Chapter 661: Chapter 658: Shameless_1 Chapter 661: Chapter 658: Shameless_1 Lu Ping understood that this would both show loyalty to the Crown Prince and serve as a warning before knowing what the person meeting the eldest young lady intended to do.

“But… can we find out anything by investigating so openly? What if that person rented a private room under a false name or didn’t leave any name at all?” Lu Ping furrowed his brow slightly.

“This person left a letter at the side gate of the Princess of Zhen’s residence without signing a name… The Princess of Zhen’s residence will surely investigate. If he truly wishes to meet, he will certainly leave useful information,” Bai Qingyan said.

“Miss Bai is right. I will take care of it immediately!” Lu Ping accepted the order and left.

*
In the front hall, Murong Li had just taken a sip of tea when he heard the Bai family’s servant announce that Mr. Xiao had arrived.

Murong Li put down his teacup and stood up. As expected, he saw his ninth uncle walking around the screen wall, talking to the Bai family’s steward, and heading towards the main hall, followed by Yue Shi carrying various supplement boxes behind Xiao Rongyan.

Outside, Murong Li was the Yan prince held hostage in the Jin Kingdom, and Xiao Rongyan was the wealthiest merchant in the world. Murong Li should not have greeted Xiao Rongyan first. Thinking of this, Murong Li sat back down.

Before entering, Xiao Rongyan saw Murong Li sitting in the main hall drinking tea and smiled slightly at him. Entering the main hall, he greeted first, “Greetings, Prince Li….”

Murong Li stood up and bowed, nodding slightly with a well-mannered demeanor. “Mr. Xiao, are you also here to visit the Princess of Zhen?”

“Indeed…” Xiao Rongyan replied with a smile.

“Mr. Xiao!” Bai Jinzhi immediately bowed to Xiao Rongyan as she entered. “Bai Jinzhi thanks Mr. Xiao for previously protecting my Bai family!”

“It was nothing. Miss Bai, you speak too highly of me!” Xiao Rongyan replied calmly.

“Please, Mr. Xiao, take a seat!” Bai Jinzhi greeted Xiao Rongyan, then turned to bow to Murong Li. “Prince Li!”

“Commandery Princess Gaoyi, how is the Princess of Zhen?” Murong Li addressed her by title.

“Eldest Young Lady sleeps more than she is awake and has been severely weakened….” Bai Jinzhi’s voice choked up as she spoke. Forcing a smile, she gestured for Murong Li to sit. “Please, Prince Li, have a seat first.”

Murong Li nodded.

Bai Jinzhi tried to emulate her eldest sister’s dignified demeanor and continued, “Thank you both for visiting my eldest sister. However, given her condition, she cannot receive guests. I hope you will understand.”

“It is no problem. It has only been five days since the Princess of Zhen was injured. She should rest in bed. I merely came to deliver medicine….” Murong Li turned and took an engraved wooden box from the hands of his loyal servant, placing it on the table beside Bai Jinzhi. “This is a secret medicine from Yan my mother gave me when I came to Jin. It is extremely valuable and very effective for injuries. Please have Mr. Hong, your household physician, take a look at it. If deemed safe, it may be used for the Princess of Zhen.”

Xiao Rongyan looked at Murong Li.

Xiao Rongyan knew how precious this medicine was. The little Ah Li must have collected it from all over the palace before his departure, and unexpectedly, he was now giving it to Bai Qingyan.

In Murong Li’s heart, although the Princess of Zhen was still a Jin Princess, she would be his ninth aunt in the future! Moreover, even without considering this relationship, Murong Li greatly admired Bai Qingyan. If possible, he hoped to persuade Bai Qingyan to serve Yan.

Bai Jinzhi, having no such reservations, accepted the medicine with thanks on Bai Qingyan’s behalf. She added casually, “Just now Huang’s Arong told me that those noble scions who joined the military with Prince Li and Lu Yuanpeng have returned. Is that true?”

Murong Li nodded. “Indeed, they said the army was too tough, and they couldn’t endure it. So, when the Emperor of Jin dispatched new troops to the Xiliang border, they had their families send letters to bring them back. However, Lu Yuanpeng and Sima Ping have proven quite impressive! Especially Lu Yuanpeng. I heard that when he learned they were going to the southern frontier, he was determined to go, as if he had drunk ox blood.”

Bai Jinzhi nodded and asked, “I also heard the food in the army was poor, with sand mixed in the rice. The Ministry of Revenue strictly oversees military provisions. How could sand be mixed in? Are those young scions making excuses?”

Murong Li noticed Bai Jinzhi probing for information. He maintained a composed demeanor, staring innocently at her with clear, sincere eyes and replied, “Although I haven’t spent much time with the noble scions of Dadu City, I believe… they are playful and cannot endure hardship, but they are not the type to make excuses to save face. They wouldn’t fabricate such things.”

Bai Jinzhi was taken aback but nodded internally. Indeed, the scions of Dadu City were known for wanting everything except dignity, with Lu Yuanpeng leading the way!

People who didn’t even care about their reputation wouldn’t bother making excuses.

It seemed this matter needed thorough investigation.

Xiao Rongyan had been patient for several days. Visiting daily but not seeing Bai Qingyan, he understood since the Bai family had publicly declared Bai Qingyan’s severe injuries, it was impossible for him, an outsider, to meet her.

Bai Qingyan had also insisted that Xiao Rongyan take the proper route…

He couldn’t wait any longer. Initially planning to confide in Mrs. Liu today, as many in Dadu City knew of his affection for the Princess of Zhen,
To his surprise, Bai Jinzhi was the one who came today.

Xiao Rongyan stood up and respectfully bowed to Bai Jinzhi. “I brought some calming incense for the eldest young lady today. Not knowing her preferred scents, I brought a variety. They can be used to mask the smell of medicine when she changes her dressings. If it’s not too much trouble… could Miss Bai present these to the eldest young lady for her to choose? I will wait here in the main hall.”

As long as Bai Qingyan knew he was waiting in the main hall, she would understand his longing and find an excuse to invite him into the inner courtyard.

If Bai Qingyan refused, Xiao Rongyan would have to resort to sneaking into Bai Qingyan’s chambers again tonight.

But Bai Jinzhi, unaware of his intentions, only concerned with maintaining the pretext of Bai Qingyan’s severe injuries, pretended to wipe tears and told Xiao Rongyan, “When I came out, my eldest sister had just fallen asleep again. I appreciate Mr. Xiao’s kindness on her behalf, but best to let her choose when she wakes. It wouldn’t be appropriate to wake her just after she fell asleep.”

Xiao Rongyan: “…”

She was quite convincing.

Murong Li stifled a laugh, knowing his ninth uncle was longing for his ninth aunt, and put down his teacup to take his leave.