“Three days ago… this humble one used the excuse of finishing account reconciliation and delivering dividends to the great families of Xiliang to visit all the mansions. However, the eight great families all said that the Empress promised not to let Young Master Fengnian’s influence affect business in Xiliang. As for how Young Master offended the Empress, they claim not to know. But they believe that since the Xiliang Empress has already imprisoned Young Master Fengnian for so many days, it shouldn’t be much longer before she releases him. They told this humble one not to worry and dismissed me. This humble one is incompetent… even now, I don’t know why Young Master Fengnian was imprisoned.”

Bai Qingqi frowned tightly, shaking her head as her fingers tapped intermittently on the table beside her. “You can’t say that. The fact that you could discover that even Xiliang’s imperial relatives and nobles don’t know why the Xiliang Empress imprisoned Young Master Fengnian – that’s also a clue.”

Before coming, Bai Qingyan had told Bai Qingqi that this Chen Qingsheng… had exceptional talent in networking. Whether high society or the underworld, as long as Chen Qingsheng wanted to befriend someone, he could manage it, and he was excellent at gathering information.

If Chen Qingsheng discovered that even Xiliang’s imperial relatives and nobles didn’t know why Bai Jintong was imprisoned, then it seemed… the Xiliang Empress had never revealed a single word to outsiders.

Chen Qingsheng appeared somewhat frustrated. The eldest miss had sent him to follow the third miss, hoping that at crucial times like this, he could gather reliable information. Yet he still couldn’t even discover why the third miss was imprisoned.

Chen Qingsheng said regretfully, “Silver has been spent, connections have been used, but so far I still can’t see Young Master Fengnian. I only learned that Young Master Fengnian is being held in the imperial prison, and that the Xiliang Empress has visited him three times. This humble one couldn’t even discover whether Young Master Fengnian has been tortured! I’m truly ashamed.”

Bai Qingqi maintained her composure, picking up the teacup beside her, and asked again, “Young Master Fengnian’s business in Da Zhou – has it truly been unaffected since his imprisonment?”

“Indeed, it hasn’t!” Chen Qingsheng answered honestly. “Initially, several shopkeepers suggested closing the shops temporarily, but this humble one thought… keeping the shops open would prove Young Master Fengnian’s clear conscience. Moreover, once the shops had problems, it would indicate that Young Master Fengnian was in serious trouble. This humble one figured… if the Xiliang Empress hasn’t moved against the shops, then… Young Master Fengnian’s situation shouldn’t be too dire.”

Xiao Ruohai, who had already investigated in Yunjing, spoke up: “That’s not necessarily true. After all… Young Master Fengnian brought papermaking technology from Tianfeng Kingdom, as well as jade brocade manufacturing techniques. Now, jade brocade is popular among Da Zhou’s nobles. Jade brocade commands high prices, and Xiliang’s furs also fetch very high prices in Da Zhou. Previously, Xiliang’s farming people… could profit from grain.”

“But now Xiliang people profit by making jade brocade, hunting animals, and skinning them for Young Master Fengnian’s shops, then having Young Master Fengnian’s merchant caravans transport them to Da Zhou for substantial profits. Some have tried to get a share of Young Master Fengnian’s business, but the major merchants in Da Zhou, Great Yan, and Tianfeng Kingdom who buy jade brocade and furs only purchase from Young Master Fengnian.”

“And because Tianfeng Kingdom’s papermaking technology is advanced with extremely low costs, while Yan Kingdom needs vast quantities, several of Xiliang’s great families and nobles have invested silver with Young Master Fengnian in papermaking, recruiting common people to make paper for transport to Yan Kingdom for profit! It can be said that Young Master Fengnian’s shops have, in this short time, penetrated the livelihoods of Xiliang’s common people. Even if the Xiliang Empress wants to make things difficult for Young Master Fengnian, she can’t easily move against his shops.”

Bai Qingqi’s finger-tapping paused as she seemed to suddenly grasp the key point. Now she understood what Jintong was trying to accomplish in Xiliang.

Bai Jintong had become involved in the livelihoods of Xiliang’s people…

He was using commerce to weaken Xiliang, grasping the lifeline of Xiliang people’s sustenance.

“Does Young Master Fengnian also do grain business?” Bai Qingqi asked.

Chen Qingsheng nodded: “Young Master Fengnian sells grain purchased from Da Zhou and Yan Kingdom to Xiliang people…”

Bai Qingqi’s thoughts became increasingly clear as she pressed: “What are the profits like?”

Chen Qingsheng seemed to realize something as well. Looking at Bai Qingqi, he said: “Young Master Fengnian transports grain separately to Tianfeng Kingdom and Xiliang. The grain business in Tianfeng Kingdom is profitable, but… the grain business in Xiliang just barely breaks even.”

Xiao Ruohai had suspected this before, and now he could confirm that the third miss’s arrest was probably because of this matter…

Bai Qingqi pressed her thin lips tightly together. It seemed this Xiliang Empress had probably sent people to investigate as well, even realizing that Bai Jintong wanted to use this method to weaken Xiliang, which was why she had arrested Jintong.

It appeared this Xiliang Empress had read the stories of “buying deer to control Chu” and “buying foxes to defeat Dai,” and had become wary of Bai Jintong.

Xiao Ruohai looked at Chen Qingsheng and asked again: “What about other businesses? Does Young Master Fengnian profit from buying jade brocade and furs at high prices to send to the Jin Kingdom?”

Chen Qingsheng looked at Xiao Ruohai and nodded repeatedly: “Yes, it’s profitable, and substantial profits at that!”

Xiao Ruohai turned to look at Bai Qingqi and bowed deeply: “Third Young Master, Ruohai believes… Young Master Fengnian has done nothing wrong. After all… merchants pursue profit. Since jade brocade, furs, and paper can yield substantial profits, Young Master Fengnian naturally wants more Xiliang people to participate. With grain prices slightly lower, people are willing to spend more time on jade brocade and furs, so Young Master Fengnian’s profits naturally increase.”

“Exactly! Merchants pursuing profit is the most normal thing!” Chen Qingsheng said.

Bai Qingqi nodded and looked at Chen Qingsheng: “Your Young Master Fengnian must have said the same thing, otherwise… it wouldn’t be as simple as just imprisonment. However… the Xiliang Empress has kept your Young Master Fengnian imprisoned for too long. These eight great families of Xiliang probably see that your Young Master Fengnian is in prison while the shops under your management are still running well, and their interests haven’t been harmed in the slightest. So to the eight great families, your Young Master Fengnian seems dispensable, and they won’t plead for him before the Xiliang Empress.”

Chen Qingsheng’s face went pale as he quickly bowed to Bai Qingqi in apology: “This humble one’s consideration was inadequate. Please punish me, Third Young Master.”

“You acted according to your Young Master Fengnian’s orders. That you could run the shops so well in Young Master Fengnian’s absence shows exceptional ability – you have merit!” Bai Qingqi tapped the table in front of her once, lifted the hem of her robe, crossed her legs, picked up her teacup, and said with a cold, stern expression: “Starting today… gradually raise grain prices, doubling them daily. Other grain merchants will surely follow the trend. There will come a time when the Xiliang Empress grows anxious! Also send someone back to Da Zhou with orders to strictly inspect grain merchants at the borders immediately, especially those heading toward Xiliang – find an excuse to detain them!”