Shen Yancong’s movements were too abrupt, startling Bai Qingping, who was drinking tea. He quickly put down his teacup and scrambled to kneel as well.

Bai Qingyan waved at Bai Qingping, indicating he needn’t kneel: “It’s just an empty title. Young Master Shen, please rise! We’re all family here. In the future, you needn’t kneel when you see me—just bow with your hands.”

Hearing the words “we’re all family,” Shen Yancong felt particularly excited.

Bai Qingyan stepped forward and sat in the main seat, asking: “You two came about military training matters?”

“Exactly!” Bai Qingping nodded.

After sitting down, Shen Yancong spoke to Bai Qingyan: “Those men of unknown origin who came from the southern frontier, after the Princess departed for the northern frontier, repeatedly tried to escape. Brother Ping and I managed to detain them through various means!”

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes. These men 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 Yancong and Bai Qingping. “How is their instruction going?”

“These men are all extremely skilled, and their combat techniques are very practical! Brother Ping has recorded many of their moves for everyone to learn!” This time, Shen Yancong didn’t steal credit from Bai Qingping. He smiled and glanced at Bai Qingping before speaking to Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingping quickly cupped his hands: “Thanks to Brother Yancong pointing out these men’s formidable techniques, otherwise… I wouldn’t have thought to record them for everyone to learn.”

This could be considered making the best use of everything. Bai Qingyan’s eyes held a smile. If Li Tianfu knew that the assassins he sent were training troops for her in Shouyang, she wondered how furious he would be.

“Still keep a close watch on those men!” After saying this, Bai Qingyan asked again: “On my journey back from the capital to Shouyang, I heard that children have been disappearing from several counties near Shouyang, and some people witnessed… bandits coming down the mountain to snatch children before fleeing.”

Bai Qingping nodded: “Yes, there have been such rumors. So recently, Brother Yancong and I have been intensifying our training. Perhaps… in another half month, we can attempt our first bandit suppression.”

Bai Qingyan nodded: “His Majesty awarded quite a lot of gold and silver this time. Young Master Shen, please go count it all—use everything for military training and bandit suppression.”

Hearing that she wanted him to count His Majesty’s rewards, Shen Yancong’s throat moved. He felt that Bai Qingyan probably no longer considered him an outsider, and he repeatedly agreed.

“Nanny Tong, take Young Master Shen to count and register everything! Bai Qingping, you stay…” Bai Qingyan said.

Shen Yancong looked at Bai Qingping with some confusion, then obediently bowed and withdrew, following Nanny Tong to do the counting.

“Is sister asking about… my mother’s affairs?” Bai Qingping’s palms tightened, feeling quite embarrassed.

“I heard your mother returned to her natal family, leaving quite ostentatiously?” Bai Qingyan picked up her teacup, gently blew on it, and took a light sip.

“I won’t hide it from my sister—my mother was foolish. She sent people to investigate her sister’s whereabouts. Father was so angry he wanted to divorce her, so mother… packed her belongings and returned to her natal family.” Speaking of his mother, Bai Qingping always felt he had wronged Bai Qingyan and was very uncomfortable.

“Investigating whereabouts isn’t such a serious matter. Your father needn’t be so harsh. As long as your mother doesn’t go too far, the dignity of the clan leader’s wife should still be maintained!” Bai Qingyan rubbed the teacup in her hands. “You’re now helping with military training at the drill ground. Don’t let these matters distract you.”

Bai Qingyan didn’t care how Bai Qingping’s mother behaved—she just feared this matter would affect Bai Qingping.

“Sister, rest assured. Qingping understands what’s important and won’t let personal matters interfere with public duty…” Bai Qingping straightened and bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan. “Sister just returned from the northern frontier battlefield—please rest well. Qingping is organizing military camp affairs into records. Once finished, I’ll bring them for my sister to review.”

“No need. I’m very confident leaving military training matters to you.” Bai Qingyan smiled at Bai Qingping. “Go on, count His Majesty’s gifts together with Shen Yancong. Once you know what we have, you’ll know how many more people to recruit.”

“Yes!” Bai Qingping bowed solemnly to Bai Qingyan.

That evening before dinner, Bai Qingyan met with Zeng Shanru. After he briefly reported on mining matters, Bai Qingyan called over the Bai family guard who had impersonated Great Yan’s Ninth Prince and the two guards who had “died” before Prince Liang, assigning them to follow Zeng Shanru from now on.

Zeng Shanru quickly expressed his thanks. Remembering the day’s mining affairs, he said to Bai Qingyan: “Oh yes, Miss, yesterday the mine supervisor Wang Jiuzhou brought a man to the mine, showing him great respect, but didn’t tell me who he was!”

Bai Qingyan inexplicably thought of Xiao Rongyan and asked Zeng Shanru: “Did that man have a somewhat dull-witted guard following behind him?”

Zeng Shanru nodded repeatedly: “Yes… that guard seemed to be called something Ten. Does Miss know this person?”

She nodded. It should indeed be Xiao Rongyan. She hadn’t expected Xiao Rongyan to reach Shouyang one step ahead of her.

“Miss…” Nanny Tong entered the pavilion, glanced at her son, and said to Bai Qingyan, “Madam sent Nanny Qin to invite you for dinner. Since you and Fourth Miss returned today, and Miss Dong from the Dong family also came, Madam wants everyone to celebrate together. She’s had the feast arranged at Shaohua Courtyard, which has the best scenery in our Bai residence.”

“Good!” Bai Qingyan nodded. “Zeng Shanru rushed over and is probably still hungry. Nanny, prepare some food for him and have a proper meal with him. Chun Tao can accompany me to my mother’s place.”

Knowing Bai Qingyan was giving them time for mother and son to reunite, Nanny Tong smiled and agreed: “Yes!”

Shaohua Courtyard was built in the southeast of the Bai residence, among dense ancient trees. These ancient trees were said to have existed originally. The Bai ancestors had built artificial mountains here, diverted lake water, and constructed the three-story Shaohua Hall, taking advantage of the terrain. The top floor had eight vermilion pillars on all sides, with Xiangfei bamboo curtains half-lowered and extremely translucent brocade gauze curtains hanging down, both blocking flying insects while making the courtyard scenery appear hazily beautiful through the semi-transparent material.

As the evening’s last rays disappeared beyond the western horizon, Shaohua Courtyard was brightly lit. Lifelike bronze phoenix lamps stood along both sides of the cobblestone paths in the courtyard, their flickering flames illuminating the precious flowers and plants, creating an extremely beautiful scene.

This was Dong Tingzhen’s first time visiting the Shouyang Bai family ancestral home. She truly experienced what it meant to have a deep heritage. She had thought the Dong family’s old residence was already quite substantial, but seeing the Bai family home made her realize the Dong family still fell somewhat short in comparison.

When the Bai family faced disaster, all the nobles in the capital avoided them, but only the Dong family came to their door—something the Bai family never forgot. Therefore, Bai Qingyan’s several aunts all loved Dong Tingzhen like their own niece.

During the feast, Dong Tingzhen saw the adorable little Eighth Miss Bai Wanqing and was overjoyed, holding her and refusing to let go. Who knew that Bai Wanqing would wet Dong Tingzhen’s hands, leaving her both laughing and crying, forcing her to go wash and change clothes.