If there were such problems with food supplies in the northern frontier, then what about the southern frontier? Could the provisions for the Bai Family Army also have such problems?

“What are you thinking about?” Huang A’Rong pushed Bai Jinzhi.

Bai Jinzhi came back to her senses and shook her head, curving her lips at Huang A’Rong: “Nothing, I’m just worried about Elder Sister!”

Upon hearing Bai Jinzhi say this, Huang A’Rong quickly put down the sunflower seeds in her hand and grasped Bai Jinzhi’s hand to comfort her: “Princess Zhenguo has great fortune and a blessed fate, she’ll be fine! Moreover, last time, Physician Hong said that as long as Princess Zhenguo could survive the first three days, she would be safe and sound! Look… It’s already been five days. In the future, you must obediently listen to your elder sister and not anger her. Your elder sister will live to be a hundred years old!”

“You’re the one who angers your grandfather!” Bai Jinzhi rolled her eyes at Huang A’Rong and withdrew her hand.

Huang A’Rong didn’t mind, laughing: “Then I won’t anger my grandfather anymore either. Both my grandfather and your elder sister will live to be a hundred years old, safe and sound!”

Bai Jinzhi chuckled softly.

Although Huang A’Rong had glossed over the military provisions matter, Bai Jinzhi took it to heart, deciding to go back and discuss it with her elder sister to investigate the military provisions thoroughly.

Huang A’Rong knew about the Bai family’s troubles and had come to comfort Bai Jinzhi. Not wanting to disturb the Bai mansion too much, she sat for just a while before taking her leave.

As soon as Huang A’Rong left, Bai Jinzhi went to Qinghui Courtyard.

Chun Tao had just finished serving Bai Qingyan her medicine and was holding a plate of honey-preserved pitted hawthorn for Bai Qingyan to cleanse her palate.

Seeing Bai Qingyan use silver chopsticks to pick up a piece and put it in her mouth, Chun Tao said in a low voice: “Second Miss has gone to the kitchen to follow Nanny Luo in preparing blood-nourishing medicinal cuisine for Eldest Miss. Would Eldest Miss like to sleep for a while? Or does it hurt too much to sleep?”

“I’ve been sleeping much these past few days, recovering from injury, I’m not tired…” Bai Qingyan raised her hand to rub the arm she still couldn’t lift. Just as she was about to ask Chun Tao to fetch her a book, she heard the women servants and maids outside calling out overlapping greetings to Fourth Miss.

Bai Qingyan instructed: “Leave this plate of hawthorn, let Xiao Si try some!”

It happened that Bai Qingyan also wanted to tell her about her plan to have Bai Jinzhi go to Anping Military Camp… to find ways to gain control of the Anping Army.

Anping Military Camp was not far from Dengzhou. Grandmother and uncle could provide support, yet it wouldn’t be so close as to shelter her under their noses. It was a good place for Bai Jinzhi to gain experience, killing two birds with one stone.

It wasn’t that Bai Qingyan was heartless, placing such heavy burdens on Bai Jinzhi’s shoulders at such a young age…

Though a sword may be sharp, it won’t cut without being sharpened.

Though the material may be fine, it won’t be elevated without learning.

Bai Jinzhi had a natural talent for military campaigns and warfare. Keeping her confined by her side would instead bury her potential. The edge of a precious sword comes from grinding… Bai Qingyan believed that as long as Bai Jinzhi was willing, she would carve out her domain at Anping Military Camp.

Bai Jinzhi lifted the door curtain and entered, calling out “Elder Sister” once before hurrying around the screen…

Chun Tao smiled and bowed to Bai Jinzhi. After Bai Jinzhi nodded slightly in acknowledgment, she sat beside Bai Qingyan’s bed: “Elder Sister, Huang family’s A’Rong just came.”

“Mm, I know…”

“Huang family’s A’Rong told me about those wastrels in the capital who followed Lu Yuanpeng to join the army. They couldn’t endure the hardship and all returned. They said… the military provisions sent to the northern frontier were mixed with sand – one mouthful of rice… several grains of sand. I was thinking… if this is true, could there also be problems with the military provisions sent to the southern frontier for our Bai Family Army?” Bai Jinzhi’s expression was both angry and solemn.

