“I only hope that after the clan takes the silver, they will truly be able to grant us widows of Duke Zhenguo’s mansion… some peace!” Bai Qingyan let out a long sigh. “It’s already late. Have the servants escort the three uncles to their quarters! After the Duke’s funeral is complete… my mother will personally send people to escort the three uncles back to Shouyang!”

Upon hearing this, Bai Jinzhi could no longer contain herself and stepped forward: “Elder Sister! They’ve treated our Duke’s mansion like this…”

“Our Duke’s mansion would rather have all under heaven wrong us than wrong anyone under heaven – this is righteousness.”

Seeing the Duke’s mansion family members who looked as if they wanted to devour them alive, how could Bai Qiyun have the courage to stay at the Duke’s mansion?!

“No… there’s no need! We have our lodgings!” Bai Qiyun tightly gripped his cousin’s hand, wanting to leave.

“Uncle, though the capital isn’t far from Shouyang, it’s not close either. With Uncle carrying four hundred fifty thousand taels of silver, returning like this would inevitably be unsafe! Before the Duke’s funeral is finished, the mansion truly cannot spare the manpower to escort you three back to Shouyang. For safety’s sake… why not wait until after the funeral, and have the Duke’s mansion send people to escort you three back to Shouyang?”

“Elder Sister!” Bai Jinzhi’s eyes reddened with anger, her chest full of indignation and dissatisfaction.

Before Bai Qiyun could speak, the concubine-born elder who had just accepted the silver said: “We three came this time precisely for the Duke’s funeral and to fulfill the Duke’s last wishes. Naturally, we must wait until after the Duke’s funeral before leaving! However, we dare not trouble the Duke’s mansion with escort duties, or we would die of shame.”

With the conversation having reached this point, Bai Qingyan nodded and ordered someone to invite Xiao Rongyan to the inner hall for tea as thanks.

The three men led by Bai Qiyun left in disgrace under the watchful eyes of the common people.

Yet the onlooking citizens couldn’t help but feel that Bai Qingyan was too lenient with her clan members.

“Though she says ‘rather have all under heaven wrong me than wrong anyone under heaven,’ the Bai clan treated their Duke’s mansion so wretchedly. Miss Bai even dared to force Prince Xin to his death – how could she be so weak when facing her clan?”

Groups of three to five citizens carrying lanterns walked home, discussing among themselves.

“How is that weak?! Isn’t it just a case of having to bow one’s head when under another’s roof? Didn’t you hear what the heir’s wife said… after the funeral, the Bai family widows will return to Shouyang? What else can they do? Those orphans and widows can’t very well fight with their clan, can they?”

At this point, some soft-hearted women kept wiping away tears: “Duke Zhenguo’s mansion was full of loyal martyrs – how did they end up with such a fate! If the Duke knew, he surely wouldn’t rest in peace!”

“Of course he wouldn’t rest in peace! Just now… when others offered incense, it was fine, but when that Shouyang Bai clan elder offered incense, the incense broke! Twice! The candle flames swayed without wind – wasn’t that the Duke’s spirit manifesting?!”

“Ah! It’s already dark. Why are you talking about this? How eerie!”

“What’s to fear? The Duke’s family all died protecting us common folk. Even if their spirits manifest after death, would they harm us?! Even in death, they’d protect us – what demons or ghosts could harm us!”

—

The sky had grown pitch black. The capital’s usually most bustling Red Lantern Street was shrouded in misty haze, where one could faintly see white lanterns that citizens and merchants had spontaneously hung – apparently to mourn the heroic spirits of the Duke’s mansion who died for Kingdom and people.

The white lanterns in the Duke’s mansion corridors and under the eaves swayed gently in the wind.

Before long, snow began falling like crushed fine salt, lightly striking the white silk surfaces of the lanterns with pattering sounds.

Dong Shi and Bai Qingyan sat in the hall, slowly explaining in detail to Xiao Rongyan about the Duke’s mansion, merely borrowing his reputation.

