Chapter 465
The Emperor nodded. The Tan Imperial Master’s family was indeed a family of scholars, making them a fitting match. The Imperial Master’s granddaughter marrying the Emperor’s son was considered a suitable union.
“Convey My intentions to King Liang…” The Emperor, still mindful of his son who would prepare the golden elixir for him, wanted to first inquire about his son’s thoughts. The Emperor squinted at Gao Demao and said, “Persuade King Liang with your own words. The Dong family has always valued their reputation. If King Liang forcibly marries, Dong Qingping may not tolerate his daughter who has tarnished the family name! Observe King Liang’s reaction carefully for Me! Upon your return, report back without missing any expression!”
Gao Demao was startled, realizing the Emperor was beginning to suspect King Liang, and quickly complied.
Watching Gao Demao leave, the Emperor slowly leaned back on the dragon throne, raising a hand to stroke the dragon head on the armrest.
Regarding his son King Liang, the Emperor’s suspicions about him had never completely dissipated. The incident where he accused Bai Weiting… He claimed it was to save King Xin. With Qin Dezhao dead and no evidence of the grain issue, the Emperor confined him to the mansion. Observing that King Liang behaved obediently during that period and with the Crown Prince pleading on his behalf to let him oversee disaster relief in Yanwo, the Emperor, considering he was his son, consented!
Later, the disaster relief in Yanwo failed. King Liang brought back an alchemist, claiming that in searching for the alchemist, he had botched the relief efforts. The Emperor was moved by King Liang’s filial piety.
The Emperor could tolerate King Liang’s ambition and actions to vie for the throne. However, he could not tolerate King Liang’s close association with ministers wielding substantial military power.
The Emperor still shuddered at the memory of the Second Prince’s rebellion and usurpation attempt. Such an incident must never occur again.
The Emperor squinted. If King Liang truly had feelings for the Dong family girl, he would be reluctant to see her life endangered.
But if what King Liang valued was Dong Qingyue’s military power, intending to stop at nothing, then… he could not blame his father for being heartless.
·
When Bai Qingyan left the Dong Mansion, the sky had already turned completely dark.
The moment Bai Jinzhi saw Bai Qingyan come out, she hurried over, “Eldest Young Lady! The Crown Prince has already entered the palace. Don’t worry! That old man instructed the Crown Prince that if King Liang wants to marry Sister Tingzhen, he must not allow it! Then… what will happen to Sister Tingzhen?”
“Don’t worry, Tingzhen will be fine!” Bai Qingyan ruffled Bai Jinzhi’s hair, walking with her towards the Bai Mansion, which now had the plaque of the Princess of Zhen’s residence.
Dong Tingzhen’s heart was entirely set on King Liang. Though Bai Qingyan’s words brought a shred of doubt in her regarding King Liang, her uncle Dong Qingping’s stern warning made her cry but not yield, holding on to a sliver of hope in her heart.
In Dong Tingzhen’s heart, the weight of her whole family did not compare to that of King Liang, showing how adept King Liang was at manipulating hearts.
But Bai Qingyan did not resent Dong Tingzhen. In their past lives, she too had fallen for King Liang’s schemes.
Seeing King Liang incompetent and weak, yet willing to strive for the supreme position for her, to vindicate her grandfather and the Bai family. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
By the cold moonlight, Bai Qingyan, leading her horse, was cloaked in a layer of chilly luster.
As she emerged from the near-deserted Kangan Alley where the noble families lived, Bai Qingyan saw Xiao Rongyan standing under the sparse streetlights, clad in a moon-white long robe with a jade belt around his waist, exuding a noble and elegant demeanor, strikingly conspicuous in the long street.
Bai Jinzhi glanced slyly at Bai Qingyan and stepped forward to take the reins from her, greeting, “Oh! Mr. Xiao! What a coincidence!”
Xiao Rongyan’s deep eyes looked at Bai Qingyan with a smile, bowing deeply toward her and Bai Jinzhi.
Bai Qingyan returned a shallow bow and straightened up to see Xiao Rongyan walking towards her, followed only by Yue Shi and two guards.
“I have yet to congratulate Miss Bai on being titled a Princess, and Miss Bai Four on becoming a Commandery Princess!” Xiao Rongyan smiled faintly, “I knew that tomorrow you and Miss Bai Four would return to Shuoyang, and was preparing to bring Yue Shi to the Princess of Zhen’s mansion to deliver the congratulatory gifts. Unexpectedly, I encountered you both here.”
Bai Qingyan’s hand behind her back clenched quietly. Hearing Yue Shi’s congratulatory words and seeing Bai Jinzhi winking and signaling Yue Shi to come to her side, Yue Shi quickly went over, standing behind Bai Jinzhi, not obstructing the conversation between Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan.
“Rong Yan will escort Miss Bai and Miss Bai Four back to the mansion.” Xiao Rongyan gestured invitingly.
Bai Qingyan nodded, “Thank you, Mr. Xiao!”
Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan walked side by side. Observing the lively scene in front of Yanque Tower, she remembered today’s poetry contest and brought up the topic, “I heard there is a poetry contest at Yanque Tower today. The sons of noble families in Dadu City attended. With Mr. Xiao’s remarkable talent, why did you not participate?”
“Participating in such a poetry contest is merely to gain fame. Thanks to Miss Bai’s assistance, my fame has surpassed that of the past, and there is no need to join this bustle.” Xiao Rongyan turned his head to look at Bai Qingyan, “Moreover, I had to deliver congratulations to Miss Bai and Miss Bai Four, hence I was unable to attend.”
The poetry contest had not yet begun. Noble daughters holding round fans leaned against the railings of the private rooms facing the street, using the fans to cover half their faces. They claimed to be admiring the street’s red lantern nightscape, but who among the long-time residents of Dadu City hadn’t seen it before?
Their eyes eagerly peered downstairs, hoping to spot Chen Zhaolu, Lu Yuanqing, and Dong Changyuan.
After all, if the recent examination scandal hadn’t occurred, these three would have become the Top Scholar, the Second Place Scholar, and the Third Place Scholar!
“Oh! Isn’t that Mr. Xiao Rongyan?!” An observant noblewoman spotted Xiao Rongyan, “And beside Mr. Xiao is… the Princess of Zhen?!”
The third daughter of the Zhen family’s eyes lit up upon hearing Bai Qingyan’s name. She lifted her skirt and ran to look downstairs, indeed seeing the heroic Bai Qingyan walking alongside Xiao Rongyan—a striking couple.
“We should address her as Princess now!” Another noblewoman turned her head, hiding her face with a round fan as she glanced downstairs again. “Mr. Xiao is a remarkable figure, but alas, his status as a merchant! And the Princess of Zhen… already titled a Princess, should mind her manner and conduct. They haven’t even betrothed yet but walk together. This is simply…”
“What does it matter! The Princess of Zhen has fought alongside men, staying in military camps. Who knows how many men she has been close to. Would she worry about reputation for such a petty reason?” A jealous noblewoman added, “It’s only because Mr. Xiao is a merchant. If he were a common scholar… even as a consort, he would dare not choose a person like the Princess of Zhen!”