The Eldest Daughter Is Beautiful and Saucy
Chapter 494: Long-sleeved and good at dancing
Chapter 494: Dancing with Long Sleeves
Dong Tingzhen would join in the fun from time to time on the side, and the corridor was filled with laughter and the atmosphere was very good.
Dong Changlan looked at Bai Qingyan, who was walking slowly behind him with a faint smile on his face. He walked side by side with Bai Qingyan and asked him about the bandit suppression: “On the way here, I heard that these robbers are getting bolder and bolder. They are even robbing children in broad daylight. They are lawless.”
“Yes!” Bai Qingyan responded, and walked along the corridor with Dong Changlan, saying softly, “So I plan to take the new soldiers to the mountains to suppress the bandits after my mother’s birthday.”
“Changlan is willing to lend a helping hand to my cousin!” Dong Changlan clasped his fists and said solemnly, “The sixty-three people who escorted Changlan to Shuoyang this time are all elite soldiers of the Dengzhou Army.”
Dengzhou is close to the separated Southern Rong territory. The Rongdi people are fierce and tough, so the soldiers of Dengzhou must have great skills to control them.
His uncle Dong Qingyue is the governor of Dengzhou. As the eldest son of the governor of Dengzhou, there is no doubt about Dong Changlan’s skills.
However, Bai Qingyan’s purpose of going up the mountain to suppress bandits this time was just to catch those who pretended to be robbers and robbed children. This was also to let the emperor and the prince know that she was training the people as soldiers for the real purpose of suppressing bandits, so there was no need for Dong Changlan’s help.
“Young lady!” Nanny Qin quickly stepped forward to catch up with Bai Qingyan, bowed to Bai Qingyan, Dong Changlan and Bai Qingping, and said, “Mr. Xiao is here.”
Xiao Rongyan?
Bai Qingyan’s hands hidden behind his back tightened slightly. Why did he come again today?
Dong Changlan looked at Bai Qingyan and said, “Mr. Xiao? Is he the number one righteous businessman in the world, Xiao Rongyan, who helped the Bai family in the capital city?”
Dong Changlan had heard Dong Qingyue mention Mr. Xiao Rongyan. Dong Qingyue once said… This Mr. Xiao is definitely not an ordinary person, but a rare talent. Although he is a businessman, he has extraordinary bearing and should not be underestimated.
Bai Qingping also knew about this Mr. Xiao. He had recently opened shops and pawnshops in Shuoyang, and seemed to be planning to build a gambling house. His reputation was growing, and because of his special relationship with the prince and the Bai family, he had long been the object of flattery by local officials, and his business was going smoothly.
“Qing Ping, you accompany Chang Lan in first…”
“Let me accompany my cousin to meet Mr. Xiao! I have heard my father mention Mr. Xiao before, and Changlan is very curious… This is a rare opportunity, and I would like to meet him.” Dong Changlan smiled with his gloomy brows.
My father said that the righteous businessman Xiao Rongyan was not an ordinary person, but the more capable a person is, the deeper his thoughts are and the more cunning he is.
Therefore, he needed to see whether Mr. Xiao had any plans against the Bai family and was deliberately approaching the Bai family.
When they were in Dadu City, Xiao Rongyan helped them many times. Dong Changlan was afraid that Bai Qingyan would be biased towards Xiao Rongyan because of his gratitude.
The Bai family now has only an orphan and a widow, and they are all relying on their cousin Bai Qingyan to support them. They cannot make any mistakes.
If Xiao Rongyan had other thoughts, Dong Changlan would have to remind Bai Qingyan so that Bai Qingyan would not fall into Xiao Rongyan’s trap.
Bai Qingyan couldn’t refuse Dong Changlan’s words, so he nodded and took Dong Changlan and Bai Qingping to meet Xiao Rongyan.
Today, Xiao Rongyan was wearing a neat moon-white outfit and his boots were covered in mud. When he saw Bai Qingyan followed by Bai Qingping and a man who looked very similar to Dong Qingyue, Xiao Rongyan immediately knew Dong Changlan’s identity.
Just when Xiao Rongyan arrived at Bai Mansion, he saw a team of carriages and horses parked in front of the door. Butler Hao smiled and told Xiao Rongyan that Dong’s nephew from her mother’s side had arrived.
