Bai Yan and Bai Rui were even more distraught, their eyes red with worry as they took turns trying to persuade her. Even Bai Yaoyao insisted on going with her. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝓷𝓮𝓽
“I’ll go with you, Sister! That way you’ll have someone to keep you company on the road!”
Bai Qingqing gently patted her head. “This isn’t a spring outing. Father said we need to travel light and draw no attention. You need to stay home and spend more time with Father and Mother, help ease their hearts.”
“How can I ease their hearts when mine’s not at ease? Sister, take me with you. I can help—I really can! Even Ning Zhao praised me.”
“You’re still in contact with Lord Ning?”
Bai Yaoyao was momentarily distracted. “We only cross paths from time to time. Didn’t he handle that case about Tong Yao? Though he didn’t uncover much—just said someone deliberately spread the story. A young scholar, apparently tied to the southwestern rebellion. He suspects he might be a child of one of those who were executed back then.”
“If there’s anything he’s allowed to say from the court, he shares it with me. And after everything that’s happened to our family, it’s no small thing that he still keeps in touch.”
Yaoyao had grown much quieter lately. Many of the friends who used to play with her had drifted away. She knew this was the way of the world, how fickle people could be, but it still hurt.
Bai Qingqing wrapped an arm around Yaoyao’s frail shoulders, resting her forehead gently against her sister’s. “This journey to the southwest—no one knows what awaits. I won’t say this in front of our parents, but if something happens to me out there, Yaoyao, you’ll have to stay strong for them. We can’t have both daughters of the Bai family fall.”
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Bai Yaoyao’s eyes flew wide as she sat bolt upright. “Sister!”
Bai Qingqing looked at her with a gentle smile, softly tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You’ve always been clever and quick-witted. I won’t feed you pretty lies. It’s good that you’re still in touch with Lord Ning—maybe you’ll catch wind of something early. You’re not going with me, but you’re still doing your part for the Bai family, aren’t you?”
Yaoyao’s eyes were red with tears. Bai Qingqing leaned forward and embraced her. “It’ll be alright. I’ll be careful. I’m not foolish either. Just to see my precious little sister again, I’ll be as cautious as I can.”
This second chance at life—what Bai Qingqing was most grateful for was the chance to love her family more deeply. Yaoyao was even more perceptive and intelligent than she’d realized in her previous life. Her eldest brother was steady and dependable, Bai Rui sharp and full of life. She was proud to be part of such a family.
The decision to go southwest was made. Madam Qiao couldn’t sway her and cried until her eyes were swollen, then wished she could pack up the entire household and send it with her. Bai Qingqing had no choice but to ask Father to talk her down. The journey had to remain unnoticed.
This had been decided between Bai Qingqing and Bai Jinghuai. “Someone wants to bring down the Bai family. If we draw attention heading to the southwest, the danger will only multiply.”
Bai Jinghuai agreed wholeheartedly. “Yan and I have noticed many eyes watching the Bai family. If your plans leak, something might happen before you even get there. But if you leave without a sound, how can we ensure your safety?”
Bai Yan and Bai Rui were consumed with guilt that Bai Qingqing had to take the risk because they couldn’t leave the city. They feared for her safety. Bai Yan tried every possible channel to find her a trustworthy escort, but Bai Qingqing refused them all.
“There’s no perfect solution. Even the people we find may not be trustworthy. Let me figure something out.”
“What can you possibly figure out?”
Bai Qingqing’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Big Brother, have you ever heard of Suiyun Pavilion?”