Later, it was still from Bai Qingyan that Mrs. Dong heard about Chun Tao and Chen Qingsheng’s mutual affection, and only waited for Chen Qingsheng to return, when Bai Qingyan planned to arrange matters for the two. It was only then that Mrs. Dong gave up the idea of finding a marriage for Chun Tao, yet she worried every day about why Chen Qingsheng hadn’t returned.
Now that Chen Qingsheng was back, even if Bai Qingyan wasn’t keen on handling matters for Chun Tao, Bai Qingyan’s mother, Mrs. Dong, would certainly insist on pressing Chen Qingsheng and Chun Tao into marriage.
Not long after, Bai Jinzhi, Xiao Ruohai, Shen Qingzhu, and Chen Qingsheng entered from outside the hall.
Not seeing Xiao Ruojiang, Bai Qingyan asked Bai Jinzhi, "Where is Xiao Ruojiang?"
"He’s still there looking for the weakness of the elephants!" Bai Jinzhi bowed to Bai Qingyan, "Now several of the elephants have been outfitted with chain mail, and he’s still searching for a breakthrough method."
After saluting Bai Qingyan, they watched as Bai Jinzhi held up her clothing hem and hurriedly ran to Bai Qingyan’s desk, picked up Bai Qingyan’s teacup, and gulped it down.
"Eunuch Wei, take the others away! No need to serve here..." Bai Qingyan spoke to Wei Zhong and then waved to Xiao Ruohai and the others, "Sit down! Chun Tao, serve the tea!"
"Yes!" Chun Tao responded, first serving tea to Bai Jinzhi, Xiao Ruohai, Shen Qingzhu, and finally walking over to Chen Qingsheng, lowering her eyes to place the teacup in front of him.
Chen Qingsheng, now sporting a beard, appeared tougher and more dignified. He gazed at his cousin, his heart brimming with emotion, yet he knew now wasn’t the time for personal feelings. He nodded in thanks, noticing Chun Tao’s flushed cheeks, and subconsciously squeezed the hairpin hidden in his sleeve, a gift he had chosen for Chun Tao.
"Eldest Young Lady, Xiao Ruohai and Chen Qingsheng gained some insights on their trip to the Tianfeng Kingdom and shared a bit with me on the way back!" Bai Jinzhi said, turning his head to look at Xiao Ruohai and Chen Qingsheng.
Chen Qingsheng promptly faced Bai Qingyan’s direction and began, "This time in the Tianfeng Kingdom, I, together with Lord Xiao, investigated the changes in the Tianfeng Kingdom over the years..."
Xiao Ruohai also took out a detailed map he had drawn from his chest and handed it to Chun Tao, asking her to pass it on to Bai Qingyan.
Bai Qingyan took the map, with Bai Jinzhi also squeezing over next to Bai Qingyan to look at the map that almost took up the entire desk.
"The Tianfeng Kingdom was once isolated behind the snow mountains, believing them to be the end of the world, never imagining that beyond the snow mountains lay the realms of Rong, Xiliang, Daliang, and the lands of Zhou and Yan!" Chen Qingsheng spoke gently, at a measured pace, "On Lord Xiao’s map, the surrounding nations we managed to inquire about include the well-known Hanye Kingdom and Mengshe Kingdom. The Tianfeng Kingdom was once oppressed by these two nations."
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