Chapter 401 - 401 398 Older Sister_1

Chapter 401: Chapter 398: Older Sister_1 Chapter 401: Chapter 398: Older Sister_1     The last time Bai Qingyan returned to Shuoyang, she had spent a night at Boyun Courtyard and didn’t find anything dissatisfactory.

Chun Tao placed Bai Qingyan’s favored blue-and-white lotus-patterned tea set on the round table. Looking back, she saw her mistress leaning on the pair of yellow longevity pillows and reading a book. Chun Tao lifted the bamboo curtain and instructed the servants cleaning the courtyard to lower their voices.

Nanny Tong stepped into Boyun Courtyard, hurriedly entered the main room, and saluted Bai Qingyan. “First Miss, he has arrived…”

Nanny Tong referred to Bai Qingping.

She put down the book in her hand. “I will go to see him.”

“This old servant will assist you in changing clothes.” Nanny Tong turned to fetch some garments.

“No need, like this is fine…” She said.

Bai Qingping sat in the main hall, feeling quite restless. He didn’t know why Bai Qingyan called him alone but understood that perhaps it was because he had settled the mute lady out of guilt, showing that he still retained some goodness compared to other members of the Bai Clan.

Yet, he hadn’t done anything deserving praise, only what a regular person should do.

Understanding this, Bai Qingping felt even more uneasy inside, knowing how disappointed Bai Qingyan was with the Bai Clan.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Bai Qingyan, neatly dressed, step through the door. Slightly startled, Bai Qingping hurriedly stood up and saluted her. “Greetings, Commandery Princess.”

Today’s Bai Qingyan was unlike what he had seen before. The last time she returned with her Commandery Princess carriage, splendidly dressed, entering and exiting supported by maids like the noble ladies of Dadu City. Perhaps because Bai Qingyan had ventured the battlefield, her commanding and intimidating aura made him think that was the real Bai Qingyan.

But now, dressed in the simplest and neatest attire, Bai Qingyan truly showed what a commanding presence was. Her calm demeanor still instilled fear in one’s heart.

“No need for formalities, sit…”

Seeing Bai Qingyan stride to the main seat, Bai Qingping nervously clutched his clothing and sat down.

“Regarding the training of troops and eradicating bandits, the Crown Prince and His Majesty are aware and will have the local officials assist the Bai clan in completing it. What are your thoughts on recruiting people?”

A maid served tea lightly and carefully on a black lacquered square tray with gold detailing, then quickly retreated.

“I dare not deceive the Commandery Princess. As for training troops and recruiting, the Bai Clan believes it would be led by you, awaiting your orders.” Bai Qingping replied a bit nervously.

“I’m not asking about the Bai Clan, what are your thoughts?”

Bai Qingping raised his head, meeting Bai Qingyan’s deep and calm eyes. “Do you mean this task is for me to handle? But I am still young, what if I fail…”

“In Dadu, boys from the Bai family as young as ten already head to the battlefield. Are you still young?” Bai Qingyan’s tone was measured.

Though Bai Qingyan spoke without condescension, due to many faults of the Bai Clan, Bai Qingping felt he couldn’t raise his head before Bai Qingyan. “Bai Qingping is ashamed.”

“No need to rush to admit fault. I did not say you were wrong. In an ordinary family, you might indeed be young. But we are not ordinary; we are descendants of the Bai family.” Bai Qingyan looked at her younger cousin, saying softly, “No one is born knowing everything. We can learn as we go. Don’t assume failure at the start. That’s not the Bai family way. Bai family members never despair. Even if we err or fail, we correct and move on.”

Looking at Bai Qingyan’s patient guidance, Bai Qingping’s eyes reddened.

From as far back as he could remember, no one—not his grandparents nor his mother—told him such things. He was always told children need not engage in adult matters.

“Would you like to give it a try?” Bai Qingyan’s voice was gentle.

Bai Qingping clenched his teeth, got up, and solemnly bowed to Bai Qingyan. “Please… teach me how to do it, dear sister!”

Hearing “dear sister,” Bai Qingyan’s fingers slightly trembled. She couldn’t help but think of A Yu.

She gazed at the handsome young man before her, her pupils quivering. When she spoke again, her voice became gentler. “We have many clan fields. You can begin with the tenant farmers. For example, if a household provides a few young and strong men, portions of their rent can be forgiven. How much silver can the Bai Clan provide? There will surely be willing participants. The beginning is always the hardest. Once started, it will become much easier.”

Bai Qingping listened intently, nodding. Thinking of many other possible solutions beyond just tenant farmers.

“With this task entrusted to me, I will do my utmost. If I make mistakes, please correct me, dear sister!” Bai Qingping declared.

“You handle the recruitment; Bai Jinzhi and Lu Ping will train the soldiers along with the Bai Mansion guards. If previous embezzled funds within the clan aren’t enough, tell me, and I’ll find a solution.” Bai Qingyan said.

“Understood!” Bai Qingping responded.

After sending off Bai Qingping, she remained seated, not standing up for a long time.

As the sky darkened, maids came in single file, lighting fifteen-headed brass lotus lamps on either side of the hall with soft movements.

The hall gradually brightened. Chun Tao walked into the main hall, whispering in Bai Qingyan’s ear. “First Miss, Nanny Qin asks you to join Madam for dinner.”

Bai Qingyan returned to reality, slowly standing up with Chun Tao’s help.

Stepping out of the main hall, six-cornered lanterns along the gallery were already lit. The warm, yellow light shone on the bluestone floor and red lacquered pillars. The bamboo curtains had been lowered, isolating the bugs amidst willows and locust trees from the gallery.

Following the gallery to her mother’s courtyard, the sound of wind chimes echoed, much like her unstoppable yearning for A Yu.

A Yu still owed her the most beautiful pigeon blood stone in the world.

She always held onto a flicker of hope that A Yu wasn’t dead. Like Ah Jue and A Yun, he might just be trapped somewhere, or perhaps saved by a kind stranger.

She knew her mother missed A Yu too. They both avoided the topic, fearing to sadden each other.

Mrs. Dong had Nanny Qin prepare Bai Qingyan’s favorite simple dishes and discussed the banquet on the sixth of May over dinner.

“Earlier, Mrs. Fang, the clan leader’s wife, sent a message saying that since the Bai family of Dadu had just returned to Shuoyang and might need assistance with social relations, she would be ready to help.” Mrs. Dong placed a piece of honey steamed ham on Bai Qingyan’s plate, then sipped her chicken silk porridge. “This Mrs. Fang… probably isn’t an easy person. She seems to want to use the Bai family of Dadu to boost her own standing.”