Chapter Twelve: Forcing with Death, Defending the Bai Family

She clutched the box, intending to find the Captain of the Imperial Guards for answers, when the sound of galloping hooves approached. Turning, she saw Imperial Physician Xu had arrived.

She had no time for the ledger now. Grabbing her mother's hand, she urged, "Mother, quickly, bring the physician to tend to Father’s wounds."

Tears welled in Lady Bai Meng’s eyes from joy and relief, and she was about to lead the physician inside when the Imperial Guards barred their way.

The Captain's face was cold as he declared, "By order of the Ministry of Justice, we search and confiscate the Bai residence. The Bai family is accused of substituting inferior military supplies—a crime of deceiving the emperor, punishable by extermination of the clan. The evidence is irrefutable. Today, the Bai Estate will be sealed, and all within are to be taken to the Ministry’s prison to await judgment."

Bai Huan felt as if she’d been struck hard on the head. Why, even with the Imperial Consort’s token, could she not save her family?

She turned desperately to the man who had just helped her, recognizing him as a bodyguard in Dong Yi’s service. Rushing over, she pleaded, “Sir, you were sent by Lord Dong to save the Bai family, weren’t you? Please, say something—where is Lord Dong? Didn’t he come?”

Feiyu frowned. His orders were only to ensure the safety of the Bai family’s master.

Seeing his silence, Bai Huan grew frantic. “Sir, if our family is seized, my mother, my brother, and the incense artisans will all be taken. Without them, the Imperial Consort’s incense cannot be made. Lord Dong will not be spared from this either!”

Feiyu finally spoke honestly, “My lord’s orders were to protect only the Bai family’s master.”

Bai Huan trembled with rage, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. Corrupt official, Dong Yi! He knew the Bai family was being wronged!

Why! For what reason! The Bai family had done nothing wrong; as humble craftsmen and merchants, they had always lived diligently and modestly. Why would they not be allowed even a slim chance at survival?

Resolute, Bai Huan wiped rain and tears from her face and strode toward the Captain, holding out the Imperial Consort’s token for him to see.

“Sir, as an Imperial Guard of the capital, you must know the Consort has suffered sleepless nights for half a month. Just now, I helped her find rest, but I must return to the palace by the second watch with the special incense that only the Bai family master can make. If not, Her Ladyship will awaken with a dreadful headache. Therefore, she gave me this token, granting free passage in and out of the palace, and sent the physician for my father’s injuries.”

“The making of this incense is complex. To be timely, I require my mother and the artisans to assist me, and even then, it will take at least an hour to complete.” The young woman straightened her back, her face cold and resolute. “So, sir, will you still block our way?”

The Captain’s expression shifted; he drew himself back slightly.

Bai Huan saw his hesitation, but it wasn’t enough.

She spun around and, without hesitation, charged toward a guard holding a blade, thrusting her neck at the weapon’s edge, drawing shrieks of alarm.

The guard, startled, hastily withdrew his blade and shoved her away, sending the small figure flying through the rain to crash heavily to the ground.

“Qingqing!”

Lady Bai Meng screamed and rushed over, gathering Bai Huan in her arms.

A line of blood blossomed across Bai Huan’s pale throat, and the pain made her whole body tremble. She could not speak, but her eyes fixed unyieldingly on the Captain, her expression one of utter resolve—if necessary, she would die here.

Blood welled out, instantly staining her garments in the rain—a harrowing sight.

Lady Bai Meng was so frightened she nearly collapsed, her hands trembling as she tried to staunch the bleeding. “Qingqing, please, don’t frighten your mother so!”

The Captain was stunned, frozen in place. He had no fear of criminals committing suicide—killing a few would mean nothing—but he dreaded delaying the Imperial Consort’s treatment.

Especially since this girl had stood before both the Consort and the Emperor, bearing an imperial command.

Feiyu, equally shaken, dared not hesitate. He raised the Xuanlong Medallion. “Before the Xuanlong Medallion, it is as if His Majesty is present. If any of you dare harm the Bai family again, you will not be spared!”

Physician Xu was also alarmed. The Consort had sent him to save these people—if this girl died, he’d lose his head for sure.

He quickly knelt with his medicine chest to examine Bai Huan’s wound. The cut was deep but had missed any vital points. Still, with the heavy rain, it could bleed badly or worsen.

In panic, Physician Xu pleaded, “Captain, I am an Imperial Physician sent by the Consort herself, with the Emperor as witness. If your actions cause harm to the Bai family and delay the Consort’s recovery, no one can bear that responsibility.”

