“Yes!” Zeng Shanru remained composed and unperturbed. He lifted his gaze toward the screen, then continued, “This humble person has limited knowledge. Although this arrowhead mold appears excellent, I have discovered that in the world today, only one Kingdom uses this type of arrowhead for their arrows—the State of Yan. I suspect this Master Xiao may have connections with the State of Yan. I humbly request that Eldest Miss exercise greater caution when dealing with this Master Xiao.”

Zeng Shanru’s words made Bai Qingyan regard him with new respect. She hadn’t expected Zeng Shanru to know these were arrowheads used by the State of Yan.

“How did you come to know this?” Bai Qingyan covered her teacup with its lid and asked with a smile.

“Shanru is dull-witted and has shallow learning. Since Eldest Miss entrusted me with the important task of opening mines and forging weapons, I thought I should learn more about these matters. I studied some ancient texts and miscellaneous collections about weapons. I happened to read a piece that recorded information about Yan State’s arrowheads. At that time, the State of Yan was still a powerful nation with superior quality ore, and the arrowheads they forged were precisely this shape! Later, when Great Yan attempted to destroy our Jin State but faced internal turmoil and was driven to a corner by our Jin forces, their territory lacked superior iron ore, and they could no longer forge weapons of corresponding hardness! Such exquisite arrowheads require the support of fine purple copper ore to be crafted successfully, so later the State of Yan could no longer manufacture them! Yan’s once-feared crossbow army also disappeared without a trace!”

Bai Qingyan nodded, “This still isn’t sufficient to prove that Master Xiao is connected to Great Yan. Master Xiao is from Wei… perhaps he obtained this mold to forge weapons against Great Yan for his homeland.”

Hearing that Bai Qingyan seemed unconcerned, Zeng Shanru grew somewhat anxious: “Eldest Miss, the State of Wei is not without good ore within its borders. If Master Xiao truly acted for his homeland, he could simply send the mold back to Wei! Why would he need to do business with Eldest Miss and share such heavy profits with you? Shanru knows that Eldest Miss always acts with careful calculation, but please don’t underestimate a merchant’s nature… Merchants pursue profit. If the State of Yan offers high rewards, Master Xiao might very well send this batch of weapons to Yan! Therefore, Shanru earnestly begs Eldest Miss to be extremely careful with this person.”

Bai Qingyan didn’t doubt Zeng Shanru’s loyalty. What was rare was that Zeng Shanru was intelligent and studious—when assigned to supervise the mines and weapon forging, he could study ancient texts and miscellaneous collections, and could perceive the subtle signs of larger issues. This was quite remarkable.

“Regarding Master Xiao’s connection with Great Yan, I already know…” Bai Qingyan said, “Rest assured, I have my judgment.”

Only then did Zeng Shanru breathe a sigh of relief: “Since Eldest Miss is aware, Shanru will say no more.”

Zeng Shanru sat properly to one side and remained silent.

“Uncle Liu, grain will be arriving continuously from now on. Conduct your transactions as usual. Send word to Ji Tingyu that he needn’t worry about grain supplies—Shouyang will handle everything properly.” After speaking with Steward Liu, Bai Qingyan glanced through the screen at Zeng Shanru, who sat upright and formal. “If Uncle Liu becomes too busy, you can have Zeng Shanru assist.”

Steward Liu was getting on in years and was gradually transferring his responsibilities to Zeng Shanru. Once Zeng Shanru was fully capable, Liu could enjoy his retirement in peace.

“Eldest Miss, rest assured. I can still manage these small matters. However, I am getting old, and some things are becoming difficult for me. While I can still move around for a few more years, it’s good to train Zeng Shanru so he can eventually take over all my duties.” Steward Liu smiled, then remembered another matter and quickly said to Bai Qingyan, “Oh yes, Eldest Miss, there’s another matter. Since Bai Qiyun’s death, the former clan leader Bai Weimei has been quiet for a while. But recently, his attendant has been frequently visiting various clan families. Then Bai Weimei fell ill, and several clan elders have been visiting him regularly. It seems they coordinate their visits, all going together and never staying less than an hour. I fear… the clan may be stirring up trouble.”

“It doesn’t matter!” Bai Qingyan wasn’t worried about the clan now. “The current clan leader, Bai Qihe, is capable, but due to filial piety and his naturally soft nature, he’s always been suppressed by his father and pressured by the clan elders. This time… it should serve as a trial for Bai Qihe. If he ultimately can’t handle this matter well and still requires our Duke Mansion to intervene, then his time as clan leader will have come to an end! If he can ultimately handle it properly, he’ll certainly use this opportunity to establish his authority within the clan and shoulder the heavy responsibility of being the Bai clan leader.”

Hearing Bai Qingyan speak this way, Steward Liu knew she had everything under control and said no more, simply nodding.

“These past days have been hard on Uncle Liu and Shanru. Shanru has done well… From now on, when you encounter matters, discuss them with Uncle Liu. You two can make the decisions—there’s no need to report everything to me.” Bai Qingyan was giving Zeng Shanru authority.

Zeng Shanru immediately knelt and kowtowed: “Shanru will not fail Eldest Miss’s trust.”

After Uncle Liu and Zeng Shanru left, Bai Qingyan smiled and told Nanny Tong that Zeng Shanru was studious, hardworking, intelligent, and careful—quite excellent indeed.

Nanny Tong laughed, “He’s not as good as Eldest Miss says. He’s just clumsy and foolish. As long as he doesn’t cause trouble for Eldest Miss, that’s enough!”

How could a mother not be happy when her son was doing well? Nanny Tong’s eyes and brows were full of smiles. However, thinking of her adopted daughter Yinshuang, who had lost an eye, her heart inevitably felt heavy. She had been thinking of asking Physician Hong to return Yinshuang to her.

“After all, Physician Hong is a man. It’s quite inconvenient for Yinshuang to stay by his side!” Nanny Tong said.

“Nanny needn’t worry. I had Yinshuang learn medicine identification and herb gathering from Physician Hong because I wanted her to learn a skill for making a living. It’s not that our Bai family can’t support her, but no one can guarantee that the Bai family won’t face some crisis. If such a thing truly happens, Yinshuang could still make a living with her skills even if she leaves the Bai household.”

When everything was ready and Bai Qingyan was prepared to raise an army against the Lin imperial power, no one knew whether the Bai family would succeed. It was better to make some preparations in advance.

“Bah bah bah… Eldest Miss, stop talking nonsense!” Nanny Tong was very superstitious about such words. “When our Bai family was in the capital, we weathered great storms and waves. Those who survive great disasters will surely have great fortune afterward. In the future, our Bai family will have boundless good fortune. Eldest Miss mustn’t say such things anymore!”

Chun Tao, who was making the bed, covered her lips and laughed.

Bai Qingyan also responded: “Alright, alright, I won’t say it anymore! Nanny, don’t be angry.”

After Chun Tao finished making the bed, she helped Bai Qingyan over and watched her drink her medicine. She had just taken the medicine bowl when she heard Bai Qingyan say: “You’ve traveled this bumpy journey with me, and before that, you stayed awake nights caring for me! Tonight you needn’t keep watch—go rest!”

“Very well, I’ll listen to Miss!” Chun Tao nodded. Now that they were home, she could finally relax and didn’t need to constantly stay by Miss’s side.

After helping Bai Qingyan lie down, Chun Tao lowered the bed curtains hooked on the gilded vine-patterned bronze hooks on both sides, then lowered the hanging screens. She extinguished the lamps, leaving only one, and instructed the maid keeping watch tonight to be extremely vigilant in caring for Eldest Miss before finally withdrawing from the main room.