Wei Zhong, with sharp eyes and a bright mind, led a group of eunuchs and palace maids to retreat to a position fifty feet away after Mrs. Dong left.
Seeing Bai Qingyan watching Mrs. Dong leave, her face turned solemn. Bai Jinxiu couldn’t help but ask worriedly, "Eldest Young Lady, has sothing happened?"
Bai Qingyan turned around and didn’t hide the truth from Bai Jinxiu and Bai Qingqi: "Jintong has been imprisoned in Xiliang for unknown reasons. If it is discovered that she is disguised as a man, or if it is due to her identity as a person from Zhou, and the Empress of Xiliang suspects her of having ulterior motives, it won’t be a big problem. Being won, the Empress of Xiliang also understands the hardships won face in this world. Disguising as a man to do business avoids many troubles. I’m just afraid that Jintong might have given away so information."
Bai Jinxiu’s heart jumped to her throat: "Jintong has always been clever..."
Bai Qingyan nodded: "I have already sent my milk brother, Xiao Ruohai, to Xiliang. When necessary, he will inform Xiliang that Jintong is our Bai family’s third lady. This will make Xiliang wary, but I am still not at ease. Xiao Ruohai might not be able to approach the Xiliang Imperial Family, and even if he discloses that Jintong is the third lady of the Bai family, if Xiliang pretends not to know and does sothing to Jintong in secret, there is no guarantee we will know."
"Therefore, while Xiao Ruohai operates in the dark, I plan to send soone openly, under the guise of a Zhou envoy, to negotiate an alliance with Xiliang. This way, Xiao Ruohai can work in secret, and if it becos necessary, we can demand her return as an envoy representing the Empress of Zhou. If Xiliang refuses, it would an war!"
Bai Qingyan’s words were powerful and resonant.
No mber of the Bai family should co to harm again.
"After determining the candidate for the envoy to Xiliang, let General Shen Kunyang return to the southern borders and await orders. If, ultimately, we must reveal Jintong’s identity to get her back, have General Shen Kunyang mobilize 200,000 soldiers to the Xiliang border to threaten them," Bai Qingyan said, thinking quickly and speaking with determination.
At the sa ti, she needed A Yu’s cooperation to make it appear as if the Rong were about to attack Xiliang.
By putting Xiliang in a situation where they face the threat of destruction, Bai Qingyan didn’t believe that... Xiliang would truly not fear the destruction of the nation just to detain Bai Jinxiu.
Ideally... they could have Xiao Rongyan’s help. In everyone’s eyes, Xiao Rongyan is now considered a person of Yan, and also a businessman. It wouldn’t be surprising for Bai Jintong to have a friendship with Xiao Rongyan. Moreover, Xiao Rongyan has already established a foothold in Xiliang, and he might even find out more easily than them why exactly Bai Jintong was imprisoned.
Bai Qingyan clenched her fists. However, if she rashly asked Xiao Rongyan for help, would it disrupt Jintong’s plans?
With poor communication, information delays, and Bai Jintong’s uncertain situation in Xiliang, she couldn’t make hasty decisions. It was best to send soone reliable to Xiliang.
Regarding Bai Jintong’s safety, Bai Qingyan did not care about the cost, only her security.
"Eldest Young Lady, let go this open route..." Bai Qingqi spoke, "Xiliang now faces the Rong, and wouldn’t dare to confront Zhou again. I am the brother of the Empress of Zhou. Once I arrive, I’ll respond according to the situation. If my third sister’s identity has not been discovered, I will say I am an old friend. I think the Empress of Xiliang will be willing to owe us this favor and release her. I will depart imdiately!"
Bai Qingyan’s lips moved briefly; A Qi had just returned... had only just seen their fifth aunt, and hasn’t had a proper chance to spend ti with her and Xiao Ba.
