Chapter 704: 701: Nine Like_1

Chapter 704: Chapter 701: Nine Like_1

“I indeed have no evidence to prove… that I willingly stayed in Shuoyang because I lost a bet with the Crown Prince. However, after losing the bet, I forcibly handed over my ancestral jade pendant as a promise to the Crown Prince. Now that the Crown Prince is no longer here… I don’t even know if the jade pendant still remains in the Bai family. If it’s not there, I really can’t prove myself.”

Back then, Bai Qishan said he believed in Governor Shen’s integrity and didn’t make a contract. But Governor Shen stubbornly gave his ancestral jade pendant to Bai Qishan, left without looking back, holding his breath.

“The Princess of Zhen must have investigated my background… The truth of Mr. Shen’s identity and lineage has already been made clear. Now, Mr. Shen truly wishes to follow the Princess of Zhen owing to her broad vision. Even if the Princess doesn’t believe Mr. Shen, it doesn’t matter. But Mr. Shen will certainly adhere to the promise made to the Crown Prince and protect the Bai family.”

After speaking, Governor Shen bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan and said, “Mr. Shen has finished speaking. If the Princess of Zhen has no other orders, Mr. Shen will take his leave.”

Bai Qingyan looked at this Governor Shen. Was he being straightforward, saying his piece and leaving, or was he advancing by retreating?

“Alright… you may leave now,” Bai Qingyan said with a smile to Governor Shen. “If there are any instructions, I will have Shen Yanzong convey them to you.”

Regardless, this Shen Yanzong was indeed useful to Bai Qingyan.

Whether this Governor Shen had indeed lost a bet and thus agreed to stay in Shuoyang for the Bai family, or if he was using it as an excuse to pledge allegiance, or if he had ulterior motives to get close to her, Bai Qingyan didn’t mind. After all, she was not without capable people at her command.

Governor Shen bowed deeply again, glanced at the pale-faced girl with stunning features and an incomparably resolute gaze, and said, “My name is Tianzhi, and courtesy name Jiuru.”

A wave rippled through Bai Qingyan’s eyes. Jiuru…

That was also her father’s courtesy name, though few knew it.

Her father’s name was derived from “Tianbao,” as Bai Qingyan heard from her grandmother. Her father’s name contained the deepest love from her grandfather.

Bai Qingyan’s lips moved slightly: “Like a mountain, like a hill, like a river stretching far; always increasing. Like the constant moon, like the rising sun, like the longevity of the southern mountain, never falling. Like the flourishing pine and cypress, always flourishing. The person who gave Master Shen ‘Jiuru’ as a name must have cherished him deeply.”

“The Crown Prince said the same,” Governor Shen added this last sentence, bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan in farewell, and exited the main hall.

Bai Qingyan’s eyes brimmed with tears. She closed her eyes…

In the end, her father did not achieve the longevity of the southern mountain.

Nanny Tong, seeing that Governor Shen had left and noticing Bai Qingyan’s tear-filled eyes, was startled and hurriedly asked, “Young lady, are you unwell…”

“Nothing, I just thought of my father.” Bai Qingyan’s throat tightened. She stabilized her emotions with difficulty and asked, “Has Bai Qingping arrived?”

“He has arrived and is waiting outside. If you’re feeling unwell, young lady, how about meeting another day?” Nanny Tong suggested softly.

“Bring him in,” Bai Qingyan said, her voice showing some weariness.

“I’ll ask Chun Tao to bring some hot tea for you.” Nanny Tong felt a pang of pity.

Bai Qingyan nodded.

Chun Tao quickly brought hot tea and a hand warmer, insisting on placing it in Bai Qingyan’s hands.

Soon, Bai Qingping entered the main hall with Cai Ziyuan.

Today, Cai Ziyuan wore a water-blue robe, making him look scholarly. These days of teaching in Shuoyang seemed to have made him plumper.

With his head lowered, Cai Ziyuan entered the main hall with Bai Qingping, saluted Bai Qingyan, and sat down only after Bai Qingyan invited them to sit.

As he lifted his head, Cai Ziyuan was stunned.

He had not expected that in just two months, Bai Qingyan had become so thin and her face paler than before, lips without color. Though her beauty was still evident, she looked frail and sickly, as if she could break with a touch.

“Mr. Cai, please rise,” Bai Qingyan repeated.

Cai Ziyuan came to his senses, hurriedly answered, and sat beside Bai Qingping.

“I called you here today, Mr. Cai, because there is something unexplained. I hope you can clarify it for me.” Bai Qingyan spoke slowly, with a smile.

Cai Ziyuan wasn’t stupid. The Princess of Zhen, Bai Qingyan, was exceptionally intelligent with many capable people under her. If there was anything she needed him, a teacher trapped in Shuoyang for several months, to clarify… it could only be about the Left Prime Minister Li Mao.

Being under someone else’s roof, Cai Ziyuan dared not refuse. He said, “Please speak, Princess of Zhen. Cai Ziyuan will tell you everything.”

“That’s good…” Bai Qingyan adjusted her posture, leaning fully against the cushion, her deep eyes fixed on Cai Ziyuan. “Who was Li Mingrui, the son of Left Prime Minister Li Mao, taught by?”

Cai Ziyuan’s fingers slightly twitched on his knees.

Bai Qingyan quietly watched Cai Ziyuan’s subtle movements, waiting for his answer.

After a while, Cai Ziyuan looked up at Bai Qingyan. “The Princess must have found out about this. So, I won’t keep the Princess in suspense. Li Mingrui, the son of Left Prime Minister Li Mao, was taught by a counselor of the Second Prince, who is now deceased.”

“Du Zhiwei…”

Hearing this name, Cai Ziyuan’s palms tightened involuntarily. He didn’t expect the Princess of Zhen to have figured out even this, and nodded. “Yes!”

“Later, this Du Zhiwei served under King Liang and became his counselor.”

Cai Ziyuan shook his head. “Rather than serving King Liang, it was more like being taken in by him. King Liang highly respected the Second Prince.”

Seeing that Cai Ziyuan was telling the truth, Bai Qingyan nodded and smiled, asking, “Mr. Cai seems to have been doing well teaching in Shuoyang.”

“Thanks to the Princess’s hospitality. I eat well, sleep well, and enjoy teaching daily. Ziyuan… is happy.” Cai Ziyuan smiled and thanked Bai Qingyan. “Thank you for your care, Princess.”

“I wonder, would Mr. Cai be willing to serve under the Bai Mansion?” Bai Qingyan asked directly.

This Mr. Cai indeed had talent. It would be a waste to let him teach only in the new military camp…

Cai Ziyuan looked up in surprise at Bai Qingyan. After a moment, he turned to Bai Qingping, wondering if Bai Qingyan wanted him to teach the descendants of the Bai Clan in the Bai family academy. That would be considered loyalty to the Bai family. He might be overthinking it. The Princess of Zhen had many capable people. How could she possibly want a counselor who had come from Left Prime Minister Li Mao’s household to become a counselor for the Bai Mansion?