Zhong Yi's words echoed in Gu Qingyan's mind like the striking of a bell.

Faced with Zhong Yi's hopeful eyes, Gu Qingyan could not give Zhong Yi a definite answer. He had returned the Crown Prince's seal to his father, so he could not make a promise.

"If I have the chance, I will bring my uncle to see you."

Gu Qingyan looked somewhat embarrassed. "It's almost time for dinner, General. I'll go start the fire."

Zhong Yi watched Gu Qingyan disappear from sight in a moment, and was about to ask more questions when Zhuo Yi, who had rushed over, stopped him, saying, "Just treat him as Prince Yan."

Why?

"Because of the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence."

Zhong Yi paused for a moment, then smiled knowingly.

"Old fox Zhuo, you have to give me a heads-up first." Zhong Yi took a deep breath. On the surface, he was acting as the Prince of Daqing, but he needed to know exactly how to treat Gu Qingyan.

"If Your Highness wishes, the Crown Prince's seal can be in his hands at any time."

"I understand."

After saying that, Zhong Yi ran towards the small kitchen like the wind. Good heavens! He actually made His Highness keep the fire burning for so long!

Upon seeing this, Zhuo Yi laughed immorally, then breathed a sigh of relief without leaving a trace.

In the small kitchen.

Gu Qingyan skillfully started a fire. Hearing the noise outside, he didn't even turn his head. "What are we having for dinner tonight?"

"Drink...drink porridge."

Zhong Yi stammered a little, but as he looked at Gu Qingyan's small figure, a smile gradually spread across his eyes.

"I'll cook the porridge tonight."

......

The carriage escorting Jiang He back to the capital traveled at breakneck speed, and the rumors about Jiang He's illness became increasingly outrageous.

"What?!"

Bai Qian held the leather whip in her hand, her expression full of disbelief. "How is this possible? Is the Marquis really so badly injured?"

“Daughter, the Marquis’s mansion has already begun to recruit doctors. If the Marquis’s injury is fake, how could the Emperor allow him to return to the capital?” General Bai sighed heavily. His Bai family was being ostracized, and even as a military officer, he found it difficult to go to the battlefield.

"Then I will go to the battlefield in his place."

After saying that, Bai Qian made a move to walk out.

"stop!"

General Bai's face flushed red with anxiety. "Tell me yourself, how long has it been since your father went to the battlefield to fight?"

Bai Qian turned around abruptly, "Just because our Bai family remained neutral back then, like the Marquis of Dingyuan's family, you were not given important positions by the Emperor. You only gave birth to one daughter, me, isn't that enough?"

"Father, you never volunteer for anything in court. Why can't you be brave just once?"

Faced with Bai Qian's questioning, General Bai's heart ached with pain, "Are you gambling with our whole family?"

Tears streamed down her face, and Bai Qian couldn't help but cry out. It was always like this; she was clearly capable of going to the battlefield, but she was trapped in the capital city time and time again.

“Daughter, we both understand the Emperor’s thoughts. Now, with military power... anyone who touches it will die.”

"What about Jiang He?"

General Bai remained silent, and Bai Qian understood what he meant.

“Father, he will return to the capital tomorrow, and I will go to the city gate to meet him.”

She wanted everyone to know that the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion would not tolerate anyone looking down on it.

Seeing that General Bai wanted to say more, Bai Qian sniffed, "Anyway, everyone knows that I like Jiang He. Even if the Emperor knew, he could only say that it's just a young woman's feelings."

"It won't affect the Bai family."

After saying that, Bai Qian strode out of the house, leaving General Bai sitting weakly in a chair.

As the ruler and his subjects, how could he not long for the thrill of going to the battlefield and fighting?

He volunteered at first, but was rejected every time.

Over time, he came to understand the Emperor's meaning.

......

The next day, inside the carriage, Jiang He's lips were purple, and only faint breathing could be heard.

"My lord, we're almost at the capital. Please hang in there."

As news of Jiang He's imminent return to the capital spread, the people couldn't help but look around, eager to see the spectacle of his return. The crowd at the city gates was several times larger than usual.

Suddenly, people in the crowd started pointing in a certain direction, and more and more people looked in that direction.

Bai Qian was dressed in a fiery red dress, her hair was all tied up except for a ponytail, making her look just like a red-clad female knight-errant from a storybook.

Bai Qian walked straight to the city gate, stood alone, and waited for Jiang He's return.

In fact, she would secretly come to welcome Jiang He every time he returned to the capital. Every time she saw Jiang He riding back victoriously, she was genuinely happy for him.

Just like Jiang He, who also carries her dream of protecting the people.

This time, however, Jiang He will not ride back on horseback.

The carriage gradually came into view, and the surroundings were completely silent; the people spontaneously fell silent.

There were soldiers guarding both the front and back of the carriage. Upon seeing Bai Qian, the carriage wheels slowly came to a stop. "Miss Bai."

"May I catch a glimpse of the Marquis?"

Bai Qian's lips were pale as she walked step by step to the carriage. The moment she lifted the curtain, Bai Qian's reaction was several times calmer than expected.

Bai Qian's gaze quickly swept over Jiang He's purplish lips and his noticeably thinner chin, and she abruptly pulled down the carriage curtain.

"Get out of the car, I'll drive."

Bai Qian nimbly gripped the reins, "Giddy up—"

The carriage moved at an extremely fast speed, quickly breaking through the crowd and heading towards the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence.

Jiang He, I've come to take you home.

At this moment, the people who had been secretly watching all lowered their eyes. Bai Qian's reaction made everyone aware of Jiang He's current situation.

This Marquis of Dingyuan, who guarded Daqing like a god, was now truly seriously injured.

Years later, people still recall that scene: a woman dressed in fiery red, her face cold and frosty, constantly waving the reins in her hand, leading the dying Marquis of Dingyuan back to his residence.

Everyone had an involuntary feeling that everything was about to change.

Throughout history, the Marquis of Dingyuan either personally rode back to the capital or perished on the battlefield.

This was the first time he had survived serious injuries and was rushed back to the capital.

The Marquis of Dingyuan's residence.

Jiang He was carried back to the courtyard, and Mei Chu immediately took Jiang He's pulse. After confirming Jiang He's condition, she subtly gave Gu Lin a wink.

Gu Lin finally felt relieved.

"And her?" Gu Lin asked.

"Miss Bai was sitting outside the gate of the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence, holding a long spear in her hand."

After hearing Ling Hai's reply, Gu Lin fell silent.

Outside the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence, Bai Qian sat motionless, a red tassel tied to the tip of her spear, quietly guarding the residence alongside Bai Qian.

Bai Qian's face only showed expression when Jiang Yu's sedan chair came into view.