Such a vast Jin Kingdom, relying on these soldiers to guard the frontiers, yet tampering with the soldiers’ food supplies – what were they trying to accomplish?!

Bai Qingyan raised her eyes to signal Chun Tao, who immediately nodded and went outside to keep watch at the door.

Bai Qingyan’s brows furrowed tightly. If there were problems with the Bai Family Army’s provisions… General Shen Kunyang should have reported it promptly and would never have endured such treatment silently.

However, perhaps the various generals of the Bai Family Army were afraid of putting her in a difficult position. Bai Qingyan looked up at Bai Jinzhi and said, “You go have Uncle Ping send people to the southern frontier to inquire whether there are problems with the provisions and pay sent to the southern frontier. Also send people to investigate… see if only one of these wastrels who returned from the army is saying the food is mixed with sand, or if they’re all saying this!”

“Good! I’ll go handle it right away!” Bai Jinzhi nodded.

A gatekeeper woman from outside the courtyard came to report that Great Yan hostage Murong Li had come to visit Princess Zhenguo.

It seemed that today would not be possible to discuss with Bai Jinzhi about having her go to Anping Military Camp.

“Great Yan hostage Murong Li has always been close to Lu Yuanpeng and that group. You could start with Murong Li to investigate the northern frontier military provisions matter…” Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jinzhi, speaking gently: “Go, meet him in Elder Sister’s place. As for Elder Sister’s condition… You know what to say.”

Bai Jinzhi stood and bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan: “Elder Sister, rest assured! Xiao Si will not ruin things.”

“Go!” Bai Qingyan leaned against the pillow, smiling as she spoke to Bai Jinzhi: “I’m very confident when Xiao Si handles matters.”

Bai Jinzhi looked up, opened her mouth… wanting to tell Bai Qingyan that she hadn’t handled Bai Qiyun’s matter well, and in the end it was still Eldest Aunt who had come forward to clean up her mess. But when the words reached her lips, Bai Jinzhi felt too embarrassed to speak, leaving Qinghui Courtyard with a heart full of guilt to meet Murong Li in her elder sister’s place.

Watching Bai Jinzhi leave, the smile in Bai Qingyan’s eyes deepened as she pondered the military provisions matter.

If the military provisions matter were true… it would either be inseparable from Minister of Revenue Chu Zhongxing, or inseparable from Vice Minister of Revenue Li Mingrui.

Li Mingrui need not be mentioned – he was backed by his father, Left Chancellor Li Mao. As for Minister of Revenue Chu Zhongxing… Bai Qingyan knew he was Li Mao’s man.

Li Mao also knew she held his personally written letter to the Second Prince from years past. Unless he had eaten a bear’s heart and leopard’s gall, he would never dare tamper with the Bai Family Army’s military provisions.

Just as Chun Tao was about to go change a pot of hot red date tea for Bai Qingyan, Lu Ping came requesting an audience.

Chun Tao handed the teapot to another maid, lifted the door curtain, and entered: “Eldest Miss… Guard Lu Ping has come!”

Bai Qingyan adjusted her blanket: “Please ask Uncle Ping to come in…”

Soon after, Chun Tao brought Lu Ping inside.

From behind the screen, Lu Ping bowed to Bai Qingyan: “Eldest Miss… today, someone slipped a letter through our mansion’s side gate. There’s no signature, only saying they want to meet with the Eldest Miss. Only a location is written, saying there are important matters to discuss.”

Chun Tao stepped forward to receive the letter from Lu Ping’s hand, walked around the screen, and handed it to Bai Qingyan, who was sitting propped up on the bed.

Bai Qingyan unfolded it and glanced over it. Though she couldn’t identify whose handwriting this was, the letter writer was most likely testing…

Yanque Tower, Heaven Number One private room, tomorrow at noon.

Bai Qingyan pressed her lips together: “Uncle Ping, take this letter and personally go to Yanque Tower. Ask who reserved the Heaven Number One private room for tomorrow. Whoever reserved it… Tell the Crown Prince and ask the Crown Prince to send people to accompany you. Return this letter to the letter writer’s hands and ask… knowing I’m seriously injured, yet sending a letter asking me to keep the appointment – what are their intentions!”