Chapter 694: Chapter 691: Stirring Trouble_1

“Yes!” Zeng Shanru, unperturbed, lifted her gaze towards the interior of the screen, then continued, “In my limited knowledge, although this arrow mold is good, I noticed that, currently, only Yan employs such arrowheads. I suspect this Mr. Xiao might be connected with the Yan Kingdom. I request that the eldest lady be extra cautious when dealing with this Mr. Xiao.”

Zeng Shanru’s words made Bai Qingyan regard her in a new light. She didn’t expect Zeng Shanru to know that these arrowheads were from Yan.

“How did you know this?” Bai Qingyan covered the teacup lid and asked with a smile.

“Shanru is dull-witted and has shallow knowledge. When the eldest lady entrusted me with the important task of mining and refining weapons, I wanted to learn more, so I read some ancient books and miscellaneous collections on weapons. Coincidentally, I came across a record that mentioned the arrowheads used by Yan. At that time, Yan was still a powerful kingdom, producing high-quality ore to forge arrowheads of this shape. Later, when Yan attempted to conquer our Jin Kingdom and was driven to a corner due to internal strife, they lost the superior iron ore in their territory, and could no longer forge similarly refined weapons. These exquisite arrowheads require premium purple copper ore for support, so Yan also couldn’t make them after that. Yan’s once terror-inducing crossbow army vanished as a result.”

Bai Qingyan nodded, “This alone does not prove that Mr. Xiao has connections with Yan. He is a native of Wei; he might have obtained this mold to create weapons to fight against Yan for his motherland.”

Hearing Bai Qingyan’s nonchalance, Zeng Shanru grew anxious, “Eldest lady, there are superior ores within Wei’s territory. If Mr. Xiao genuinely worked for his motherland, he would have sent the mold back to Wei. Why conduct business with you and share the profit? Shanru knows that the eldest lady is always meticulous, but one must not underestimate the nature of merchants. Merchants are profit-driven; if Yan offers higher profits, there’s no guarantee Mr. Xiao won’t send these weapons to Yan. Therefore, Shanru begs the eldest lady to be wary of this individual.”

Bai Qingyan did not doubt Zeng Shanru’s loyalty. It was rare and commendable that Zeng Shanru was intelligent and eager to learn. Sending her to oversee mining and weapons fabrication, she could peruse ancient texts and derive notable insights, which was highly valuable.

“I am aware of the matters between Mr. Xiao and Yan…” Bai Qingyan said, “Don’t worry, I have it under control.”

Only then did Zeng Shanru breathe a sigh of relief, “Since the eldest lady knows, Shanru will say no more.”

Zeng Shanru sat quietly to the side and spoke no more.

“Uncle Liu, there will be shipments of grain arriving soon. Proceed with the transactions as usual. Send word to Ji Tingyu that he need not worry about the grain; Shuoyang will handle it properly.” Bai Qingyan said to Steward Liu, then glanced at the upright Zeng Shanru through the screen, “If Uncle Liu finds himself too busy, Zeng Shanru can assist.”

Steward Liu, now aged, gradually handed over his tasks to Zeng Shanru, preparing to retire peacefully.

“Rest assured, eldest lady, I can manage this small matter. However, given my age, I am somewhat challenged with certain tasks. It is good to guide Zeng Shanru while I still can, so she can take over in the future,” Steward Liu said with a smile, then remembered another matter, “By the way, eldest lady, since Bai Qiyun’s death, former Bai Clan Leader Bai Weimei has been behaving for a time. Recently, his personal attendant frequently visits clan households. Then Bai Weimei fell ill, and several clan elders often come to visit, as if scheduled together. They stay for less than an hour. I fear the clan might be planning something.”

“It doesn’t matter!” Bai Qingyan was not worried about the clan now, “The current Clan Leader, Bai Qihe, is capable but held back by filial piety and inherent weakness, always oppressed by his father and the elders. This will be a trial for Bai Qihe. If he fails to handle this matter properly, our Bai Mansion will have to intervene, and his tenure as clan leader will end. If he manages well, he will establish his authority within the clan and take up the responsibilities of the Bai Clan Leader.”

Hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, Steward Liu knew she had everything under control and said no more, nodding.

“These days, Uncle Liu and Shanru have worked hard. Shanru has done well. In the future, handle matters with Uncle Liu and make decisions as needed. There is no need to report everything to me,” Bai Qingyan said, giving Zeng Shanru more authority.

Zeng Shanru immediately knelt and kowtowed, “Shanru will not fail the eldest lady’s trust.”

Once Uncle Liu and Zeng Shanru left, Bai Qingyan smiled and said to Nanny Tong, “Zeng Shanru is willing to learn, hardworking, intelligent, and meticulous, quite commendable.”

Nanny Tong laughed, “Not as good as the eldest lady says, just a fool, as long as she doesn’t cause trouble for the eldest lady!”

A mother’s pride in her successful son was evident in Nanny Tong’s smiling eyes. However, thinking of her dry daughter, Yingshuang, who lost one eye, she felt a pang and considered bringing Yingshuang back from Doctor Hong.

“After all, Doctor Hong is a man. It’s inconvenient for Yingshuang to stay with him!” said Nanny Tong.

“Nanny need not worry. I let Yingshuang follow Doctor Hong to learn about identifying medicinal herbs and gathering them, so she acquires a livelihood skill. It’s not that the Bai family cannot support her, but nothing is guaranteed. If misfortune strikes, Yingshuang can still make a living with her skills outside the Bai Mansion.”

Preparing for eventualities, Bai Qingyan didn’t know if the Bai family would succeed when they rebelled against the Lin family’s imperial authority, so early planning was necessary.

“Bah! Eldest lady, don’t speak such misfortune!” Nanny Tong, very superstitious, said, “Our Bai family survived great ordeals in Dadu City and are blessed to continue prospering. In the future, our Bai family will certainly have boundless fortune. Please don’t say such things again!”

Chun Tao, making the bed, covered her mouth and laughed.

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

After making the bed, Chun Tao helped Bai Qingyan over and watched her drink her medicine. Once Chun Tao took the medicine bowl, she heard Bai Qingyan say, “You traveled all the way back with me and couldn’t sleep taking care of me. Don’t stay up tonight, go rest!”

“Alright, I’ll listen to you!” Chun Tao nodded. Now that they were home, she could relax without constantly being by her side.

After helping Bai Qingyan lie down, Chun Tao drew the curtains over the copper hooks, lowered the screens, and extinguished all but one lamp. She reminded the night-duty maid to be extremely vigilant and take good care of the eldest lady. Then she left the room.