Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

Chapter 107: Chapter 106: Favors_1

“I only hope the clan, after receiving the silver, can truly grant our Duke of Zhen’s widows… some peace!” Bai Qingyan let out a long sigh. “It’s already late. Have the servants take the three uncles to their accommodations! After the Duke’s grand funeral… my mother will personally send someone to escort the three uncles back to Shuoyang!”

Bai Jinzhi couldn’t hold back and stepped forward. “Eldest Young Lady! They treated our Duke’s residence this way…”

“Our Duke’s residence would rather be betrayed by the world than betray the world. This is righteousness.”

Bai Qiyun, looking at the people of the Duke’s residence who seemed as if they wanted to swallow them alive, didn’t have the courage to stay at the Duke’s residence!

“No… no need! We have our own place to stay!” Bai Qiyun tightly grasped the hand of his junior cousin and was about to leave.

“Uncle, although Dadu City is not far from Shuoyang, it is not close either. Uncle carries four hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver. It wouldn’t be safe to return this way! Before the Duke’s funeral is complete, we truly do not have the manpower to escort the three of you back to Shuoyang. For safety’s sake… it would be better to wait until after the funeral and have someone from the Duke’s residence escort you back.”

“Eldest Young Lady!” Bai Jinzhi’s eyes turned red with fury and discontent.

Before Bai Qiyun could speak, the senior elder who had just received the silver said, “This time, the three of us came for the Duke’s funeral and the late Duke’s last wishes. Naturally, we should wait until after the Duke’s funeral to leave! However, we dare not trouble the Duke’s residence for an escort. Otherwise, we would die of shame.”

Having said this much, Bai Qingyan nodded and ordered someone to invite Xiao Rongyan to the inner hall for tea and thanks.

Bai Qiyun and the other two left in disgrace under the gaze of the townspeople.

The onlookers couldn’t help but feel that Bai Qingyan was too weak toward the clan members.

“Though she said she’d rather be betrayed by the world than betray the world, how could the Bai clan treat the Duke’s residence so poorly, yet Miss Bai, who dared to force King Xin to death, is so weak when facing the clan?”

The townsfolk gathered in groups of three to five, holding lanterns and discussing loudly as they walked back.

“Why so weak?! Isn’t it that people under the eaves have to bow their heads? Didn’t you hear what the Princely Heir’s wife said… after the funeral, the Duke’s residence’s widows are going back to Shuoyang? What can they do? They are just a few widows and orphans who can’t possibly fight the clan head-on!”

At this point, a soft-hearted woman couldn’t help but wipe her tears. “The entire Duke’s residence was loyal and courageous. How did it come to such an end! If the Duke knew, he would certainly not rest in peace!”

“Of course not rest in peace! Just now… everyone else’s incense burned fine, but when that elder from Shuoyang offered incense, it broke! Twice! And the candle flames flickered without wind, isn’t that the Duke’s spirit showing?”

“Oh my! It’s getting dark, how can you say such things! It’s creepy!”

“What is there to fear? The entire Duke’s residence died to protect us commoners. Do you think their spirits would harm us?! Even after death, they would still protect us. No monster or ghost could hurt us!”

·

The sky was already dark, and the once bustling red light street of Dadu City was covered in a foggy haze. Dimly, people and merchants could be seen spontaneously replacing their lanterns with white ones, probably to mourn the heroic spirits of the Duke’s residence who died for the country and the people.

The white lanterns on the long corridors and eaves of the Duke’s residence swayed gently in the wind.

Soon, snowflakes fell like finely crushed salt, gently hitting the white satin of the lanterns with a crackling sound.

Mrs. Dong and Bai Qingyan sat in the hall, slowly discussing the matter of the Duke’s residence only borrowing Xiao Rongyan’s name.

“This matter, it’s like our Duke’s residence owes Mr. Xiao a favor. May I trouble Mr. Xiao to play along with this act?” Mrs. Dong’s voice was gentle.

Xiao Rongyan put down his teacup solemnly. “Princely Heir’s wife, such words humble me. Though I may be foolish, I know… this is Miss Bai seeing through my intentions in Dadu and giving me the opportunity to achieve my goals using the Duke’s residence.”

“Scholars, farmers, workers, merchants. Merchants are often looked down upon. The Duke’s residence didn’t look down on my background but instead helped me. I am deeply grateful and only hope that one day the Princely Heir’s wife and Miss Bai will give me the chance to repay in some measure.”

What people value in this world are three things, power, fame, and wealth.

These three can be said to complement each other.

With power in hand, one can obtain wealth and fame.

Fame can achieve power and wealth.

Wealth can also achieve fame and power.

And of the three, the easiest to obtain is wealth, followed by power. Good reputation is the hardest to achieve.

Xiao Rongyan, wanting to travel across nations with the title of the wealthiest merchant, would naturally aim to gain the favor of aristocrats and even royal courts. Achieving prominence in reputation, Xiao Rongyan, no matter which country he goes to, wouldn’t need to make efforts to approach those powerful figures; simply by presenting his name card, anyone would meet him.

Especially this time, Xiao Rongyan tying himself to the Bai family, known for their loyalty and integrity, basically gilded his name.

Bai Qingyan handed over the opportunity for a good reputation, proffering it to Xiao Rongyan. This would greatly benefit him in future dealings with noble families and aristocratic clans in various countries. With Xiao Rongyan’s intellect, how could he not see through it?

Mrs. Dong looked at the extremely handsome and refined man sitting under the light. His eyes were deep and reserved, his eyebrows dyed with the warm colors of the flickering candlelight. Though a merchant, he lacked the smell of money, exuding elegance, and carried a noble and composed demeanor in his words and actions. His voice was warm and soothing, instantly making one feel favorable toward him.

Mrs. Dong gently held the hand warmer, her eyebrows slightly curved with a hint of a smile as she looked at Xiao Rongyan and nodded.

Xiao Rongyan was exceedingly wise and transparent. Although his eyes were like a deep pool, making it hard to see the bottom, Mrs. Dong could feel that while Xiao Rongyan spoke with her, he did not hide anything, openly expressing his feelings, genuinely grateful for the Duke’s residence’s favor.

Mrs. Dong didn’t expect Xiao Rongyan to necessarily repay in the future; she simply liked dealing with smart people as it was effortless.

“We are also grateful for Mr. Xiao’s intervention at the southern city gate to stop King Xin and for saving the Duke’s widows at the coffin today.” Mrs. Dong looked at the snow falling outside. “The roads are slippery in the snow; Mr. Xiao, take care on your way back. Three days later, the Duke’s residence will return the four hundred and fifty thousand taels in full. Qingyan, see Mr. Xiao out…”

Xiao Rongyan stood and respectfully performed a grand salute to Mrs. Dong before following Bai Qingyan out of the hall.

“Mr. Xiao, take care…” Bai Qingyan curtsied.

Under the bright lanterns of the long corridor, a maid with a lamp led the way ahead, and Xiao Rongyan walked side by side with Bai Qingyan, accompanied by Chun Tao and a group of maids along with Xiao Rongyan’s guards, following not far behind.

They walked in silence until Xiao Rongyan broke the silence. “Rather be betrayed by the world than betray the world. These words… may have already reached His Majesty’s ears at this moment. At the latest by the day after tomorrow, His Majesty will make a decision regarding King Xin.”

Bai Qingyan looked down and said nothing.

The Duke’s residence decisively displayed their intent to retreat to the ancestral home in Shuoyang for the Emperor to see.