Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 487 - 484: Suitable_1

Chapter 487: Chapter 484: Suitable_1

Xiliang’s business was just beginning to take off under Xiao Rongyan’s management; however, it posed no significant challenge for him.

More importantly, Xiao Rongyan had spread his shops across the Jin Kingdom, transporting goods to other countries and returning with unique items from abroad, ensuring profitability in both directions.

Xiao Rongyan sincerely detailed his business to Mrs. Dong, to which she smiled and replied, "Mr. Xiao’s business ventures across various nations indeed make sense!"

Having said enough, Xiao Rongyan stood to take his leave, gave a deep bow toward Bai Qingyan in a show of formality, and said, "The eradication of bandits benefits the people and us merchants. If Miss Bai needs any assistance, do not hesitate to ask. I will do my utmost to help."

Bai Qingyan nodded and instructed Lu Ping to see Xiao Rongyan out.

Mrs. Dong watched Xiao Rongyan’s tall, upright figure and couldn’t help but feel it was a pity he was a merchant.

In terms of bearing and appearance, Mrs. Dong believed very few could compare to Xiao Rongyan. Were he not a merchant, numerous noble families would likely be eager to marry their daughters to such a man.

Mrs. Dong considered testing whether Xiao Rongyan was willing to marry into the Bai family. Still, she hesitated, knowing her daughter’s mind was not on marriage and that her fertility prospects were slim, fearing it would delay Xiao Rongyan.

Putting down the teacup, Mrs. Dong noticed Bai Qingyan deep in thought and tentatively asked, "Kid, what do you think of this Xiao Rongyan?"

"Mother, I have some matters to attend to. I will join you for dinner tonight," Bai Qingyan said, bowing to Mrs. Dong before hurriedly leaving the main hall with Chun Tao and calling for Lu Ping to walk with her.

Mrs. Dong watched Bai Qingyan’s hurried back, sighed inwardly, and convinced herself to abandon the idea of matchmaking Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan. Her daughter showed no sign of caring about lifelong matters.

·

Bai Qingyan instructed Lu Ping, "Send reliable people to the Southern Frontier to deliver letters to Shen Kunyang, Gu Wenchang, Wei Zhaonian, Cheng Yuanzhi, and Shen Liangyu. Inform them that the Emperor intends to deploy troops to the Xiliang border. They should be cautious!"

Rather than cautioning them, it was more about making Bai Qingjue cautious. The troops must remain hidden without exposing any flaws.

However, with Shen Kunyang and the others, receiving information in advance, they could coordinate to cover for Bai Qingjue.

"Yes!" Lu Ping responded and left.

Bai Qingyan stood by the lake, contemplating the Emperor’s intention of deploying troops to the Xiliang border.

Xiao Rongyan mentioned that Yan had sent envoys to Jin, presenting treasures and persuading the Emperor to deploy troops to the Xiliang border as a deterrent. This meant the Emperor had no intention of waging war with Xiliang but merely intended to intimidate them.

Xiao Rongyan calculated astutely. Wei had deployed troops to the Yan border but took no action, wary of Yan’s unknown national strength. However, if they joined forces with Xiliang to attack Yan, they would have more confidence.

At this moment, if Jin hindered Xiliang, Xiliang would not dare to act rashly, fearing Jin might seize Xiliang’s territory while their main forces were engaged with Yan.

Xiao Rongyan, known as the richest merchant in the world, could have his merchant teams spread rumors in Xiliang about Jin deploying troops to the Xiliang border, awaiting Xiliang’s main forces to be tied down in Yan. Then, they could seize Xiliang’s territory. Even if Xiliang suspected and sent spies to Jin, they would still hesitate.

Bai Qingyan’s fists tightened by her sides. If it were merely for deterrence without intending to wage war, there were less conspicuous ways to achieve this without expending resources. If she could go to the Jin-Xiliang border, it could serve as a better deterrent. Bai Qingyan had once killed one hundred thousand Xiliang captives; the Xiliang soldiers must surely fear her. She didn’t believe the Crown Prince and the Emperor hadn’t thought of this.

However... with the Bai family army at the border, the Emperor and the Crown Prince preferred to deploy troops rather than send Bai Qingyan to the Southern Frontier.

That afternoon, Bai Jinxiu’s message arrived, stating the Emperor and the Crown Prince seemed intent on sending troops to the Southern Frontier.

Bai Jinxiu’s message was swift, but compared to Xiao Rongyan, it was still slower.

Bai Qingyan was not worried about the Emperor sending troops to the Southern Frontier. Her concern was how to maximize the Bai family army’s interests.

The Northern Frontier war soldiers had fought alongside her in the Southern Frontier, and most had pledged loyalty to their respective generals, such as Du Sanbao, who was loyal to Wang Xiping.

Such troops sent to the Southern Frontier might not obey Shen Kunyang and Cheng Yuanzhi’s commands.

However, if newly recruited soldiers were sent and trained by the Bai family army, these new troops could likely be used by the Bai family army in the future.

Just like a bird longing for its old forest, or a fish yearning for its former deep pond. Bai Qingyan’s uncle, Dong Qingyue, who had trained in the Bai family army, held a unique feeling for the Bai family army.

The critical thing was to decide who should persuade the Crown Prince.

Bai Jinxiu was pregnant, and Bai Qingyan did not want her to be burdened.

Since the Crown Prince had not sought her advice, she shouldn’t offer it unsolicited, or else the Crown Prince might suspect her continual interest in the capital’s situation had ulterior motives.

She considered the Left Prime Minister, Li Mao. But if she entrusted Li Mao with this task, it would be akin to revealing her intention to strengthen the Bai family army.

A gentle breeze swayed the willow leaves, the katydids’ chirping grew louder.

Patterns of light filtered through the gaps, swaying on Bai Qingyan’s dress. She turned, her eyes calm and composed, facing the gently rippling lake.

She needed a highly reasonable excuse to send her people back to Dadu City.

The only plausible reason she had was to capture the impostors posing as bandits and abducting children - evidence of King Liang’s inhumane alchemy on children.

But deciding who to send back to Dadu City was another matter. Bai Qingyan herself wanted to make the trip, but it would appear forced if she delivered the evidence herself.

Sending trusted aides to Dadu City to deliver the evidence might not guarantee an audience with the Crown Prince.

After much thought, only Bai Jinzhi seemed suitable.

Bai Qingyan sent Chun Tao to summon Steward Liu.

She instructed Steward Liu to assign skilled and reliable guards to capture one of the "bandits" posing as abductors and wait for Fourth Miss Bai Jinzhi at Kongtong Mountain. After interrogating the captive to confirm who ordered the kidnappings, they were to bring the captive and Bai Jinzhi back to Dadu.

After Steward Liu left, Bai Qingyan personally went to Bai Jinzhi’s courtyard.

At that moment, Third Lady Mrs. Li was in Bai Jinzhi’s courtyard, having just helped her change clothes. She was planning to have Bai Jinzhi visit Dong Tingzhen, who was said to be blending fragrances at Shaohua Court with Bai Jinzhao and Bai Jinhua. Third Lady Mrs. Li wanted Bai Jinzhi to learn from Dong Tingzhen.

Dong Tingzhen, the legitimate daughter of the Dong family in Dadu City, was renowned for her skill in blending fragrances.

As for Bai Jinzhi, though not particularly adept in such matters, she knew Dong Tingzhen’s handiwork well. Every fragrance Dong Tingzhen crafted was immensely pleasant, and Bai Jinzhi wanted to ask for some.

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