Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 319 - 316: When the Child_1

Chapter 319: Chapter 316: When the Child_1

"Miss Bai and Miss Bai, if you don’t mind, I’ve already booked the VIP guesthouse. Each courtyard is private, so it won’t disturb your tranquility." After saying this, Xiao Rongyan bowed to Bai Qingyan, "I ask Miss Bai to give me a chance to repay the Bai family."

"Then we’ll trouble Mr. Xiao!" Bai Jinzhi, with the intention of matchmaking for Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan, quickly spoke up, "I’ve heard that the VIP guesthouse in Shuoyang is a scenic delight in every courtyard—a true gem! When Steward Liu sent someone to reserve it earlier, they said it was already booked! Mr. Xiao, you have really gone all out!"

Bai Qingyan: "..."

Bai Qingyan turned and looked deeply at Bai Jinzhi, seeing Bai Jinzhi quickly use a mask to cover her face. She said, "Then we’ll trouble Mr. Xiao."

She held the pouch at her side, thinking she needed to find an opportunity to return the jade cicada. Staying at the same guesthouse would be convenient.

"Uncle Liu, let’s trouble Mr. Xiao today and stay at the VIP guesthouse. Tell the people looking for another inn to return."

Xiao Rongyan made a gesture of invitation to Bai Qingyan. Bai Qingyan handed her reins to Steward Liu and walked forward with Xiao Rongyan.

Ever since Yue Shi learned that his master liked Miss Bai, he had increasingly felt that Miss Bai and his master were a perfect match. Besides admiration, he felt a warmth, viewing Bai Qingyan as the future wife of his master.

"Since we met Miss Bai here in Shuoyang, it seems that the list sent to your residence this morning must not have been seen by you," Xiao Rongyan said in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

Bai Qingyan was slightly surprised, "List?"

"It’s the list of troublemaking students from the Imperial College, their family connections, and the people they’ve seen recently." Xiao Rongyan spoke in a very low, unhurried voice.

That was exactly what Bai Qingyan had ordered someone to investigate.

Seeing Bai Qingyan’s surprised expression, Xiao Rongyan said, "The family backgrounds and connections of the Imperial College students had already been investigated before I entered Dadu City. After all, most of the future pillars of the Jin Kingdom will come from these students."

What Xiao Rongyan didn’t mention was that among the students of the Imperial College, there were people from Yan.

"Mr. Xiao’s network is more extensive than I imagined!" Bai Qingyan lightly grasped the jade cicada through the pouch, speaking with double meaning.

Xiao Rongyan had investigated these details faster than she did, which showed how many secret agents he had in Dadu City.

Moreover, the fact that Xiao Rongyan could easily find out who these students had seen recently meant there were also people in the Imperial College.

"As a businessman, I may not have other strengths, but my information is indeed more timely than others." Xiao Rongyan finished talking and looked up at a stall making fresh candied fruit. He turned and instructed Yue Shi to buy two sticks of candied fruit.

"Is Mr. Xiao here in Shuoyang for business?" she asked.

"Shuoyang’s white tea is quite famous. I came to see if it’s a business worth pursuing, and I also brought some goods from Yan, planning to let our steward open a shop here for exclusive business." Xiao Rongyan’s lips curved slightly as he looked at Bai Qingyan and answered.

Xiao Rongyan’s eyes were deep and gentle, seemingly full of affection and intentions.

Remembering the words on Xiao Rongyan’s ship, she already understood his feelings. She held onto the jade cicada and lowered her eyes to avoid Xiao Rongyan’s gaze, nodding slightly, "Then I wish Mr. Xiao booming business."

Yue Shi returned with two sticks of candied fruit in hand. Xiao Rongyan took one and handed it to Bai Jinzhi. Bai Jinzhi happily thanked him and accepted it.

Xiao Rongyan handed the other one to Bai Qingyan, "Miss Bai..."

Bai Qingyan was taken aback, "Mr. Xiao, I am no longer a child."

"Age can differ, but everyone’s mouth craves sweets." Xiao Rongyan smiled gently in the dazzling lights.

Xiao Rongyan treated her like a child. Bai Qingyan smiled, reached out to take it, and thanked him.

Perhaps the appearance of Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan and their companions was too exceptional, drawing much attention, especially Xiao Rongyan and Bai Qingyan standing side by side, making them stand out in the crowd.

A little girl with a flower wreath on her head, carrying a basket of freshly picked flowers on her arm, approached. Sensibly, she offered her flower basket to Bai Qingyan, her eyes as clean and clear as black gems.

Seeing the guards following Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan, the girl’s mother knew that these young people were either rich or noble, not someone ordinary folk could afford to offend. In a panic, she hurriedly circled around the front of the flower-selling stand, calling out, "Yadniang! Come back quickly!"

The little girl smiled at her mother, waved, and showed no sign of fear. To her, the brother and sister in front of her looked like deities from heaven and must be kind people.

Hearing the girl called Yadniang, Xiao Rongyan bent down and patted her hair, took some flowers, and placed a piece of silver in her basket.

The girl’s eyes widened as she looked at the silver piece, hastily shaking her head, and handed it back to Xiao Rongyan with gestures indicating he gave too much.

"It’s alright, buy yourself some candy," Xiao Rongyan’s voice was gentle.

The girl shook her head, stubbornly refusing to accept the piece of silver.

"Steward Liu..." Bai Qingyan called.

Steward Liu hurriedly stepped forward, took out some small change, and placed it in the girl’s basket, smiling, "Go ahead!"

The little girl bowed and happily ran back to her mother, showing the basket to display her earnings.

Xiao Rongyan straightened up and turned to see Bai Qingyan gazing at the girl’s back with a faint smile on her lips.

The girl’s mother patted her head, handed her a few copper coins, and pointed to a stall across the way selling candied fruit. The little girl shook her head, firmly placing the silver piece into her mother’s money box.

Xiao Rongyan handed the flowers to Bai Qingyan, "Miss Bai..."

"I’ll give them to you, Mr. Xiao." Bai Qingyan said.

Xiao Rongyan was taken aback, nodded, and handed the flowers to Yue Shi, "Thank you, Miss Bai, for the flowers."

Steward standing in front of Tianxiang Tower saw Xiao Rongyan and hurriedly grabbed his dangling hem, rushing down the steps, bowing respectfully to Xiao Rongyan, "Master, the private room at Tianxiang Tower has been arranged."

"To thank Miss Bai for the flowers, I invite you and Miss Bai the Fourth for tea at Tianxiang Tower..."

"Eldest Young Lady, from Tianxiang Tower, you can see the Buddha Spirit Pagoda at Tuling Temple!" Bai Jinzhi’s eyes sparkled.

"Indeed, I’ve booked the top floor of Tianxiang Tower, where the night view of Tuling Temple is the most beautiful!" The steward beside Xiao Rongyan chimed in sensibly.

"Eldest Young Lady..." Bai Jinzhi tugged at Bai Qingyan’s sleeve. She had already taken the liberty of agreeing to stay at the same guesthouse earlier and did not want to push further, lest the Eldest Young Lady got angry.

Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jinzhi with indulgence, "Then we’ll trouble Mr. Xiao."

"Please..." Xiao Rongyan gestured for Bai Qingyan to go first.

The shop assistant respectfully led this group of distinguished guests upstairs. As they turned from the second to the third floor, Bai Qingyan heard a drunken, boisterous voice coming from a half-closed private room.