the sight of these things would sadden her, had instructed the steward Nanny Tong to put them away.

"What are you bringing out?"

Mrs. Dong entered the Qinghui Courtyard, supported by Nanny Qin.

"Madam!" Chun Tao hurriedly bowed and saluted.