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

Ximen Liuyun was holding a small knife and carefully mincing a piece of tender pork tenderloin into mince. His movements were quick but not chaotic, and he had the elegance unique to a young master from a noble family.

"Liu Yun, it's such a waste to use your amazing knife skills, like 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix,' to chop meat."

As Bai Qiyue spoke, she deftly peeled and deveined a bowl of fresh prawns, her movements swift and efficient.

Ximen Liuyun smiled, his hands still moving: "It is an honor for my knife skills to be able to make you a shrimp paste dish."

Besides, if I don't put in the effort, won't I fall behind you?

He glanced at the shrimp that July had prepared; they were crystal clear and uniform in size. He couldn't help but praise, "Your knife skills are quite reminiscent of the Marquis's style back in the day."

"My mother's knife was used to kill enemies, my knife is used to... solve problems."

As Bai Qiyue spoke, she glanced at March and April, who were arguing again about who should put a piece of tofu puff in the pot first, and shook her head helplessly.

The most eye-catching figures were Bai Yiyue and Leng Bingnian, who were standing at the corner of the table.

They didn't participate in preparing the ingredients; instead, they prepared dipping sauces for everyone using water and tea leaves on a small table.

Bai Yiyue's little face was full of seriousness. Her little hands held the spoon steadily, and she precisely adjusted the proportions of sesame paste, chive blossom sauce, and fermented bean curd sauce according to everyone's taste.

"Aunt Mingyue likes more cilantro and less chili oil."

"No scallions or garlic needed in June, but more sesame paste is needed, and it should be made sweeter."

"Mother's... should have a small spoonful of wild onion flowers unique to the North, and a touch of strong liquor for added aroma."

She remembered everyone's preferences perfectly.

Leng Bingnian stood aside, silently crushing the roasted peanuts and sesame seeds with a stone mortar.

"Brother Leng, if you encounter any problems in the capital, just find a place and have a hot pot meal."

Bai Yiyue suddenly spoke up, "Boiling soup can boil away all troubles, and the aroma of food can comfort the heart."

Leng Bingnian paused in his crushing motion, then looked up at the meticulous and far more thoughtful young princess, and nodded emphatically: "I've got it."

May, however, did not lift a finger. She simply sat gracefully to the side, occasionally picking up a small mirror to look at her reflection, and sometimes directing the maid to make the plating more beautiful.

"Oh my, this plate of enoki mushrooms looks so much better when it's arranged like a peacock spreading its tail!"

"That plate of beef should be served with two carrot-carved orchids to make it look more luxurious!"

Amidst this jubilant atmosphere, Bai Lu appeared at the entrance of the warm pavilion.

She didn't say anything, but simply leaned against the door frame, watching the scene before her.

Looking at the boisterous March and April, the June who got caught cheating, the tender February and Jin Yu, the perfectly coordinated July and Liu Yun, and the January focused on mixing the dipping sauce...

"Mother!"

The sharp-eyed Bai Qiyue was the first to spot her.

Instantly, all the noise stopped.

"Mother, everything is ready!"

We're just waiting for you to take your seat!

Bai Sanyue spoke up quickly.

Bai Lu smiled slightly.

"Let's get started."

At her command, the children, who had been unable to contain themselves, immediately cheered.

The sounds of chopsticks clattering against bowls and plates, the sizzling of mutton hitting the pot, and the satisfying sounds of chewing mingled together.

Bai Lu sat in the main seat, looking at the children sitting around the table, her eyes full of joy.

Which mother in the world wouldn't be overjoyed to see her own child?

She picked up her chopsticks herself, took a slice of the tenderest mutton, dipped it a few times in the boiling soup, and put it into Bai Liuyue's bowl: "Eat slowly, no one will take it from you."

Then she placed a piece of green vegetable on Bai Eryue's plate, who was engrossed in her book: "Eryue, don't read while eating, it'll hurt your eyes."

She looked at Bai Sanyue and Bai Siyue, who were having a contest with Ximen Liuyun to see who could calculate the accounts the fastest, and shook her head helplessly.

She glanced at Bai Eryue, who was whispering to Su Jinyu, and Bai Wuyue, who was admiring herself in the mirror, looking graceful and charming.

Finally, her gaze fell on Bai Qiyue, who was calmly preparing dipping sauces for everyone, and Bai Yiyue, who was discussing the deployment of troops in the capital with Leng Bingnian.

