Looking at Great Yan’s Ninth Prince Murong Yan stepping across the threshold of Nuanhua Pavilion, Bai Jinzhi, maintaining the attitude of treating guests with courtesy, cupped her hands in greeting first: “Ninth Prince…”

Murong Yan unfastened the ink fox cloak of excellent quality from his body, also nodding to return Bai Jinzhi’s courtesy: “Prince Gaoyi.”

A maid stepped forward with small steps, respectfully taking the cloak from Murong Yan’s hands and respectfully withdrawing while holding it.

“Please take a seat, Ninth Prince…” Bai Jinzhi smiled and made a welcoming gesture to Murong Yan. Her words and actions were much more composed, already showing the bearing of Prince Gaoyi, no longer as naive and childish as she used to be in front of Xiao Rongyan.

Murong Yan understood that Bai Qingyan had Wei Zhong bring him here to dine with Bai Qingyu and Bai Jinzhi was deliberately informing Bai Qingyu and Bai Jinzhi about the future merger of the two kingdoms.

Bai Qingyu had known his identity even before Great Zhou was established, but Xiao Si Bai Jinzhi, who had been trying to matchmake him with Bai Qingyan, probably still didn’t know…

Murong Yan nodded, lifted the hem of his robe, and knelt down across from Bai Qingyu, his dark eyes beneath the mask quietly gazing at Bai Qingyu.

A maid had just served tea to Murong Yan when she heard Bai Jinzhi introduce: “This is my Great Zhou Empress’s brother, also my fifth brother…”

“This prince has had the honor of meeting Fifth Young Master before…” Murong Yan smiled slightly.

Thinking that Murong Yan had ultimately shown responsibility by marrying A’jie and had discarded the name Xiao Rongyan, Bai Qingyu felt much more at ease. Moreover, A’jie had Murong Yan come dine with him, and Xiao Si seemed to indicate she wanted to tell Xiao Si about Murong Yan’s identity, hoping they would get along harmoniously!

Bai Qingyu didn’t want to disappoint A’jie, so he gave face by saying: “Indeed, the Bai family has deep ties with the Ninth Prince.”

Bai Jinzhi could tell these two seemed to be speaking in riddles, but before she could ask her fifth brother, the maids entered in single file carrying various dishes – some bearing plates, some carrying honey wine pitchers, cold dishes, fresh fruits, pastries, steamed cakes, flowing in like water.

“Where’s your elder sister? Isn’t elder sister coming?” Bai Jinzhi turned to ask Wei Zhong, who was supervising the serving of dishes.

Wei Zhong quickly faced Bai Jinzhi with a humble posture: “Replying to Prince Gaoyi, His Majesty just sent word to serve the dishes first. His Majesty will arrive momentarily.”

Bai Jinzhi nodded, glanced at the masked Great Yan Ninth Prince Murong Yan, then at her fifth brother. Both were wearing masks – how would they eat later?

Fifth brother’s mask only covered half his face, which was fine, but how would this Great Yan Ninth Prince eat?

Bai Jinzhi almost laughed out loud at some thought, quickly covering her lips with her hand.

Seeing Chun Zhi lift the curtain to invite Bai Qingyan in, Bai Jinzhi quickly stood up: “Elder sister!”

Bai Qingyu and Murong Yan also stood up.

“When family dines together, there’s no need for such formality. Please sit.” Bai Qingyan smiled as she glanced at Murong Yan and took her seat at the head position.

“Family?” Bai Jinzhi raised her eyebrows in surprise, sitting down while looking toward Murong Yan.

When did this Great Yan Ninth Prince become family?

In front of the Great Yan Ninth Prince, Bai Jinzhi didn’t feel comfortable asking.

Maids carrying basins, pitchers, and towels entered through the side doors with small steps, kneeling behind the tables to serve Bai Qingyan, Bai Qingyu, Bai Jinzhi, and Murong Yan in washing their hands. During this time, two servants carried in a bronze brazier with twin ears shaped like auspicious beasts and placed it in the center of Nuanhua Pavilion.

