Shen Yancong looked up and saw Bai Qingyan listening attentively, then continued: “This humble one believes… if more border people from Nan Jiang continue to arrive, then their story has some credibility. But if no more come, then these few people are problematic and need thorough interrogation!”

Bai Qingyan nodded. This Shen Yancong indeed had some cleverness.

“Just have someone quietly keep watch over these few people. No need to alarm them, and no need to pay excessive attention.” Bai Qingyan placed the name list in a folder, looking at Bai Qingping and Shen Yancong, both considerably darker and thinner. “You’ve both worked hard!”

Bai Qingping had no intention of claiming credit and said embarrassedly, “I didn’t contribute much effort. It was mainly Yancong who worked hard.”

Shen Yancong quickly declined, saying he dared not accept such praise. For some reason, he felt increasingly close to Bai Qingping, who neither competed for credit nor tried to stand out. After leaving the Duke’s mansion, Shen Yancong even invited Bai Qingping to go drinking together at a tavern.

Bai Qingping politely declined: “I’m still not entirely at ease with those newly recruited people. You go ahead! You’ve truly worked hard these past few days, so relax and enjoy yourself, but return to camp early. If something goes wrong, we can’t bear the responsibility.”

Seeing Bai Qingping’s sincere attitude and wanting to befriend him, Shen Yancong cupped his hands toward Bai Qingping: “Just now in front of the Princess, I somewhat competed for credit, yet Brother Ping didn’t hold it against me. This younger brother is deeply grateful! I didn’t do it intentionally, but rather… Brother Ping is the Princess’s clan brother, while I… am just an outsider! So I only wanted to perform well in front of the Princess! If I’ve offended Brother Ping in any way, please forgive me!”

“I don’t care about credit or not. Besides, you indeed contributed more effort than I did. As long as we can handle the tasks the Princess assigns us well, whose credit it is doesn’t matter! Let’s cooperate well in the future to handle the military training properly!” Bai Qingping smiled at Shen Yancong.

After hearing these words, Shen Yancong decided not to go drinking and said he would follow Bai Qingping back to camp to properly settle the newly recruited batch of people.

Just as the two were about to mount their horses, Bai Qingping spotted Steward Wu, who used to serve by Bai Qiyun’s side, sneaking around behind a tree and peering toward the Bai mansion.

Bai Qingping held his reins without mounting and called out: “Steward Wu!”

Hearing his name, Steward Wu shuddered. Seeing it was Bai Qingping at the mansion gate, he fled in panic.

Shen Yancong, already mounted, glanced at the now-empty area behind the tree and asked: “Who was that?”

“A steward who used to serve my eldest uncle!” After Bai Qingping finished speaking, he mounted his horse and returned to the main camp with Shen Yancong.

After Bai Qingping and Shen Yancong left, on the way back to Boyun Courtyard with Bai Qingyan, Chun Tao’s brow was tightly furrowed, and she seemed rather absent-minded.

“What are you thinking about?” Bai Qingyan raised her hand and tapped Chun Tao on the head.

“Miss!” Chun Tao pouted and raised her hand to smooth her bangs, then looked up earnestly at Bai Qingyan. “This servant was just thinking of… Chun Yan. I feel that Shen Yancong’s personality is somewhat similar to Chun Yan’s, and this servant fears he might…”

Fear he might betray Miss.

“Our Chun Tao has started thinking about such matters.” Bai Qingyan’s eyes were full of mirth as she leisurely walked toward Boyun Courtyard. “Do you think that Shen Yancong is overly ambitious for glory?”

Chun Tao followed beside Bai Qingyan and nodded: “Moreover, Young Master Bai Qingping seems too honest.”

Chun Tao had seen clearly just now—several times when Young Master Bai Qingping wanted to speak, he was interrupted by that Shen Yancong.

“Honest?” The smile in Bai Qingyan’s eyes deepened. “Then you’ve misjudged Bai Qingping.”

Chun Tao was puzzled.