"Bright moon,"

Bai Lu suddenly spoke to Su Mingyue beside her.

"My lord, I am here."

She tilted her chin towards the window, gazing at the vast snow-covered northern plains.

"Looking at them, I feel that no matter how difficult the road ahead is, no matter what price I have to pay... it's all worth it."

The hot pot feast inside the warm pavilion continued until late at night.

The boiling soup gradually subsided, and the children's faces were flushed with satisfaction.

Bai Liuyue leaned against her fifth sister, Bai Wuyue, already feeling drowsy.

Bai Eryue and Su Jinyu held the same book and whispered to each other.

Meanwhile, Bai Yiyue, Bai Qiyue, Leng Bingnian, and Ximen Liuyun were quietly reviewing the precautions for the martial arts examinations and the provincial examinations in the capital.

Bai Lu watched this harmonious and peaceful scene without disturbing them. She simply gave Su Mingyue a wink, signaling her to stay, and then quietly got up, put on a heavy black cloak, and left the warm and cozy Marquis's residence.

The wind and snow intensified in the night sky.

Snowflakes, as white as goose feathers, danced wildly in the glow of the lanterns, landing silently and quickly covering the entire world in pure white.

A guard led over a jet-black warhorse, and Bai Lu mounted it. Without any attendants, she rode alone, like a black lightning bolt, disappearing into the vast snowy night and galloping towards the Jurchen tribe's settlement outside the city.

The horses' hooves crunched and groaned on the thick snow.

In less than half an hour, a brightly lit camp appeared before them.

Even on such a snowy night, the shop with the Seven Fairies sign was still bustling with people and steaming with activity.

Bai Lu didn't go in; she simply reined in her horse and watched the bustling lights from a distance.

This proves that her decision was correct; she was not only capable of fighting wars, but also of enabling people to live a good life.

At that moment, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows beside the shop and walked straight toward her.

The man was also wearing a large black cloak, with the hood pulled low, enveloping him in the wind, snow, and darkness, like a ghost.

Bai Lu's eyes sharpened instantly, and her right hand unconsciously pressed against the sword at her waist. Her aura emanated from within, like a female leopard poised to pounce.

The man stopped three zhang away from Bailu, seemingly scrutinizing her through the wind and snow.

"Marquis Anguo has quite the refined taste, coming here alone to admire the snow on such a snowy night?"

The man's voice came through the wind, slightly hoarse, yet with a familiar mockery.

Bai Lu remained vigilant and coldly asked, "Who are you?"

Hiding in the dead of night, acting suspiciously—that doesn't seem like the behavior of a respectable businessman.

The man chuckled softly, the sound echoing in the cold air.

"Only by not being a legitimate businessman can you make big money, my lord."

As he spoke, he slowly raised his hand and took off the hood from his head.

Amidst the swirling snowflakes, a handsome yet slightly weathered face came into view.

His face was fair, his nose was high and straight, and his peach blossom eyes were exceptionally bright even in the dim light. His eyes and brows carried a carefree and dashing air, which was out of place in this icy and snowy northern border.

Upon seeing that face, Bai Lu's fierce aura instantly dissipated!

"Shen Congyun?"

Bai Lu's voice held a hint of disbelief, "You..."

"Why are you back?"

Two years ago, it was he who, carrying Bailu's important mission, traveled to the Western Regions!

"how?

"You don't welcome me back?"

Shen Congyun smiled and brushed the snow off his shoulders, his peach blossom eyes narrowing slightly. "Or is it that, now that the Marquis wields such immense power, he no longer looks down on a vulgar person like me, reeking of money?"

"Stop talking so much."

Bai Lu nimbly dismounted from her horse, walked up to him, and looked him up and down. "You've gotten darker and thinner. It seems the sandstorms of the Western Regions have taken their toll on you."

"Serving the Marquis means devoting oneself wholeheartedly, even unto death."

Shen Congyun gave an exaggerated bow, then said seriously, "Let's go, let's find a place to talk."

I brought you a very special gift this time.

The two walked into a quiet tent next to them, one after the other.

Inside the tent, a roaring fire of cow dung burned, making it warm and cozy.

Shen Congyun took off his cloak, took out a thick account book and an exquisite sandalwood box from his bosom, and placed them on the table.

"My lord, I have not failed in my mission."

His tone turned serious. "Two years ago, you sent me to the Western Regions to integrate the businesses left behind by Zhao Bingyu."

"It took me two whole years to finally sort out and connect those scattered business routes, shops, and connections."

