Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 510

Chapter 510: Chapter 507: The Dignity of a Great Power_1

Dong Changlan looked at Xiao Rongyan with great surprise that Xiao Rongyan would think of mutual trade. He smiled and shook his head, saying, "Mr. Xiao, what you said, my late father had also suggested to the Imperial Court years ago. However, the Emperor believed that if the Jin Kingdom proposed mutual trade first, it would be seen as bowing to the Rong, which would harm the prestige of the Jin Kingdom. Moreover, he was also afraid that the Rong spies might infiltrate."

Later, Dong Qingyue wanted to secretly send someone to the Rong to negotiate and make them propose mutual trade first. But Dong Qingping persuaded him against it, fearing that his brother’s goodwill might lead to charges of treason.

Upon hearing this, Bai Jinzhi couldn’t help but roll her eyes. As if the suffering of the border people being looted every year didn’t harm the country’s prestige.

The nation’s prestige, isn’t it about not letting the people suffer from wars, not letting them be looted by foreign countries, and not letting them go hungry?

If Bai Jinzhi had her way, she would have the Emperor live in Dengzhou for a few years to experience the suffering of the border people. Then he would understand what true prestige was! _{freeωebnovēl.c૦m}

Xiao Rongyan nodded without saying more.

The maids of the Bai Mansion filed in, carrying food boxes painted in black lacquer with gold inlay, and set up lunch on the third floor before leaving through another staircase.

When lunch was ready, Nanny Qin came down to invite everyone upstairs.

Today’s lunch featured a dish personally cooked by Dong Tingzhen: Dengzhou-style baked cakes. Though not as good as those in Dengzhou, the gesture of letting Mrs. Dong taste the famous Dengzhou baked cakes from her hometown was very thoughtful of Dong Tingzhen.

"This baked cake, Miss Dong started preparing it before dawn. After several tries, this batch tastes the closest," Dong Tingzhen’s personal maid said with a smile.

"Tingzhen has been very thoughtful!" Mrs. Dong said, holding Dong Tingzhen’s small hand.

The male and female guests were still separated by a screen. Perhaps because Xiao Rongyan brought up mutual trade today, Dong Changlan kept discussing it with him at the table, humbly seeking Xiao Rongyan’s insights on what mutual trade in Mengcheng was like.

Xiao Rongyan had been to Mengcheng. Coincidentally, during the days of mutual trade, he was in Mengcheng. He shared everything he saw and heard with Dong Changlan without holding back.

Dong Changlan listened attentively, seemingly very interested in mutual trade.

The discussion continued from the table to the floor until nightfall. When the lamps of the Bai Mansion slowly lit up, Xiao Rongyan got up to take his leave. Dong Changlan seemed still interested, so he accompanied Bai Qingyan to see Xiao Rongyan off at the door.

Outside the door, Dong Changlan formally invited Xiao Rongyan, "Mr. Xiao, if you have the time someday, you must come to Dengzhou for a visit! My father would definitely be interested in what you have to say."

Xiao Rongyan cupped his hands to Dong Changlan, "Dengzhou, I must go there! When that time comes, I will definitely visit."

As they watched Xiao Rongyan leave, Dong Changlan, walking back with Bai Qingyan, said, "Cousin, I think this Mr. Xiao seems to have feelings for you."

He hesitated for a moment but couldn’t help but remind Bai Qingyan.

Being a man, Dong Changlan understood what a man’s gaze toward a woman represented. Although Mr. Xiao hid it well, every time his cousin spoke, Mr. Xiao would always look at her with undisguisable joy and smile in his eyes.

Bai Qingyan’s palm tightened as she looked at Dong Changlan, "Why do you say that, Changlan?"