Chapter 612
Bai Qingyan sneered at Xiao Rongyan. “What I have said, Mr. Xiao is not unaware of. It’s just that Mr. Xiao is not from Jin, so he doesn’t care about Jin’s survival. He only cares about his personal interests.”
The Crown Prince gently stroked the armrests of the chair. Bai Qingyan’s words… the Crown Prince could understand them. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
Indeed, Xiao Rongyan was a businessman and a Wei Kingdom native. He must not be blinded by the small profits before him.
The only way for Xiao Rongyan to be truly loyal was if he married into the Bai family, became a Jin, and tied his future to that of the Crown Prince.
At that time, as long as Xiao Rongyan knew he could gain more by staying in Jin than in his homeland of Wei, he would serve the Crown Prince wholeheartedly.
Currently… what Xiao Rongyan said and requested deserved the Crown Prince’s careful consideration.
“All right, I wasn’t planning to agree to this in the first place. No need to argue so fiercely,” the Crown Prince smiled. “Rong Yan, indeed, I cannot help you this time. The envoys have already been dispatched. Even if the envoys hadn’t been sent, I must plan for the long-term of Jin. You are my friend; if I can help, I will. But sitting on the position of Crown Prince, Jin must come first. Do you understand?”
With the Crown Prince speaking this way, Xiao Rongyan knew he couldn’t continue. He could only smile and bow. “Your Highness is the Crown Prince of a nation and must consider the well-being of millions of Jin citizens. This is merely a personal business matter for me… just involves losing some silver coin. It cannot be compared to the great affairs of Jin. Now that Your Highness has been generous enough not to expel me, it is already the greatest honor. I am truly grateful.”
“Rong Yan, you speak so formally, but I regard you as a friend…” the Crown Prince smiled at Bai Qingyan. “The Princess of Zhen is going to the Court of Judicial Review to see Fu Ruoxi later. If Rong Yan is free… would you mind accompanying her?”
Xiao Rongyan smiled and bowed to the Crown Prince and Bai Qingyan. “Then please, Your Highness and the Princess, wait a moment. Let me have my guards inform my people not to ship the grains to the Rong and order the steward to sell the grains promptly.”
“As for selling the grains, I can help Mr. Xiao with that. Currently, Shuoyang is training the people and fighting bandits. Many people have come seeking refuge, and they are in need of grains. It can be seen as… Bai Qingyan helping the Crown Prince’s friend solve a problem!” Bai Qingyan smiled at the Crown Prince. “It would also fulfill the friendship between you and Mr. Xiao!”
With Ji Tingyu having taken the newly recruited soldiers of the court, Bai Qingyan was in dire need of grains. Whether Xiao Rongyan’s “grains” existed or not, she needed him to deliver them to her.
Bai Qingyan’s words made the Crown Prince overjoyed. He felt that Bai Qingyan was indeed loyal to him.
The Crown Prince wished for more opportunities for both of them to interact, so he eagerly said, “That’s excellent. Rong Yan, you must thank the Princess of Zhen!”
“May I say a presumptuous word. This amount of grain is enormous. I fear the improper storage by the Princess of Zhen might cause spoilage. Could I perhaps deliver just half of it first?”
Bai Qingyan smiled faintly at Xiao Rongyan, completely different from her previous sharp demeanor. “Mr. Xiao need not worry. Regardless of anything, you are a benefactor to the Bai family. Within our capacity, we are more than willing to resolve Mr. Xiao’s troubles. Since I dare to promise, naturally, it can be stored properly.”
“If so, then… many thanks to the Princess of Zhen.” Xiao Rongyan bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan. “I will now go and instruct my guard to send a message to have the grains delivered directly to Shuoyang!”
“Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Xiao!” Bai Qingyan nodded and thanked him.
Seeing Xiao Rongyan leave the main hall, the Crown Prince moved closer to Bai Qingyan and lowered his voice. “You! Don’t you know Rong Yan has feelings for you? Why must you push him so hard? If you speak gently to me, wouldn’t I listen carefully?”
Having just pledged loyalty to the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince spoke to Bai Qingyan in an intimate tone, seemingly thinking only of her.
Seeing Bai Qingyan about to speak, the Crown Prince raised his hand to signal her to listen. “While Rong Yan is not back yet… tell me what you think of him? The Bai family now only has daughters. Have you ever thought about bringing a husband into the family?”
Bai Qingyan immediately stood up and bowed. “Your Highness…”
The Crown Prince interrupted Bai Qingyan, signaling her to sit. “I am your cousin. Naturally, I must think of your future. I know you are not an ordinary woman and feel shy talking about marriage. I truly feel that Xiao Rongyan, with his appearance and demeanor, is extraordinary. Except for being a merchant, he has no faults. Moreover, he has affection for you. Previously, I mentioned to him your lack of heirs. He said… he seeks a wife, not children. I really think Xiao Rongyan is a good match.”
“Your Highness, I know you care for me, but currently, I only wish… for my sisters to grow up safely,” Bai Qingyan smiled.
The Crown Prince, having said enough to Bai Qingyan, wanted her to have an idea but did not press her too hard at this moment.
Seeing Xiao Rongyan return, the Crown Prince sat up straight and smiled at him. “Everything settled?”
Xiao Rongyan smiled and bowed to the Crown Prince, then spoke to Bai Qingyan. “Everything is in order. I will accompany the Princess of Zhen to the Court of Judicial Review as an apology for my previous harsh words.”
Bai Qingyan stood up and returned the bow. “Mr. Xiao is a benefactor of the Bai family. In speech, I might have been harsh for the nation’s sake. I hope Mr. Xiao can understand!”
“The Princess of Zhen plans for the nation and disregards personal feelings. I greatly admire that! Besides, the Princess has resolved the grain matter for me. I am sincerely grateful.” Xiao Rongyan bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan.
Seeing them reconcile and apologize to each other harmoniously, the Crown Prince felt greatly relieved and smiled even broader.
Watching Xiao Rongyan and Bai Qingyan bid farewell, the Crown Prince didn’t want Quan Yu to disturb their interaction. He then told Quan Yu, “Quan Yu, go inform Minister Lu of the Court of Judicial Review that I have entrusted the Princess of Zhen to interrogate Fu Ruoxi!”
Quan Yu, standing by the Crown Prince’s side, immediately acknowledged and left to deliver the message, bowing to Bai Qingyan before he went.
Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan left the Crown Prince’s residence. Neither of them rode horses. After instructing his attendants to leave first, Bai Qingyan took the reins from the Bai family guards and ordered them to return home.
Walking side by side on the deserted road outside the high walls of the Crown Prince’s residence, Bai Qingyan apologized to Xiao Rongyan. “Sorry.”
“Why apologize? You are for Jin, and I am for Yan. You haven’t blamed me; how could I blame you?”