An imperial order superseded all else. The Captain could only relent. “All prisoners are to return inside the Bai residence—no one is to leave. Physician, you may enter to treat the injured. We will report to the Ministry for further instruction.”

Bai Huan forced herself to remain conscious, relief washing over her. But the agony from her wound and the relentless anxiety overwhelmed her, and she fainted.

She did not know how much time passed. In a haze, she heard chaos all around and suddenly jolted awake, struggling to sit.

“Don’t move, or your wound will bleed again,” her mother pleaded, holding her down, tears streaming as she gazed at her beloved daughter’s pitiful state.

When Bai Huan tried to speak, pain tore through her throat. Hoarsely, she asked, “What time is it?”

“There’s still an hour before the second watch.”

She had to return to the palace.

Struggling to rise, Bai Huan asked, “Where is Father? Has the physician tended to him?”

Lady Bai Meng saw blood soaking through the bandages and panicked. “Don’t move, your father has been treated. Don’t worry.”

“Mother, I must soon return to the palace to tend the incense for the Consort—I have questions for Father.”

“Ah?” Now Lady Bai Meng dared not stop her, and with the maid’s help, supported Bai Huan to the hall where her parents stayed. Physician Zheng was packing his medicine chest.

“Physician Zheng, thank you for your trouble. How is my father?”

At the sight of her, Physician Zheng grew anxious. “You mustn’t move, young lady. The cut, while not fatal, is deep and needs rest to heal well.”

Bai Huan, already accustomed to the pain, rasped, “It’s nothing. I need Father’s guidance for the incense—can he speak?”

Hearing this, the physician could say nothing. The Consort’s orders were paramount.

“He is still unconscious. His injuries are severe—several blows landed on his spine, breaking two vertebrae. But I am not skilled in bone-setting, and this is a crucial area. I will report to the Consort and see if a more skilled physician can be sent, or by dawn, you must find a good bone-setter. Do not delay.”

Physician Zheng dared not reveal the true severity—the injury would likely leave her father bedridden for life.

Bai Huan’s mind buzzed; her fists clenched so tightly her nails pierced her palms. The beating had struck the spine intentionally! No wonder, in her previous life, she’d heard that when the Bai family master was beheaded, he was lying prone, limp as mud.

At this, Lady Bai Meng fainted.

“Madam! Madam!” The maids and servants rushed about in panic.

Bai Huan, fists clenched, gazed with aching heart at her father’s ashen face as he lay on the bed.

Her father was a kind-hearted man, proud to be a craftsman, diligent and cautious all his life—yet now he had been so cruelly wronged.

Physician Zheng quickly administered acupuncture to Lady Bai Meng, and soon she awoke, tearfully grasping Bai Huan’s hand. “Qingqing, you must return to the palace. Do not involve yourself in the Bai family’s affairs.”

A pang of pain, both warm and bitter, pierced Bai Huan’s heart—her parents had always tried to protect her, in this life and the last.

She patted her mother’s hand, offering a comforting look. “Let me see Physician Zheng out, Mother.”

Bai Huan personally escorted Physician Zheng to the gate, bowing respectfully. “Thank you, Physician. The Bai family is in dire straits now, and our belongings are confiscated. Someday, I will thank you properly.”

She hoped he could persuade the Consort to send a skilled bone-setter.

The physician waved her off. “No need, no need. I will return to the palace to report.”

Feiyu approached, “Physician Zheng, your carriage awaits.”

Bai Huan saw two carriages outside; one was drawn by the piebald horse she’d ridden earlier. She was grateful for Feiyu’s thoughtfulness.

She glanced around; aside from four or five Imperial Guards at the gate, the others had withdrawn. Did this mean her family would not be imprisoned?

Feiyu, having seen Physician Zheng off, returned and answered her unspoken question. “After our lord left the palace, he went to the Ministry of Justice. They have ordered the Bai family’s case to be postponed. The estate is sealed, and no one may enter or leave until the investigation is complete.”

Bai Huan’s eyes grew warm with emotion.

She could not fathom Dong Yi’s true intentions, nor did she have time to dwell on them. For now, at least, Dong Yi had gone to the Ministry to win time for the Bai family—she owed him her gratitude for that.

She understood that whoever could orchestrate so vast a plot to destroy the Bai family must be formidable. At this moment, she did not even know who her enemy was. Earning the Consort’s restful sleep alone would not satisfy such adversaries.

Yet as long as there was even a sliver of hope, she would seize it, unraveling every thread until the villain was exposed. Even if it cost her life, she must protect her family!