Dong Tingshen occasionally chimed in with agreeable remarks from the side, and the long corridor was filled with laughter and joy, creating a wonderful atmosphere.

Dong Changlan watched Bai Qingyan, whose eyes held a gentle smile as she walked unhurriedly behind them, walking alongside him, and asked about Bai Qingyan’s bandit suppression activities: “On the way here, I heard that these bandits are becoming increasingly bold, actually snatching children in broad daylight – lawless.”

“Indeed!” Bai Qingyan responded, walking along the corridor with Dong Changlan while speaking softly, “So I plan to lead new soldiers up the mountain to suppress bandits after Mother’s birthday.”

“Changlan is willing to assist, cousin!” Dong Changlan cupped his hands and spoke earnestly, “The sixty-three men who escorted Changlan to Shouyang this time are all elite soldiers from Dengzhou.”

Dengzhou was close to the territory of Nanrong, which had already broken away. The Rong and Di peoples were fierce in character, so Dengzhou soldiers naturally had to be skilled to subdue the Rong and Di.

Uncle Dong Qingyue was the Governor of Dengzhou, and as the eldest son of the Dengzhou Governor, Dong Changlan’s abilities were not to be doubted.

However, Bai Qingyan’s plan to go up the mountain to suppress bandits was merely to catch those fake bandits who were snatching children, so that the Emperor and Crown Prince would know she was truly training civilians as soldiers for bandit suppression – where would she need Dong Changlan’s help?

“Miss!” Nanny Qin hurried forward to catch up with Bai Qingyan, and after bowing to Bai Qingyan, Dong Changlan, and Bai Qingping, she said, “Master Xiao has arrived.”

Xiao Rongyan?

Bai Qingyan’s hands behind her back tightened slightly. Why had he come again today?

Dong Changlan looked at Bai Qingyan: “Master Xiao? Could it be the world’s number one righteous merchant, Xiao Rongyan, who once helped the Bai family in the capital?”

Dong Changlan had once heard Dong Qingyue mention Xiao Rongyan. Dong Qingyue had said… this Master Xiao was not an ordinary person, but a dragon among men. Though a merchant by status, he had the extraordinary bearing and must not be underestimated.

Bai Qingping also knew of this Master Xiao, who had recently opened shops and pawn shops consecutively in Shouyang, and seemed to be preparing a gambling house lately. His reputation was growing daily, and because of his extraordinary relationships with the Crown Prince and the Bai family, he had already become someone local officials sought to curry favor with, making his business extremely successful.

“Qingping, you accompany Changlan inside first…”

“Let me accompany cousin to meet this Master Xiao together! I’ve heard father mention this Master Xiao before, and Changlan is very curious… such a rare opportunity, I’d like to meet him.” Dong Changlan’s deep eyes held a smile.

Father said that righteous merchant Xiao Rongyan was not an ordinary person, but the more capable someone was, the deeper their thoughts and the more hidden their schemes.

Therefore, he needed to see whether this Master Xiao had designs on the Bai family and was deliberately approaching them.

In the capital, Xiao Rongyan had repeatedly offered assistance. Dong Changlan feared that Bai Qingyan, due to gratitude in her heart, might be biased when judging Xiao Rongyan.

The Bai family now had only orphans and widows left, all relying on cousin Bai Qingyan for support – they could not afford any missteps.

If Xiao Rongyan had other intentions, Dong Changlan would have to remind Bai Qingyan, lest she fall into Xiao Rongyan’s trap.

Since Dong Changlan put it this way, Bai Qingyan could hardly refuse. She nodded and brought Dong Changlan and Bai Qingping to meet Xiao Rongyan together.

Today, Xiao Rongyan wore neat moon-white clothing with mud on his boot soles. Seeing Bai Qingyan approaching with Bai Qingping and a man who looked very similar to Dong Qingyue behind her, Xiao Rongyan immediately knew Dong Changlan’s identity.

When Xiao Rongyan had just arrived at the Bai mansion and saw the carriages and horses stopped in front, Steward Hao had smiled and informed him that Madam Dong’s nephew had arrived.