“Bai Qingping has already figured out Shen Yancong’s personality. He knows that although Shen Yancong likes glory and credit, he’s a righteous person. He’s found the way to get along with Shen Yancong…” Her voice slowly explained to Chun Tao, “Shen Yancong has the capabilities that Bai Qingping currently needs. He must rely on Shen Yancong to handle the military training properly, so he’s willing to let Shen Yancong have the limelight and credit, as long as Shen Yancong cooperates with his actions.”

Conversely, if Bai Qingping displayed strategic planning and wisdom, not only would Shen Yancong not cooperate with him, but he would constantly compete and obstruct, which would be detrimental to their endeavors.

Bai Qingping was someone who could bend and adapt for the greater good. Though he was still young now, given time, he would surely achieve great things.

Chun Tao still didn’t quite understand, but since Miss said Bai Qingping was right, then Bai Qingping must be right.

—

On May 29th, a battle report from Chun Mushan reached the capital. General Zhang Duanrui had died in battle.

The Emperor was so shocked by this news in the middle of the night that he couldn’t recover for a long while, his face deathly pale.

“Say it again?” The Emperor descended from his dragon bed in disheveled clothes, pointing at the blood-covered messenger kneeling on the ground.

The Liang army attacked the city. General Zhang Duanrui died in battle. Chun Mu City has fallen. After the Liang army entered the city, they burned, killed, and plundered. Please, Your Majesty, quickly dispatch troops for reinforcement!” The messenger was almost in tears.

The Emperor’s breathing became unsteady. Gao Demao quickly stepped forward to support the Emperor: “Your Majesty, don’t be anxious. This old servant will immediately send people to summon His Highness the Crown Prince, Chancellor Lu, Chancellor Li, and the Minister of War to the palace!”

The Emperor nodded: “Send them quickly!”

Gao Demao personally went outside the great hall to receive the Crown Prince, inevitably sighing in his heart. If Duke Bai Weiting were still alive, Gao Demao wouldn’t be in such panic.

Great Liang had already broken through Chun Mu City. If no one could stop them and the Liang army was allowed to advance unchecked, the capital would be in danger.

Seeing the Crown Prince wearing a thick hat, hurrying up the steps from afar, Gao Demao quickly went to meet him: “Your Highness, you’ve finally arrived!”

“General Zhang Duanrui died in battle? What about County Princess Gaoyi? Didn’t she stop the Liang army?” The Crown Prince asked breathlessly while hurrying toward the great hall.

This year had truly been without a single day of peace. Originally, he was supposed to depart for Yanwo on the seventh day of the fifth month to quell civil unrest, but after just one day of travel, he was thrown from his horse and injured his head, then was secretly sent back to the capital.

Due to this head injury, he had been resting comfortably for all these days, never expecting Great Liang to suddenly attack the city.

“The battle report didn’t mention County Princess Gaoyi!” Gao Demao replied.

Just as they were about to step through the hall entrance, the Crown Prince suddenly stopped and turned to look at Gao Demao: “Is Father Emperor… very angry about this matter?”

Gao Demao couldn’t help but think critically—at a time like this, the Crown Prince was still asking about the Emperor’s mood. From the corner of his eye, he saw Chancellor Lu being supported by a eunuch as he hurried up the steps. Gao Demao quickly said: “Your Highness, Great Liang is attacking cities… how could His Majesty be in good spirits now?”

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince!” Chancellor Lu, breathing heavily, called out to the Crown Prince and bowed to him.

After Gao Demao bowed to the Crown Prince, he turned to support Chancellor Lu.

The Crown Prince adjusted his breathing, straightened his clothes, turned to nod at Chancellor Lu, who was bowing to him, personally helped Chancellor Lu up, and stepped through the hall entrance.

Inside the great hall, the golden lacquered black sandalwood pillars carved with coiling dragons were brightly lit by the lamplight.

The Emperor sat on his dragon throne with closed eyes, restraining his emotions, his heart anxious and troubled.