Daily life in the academy

The two naturally didn't hear the attendants' murmurs from behind them, who were nearly ten feet away. Mu Bailian, being pulled by Bai Zhi, kept complaining, "I've only been away for two or three months, and so much has happened in Sheng'an City. I wouldn't have run away if I had known."

Bai Zhi glanced at him and said, "You were so high-spirited back then, recruiting a group of followers to come to the Northern Territory. I heard that you single-handedly suppressed the bandit rebellion in Taiyue Mountain and even gave Lieutenant General Yang a hard time. That's why Dad stopped sending people after you."

Mu Bailian raised his chin and said proudly, "That's right, don't you see who I am?"

"Yes, yes, you are the best." Bai Zhi nodded perfunctorily, pulled him into her room, ordered the servants to bring breakfast, and dismissed the other maids.

With only the two of them left in the room, Mu Bailian leaned over and whispered, "I heard that you and Brother Yan burned down the Yunlu Academy's dormitory together. How did the old teachers there, especially Old Man Xie, react?"

Bai Zhi poured water for the two of them. She took a sip and said slowly, "I didn't see it with my own eyes, but according to Azhe, Master Xie was deeply saddened by Bai Zhi's passing. Ultimately, it was because I made the wrong decision back then. I never imagined it would cause so many people unrest."

"If you want to blame someone, blame that damned Prince Jing. If he hadn't deliberately instigated you, you would have stayed in the Mu Mansion from beginning to end. If you weren't smart, you would have starved to death long ago. Old man Xie may be dull, but he has a kind heart. If he knew the hidden truth, he would definitely let it go. You don't have to feel guilty. Those who did something wrong should feel guilty."

Mu Bailian spoke so righteously that Bai Zhi felt dazed. However, after two or three months of training in the army, he had become so reasonable. If it were in the past, he would have teased and teased him again.

Bai Zhi felt a surge of warmth in her chest at this comfort, but she also felt very awkward. She and Bai Lian had never had such a serious conversation before. She coughed twice and said, "Bai Lian, you're so serious right now. I feel a little uncomfortable. Are you pretending in front of me?"

"Why are you pretending?" Mu Bailian asked, realizing it belatedly. He raised his hand and patted Bai Zhi's forehead with his palm, saying pretentiously, "Okay, Ah Zhi, I'll complain to my grandfather later, saying that you don't respect me as your brother."

"What are you suing for?"

General Bai and Yan Qingchen entered the house wearing armor, as if they had just returned home.

Mu Bailian quickly stood up and called out sweetly, "Grandfather, Brother Yan, you're back."

General Bai said "hmm" and sat down beside Bai Zhi. He asked again, "What do you want to complain to me about?"

Mu Bailian laughed dryly twice, "No, no, I was just joking with my sister."

General Bai finally nodded in satisfaction and warned, "It hasn't been easy for Ah Zhi to come this far. If I find you bullying her, I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your father."

Yan Qingchen sat down next to Mu Bailian and said, "Bai Lian has always been very considerate of Ah Zhi. Bai Lian has also traveled a long way and just arrived today. Please don't scare him."

Mu Bailian turned his head and saw Bai Zhi trying to hold back her laughter, he shook his head helplessly, "Grandfather, how dare I bully Azhi? She has always been the one bullying me." After several months of training in the army, he was no longer so impatient. If he was seen by his grandfather like before in Sheng'an City, wouldn't he be punished by family rules immediately?

Thinking of this, Mu Bailian shuddered inexplicably. He still had to keep the little ancestor worshipped and couldn't afford to offend him.

After breakfast, the three of them went to the conference room to discuss countermeasures. Bai Zhi also followed them. From what they heard, the two sides were now in a stalemate. Even though 30,000 troops had arrived to support them, the enemy seemed to always be able to predict our actions and set up defenses first.

Bai Zhi poured more tea for the three of them, raised her hand and said weakly, "I have a question."

Three pairs of eyes turned to Bai Zhi at the same time. General Bai's expression immediately softened and he asked, "Azhi, if you have any questions, just ask. We are all family, so there is no need to be so reserved."

Yan Qingchen subconsciously rubbed the ring on his middle finger, and the look he gave Bai Zhi was gentle and encouraging. Only Mu Bailian was stunned and said, "I know what you are going to say. You want to ask us why we don't go around to the rear of the Di army and burn their food supplies. If we cut off their retreat, they will have no room for resistance, right?"

Bai Zhi widened her eyes, wondering when the two of them had such a tacit understanding.

Without Bai Zhi saying anything, her expression betrayed her thoughts. Mu Bailian waved his hand, "In your last letter to me, you mentioned that I should launch a sneak attack from the rear, which was indeed quite effective. So I thought of going around to burn their food supplies. Unfortunately, it didn't work in the end..."

Mu Bailian felt extremely regretful. If his younger brothers hadn't been too weak, he would have taken the credit long ago.

General Bai had already lost face because of Mu Bailian's series of sneak attacks, and now, after hearing Mu Bailian's words, he was even more furious. He glared at Mu Bailian fiercely and scolded him, "How dare you talk like that? You've completely disgraced the Northern Army."

Mu Bailian objected, "Grandfather, I don't agree with you. As long as we can wipe out the enemy and protect the people, any method is acceptable. Besides, we're already going into battle to kill the enemy, so why should I resort to diplomacy first and then force?"

"You..." General Bai was about to continue scolding him, but Yan Qingchen glanced at Mu Bailian, asking him to hold back. He then spoke softly, "General Bai, don't be angry. You know Bai Lian's character. His methods may be a bit sinister, but they were all for the sake of protecting the people of Yan State, and he did repel some of the enemy forces. Moreover..." Yan Qingchen gestured for General Bai to look at Bai Zhi and continued, "And as you heard just now, it was actually Ah Zhi who told Bai Lian this method."

Bai Zhi sided with Bai Lian this time. This method was proven, and Bai Lian was right. There wasn't much to be said for killing an enemy on the battlefield. She nodded heavily and agreed, "That's right, Grandfather. The most urgent task now is to find out if there's any accomplice within. Otherwise, how could the Di army be so accurate in its defenses every time?"

The consequence of speaking up for justice was that the brother and sister were driven out by General Bai with a wave of his hand, and were asked not to get involved in the battlefield while in Jiumen City.

Bai Zhi and Mu Bailian stood outside the door, looking at each other, and finally burst into laughter with their hands covering their mouths. It seemed as if they were back to the days when they were kicked out of Yunlu Academy by Master Xie.

"Since there is no fun in the house, let's go find some fun outside the house."

Mu Bailian had been staying in Yishui City and didn't know what fun there was in Jiumen City. Seeing Bai Zhi's eager expression, he asked curiously, "What fun is there?"