Chapter 455 - 455 452 A High-Five Oath_1

Chapter 455: Chapter 452: A High-Five Oath_1 Chapter 455: Chapter 452: A High-Five Oath_1 Bai Qingyan pressed her lips together without answering. She struggled, but he held her so tightly she stumbled, her heart beating even faster.

“You do have feelings for me. As you said, we each have heavy burdens to bear. The road ahead is fraught with uncertainties, like walking on thin ice. We can’t afford to be distracted or to let our hearts be swayed. I am not asking for anything now, but for the future!”

Xiao Rongyan’s demeanor was both firm and deeply affectionate. It was a clear strategy of retreating to advance, forcefully intending to secure a lifelong commitment.

He quietly watched Bai Qingyan, slowly lowering his head. In a hoarse voice, he asked, “Do you dare?”

Bai Qingyan felt as if her throat was being constricted, unable to make a sound.

In her heart, Bai Qingyan did have feelings for Xiao Rongyan. In her previous life, they were evenly matched rivals. At a critical moment, his men had rescued her from the Jin Army, gifting her a jade cicada to help her escape.

In this life, she felt grateful to Xiao Rongyan for past kindness and admired him. She admired how he, like Empress Ji, had transformed a barren Yan into a powerful Yan Kingdom. She admired his ambition that matched that of the Bai family for unifying the world. She admired his resourcefulness and intelligence.

Such a calm, reserved, and deeply scheming strong man was hard not to be moved by.

Surrounded by Xiao Rongyan’s scent of deep, tranquil orchids, Bai Qingyan’s hand, pressed against his chest, unconsciously gripped his clothes. Staring into his deep, dark eyes, she spoke, “I swore before my grandfather’s spirit that I would never marry in this life!”

“Once the country is at peace and Yan Kingdom is safe, and the state affairs are handed over to your brother.” Xiao Rongyan slowly lowered his head, their faces getting closer. He tentatively brushed his nose against hers. His deep voice was reduced to a whisper, “If you don’t marry, I will become part of your family.”

From beginning to end, Xiao Rongyan had never spoken of marriage from her side. He only spoke of them being a couple.

Her hand, gripping Xiao Rongyan’s clothes, suddenly became sweaty, and her ears felt hot. “If one day the armies of both countries clash, neither of us can show any mercy!”

“Absolutely no mercy!” Xiao Rongyan said solemnly.

Realizing that Xiao Rongyan’s arms around her waist were tightening, and he was about to kiss her, Bai Qingyan held her breath, pushing against his chest, “A gentleman’s promise, sealed with a clap.”

Taking advantage of the moment he let go, Bai Qingyan stepped back, raising her hand to clap with him.

There was a restrained, faint smile in Xiao Rongyan’s eyes. He lightly clapped with Bai Qingyan, “A gentleman’s promise, sealed with a clap!”

“Let’s go…” Bai Qingyan turned and stepped ahead, her hand, which had just clapped, clenched tightly, still feeling a bit unreal.

She had never imagined that one day she would make a lifelong commitment to a man. She had never even thought such romantic feelings would be part of her life.

Walking side by side, Xiao Rongyan and Bai Qingyan fell into silence.

“This morning, I received news that Doctor Hong should enter the city by evening.” Xiao Rongyan’s voice now gentle and composed, no longer as forceful as before. “Doctor Hong is indeed loyal to the Bai family. Worried about Mrs. Qin’s delivery, he rushed back without rest.”

“Doctor Hong has watched us grow up. To him, we sisters are like his granddaughters.” Bai Qingyan slowly unclenched her fist, her emotions calming with Xiao Rongyan’s gentle words.

Xiao Rongyan recalled the letter from Yan, saying Doctor Hong went to the cold regions to find a herb for treating cold-related illnesses, likely for Bai Qingyan.

“Does Mr. Xiao know about the secret envoy from Wei entering Jin?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Xiao Rongyan initially didn’t want to mention it to avoid giving Bai Qingyan the impression that his affectionate words were just to extract information.

But since Bai Qingyan brought it up, he decided it wouldn’t hurt to talk about it: “Not only did the secret envoy from Wei come to Jin, but they also went to Xiliang and Daliang!”

“Mr. Xiao’s intelligence is indeed sharp…” Bai Qingyan laughed softly.

“The secret envoy from Wei entered Jin… following my caravan!” Xiao Rongyan said, half-laughing and half-crying.

Bai Qingyan suddenly understood. No wonder Xiao Rongyan was so well-informed. He had control from the source.

“The mountains and rivers of Daliang are far from Yan and separated by Jin. If they were to invade Yan, they would either have to travel by sea or through Jin, which is too costly and unprofitable. Daliang won’t ally with Wei. The Empress of Xiliang has just started to stabilize the court, relying heavily on Yun Poxing’s military power. They won’t rashly mobilize against Yan. As for Jin, Jin and Wei both covet the fertile lands of southern Yan. As long as the benefits aren’t equally divided, they can’t unite.” Xiao Rongyan analyzed in detail.

“But in the long run, Jin occupies a central location, bordered by Xiliang to the south, Daliang to the north, Rong to the east, and Yan to the west. If they destroy Yan this time, Jin’s swords will conquer the world, freeing them from being besieged from behind. Their western rear would also become a potential retreat!” Bai Qingyan’s words hit the mark, showing long-term vision.

“Miss Bai has foresight, but it’s unlikely that the Emperor and Crown Prince of Jin will see it that way…” Xiao Rongyan said with a smile.

The Crown Prince of Jin operates entirely to please the Emperor. The Emperor of Jin relishes comfort and warfare, lacking the ambition of a great ruler.

“Indeed!” Bai Qingyan said, her voice tinged with melancholy, “Everything that needed saying has been said. It’s up to the Emperor and Crown Prince to decide.”

Xiao Rongyan nodded, accompanying Bai Qingyan to the Commandery Princess of Zhen’s residence.

He bore no resentment towards Bai Qingyan. After all, they were from different countries, standing in opposition. Bai Qingyan’s reluctance to commit to him was due to such concerns.

Before their grand ambitions are achieved, they were rivals. No matter what complications they brought each other, it was only natural.

Once their great ambitions were realized, only then could they speak of personal feelings.

Xiao Rongyan took Bai Qingyan to the gate of the Commandery Princess of Zhen’s residence, took a deep bow to bid farewell, a touch of reluctance in his eyes.

Watching Bai Qingyan enter the residence, Yue Shi approached, leading a horse, and quietly asked, “Master, why don’t you go inside for a while?”

Today, having secured a lifelong promise with Bai Qingyan, Xiao Rongyan was already very satisfied, knowing he shouldn’t push it further.

Bai Jinxiu was waiting for Bai Qingyan in Qinghui Courtyard. As soon as she saw her return, she stood up and smiled, “Eldest Young Lady is back!”

Yesterday, Bai Qingyan instructed Bai Jinxiu to investigate the purchasing situation at King Liang’s mansion. Once she had the information, Bai Jinxiu came over immediately.

With the Imperial Edict issued today, she had to set off back to Shuoyang tomorrow. Qin Lang, knowing Bai Jinxiu and Bai Qingyan were very close, instructed people to set up a carriage for Bai Jinxiu, reassuring her to have dinner at Bai Mansion. He would personally come later to pick her up.