Chapter 513
Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi waited with the Bai family guards at the foot of the mountain. As the morning sun leaped over the mountain’s peak, illuminating the entire region, cheers erupted from the mountain top.
Bai Jinzhi’s eyebrows revealed a smile: “Eldest Young Lady, it seems we can report to the Crown Prince and the Emperor now.”
“Such great news naturally needs to be reported to the Crown Prince…”
After reporting to the Crown Prince, Ji Tingyu and his group probably needed to stage another raid to show the Crown Prince that the bandit problem was not yet solved and Shuoyang still needed to intensify military training.
In Shuoyang City, the citizens, upon hearing early this morning about the Princess of Zhen leading troops up the mountain to eliminate bandits, saw her leading new soldiers from the north of Shuoyang City and ran to spread the news, cheering along the way.
“The Princess of Zhen is back! The Princess of Zhen has returned after eliminating the bandits!”
Citizens near the north gate put down their work and gathered around the city gate to look outside, indeed seeing a slow-moving group of people and horses approaching Shuoyang City from afar.
People ran to inform others.
“Look! It’s the Princess of Zhen returning after defeating the bandits!”
In no time, citizens of Shuoyang City flooded long streets, craning their necks to see outside the north gate.
Seeing Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi, both dressed in sturdy attire and riding tall horses, at the forefront, someone yelled: “It’s really the Commandery Princess! The Princess of Zhen and Princess Gaoyi must have returned victorious from defeating the bandits!”
The new recruits returning with Bai Qingyan, Bai Jinzhi, and Shen Yanzong felt a sudden surge of pride and joy upon seeing the citizens of Shuoyang City cheering at the north gate from a distance.
The injured new recruits being helped back looked towards the city gate and softly asked: “Are they welcoming us?”
“Of course, they’re welcoming you! You have returned gloriously after eliminating bandits for the people!” Shen Yanzong turned his head and said with a smile.
Most of the new recruits were farmers. Hearing Shen Yanzong’s words, they blushed, stood straight, and walked towards the city gate in their best posture.
Watching the new recruits who fought the bandits enter the city, the citizens welcomed them warmly, discussing amongst themselves, all faces beaming with smiles and admiration.
The new recruits, experiencing their first combat return, were greatly satisfied by the grand welcome from the citizens.
Up in the teahouse, Yue Shi heard the shouts from below, opened the sliding door, and looked out but couldn’t see past the city wall until she saw Bai Qingyan entering the city. Yue Shi quickly turned to Xiao Rongyan: “Master, Miss Bai is back.”
This morning, upon learning that Miss Bai had led troops out of the city, their master came to the teahouse.
Although handling a few petty thieves was no challenge for Miss Bai, their master was still concerned.
Xiao Rongyan put down his teacup, stood at the second floor railing, and looked at Bai Qingyan as she rode past beneath the teahouse.
As the morning light grew brighter, the dazzling golden rays illuminated Bai Qingyan’s slender and upright figure atop the tall horse. She looked magnificently bright, calm, and resilient, carrying an imposing aura like autumn frost and summer thunder, a presence that penetrated deep into the bones, impossible to conceal and making it hard for people to look directly at her.
Xiao Rongyan couldn’t help but think of Bai Qingjue, the seventh son of the Bai family, a smile hinting in his eyes as he reflected on how each Bai family member was proud and extraordinary, with most dignified appearances.
Seemingly feeling the gaze from the teahouse, Bai Qingyan looked up straight into Xiao Rongyan’s deep-set eyes.
The young man in white, noble and gentle, slightly nodded towards Bai Qingyan. Hidden within his exceptionally calm and restrained dark eyes was a hint of intense emotion.
Bai Qingyan tightened her grip on the reins, retracted her gaze, and the corners of her lips curled slightly.
A little girl spotted the bloodstains on Bai Qingyan and loudly asked: “Princess, are you hurt?”
“No! This is the blood of bandits!” Bai Jinzhi laughed and replied to the little girl.
The little girl, not expecting a response from the Commandery Princess, blushed, timidly nodded, and although opened her mouth, was too nervous to say a word.
Bai Qingyan looked down at her bloodstained clothes and smiled at the little girl before turning her head and calling back: “Shen Yanzong…”
Shen Yanzong immediately urged his horse forward and came to Bai Qingyan’s side: “The Princess of Zhen commands.”
“Since I’m covered in blood, I won’t return to the drill ground. Lead the new recruits back to the drill ground. Besides the reward of ten gold pieces, those who performed meritorious deeds can be promoted to Corporal and given two days off to visit their families!” Bai Qingyan said.
Shen Yanzong nodded: “Rest assured, Princess of Zhen, I will handle it properly!”
“Let’s go.” Bai Qingyan said to Bai Jinzhi, urged her horse, and rode towards the Bai Mansion.
Bai Jinzhi and the Bai family guards followed closely, riding away quickly.
“The Princess of Zhen is truly beautiful…” the little girl said dumbfoundedly.
“Of course! They say the Princess of Zhen is a God of Slaughter, but this God of Slaughter protects the citizens of Jin Kingdom, protects the citizens of Shuoyang! The Princess of Zhen is the most beautiful God of Slaughter in history!” said a Shuoyang citizen who had been wronged by the Bai Clan and only thanks to Bai Qingyan found justice.
Among the citizens lining the long street, an elder recognizing a young acquaintance in the new army loudly laughed: “Erwa! You have made a name for yourself! Winning battles can bring honor to your family!”
“Indeed! We won! I chopped off a bandit’s head, received ten gold pieces, and can go home to build a house and marry a wife, take care of my parents!” The young man, with his minor injuries already treated, beamed with joy.
“You’ve made it! I’ll have my Shan Gen sign up too. Take care of him for me!” the elder loudly called.
“Don’t worry, Uncle De! Let Shan Gen come! We eat meat every meal in the new army camp. If he ranks in the top three during training, he can earn meat for his family too! Now we even have teachers teaching us to read and write. Those who excel in writing and reading can secure meat rewards for their families as well!” the young recruit Erwa shouted back to the elder, “Shan Gen has a good mind; he might not fight well, but he’ll surely succeed in literacy! I’ll definitely look after him! We grew up like brothers!”
Previously, some Shuoyang citizens were skeptical about the new recruits eating meat every meal in the army camp.
Now, hearing a new recruit openly declare this on the long street, many citizens were tempted, especially considering they could also learn to read and write in the military camp… an enormous benefit. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Why do ordinary families remain illiterate? Simply because they can’t afford private tutors.
Some were already eager to send their children. Even if it wasn’t for meat… learning a few words meant the entire family wouldn’t be illiterate.
With renewed determination, some quickly picked up their shoulder poles and rushed home, intending to discuss with their wives about sending their sons to join the new army.
·
As Bai Qingyan arrived at the Bai Mansion gate, she encountered Dong Changlan leading Mrs. Cui and her group, preparing to leave for Dengzhou.
Seeing Bai Qingyan return covered in blood, Mrs. Dong, who was seeing Dong Changlan off at the Bai Mansion gate, turned pale with fright.
“Bai Biancle, what happened…” Dong Tingzhen, with wide eyes, stared at the bloodstains on Bai Qingyan.