Chapter 935: 932: Shocking

Chapter 935: Chapter 932: Shocking

Xie Yuchang heard these words and thought… Indeed, what Yang Wuce said was true, His Majesty truly has an extraordinary relationship with Mr. Xiao Rongyan.

The gates of the Bai Mansion were wide open. Xie Yuchang came out from within, his armor covered with a layer of misty drizzle. He looked at the imposing Xiao Rongyan standing with an umbrella beside the carriage and solemnly cupped his hands towards Xiao Rongyan, “Mr. Xiao, His Majesty invites you inside.”

Xiao Rongyan nodded in gratitude, lifted the hem of his plain robe, and stepped onto the stairs leading to the Bai Mansion.

Yue Shi wanted to enter but was stopped by the imperial guard.

Xie Yuchang glanced at Yue Shi and said to Xiao Rongyan, “Pardon me, Mr. Xiao, one cannot bring a sword when meeting His Majesty. Please have your guard surrender the sword to us for safekeeping by the imperial guard.”

Xiao Rongyan turned his umbrella and looked at Yue Shi, “Wait outside then.”

“Yes!” Yue Shi responded and retreated to the side of the carriage.

Xiao Rongyan folded the umbrella. His distinct outline, illuminated by the white silk lantern, appeared even colder and sharper, with a gentle yet intimidating presence that seemed to emerge.

Xie Yuchang remembered that Mr. Xiao was famously known for his refined demeanor, despite being a merchant, he possessed remarkable talent and a composed character, earning him a favorable view from royalty across various nations.

Who would have thought that after a year, Mr. Xiao changed so drastically? Could it be because he became His Majesty’s fiancé?

Xiao Rongyan stepped through the main gate and, through the gauze curtains beneath the corridor, saw Bai Qingyan and Bai Qingjue. He opened his umbrella and leisurely walked towards Bai Qingyan.

Seeing Xiao Rongyan approaching, Chun Tao went forward to lift the gauze curtain for him and received the umbrella from Xiao Rongyan.

Xiao Rongyan nodded slightly to Chun Tao and first saluted Bai Qingyan, “Miss Bai, Seventh Young Master!”

Bai Qingyan nodded slightly.

Bai Qingjue solemnly saluted Xiao Rongyan, “Mr. Xiao.”

Xiao Rongyan offered incense to the Eldest Princess and then said to Bai Qingyan, “Today, I was originally outside Dadu City to greet Miss Bai, but unforeseen circumstances occurred, so I visit late at night. I hope Miss Bai and Seventh Young Master can forgive me.”

“Mr. Xiao’s thoughtfulness is appreciated.” Bai Qingjue stood with his hands behind and slightly nodded to Xiao Rongyan, “Surely Mr. Xiao didn’t come this late just to offer incense for my grandmother!”

“Miss Bai, may I have a word with you…” Xiao Rongyan’s gaze fell upon Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan nodded and walked outside, holding Chun Tao’s hand.

Xiao Rongyan was about to follow when Bai Qingjue stopped him.

Xiao Rongyan paused his steps and turned to face Bai Qingjue, “Does Seventh Young Master have further instructions?”

Bai Qingjue solemnly performed a deep bow toward Xiao Rongyan, “Once, I could not reveal my benefactor’s true name. Today, as I meet Mr. Xiao in the capacity of a child of the Bai family, I, Bai Qingjue, must earnestly thank Mr. Xiao for saving my mother and me. If Mr. Xiao ever has instructions… I will do everything within my power! However, Bai Qingjue hopes Mr. Xiao understands that the debt is owed by Bai Qingjue, not the Bai family! Perhaps it’s my petty heart, but please, Mr. Xiao, do not use your favor as leverage to have my eldest sister return the kindness, or else I, Bai Qingjue, will be the first to refuse, and then I will fear betraying my benefactor.”

Xiao Rongyan looked into Bai Qingjue’s calm and deep eyes, smiling as he spoke, “Today’s visit is by no means a request, Xiao Rongyan will never leverage a favor to Miss Bai, not today, nor in the future. On this point… please rest assured, Seventh Young Master.”

The wind stirred the gauze curtain, and the rain whispered.

Listening to Xiao Rongyan’s mature and deep voice, Bai Qingjue, for some reason, trusted Xiao Rongyan’s words from the bottom of his heart.

He performed a bow towards Xiao Rongyan again, “Thank you, Mr. Xiao.”

Xiao Rongyan elegantly smiled, returned the bow to Bai Qingjue, then stepped over the threshold of the main hall and followed Bai Qingyan out.

Bai Qingyan saw that Xiao Rongyan hadn’t come out yet and waited for a moment until she saw him emerge from the main hall… She then guessed that Ah Jue must have said something to Xiao Rongyan, fearing he would leverage a favor.

Xiao Rongyan saw Bai Qingyan waiting for him and instinctively quickened his pace to come before her, glancing at Chun Tao.

“Let’s speak at the back.” Bai Qingyan said.

Xiao Rongyan nodded.

The three of them went to the nearby Guanjing Pavilion from the main hall.

Chun Tao served them hot tea. Seeing Xiao Rongyan properly seated across from Bai Qingyan with his teacup, she took the black lacquered and gold-painted tray out to stand guard outside.

The pavilion was brightly lit, with all windows open, yet Chun Tao standing downstairs couldn’t help but glance upstairs, fearing Xiao Rongyan might behave inappropriately towards their Miss.

Xiao Rongyan put down his teacup, raised his gaze to the mourning-clad Bai Qingyan, who was gently blowing on her teacup, with the light from the glazed lamps casting fan-shaped shadows beneath her eyes.

However… the blue tint under Bai Qingyan’s eyes was not just a little visible. Xiao Rongyan put down his teacup and walked over to Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan looked up at Xiao Rongyan who was leaning in closely to observe her, “What is it?”

Xiao Rongyan with one hand supporting the chair’s armrest, gently held Bai Qingyan’s cheek, rubbing lightly under her eye with his thumb, removing the pearl powder concealer, revealing dark circles stark against Bai Qingyan’s overly fair complexion.

Xiao Rongyan’s pupils contracted; he understood the struggle after losing a loved one and finding sleep elusive…

Yet even in those times, he never looked as haggard as Bai Qingyan did, seeing her frail appearance suggests it’s been years since she had slept soundly.

He didn’t ask, knowing why…

Bai Qingyan’s grandmother was the Eldest Princess of the Jin Dynasty, while she was about to ascend as the Empress of Zhou after overthrowing Jin. She led troops against Luohong City to rescue her grandmother, who followed the fall of Jin to her grave. Bai Qingyan probably blamed the Eldest Princess’s death on herself.

Comforting words from others would be ineffective; like his mother, Empress Ji, time alone could ease this pain.

Xiao Rongyan’s grip on Bai Qingyan’s cheek tightened, his gaze full of empathy as he softly spoke to Bai Qingyan, “If your mother saw you in this state, she’d be pained!”

Bai Qingyan knew clearly, softly gripping Xiao Rongyan’s wrist, removing his hand, she spoke quietly, “Being an emperor is hard, being a good emperor is even harder. I never learned the way of rulers, managing a nation with sheer passion isn’t enough; enduring hardship is expected!”

Xiao Rongyan knelt on one knee in front of Bai Qingyan, holding her hands as he spoke softly, “Do you know of Yan Kingdom’s Great General, Tang Yi?”

Bai Qingyan nodded.

“General Tang Yi was my mother’s close friend, but he has another identity; he is of my grandfather’s lineage, a legitimate bloodline of Yan’s Imperial Family.”