In ancient times, she gave birth to seven daughters and was divorced by her husband's family.

At that moment, footsteps came from outside the courtyard, growing louder as they approached.

Bai Lu raised her eyes and looked towards the doorway.

Zhao Bingyu walked in.

She wore a long dress in the Western Regions style that allowed for easy movement, with intricate yet understated dark patterns embroidered on the hem.

Behind her followed a tall young man.

He had the deep features common among people from the Western Regions, and his skin was a healthy bronze color.

That is exactly right.

Ru Zhen quietly followed behind Zhao Bingyu, carrying a heavy sandalwood box.

"White Dew..."

When Bai Qingze saw her suddenly walk in, his face immediately darkened.

Bai Lu quickly said, "Third Brother, let me take her to my Marquis of Anguo's residence. We have things to discuss."

Bai Qingze nodded, his expression indifferent.

Then the two left.

The Marquis of Anguo's residence.

Zhao Bingyu walked into the hall, her gaze sweeping over the furnishings before finally settling on Bai Lu.

She sat down in the guest seat.

Ru Zhen placed the sandalwood box on the table next to her, quietly stepped back behind Zhao Bingyu, and stood still with an innocent look in her eyes, like a child.

"I came back this time because I heard that Qingze had a baby."

Zhao Bingyu had a smile on her face and looked gentle and approachable.

She looked at Bailu and continued, "This is a joyous occasion."

"As the maternal grandmother, I should do something to show my appreciation."

Bai Lu did not respond.

Her gaze passed over Zhao Bingyu and lingered on Ruzhen for a moment.

Noticing her gaze, Zhao Bingyu introduced, "This is Ruzhen; he's much better now..."

Ru Zhen nodded slightly at Bai Lu.

Bai Lu withdrew her gaze, her heart completely unmoved.

“I’ve prepared ten thousand taels of silver to give to Qingze as a small token of my appreciation… Your third brother refused to accept it. Could you help me get him to accept it?”

Zhao Bingyu said.

"Third Brother won't accept it."

Bai Lu said directly.

Her tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

She knew very well the integrity of the Bai siblings.

Zhao Bingyu's smile froze for a moment, but quickly returned to normal.

She sighed softly, as if somewhat helpless.

"You still have the same temper, child."

A complex expression flickered in Zhao Bingyu's eyes.

She looked at her daughter, the Marquis of Anguo, whom she had given birth to but felt completely unfamiliar with.

Bai Lu ignored her sentiments.

"If Mother has anything else to say, she can speak directly."

Zhao Bingyu remained silent for a moment.

She understood that when dealing with Bailu, formalities and roundabout ways were unnecessary.

"Alright."

Zhao Bingyu nodded.

She gestured to Ruzhen behind her.

Ru Zhen stepped forward and opened the sandalwood box.

The box didn't contain banknotes, but a thick stack of documents.

"This is the general contract for three-tenths of the trade routes in the Western Regions."

"This gift is for you."

Bai Lu's gaze fell on the stack of documents.

She could smell the faint scent of ink on the paper, as well as the dust and sand carried from the distant Western Regions.

Three-tenths of the trade routes.

"I've left the things here."

"I am leaving."

Bai Lu's heart stirred slightly.

This was exactly the result she wanted.

Zhao Bingyu didn't look at Bai Lu again, and turned to walk out the door.

She walked very fast.

"If it's true, let's go."

Ru Zhen glanced at Bai Lu one last time, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

He carried the empty scabbard and quickly followed.

Soon, Zhao Bingyu and her group disappeared at the end of the courtyard.

Bai Lu remained quietly seated in her original spot, as if nothing had happened.

She picked up the tea, which had already cooled down, and slowly took a sip.

The bitterness of the tea spread in my mouth.

She stared intently at the sandalwood box on the table.

Bai Lu slowly put down her teacup, making a soft sound.

She stood up, walked to the table, reached out, and picked up the heavy box.

She didn't open it immediately, but instead weighed it in her hand.

Then, carrying the box, she turned and walked towards the study.

The study was dimly lit.

Bai Lu placed the box on the large desk and then lit the candlestick on the table.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating her serene face.

She finally reached out and opened the box.

A thick stack of papers lay quietly inside.

The top one is a contract outlining the general trade routes.

Bai Lu picked it up, examined it carefully, and confirmed the authenticity and validity of the contract.

She opened the detailed document below.

The paper is somewhat rough, with an exotic texture.

The writing above was done with a special ink.

The first page is about Ryukyu.

The contents provide a detailed record of the sea routes to Ryukyu, the supply ports along the way, the main local products, and trade agreements with local tribal leaders.

Bai Lu turned the pages one by one.

Her fingers traced the unfamiliar place names on the paper: Dashi, Dashi, Loulan...

Behind each name lies a golden trade route that the Bai family has always dreamed of.

The documents not only contained route maps and cargo lists, but also detailed analyses of local customs, political landscape, and military strength.

The value of this intelligence even surpassed that of the trade routes themselves.

Bai Lu observed very carefully and very slowly.

An irrepressible joy finally appeared on her face.

With these resources, the Bai family's caravans could gain a foothold in the Western Regions and even counterbalance Zhao Bingyu's power.

She finished reading the last page and then closed the entire stack of documents.

She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.

She got what she wanted.

Bai Lu carefully organized all the documents, put them back into the sandalwood box, and then locked it.

Bai Lu opened her eyes again, her gaze clear.

Her gaze fell on the inner compartment of the sandalwood box.