“Miss Bai…” Xiao Rongyan smiled slightly and bowed to Bai Qingyan.
Yue Shi, who was carrying a bamboo basket on his back, also bowed to Bai Qingyan, but he didn’t know what to call Bai Qingyan, so he pursed his lips tightly.
“Mr. Xiao!” Bai Qingyan stood with his hands behind his back, nodded slightly, and introduced Xiao Rongyan, “This is my cousin, Dong Changlan.”
“Mr. Dong…” Xiao Rongyan bowed with a smile.
Dong Changlan saw that the man in front of him had a straight nose and deep eyes. His gaze was deep and gentle, and he had the elegant demeanor of a scholar. He didn’t look like a businessman at all. Instead, he was as calm and composed as a great scholar.
“Mr. Xiao!” Dong Changlan returned the greeting, smiling brightly, “I’ve heard my father mention Mr. Xiao with high praise. After meeting him today, I can see that he is indeed extraordinary and a rare talent.”
“Thank you Lord Dong for your high regard for me. I am unworthy of it!” Xiao Rongyan smiled with his eyes deep, as if he was used to such praise. He did not show any panic as if he did not deserve it, but was frank and upright.
“Mr. Xiao, is there something you need from here today?” Bai Qingyan asked.
Xiao Rongyan nodded and took the bamboo cage from Yue Shi with a smile: “I went fishing outside the city today and had a good catch, so I sent it to Miss Bai to taste. I never thought that there would be a distinguished guest in Bai’s mansion.”
Seeing Bai Qingyan nod, Bai Qingping quickly stepped forward, took the bamboo cage from Xiao Rongyan, and thanked him: “Thank you, Mr. Xiao.”
As soon as Bai Qingping finished speaking, Tingzhu, Dong’s personal maid, came over with small steps and stood behind Bai Qingyan. She lowered her voice and said to Bai Qingyan, “Miss, Madam said… Mr. Xiao came at the right time. If Mr. Xiao is not busy, you may stay for dinner.”
The sound of the bamboo was not loud, but not small either. Xiao Rongyan had excellent hearing and could hear it clearly.
“If Mr. Xiao is not busy, you may stay for dinner.” Bai Qingyan tightened his hands behind his back.
“I’m free today, and I’ll obey your invitation, Miss Bai. I…will obey your invitation.” Xiao Rongyan said with a smile.
The welcoming banquet for Dong Changlan and Cui was still held in Shaohua Courtyard by Dong. The third floor of Shaohua Hall was spacious with two tables prepared, separated by a nanmu carved bamboo leaf screen. The women sat in the inner room and the men sat outside.
During the dinner, Dong Changlan was originally wary of Xiao Rongyan, but after a conversation, he found that this man had an extraordinary vision and knowledge, and was open-minded. He always answered questions that Dong Changlan did not understand in detail, without keeping anything to himself, which made people feel that he was an upright and gentle gentleman.
Regardless of whether Dong Changlan was talking about local customs, poetry, or military affairs, Xiao Rongyan was able to get to the point about the pros and cons, speak at a steady pace, and give Dong Changlan inspiration from another perspective.
Dong Changlan has a broad mind like Dong Qingyue. Although he has not completely let down his guard against Xiao Rongyan, he can’t help but feel good about Xiao Rongyan.
Bai Qingping doesn’t talk much, probably because Dong Changlan and Xiao Rongyan are both talkative people, but every time he opens his mouth, he can inspire others to do something. Bai Qingping is still young and will be of great use after a few more years of experience. Dong Changlan feels relieved that Bai Qingping has such people to help him.
Cui, who lived in the inner room, was a lively person. She talked with Dong and Bai Qing about interesting things in Dengzhou. She didn’t say anything deliberately, but just described the good health of Old Madam Dong clearly without leaving any trace.
Cui was the granddaughter-in-law chosen by Old Lady Dong herself. Putting aside her family background, her character was naturally noble, and her manner of communication showed that she was very capable.
First update! Dear fans, please continue to vote! It’s the end of the month… Keep the third place, and I’ll update you during the Spring Festival!