Chapter 384 - 384 381 Becoming a Problem When Overdone_1

Chapter 384: Chapter 381: Becoming a Problem When Overdone_1 Chapter 384: Chapter 381: Becoming a Problem When Overdone_1 The exquisite elm-wood carriage with green frames had bright lamps hanging from its four corners. The flickering light illuminated Bai Qingyan’s eyes, making them seem deep as water, alternating between bright and dark.

“I’ve often heard that cornering a dog in a dead end will make it bite back. No need to kill them all; achieving the goal suffices. Don’t push them to desperation. If they’re pushed too hard, they might fight to the death, which doesn’t benefit us,” Bai Qingyan patiently explained to Bai Jinzhi.

The primary purpose of Bai Qingyan escalating the situation was to win the people’s hearts and to train soldiers while suppressing bandits.

Now that the goal had been achieved, and some of the useful clan members remained for her use, why not make use of them?

It is said that those with nothing to lose fear nothing; if their path is cut off, they might act recklessly. Bai Qingyan didn’t fear… just didn’t want to be distracted by minor issues.

Bai Jinzhi frowned. She understood but couldn’t help retorting, “Eldest Young Lady, you’re looking too highly of them. What can those people do to our family? Leaving them in the clan… it’s infuriating! It’s more straightforward to expel them!”?

“How can you still be so rash even though you’ve grown up?” Bai Qingyan wasn’t angry; her voice carried amusement. “When we return to Shuoyang, we will need the clan’s people. Expelling them isn’t beneficial to us! Now that we’ve gained the people’s hearts, it paves the way for future military training, and this amount of silver doesn’t come from the Bai family treasury. Isn’t this good?”?

Bai Jinzhi thought for a moment. It seemed to be true…

“Even though I ordered no assistance to the expelled, blood ties remain. Can they watch their family suffer without helping? We made our stance clear… If they err knowingly and we have evidence, it would be easy to deal with them later.”?

Bai Jinzhi’s eyes lit up and she hurriedly smiled, “Eldest Young Lady is right!”?

She nodded and advised Bai Jinzhi, “Everything should be kept in moderation. Going too far causes problems. Always leave a way out, keeping something in reserve is the way of controlling people.”

“I’ll remember that!” Bai Jinzhi nodded seriously.

·

When Bai Qingyan’s carriage stopped in front of the Bai family residence, Shen Qingzhu saw an extraordinary man with guards standing not far from the Bai Mansion.

Seeing that Chun Tao had already lifted the carriage curtain, Shen Qingzhu opened an umbrella, went forward to escort Bai Qingyan down from the carriage, and whispered, “Eldest Young Lady, there is someone at the gate of the Bai Mansion.”

Quan Yu alighted from the carriage behind Bai Qingyan’s, feeling somewhat surprised at seeing Xiao Rongyan, yet it seemed expected. He couldn’t help but glance at Bai Qingyan, sighing inwardly that the customs of Wei were indeed more open than those of Jin… This Mr. Xiao admired the Commandery Princess so much that he dared to chase her all the way to Shuoyang.

Xiao Rongyan, dressed in a white robe with cloud-patterned dark embroidery, had a belt wrapped in gold silk and adorned with warm jade, making him particularly conspicuous in the drizzly night.

Yue Shi held a sheepskin lantern in one hand and an umbrella in the other, standing quietly by Xiao Rongyan’s side. The warm light added a touch of gentleness to Xiao Rongyan’s already profound and sharp features.

Bai Qingyan looked in Xiao Rongyan’s direction and saw a handsome, gentle, and elegant man, who made a distant bow with grace.

Thinking of how Xiao Rongyan had said he wanted to discuss a business matter with her, she guessed it might be urgent for him to wait here.

“It’s Mr. Xiao!” Bai Jinzhi smiled broadly. “Why has Mr. Xiao come to Shuoyang?”?

Bai Jinzhi guessed that Mr. Xiao might be here for her elder sister, feeling even more delighted.

Shen Qingzhu, unaware of the situation, saw Bai Jinzhi seemingly pleased and felt slightly relieved.

Bai Qingyan got off the carriage and saw Xiao Rongyan stepping toward her. After greeting him, she asked, “Mr. Xiao, are you here to discuss business?”?

The fine drizzle fell on the oiled-paper umbrella, making no sound.

Shen Qingzhu, holding an umbrella, examined Xiao Rongyan attentively.

“Indeed.” Xiao Rongyan nodded. His deep and unfathomable eyes looked at her earnestly, bowing. “It’s a serious matter that requires a private conversation.”

Xiao Rongyan’s gaze was calm and reserved, without any hint of impropriety, seeing Bai Qingyan as a person with whom great plans could be discussed.

Quan Yu stepped forward holding an umbrella and greeted Xiao Rongyan with a smile, “Mr. Xiao…”?

“Mr. Quan is here too…” Xiao Rongyan nodded slightly towards Quan Yu.

“The Commandery Princess has returned to Shuoyang. His Highness was worried she wouldn’t have enough people, so he sent me to assist. I’m just here to run some errands!” Quan Yu glanced at Bai Qingyan, then at Xiao Rongyan, his eyes filled with a knowing smile. “Mr. Xiao told the Crown Prince he had business and needed to travel. It turns out he came to Shuoyang! What a coincidence!”?

Xiao Rongyan caught the playful tone in Quan Yu’s words and smiled, “Indeed, I came specifically to discuss the white tea business and seek the Commandery Princess’s advice.”

“Jinzhi, personally escort Mr. Quan to his lodging and ensure the Crown Prince’s guards are settled. It’s been a hard day for Mr. Quan!” Bai Qingyan said.

“Commandery Princess, you’re too kind. I merely ran some errands!” Quan Yu dared not take credit.

“Mr. Quan, please!” Bai Jinzhi didn’t want Quan Yu to linger around her elder sister and Mr. Xiao, so she approached with a smile.

Quan Yu, perceptive and insightful, knowing the Crown Prince intended to match Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan, didn’t want to be a third wheel and promptly took his leave.

Bai Qingyan nodded slightly and made a gesture inviting Xiao Rongyan, “Mr. Xiao, come in for some tea.”

Since they were to have a private conversation, Bai Qingyan had the tea prepared at the Huxin Pavilion to avoid suspicion.

The octagonal pavilion at the lake center, with its vermilion pillars open on all sides, was brightly lit by lanterns hanging from the eaves, making the lake surface shine brightly.

The thin, dense drizzle fell into the lake silently, veiling it in a layer of mist.

The rain had dampened the rosewood railings of the pavilion, the brocade and Xiangfei bamboo blinds in the center were lifted by copper hooks shaped like mythical beasts, standing with two bronze crane lamps. With the rain and wind, the flames in the glass-covered lamps flickered.

Shen Qingzhu and Yue Shi held umbrellas, guarding the wooden bridge leading to the pavilion. They saw their masters seemingly admiring some painting or map, and neither dared turn around.

The wind picked up, lifting a corner of the map on the stone table. Bai Qingyan, holding a lantern, stepped forward to press the map down, bending over to see the map Xiao Rongyan spread out.

Xiao Rongyan turned his head, his calm dark eyes observing Bai Qingyan’s profile. The lantern light highlighted her fair and delicate jawline. His gaze deepened, and he quickly looked away.

Seeing several mountains marked in red ink, one closely located near Shuoyang, Niujiao Mountain, she looked questioningly at Xiao Rongyan.

“The mountains between Kongtong Mountain and Niujiao Mountain, my men have been negotiating for years and just bought them all a day ago.”