Old Fang turned around and glanced at Qin Shangzhi in the distance, who was discussing with the Crown Prince’s people about how to settle the divine deer. A hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes as he lowered his gaze and boarded the carriage.
Lu Yuanpeng held the reins for Bai Qingyan, watching as the Bai sisters mounted their horses. He raised his head and shouted to Bai Qingyan once more: “Sister Bai! I will join the army! Trust me!”
The common people had already cleared a path, tearfully watching Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi on horseback.
Bai Qingyan smiled and nodded, taking the reins and spurring her horse to gallop away.
Bai Jinzhi on horseback clasped her fists in salute to Lu Yuanpeng, then spurred her horse to chase after her eldest sister.
In the Crown Prince’s carriage.
“If you like a girl, do you directly send her love letters? Send horses? But I see that you, Rongyan, act prudently… you’re not such a rash person!” The Crown Prince asked Xiao Rongyan with a smile. “Or… are all you Wei people so direct?”
Xiao Rongyan lowered his eyes and smiled slightly, knowing the Crown Prince was referring to his having Yue Shi deliver letters and horses to Bai Qingyan at the southern border battlefield. He had not instructed Yue Shi to conceal it then, so it was natural for the Crown Prince to know.
“Did Bai Qingyan’s milk brother say anything unpleasant when he came to find you later?” the Crown Prince asked again.
Though Xiao Rongyan vaguely sensed that the Crown Prince seemed to regard his sending letters and horses to Bai Qingyan as a romantic affair, he dared not be too certain, so he smiled and shook his head: “Not at all.”
“Rest assured, you are my close friend. I know your character and appearance are impeccable. Only your merchant status… though I don’t mind, worldly eyes inevitably look down on you! If you truly like Miss Bai and are willing to consider marrying into her family, I could help mediate for you. After all, the Bai family now has no male heirs, so taking in a son-in-law is inevitable! In that case… You wouldn’t be unworthy of Miss Bai!”
The Crown Prince looked at Xiao Rongyan as if looking at his future money pouch, naturally willing to spare no effort to facilitate this good match.
It seems… Miss Bai has thrown in her lot with the Crown Prince. Xiao Rongyan fingered the jade cicada, gazing at the Crown Prince with a gentle smile. But… Miss Bai’s breadth of mind and vision are both extraordinary. Can she truly serve this Crown Prince who is false-hearted and deeply suspicious?
“Yan, daring to have someone send letters and horses to Miss Bai naturally means you’ve already understood the Bai family’s situation. Otherwise, how would a mere merchant dare to presume to reach above his station for Miss Bai!”
The Crown Prince’s face showed delight. What he liked most about Xiao Rongyan was this very quality—never thinking too highly of himself, knowing his place and being tactful…
After all, Xiao Rongyan was the first friend the Crown Prince had truly opened his heart to over the years. The Crown Prince pursed his lips and continued: “There’s one more thing you should think clearly about. Miss Bai has a shallow fortune regarding offspring. If you marry into her family… you’ll surely face obstruction if you want to take concubines in the future.”
The Crown Prince’s words truly considered Xiao Rongyan’s position. Who knew Xiao Rongyan would smile and say: “If I could have Miss Bai as my wife, even shallow fortune regarding offspring wouldn’t matter. I could adopt one! In the end, it’s the husband and wife who accompany each other through life, so when choosing a wife, I value more whether two people can know each other for life, seeking a kindred spirit, rather than… for continuing the bloodline.”
These words surprised the Crown Prince: “Rongyan, this way of thinking… I’ve never heard of such a thing!”
Which person in the world doesn’t marry to continue the bloodline? Xiao Rongyan doesn’t value offspring…
But Xiao Rongyan’s words weren’t without reason.
Indeed, it’s the wife who ultimately accompanies a person through life. But which man has only one wife? Any man with a bit of power has three wives and four concubines. How can a wife of humble origins compare to fresh, tender, young, and beautiful concubines?
Seeking a kindred spirit…
The Crown Prince smiled and looked at Xiao Rongyan: “Rongyan’s statements always surprise me.”
“I’m different from Your Highness. I’m just a merchant, seeking lifelong wealth and honor, living an interesting life! But the Crown Prince shoulders the burden of Jin, naturally needing flourishing offspring to continue Great Jin’s unbroken lineage!”
Xiao Rongyan’s words pleased the Crown Prince greatly. He patted Xiao Rongyan’s hand: “Next time, don’t be so rash… offending Miss Bai would be more loss than gain! Tell me everything, and I’ll surely make decisions for you! I wish nothing more than to keep you in Jin, so I’ll have someone to talk to!”
Xiao Rongyan’s smile became even more gentle and refined: “I still need to stay in the capital for a while. Lifelong matters cannot be rushed. As for tomorrow’s matter of the Great Yan Emperor entering the capital, His Majesty summoning Your Highness alone to the palace is probably about this.”
The Crown Prince had guessed as much: “After the Great Yan Emperor took South Yan, his attitude toward Jin has become more respectful than before! You were in South Yan recently—do you know how the war between Great Yan and South Yan went? Was it really as the rumors say… victory with almost no fighting?”
Xiao Rongyan smiled and nodded slightly: “I heard of war in South Yan and went there to do business. Along the way, I saw South Yan’s people welcoming Great Yan’s army with unprecedented enthusiasm! So this time I earned less than expected! But it wasn’t entirely without gain. I met the Great Yan Emperor’s younger brother, the Ninth Prince, and received permission… to do some business in Kuangping. Moreover… I encountered a rare treasure in Kuangping and brought it back for Your Highness. When Your Highness returns from the palace, I’ll present it to celebrate Your Highness’s southern victory.”
The Crown Prince’s eyes lit up. It wasn’t that the Crown Prince was shallow, coveting a merchant’s gift, but Xiao Rongyan’s every offering was a peerless treasure that people couldn’t put down.
The Bai Mansion.
Dong Shi heard that the victorious army had reached the south gate, and His Majesty had issued an edict summoning only the Crown Prince to the palace while letting other generals return home to rest. She couldn’t sit still at home and led the Bai family members to stand at the gate, craning her neck to gaze into the distance, hoping to catch sight of her daughter.
The first to arrive were the already pregnant Bai Jinxiu and Qin Lang. Qin Lang helped Bai Jinxiu down from the carriage. Lu Ping, Steward Hao, and various managers standing outside the mansion gate looking eastward quickly bowed to Bai Jinxiu and Qin Lang.
Second Madam Liu Shi walked down the steps to support her daughter: “You didn’t need to come so early. When your eldest sister returns, mother would naturally send someone to summon you!”
After Qin Lang paid his respects to the Bai family elders, he carefully helped Bai Jinxiu up the steps, his words and actions filled with whispered attentions full of love for Bai Jinxiu. Liu Shi was now somewhat satisfied with Qin Lang.
“Second Sister!” The Bai family’s Fifth Miss squeezed to Bai Jinxiu’s side, gently stroking Bai Jinxiu’s belly. “Second Sister brought the baby especially to welcome Elder Sister and Fourth Sister back, didn’t you?”
“Yes!” Bai Jinxiu smiled gently, tenderly rubbing Fifth Miss’s head.
Lu Ping, standing below the mansion gate, saw two fine horses galloping through the brilliant morning light, their riders heroic and spirited. He was so moved that tears instantly filled his eyes: “They’re back! They’re back! First Miss and Fourth Miss are back!”
Dong Shi, supported by Nanny Qin, tightened her grip and quickly stepped forward two paces to welcome them.