After wandering around the capital for a few days, Qinghuan finally figured out some clues.

Early that morning, Qinghuan pretended to be drunk and passed by the side door of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, staggering and almost falling.

One of the servants guarding the door came over and said, "Go away, this is the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, not a place for a drunkard like you to hang out..."

Qing Huan stumbled along, reciting: "I look at my sword under the lamp while drunk, and dream of blowing the horn in the camp..."

Then go.

The servant was stunned for a moment, repeated it in his mouth, rolled his eyes, and returned as if nothing had happened.

As soon as he was out of sight, Qinghuan instantly regained his clarity of mind, smiled, and walked towards the city gate.

……

It was noon when an old man pushed a cart of vegetables into the city and headed towards the Duke Zhenguo's Mansion.

Qinghuan finally waited for the person she was waiting for, and walked forward with a smile to help push the cart.

The old man was surprised. After seeing Qing Huan's temperament, he hurriedly said, "No, no, thank you for your kindness, brother. Don't dirty your clothes..."

Qing Huan smiled and said, "Old man, are you going to the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion?"

A sharp look flashed across the old man's eyes, and he stared at Qinghuan vigilantly.

Qing Huan pretended not to notice and continued to help push the cart, saying, "I heard that the Duke of Zhenguo is not in good health. This cart of food will surely put him in a good mood."

The old man's body was tense, but he said, "I grow vegetables on the farm myself. I just asked the Duke to change the taste. How can it be as exaggerated as what the young man said?"

Qing Huan smiled and said, "We have been through life and death together. Just your kindness alone can make the Duke feel better... If he can meet the brothers who have been through life and death together and talk about the past battlefields, I'm sure the Duke will like it."

The cart stopped suddenly.

The old man looked at Qing Huan warily and said, "Young man, if you have anything to say, please speak up!"

Qing Huan stood up and said, "Help me deliver a letter to the Duke of Zhenguo."

The old man sneered and said, "Young man, you are joking. How can I, an ordinary farmer, meet the Duke of Zhenguo?"

"Don't be nervous, old man!"

Qing Huan waved his hand and said, "After fighting on the battlefield, it is common for military families to arrange for retired guards to live on the farm... The old man should be the former guard of the Duke of Zhenguo, right?"

The old man remained alert and asked, "So what?"

Qing Huan took out the letter from his bosom and said, "I don't mean to harm the Duke of Zhenguo, but I think the old man knows the current situation of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. If you visit directly, you will not be able to see the Duke of Zhenguo.

So, I can only trouble the old man!"

The old man did not answer, but asked: "I can only see you if the Duke summons me."

Qing Huan smiled and said, "The old man came here with the intention of seeking an audience with the Duke of Zhenguo. The Duke of Zhenguo will see you. You can help me deliver the letter when the time comes."

The old man asked, "Why should I help you?"

Qing Huan's expression became serious, and he said, "Because the Duke of Zhenguo is waiting for this letter!"

The old man looked at Qing Huan's eyes and his frank expression, and finally took it, put it in his arms, and said: "If the Duke doesn't see it, or if this letter is not what the Duke is waiting for, this old man will come out and will not let you go!"

Qing Huan bowed and said, "Thank you very much, old man!"

The old man looked at Qinghuan deeply and continued pushing the cart forward.

……

Inside the Duke Zhenguo's Mansion.

The seven candidates not only have their eyes on the two legitimate daughters, but also on Bai Jingting, the Duke's real master. Naturally, they cannot let go of his favor.

The one who can really make the final decision is actually this Duke!
Therefore, it is necessary for the seven people to greet each other every morning, but most of the time they cannot see each other.

On this day, the seven of them waited for the second and third girls at the gate of the courtyard as usual. After greeting them warmly, they went together to pay their respects to the Duke of Zhenguo.

At the door of the room, a beautiful figure was already waiting.

The weather was not too cold, but the woman had already put on a very thick cloak with white fur. The thick white fur made her face look very small, her eyebrows were picturesque, her teeth were white, and her black hair hung down behind her head.