The bronze brazier had openwork on both sides, allowing them to see the charcoal fire burning bright red inside. Two maids brought up a whole roasted pig. The roasted pig was colored like honey and amber, and the enticing sweet meat fragrance could be smelled from far away.

A maid who had washed her hands with dew water knelt beside the brazier, slicing the pork extremely thin and serving it in glass dishes to each of their tables before respectfully withdrawing.

“Wei Zhong, we don’t need service here. Take everyone and withdraw.” Bai Qingyan wiped her hands with a towel.

“Yes!”

After Wei Zhong led all the maids and servants out, Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jinzhi: “A’Yu, Xiao Si, this Great Yan Ninth Prince is your brother-in-law…”

Bai Jinzhi’s eyes widened: “Elder sister is going to marry into an alliance with Yan Kingdom?!”

But… brother-in-law had only been gone for so short a time?!

A political marriage?

Bai Jinzhi clenched her fists, looking at the Great Yan Ninth Prince with hostility: “Elder sister, is this for the alliance between our two kingdoms? If this is a condition for Great Yan to ally with our Great Zhou, I disagree!”

Elder sister had once said that Great Zhou would never have women marry for political alliances, but she couldn’t sacrifice elder sister’s happiness for this.

“Elder sister and brother-in-law had deep feelings for each other. Xiao Si believes… if brother-in-law knew elder sister was going to establish another Imperial Consort, he would hope elder sister would choose someone she favored, not compromise herself for the Kingdom!” Bai Jinzhi said indignantly. Suddenly thinking of Xiao Rongyan’s serious illness and death, she even suspected whether this Great Yan Ninth Prince had played some trick. “This Great Yan Ninth Prince wears a mask all day – who knows if he’s ugly or handsome!”

However, even with suspicions but no evidence, Bai Jinzhi couldn’t rashly speak out, as it would affect diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Hearing Xiao Si’s words, Bai Qingyu pressed his thin lips together. Deep feelings? So… elder sister truly had heartfelt affection for this Great Yan Ninth Prince.

Bai Jinzhi straightened her back and cupped her hands in salute to Bai Qingyan: “Regarding this matter… please reconsider, elder sister!”

Murong Yan raised his hand to remove the mask from his face, looking up at Bai Jinzhi: “Xiao Si’s protection… Yan is deeply grateful.”

Bai Jinzhi heard Murong Yan’s voice and turned her head. Upon seeing Murong Yan’s gently smiling face clearly, she was so shocked she stood up: “You…”

“Xiao Rongyan was an alias for Murong Yan. To facilitate traveling between kingdoms, your brother-in-law… is Murong Yan.” Bai Qingyan explained to the shocked Bai Jinzhi.

Murong Yan placed his mask aside, stood up, and bowed to Bai Jinzhi: “Previously deceiving Xiao Si about my identity was truly due to unavoidable circumstances. I needed to hide my identity to plan for the Yan Kingdom. Please forgive me, Xiao Si.”

“But…” Bai Jinzhi still couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

In Bai Jinzhi’s impression, Murong Yan and Xiao Rongyan were completely two different people… One was the ruthless Yan Kingdom Regent Prince who, though she had never seen him before, was known through rumors to be black-hearted and black-handed, could be called cold-blooded and merciless, killing people like cutting grass!

While Xiao Rongyan was Great Wei’s foremost wealthy merchant, who had shown kindness to the Bai family… Not only did he have feelings for elder sister, he was also a righteous merchant, gentle and refined. Interacting with him was like being bathed in a spring breeze. Moreover, Xiao Rongyan was a highly talented scholar whose poetry circulated in the world and was admired by many literati and scholars. He had dealings with nobles from various countries and friends throughout the world.

These two people… how could anyone possibly connect them?

Bai Jinzhi looked at her fifth brother sitting as steady as Mount Tai and knew that fifth brother had probably known long ago. Only she was still kept in the dark. Somewhat angrily, Bai Jinzhi turned to look at her elder sister…