Chapter 456 - 456 453 Marriage Matters_1

Chapter 456: Chapter 453: Marriage Matters_1 Chapter 456: Chapter 453: Marriage Matters_1 The two sisters entered the main room and dismissed the attendants. They sat down on the soft couch by the window, and had the maid close the doors and windows tightly.

Bai Qingyan took a tassel pillow with double blessings embroidered in gold and placed it behind Bai Jinxiu, then sat down to carefully read the procurement list sent by Bai Jinxiu for the King Liang’s residence.

“King Liang’s residence didn’t procure anything like yellow lead or pine resin; they only bought a large amount of saltpeter. My steward has inquired about it… The procurement officer at the King Liang’s residence said that King Liang wants to make ice sculptures to please the Emperor, which is why they bought so much saltpeter!” Bai Jinxiu propped her elbow on the small table and leaned closer to Bai Qingyan. “Eldest Sister, I suspect that the yellow lead and pine resin… King Liang’s residence had the Wang family in Jiuqu Alley procure those items!”

“Did you send someone to investigate?” Bai Qingyan asked.

“Yes, I sent someone. We should be getting a report soon!” Bai Jinxiu said, frowning. “If King Liang is really making elixirs for the Emperor, how do you plan to use this, Eldest Sister, so I can be prepared?”

“There’s no need to act for now. King Liang is highly favored at the moment. If we bring this to light now, even if the Emperor punishes King Liang openly, he will still compensate him in secret. There is no benefit to us,” Bai Qingyan said.

Soon, the procurement list from the Wang family for the past few months was also delivered.

Seeing that Bai Jinxiu was hot and fanning herself furiously, Bai Qingyan ordered someone to bring in a basin of ice.

Bai Qingyan had always been afraid of the cold, so the Qinghui Courtyard never used ice in the summer. However, since becoming pregnant, Bai Jinxiu had become extremely sensitive to heat and found summer unbearable. There was never a lack of ice in the Qin Mansion.

“No need, Eldest Sister! I can endure for just a little while,” Bai Jinxiu said with a smile, concerned about Bai Qingyan’s health. “If you are worried about me being hot, just have someone bring me another bowl of iced plum soup.”

“You’ve already had two bowls. You should restrain yourself since you’re pregnant!” Bai Qingyan said, picking up the Wang family’s procurement list to examine.

A maid came in carrying the ice, placing it on Bai Jinxiu’s side, which immediately cooled the room significantly.

The Wang family’s procurement list did include yellow lead, but the quantity was normal, even slightly less this month compared to last month.

What was the reason for the close associations between the Wang family and the stewards of King Liang’s residence?

As Bai Qingyan was contemplating, a maid from the Qinghui Courtyard lifted the curtain and entered. She bowed to Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinxiu from behind the Cuiyu screen and said, “Eldest Young Lady, Second Young Lady, the three young ladies from the Dong Mansion are here to visit you. Second Madam has sent someone to summon you both.”

“Understood!” Bai Qingyan replied. “Let Fourth Young Lady go first and entertain the three young ladies at the lakeside pavilion.”

“Yes!”

After the maid left, Bai Qingyan used the fire to burn the procurement list from the Wang family and instructed Bai Jinxiu, “We must thoroughly investigate the interactions between the Wang family and the stewards of King Liang’s residence, but we must act discreetly. If you cannot handle this matter yourself… send someone to inform Grandmother. Wei Zhong by Grandmother’s side seems competent to me!”

The Eldest Princess was also guarding against King Liang. To understand the relationships between the stewards of King Liang’s residence and the Wang family of Jiuqu Alley, the Eldest Princess would certainly do her best.

Bai Qingyan changed into a lighter dress and walked to the lakeside pavilion with Bai Jinxiu, where Dong Tingzhen was blushing profusely. Seeing Bai Qingyan approach, she quickly stood up and greeted her. “Cousin, please control them!”

Bai Jinxiu laughed behind her handkerchief, “Tingzhen has always had the best temper. If she is this upset today, they must indeed be at fault!”

Dong Tingyu chuckled. “Yes, yes! It’s all our fault. We won’t tease Sister about her marriage anymore!”

“Ah! We are all family! What’s wrong with a bit of teasing?” Bai Jinzhi winked at Dong Tingzhen. “Sister Tingzhen, have you met Minister Chen’s grandson? I’ve heard… if not for the imperial exam scandal, Chen Zhaolu would have been the top scholar!”

Dong Tingzhen blushed even more, pretending to be angry. “If you keep talking like this, I won’t speak to you anymore!”

“You all are indeed too much. We shouldn’t gossip about a lady’s marriage like this,” Bai Jinxiu said, tapping Bai Jinzhi on the head.

“Has Minister Chen sent a matchmaker?” Bai Qingyan asked with a smile.

Dong Tingzhen, looking slightly annoyed, sat down at the table with her face still red. She nodded and fidgeted with the handkerchief, saying, “Early this morning, Madam Tan of the Imperial Master’s mansion came to our house to discuss it with Mother. Mother said… she would have to discuss it with Father, and nothing has been decided yet! But these two have been spreading it everywhere!”

“Sister, don’t be angry. I wasn’t spreading it everywhere! We are all family here, so I just mentioned it for fun! Sister, don’t be mad; I won’t talk about it anymore!” Dong Tingfang said, covering her mouth with her handkerchief, also smiling.

“Is it Madam Tan of the Imperial Master’s mansion?” Bai Qingyan asked again.

Although Imperial Master Tan Song had retired, he was still highly respected in Dadu City. If Minister Chen had invited Madam Tan to mediate, it showed sincerity.

“I’ve heard Qin Lang mention Chen Zhaolu before. He is a righteous and talented person, the top scholar in Dadu City. Many noble families have their eyes on him. If Tingzhen can have a good match with him, it would be a fine marriage.”

Dong Tingzhen frowned even more and looked towards the lake, feeling somewhat unhappy.

“Tingzhen… do you have someone in mind?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Dong Tingzhen was startled, her back straightening as she fidgeted with the jade bracelet on her wrist, lowering her eyes. “No, Cousin. You’re overthinking.”

“Tingzhen, marriage is a lifetime decision. Uncle and Aunt love you dearly and would not want to see you unhappy in such an important matter. If you truly have someone you care for, you should tell Uncle and Aunt as soon as possible. If it’s a good match, they wouldn’t force you to marry Chen Zhaolu just because he’s the top scholar.”

Listening to Bai Qingyan’s gentle advice, Dong Tingzhen thought carefully and then looked up at Bai Qingyan. “Thank you, Cousin. I just felt a bit uncertain. If I do have someone in mind, I will definitely speak to Father and Mother! By the way… Chang Yuan brother knows that you and Fourth Cousin will be ennobled and asked us three to bring you gifts.”

Dong Tingzhen changed the subject, handing two brocade boxes to Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi. Inside each was a Shoushan stone seal, carved by Dong Changyuan himself.

“Oh! Such beautiful seals! Thank you, Cousin Chang Yuan, for me!” Bai Jinzhi exclaimed, unable to tear her eyes away from the small, lifelike cat carved on top of the seal. “Are all members of the Dong family so skillful? My cousins are… even my cousin brother is.”

The seal in Bai Qingyan’s hand had plum blossoms carved on it, which was quite exquisite.

Looking at the finely carved seal in her hand, Bai Qingyan couldn’t help but think of the jade hairpin Xiao Rongyan had carved for her, feeling a slight warmth in her ears.

She placed the seal back into the brocade box.