“Miss Bai…” Xiao Rongyan smiled and bowed to Bai Qingyan.

Yue Shi, who carried a bamboo basket on his back, also bowed to Bai Qingyan, but not knowing what to call her, he kept his mouth tightly shut.

“Master Xiao!” Bai Qingyan stood with hands behind her back, nodding slightly as she introduced Xiao Rongyan: “This is my cousin, Dong Changlan.”

“Young Master Dong…” Xiao Rongyan smiled and bowed.

Dong Changlan saw the man before him had a straight nose and deep eyes, with profound and gentle gaze, surrounded by the scholarly elegance of a learned man. He didn’t look like a merchant at all, but rather like a great scholar, harmonious and composed.

“Master Xiao!” Dong Changlan returned the bow with sparkling eyes: “I’ve heard Father praise Master Xiao endlessly. Meeting you today, you indeed have an extraordinary bearing and are truly a dragon among men.”

“Too kind of Master Dong to think so highly of me. Yan dared not accept such praise!” Xiao Rongyan’s deep eyes held a smile, as if accustomed to such praise, showing no signs of unworthy fluster, appearing upright and magnanimous.

“Master Xiao came today – is there business?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Xiao Rongyan nodded and smiled as he took the bamboo basket from Yue Shi: “Today I went fishing outside the city and had quite a good catch, so I brought some for Miss Bai to try fresh, not knowing the Bai mansion had distinguished guests.”

Seeing Bai Qingyan nod, Bai Qingping quickly stepped forward to take the bamboo basket from Xiao Rongyan and expressed thanks: “Thank you, Master Xiao.”

Just as Bai Qingping finished speaking, Tingzhu, Dong Shi’s maid, came lightly with small steps and stood behind Bai Qingyan, lowering her voice to say: “Miss, Madam says… Master Xiao came at a good time. If Master Xiao is not busy, he might as well stay for dinner.”

Tingzhu spoke neither loudly nor softly, and Xiao Rongyan, who had excellent hearing, heard everything.

“If Master Xiao is not busy, please stay for dinner.” Bai Qingyan’s hands behind her back tightened slightly.

Today I have leisure time. Being honored with Miss Bai’s invitation, Yan… naturally must comply.” Xiao Rongyan smiled.

Dong Shi still had the welcoming banquet for Dong Qingping and Cui Shi set up in Shaohua Courtyard. The third floor of Shaohua Hall was spacious, with two tables of banquet prepared, separated by a nanmu wood screen carved with bamboo leaves. The women sat in the inner room, while the men sat outside.

During the banquet, Dong Changlan had originally been wary of Xiao Rongyan, but after some conversation, he discovered that this man’s vision and knowledge were extraordinary, with a broad-minded and free-spirited character. When Dong Changlan asked about things he didn’t understand, Xiao Rongyan answered in detail without holding back, instead making people feel he was an upright and gentle gentleman.

Whether Dong Changlan discussed local customs, poetry, or military affairs, Xiao Rongyan could hit upon the key advantages and disadvantages, speaking at an unhurried pace in a flowing manner, and could also provide enlightenment to Dong Changlan from different perspectives.

Dong Changlan’s heart was as broad as Dong Qingyue’s. Although he hadn’t completely let down his guard against Xiao Rongyan, he couldn’t help but develop a favorable impression of him.

Bai Qingping didn’t speak much, probably because both Dong Changlan and Xiao Rongyan were eloquent conversationalists, but whenever he did speak, it had the effect of throwing out a brick to attract jade. With a few more years of experience, Bai Qingping could be of great use. With such a person assisting Bai Qingyan, Dong Changlan felt much more at ease.

In the inner room, Cui Shi had a lively personality, telling Dong Shi and Bai Qingyan amusing stories from Dengzhou. Without deliberately mentioning it, she seamlessly described Old Madam Dong’s good health clearly.

Cui Shi was the granddaughter-in-law personally chosen by Old Madam Dong. Setting aside family background, her character was naturally precious, and from her conversation, one could see she was skilled in diplomacy.