Since Bai Qingyan had stayed overnight in Boyun Courtyard during her last return to Shouyang, she found nothing unsatisfactory about it.

Chun Tao arranged Bai Qingyan’s familiar blue and white porcelain tea set painted with intertwining lotus patterns on the round table. Turning back to see her young lady leaning against ginger-yellow double fortune auspicious pillows while reading, she lifted the bamboo curtain and went out to instruct the servant women sweeping in the courtyard to keep their voices down.

Nanny Tong stepped into Boyun Courtyard, hurriedly lifted the curtain to enter the main room, and bowed to Bai Qingyan: “First Miss, the person has arrived…”

Nanny Tong was referring to Bai Qingping.

She put down her book: “I’ll go see him.”

“This old servant will help you change clothes,” Nanny Tong turned to fetch garments.

“No need, just like this…” she said.

Bai Qingping sat in the main hall, quite uneasy, not knowing what arrangements Bai Qingyan had in calling him over alone. But he knew this might be because his guilt-driven care for the mute woman had shown Bai Qingyan that he still possessed some goodness compared to other Bai clan members.

However, he… hadn’t done anything worthy of praise or commendation. He had only done what an ordinary person should do.

Understanding this made Bai Qingping even more anxious, realizing how disappointed Bai Qingyan was with the Bai clan.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Bai Qingyan in simple, efficient clothing step across the threshold. After a moment of surprise, he quickly stood and bowed to Bai Qingyan: “Greetings, Princess.”

Today’s Bai Qingyan was different from what he’d seen before. Last time, Bai Qingyan had returned with full princess regalia, dressed splendidly and formally, supported by maids like those noble ladies of the capital. But perhaps because of Bai Qingyan’s battlefield experience, the heroic spirit and killing aura about her was fearsome – he had thought that was Bai Qingyan.

But now, wearing the most practical and ordinary clothing, Bai Qingping finally understood what killing aura meant. Though her features were peaceful, the sense of authority made one’s heart tremble with fear.

“No need for ceremony, sit…”

Seeing Bai Qingyan walk directly to the main seat and sit down, Bai Qingping tightly gripped his clothes and sat down stiffly.

“Regarding the matter of training troops and suppressing bandits, the Crown Prince and His Majesty already know and will have local officials assist the Bai clan in completion. What are your thoughts on recruiting people?”

A maid carrying a black lacquered gold-decorated square tray served tea with light steps and quickly withdrew.

“I dare not deceive the Princess. Regarding training troops and recruitment, the Bai clan members all believe it should be overseen by the Princess upon your return, so we have been quietly awaiting instructions,” Bai Qingping replied somewhat nervously.

“I’m not asking about the Bai clan members, but your thoughts…”

Bai Qingping looked up, meeting Bai Qingyan’s deep yet calm eyes: “Does the Princess mean to entrust this matter to me? But I’m still young, wouldn’t I do poorly…”

“The ten-year-old sons of the capital Bai family have already rushed to the battlefield. Are you still young?” Bai Qingyan’s tone was unhurried.

Though Bai Qingyan spoke to him without condescension, perhaps because the Bai clan had made too many mistakes, Bai Qingping felt he couldn’t hold his head up before her: “Bai Qingping is ashamed.”

“No need to be so quick to admit fault. I didn’t say you were wrong. If it were an ordinary family… your age would indeed be young, but we are not descendants of ordinary families. We are descendants of the Bai clan,” Bai Qingyan looked at the clan brother sitting there with lowered eyes and said gently, “No one is born knowing everything, but we can slowly explore while doing. No need to assume from the start that you’ll do poorly – that’s not the Bai family style. Bai family members… never lose heart! Even if we make mistakes or do poorly, we find the reasons and correct them.”

Bai Qingping looked at Bai Qingyan, who was patiently teaching him with such calm, his eyes reddening with moisture.

Since he could remember, whether grandparents or mother, they all told him… he was still young, children needn’t interfere in adult matters. No one had ever spoken such words to him.

“Are you willing to try?” Bai Qingyan’s voice was gentle.

Bai Qingping bit his lip, stood up, and bowed solemnly to Bai Qingyan: “Please… Elder Sister, teach me how to do this!”

Suddenly hearing the words “Elder Sister,” Bai Qingyan’s fingers trembled slightly, inevitably thinking of A’Yu.

She looked at the clear-featured youth before her, her pupils trembling as she came back to herself. When she spoke again, her voice was inevitably even gentler: “We have considerable clan fields. You can start with the tenant farmers – for instance, if a household provides several young and strong men, they can be exempted from several portions of rent. With what silver the Bai clan can provide, there will surely be people willing to try. All beginnings are difficult, but once started… things will go much more smoothly afterward.”

Bai Qingping listened carefully, nodding as he pondered that besides tenant farmers, there were quite a few other places where methods could be found.

“Elder Sister entrusting this matter to me, I will certainly do my utmost. If there are areas where I do poorly, please correct me, Elder Sister!” Bai Qingping said.

“You handle recruitment. For training troops, Bai Jinzhi and Lu Ping will lead the Bai mansion guards to do it. If the silver previously embezzled within the clan isn’t enough, tell me and I’ll find a way,” Bai Qingyan said.

“I understand!” Bai Qingping replied.

After seeing off Bai Qingping, she remained seated for a long time without getting up.

The sky gradually darkened. Lamp-lighting maids entered in single file with small steps, moving along the black sandalwood four-pillar frames hung with curtains on both sides of the main hall, slowly lighting the several man-high sixteen-headed golden lotus copper lamps arranged on both sides.

The hall gradually brightened. Chun Tao also entered the main hall and whispered in Bai Qingyan’s ear: “First Miss, Nanny Qin has come to call you to dine with Madam.”

Only then did Bai Qingyan come back to herself, slowly standing with Chun Tao’s support.

Stepping out of the main hall, the hexagonal auspicious lanterns along the covered walkway had been lit, their warm orange light illuminating the slate flooring and vermilion lacquered columns below the corridor. The Hunan bamboo curtains had also been lowered, blocking out the insects chasing light and fire among the drooping willows and tall scholar trees in the courtyard.

She walked along the corridor toward her mother’s courtyard, her ears filled with the sound of wind chimes, yet unable to stop her longing for A’Yu.

A’Yu still owed her the world’s most beautiful pigeon-blood ruby.

Deep in her heart, she still held a thread of hope, hoping A’Yu hadn’t died, that like A’Jue and A’Yun, he was just trapped somewhere… or perhaps rescued by some kind-hearted person.

She knew her mother also missed A’Yu, but they were both afraid of making the other sad, so they avoided speaking of it.

Dong Shi had Nanny Qin prepare simple foods that Bai Qingyan liked. While dining with Bai Qingyan, she discussed the banquet on the sixth day of the fifth month.

“Earlier, the clan leader’s wife Fang Shi sent word saying that since the capital Bai family has just returned to Shouyang, there might be unclear social relationships, and if there’s anything she can be useful for, she will certainly serve,” Dong Shi placed a slice of steamed cloud ham on Bai Qingyan’s plate and lowered her eyes to drink some chicken soup, saying, “This Fang Shi… is probably no easy character. She wants to use the capital Bai family to enhance her reputation.”