Jiang Bai's premonitions rarely turn out to be wrong.
Over the next few days, Linglong tried to cause trouble at Yipin Pavilion in various ways, but Jiang Bai refrained from doing anything to Linglong out of respect for Li Juan.
However, news of discord between the Zhao and Li families had already spread throughout the capital.
That night, Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi sat in the courtyard.
However, there were two invitations on Table Mountain.
Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice. Every year at this time, the Beijing Chamber of Commerce invites some high-ranking merchants to attend the Winter Solstice Banquet.
It's really just about everyone getting together, getting to know each other, so that things will be easier to do in the business world later.
Zhao Yi stood up and draped a woolen cloak over Jiang Bai's shoulders.
It snowed lightly today, and the thin moonlight sprinkled on the snow, making it sparkle like a flowing galaxy.
"Nothing, let's go back inside."
Inside the room, Zhao Yi warmed a bottle of sake, the aroma of which gently wafted to Jiang Bai's nose.
She feigned annoyance and said, "Are you deliberately trying to tempt me?"
Zhao Yi chuckled: "I don't have any either."
He led Jiang Bai into the house. On the pear blossom table, plum blossoms floated on the wine cup. Jiang Bai swallowed and touched his stomach, suppressing his impulse.
Zhao Yi handed her a cup of hot tea to warm her up: "These past few days, Linglong has been causing trouble for Yipin Pavilion every day."
"If this continues, we should no longer tolerate this person."
Jiang Bai laughed instead of getting angry: "It's alright, let her continue acting up."
"What do you mean?" Zhao Yi asked, puzzled.
"She's only causing trouble because she's favored by the Li family, but Linglong is too short-sighted. No matter how much Li Juan dotes on her, the rest of the Li family won't tolerate her continuing like this."
"After all, the Li family is a large family, and it's not up to Li Juan to make the decisions alone."
Jiang Bai had thought of this, which is why he ignored Linglong and even indulged her.
It's more interesting to flatter someone than to eliminate them outright with your tone.
"Such people are not to be feared."
Meanwhile, at the Li residence.
Linglong's recent actions have greatly displeased the old lady of the Li family.
Unlike the Zhao family matriarch, the Li family matriarch had a fiery temper and could never tolerate such petty thoughts, especially those who corrupted the family. Jiang Bai secretly spread some information about this.
Madam Li had also heard that Third Aunt used to run a brothel and had climbed into Li Juan's bed before Li Juan took her back.
However, Li Juan said something different to Old Madam Li, which made Linglong's life in the Li family not as easy as she had imagined.
The ancestral hall was bitterly cold on the eve of the winter solstice. Linglong was forced to kneel there as punishment by the old lady, and Li Juan, not daring to offend the old lady, did not come.
Linglong pondered this matter, only to find out upon the return of the people she had sent out that it was people from the south of the city who were spreading rumors.
And in the south of the city, it really was the Zhao family.
Linglong gritted her teeth, her eyes brimming with murderous intent.
She never expected that even now, she would still be outdone by Jiang Bai.
Especially since her own child had died, while Jiang Bai was pregnant.
At midnight, Linglong's punishment came to an end. The maid helped her up, but Linglong brushed her aside and staggered back through the snow.
The following day was the winter solstice.
Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi didn't get up early; they didn't plan to go to Yipin Pavilion today, so they slept in.
Jiang Bai thought that being in Zhao Yi's arms and the warmth in the room was very pleasant.
Jiang Bai only groggily awoke when the sun was high in the sky.
Zhao Yi touched her eyebrows and eyes: "Awake?"
Jiang Bai nodded: "When did you wake up?"
Zhao Yi paused for a moment: "Just now."
"Really?" Jiang Bai thought Zhao Yi was bluffing him.
Zhao Yi chuckled: "Our future children will have to think of Bai'er."
Why?
"Bai'er is so beautiful, the child will surely be an outstanding person in the future."
Jiang Bai was amused by him and the two of them got up after a while.
The Winter Solstice banquet was held at Qixia Water Pavilion at noon. Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi went to pay their respects to the old lady before leisurely making their way to Qixia Water Pavilion.
In today's business world of Beijing, the Zhao family holds a top-tier position, and even the former leader, the Li family, has to show Zhao Yi some respect.
If the business in Jiangbai and the southern border continues to develop in the future, the Zhao family will become the richest family in the world.
At that time, the entire business community in Beijing regarded the Zhao family as number one.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of Qixia Water Pavilion. As soon as Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi got out of the carriage, a servant came to greet them.
The hall was already filled with wealthy businessmen from the capital.
Upon seeing Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi arrive, everyone bowed in greeting. In addition, Zhao Nan also arrived.
Jiang Bai was somewhat surprised but also took it for granted. Zhao Nan had gone back to her identity as a princess, and more than a decade ago she was the wealthiest merchant in the capital.
The women and men sat on opposite sides, while Zhao Nan and Jiang Bai sat at the same table.
As for the other women, they all tried to get close to the princess, but were rejected. Only Jiang Bai was allowed to sit with the princess.
This inevitably aroused the jealousy and dissatisfaction of many people.
The most extreme example of this was Linglong.
She stared intently at Jiang Bai, her eyes filled with venom.
Jiang Bai raised an eyebrow slightly. Linglong was really angry today; she wasn't even pretending anymore and was just staring at him like that.
Zhao Nan then kept asking her about the child, overjoyed.
After Li Juan's brief opening remarks, the dancers filed in, and the merchants chatted with their friends, making for a rather lively scene.
Zhao Yi kept his eyes on Jiang Bai, worried that something might be wrong with him.
Zhao Nan teased Jiang Bai, "Look at your Zhao Yi, his eyes are always on you."
Jiang Bai chuckled: "You flatter me."
Zhao Nan remarked with emotion, "I'm happy that Zhao Yi treats you so well."
"Why didn't the prince come?" Jiang Bai asked.
Zhao Nan waved his hand: "I've told him to stay at the manor. If he comes, I'm afraid no one will dare to say anything."
“That’s true.” Jiang Bai nodded.
At this moment, a maid came over, replaced the wine on the table, and put a cup of tea in front of Jiang Bai.
Jiang Bai thought the Li family was quite hospitable.
But as soon as she picked up her teacup, ready to drink, she realized something was wrong.
She paused, glanced at him, and noticed that Linglong was staring at her intently, looking very nervous.
Jiang Bai smiled slightly and drank the tea in one gulp.
Then your wish will be granted.
A fierce and decisive glint flashed in Jiang Bai's eyes. She whispered something in Zhao Nan's ear, and Zhao Nan's expression changed slightly before she nodded.
"I'm not feeling well and I'd like to go out for a bit." She deliberately raised her voice.
As soon as Jiang Bai went out, Linglong followed him out.
Zhao Yi also noticed something was wrong, but he couldn't get away right now, so he ordered his servant to protect his wife.
Jiang Bai sat by the waterside pavilion, with Ying'er attending to him.
A little while later, someone arrived.
The man sat opposite Jiang Bai, a smile playing on his lips.
"Jiang Bai, it's been a long time."
Jiang Bai raised an eyebrow: "It's only been two days since we last met."
"It seems your confinement is over."
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