Chapter 660: Chapter 657: Testing_1 Chapter 660: Chapter 657: Testing_1 If there was such an issue with the military provisions in the Northern Frontier, what about the Southern Frontier? The Bai Army’s provisions… could there be a similar problem?

“What are you thinking about?” Huang Arong gave Bai Jinzhi a push.

Bai Jinzhi shook her head and smiled at Huang Arong, saying, “Nothing, I’m just worried about my eldest sister!”

Huang Arong, hearing Bai Jinzhi’s words, quickly put down her seeds and grabbed Bai Jinzhi’s hand to comfort her. “Princess of Zhen has great fortune and will be fine! Moreover, Doctor Hong said last time that as long as the Princess passed the first three days, she would be safe! It’s been five days already. From now on, listen to your eldest sister obediently, don’t anger her, and she will live a long, healthy life!”

“It’s you who angers your old folks!” Bai Jinzhi glared at Huang Arong and withdrew her hand.

Huang Arong didn’t mind. She smiled and said, “Then I won’t anger my old folks anymore either. May both my old folks and your eldest sister live long and healthy lives!”

Bai Jinzhi chuckled softly.

Although Huang Arong brushed over the matter of the military provisions, Bai Jinzhi took it to heart and decided to discuss it with her eldest sister later for a thorough investigation.

Huang Arong knew something had happened in the Bai family, and she had come to comfort Bai Jinzhi. Not wanting to impose, she left after a short stay.

After Huang Arong departed, Bai Jinzhi went to Qinghui Courtyard.

Chun Tao had just administered medicine to Bai Qingyan and was holding a plate of honey-marinated, de-seeded hawthorns to refresh Bai Qingyan’s palate.

Seeing Bai Qingyan use a silver chopstick to pick up a piece to eat, Chun Tao softly said, “Second Young Lady went to the kitchen with Nanny Luo to prepare a blood-enriching medicinal dish for you. My lady, do you want to sleep for a while? Or is the pain too severe to sleep?”

“These past few days of recuperation have made me sleep a lot, I’m not tired…” Bai Qingyan raised her hand to rub her still-unable-to-lift arm. Just as she asked Chun Tao to fetch her a book, she heard the maids outside repeatedly calling Fourth Young Lady.

Bai Qingyan instructed, “Leave the plate of hawthorns here, let Xiao Si try some!”

Bai Qingyan also wanted to discuss with Bai Jinzhi the plan of sending her to Anping Camp to find a way to take control of the Anping Army.

Anping Camp was not far from Dengzhou. With her grandmother and uncle able to look after her, without being overprotective, it was a good place for Bai Jinzhi to gain experience. It served multiple purposes.

It wasn’t that Bai Qingyan was heartless by placing such a heavy burden on Bai Jinzhi at her young age…

Even a sharp sword must be tested to remain sharp.

Even beautiful materials must be studied to reach their potential.

Bai Jinzhi had a talent for military command. Keeping her confined by her side would only bury her potential. A sharp sword is forged through honing… Bai Qingyan believed that as long as Bai Jinzhi was willing, she could carve out her own path in Anping Camp.

Bai Jinzhi entered, calling out “Eldest Sister” as she hurried past the screen.

Chun Tao smiled and bowed to Bai Jinzhi. After a slight nod, Bai Jinzhi sat by Bai Qingyan’s bed. “Eldest Sister, Huang Arong just visited.”

“Mm, I know…”

“Huang Arong mentioned that the young nobles who went to the capital with Lu Yuanpeng couldn’t endure the hardships and have returned. They said… sand was mixed into the provisions sent to the Northern Frontier, with each bite of rice containing several grains of sand. I’m worried… if that’s the case, could there also be an issue with the provisions sent to our Bai Army in the Southern Frontier?” Bai Jinzhi’s expression was both angry and serious.

In this vast Jin Kingdom, soldiers were relied upon to guard the frontiers, yet there were issues with their provisions. What was the intent?!

Bai Qingyan looked up and signaled Chun Tao, who immediately nodded and left, standing guard outside.

Bai Qingyan frowned. If there was a problem with the Bai Army’s provisions, General Shen Kunyang should have reported it promptly and would not endure in silence.

However, perhaps the Bai Army’s generals feared causing her more difficulties. Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jinzhi and said, “Have Uncle Ping send someone to the Southern Frontier to inquire about the issue with the provisions. Also, have someone investigate and see if it’s just one person saying there was sand in the provisions or if it’s a common claim!”

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

A gatekeeper outside reported that Murong Li, the envoy from Yan, had come to visit the Princess of Zhen.

It seemed it wasn’t the right time to discuss sending Bai Jinzhi to Anping Camp.

“Murong Li, the envoy from Yan, is on good terms with Lu Yuanpeng and his group. You might be able to use him to inquire about the military provisions issue in the Northern Frontier…” Bai Qingyan said softly to Bai Jinzhi. “Go and meet him on my behalf. As for my health… you know what to say.”

Bai Jinzhi stood and bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan. “Don’t worry, Eldest Sister! I will not mess this up.”

“Go on!” Bai Qingyan leaned back, smiling as she spoke to Bai Jinzhi. “I trust you to handle this.”

Bai Jinzhi raised her eyes, wanting to tell Bai Qingyan about how she failed in Bai Qiyun’s matter and how her aunt had to clean up her mess. But as the words reached her lips, she felt too embarrassed to speak. Feeling guilty, she left Qinghui Courtyard to meet Murong Li on behalf of her eldest sister.

Watching Bai Jinzhi leave, the smile in Bai Qingyan’s eyes faded. She began to contemplate the matter of the military provisions.

If the problem with the provisions was real, either Minister of Revenue Chu Zhongxing was involved, or Vice Minister Li Mingrui was.

Li Mingrui didn’t need to be mentioned, as he was backed by his father, Left Prime Minister Li Mao. As for Minister of Revenue Chu Zhongxing, Bai Qingyan knew he was Li Mao’s man.

Li Mao also knew that Bai Qingyan had kept the letter he wrote to the Second Prince years ago. Unless he had the audacity of a beast, he wouldn’t dare tamper with the Bai Army’s provisions.

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

Chun Tao handed the teapot to another maid and entered the room, saying, “Eldest Young Lady… Guard Lu Ping is here!”

Bai Qingyan adjusted her quilt and said, “Please ask Uncle Ping to come in…”

Not long after, Chun Tao brought Lu Ping into the room.

Standing behind the screen, Lu Ping bowed to Bai Qingyan. “Eldest Young Lady… Today, someone left a letter at the side gate of the Bai Mansion. There is no signature, only a request to meet you at a specified location, claiming there is an important matter to discuss.”

Chun Tao took the letter from Lu Ping and handed it to Bai Qingyan, who was sitting on the bed.

Bai Qingyan unfolded the letter. Although she couldn’t identify the handwriting, the sender was likely testing her…

Yanque Tower, Heaven Room No. 1. Tomorrow at noon.

Bai Qingyan pursed her lips. “Uncle Ping, take this letter and personally go to Yanque Tower. Inquire about who booked the Heaven Room No. 1 for tomorrow. Once you find out, inform the Crown Prince and ask him to have someone accompany you in delivering the letter back to the sender. Also, inquire about their intentions, knowing I am seriously injured, yet still asking me to go.”