Chapter 318
All around fell silent. The scholars holding sheep-skin lanterns gathered in the direction of Mr. Guan Yongchong, their expressions earnest and reverent, as if they were listening to Mr. Guan Yongchong’s teachings on Confucianism.
Mr. Guan Yongchong, dressed in a long robe with wide sleeves, looked at the young faces of the scholars and spoke warmly and slowly, “By eliminating Xiliang’s main force, Xiliang will be unable to invade our Jin border for at least five years. Ensuring at least five years of peace for our Jin Kingdom’s border people was something the King of Zhen’s southern expedition could not achieve. Bai Qingyan inherited her grandfather’s will and achieved this with fifty thousand Jin Army soldiers and ten thousand Bai family soldiers. Though there was killing, who can say this wasn’t a great deed for the peace of the Jin Kingdom’s border people?”
The scholars of the Imperial College remained silent, looking at the literary giant with graying temples and a slightly hunched back. They nodded almost imperceptibly.
“I still remember the first time Bai Qingyan returned from the battlefield. I asked her what she had seen and heard during the war. She answered that the frontier battlefield was filled with white bones exposed to the wild, graves everywhere with no place to bury the dead, thousands of acres of farmland left uncultivated, corpses lying for miles with birds having disappeared. It was a horrific scene that could never be seen in this prosperous Capital. She was willing to dedicate her life to bring peace and stability to the people. She was only thirteen, with such broad-mindedness and compassion. As her teacher, I felt ashamed.”
Seeing Mr. Guan shaking his head and waving his hand, the scholars standing at the palace gate with lanterns had tears in their eyes. They had never thought a woman could have such broad-mindedness.
To dedicate her life and bring peace and stability to the people.
A thirteen-year-old girl had such lofty ambitions. How could these scholarly men stand it? How could the men who criticized Bai Qingyan maintain their dignity?
Bai Qingyan stood a distance away, holding her horse, watching her venerable teacher, who stood at the palace gate at dawn to defend her. Her heart was tumultuous, and her eyes ached and burned.
Bai Jinzhi too felt moved, stepping forward two steps and whispering, “Eldest Young Lady, Mr. Guan is so kind.”
The surroundings were silent except for the sound of the wind.
Mr. Guan fell into a nostalgic mood, choking back sobs, “That year, the King of Zhen brought his young granddaughter to me for teaching. I asked, ’A woman’s virtue lies in her lack of talent, why bother with studies?’”
“The King of Zhen replied, ’To learn is to understand propriety, virtue, righteousness, and shame! I do not expect my granddaughter to be famous but only hope she knows propriety, virtue, righteousness, and shame, to be a person who has a clear conscience before heaven and earth. Bai Qingyan, my eldest granddaughter, did not disappoint the King of Zhen. Though she is a woman, she can govern the country with literature and secure the nation with military skills. She is a model that you all should follow. Why are you here denigrating a meritorious person of our Jin Kingdom?’” ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Mr. Guan’s gaze swept over the students who lowered their eyes out of shame or unease. “In my life, I have had forty-three direct disciples, only Bai Qingyan being a woman. Yet, I take pride in this female disciple!”
The cold wind swept over Bai Qingyan’s burning eyelashes. The emotions she tried to suppress in her heart seemed about to burst.
If her teacher knew she was no longer that thirteen-year-old student with a pure heart and an open mind, would he still be proud of her?
She looked towards her teacher, knelt down, and solemnly bowed. Then she mounted her horse, “Let’s go.”
Bai Jinzhi also bowed deeply towards Mr. Guan and then followed Bai Qingyan onto her horse.
Steward Liu, along with the guards accompanying Bai Qingyan back to Shuoyang, mounted their horses, and the group galloped out of the city.
On April 7th at Sishi, the examination scandal case concluded.
The Emperor personally issued an Imperial Edict, ordering the beheading of those who had accepted bribes during the examination. Wen Zhenkang’s family was confiscated, men exiled, women made slaves, and the bribing candidates were banned from appointments forever. The implicated families were prohibited from participating in the imperial examinations for three generations. Another examination was scheduled for February next year.
Upon hearing the news, examinees were overjoyed and returned home to prepare for the next round, hoping for good results next year.
Dong Qingping sent a letter to Dengzhou, informing his brother Dong Qingyue about the re-examination and deciding to let Dong Changyuan stay in the Capital to study, avoiding the hassle of traveling back and forth. He also told Dong Qingyue that Dong Changyuan had originally been within the top three and would surely perform even better next time.
Bai Qingyan and her party rode swiftly without stopping, finally entering the gates of Shuoyang City at Xushi.
The sky had darkened like spilled ink, with only a hint of dark red remaining on the horizon.
She had not returned for many years. Shuoyang had not changed much compared to years ago.
The Shuoyang night market had already begun, brightly lit as if it were day.
Suspended sheep-skin lanterns illuminated the vendors’ stalls, hawking wares amid laughter and chatter, creating a lively and bustling scene.
Bai Jinzhi, having never seen the Shuoyang night market, was very curious. Bai Qingyan dismounted and accompanied her along the stalls.
Steward Liu sent someone to book rooms at the best inn in Shuoyang. Since Bai Qingyan traveled in haste, there was no time for advance arrangements, and Bai Qingyan did not want to disturb the clan, so they had to stay at an inn.
The innkeeper politely apologized to the person sent by Steward Liu. The messenger then sought other inns and sent someone back to report to Steward Liu.
Hearing the news, Steward Liu frowned deeply, “There is only one inn with small courtyards in Shuoyang City. We wouldn’t mind, but we cannot let the Eldest Young Lady and Fourth Young Lady be inconvenienced.”
Hearing this while standing on the long street with Bai Jinzhi, Bai Qingyan responded, “Steward Liu, find another inn.”
As soon as Bai Qingyan finished speaking, someone called, “Commandery Princess?”
Bai Qingyan turned around to see Yue Shi excitedly calling out to Xiao Rongyan, “Master!”
Xiao Rongyan, who was standing by a stall selling small mechanical toys, looked aside, his deep and charming eyes reflecting surprise. Under the lantern light, his eyes seemed to flicker with a warm golden hue. He put down the small toy, instructed Yue Shi to buy it, and then walked towards Bai Qingyan.
Bai Qingyan recalled Xiao Rongyan’s jade cicada, quietly clutching the purse at her side containing the jade cicada she had yet to return.
Bai Jinzhi, holding a tiger mask, brightened at the sight of Xiao Rongyan, “Mr. Xiao!”
Xiao Rongyan smiled and greeted Bai Qingyan, calmly asking, “Why is Miss Bai also in Shuoyang?”
After returning the greeting, Bai Qingyan replied, “My ancestral hometown is Shuoyang.”
Xiao Rongyan nodded, “This fortuitous encounter. Would Miss Bai and Fourth Miss Bai mind accompanying me for a walk?”
Bai Jinzhi covered her mouth with the mask and laughed, joining in, “Eldest Young Lady, since we haven’t booked the inn yet, why not take a stroll with Mr. Xiao?”