She chatted casually with the child, asking about the nursery rhyme. "What are you singing?"
The little girl, seeing that not only did Bai Yaoyao not scold her but also bought her candy, became unafraid and cheerfully sang the rhyme again. Bai Yaoyao smiled as she listened, but after hearing it, she shivered.
It was nothing but the fact that the nursery rhyme spoke of a rebellion that had occurred more than a decade ago. The child’s innocent voice seemed to be accusing the rebellion of having hidden motives!
"Who taught you this?"
"I don’t know. I heard my older brothers singing it, and I thought it sounded nice."
After receiving her candy, the little girl ran off with a smile, and Bai Yaoyao stood up. When she turned around, she found Ning Zhao standing behind her, his expression serious.
"Miss Bai, did you just find out where this nursery rhyme came from? It’s been spreading all over Xuan City, causing widespread unease."
"The child doesn’t know either. Is this matter being handled by Lord Ning? Then I won’t trouble you any longer."
Bai Yaoyao quickly bowed and left, losing interest in shopping. She went straight home, and the Bai family had already learned of the nursery rhyme’s existence.
Regardless of the Bai family’s previous teachings, Bai Jinghuai never kept things from the children.
Bai Yan and Bai Rui were, of course, informed, and so were Bai Qingqing and Bai Yaoyao. He decided to hold a small family meeting.
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"I’ve heard the nursery rhyme. The events of that year have already been concluded, but someone has dug it up again. This matter concerns both me and the Bai family, and you should all be aware of it."
The Bai family, or rather Bai Jinghuai, was one of the people who had participated in that rebellion.
At the time, the Bai children were still just children. Bai Qingqing recalled that one year when their father went on a long trip with an uncertain return date, she saw their mother secretly crying behind their backs, not daring to let them see.
The Xuan Dynasty was facing internal and external troubles. Bai Jinghuai suited up and led his troops to quell the rebellion. Those who fought alongside him, shedding their blood for the Xuan Dynasty, are now the backbone ministers of the empire.
However, these matters were never spoken of as honors. It was all because the leader of the rebellion in the southwest was a close friend Bai Jinghuai had grown up with.
After returning from the battlefield, Bai Jinghuai locked himself in his room for over a month, unable to emerge. The late emperor, understanding his distress, personally summoned him for counsel and a promotion. Since then, the Bai family had stood strong in Xuan City.
"The nursery rhyme speaks of this rebellion, but they say there was something fishy about it, that there were traitors within the Xuan Dynasty. What exactly happened?"
Bai Jinghuai’s face was solemn. "If there really was something off about it, I will uncover the truth, no matter what. Back then... I couldn’t believe he would betray us. He wasn’t that kind of person!"
Qiao Shi gently stroked his back. "Calm down. It’s just a nursery rhyme, don’t take it seriously. Besides, didn’t Yan’er say it? The rhyme’s been spreading through the streets, and someone must be stirring things up. We don’t yet know their purpose. You mustn’t act impulsively."
Bai Yan nodded. "Exactly. Someone must have deliberately spread this nursery rhyme. If it isn’t stopped, it could have far-reaching effects. There are already rumors in the court, and some are trying to petition the emperor to reopen the investigation."
"Isn’t that a good thing?"
"This case was concluded by the late emperor. If they want to reopen it, there will certainly be opposition. The emperor’s reign is still new, and the court is full of complex factions. It won’t be so easy."
Bai Qingqing listened quietly from the side. She was thinking to herself, last time, at this point, she hadn’t yet married into the Fu family, nor had she ever heard such a nursery rhyme. Why would this suddenly come up now?
Could it be connected to the Bai family being sent to prison?