Chapter 507 - 507 504 Dou Dou Making Friendly Gestures_1

Chapter 507: Chapter 504: Dou Dou Making Friendly Gestures_1 Chapter 507: Chapter 504: Dou Dou Making Friendly Gestures_1 On the contrary, it made people envy the Bai family for their homely atmosphere.

The daughters of the Bai family, sitting there, had impeccable dining etiquette. Not a single sound from spoons clinking against bowls or the whispering noise of drinking soup could be heard. Even Mrs. Cui couldn’t do it so well.

Mrs. Cui recalled that at her maternal home, when her grandmother dined, her mother had to serve by her side. When her mother dined, her aunt had to serve. It was cold and lonely, only the sound of chopsticks picking up food filled the room. Nothing like the lively Bai family.

Not long after breakfast, Third Madam Mrs. Li, Fourth Madam Mrs. Wang, and Fifth Madam Mrs. Qi, with Eighth Miss Bai Wanqing, gathered at Mrs. Dong’s Qinghe Courtyard simultaneously.

The sisters-in-law chatted and laughed while the girls played together.

Bai Qingyan watched the now vibrant Bai family, feeling deeply moved. She was grateful to heaven for giving her another chance to see the current state of the Bai family.

In the future, when Bai Qingjue and Bai Qingyun return home, she believed the Bai family would be even more different.

Inside the bustling room, Chun Tao stepped in briskly and whispered in Bai Qingyan’s ear, “Miss, Steward Hao says there’s news from Fenxiang!”

Bai Qingyan nodded, placed the celadon tea cup on the small table, got up, and walked out of the main room without a sound. She stepped out of the Qinghe Courtyard gate and headed towards the corridor.

Steward Hao was waiting in the corridor. When he saw Bai Qingyan approaching, he stepped forward and saluted, “Miss, there’s news from Fenxiang and Dadu City.”

“Go ahead…” Bai Qingyan stared at Steward Hao.

“A few days ago, our people saw someone enter the Left Prime Minister’s residence after returning from Fenxiang to Dadu City. They were then personally escorted to the side door by a counselor in a blue robe from the Left Prime Minister’s residence. After returning, that person mingled with Bai Qiyun, who had been expelled from the Bai Clan.”

Bai Qingyan was not surprised by Steward Hao’s report. She gazed at the flowing stream and lichen swayed by the sunlight, saying, “Li Mao is still restless!”

“Old servant has already sent people to closely monitor the expelled Bai Clan members, not allowing them to cause trouble!”

“No need for such trouble.” Bai Qingyan’s calm eyes flashed with a cold murderous intent, “Return all the heads of the people sent by the Left Prime Minister’s residence.”

Steward Hao responded without hesitation, “Yes.”

“Send someone to inform Second Miss that Li Mao of the Left Prime Minister’s residence has extended his hands to Shuoyang, likely not being deterred enough. Tell her not to confront Li Mao directly. Pick a letter Li Mao had written to the Second Prince, have someone transcribe it and spread it throughout Dadu City. Let everyone in Dadu City discuss the Second Prince’s failed coup.”

“Yes!”

Stewart Hao was about to leave to make arrangements when he saw Bai Qingyan raise her hand in thought, stopping him from leaving. She added, “Tell Second Miss to use the same paper and ink as the ones used by King Liang’s residence. It would be better if some traces of King Liang’s residence remain.”

Bai Qingyan finished speaking leisurely and turned to look at Steward Hao again, “Remember to find someone skilled to imitate the letter. Have someone deliver Li Mao’s original letter to King Liang in the name of Ninth Prince of Yan. If King Liang remains inactive after receiving it, so be it! If he takes action, let Second Miss present the imitated letter to Imperial Censor Pei, catching Li Mao off guard!”

“Yes!”

Steward Hao replied and left to instruct the Bai family’s servants.

Compared to the difficult times in Dadu City, retreating to Shuoyang turned out to be beneficial for the Bai family. She could act less restrained.

Li Mao already had weaknesses held by the Bai family. The Bai family didn’t even need to warn him. Sending the heads of the people Li Mao sent to Shuoyang back to Dadu City would make Li Mao understand the trouble came from the Left Prime Minister’s residence.

Bai Qingyan wanted to involve King Liang to sow seeds of doubt among the Emperor, King Liang, and Li Mao.

When signs indicated the spread of the letter originated from King Liang’s residence, even if Li Mao suspected it was her doing and knew King Liang had no motive, he would still harbor doubts about King Liang.

If King Liang kept the letter for future use to protect himself, what would Li Mao think when King Liang used it? He would surely believe King Liang had conned him.

If King Liang revealed the letter now to bribe Li Mao or make him do something else, and the Imperial Censor presented the imitated letter, could Li Mao still collaborate with King Liang without hesitation?

King Liang excelled in imitating others’ handwriting, a fact known by Li Mao.

Even if the Emperor received a fake letter, his suspicious nature would make him doubt Li Mao. He would question whether Li Mao was truly loyal to the Second Prince, only defecting to the Emperor’s side when the coup failed.

The more turmoil Bai Qingyan stirred in the Dadu City royal court, the more stable the Bai family and the Bai army stationed in the southern border would be.

Li Mao’s son had recently been appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Perhaps due to his happiness and newfound leisure, he felt bold enough to interfere in Shuoyang.

This reminded Bai Qingyan that she needed to keep those eyeing the Bai family and the Bai army occupied so they wouldn’t have time to cause trouble.

At the end of the corridor, a maid from the Bai family’s gatehouse hurried over. After saluting Bai Qingyan, she said, “Miss, Mr. Xiao is here.”

Xiao Rongyan?

Why did he come again today? Isn’t he visiting too frequently?

Bai Qingyan’s palm slightly tightened, and she nodded, “Let’s go see!”

Xiao Rongyan had been invited into the main hall and was sitting there drinking tea.

Seeing Bai Qingyan step into the main hall, Xiao Rongyan stood up, his deep eyes smiling. He bowed deeply towards Bai Qingyan, “Miss Bai…”

Bai Qingyan, dressed in a light green damask dress, returned the salute. Noticing Xiao Rongyan wearing the same wild goose hairpin as hers, her cheeks felt warm, “I wonder what brings Mr. Xiao here today.”

After the maid served Bai Qingyan tea and left the main hall, leaving only the two inside with maids guarding outside, Xiao Rongyan finally spoke in a low voice, “I heard today is Madam’s birthday. I came to present a birthday gift.”

“Mother didn’t plan to host a banquet. Even the Bai Clan didn’t know, yet Mr. Xiao did,” Bai Qingyan picked up her tea cup, the clear tea reflecting her smiling eyes.

With no one else in the main hall, Xiao Rongyan grew bolder, lowering his voice further, “We are to become a family sooner or later. It’s important to show goodwill now to avoid difficulties in the future.”