Elder Xu leaned in conspiratorially, whispering to Prime Minister Bai, "He's taken a liking to your Feng girl, but doesn't know how to express it. He's also worried about his future brother-in-law encountering danger in Jiangnan, so he sent his most capable man, Xu Lin. Understand?" Prime Minister Bai raised an eyebrow, "Did he tell you this himself?"
"Not exactly. I deduced it myself. You should have seen how many good things he sent to your daughter through me last time. A whole arm-length ginseng, just like that! I've lived for decades and never seen anything like it! And the life-saving Purple Jade Dew, he had it prepared and sent over. Otherwise, how could your son-in-law's injuries have recovered so quickly?"
He spoke with a mixture of envy and jealousy. That brat was indeed prioritizing romance over friendship. He had been "sick" so many times, yet that person never brought him anything when he visited, but was so generous and lavish with that girl.
A lecher!
A lecher indeed!
He silently cursed Xiao Tingyi to the heavens, while Prime Minister Bai remained calm. While Elder Xu was gossiping, he swept a large portion of the chess pieces from Elder Xu's board, earning a cry of "Shameless!" from Elder Xu.
"Your word alone doesn't count. As long as Prince Ding doesn't speak, our Bai and Feng families won't truly take this matter to heart. Besides, if he fancies A'Yao, must we marry her off? Don't look at the wolves and tigers surrounding him. As her grandfather, would I send my granddaughter into a wolf's den?"
Prime Minister Bai spoke indignantly, his righteousness shining through.
Elder Xu shook his head, praising loudly, "Prime Minister, you truly have guts! As expected of someone from a noble family. I'm waiting to see if this Feng girl will eventually marry into this wolf's den! Hahahaha."
After saying this, he felt a pang of bitterness.
He fancied her, but she didn't fancy him. What a sin, what a sin!
Outside the door, Bai Dalang knocked, holding a freshly brewed medicinal soup.
To prevent any leaks, Bai Dalang and Bai Silang personally attended to Prime Minister Bai's daily needs, entrusting them to no one else. They would occasionally see Madam Bai and visiting relatives and friends, but the servants were not allowed to see Prime Minister Bai.
Pushing the door open, they saw the medicine bowl in Bai Dalang's hand still steaming. He apologized to Elder Xu, "Please forgive me, Elder. Father needs to take his medicine."
"Didn't you say he was faking it? Why does he still need to take medicine?"
"This is a prescription from the divine physician Zhang. He said it treats illness and strengthens the body even if one is not sick. Since it has to be brewed for outsiders anyway, Father has been taking this medicine these past few days."
Prime Minister Bai took the bowl and drank it in one gulp.
Physician Zhang's prescription was indeed peculiar. It had no bitterness, only a slight sweetness, and he felt more energetic than usual after drinking it for a few days.
Elder Xu watched his effortless action and was truly impressed.
Once the medicine bowl was empty, Bai Dalang began to discuss important matters, "A'Xu sent word back. They have reached Xuzhou and are estimated to arrive in Jinling City in about seven or eight days. However, he plans to conduct a discreet investigation in Xuzhou for a few days."
"Did they discover anything?"
"He didn't say. The message was sent back by Xu Lin through the secret guard camp of Prince Ding's mansion. It was all in code, and Yang Zhao translated it before sending it over."
The implication was that it was unclear whether Feng Jinxu hadn't said anything, or if Prince Ding's mansion had intercepted the message and only sent this portion.
After hearing Bai Dalang's reply, Prime Minister Bai understood.
"It's fine. When A'Xu returns, he will naturally know everything he needs to know."
"Father is right."
Bai Dalang replied respectfully, "There is another matter. A'Yao said she has something important to discuss with you. Elder, you are here, is it convenient?"
"Convenient, convenient. I haven't met your Feng girl yet. This is a good opportunity to take a look and see what kind of girl has captivated the cold-hearted Prince Ding to such an extent!"
Prince Ding? A'Yao captivated him?
Bai Dalang was startled by Elder Xu's words, while Prime Minister Bai shot Elder Xu a glare, "Elder, speak with caution. Can you bring up hearsay as fact?"
Elder Xu snorted twice, his beard twitching upwards. This Prime Minister Bai was too rigid, as stiff as a piece of rotten wood. He was nothing like himself in terms of wit and understanding. He was not fun at all.
After speaking, Prime Minister Bai instructed Bai Dalang, "Let her in."
"Yes."
He went out to bring Feng Jin'yao in, then stood guard at the study door, not daring to slacken in the slightest.
Upon entering and seeing Elder Xu, Feng Jin'yao was not surprised by his presence. However, having lived two lives, this was the first time she was meeting Elder Xu in person, and she felt a degree of curiosity.
"Grandfather, Elder Xu, your granddaughter pays her respects."
"Get up, get up. Let me have a good look." Elder Xu was even more excited than Prime Minister Bai, her own grandfather. He abandoned the chess game and happily examined her from head to toe.
She had long, ink-black hair tied up in a coiled bun, adorned with only a simple hairpin of white jade shaped like an orchid. This made her appear elegant and ethereal, with features as beautiful as a painting.
Her slender frame did not convey a sense of fragility, but rather a vibrant energy.
Her eyes were the most beautiful, sparkling like stars yet possessing a calm and wise light. She appeared quite young, so he asked,
"Mingyue told me you haven't had your coming-of-age ceremony yet?"
Feng Jin'yao was a bit taken aback. Why would he ask that on their first meeting?
She glanced at Prime Minister Bai, who was also looking at Elder Xu with clear displeasure, as if to say he was being disrespectful.
"This coming April, my daughter will have her coming-of-age ceremony."
"Oh, good, good. Then the age difference isn't too great." Elder Xu looked at Feng Jin'yao with great satisfaction. "Not too great," what did he mean by that?
Feng Jin'yao was confused, but Prime Minister Bai understood.
Prince Ding would turn twenty-seven in July this year. By this calculation, the age difference between them was only eleven years.
"Elder..." Prime Minister Bai's threatening voice cut off. Elder Xu reluctantly closed his mouth and cheerfully changed the subject, "It's nothing. What do you need to discuss with your grandfather? Just say it, you don't need to worry about me."
Elder Xu's familiar demeanor was quite peculiar, and she wondered where he had learned it. Elder Xu's sister was dignified and generous, polite and proper. It seemed she must resemble Madam Xu.
Feng Jin'yao glanced at Prime Minister Bai, feeling some hesitation. What she needed to discuss was related to the Grand Canal Administration. Would it be alright for Elder Xu to be present?
Elder Xu indeed appeared as if he had no intention of leaving.
Prime Minister Bai also tacitly approved of his presence.
"Elder Xu also cares for the Great Jin. Whatever you need to say, just say it. There's no need to deliberately avoid him."
"Yes."
Hearing Prime Minister Bai say this, she roughly understood. It seemed Elder Xu and her grandfather had already conferred. She recalled the night her elder brother had a long talk with her before leaving the capital.