“Has Shouyang remained stable during my absence?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Bai Qingping nodded: “Everything in Shouyang has been well. Sister, are you injured?”

“It’s nothing serious!” Bai Qingyan said. “How is the military camp?”

“Recently, many common people have come to join the military camp because they heard that one can learn to read and write there. Quite a few people have sent their children in, including those from neighboring counties! After all, ordinary people… cannot afford tuition fees, and there are few academies. It’s extremely precious for even one literate person to emerge from a village. Now that the military camp allows soldiers to learn character, naturally, many people come.”

Educated people held a different status. Who wouldn’t want their family to produce someone literate? Even if they couldn’t pass the scholar examinations, knowing a few characters to write letters for others could provide a living.

“Shen Yancong, in my view, is skilled at managing troops. Most matters don’t require my attention – he can organize everything in perfect order.”

“Ahead, the Prefect and County Magistrate Zhou are both waiting for Sister at the tea pavilion by the city gate. If Sister is feeling unwell, I’ll ride ahead quickly to inform the two officials, and the carriages won’t stop but go directly back to the Bai mansion.”

“No rush. Let’s greet them before leaving!” After Bai Qingyan finished speaking, she asked Bai Qingping again: “That Mr. Cai Ziyuan, who came from the capital – how effective has he been teaching the people to read and write in the army?”

“I was just about to discuss this matter with Sister.” Bai Qingping didn’t hide his good impression of Mr. Cai. “This Mr. Cai has exceptional learning and temperament. Several times when Father conversed with Mr. Cai, he discovered that Mr. Cai’s knowledge and insights are extraordinary. Father has been thinking of inviting Mr. Cai to teach at our Bai clan school, but since Father doesn’t know Mr. Cai’s background, I didn’t dare say much. Father planned to discuss this with Sister once Sister returned. What does Sister think?”

“Has this Mr. Cai behaved honestly in the army? Has he sent letters out or shown any behavior suggesting he wants to leave?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Bai Qingping shook his head: “No, he hasn’t. Mr. Cai seems to genuinely enjoy teaching. He’s always especially patient with soldiers willing to learn characters, and the soldiers also like Mr. Cai very much.”

“In a couple of days, bring Mr. Cai to the Bai mansion. I’ll meet with him.”

“Yes!” Bai Qingping responded.

After finishing with Cai Ziyuan’s matter, Bai Qingyan asked Bai Qingping again: “I asked you to secretly investigate the Prefect’s family background through Shen Yancong. Have you learned everything?”

“Qingping must apologize to Sister for this matter!” Bai Qingping frowned tightly. “When I was investigating Shen Yancong, somehow I revealed my intentions. Prefect Shen personally found me and told me… the Shen family’s background is completely clean, but Shen Yancong doesn’t know about his affairs. If the Bai family is interested, after Sister returns to Shouyang, the Prefect will certainly visit to explain the Shen family’s entire history clearly to Sister!”

This Prefect Shen was no simple person – Bai Qingyan could see that.

Previously, there was a saying in Shouyang: “County magistrates flow like water, but the prefect is cast in iron…”

This meant that in Shouyang, county magistrates changed like flowing water, but this Prefect Shen had always held his position without any replacement.

It was unclear whether he had offended some high official in the court who was preventing his promotion, or if his performance in office was truly mediocre with no achievements worthy of promotion.

“You needn’t blame yourself for this matter. Prefect Shen conceals his abilities deeply, and you’re still young… naturally, you’re no match for him. Let’s wait for Prefect Shen to come to the Bai mansion himself to explain to me! It saves us the trouble.” Bai Qingyan comforted Bai Qingping.

After all, Bai Qingping was still young. Being able to help Bai Jinzhi oversee Shouyang, having a clear understanding of personnel deployment, and keeping Shouyang so well-protected during her absence was already quite remarkable.

Bai Qingping nodded, then continued speaking to Bai Qingyan: “Yesterday, the great scholar of Wei State, Mr. Min Qianqiu, entered Shouyang city and requested to see Madam. His purpose… is to write a biography for the Bai family. Hearing that Sister would return to Shouyang today, he’s staying at an inn in Shouyang city, wanting to see Sister. Does Sister wish to meet with him?”

“Mr. Min!” Bai Qingyan’s palm tightened. Mr. Min Qianqiu wanted to write a biography for the Bai family!

In this era, those who could be called great scholars included Bai Qingyan’s teacher, Mr. Guan Yongchong, Mr. Cui Yanshi, and Mr. Min Qianqiu.

Mr. Min had devoted his life to history, traveling through various states, authoring countless works. His most famous was “Records of the Warring States,” and the widely circulated “The Gongsun Clan.”

How many noble families and even royal houses wanted to invite Mr. Min to write their biographies, but Mr. Min had the proud backbone of a scholar, aloof and stubborn, writing biographies entirely according to his conscience, never yielding to power or being moved by wealth.

Bai Qingyan sat up straight and spoke solemnly to Bai Qingping: “Summon Xiao Si!”

Bai Qingping responded and rode ahead quickly, calling over Bai Jinzhi, who was leading at the front.

Bai Jinzhi rode over quickly, turned her horse around to approach the carriage, riding close alongside it as she bent down and called into the carriage: “Eldest Sister, I’m here…”

Bai Qingyan raised her hand to lift the carriage curtain and lowered her voice: “The great scholar of Wei State, Mr. Min, is currently staying at an inn in Shouyang city. In a moment, you and Bai Qingping should personally make a trip to inform Mr. Min that I have returned to Shouyang, but am severely injured and cannot personally visit to pay respects to the elder. If the elder doesn’t mind… I earnestly hope he can stay at the Bai mansion. Bai Qingyan eagerly awaits.”

“Eldest Sister, rest assured. I’ll go as soon as we enter the city!” Bai Jinzhi responded.

“Change clothes before going, lest Mr. Min think you lack proper etiquette.” Bai Qingyan instructed.

Seeing Bai Jinzhi nod, Bai Qingping, who was riding alongside Bai Jinzhi, spoke: “This Mr. Min has great fame but also a cold temperament. After settling in Shouyang, the Prefect and County Magistrate Zhou visited with valuable gifts to pay respects, but Mr. Min’s student blocked both officials and refused all gifts.”

“Mr. Min has upright character and is not a common person.” Bai Qingyan clenched her fists and instructed the two: “When you go to invite Mr. Min to stay at the Bai mansion, remember that proper etiquette must be complete.”

“Eldest Sister, rest assured!” Bai Jinzhi cupped her hands. “Mr. Min is a literary giant of this era, equal in fame to Mr. Guan Yongchong and Mr. Cui Yanshi. Xiao Si will certainly be respectful and would never dare act presumptuously before the elder.”

Bai Qingyan nodded, turning her gaze toward the Prefect and County Magistrate Zhou, who had already emerged from the tea pavilion.

Understanding, Bai Jinzhi rode ahead quickly, having the convoy pause briefly at the city gate.

Prefect Shen and County Magistrate Zhou stepped forward to pay respects to Bai Qingyan: “We greet Princess Zhenguo.”

Chun Tao lowered her eyes and lifted the curtain for Bai Qingyan.

In front of outsiders, Bai Qingyan pressed her chest and coughed lightly several times, appearing weak.

The dazzling midday sunlight illuminated Bai Qingyan’s bloodless, increasingly distinct, delicate features. Though before them was a beauty with skin like ice and bones like jade, this beauty’s deep, quiet eyes inspired sudden awe in people, making them dare not overstep bounds by even half a step.