The Bai brothers, Bai Qingjiang, graceful and refined like jade, and Bai Yu, cold and stern, perpetually expressionless, were clearly siblings when standing together.
"Brother," Bai Yu managed a stiff smile. "Do you intend to give these things to outsiders?"
Bai Sicheng, following closely behind Bai Qingjiang with his head bowed, trembled upon hearing Bai Yu's words. He looked at Bai Yu in disbelief.
Outsiders? He had lived in the Bai family for so many years, how could he be considered an outsider?
"Second Uncle!" Bai Sicheng said sadly, "I know I'm not a qualified young master of the Bai family, but is it too much for you to say that? I was raised by Grandpa and Father..."
"Both you and Bai Murong are outsiders," Bai Yu interrupted coldly, his gaze indifferent. "Do you understand?"
Bai Sicheng's breath hitched.
"Second Brother..." Bai Qingjiang frowned, but his gaze met Bai Yu's indifferent stare, and he fell silent.
Bai Yu turned to Bai Shengyi. "What is your opinion?"
Seeing this, Bai Sicheng clenched his fists tightly.
Did Second Uncle care so much about A'Yi's stance?
Yes, he hadn't been willing to compete with A'Yi before because he knew he was an adopted son, and A'Yi was the true heir of the Bai family.
But A'Yi clearly didn't care about the Bai family at all. Even so, Second Uncle still sided with A'Yi?
Bai Shengyi smiled faintly. "I understand Second Uncle's intentions, but what belongs to the Bai family, and is rightfully mine, I have already obtained."
In plain terms, most of the Bai family's assets were now in her hands, making the contents of this treasury insignificant. She wouldn't have even bothered stepping into the Duke Rong's mansion if it weren't for retrieving the Summer Night Plum Grove. After all, all memories here were not pleasant for her.
"A'Yi..."
Bai Qingjiang suddenly realized that Bai Shengyi's indifference towards the Bai family was strikingly similar to Bai Yu's! But this was all the Bai family's own doing! He deeply regretted not having properly settled his young daughter years ago, regretted not checking on how A'Yi had been living all these years after his return, and regretted not seeing through people's true intentions... He felt guilt, sorrow, and most importantly, he realized he had no standing to say anything.
Bai Shengyi said lightly, "Father, I have what I came for. You have finally returned, and I imagine you have many matters to arrange. I will go out and wander on my own." With that, she turned and left the storeroom.
Outside the courtyard gate, the steward saw Bai Shengyi and hurried forward with a smile. "Young Madam, you have finally returned home! When will you be holding the family head succession ceremony? I will have everyone prepare meticulously."
Anyone remaining in the Bai family now, save for a few who were oblivious, knew that Bai Shengyi was the rightful mistress of the Bai family, even if this mistress was often absent and uninvolved in affairs. As for the eldest young master, he was merely that, the eldest young master...
Bai Shengyi waved her hand. "No ceremony for now. My father is back, and according to tradition, he is now the young family head."
"This..." The steward's smile faltered. Could it be like this? He had been hired later by Bai Yu Yue. The original old steward had fallen ill and passed away after the death of Duke Rong. Therefore, he only knew Bai Shengyi as the young family head and was unaware of Bai Qingjiang's status.
Bai Shengyi did not make things difficult for him. She instructed, "At the Nian Nian You Yu Tower last year, have Yu Yue come to see me there." Nian Nian You Yu Inn was one of Bai Shengyi's businesses. After years of management by Bai Yu Yue, it had become the second most popular establishment in Da Ning Dynasty's capital, surpassed only by Chong Ya Restaurant.
Bai Shengyi entered and showed her token, and immediately someone stepped forward to escort her to a private room. Shortly after, Bai Yu Yue arrived.
"Young Master!" Bai Yu Yue bowed deeply. Sensing Bai Shengyi's increasingly contained aura, his gaze became even more respectful and admiring. As one of the earliest followers of Bai Shengyi, he had witnessed her rise from humble beginnings to her current status step by step. He knew Bai Shengyi disliked idle talk, so he directly presented the prepared documents to her. "Young Master, this is the situation of all our businesses' revenue and layout over the past two years."
"Because Mei Shuying previously stole the formula for the Qi Refining Pill from the Alchemist Association, many shops are now also selling Qi Refining Pills. Although their pills are not as effective as ours and are priced higher, they are still taking market share. However, as you instructed, I had people buy and inspect them immediately. The pills are not poisonous." Bai Yu Yue had been anxious about this issue. Since Bai Shengyi inherited the position of young family head, regardless of Duke Rong's willingness, under Bai Shengyi's direction and support, Bai Yu Yue had taken control of the properties belonging to Bai Shengyi. All businesses were now managed by him. He worried that if anything went wrong, he would be unable to face the young master's trust.
"I guessed that the Qi Refining Pill formula would be deciphered soon." Bai Shengyi was not surprised and even had the mood to comfort Bai Yu Yue. "You don't need to blame yourself; this phenomenon is inevitable." Counterfeiting and plagiarism were not uncommon in the pill industry, and for cultivators, strength was paramount, with no real concept of respecting original creators. Everyone needed Qi Refining Pills. While Bai Shengyi would not be so saintly as to publicly release the formula, she did her best to keep the pill prices low. Furthermore, she didn't mind others researching the formula, as long as the pills weren't useless or harmful.
"I am meeting you to give you this new pill formula. You can cooperate with the Song Family Auction House and the Alchemist Association."
Bai Yu Yue respectfully took it with both hands, his eyes scanning it, and then, he was practically glued to it. He exclaimed, "This... these are all formulas you created yourself?"
Bai Shengyi flipped through the profits from recent years and nodded casually. "I researched them in my spare time. By the way, how are You Shan Tang and Lao Shan Tang doing?"
"Bai Ling and Bai Yunsong are managing them, and everything is going well. Everyone praises the young master's kindness and wishes to thank you personally. Also, because of this, His Majesty also wishes to meet you." You Shan Tang and Lao Shan Tang were the first things Bai Shengyi did after reclaiming the Bai family's assets. You Shan Tang sheltered orphans abandoned due to lacking spiritual roots, and Lao Shan Tang sheltered the elderly who were without children or support. However, Bai Shengyi only provided the funds and the concept; the specific operation and management were coordinated by Bai Yu Yue and his team.
"Decline it. I don't have time." Bai Shengyi frowned. "I did this only to give ordinary people a chance to live, not out of kindness."
"Yes, yes, I understand." Bai Yu Yue thought to himself, if it weren't for kindness, who would care for these people? And even letting them find body-refining techniques for those children without spiritual roots? The young master was too modest.
Bai Shengyi was unaware of Bai Yu Yue's thoughts. If she knew, she would likely just scoff; she was merely empathizing with those in similar circumstances.
"Starting this year, allocate half of the annual profits to You Shan Tang and Lao Shan Tang." Bai Shengyi nodded. "Are there any other matters? If not, I will be leaving. If I do not return, all these matters will be decided by you."
"Young Master?" Bai Yu Yue looked up in surprise. "You are not planning to return to the Bai family?"