Bai Lu's eyes narrowed slightly, and when Zhao Bingyu's name was mentioned, her hand holding the hot tea paused almost imperceptibly.

That was her biological mother, but also a stranger with whom she had severed ties.

Shen Congyun opened the ledger and pushed it in front of Bai Lu: "This is the general ledger."

Throughout the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions, Zhao Niangzi's business network was virtually all-encompassing, covering everything from spices, jade, and horses to silk and porcelain.

"Over the past two years, after deducting all costs and expenses for bribing various officials, the net profit is all here."

He paused, then extended his finger and gently tapped the sandalwood box.

"open to take a look?"

Bai Lu put down her teacup, reached out, and slowly opened the wooden box.

The moment the box was opened, there was no dazzling gold as expected. Inside was only a thick stack of silver notes, each one a bill of exchange for the highest amount ever issued by the largest money exchange in the Great Wu Dynasty—one bill for 100,000 taels.

Shen Congyun picked up the top one, waved it in front of Bai Lu, and a smug smile appeared on his lips: "There are seven in total, totaling... 700,000 taels of silver."

Seven hundred thousand taels!

Even for Bai Lu, the Marquis of Anguo, who wielded immense power and whose military expenditures were enormous, this figure was an absolutely staggering sum!

It should be noted that the total annual revenue of the Great Wu Dynasty's national treasury, even in a year of good weather and abundant harvests, was only eight to ten million taels of silver.

This sum of 700,000 taels is almost equivalent to one-tenth of the imperial court's annual tax revenue!

This is only after two years of profitability!

Rich enough to rival a country!

These four words are no exaggeration!

One can imagine the terrifying wealth empire that her birth mother, Zhao Bingyu, must have accumulated over many years of business in the Western Regions.

"This is just the beginning."

Shen Congyun leaned back in his chair and said lazily, "The trade routes have been fully opened, and the people have all been replaced with our own."

"In the future, this number will only increase."

With this money, you'll have the confidence to do whatever else you want.

"You're even capable of rebellion!!"

"..."

Bai Lu closed the wooden box and remained silent for a long time.

Her fingers gently caressed the cool lid of the box, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

On the one hand, she was overjoyed by this enormous wealth, but on the other hand, she felt a complex sense of melancholy because of the source of this wealth.

"She...is truly an amazing woman."

Bai Lu sighed softly, it was unclear whether she was referring to Zhao Bingyu's business acumen or something else.

"Yes, she is truly an extraordinary woman."

Shen Congyun also exclaimed, "It took me two years to barely understand the business layout she had laid out. It was intricately linked and deeply strategic, something that no ordinary person could do."

"Honestly, Bailu, sometimes I really don't understand."

He looked at Bai Lu, a hint of confusion in his eyes: "Why wouldn't such a shrewd and powerful woman like you?"

"Logically speaking, you two should be the most alike mother and daughter."

"After all, you are all equally strong, equally...incompatible with the world."

Shen Congyun sighed, her tone full of regret: "Imagine what it would be like if you and your daughter were of one mind?"

"She controls the wealth of the world, and you command the army. With the combination of civil and military power, and the unity of wealth and authority, the world... will probably have to act according to the whims of you two."

"The money earned is far more than just a mere 700,000 taels."

"Seven million taels, seventy million taels, it's still uncertain!"

Bai Lu listened quietly without saying a word.

"Perhaps it's precisely because we're so alike that we can't get close to each other."

Bai Lu smiled self-deprecatingly, suppressing her complex emotions, "Let's not talk about this anymore."

"The money you brought back is just in time."

"I have a very important matter that requires money."

She briefly told Shen Congyun about Lin Wanzhi's new policies in Jiangnan and her own plans to expand women's education and industry across the country.

After listening, Shen Congyun's peach blossom eyes shone brightly: "I understand!"

What you're about to do is far greater than I imagined!

Bai Lu nodded, "Next, I will give this money to Lady Su Mingyue and ask her to help with the construction."

"no problem!"

Shen Congyun readily agreed, "I'll help give this money to Lord Su later!"

"but......"

He changed the subject and said with a mischievous smile, "My lord, besides bringing money, I also want to ask for a reward this time I've come back."

"I wonder if there are any spare rooms in the Marquis's residence that can take in a poor soul like me who has been wandering for two years?"

Bai Lu glanced at him and smiled, "My daughters are in dire need of a math teacher."