Bai Zhenting was tall and imposing, with a thick beard and a formidable presence, exuding a fierce, battle-hardened aura forged from years of struggle on the Grand Canal waterways. Even ordinary children might burst into tears at the sight of him. Having not seen Bai Shiqi for several months, his first words were, "Back after causing trouble again?"
Bai Shiqi and Wen Tao seemed at odds, but with her own father... the relationship appeared even more strained.
She retorted angrily, "When have I ever caused trouble?" Besides, she usually cleaned up her own messes without bothering her father, just to avoid his scolding.
Like strict fathers the world over, Bai Zhenting had found his child adorable as a young girl, but as she grew older and began stirring up trouble, chasing cats and teasing dogs, getting into every kind of mischief, he developed a headache. Especially since Bai Shiqi's level of mischief surpassed that of two or three ordinary boys combined.
His way of showing affection was to give her money—materially, it could almost be called doting. But his only method of discipline was to meet force with force; calm, reasoned communication was utterly unthinkable.
The trouble was, Bai Shiqi had achieved financial independence by the age of thirteen or fourteen. After she began escorting tribute grain shipments to the capital alone, she became completely self-sufficient, even capable of supporting the gang members who accompanied her on the canal boats. This cut off Bai Zhenting's primary means of expressing paternal love. His reservoir of fatherly affection was poured into the family dog instead, leaving him unable to find a gentle way to show care for his own child. All that remained was interrogation.
According to secret reports from trusted aides who had traveled north with the shipments, everyone preferred having the young gang leader escort the grain. Not only was the food better, but they could also have fun along the way back. She never skimped on the men's pay or provisions and could mingle with them as one of their own, her reputation growing daily.
Hearing these words of praise, Bai Zhenting secretly rejoiced in his heart. Yet, whenever he saw Bai Shiqi, he couldn't manage a single soft word. His concern was buried beneath hard, accusatory questions. Over time, this led Bai Shiqi to snap back at any remark she disliked. Their usual meetings resembled quarrels, giving Lady Su quite a headache. She had argued with him several times: "Can't you use even half the effort you use to coax me on Shiqi?"
Bai Zhenting was also deeply frustrated: "Whenever I see that little brat's defiant look, I feel like cursing!"
Today was no exception.
Father and child hadn't seen each other for months, yet the little brat showed not a trace of what Qiu Yunping would call "filial longing." Instead, her face was full of defiance, making Bai Zhenting's hand itch to teach her a lesson. "Which time have you gone out and not caused trouble?" He then switched to a kindly, smiling face to greet Wen Tao: "Nephew, what brings you here? How has your father been lately?"
—This was exactly why Bai Shiqi particularly disliked Wen Tao. As a child, she had schemed endlessly to beat him up, and even grown up, she found him irritating.
Bai Zhenting was clearly her own father, yet he was warm and affectionate towards Wen Tao, while scarcely having a kind word for her, seemingly eager to criticize and suppress her from head to toe.
Wen Tao was impeccably polite in front of Bai Zhenting, a complete contrast to his dissolute image outside. He said hypocritically, "My father is well. He's not in Huaian recently, otherwise, knowing you were here, Uncle, he would certainly have invited you for drinks. I ran into Shiqi yesterday. Having not seen her for a long time, we just spent some time together."
Bai Shiqi, fearing he might blurt out the matter of her taking a concubine, hurriedly seized the conversation to introduce to Bai Zhenting: "Father, these two are my friends, Zhao Ziheng and Zhao Wujiu."
Having survived on the Grand Canal for so many years, Bai Zhenting was not as rough and careless as he appeared. In fact, he had noticed the Zhao brothers the moment they entered the main hall.
Zhao Ziheng was one thing—a standard wealthy, idle young master. His gait revealed a lack of regular exercise, with weak lower body strength, inferior even to his own Shiqi. But the one sitting in the wheelchair could not be taken lightly.
Though Zhao Wujiu had been carried in by guards in his wheelchair, an aura of profound, mountain-like steadiness emanated from him. If Bai Zhenting's attitude towards Wen Tao was one of familiar, casual treatment of a junior, his approach to Zhao Wujiu was markedly different, more like interacting with an equal.
"Young Master Zhao, is this your first time in Jiangnan? There are many scenic places here. If there is anywhere you wish to visit, this old man can arrange an escort."
He clearly saw the guards accompanying Zhao Wujiu, yet still offered to send his own men. Knowing her father like the back of her hand, Bai Shiqi immediately locked eyes with him, silently demanding: What do you mean by that?
Bai Zhenting glared at this troublesome brat. Who knew what kind of formidable figure she had dragged back this time?
Zhao Wujiu came straight to the point: "To be frank, Master Bai, I came south this time to seek out famous physicians in Jiangnan. If my health permits recovery in the future, I would gladly accept your offer of an escort."
