Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

Chapter 103: Chapter 102: Friendship_1

Seeing Bai Qingyan nod, Mrs. Dong patted her daughter’s hand with deep affection. If her father, grandfather, and brothers were all present, how could it fall on her daughter to worry about the family’s future?

She smiled and squeezed Mrs. Dong’s hand: “Mother, you know everything. I can’t hide anything from you.”

“But can this wealthy Wei merchant, Xiao Rongyan, really buy such a vast number of shops and fertile farmlands in one go?” Mrs. Dong calculated carefully with her daughter. “This isn’t a small sum!”

“This is what I wanted to discuss with you. I asked Chen Qingsheng to speak to Xiao Rongyan. We would only use his name; the money would come from our Duke’s estate. This is the only way to transfer all the shops and farmlands from the Duke’s estate openly to private control, still under your grasp,” Bai Qingyan looked at Mrs. Dong. “But…the Duke’s estate might not be able to come up with four hundred fifty thousand taels all at once to pay the clan members?”

Mrs. Dong paused in her steps, recalling her brother Dong Qingyue’s words from the previous day. He had told her that the reason King Xin’s carriage axle broke was due to Xiao Rongyan’s exceptionally skilled guard. Today, Xiao Rongyan had come early to pay his respects at the Duke’s estate, and his guard had saved her fourth sister-in-law from crashing into the coffin.

She tightened her grip on her daughter’s hand: “Have you met Xiao Rongyan in private? Do you have…interactions?! Tell Mother the truth!”

Mrs. Dong’s questions came like a barrage. The more she thought, the more it made sense. Although merchants ranked last among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, in the Jin Kingdom, merchants were not that lowly. Xiao Rongyan was not just handsome and charming, he exuded a scholar’s refined air, outstanding in every way. Her daughter was undoubtedly exceptional. Could there be feelings between them? Otherwise, how could Bai Qingyan be so certain that Xiao Rongyan would help the Duke’s estate?

If Bai Qingyan indeed had feelings for Xiao Rongyan, Mrs. Dong would need to make new plans. The method she discussed with her mother, Madam Dong, would no longer be viable.

Her daughter’s safety was crucial, but ensuring her daughter’s happiness was also important.

Now, with the people of Dadu City supporting the Bai family, the Emperor would not act against the Duke’s estate for the time being. If her daughter had feelings for this merchant, she needed to plan early. She’d have to evaluate Xiao Rongyan’s character before entrusting her daughter to him.

With Xiao Rongyan’s demeanor, how could he just be a merchant? If her daughter married him, it wouldn’t be just a low marriage; it might appear to the world as a disgraceful self-debasement!

Ordinary noble families would never marry their daughters to merchants, let alone the honorable Duke’s estate, famed for a hundred years.

In a brief moment, countless thoughts raced through Mrs. Dong’s mind.

Bai Qingyan watched Mrs. Dong’s ever-changing expressions and spoke frankly: “Today, when I went to Zheliu Pavilion outside the city to send someone off, I happened to meet Xiao Rongyan and exchanged a few words. However, my reason for asking Chen Qingsheng to negotiate with Xiao Rongyan wasn’t just based on a brief encounter and a few exchanged words.”

Supporting her mother as they walked forward, she explained softly, “Ever since Xiao Rongyan entered Dadu City, think about his extravagant spending habits. He aims to make a name for himself, not just in Dadu City but in the Jin Kingdom and beyond. He wants to transform the title of the richest merchant in the Wei into the richest in the world, letting everyone know the name Xiao Rongyan!”

“Right now, the Duke’s estate is under the nation’s spotlight. For Xiao Rongyan, what could be faster than acquiring all the estate’s shops and farmlands in one go to achieve his goal?”

When she stood under the corridor earlier, Bai Qingyan had calculated everything. Xiao Rongyan had said during the palace banquet that he would wait until after the Lantern Festival in Dadu City to leave. Why? He wanted to take advantage of the scholars and literati gathering in Dadu City during the festival to showcase his wealth and claim the title of the richest merchant in the world.

But due to the Duke’s estate’s mourning, this hope was likely dashed.

Given the circumstances, Bai Qingyan presented the opportunity to Xiao Rongyan. Such a clever person would never pass up a chance to demonstrate his wealth and gain a favor from the Duke’s estate.

Mrs. Dong, seeing her daughter’s resolute and steely gaze, gripped her cold hand and asked, “This Mr. Xiao…whether in appearance or character, he stands out supremely. Do you…”

For a moment, Bai Qingyan didn’t understand her mother’s words. When she realized, she couldn’t help but laugh: “Mother, what are you thinking? I know myself well. I’ve resolved to stay by your side for life. Besides, our Duke’s estate is in such a difficult position now. How can I entertain such girlish thoughts?”

Before Mrs. Dong could speak, she added, “Mother, no matter what, we will discuss everything after the mourning period for Grandfather, Father, Uncles, and Brothers.”

Mrs. Dong’s eyes reddened and she nodded with a choked sob.

“Madam, Miss.”

They saw Mr. Gu, supported by a servant, rushing out. He bowed and urgently asked, “Where is Fourth Master Bai Qiyun from the clan? Has he left?”

Mr. Gu was a loyal servant of the Duke’s estate. His family had served the estate for generations since their ancestor’s time. He had diligently managed the estate’s critical accounts and finances over the years, earning great respect in both the Duke’s estate and the Shuoyang Clan.

Earlier, when Bai Qiyun had come to confront Mrs. Dong, Nanny Qin quietly sent someone to fetch Mr. Gu to support them. However, he arrived too late as Bai Qingyan had already resolved the issue shortly after her arrival.

“Mother agreed to the clan’s demands. She plans to sell all the Duke’s estate’s shops and farmlands to raise the money. Uncle has already gone to notify Grandfather and Father before the ancestral altar,” Bai Qingyan respectfully told the elderly man.

“I will go and reason with them!” Mr. Gu, leaning on his cane, hurriedly and unsteadily made his way forward.

“Mr. Gu…”

Mrs. Dong was about to call out but was stopped by Bai Qingyan. She deeply looked at Mr. Gu’s receding figure, then turned to Mrs. Dong with calm determination: “Mother, let Mr. Gu fan the flames. It’s just right!”

The sun had already set, taking the last ray of twilight with it.

Before the mourning hall in the front yard, under the flickering candlelight, Bai Qiyun finally performed a proper bow.

Kneeling on the mat, he said, “Uncle, cousin, although you have passed, my sister-in-law is trustworthy. She has agreed to the clan’s requests to renovate the ancestral hall, temple, ancestral graves, and the school!”

Hearing this, Bai Jinzhi, following Bai Qingyan’s instructions, angrily retorted: “What?! Aunt agreed?!”