Chapter 495 - 495 492 Skilled in the Intricacies of Court

Chapter 495: Chapter 492: Skilled in the Intricacies of Court Intrigue_1 Chapter 495: Chapter 492: Skilled in the Intricacies of Court Intrigue_1 Dong Tingzhen intermittently interjected with a few playful remarks, filling the corridor with laughter and a joyful atmosphere.

Dong Changlan watched Bai Qingyan, who walked leisurely beside him, and asked about the bandit suppression: “On the way here, I heard that these bandits are becoming more audacious, daring to kidnap children in broad daylight, lawless and unruly.”

“Indeed!” Bai Qingyan responded. Walking alongside Dong Changlan, she added in a soft voice, “So, after my mother’s birthday, I plan to take the new soldiers up the mountain to suppress the bandits.”

“Changlan is willing to assist Cousin!” Dong Changlan clasped his fists and spoke solemnly, “This time, the sixty-three men escorting me to Shuoyang are all elite troops from the Dengzhou Army.”

Dengzhou bordered the now fragmented territory of Nanrong, where the people were fierce. Thus, the Dengzhou soldiers had to be highly skilled to control the Rong.

Uncle Dong Qingyue was the Governor of Dengzhou. As the eldest son of the Dengzhou Governor, Dong Changlan’s skills were unquestionably fine.

However, Bai Qingyan’s plan to suppress the bandits was merely to capture those impostors who kidnapped children. She needed to demonstrate to the Emperor and the Crown Prince that she trained soldiers to suppress bandits truly. There was no need for Dong Changlan’s help.

“Miss!” Nanny Qin hurriedly caught up to Bai Qingyan and, after greeting Bai Qingyan, Dong Changlan, and Bai Qingping, reported, “Mr. Xiao is here.”

Xiao Rongyan?

The hand hidden behind Bai Qingyan’s back tightened slightly. Why had he come again today?

Dong Changlan looked at Bai Qingyan: “Mr. Xiao? Is he the world’s most righteous merchant Xiao Rongyan who once assisted the Bai family in Dadu City?”

Dong Changlan had heard Dong Qingyue mention this Mr. Xiao Rongyan. Dong Qingyue had once said that Mr. Xiao was no ordinary person but a dragon among men. Though he was a merchant, his demeanor was extraordinary and should not be underestimated.

This Mr. Xiao was also known to Bai Qingping. Recently, he had opened several shops and pawnshops in Shuoyang, and it seemed he was now preparing to open a gambling house. His reputation was growing rapidly, and due to his excellent relationship with the Crown Prince and the Bai family, he had become someone the local officials were keen to befriend. His business was flourishing.

“Qingping, you accompany Changlan inside first…”

“I will accompany Cousin to meet this Mr. Xiao! I have heard my father speak of him, and I am very curious. It is a rare opportunity, and I would like to see him.” Dong Changlan smiled with intrigued eyes.

Father said that the righteous merchant Xiao Rongyan was no ordinary person. The more capable one was, the deeper and more concealed their thoughts and intentions.

So, he needed to see if this Mr. Xiao had any ulterior motives toward the Bai family and was deliberately getting close to them.

In Dadu City, Xiao Rongyan had helped several times. Dong Changlan feared that because of Bai Qingyan’s gratitude, she might be biased towards Xiao Rongyan.

Now the Bai family was left with only orphans and widows, relying on Bai Qingyan for support. A single mistake could not be afforded.

If Xiao Rongyan had any ulterior motives, Dong Changlan would remind Bai Qingyan to prevent her from being misled by Xiao Rongyan.

Since Dong Changlan had said this, Bai Qingyan felt it inappropriate to refuse, and nodded, taking Dong Changlan and Bai Qingping to see Xiao Rongyan.

Today, Xiao Rongyan wore a neat light-white robe, with mud on his boots. Seeing Bai Qingyan arriving with Bai Qingping and a man who closely resembled Dong Qingyue, Xiao Rongyan immediately knew Dong Changlan’s identity.

