The illegitimate gentleman from Shouyang’s Bai family standing to Bai Qiyun’s right finished speaking with a respectful manner, then reached out to pull Bai Qiyun. He wanted to take the opportunity to flee with Bai Qiyun, since the clan’s reputation was far more valuable than this silver. They were in the wrong to begin with, and continuing to confront would inevitably expose their deception.
Without a word, Bai Jinxiu blocked the three men’s path, gritting her teeth and crying out with all her strength: “Now you say you dare not accept it?! Weren’t you the ones just now aggressively demanding my aunt produce four hundred fifty thousand taels by tomorrow?! Weren’t you the ones arrogantly ordering us to pay for our future security?! Speaking of my grandfather’s righteousness while implying that we Duke Mansion widows are unrighteous people… framing the clan! Do you take me for a fool who can’t understand?! If that’s the case… do you dare swear before my grandfather’s spirit tablet that you didn’t coerce my great aunt? If you dare swear… I, Bai Jinzhi, will apologize to the clan with my death today! Do you dare?!”
Which of the three gentlemen from Shouyang would truly dare make such an oath?
Just as Bai Jinzhi’s angry, high-pitched words ended, a galloping horse was suddenly reined in, stopping steadily before the Duke Mansion’s gates.
Xiao Rongyan, draped in a white cloak, leaped down from horseback, casually handing his riding whip to an accompanying guard. He respectfully arranged his robes outside the gate before stepping onto the Duke Mansion’s stairs.
Upon entering, Xiao Rongyan spoke no words, first performing a grand kowtowing ceremony, then rising to bow deeply to Dong Shi.
Dong Shi and Bai Qingyan returned the courtesy. Before Xiao Rongyan could speak, Bai Qingyan said first: “Mr. Xiao has surely met with our Duke Mansion’s steward. Does Mr. Xiao have any intention of taking over our Duke Mansion’s shops, farms, and fertile land? The clan is pressing urgently – they want to see the silver tomorrow. Mother and I have thought it over… looking across the entire capital, only you, Mr. Xiao, the world’s wealthiest merchant, could produce five or six hundred thousand taels overnight! We had planned to get your confirmation first, then have our steward and manager bring contracts to your door, but we never expected Mr. Xiao to come personally.”
Xiao Rongyan looked at Bai Qingyan, who spoke unhurriedly with a composed and calm expression, then extended his hand backward. His attendant immediately presented an extremely exquisite and valuable redwood box.
Xiao Rongyan offered the box with both hands, his gentle voice flowing steadily: “The Duke Mansion’s Bai family’s loyalty and courage is witnessed by all under heaven. Xiao is also moved by the Duke Mansion’s entire family of loyal martyrs! As a merchant of lowly status, what Xiao can offer is only these material things! Here are banknotes from Huitong Bank worth one million taels, freshly printed. If it’s not enough, tomorrow I’ll have people send another two million taels! My Lady and Miss Bai, please speak freely – no matter how much more, Xiao can produce it.”
Under the flickering candlelight and lanterns of the Bai family mourning hall, Xiao Rongyan’s tall, upright figure stood with dark eyes, calm and composed.
The room full of candlelight outlined his extremely elegant and distinct facial features. His tranquil, water-like, profound gaze also flickered bright and dark with the dancing flames, displaying a gentle, noble, and mature temperament throughout.
Bai Qingyan knew that with the opportunity presented to Xiao Rongyan, he would only do better than she had anticipated…
Such magnanimity toward the Duke Mansion’s widows both demonstrated his abundant wealth rivaling nations and earned him a good reputation.
Hearing the common people praising Xiao Rongyan’s righteousness one after another, her eyes grew even more profound.
After today, Xiao Rongyan’s title as the world’s wealthiest merchant would be secure, and the reputation of a righteous merchant… would be his as well.
