Chapter 478 - 478 475

Chapter 478: 475 Chapter 478: 475 Shen Yanzong’s movement was too abrupt, startling Bai Qingping, who was in the middle of drinking tea. He quickly set down his teacup and hastily tried to kneel.

Bai Qingyan gestured for Bai Qingping not to kneel. “It’s just a title. Young Master Shen, please rise. We are among friends. From now on, there’s no need to kneel when you see me. A simple bow will do!”

When Shen Yanzong heard the words “among friends,” he became particularly emotional.

Bai Qingyan walked forward and sat in the main seat, asking, “You two have come regarding the matter of training soldiers?”

“Indeed!” Bai Qingping nodded.

After sitting down, Shen Yanzong addressed Bai Qingyan. “Those individuals who came from the Southern Frontier and whose backgrounds are unclear have tried several times to escape after the Princess went to the Northern Frontier. Each time, Peace Brother and I managed to detain them through various means!”

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes. These people were sent by Li Tianfu to take her life. Naturally, once she left, they were eager to pursue her.

“You both did well!” Bai Qingyan looked at Shen Yanzong and Bai Qingping. “How is the training going with those individuals?”

“Those people are highly skilled. Their combat techniques are very practical! Many moves have been recorded by Peace Brother, and everyone is learning from them!” This time, Shen Yanzong did not take credit for Bai Qingping’s accomplishments. Smiling, he glanced at Bai Qingping and spoke to Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingping hurriedly clasped his hands in respect. “Thanks to Brother Yanzong pointing out the effectiveness of their techniques, I thought to record them for everyone to learn.”

This was indeed making the best use of resources. A smile flickered in Bai Qingyan’s eyes. If Li Tianfu found out that the assassins she sent were training soldiers for her in Shuoyang, she wondered how furious she would be.

“Continue to keep a close watch on those people!” Bai Qingyan then asked, “On my way back to Shuoyang from Dadu, I heard that several counties near Shuoyang have experienced child abductions. Some people even witnessed bandits descending from the mountains to snatch children and flee.”

Bai Qingping nodded. “There are indeed such rumors. Recently, Brother Yanzong and I have been intensifying training. Perhaps in half a month, we can attempt our first raid on the bandits!”

Bai Qingyan nodded. “The Emperor rewarded us with a considerable amount of gold and silver this time. Later, Young Master Shen, please inventory it, and use it all for training soldiers and fighting the bandits.”

When Shen Yanzong heard that he was tasked with inventorying the Emperor’s rewards, his throat tightened. He felt that this meant Bai Qingyan didn’t see him as an outsider. He repeatedly agreed.

“Nanny Tong, take Young Master Shen to inventory and make a record of it! Bai Qingping, you stay for a moment…” Bai Qingyan said.

Shen Yanzong looked at Bai Qingping in some confusion. He then complied with a bow and left with Nanny Tong to inventory the rewards.

“Sister, do you want to ask about… my mother?” Bai Qingping’s palms tightened, feeling quite embarrassed.

“I heard your mother went back to her natal home with a big fanfare?” Bai Qingyan picked up her teacup and slowly blew on it, taking a light sip.

“To be honest, Sister, my mother was muddleheaded. She actually sent people to inquire about your whereabouts. My father was so furious that he wanted to divorce her. My mother then packed her things and went back to her natal home.” Speaking of his mother, Bai Qingping always felt he owed Bai Qingyan and was very uncomfortable.

“Inquiring about my whereabouts isn’t a big deal. Your father didn’t need to be so harsh. As long as your mother doesn’t go too far, the dignity of the clan leader’s wife should still be upheld!” Bai Qingyan rubbed the teacup in her hands. “Now that you’re helping train soldiers at the martial arts field, don’t let these matters distract you.”

Bai Qingyan didn’t care how Bai Qingping’s mother caused trouble. She was just afraid that this might affect Bai Qingping.

“Rest assured, Sister. Qingping knows the importance and won’t prioritize personal matters over public duties…” Bai Qingping straightened up and bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan. “Sister just returned from the Northern Frontier battlefield. You should rest more. I’m organizing the affairs in the military camp. Once I’m done, I will bring them for Sister to review.”

“No need. With you managing the training of soldiers, I’m at ease.” Bai Qingyan smiled at Bai Qingping and said, “Go on, join Shen Yanzong in inventorying the Emperor’s rewards. With that in mind, you’ll know how many people we need to recruit next.”

“Yes!” Bai Qingping respectfully saluted Bai Qingyan.

Later, before the evening meal, Bai Qingyan met with Zeng Shanru. After Zeng Shanru briefly reported the mining matters to Bai Qingyan, Bai Qingyan called over the Bai family guards who had impersonated the Yan’s Ninth Prince and those two guards who had “died” in front of King Liang. She instructed them to follow Zeng Shanru from now on.

Zeng Shanru quickly expressed his gratitude. He recalled the mining matters of the day and said to Bai Qingyan, “By the way, Miss Bai, yesterday, the steward of the mine, Wang Jiuzhou, brought a man to the mine. He was very respectful, but he didn’t mention who that person was!”

Bai Qingyan suddenly thought of Xiao Rongyan and asked Zeng Shanru, “Did that person have a somewhat naive-looking guard following him?”

Zeng Shanru nodded repeatedly. “Yes… that guard seemed to be called Shi. Miss Bai, do you know this person?”

She nodded. It should indeed be Xiao Rongyan. She hadn’t expected Xiao Rongyan to arrive in Shuoyang before her.

“Miss Bai…” Nanny Tong stepped into the pavilion, glanced at her son, and said to Bai Qingyan, “Madam sent Nanny Qin to invite you for a meal. Today, you and Fourth Miss have returned. Cousin Miss Dong also came. Madam wants to have a lively meal together and set the table in the Shaohua Court, which has the best scenery in our Bai Mansion.”

“Alright!” Bai Qingyan nodded. “Zeng Shanru probably rushed over and might still be hungry. Nanny, prepare some food for him and let him have a good meal. Chun Tao will accompany me to Mother.”

Knowing that Bai Qingyan was giving them mother and son some time to reunite, Nanny Tong smiled and agreed. “Very well!”

Shaohua Court was located in the southeast of the Bai Mansion, amidst a dense grove of ancient trees. It was said that the ancient trees had been there originally. The Bai family’s ancestors had built a rock garden, diverted lake water, and constructed the three-story Shaohua Hall there. The top floor had eight red lacquer pillars with half-draped bamboo blinds and gauze curtains that were translucent and filtered the light. This kept out insects while casting a hazy and picturesque view of the courtyard, making it very beautiful.

As the last rays of the setting sun disappeared in the western sky, Shaohua Court was illuminated with bright lights. Lifelike bronze cranes stood along the pebble pathways, their flames flickering, casting a beautiful glow on the precious flowers and plants.

This was Dong Tingzhen’s first visit to the Bai family’s ancestral home in Shuoyang, and she truly experienced what it meant to have profound heritage. She had thought that the Dong family’s old residence was already deeply rooted. But seeing the Bai family, she realized that the Dong family was still somewhat lacking in comparison.

Back when the Bai family suffered misfortune, the noble families of Dadu City avoided them. Only the Dong family visited, which the Bai family had never forgotten. Therefore, Bai Qingyan’s aunts treated Dong Tingzhen like their own niece, loving her dearly.

During the meal, Dong Tingzhen was delighted to see cute Little Ba, Bai Wanqing, and couldn’t stop holding her. Unexpectedly, Little Wanqing peed on Dong Tingzhen’s hand, leaving her in a state of amused frustration, so she had to go wash up and change clothes.