Bai Jintong smiled softly, humbly saying, "This... Gongxing indeed learned from the world's most righteous merchant, Xiao Rongyan."
The Empress of Xiliang paused, her gaze fixated on the moonlight streaming through the narrow high window, dust dancing in the pale glow. She spoke softly, "I have known you for a long time, even regarded you as a friend. I think you conceal yourself well. You and I... have many similarities, young... yet calm, with hidden secrets that intrigue me greatly."
Bai Jintong hurriedly bowed deeply, repeatedly claiming she dared not presume.
The Empress of Xiliang chuckled lightly at her words.
"Cui Fengnian, Cui Gongxing… I sent people to investigate, and there indeed is such a person, indeed said to have gone overseas for business!" The smile on the Empress of Xiliang's face slowly faded. She casually placed the bamboo slip on the square table and turned a cold and solemn gaze upon Bai Jintong, "But Cui Fengnian... is a man!"