After a while, Bai Qingyan nodded and further instructed Bai Qingqi: "One more thing, Jintong previously sent a ssage back, saying... it seems the Empress of Xiliang is assembling a troop modeled after the Huying Camp. Take note of that too, but the first priority is Jintong."
"Rest assured, Eldest Young Lady, I understand the importance," Bai Qingqi replied.
·
The royal banquet concluded, and unexpectedly, King Yan Li Zhijie of Xiliang and the Ghost-Faced Prince of the Rong, along with envoys from both nations, were invited by Liu Rushi to the Honglu Temple to discuss the alliance.
Although Liu Rushi seed like a frail scholar and had a sowhat rigid deanor, his mind was sharp enough. Now, whether it was Xiliang or the Rong, both were eager to form an alliance with Zhou. In such a case, why not bring both parties together, and like in business, the highest bidder wins.
Xiao Rongyan had just walked out of the palace with the Ninth Prince of Yan when they were stopped by Wei Zhong.
Wei Zhong saluted the Ninth Prince of Yan and then spoke to Xiao Rongyan: "Mr. Xiao, the Emperor invites you..."
Li Zhijie, who was about to board the carriage to Honglu Temple, looked back at Xiao Rongyan, speculating whether there would be any changes regarding Xiao Rongyan’s marriage to the Empress of Zhou. After all, Xiao Rongyan was rely a rchant, albeit with the title of the most righteous rchant in the world, but still just a rchant!
Previously, Bai Qingyan was only a princess with an honorary title, and since Xiao Rongyan had done favors for the Bai family, him marrying into the Bai family was understandable. But now... Bai Qingyan had beco the Empress of Zhou, and is now held in the highest regard in Zhou. How could she settle for a rchant as her royal consort?
Thinking of this, Li Zhijie entertained other thoughts. If the alliance with Zhou couldn’t be established this ti... they might as well form an alliance with the Yan Kingdom, offering their cities to the Yan Kingdom, provided the Yan Kingdom could restrain Zhou’s main forces when Xiliang was embroiled in war with the Rong, thus giving Xiliang ti to defeat the Rong.
Back when the Great Yan abolished the Wei Kingdom, absorbing its fertile lands and populace, Yan beca the foremost among the nations. Who would have thought that Zhou would soon follow by abolishing Daliang, ending the Great Yan’s brief advantage? Now, what Yan fears most is Zhou eliminating Xiliang, making it impossible for Yan to compete with Zhou again.
Li Zhijie gave a deep look to the Ninth Prince of Great Yan and boarded his carriage without looking back.
Inside the carriage, he closed his eyes, idly tapping the iron fan in his hand against his palm. He knew forming an alliance with the Yan Kingdom was rely a fallback. After all... the Yan Kingdom had been impoverished for so many years and only beca wealthy after reclaiming Nanyan. After abolishing the Wei Kingdom, it joined the ranks of strong nations, and might not necessarily wish to exhaust their resources for Xiliang. Thus, it was still best to directly form an alliance with Zhou.
Xiao Rongyan looked at the Ninth Prince of Great Yan, who stood with hands behind his back and nodded, saying to Xiao Rongyan, "You may go!"
Xiao Rongyan respectfully bowed to the Ninth Prince and left with Wei Zhong.
·
The sky was clear, with no clouds for miles. The majestic double-eaved halls and the jade-carved red steps shone brilliantly under the dazzling sunlight.
Xiao Rongyan lifted the hem of his robe and climbed the steps with Wei Zhong. What t his gaze was the newly gilded lotus base, which glittered even more under the golden light, as if revitalized compared to the once lifeless Jin Dynasty.
Just as Wei Zhong and Xiao Rongyan reached the high steps, they saw Commandant Lu coming out of the main hall. Wei Zhong quickly saluted, "Greetings, Commandant Lu..."
"Commandant Lu..." Xiao Rongyan also smiled and saluted.
"Eunuch Wei, Mr. Xiao!" Commandant Lu nodded affably to Wei Zhong and Xiao Rongyan.
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