However, the woman's face was a little unhealthy pale, and the heater in her arms also proved this. She looked like a sickly and weak woman. However, she stood on the steps with a cold expression, giving people an aura of being inviolable. It was not until she saw the two younger sisters, Miss Bai Er and Miss Bai San, that her cold expression was somewhat broken.

"Eldest sister!" Miss Bai Er and Miss Bai San shouted in unison.

The seven young masters also bowed and said, "Greetings, Miss!"

There was a flash of intoxication in his eyes, and then he lowered his head, feeling a sense of regret in his heart.

The eldest daughter of the Bai family has the most outstanding appearance and figure among all the daughters, including those born out of wedlock.

However, she had been injured on the battlefield, and not only had her martial arts skills been completely destroyed, but she had also been ill ever since and it was said that she would never be able to get pregnant again, so she was not within their target range.

Otherwise, the Duke of Zhenguo would not have set his sights on candidates like them. With Miss Bai's own strength, she only needed to find a son-in-law to support the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.

But it would be a pity to miss such a beauty. Once they take over the Duke Zhenguo's Mansion, won't this Miss Bai be like a piece of cake and they can take whatever they want?
Obviously, the seven of them had similar thoughts, and their eyes flashed with passion...

Miss Bai nodded slightly and said, "Second sister, third sister, and seventh master, Grandpa is not feeling well, so he disappeared."

The short and powerful pronunciation injected some heroic spirit into her.

Miss Bai Er and Miss Bai San pursed their lips, looking as if they were used to it, and planned to leave with the others.

But a young man stood up and said, "Miss, I am fortunate to have heard a line of poetry that must be in line with the Duke and Miss's wishes."

The other six people immediately looked at him warily.

Miss Bai said calmly, "What Grandpa needs is not some poem."

Young Master Qin said quickly, "Miss, please listen to the whole story first: I look at my sword by lamplight while drunk, and dream of blowing the horn in the camp! How do you think?"

Miss Bai was slightly distracted, and murmured something in a low voice. She nodded to Mr. Qing and said, "It's a good sentence! Mr. Qin is thoughtful!"

Young Master Qin immediately looked very proud and satisfied, good impressions were built up bit by bit, the good impression gained by this poem was worth ten formal greetings!

Others frowned and cursed in their hearts: Why aren't they so lucky to hear this sentence?
The Duke of Zhenguo is a veteran on the battlefield, and only poems with such vigor and courage can win his favor!
I’ll find someone to write more battlefield poems later!

……

After watching everyone leave, Miss Bai returned to the room.

On the bed, an old man with an unusually large frame but skinny as a stick was leaning on a thick velvet cushion. He looked weak and his face was covered with age spots.

It was the Duke of Zhenguo, Bai Jingting.

"Grandpa!" Miss Bai put down the heater in her hand, stepped forward to tuck in the corner of the quilt, and asked softly, "Do you need water?"

Bai Jingting shook his head, his eyes blurred and his voice hoarse, and said: "I look at the sword by the lamp while drunk, and dream of blowing the horn in the camp... What a heroic spirit, it reminds me of my many years of battlefield life. If I could ride a horse and fight, and die on the battlefield, it would be better than the appearance now."

Miss Bai was silent for a moment, then said, "To die on the battlefield is the dream of many soldiers, but I'm afraid that's not possible now."

Bai Jingting sighed slightly and said, "Yes, when the immortal appears, many things are gone... What do you think of the seven of them?"

Miss Bai shook her head and said, "Neither of them is a good man you can trust."

Bai Jingting knew this too, and sighed, "At least the power behind them can protect the Duke's Mansion for ten years..."

Miss Bai said, "Grandpa, maybe they themselves are more ferocious wolves, just waiting to devour the Duke's Mansion."

Both grandfather and grandson were silent.

If Bai Jingting had not revealed his intention to find a successor and found seven candidates, the wolves outside would have pounced on him long ago.

The forces behind these seven candidates are both a deterrent to intimidate the wolves and a poison to quench their thirst.

After a long time, Bai Jingting said, "It would be nice if that sour scholar was still here."

There was movement outside.

Miss Bai stood up and said, "It's Steward Lin."

Having said that, he stood up and walked to open the door. When he returned, a middle-aged man who looked like a butler followed him.

"Master, Feng Fu wants to see you!" (End of this chapter)