Chapter 258: Chapter 256: Those Who Desire a True Friend_1 Chapter 258: Chapter 256: Those Who Desire a True Friend_1 Mr. Fang turned around, glanced at Qin Shangzhi, who was negotiating with the Crown Prince’s residence about how to handle the sacred deer in the distance, and a hint of displeasure showed in his eyes. He lowered his head and got into the carriage.

Lu Yuanpeng held onto the reins for Bai Qingyan, watching as Bai Qingyan and her sister, Bai Jinzhi, mounted their horses. He craned his neck and shouted to Bai Qingyan again, “Sister Bai! I will definitely join the army! Trust me!”

The common people had already made way, gazing tearfully at Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi on horseback.

Bai Qingyan smiled and nodded, pulling the reins and spurring her horse forward.

Bai Jinzhi, on horseback, cupped her fists in salute to Lu Yuanpeng, then spurred her horse forward to chase her elder sister.

Inside the Crown Prince’s carriage.

“Liking a girl and sending her love letters and horses directly? I thought you were a cautious man, Rong Yan. Was it you or is it just how straightforward you people from Wei are?” The Crown Prince asked Xiao Rongyan with a smile.

Xiao Rongyan lowered his eyes and smiled, understanding that the Crown Prince was alluding to the incident on the southern battlefield where Yue Shi delivered letters and a horse to Bai Qingyan on his behalf. He had not hidden it at the time, so it was reasonable for the Crown Prince to know.

“Did Bai Qingyan’s foster brother say anything unpleasant to you when he went to find you later?” the Crown Prince asked again.

Although Xiao Rongyan vaguely understood that the Crown Prince likely viewed his gesture of sending letters and a horse to Bai Qingyan as a romantic affair, he wasn’t entirely sure. He smiled and shook his head. “No, he didn’t.”

“Don’t worry, you are my dearest friend. I know your character is impeccable, except for your identity as a merchant. Although I don’t care, the public might look down on you for it. If you truly like Miss Bai and are willing to consider marrying into her family, I can help mediate the situation. After all, the Bai family currently has no male heirs, and recruiting a son-in-law is inevitable. This way, you would not be seen as unworthy of Miss Bai.”

The Crown Prince felt as though he were looking at his future money bag and was naturally willing to help facilitate this good marriage.

It seemed that Miss Bai had now pledged loyalty to the Crown Prince. Xiao Rongyan stroked the jade cicada with his fingers, looking at the Crown Prince with a faint smile. However, he wondered if Miss Bai, with her exceptional vision and grasp, could truly serve this insincere and highly suspicious Crown Prince.

“Rong Yan, since you dared to send letters and a horse to Miss Bai, you clearly understand the Bai family’s situation. Otherwise, how could a mere merchant dare to aspire to marry Miss Bai?”

The Crown Prince’s face showed joy. What he liked most about Xiao Rongyan was that he never overestimated himself and always knew his place.

After all, Xiao Rongyan was the closest friend the Crown Prince had made in years. The Crown Prince pursed his lips and added, “But there is another point you need to think through clearly. Miss Bai’s fate with offspring is shallow. If you marry into her family, there will likely be obstacles if you want to take concubines in the future.”

This comment was genuinely from Xiao Rongyan’s perspective. But Xiao Rongyan laughed and said, “If I can marry Miss Bai, it won’t matter if we have few offspring. We can adopt one. Ultimately, the person to accompany you for life is your spouse. So, in choosing a wife, I value whether we can understand each other for life, seeking a soulmate, rather than focusing on offspring.”

This response surprised the Crown Prince. “Rong Yan, this thinking, I have never heard before!”

Who in this world doesn’t marry for the sake of offspring, yet Xiao Rongyan didn’t value them.

But Xiao Rongyan’s words weren’t without reason.

Ultimately, the one to accompany you for life is indeed your wife. But which man has only one wife? Any man with some power has three or four wives. How can a plain wife compare to a fresh, young, and beautiful concubine?

Seeking a soulmate.

The Crown Prince smiled at Xiao Rongyan. “Rong Yan, your words always surprise me.”

“Rong Yan is different from His Highness. I’m merely a merchant, seeking a life of wealth and prosperity with some charm! But the Crown Prince carries the responsibility of Jin. Naturally, you need abundant offspring to ensure the long-lasting continuation of the Jin Kingdom.”

Xiao Rongyan’s words pleased the Crown Prince. He patted Xiao Rongyan’s hand. “Next time, don’t be reckless. Offending Miss Bai is not worth it! Tell me everything, and I’ll make sure to stand up for you. I hope to keep you in the Jin Kingdom so that I have someone to talk to!”

Xiao Rongyan’s smile grew warmer and more refined. “Rong Yan still needs to stay in Dadu City for some time. Such a lifelong matter should not be rushed. But tomorrow, with the Emperor of Yan entering Dadu City, Your Majesty summoned you privately to the palace. It’s likely about this matter.”

The Crown Prince had guessed as much. “After conquering Nanyan, the Emperor of Yan has become more respectful towards Jin than before! You were in Nanyan some time ago. Do you know how the battle between Yan and Nanyan went? Is it true that they won almost without a fight, as rumored?”

Xiao Rongyan smiled and nodded slightly. “I heard about the battle in Nanyan and went there to do business. All along the way, I saw Nanyan people welcoming the Yan Army with great enthusiasm. The grand scenes were unprecedented! So this time, I made less profit than expected. But it wasn’t all without gain. I met the Emperor of Yan’s brother, the Ninth Prince, in Kuangping and secured permission to do some business there. Additionally, I encountered a rare treasure in Kuangping, which I brought back for Your Highness. I will present it to you as a gift to celebrate your victory in the southern campaign.”

The Crown Prince’s eyes lit up. It wasn’t that he was greedy for a merchant’s gift. But every time Xiao Rongyan offered something, it was an exceptionally rare treasure, making it irresistible.

*
At the Bai Mansion.

Mrs. Dong heard that the triumphant army had already reached the south gate. The Emperor only summoned the Crown Prince to the palace, allowing the other generals to return home to rest. She couldn’t sit still at home. She stood at the door with other family members, stretching her neck to look into the distance, hoping to see her daughter’s figure.

The first to arrive were the pregnant Bai Jinxiu and Qin Lang. Qin Lang helped Bai Jinxiu down from the carriage. Lu Ping, Steward Hao, and other stewards, who were looking eastward from the mansion gate, hurriedly saluted Bai Jinxiu and Qin Lang.

Mrs. Liu descended the steps to support her daughter. “You didn’t have to come so early. When your elder sister returns, I would naturally send someone to call for you!”

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After Qin Lang saluted the Bai family elders, he carefully helped Bai Jinxiu up the steps, whispering his loving concerns to her. Mrs. Liu felt a bit more satisfied with Qin Lang now.

“Second sister!” The fifth daughter of the Bai family squeezed in front of Bai Jinxiu, gently stroked Bai Jinxiu’s belly, and said, “Second sister specially came to welcome the eldest sister and fourth sister with the little baby, right!”

“Yes!” Bai Jinxiu replied with a light laugh, gently rubbing the fifth sister’s head.

Standing under the mansion gate, Lu Ping saw two fine horses galloping toward them in the dazzling morning light. The two riders were spirited, and he was moved to tears. “They’ve returned! The eldest and fourth daughters have returned!”

Mrs. Dong, supported by Nanny Qin, clenched her palms and hurried forward a few steps.