In ancient times, she gave birth to seven daughters and was divorced by her husband's family.

The butler lowered his head, not daring to look her in the eye, and softly hummed in agreement.

"Ah......"

Zhao Bingyu suddenly chuckled softly.

That laughter was filled with endless sorrow and self-mockery.

White Dew.

It's White Dew again!

Should we send her to beg Bailu?

Should she bow down to her own daughter?

impossible!

But what if I don't go, and I have to live like this for the rest of my life?!

Zhao Bingyu was caught in a deep dilemma.

......

Qingzhou.

A spacious carriage, large enough to accommodate more than a dozen people, slowly came to a stop in front of the White Deer Grotto Academy.

The curtain was lifted by a delicate hand, and the carriage door opened.

The first to jump off the train were seven little girls dressed identically and with the same hairstyle.

They wore the blue scholar's robes uniformly issued by the academy; the style was simple, but it couldn't hide the liveliness and charm in their eyes.

"Wow!"

January was the first to exclaim in amazement. She tilted her little head up and looked at the plaque hanging high above, which was inscribed with the five large characters "Bailudong Academy". "Is this the academy? It's even more magnificent than I imagined!"

"Yes, yes, it's huge."

March followed with sighs.

She stretched out her arms, as if trying to measure the vastness of the academy.

February seemed a little nervous. She held April's hand tightly and asked softly, "Fourth Sister, are we really going to study here from now on? Will we have to study lots and lots of books?"

In April, she patted the back of her hand and replied in a mature manner, "Of course, Mother said that only by studying can one understand things."

Leng Bingnian's four children also stepped down from the carriage one by one.

They were a little older than Xiaoyue and their demeanor was more composed.

When they stood before this renowned academy, they were also amazed.

Finally, Bai Chuyao's three children stepped down from the carriage.

Bai Tingjing, Bai Zhuojun, Bai Qingyue.

As noble sons of the capital, they were used to the prosperity and majesty of the imperial city, but at this moment, standing in front of this academy filled with scholarly atmosphere, they showed no arrogance or disdain.

This is one of the four great academies in the world.

Bai Lu and Bai Chuyao stood on either side of the car, looking at the large group of children in front of them.

No more, no less, exactly fourteen children.

They lined up and stood at the entrance of the academy, immediately attracting the attention of all passersby.

Bai Chuyao's gaze swept over the children's excited faces, finally landing on his three children, and a complex smile appeared on his face.

He turned his head slightly, leaned closer to Bailu, and whispered in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

"To be honest, I originally wanted them all to stay in Kyoto."

His tone carried a hint of regret that things had not gone as planned.

"You know, the Imperial Academy in the capital, whether in terms of teaching staff or the networks graduates will build, is far superior to any academy in Qingzhou..."

Bai Lu's gentle gaze fell on each child.

She could completely understand Bai Chuyao's thoughts.

“Brother, I know your concerns.”

"But look at them now."

Bai Lu pointed to the children who were curiously looking around.

"Children have their own ideas."

They love it here, and they love being with their brothers and sisters in a lively atmosphere.

In my opinion, this heartfelt joy is more important than anything else.

Bai Chuyao looked in the direction she pointed and saw his eldest son, Bai Tingjing, surrounded by the seven little ones, who were asking him all sorts of questions. Although he was overwhelmed with questions, he had a happy smile on his face.

He couldn't help but sigh, and the regret that had been building up in his voice instantly vanished, replaced by a sense of relief.

"you're right."

He turned back to look at Bai Lu, a smile in his eyes.

"I'm obsessed with it."

“Ever since Tingjing and the others found out that you were going to bring the little moons to Qingzhou to study, they have been determined to follow you.”

"No matter how I tried to persuade them, they wouldn't listen, not even their mother's words."

Bai Chuyao recalled the scene and felt both angry and amused.

"There is no war now, and the Xie family won't cause any trouble... Kyoto is not so bad."

"I asked Tingjing, 'Isn't the Imperial Academy good? It's full of future pillars of the nation.'"

He shook his head, mimicking his son's tone at the time.