While everyone was talking, Fourth Miss Song, with Zhen'er in tow, quietly kept behind Zhao Ziheng, maintaining some distance from Bai Shiqi. She stole a glance at Bai Zhenting and instantly understood a bit of the authority of the old gang leader, who was rumored to have forbidden the young gang leader from taking concubines.
Seeing Zhao Ziheng's handsome, dashing appearance and the young woman accompanying him, Bai Zhenting thought nothing of it, never imagining this was a concubine his own little brat had brought home.
With guests present, Bai Zhenting ordered the kitchen to prepare a feast to welcome his child and the visitors.
Seeing the situation, Fourth Miss Song knew she was not suited to remain at the table and begged leave. Bai Shiqi had Yu Si take them to a guest room to rest. As she left, Fourth Miss Song cast a lingering, somewhat resentful look back at Bai Shiqi—newly wedded, yet unable to be close.
As Zhen'er helped her back and made the bed, she chattered, "Our master is not young anymore. The family will probably arrange a marriage soon. Once a proper wife enters the household, who knows if life will be good for you, miss. You need to hurry and have a child, a son or daughter. Then you'll have a place in the Bai family."
Fourth Miss Song sat before the bronze mirror combing her hair. The reflection showed skin like ice and bones like jade, the most beautiful years of a woman's life, yet she was full of anxieties. "Zhen'er, do you think... does our master like me?"
The very concerns occupying the mistress and maid were being discussed at the banquet table at that moment.
It stemmed from a topic Bai Zhenting brought up: "I saw your father three months ago. He said the family was preparing to arrange a marriage for you. Which family's daughter have they chosen?"
They all made their living in the same region. The Salt Gang was wealthy and powerful, so the pool of potential brides for Wen Tao was quite broad. Apart from the difficulty of marrying into official families, they could try from among the local gentry, wealthy merchants, and business magnates.
Wen Tao smiled, glancing sideways at Bai Shiqi. "I've met quite a few young ladies, but none ever quite suit my taste." He half-joked, "If Uncle had a daughter, my father would surely be delighted to strengthen our bonds through marriage!"
Bai Zhenting's eyebrow twitched. He took it as the boy, who had never gotten along with his own brat since childhood, seizing the chance to mock her for looking effeminate. "Seems there's no hope for that in this lifetime."
Bai Shiqi shot Wen Tao a sideways glare, finding his words somewhat odd. "If I had a sister, how would I dare marry her to you? With your fickle, philandering ways, better not ruin my sister's life."
Zhao Wujiu looked thoughtfully at Wen Tao, suspecting his own doubts aligned with those of this young Salt Gang leader. Yet he was also amused by Bai Shiqi's words. However, being reserved by nature and having cultivated a taciturn demeanor from years in the army, he merely allowed a faint smile to touch his lips.
Only the blunt Zhao Ziheng quietly corrected her: "Shiqi, 'fickle' and 'philandering' are terms used for women!"
Qiu Yunping was also present at the gathering, seated right next to him. Familiar with the relationship between Wen Tao and Bai Shiqi, he nudged his arm and explained in a lowered voice, "The Young Gang Leader is doing it on purpose!"
Bai Zhenting was not well-read and knew only a handful of characters. Over the years, he had hired many tutors to accompany him in eating, drinking, and having fun. The literati's way of amusement was much more refined, and he barely managed to avoid embarrassment on various occasions. It would truly be asking too much of the old man to parse literary intricacies; he could only make do with recognizing a few characters. He didn't take Bai Shiqi's sarcastic remarks about Wen Tao seriously at all.
—As long as these two youngsters didn't start a fight right then and there and ruin the banquet, he would turn a blind eye.
Wen Tao wasn't angered by the sarcasm either. He said with a laugh, "Seventeen is not young anymore either. My own father has already started worrying about my marriage. Isn't Uncle prepared to find a wife for Seventeen as well? She's so mischievous; she should have had a wife brought in long ago to keep her in line."
Bai Zhenting had worried about this matter for years but couldn't speak of it openly. Having his concerns pinpointed by Wen Tao caused his expression to freeze for an instant before clearing up again. "Your auntie hasn't been without ideas, but... this kid has a rather poor reputation outside, and the young ladies in Suzhou city don't fancy her much either. We can only plan slowly."
Wen Tao thought to himself: What kind of excuse is this if not a blatant one?
Zhao Wujiu had the same thought. The doubts in his mind grew even larger, and his original speculation, which had been seventy or eighty percent certain, now became ninety percent. He couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
Bai Shiqi chided Wen Tao, "You're in a hurry to get a wife because you're afraid of staying a bachelor, aren't you? I'm in no rush. Plenty of young ladies like me anyway; I need to take my time and pick one that suits my heart and mind."
Wen Tao raised his cup. "Seventeen is right. Marriage is a major affair; one must always pick someone who suits the heart and mind. So let's toast to both of us finding wives who suit our hearts and minds!" He lingered on the last three words between his lips and teeth, a smile in his eyes, clinked cups with Bai Shiqi, and threw his head back to drain it.
