The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 106

“I only hope that after taking the money, the clan will truly allow the widows of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence some peace!” Bai Qingyan let out a long sigh. “It’s late, have the servants arrange a place to stay for the three uncles! Once the mourning period of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence is over… Mother will personally send people to escort the three uncles back to Shuoyang!”

At this, Bai Jinzhi could not restrain herself any longer and stepped forward, “Eldest Sister! After how they have treated our Zhenguo Duke’s residence…”

“Our Zhenguo Duke’s residence would rather the world wrong us, than for us to wrong the world. This is righteousness.”

Bai Qiyun looked at the people from the Zhenguo Duke’s residence, who seemed eager to swallow them alive. How could they possibly have the courage to stay here any longer?!

“No… no need! We have our own lodgings!” Bai Qiyun clutched his half-cousin’s hand tightly and prepared to leave.

“Uncle, though the capital is not far from Shuoyang, it’s not close either. For you to carry 450,000 taels of silver back now would hardly be safe! Until the mourning rites of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence are completed, we simply have no manpower to escort you back to Shuoyang. For safety’s sake… It would be better to wait until the mourning period is over, and then the Zhenguo Duke’s residence will send people to escort you back.”

“Eldest Sister!” Bai Jinzhi’s eyes reddened with anger, full of indignation.

Before Bai Qiyun could speak, the uncle who had just accepted the money stepped forward and said, “This time, the three of us came for the mourning rites of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence, in accordance with the wishes of the late Duke. Naturally, we must wait until the mourning is done before leaving! However, we dare not trouble the Zhenguo Duke’s residence again for an escort, or else we would die of shame.”

With things having reached this point, Bai Qingyan nodded and ordered someone to invite Xiao Rongyan into the inner hall for tea and thanks.

Bai Qiyun and the others slunk away in disgrace under the gaze of the watching civilians.

The onlookers, however, could not help but feel Bai Qingyan was far too soft towards her clansmen.

“Though she says, ‘Our Zhenguo Duke’s residence would rather the world wrong us, than for us to wrong the world,’ the clan of the Bai family still humiliated the Zhenguo Duke’s residence so badly. That Eldest Miss Bai, who dared force Prince Xin to his death, is so weak before her own clan.”

The common people gathered in groups of three or five, carrying lanterns and walking back, were buzzing with discussion.

“How could she be weak?! Isn’t this simply bowing one’s head under another’s eaves? Did you not hear First Madam say… after the mourning is done, the widows of the Bai family in the Zhenguo Duke’s residence must return to Shuoyang? What else could they do? They are only widows and orphans, they cannot clash head-on with the clan, right?”

At this, a soft-hearted woman could not stop wiping away her tears, “The Zhenguo Duke’s residence is a family of loyal and valiant people. How could they end up like this! If the late Duke knew, he would never rest in peace!”

“Would he not indeed be unable to rest in peace? Just now… everything was fine when others offered incense, yet when that clan elder from Shuoyang offered incense, it snapped in two! Twice! The candle flames flickered even though there was no wind. Isn’t this the Duke’s spirit manifesting?!”

“Oh heavens! It’s already dark, how could you say such things! It’s so creepy!”

“What’s there to fear? The Zhenguo Duke’s residence gave their lives to protect us common folk. Could their spirits after death ever harm us? Even after death, they would only protect us. What demon or ghost could ever harm us?!”

By now, the sky had sunk completely into night. The capital’s once bustling streets lit with red lanterns were shrouded in a hazy mist, yet faintly one could see the white lanterns that had been voluntarily replaced by the civilians and merchants, most likely to mourn the loyal souls of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence who had died for the country and the people.

In the long corridors of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence, the white lanterns hanging from the eaves swayed gently in the wind.

Before long, snowflakes fell from the sky like finely milled salt, hitting against the silk faces of the white lanterns with a crackling sound.

Inside the hall, Dong-shi and Bai Qingyan sat together, slowly explaining to Xiao Rongyan the matter of borrowing his name.

