NOVEL WEB Chapter 98 - 97: Retreat and Lay Low_1
Chapter 98: Chapter 97: Retreat and Lay Low_1
At such a young age, to possess such a mind and great wisdom, who could she become with more time?
Xiao Rongyan couldn’t help but think of his mother, his fingers slightly tightening around the jade cicada.
He never underestimated any woman because of gender. He had already thought that this Miss Bai had extraordinary means and an equally extraordinary mind. After today’s tea, Xiao Rongyan not only thought highly of this Miss Bai but felt awe.
His heart surged with passion. If he could have someone like her to assist in the restoration of Yan, how could Yan not dominate the world?
Xiao Rongyan straightened his spine and raised his hand in a more solemn salute than before. “Miss Bai, though your words talk of war and killing, they also reflect the kindness of a benevolent sage. I am filled with admiration…”
Bai Qingyan did not dare to appear presumptuous and respectfully returned the salute.
Today’s conversations were extremely solemn for Bai Qingyan, giving Xiao Rongyan a little glimpse: The Bai family only protected the people of Jin, not the Lin family’s royal power.
In the Zheliu Pavilion on the northern hill of the city, Xiao Rongyan watched Bai Qingyan leave in her carriage, his heart filled with deep emotions.
This eldest daughter of the Bai family, though a woman, surpassed most men of the world in courage and vision.
During today’s tea at Zheliu Pavilion, Xiao Rongyan nearly couldn’t restrain his desire to invite Bai Qingyan to enter Yan.
But currently, Yan faced internal unrest and external threats. Most of its prosperous lands were lost. The once grand capital, Dadu City, was offered to the Jin Kingdom to ensure the survival of the country.
In such a nation, he did not know if someone like Bai Qingyan, who had both the desire to govern and the capability for war, would be willing to lower herself.
“Master, this Miss Bai seems to know your identity. Will she…”
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Xiao Rongyan pulled his cloak tighter, a smile in his eyes. “She won’t. Put away your worries!”
This Miss Bai, having saved him once, would not act ignobly afterward to harm him. Today’s meeting was only Xiao Rongyan’s attempt to learn Bai Qingyan’s motives for saving him.
Now that he knew the eldest daughter of the Bai family had no ulterior motives, he felt a slight sense of disappointment in his heart.
It would be great if she had some purpose. If she had some purpose, there could be exchanges, and with exchanges, they could build a relationship.
“The wind is picking up, let’s go back!” Xiao Rongyan said.
“Master, this year’s Lantern Festival in Dadu City might not be very exciting due to the grand mourning at the Duke’s manor. Why don’t we depart early?” Xiao Rongyan’s subordinate tentatively asked.
“Hmm, go pack…” Xiao Rongyan slowly replied. “We will depart after the funeral of the Bai family at the Duke of Zhen’s manor ends.”
·
In the swaying carriage, Bai Qingyan closed her eyes, contemplating the future of the Bai family. The path they should take was becoming clearer in her mind.
Retreat and lie low, gathering strength in secret.
Once the Bai family’s funeral was over, she, Bai Jinxiu, and Bai Jintong would each go their separate ways and act individually.
And now, the most crucial thing was how to use the list of Southern Border grain handlers left by Qin Shangzhi to make King Liang, who had been inactive in the shadows, finally take action.
King Liang was like a scorpion hiding in the dark, waiting to strike. Before heading to the southern border, she needed to deal with him to be at ease.
Though there seemed to be no apparent connection between the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage and King Liang, Bai Qingyan knew from her previous life that the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage and Liu Huanzhang had both pledged allegiance to King Liang.
Now that the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, Qin Dezhao, was imprisoned, she wondered if King Liang and Du Zhiwei were anxious…
When the carriage reached the back gate of Bai Mansion, Chun Tao helped Bai Qingyan off the carriage. Chen Qingsheng, seeing Xiao Ruohai leading the carriage away, stepped forward guiltily. “Miss, it is my fault for not considering the matter thoroughly. I handled things poorly and let you be troubled by Mr. Xiao. I will be more cautious in the future.”
Chen Qingsheng was a smart and capable person. Just one mistake already made him wary, which was good. Bai Qingyan also feared Chen Qingsheng might overcorrect.
“It’s alright! He owes us a favor, and he was simply thanking me, not pestering!” Bai Qingyan was quite satisfied with Chen Qingsheng. “You did well with the roster.”
“Mr. Qin contributed the most. I dare not take the credit,” Chen Qingsheng said humbly.
“Starting tomorrow, you will work under the Third Miss, following her instructions. I will tell Steward Hao to select a few capable hands to assist you. Do your job well… and come back with the Third Miss sooner!” Bai Qingyan squeezed Chun Tao’s hand. “So Chun Tao can have a good match!”
Both Chun Tao and Chen Qingsheng blushed profusely.
Chun Tao’s shy eyes flickered, noticing Nanny Tong approaching quickly.
“Miss, Nanny Tong is here…”
“You may go now,” she instructed Chen Qingsheng.
Chen Qingsheng then respectfully retreated.
Nanny Tong walked up to Bai Qingyan, bowed, and said, “Miss, the nanny from Qingming Courtyard reported that those two in Qingming Courtyard have packed up their silver coins and valuables, as well as the items inside the Duke’s manor. According to Mrs. Wang from the kitchen, they also took a lot of cured meat and dry food. It looks like they’re preparing to escape.”
The mother and son of Bai Qingxuan had always sought to maximize benefit and avoid harm. This time, King Xin’s return to the capital and his attitude towards the Bai family were clear. King Xin, being the legitimate son, was the most likely candidate for the ultimate throne.
However, today the Eldest Princess led the Bai family to the palace gates to force the killing of King Xin. Bai Qingxuan, being smart but not so wise, naturally had to find a way to escape, which was perfectly understandable.
“Let them go and make a big commotion. Let everyone know that it is those two who insist on leaving during the grand mourning of the Bai family.” After thinking for a moment, she added, “Let my two nannies handle this. They just arrived at the Duke’s manor and need some tasks to establish themselves.”
Nanny Tong immediately understood Bai Qingyan’s intention. Xiao Ruohai and his brother had initially followed Mrs. Dong’s dowry manager and farm manager respectively to learn how to handle business. This was to ensure that once Bai Qingyan married, they would accompany her to her husband’s household, becoming her most reliable aides, so they had little interaction with the Bai family.
Now, with the sudden misfortune that befell the Bai family, although the duo were nannies to Bai Qingyan and thus respected by the Bai family’s servants and loyal followers, they needed to accomplish something notable to truly integrate into the household.
Nanny Tong took Bai Qingyan’s hand, noticing it was ice-cold. Her eyes tightened with concern. “Miss, didn’t you bring a hand warmer? Why are your hands so cold?”
As she spoke, Nanny Tong wrapped Bai Qingyan’s hands in her own, glaring at Chun Tao. “Chun Tao, what is wrong with you?! You usually handle things steadily and reliably; you know the young lady is sensitive to the cold…”
“Nanny!” Before Nanny Tong could finish, Bai Qingyan gently squeezed her hand and stepped onto the veranda stairs. “I didn’t ask Chun Tao to prepare the hand warmer. I can’t treat myself as an invalid simply because of this cold sensitivity. I used to endure training in severe winters and hot summers without a problem. Now, with a fox fur cloak, it’s just a forgotten warmer. I can bear it, nanny, you’re too cautious.”