In her heart, Mr. Cui and her grandfather were the same type of person. They were the ones who could stand tall with a clear conscience and look no one in the face with shame. She could not emulate the demeanor and bearing of their generation, but she respected and admired them deeply from the bottom of her heart.
That day, Mr. Cui’s words had cleared up Bai Qingyan’s doubts.
"I understand now. I won’t speak recklessly again."
As soon as Bai Jinzhi finished speaking, Bai Qingyan sensed a sharp sound breaking through the air from behind her. Her scalp tightened as she quickly pulled Bai Jinzhi and bent down to dodge.
A stone wrapped in paper grazed Bai Jinzhi’s back and fell on the steps, rolling down.
Bai Jinzhi drew her long whip from her waist and swiftly positioned herself in front of Bai Qingyan to protect her.
The guards who followed Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi drew their swords in response, with one group guarding the steps below and another quickly rushing up the higher steps.
Bai Qingyan saw a shadow dart into the distant forest and disappear, her gaze falling on the stone wrapped in paper rolling down the steps.
Bai Jinzhi noticed and focused her attention on the stone. She quickly stepped down a few levels to pick up the stone, unwrapping it to reveal the crumpled paper inside.
Holding the wrinkled paper, she hastily stepped over to Bai Qingyan and handed it to her. "Eldest Young Lady..."
"Eldest Young Lady, please meet at the Qing Temple on the northern peak of Anyu Mountain."
The handwriting belonged to Bai Qingjue.
Bai Qingyan’s heartbeat quickened. She quickly crumpled the paper and tightly clenched it in her palm.
Bai Jinzhi’s emotions surged, her eyes turning red. "Eldest Young Lady, it’s..."
Bai Qingyan firmly grasped Bai Jinzhi’s hand, signaling for her to stay calm. She said calmly, "Let’s go!"
Bai Jinzhi bit her lip and remained silent, striving to control her expression to avoid showing her emotions.
Chun Tao helped Bai Qingyan into the carriage. Only then did Bai Jinzhi hear the Eldest Young Lady say, "Since we have come to Anyu Mountain, let’s go to the Qing Temple to see if Third Sister has improved. I’ve heard the Haitang flowers at Anyu Temple are quite beautiful. Let’s bring a branch or two back for Grandmother."
Bai Jinzhi mounted her horse with a leap, gripping the reins tightly, and said, "To the Qing Temple..."
Inside the carriage, Bai Qingyan unwrapped the paper again, placed it on the table, and smoothed out every wrinkle with her hand, feeling a lump in her throat.
She should have burned this message immediately. Yet Ah Jue had no way of meeting the Fourth Aunt now. This was proof that Ah Jue was alive, and she wanted to at least let the Fourth Aunt see it once.
She folded the paper carefully, placed it close to her heart, and closed her eyes, her lashes already damp.
At the entrance of the Qing Temple, Bai Qingyan got off the carriage and instructed Chun Tao and the guards to wait outside. She and Bai Jinzhi went inside to see Bai Jintong.
The Qing Temple, located on the northern peak of Anyu Mountain, was a place where the presence of men was conspicuous. However, with the Haitang flowers in bloom and occasional scholars and literati coming for outings, it was not unusual.
Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi walked around their grandmother’s retreat courtyard before exiting through the back door of the Qing Temple. They followed hidden marks leading to a secluded pavilion on the northern peak.
Bai Jinzhi looked up and saw in the pavilion, a tall figure in blue-gray robes, standing with hands behind, the figure was upright. She wanted to call out but felt her throat choked, tears streaming down uncontrollably.
Bai Qingyan paused, her eyes reddened, and a sour feeling welled up in her eyes and nose. The mist blurred her vision.
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