“For this matter, the Zhenguo Duke’s residence owes Mr Xiao a favour. May I trouble Mr Xiao to play his role thoroughly alongside us?” Dong-shi’s voice was calm and steady.

Xiao Rongyan set down his teacup and solemnly replied, “Madam, such words truly shame me. Though dull-witted, I still understand… this is Eldest Miss Bai having seen through what I seek in the capital, and granting me the chance to borrow the name of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence to achieve it.”

“Scholars, farmers, workers, and merchants. Merchants are often looked down upon. Yet the Zhenguo Duke’s residence has not looked down upon me for my origins, but instead extended aid. I shall always hold this in gratitude, and only hope that one day Madam and Eldest Miss will grant me the chance to repay in some measure.”

In this world, there were only three things mortals prized. First, power; second, reputation; third, wealth.

These three may be said to support one another…

With power in hand, one may gain both wealth and reputation.

With reputation, one may secure power and wealth.

With wealth, one may attain reputation and power.

Among them, wealth was the easiest to grasp. Power was next, but a good reputation was the hardest…

Since Xiao Rongyan intended to travel the world as the wealthiest merchant, hoping to gain the favor of nobles and even the imperial court, he naturally had to cultivate a reputation of the highest order. With this fame, wherever Xiao Rongyan travelled, he need not spend effort currying favour with the powerful. A visiting card would suffice for an audience with anyone.

Especially this time, tying his name to that of the Bai family, the most dazzling symbol of loyalty and righteousness under Heaven, it was as though Xiao Rongyan’s very name was gilded.

The opportunity to stand upon the shoulders of the Bai family and build a good reputation… Bai Qing Yan was placing it in Xiao Rongyan’s hands. This would be of immense benefit to his future dealings with aristocratic families across the various nations. With Xiao Rongyan’s intelligence, how could he not understand this?

Dong-shi gazed at the exceedingly handsome and refined man seated beneath the lamplight. His eyes were steady and reserved, his features softened with a warm glow from the flickering candlelight. Although he was a merchant, he possessed no greed for money and possessed an elegant demeanor. He exuded a great sense of dignity and composure, his voice warm and gentle, naturally endearing him to everyone.

Dong-shi tightened her grip on the hand-warmer, her brows carrying a faint smile as she nodded towards Xiao Rongyan.

Xiao Rongyan was extremely intelligent and perceptive. Though his gaze was deep as a spring that could not be fathomed, Dong-shi could sense that as he sat here speaking with her, he concealed nothing and spoke from the heart. He was expressing sincere gratitude for the Zhenguo Duke’s residence’s favour.

Dong-shi, however, did not expect repayment from Xiao Rongyan in future. She merely liked interacting with intelligent people, it was effortless.

“It is also thanks to Mr Xiao for blocking Prince Xin at the southern city gate, and again today at the coffin saving the widows of the Bai family,” Dong-shi said, watching the falling snow outside. “The roads are slippery in the snow. Mr Xiao, take care on your way back. Three days later, the 450,000 taels shall be repaid in full. Qingyan, see Mr Xiao off…”

Xiao Rongyan rose and respectfully made a deep bow to Dong-shi, before following Bai Qingyan out of the hall.

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

Beneath the bright lanterns of the long corridor, a maid carrying a lantern walked ahead to light the path. Xiao Rongyan and Bai Qingyan walked side by side, while Chuntao, the other maids, and Xiao Rongyan’s guards followed some distance behind.

They walked in silence, until Xiao Rongyan finally spoke, “The words, ‘Our Zhenguo Duke’s residence would rather the world wrong us, than for us to wrong the world’… By now, they must have already reached His Majesty’s ears. At the latest by the day after tomorrow, His Majesty will certainly make his decision regarding Prince Xin.”

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes, remaining silent.

The Zhenguo Duke’s residence’s stance to withdraw to their ancestral home in Shuoyang had already been displayed before the Emperor.