Upon Xiao Rongyan’s arrival at the Bai Mansion, he saw the carriages and horses outside and was told by Steward Hao with a smile that the nephew of Mrs. Dong’s family had arrived.

“Miss Bai…” Xiao Rongyan smiled lightly and greeted Bai Qingyan.

Yue Shi, carrying a bamboo basket, also greeted Bai Qingyan, with his mouth tightly shut, unsure of how to address her.

“Mr. Xiao!” Bai Qingyan stood with her hands behind her and slightly nodded, introducing, “This is my cousin, Dong Changlan.”

“Mr. Dong…” Xiao Rongyan smiled and saluted.

Dong Changlan saw before him a man with a high nose and deep eyes, whose gaze was serene and gentle, exuding the scholarly elegance of a learned man, not at all like a merchant, but more like a refined scholar.

“Mr. Xiao!” Dong Changlan returned the greeting, smiling warmly, “I have often heard my father praise you. Meeting you today, I see you are indeed an extraordinary person, a dragon among men.”

“Thanks to Lord Dong’s high regard, I am unworthy of such honor!” Xiao Rongyan smiled with his deep eyes, appearing accustomed to such compliments, without any pretense of unworthiness, straightforward and magnanimous.

“Mr. Xiao, what brings you here today?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Xiao Rongyan nodded, smiling as he took the bamboo basket from Yue Shi’s hands: “Today, I went fishing outside the city and had a good catch. I thought I would bring some fresh fish for Miss Bai. I didn’t expect there to be esteemed guests at the Bai Mansion.”

Seeing Bai Qingyan nod, Bai Qingping quickly stepped forward and took the bamboo basket from Xiao Rongyan’s hands, thanking him: “Thank you, Mr. Xiao.”

Just as Bai Qingping finished speaking, Mrs. Dong’s maid, Tingzhu, walked over gently and stood behind Bai Qingyan, speaking softly to her: “Miss, Madam said… Mr. Xiao’s timely arrival, if he is not busy, he might as well stay for a meal.”

Tingzhu might not be loud, but Xiao Rongyan had excellent hearing and heard it loud and clear.

“Mr. Xiao, if you are not busy, you may as well stay for a meal.” Bai Qingyan’s hand behind her back tightened slightly.

“Having nothing planned today, I humbly accept Miss Bai’s invitation.” Xiao Rongyan smiled.

The welcome banquet for Dong Qingping and Mrs. Cui was still set at Shaohua Court. The third-floor hall of Shaohua Hall was spacious, with two tables set, separated by a screen of carved nanmu with bamboo leaves. The women sat inside, the men outside.

During the banquet, Dong Changlan initially maintained his wariness toward Xiao Rongyan, but after a conversation, he found this man’s knowledge and vision uncommon. He was open-hearted and gave detailed explanations when Dong Changlan asked about things he didn’t understand, showing no reservations and coming across as a straightforward and gentle gentleman.

Whether it was discussing local customs, poetry, or military affairs, Xiao Rongyan could grasp the pros and cons and speak leisurely, offering insights from different perspectives to Dong Changlan.

Dong Changlan, like Dong Qingyue, had a broad-minded nature. Though he had not fully let go of his caution toward Xiao Rongyan, he couldn’t help but develop a favorable impression of him.

Bai Qingping didn’t speak much, perhaps because both Dong Changlan and Xiao Rongyan were talkative. Yet, whenever he spoke, it was to good effect. Bai Qingping still young and could be of great use after more experience. With someone like Bai Qingping assisting Bai Qingyan, Dong Changlan felt more at ease.

Inside, Mrs. Cui, lively by nature, chatted with Mrs. Dong and Bai Qingyan about the interesting things in Dengzhou, unobtrusively describing Madam Dong’s good health.

Mrs. Cui was personally chosen by Madam Dong as a granddaughter-in-law. Regardless of her family background, she was undoubtedly of noble character, and her words revealed her adept social skills.