Chapter 758
“Could it be… Xiao Rongyan was injured?”
Before Bai Qingyan could think further, Nanny Tong brought Zeng Shanru into the courtyard. Today, Zeng Shanru was supposed to report the affairs of the mine to Bai Qingyan and was heading to Boyun Courtyard when he heard Bai Qingyan calling for him and rushed over.
“Miss Bai, Zeng Shanru is here!” Chun Tao whispered to Bai Qingyan.
Bai Qingyan frowned and instructed Lu Ping, “Uncle Ping, go to the front and keep an eye out. If there’s any news, send someone to inform me immediately!”
“Yes!” Lu Ping responded and left.
Bai Qingyan was restless. As Lu Ping had mentioned, there were many eyes and ears in the front courtyard. If she went out just like that, the news might reach the Crown Prince, which could cause trouble.
Zeng Shanru entered, bowing to Bai Qingyan through the silk screen. “Miss Bai, someone from Mr. Xiao’s side came again, requesting that this batch of weapons be prioritized for them. I decided to go ahead and give them, considering we just transported a batch, and we don’t need this one yet.”
Bai Qingyan nodded and signaled Chun Tao to give the mahogany box with the black powder and the formula to Zeng Shanru behind the screen. She said, “This box contains a substance called black powder. I’ve heard it can be used in forging weapons to make them indestructible. You can give it a try! There’s also a blacksmith living outside the courtyard. Go to Steward Hao and take the person with you. But this person doesn’t speak our language… You may need to put in more effort.”
Zeng Shanru opened the box and took a small pinch of the black powder, sniffing it under his nose. He looked up at Bai Qingyan and said, “This black powder… it seems to be mentioned in some old records. The Yan Kingdom used a similar powder, created by Empress Ji, called fine steel powder. Weapons forged with this fine steel powder were indestructible. Empress Ji once planned to create an unbeatable army for the Great General of Yan Kingdom. But unfortunately, the deranged Emperor Yan suddenly regained his senses and killed Empress Ji, leading to the loss of the fine steel powder formula.”
Zeng Shanru quickly closed the box and bowed. “By the way, Mr. Min Qianqiu’s biography, ’Marquis Yongle of Wei,’ records that the Marquis Yongle once obtained an indestructible blade from the Yan royal court. If Miss Bai is interested, you could ask Mr. Min Qianqiu, who is residing in our mansion.”
“The Yan Kingdom used it before?” Bai Qingyan’s fingers rubbed back and forth. Whether this was true or false needed to be confirmed with Xiao Rongyan.
“Yes!” Zeng Shanru replied.
“I understand. Take the black powder formula and our invited blacksmith to the mountains. Try it first… If it indeed works, we will use this method for forging weapons in the future.” Bai Qingyan instructed.
“Yes!” Zeng Shanru bowed and left the main hall of Boyun Courtyard.
As he exited, Zeng Shanru saw Yue Shi being supported as he followed behind Doctor Hong into Boyun Courtyard. He remembered that Yue Shi was the dull-witted guard beside Mr. Xiao.
Zeng Shanru, always amiable, greeted Doctor Hong with a smile and nodded to Yue Shi.
Yue Shi only slightly nodded in response, his face stern.
Once Doctor Hong and Yue Shi entered the main hall, Zeng Shanru informed Nanny Tong and went to find Steward Hao.
Yue Shi, supported into the room, heard Bai Qingyan instruct Chun Tao to send everyone out and guard the door, allowing no one to enter. freёwebnovel.com
With a solemn expression and dry lips, Yue Shi just started speaking when Bai Qingyan asked, “Is something wrong with your master?”
Hearing Bai Qingyan’s voice, Yue Shi’s eyes reddened, and he knelt down, bowing deeply. “I beg Miss Bai to save our Emperor!”
From Yue Shi’s words, it was clear the injured was not Xiao Rongyan. Bai Qingyan’s tightly clenched hand on the agarwood table slowly relaxed. She asked, “I heard that Emperor Yan was injured…”
“Yes!” Doctor Hong nodded. “The medicine I gave him prevents wounds from clotting and healing easily. Before leaving, I repeatedly warned that the Emperor must not get injured! Who could have thought…”
Bai Qingyan understood. Xiao Rongyan had sent Yue Shi ahead, presumably to fetch Doctor Hong.
“Doctor Hong, would you be willing to go with Yue Shi?” Bai Qingyan asked.
Yue Shi did not expect Bai Qingyan to ask Doctor Hong to go without waiting for him to speak. With gratitude overflowing in his heart, he said, “Miss Bai’s kindness, Yue Shi will never forget!”
“No problem!” Doctor Hong said, “But I won’t bring along that little girl, Yingshuang. Please take good care of her, Miss Bai!”
“Of course! Doctor Hong should start packing now. Publicly, we will say that you are going out to find medicine for me.” Bai Qingyan said.
Doctor Hong responded, bowed deeply, and left.
Bai Qingyan looked at Yue Shi, who knelt on the other side of the screen, and asked, “It’s been months without any news of your master. Is he well?”
“Miss Bai, my master is well!” Yue Shi replied.
With that, Bai Qingyan felt reassured.
She nodded. “Yue Shi, you must have traveled day and night. Go eat something, rest a while, and then leave with Doctor Hong in the carriage!”
“Yes!” Yue Shi heavily bowed three times to Bai Qingyan, then staggered out of the main hall of Boyun Courtyard, supported by others.
Chun Tao entered with hot tea, lifting the curtain, and asked Bai Qingyan, “Was Mr. Xiao’s guard injured, or was it Mr. Xiao himself? Why did they come so urgently to fetch Doctor Hong…”
“No, it wasn’t…” Bai Qingyan smiled. “Mr. Xiao found a medicine that might help my ailment. Doctor Hong checked it but couldn’t preserve it properly. So Doctor Hong is going out to gather it.”
Hearing Bai Qingyan explain, Chun Tao looked enlightened and then smiled. “This Mr. Xiao truly is considerate!”
Sensing the teasing in Chun Tao’s tone, Bai Qingyan pushed the mahogany box with the Jade Pendant towards her. “This is brought back for you by your cousin. Take a look…”
Hearing the word cousin, Chun Tao forgot her shyness and eagerly took the box. “My cousin? Is it Cousin Qingsheng?”
Bai Qingyan nodded.
Chun Tao’s ears turned red with embarrassment. She opened the box and peeked inside…
Bai Qingyan saw the transparent and precious jade of the pendant inside and knew that Chen Qingsheng had put thought into it.
Even though Chun Tao wasn’t as knowledgeable about jade as Bai Qingyan, the fact that her cousin had sent something back indicated that he and the Third Miss were safe, and she could be at ease.
“Miss Bai…” Chun Tao asked shyly, barely managing to hide her embarrassment, “Did my cousin… bring back any messages?”
“He only asked me to give you the Jade Pendant. But before Chen Qingsheng left, he did say that once he returned, he would marry you.” Bai Qingyan said with a smile in her eyes. “When Chen Qingsheng returns, we’ll arrange your marriage, so you don’t have to worry!”