Dong Shi curtsied slightly in salute: “Thank you for Mr. Xiao’s assistance. The Duke Mansion owes Mr. Xiao a debt of gratitude. However, business is business… we must still conduct affairs according to proper rules. Mr. Xiao may have his steward and manager bring people to calculate with our mansion’s accounting office the value of the shops, farms, and fertile land – whatever the amount should be, that’s what it should be! We absolutely cannot let Mr. Xiao pay even one coin more.”
“My Lady…”
Dong Shi raised her hand, indicating Xiao Rongyan need not persuade further, her expression gentle: “Mr. Xiao’s willingness to provide timely assistance during the Duke Mansion’s difficulties is already precious! Everyone in the Duke Mansion is deeply grateful. However, the Duke Mansion’s family laws are strict – even if we reach the end of our resources, we absolutely cannot take even a needle or thread more from the people! The Duke Mansion’s family rules cannot be violated, our integrity cannot be bent! Moreover, with us women still in the Duke Mansion, we haven’t reached a dead end.”
Xiao Rongyan bowed solemnly in apology: “Xiao was presumptuous. Though the Duke Mansion’s men have all died wrapped in horse leather, the Duke Mansion’s integrity and spirit endure forever. Xiao is deeply moved! Then, let it be as My Lady says…”
“However…” Xiao Rongyan’s gaze swept over the three gentlemen from Shouyang’s Bai family blocked by Bai Jinzhi, saying, “Since these three gentlemen from Shouyang’s Bai clan are so urgent, the banknotes could be given first. The dead are greatest – with the Duke Mansion’s great funeral ahead, attend to the funeral first. After the funeral ends, slowly handle the business accounting and transfer matters. What does My Lady think?”
“Mr. Xiao’s righteousness leaves the Duke Mansion endlessly grateful.” Bai Qingyan bowed respectfully, then said, “Mother, accounting and transfer will likely take some time. Since we promised the three clan uncles to have everything ready tomorrow, we cannot break our word. Now the Duke Mansion suddenly faces great mourning and is extremely busy. Since Mr. Xiao trusts the Duke Mansion, why not first ask Mr. Xiao… to give four hundred fifty thousand taels to the three uncles, and after the Duke Mansion’s funeral passes, we’ll handle accounting and transfer.”
Dong Shi nodded: “Then we’ll trouble Mr. Xiao.”
Only then did Xiao Rongyan hand the brocade box to his attendant behind him. The attendant took out ten banknotes worth one hundred thousand taels each, then took five banknotes worth ten thousand taels each. Holding the wooden box containing banknotes in one hand and the banknotes in the other, he walked before the three men with a casual attitude, carelessly extending the banknotes with one hand.
Bai Qiyun wasn’t a fool. Taking these four hundred fifty thousand taels in banknotes privately would be fine, but after the earlier commotion, with all the noble mourners and common people watching – the clan had forced the Bai family widows to sell the Duke Mansion’s properties to raise silver for the clan, and now a merchant had come to give silver to the Duke Mansion. If he took this silver, their Bai family clan would truly become the mockery of all under heaven.
Bai Jinzhi spoke to provoke Bai Qiyun: “Uncle, the banknotes have arrived… why don’t you dare reach out to take them? Could it be because the grandfather’s spirit manifested, and you’re afraid? Or is it that grandfather’s promise to do this and that for the clan was just a lie you fabricated to forcibly seize the Duke Mansion’s property?!”
Bai Qiyun involuntarily thought again of the earlier windless flickering candles and twice-broken incense, his palms growing clammy with nervous sweat.
Bai Jinxiu, who had been kneeling before the mourning hall, raised her head and spoke slowly: “Uncle hesitates so much – could it be that fourth sister’s speculation is true? Uncle, could you be afraid that if you take the silver with a guilty conscience, our Duke Mansion’s heroic spirits will settle accounts with you at night?”
Bai Qiyun panicked and stepped back, his fierce exterior hiding inner cowardice: “What nonsense are you spouting! This… this was originally agreed upon!”
Though he said this, Bai Qiyun still didn’t dare reach out to take the silver, his fear obvious to all.
Instead, the illegitimate gentleman standing behind Bai Qiyun gritted his teeth and stepped forward, accepting the silver with both hands.