“In this matter, our Duke’s mansion owes Master Xiao a favor. We trouble Master Xiao to cooperate with the Duke’s mansion in playing this act to completion – would that be acceptable?” Dong Shi’s voice was measured.

Xiao Rongyan set down his teacup and said solemnly: “Madam’s words would be my ruin. Though Xiao may be dull, I know… this is Miss Bai seeing through Xiao’s purpose for this capital journey and allowing Xiao to use the Duke’s mansion to achieve my goals.”

“Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants – merchants are often despised by others. The Duke’s mansion didn’t look down on Xiao’s origins, but instead assisted me. Xiao is deeply grateful and only hopes that someday Madam and Miss might give Xiao the chance to repay this kindness.”

What people in this dusty world value are nothing more than three things: first, power; second, reputation; third, wealth.

These three things could be said to complement each other…

With power in hand, one could gain wealth and reputation.

Reputation could achieve power and wealth.

Wealth could also achieve reputation and power.

Among these, wealth was easiest to grasp, followed by power, while a good reputation was hardest…

Since Xiao Rongyan wanted to use the title of foremost merchant to travel among nations and gain the favor of other countries’ nobility or even royal courts, he naturally needed to elevate his reputation to its peak. With great fame, wherever Xiao Rongyan went, he wouldn’t need to spend effort approaching those powerful figures – merely presenting his calling card would allow him to meet anyone.

Especially this time, by connecting himself with the Bai family, whose loyalty and righteousness shone brightest in the world, it was like gilding Xiao Rongyan’s name.

Bai Qingyan was handing him the opportunity to stand on the Bai family’s shoulders and gain a good reputation, presenting it right to Xiao Rongyan. This would greatly benefit his future dealings with noble families and distinguished houses of various nations. With Xiao Rongyan’s intelligence, how could he not see this?

Dong Shi gazed at the extremely handsome, refined man sitting under the lamplight. His eyes were deep and restrained, his features tinged with warm color by the flickering candlelight. Though a merchant, he had no vulgar air about him but was elegant throughout, with dignity and composure in his bearing and speech, his voice mellow and pleasant, inspiring great favor.

Dong Shi lightly gripped her hand warmer, her expression showing slight amusement as she nodded at Xiao Rongyan.

Xiao Rongyan was extremely wise and perceptive. Though his eyes were like deep springs whose bottom couldn’t be seen, Dong Shi could sense that as Xiao Rongyan sat here speaking with her, he held nothing back but spoke from the heart, truly appreciating the Duke’s mansion’s kindness.

Dong Shi didn’t expect future repayment from Xiao Rongyan – she simply enjoyed dealing with intelligent people, as it required no effort.

“We’re also grateful that Master Xiao intervened to stop Prince Xin at the south gate, and again saved our Bai family widows before the coffin today.” Dong Shi looked at the rustling snow outside the door. “The roads are slippery in snow – Master Xiao, be careful on your way back. In three days, the Duke’s mansion will return the four hundred fifty thousand taels in full. Qingyan, see Master Xiao out…”

Xiao Rongyan rose and respectfully performed a grand bow to Dong Shi before following Bai Qingyan out of the hall.

“Master Xiao, take care…” Bai Qingyan curtsied.

Under the bright corridor, lamp-bearing maids led the way with lanterns. Xiao Rongyan and Bai Qingyan walked side by side, with Chun Tao and the other maids along with Xiao Rongyan’s guards following at a distance behind them.

They walked in silence until Xiao Rongyan spoke first: “The words ‘rather have all under heaven wrong me than wrong anyone under heaven’ – I’m afraid they’ve already reached His Majesty’s ears by now. By the day after tomorrow at the latest, His Majesty will surely make some decision regarding Prince Xin.”

Bai Qingyan kept her eyes downcast and remained silent.

The Duke’s mansion’s determined stance of retreating to their old home in Shouyang had been displayed for the Emperor to see.