Ping Xinian's expression changed from calm to flustered, but only for a short while before gradually calming down again.
She had been in the business world for many years, having encountered all kinds of opponents and weathered all kinds of storms. So her momentary panic soon subsided, and her expression returned to normal.
"You're being too conceited. Do you think the emperor would do something as shortsighted as killing the goose that lays the golden eggs? The Ping family pays hundreds of thousands of taels in taxes every year. If the Ping family falls, the emperor might get a big windfall for the moment, but what about tomorrow? "
Ping Xinian paused for a moment, then continued with a cold laugh. "So what if the emperor finds out? I did spend five hundred thousand taels to buy information, but I neither steal nor rob. I just have feelings for General Xiao. I don't see which law I've violated."
Xiao Tian looked at her. "Do you think that without the Ping family, there won't be another big merchant rising up? Without the Pings, there will still be the Zhangs, the Wangs, and the Lis!"
Ping Xinian took a deep breath, a smirk playing on her lips. "I really don't understand why you're telling me all this. I know a thing or two about your relationship with Yi Qing. If I can successfully marry General Xiao, I can plead for you two and let you be together. I can even give you a sum of silver. Name your price, as long as you're not being too greedy, I'll agree."
Seeing that Xiao Tian didn't say a word, she thought she had got the upper hand and continued, "In business, we believe in making money through harmony. Yi Qing is in love with you, and she deceived the general first. He won't let either of you off when he comes back. So my proposal is quite generous, isn't it?"
"Not everyone covets your silver!" Xiao Tian said coldly. "Tell me, why do you think General Xiao will accept you?"
"Do you think there's anyone who can treat him better than I do?" Ping Xinian said confidently.
"Do you think General Xiao will care?" Xiao Tian sneered, looking down at her as if she were an ant.
"What's wrong with me in your eyes, Guard Xiao?"
"Full of the stench of money, always scheming, of lowly status but with over - inflated ambitions."
"You!" Even though Ping Xinian had a strong heart, she was still an unmarried girl. Hearing such a merciless evaluation, she was extremely angry.
Xiao Tian looked at her and said word by word, "If this still can't make you give up, I'll tell you a secret."
"Whatever you say, it won't change my feelings for General Xiao."
"Really?" Xiao Tian sneered. "What if I'm Xiao Jinghan?"
Ping Xinian couldn't believe her ears. She looked shocked, the color draining from her face instantly. She couldn't help taking a few steps back and blurted out subconsciously, "Lies, you're lying!"
Xiao Tian said coldly, "Since you know I'm alive, I'm not afraid to tell you that I am Xiao Jinghan. So now you know whether I like you or not, right?"
"Liar," Ping Xinian said excitedly. "You must be lying to me!"
"Do you think someone like you is worth my making up lies for?" Xiao Tian's face was as cold as ice. "Aren't you supposed to be smart? How come you didn't think that the emperor trusts me so much and even approves of my relationship with Yi Qing. If I were just a guard, would all this be possible?"
Ping Xinian slumped into a chair, utterly shocked, her eyes full of disbelief.
"I'm sure you know the gravity of this matter. If you dare to spread this around, the Ping family will disappear completely. Since you like me, you should know that I, Xiao Jinghan, always keep my word! Remember how I replied when you used the military rations as a bargaining chip?"
The last bit of hope in Ping Xinian's heart vanished.
Xiao Jinghan's reply had only four words: "Wishful thinking."
But she still obediently sent the rations. Because she liked him and wanted to get close to him.
"Now I'll give you those four words again." Xiao Tian's voice grew colder. "Move out of this mansion within three days. I don't want to see you again in the future! Do your business well, and I'll still give you some convenience. I won't let your efforts go to waste. But if you think you can buy me with silver, you're just speeding up the destruction of the Ping family!"
He, Xiao Jinghan, could sacrifice himself for the country, but he would never sell his body and soul for silver.
Ping Xinian's repeated coercion with money made him feel humiliated and angry.
He wasn't worried that Ping Xinian would blab after he had laid everything out.
A woman who had been shrewd in the business world knew how to assess the situation and avoid harm.
She could keep a secret. That was why Xue Ci had been able to accept her money and give her information.
"What, they're moving out?" Yi Qing couldn't believe her ears when she heard the news the next day. She asked Zisu, "Are you seeing things or saying the wrong thing? She's moving things into the house, not out, right?"
Xiao Tian, sitting behind Yi Qing, was looking down at his nose, as if this had nothing to do with him.
Zisu said crossly, "Either your ears or your brain is malfunctioning. I said they're packing up and moving out. Ping Xinian has already left, and only the servants are moving things out."
Yi Qing: "… That can't be. Didn't she send someone to dress up as a ghost to scare me last night?"
"Who knows? Maybe all her evil deeds scared herself instead!" Zisu snorted. "Anyway, no matter the reason, it's good that she's gone. To be honest, I wouldn't feel at ease leaving if she were still here."
Yi Qing laughed. "What's there to worry about? Xiao Tian is here!"
No matter what the reason was, the removal of Ping Xinian, this ticking time - bomb, was great news.
"Do you think I'm worried about you? Don't flatter yourself. I'm afraid that some people will be so caught up in their lovey - dovey business that they'll forget about my godson. With you as his mother, I'm really worried about Baozi."
Baozi was undoubtedly Yi Qing's weak point, so Zisu was really worried that Ping Xinian might do something to him.
Yi Qing: "… At least I'm his real mother."
"If you weren't… I'd take him away." Zisu said.
"I won't allow you to take my son. If you want to take someone, take the Prince Zhen." Yi Qing joked.
"Humph."
"When are you leaving?"
"I'll leave after Baozi enters the academy." Zisu said. "I'll go and see him off."
"What?" Yi Qing was utterly confused. She couldn't help looking up at Zisu and then at Xiao Tian. "What academy?"
Zisu rolled her eyes so hard it seemed they were about to disappear into the back of her head. She muttered, "I said you're not a real mother, and you've just proven it."
Xiao Tian said in a deep voice, "The emperor has decreed to build the Yunyang Academy in the capital, and Lu Tianxun will be the dean. Originally, it only accepted boys over ten years old, but Lu Tianxun wants Baozi to go too."
"Ah? How come I didn't know anything about this?"
"It was just decided recently." Xiao Tian said.
Yi Qing was speechless. "You didn't even tell me."
"I thought Baozi had told you, and Baozi must have thought I told you." Xiao Tian explained.