"Guess what he said? He said, 'Father, I have more motivation to study when I'm with my sisters. If they don't understand something, I can teach them. This is more interesting than knowing any number of high-ranking officials and nobles.'"

Bai Lu couldn't help but laugh when she heard this.

"Tingjing is a good older brother."

"This child has a lot of ideas."

Bai Chuyao sighed, "And Zhuo Jun and Qing Yue are also clamoring to be with their aunt."

"As their father, I really couldn't go against their wishes, so in the end I had no choice but to give in to them."

Just as the two were talking, the headmaster of Bailudong Academy, an elderly man with white hair and beard but vigorous spirit, had already been informed and personally led several teachers to greet them at the door.

The headmaster, surnamed Xu, was a renowned scholar of his time. Upon seeing the fourteen children standing upright and full of energy, the old gentleman's face immediately lit up with a smile, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.

"Okay, okay! That's great!"

He stroked his gray beard and nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of approval and affection.

"Lord Bai, Marquis Anguo, the fact that you sent so many promising talents to my Bailudong Academy shows that you trust me and our academy!"

Headmaster Xu cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Bai Chuyao.

"This is a blessing not only for Bailudong Academy, but also for the entire Qingzhou!"

Bai Chuyao quickly returned the greeting, saying humbly, "You flatter me, Headmaster."

“My sons are unruly. In the future, I will have to trouble the headmaster and all the gentlemen to take good care of them.”

Headmaster Xu smiled and said, "Teaching and nurturing students is simply our duty."

After a simple yet solemn entrance ceremony, the fourteen children, led by their respective teachers, walked into the school, turning back to look at each other every few steps.

Bai Lu and Bai Chuyao stood in the courtyard, their eyes following the small figures of the children in their blue scholar's robes until they turned the corner of the corridor and disappeared from sight.

"Let's go."

Bai Lu said softly, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible melancholy.

"Ah."

Bai Chuyao responded, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

This is the first time the children have been away from home.

The two walked side by side out of the academy, with the sound of students reading aloud behind them.

From then on, the children officially began their studies at Bailudong Academy.

Bai Lu has a clear plan for their studies.

She set rules for the children.

On weekdays, one must stay in the academy, focusing intently on reading, learning literature and calligraphy, and following the teacher's instructions.

On days off, they would all return to the house to learn another important skill from her—accounting and how to manage the household affairs.

Bai Lu did not demand that all seven of her daughters become renowned talented women, but she had one bottom line: they must be literate and able to read contracts and account books.

More importantly, they must know how to conduct themselves in society, how to manage their household finances, and possess a skill that allows them to make a living.

This day happened to be a day off.

In the spacious hall of the Qingzhou mansion, fourteen children sat around a huge octagonal table.

In front of each person, there was a small abacus and a brand-new account book neatly arranged.

Bai Lu sat in the main seat, holding an account book in her hand, explaining the most basic bookkeeping methods to them.

“Look at this entry,” she said, pointing to a line in the ledger, her voice clear so that every child could hear, “‘Purchased twenty bolts of white brocade, paid one hundred and twenty taels of silver.’”

This is an expenditure for purchasing fabric, so it should be recorded under the character for "expenditure" on the right side of the ledger.

She paused for a moment to make sure the children were following her train of thought.

"Look at this entry again: 'Thirty garments were sold, and one hundred and fifty taels of silver were received.'"

"This is the income we get from selling things, and it should be recorded under the character '入' on the left."

"Every entry and exit must be remembered clearly."

She spoke slowly, using the simplest language to explain the most practical principles.

“Every single transaction that happens in the shop each day must be recorded on the same day.”

At the end of the month, all the income and expenditure for the month must be added up, and the cash and goods in the warehouse must be inventoried to ensure that the accounts match the actual situation.

Remember, not a single penny can be shortchanged.

The children listened intently, their little faces full of focused expressions.

Bai Chuyao didn't disturb them. He sat quietly in a round-backed chair to the side, holding a cup of tea in his hand, watching this rare scene with a look of satisfaction.

Looking at Bai Lu's patiently teaching profile and the children's focused expressions as they studied diligently, he felt an unprecedented sense of peace and tranquility.

Perhaps, this is the most authentic form of life.

After dinner, the children all went back to their rooms to review their lessons.

In her study, Bai Lu received a letter from Bai Qingze, sent by fast horse from Kyoto.

She opened the envelope and unfolded the letter.

He hoped that Bailu could stay in Qingzhou and take care of the children with peace of mind.

"...You are now raising fourteen children, which is truly not easy. The journey from Qingzhou to Liangzhou is long and arduous. If you were to return to Liangzhou to settle down now, you would have to rush back to the capital for my wedding in less than two months. The time spent on the journey alone would be too much for you. It is simply too much for you."

The envelope also contained another letter from Bai Liezhao, the second brother, whose meaning was exactly the same as that of Bai Qingze.

He told Bailu to stay in Qingzhou without worry, and that she could decide for herself whether to return to Liangzhou or stay in Qingzhou after Qingze's wedding.

The children have just started school, which is the time when they need her to take care of them the most.

Bai Lu held the two letters and pondered for a long time under the lamp.

The elder brothers' concerns are indeed reasonable.

The children had just moved to a new environment, and as their mother, she was indeed reluctant to leave them.

Moreover, traveling back and forth with so many children is simply too exhausting.

Since that's the case, let's stay in Qingzhou.

But if we settle down, we have to do something.

She has never been one to let herself be idle.

The next morning, Bai Lu summoned the steward to her side.

“Peony,” she said bluntly, “go and find out for me if there are any prime locations in Qingzhou City available for sale.”

"Is Madam going to do business?"

Peony immediately bowed in agreement.

"Yes."

Bai Lu nodded, "The location must be the best, with the highest foot traffic, and the shop must be spacious enough. Price is not a problem."

Peony is extremely efficient.

Within three days, they found an excellent shop on Zhuque Street, the most bustling street in Qingzhou.

It was a three-story street-front shop, directly opposite the intersection of Zhuque Avenue. No matter which direction you came from, you could see it at first glance; it was a truly prime location.

After personally inspecting the shop, Bai Lu was very satisfied and immediately instructed Mudan to bring enough silver notes to purchase it.

Next came the time-consuming and labor-intensive renovation.

Bai Lu rejected the prevailing decorating style of the time and personally drew up detailed blueprints.

She asked the craftsmen to decorate the shop, both inside and out, in an elegant and bright manner, while maintaining a sense of luxury.

According to her design, the first floor will serve as the main sales area, the second floor will be a private VIP experience area, and the third floor will be transformed into a warehouse and her own workshop.

She had already decided on the name for the shop.

"Let's call it 'White Dew Beauty Shop'."

She said to Peony.

"What is the lady's name?"

"Yes, simple, direct, and it lets everyone know that this is my shop, Bailu's."

During the busy renovation of the shop, Bai Lu completely locked herself in the workshop on the third floor, which still smelled of paint.

She redeemed a few basic modern cosmetics from the system's shop and carefully placed them on a clean table.

A vibrant, true red lipstick.

A bottle of lightweight foundation.

One box contains four colors of eyeshadow.

There's also a contour palette that combines highlighter and contour.

With these four types of cosmetics, you can basically achieve a beautiful makeup look.

The functions are almost complete.

The details will be refined gradually.

These things were unique in the Great Wu Dynasty; they were products that transcended this era.

What she needs to do now is to perfectly replicate them.

Using the most natural materials available in this era, we created ancient versions of cosmetics with almost identical effects.

This is undoubtedly a huge challenge.

The first thing she studied was lipstick.

She carefully examined the texture of the modern lipstick, cut off a piece with a knife, rubbed it between her fingertips to feel its texture, and then brought it to her nose to smell its scent.

She analyzed that its main components are nothing more than wax, oil, and pigments that provide color.

With the idea in mind, the next step is to find alternatives.

Wax can be replaced with the purest beeswax.

For the oil, you can use expensive but moisturizing almond oil, or the more common olive oil.

The most crucial, and also the most difficult, issue is the pigment.

The first thing that came to her mind was cinnabar.

But she quickly dismissed the idea. Although cinnabar is brightly colored, it contains a small amount of toxins, and applying it to the lips for a long time would definitely be harmful to the body.