She discovered this hidden partition while tidying up.

She stretched out her finger and gently pressed a spot on the side of the box.

With a soft click, a hidden compartment popped out from the bottom of the box.

There were no gold or silver treasures in the secret compartment, only two things lying quietly: a letter sealed with sealing wax and a heavy brass token.

Bai Lu picked up the token first.

The token felt cool to the touch. One side was engraved with intricate Western Region patterns, while the other side bore an ancient-looking character "Zhao".

She knew this was no ordinary object.

This token represents Zhao Bingyu's status and power in the Western Regions.

She put down the token and then picked up the letter.

The sealing wax is printed with the same "Zhao" emblem as the back of the token.

Bai Lu opened the envelope and unfolded the letter inside.

The letter was written in Zhao Bingyu's handwriting, the characters sharp and carrying an unquestionable decisiveness.

The content of the letter is very simple.

To Lu'er:

"It is as if we are meeting in person upon receiving this letter."

"These are trade route documents, for your reference only."

"What's really important is this token and this letter."

"With this token and note, you can replace me and directly take over all the manpower, strongholds and wealth of 30% of my trade routes."

"No one dared to disobey."

"How you use it is up to you."

“Mother, Zhao Bingyu.”

The letter ended there, without a single unnecessary word of pleasantries.

Bai Lu unconsciously tightened her grip on the letter.

Bai Lu held the letter to the candle flame, watching it slowly burn and turn to ashes.

After doing all this, she held the brass token tightly in her hand.

She got up, walked to the study door, and ordered to the outside, "Someone come here."

A guard immediately appeared at the door.

"What are your orders, Lord Marquis?"

Bai Lu's voice was calm.

"Send a message to the Third Young Master, and tell him to come to my residence immediately."

"Just say you have something important to discuss."

She paused for a moment, then added, "Have him come through the secret passage."

The guard felt a chill run down his spine, immediately bowed his head in agreement, and then turned and quickly left.

Bai Lu returned to her desk, put the token back in the hidden compartment, and then put the box back in its original state.

She looked at the exquisite sandalwood box, her eyes becoming incredibly deep.

Half an hour later.

The hidden door to the study was gently pushed open, and Bai Qingze walked in.

He was dressed in an elegant long gown, walking hurriedly, with a hint of anxiety between his brows.

After entering, he first looked around cautiously, and only after confirming that it was safe did he close the hidden door.

"Little sister, why did you call me over so urgently? What happened?"

Bai Qingze walked to the desk and his gaze fell on the sandalwood box.

Bai Lu did not answer immediately.

She got up, poured Bai Qingze a cup of tea herself, and handed it to him.

"Third Brother, please have a seat."

Bai Qingze took the teacup but didn't drink it.

"She...she came by?"

Bai Qingze asked tentatively.

"Yes."

Bai Lu nodded in agreement.

She sat back down in her seat, her fingers tapping lightly on the table.

"She's here to give your child a congratulatory gift."

"Ten thousand taels of silver... Let me put in a good word for you and get you to accept it."

A cold smile appeared on Bai Qingze's face.

"I won't take her money."

"I know."

Bai Lu said, "That's why I declined on your behalf."

Bai Qingze's expression softened somewhat.

He looked at Bai Lu, waiting for her to continue.

"And then, she kept this."

Bai Lu reached out and pushed the sandalwood box in front of Bai Qingze.

Bai Qingze's gaze was fixed on the box.

He reached out and slowly opened the box.

When he saw the thick stack of trade route documents inside, his breath hitched.

"This is... a trade route from the Western Regions?"

As the actual manager of the Bai family business, he immediately recognized the value of these items.

He quickly flipped through a few pages, his shock growing ever stronger.

"Ryukyu, Arabia, Loulan... these are all places we've always wanted to conquer but have had no way of doing!"

His voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.

Bai Lu watched him flip through the pages quietly.

"Third brother."

Bai Lu interrupted him, "Look."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it instantly calmed Bai Qingze down.

Bai Lu reached out and pressed a button on the hidden compartment of the box.

The hidden compartment popped up again.

Bai Qingze's gaze was drawn to it.

His pupils contracted sharply when he saw the brass token inside.

"This is......"

"The highest token of the Zhao family business."

Bai Lu spoke for him.

She picked up the token and placed it on the table.

"There was also a letter from her, which I have already burned."

"The letter said that with this token, one could directly take over 30% of her business routes."

Bai Qingze froze completely.

He stared blankly at the token, unable to utter a single word.

A deathly silence fell over the study.

After a long while, Bai Qingze finally found his voice, which was somewhat hoarse.

Bai Qingze's gaze darted back and forth between the token and the trade route documents, his mind racing.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

"As long as we can firmly control these 30% of the trade routes, our Bai family will no longer be just the richest family in Dawu!!"

Bai Lu looked at the light in Bai Qingze's eyes and slowly nodded.

This was exactly what she was thinking.

"it is good."

Bai Lu said, "Since Third Brother thinks so too, then I'll leave this matter to you."

She pushed the brass token in front of Bai Qingze.

"You shall immediately select the most reliable personnel and, as quickly as possible, go to the Western Regions to take over these trade routes."

"Remember, be fast, be steady, and don't make any mistakes."

Bai Qingze nodded heavily, and he reached out and grasped the heavy token in his palm.

"I see."

but......

Bai Qingze was taken aback when he heard what Bai Lu said.

He quickly said, "Aren't you going to do anything about it?"

"Shouldn't this trade route be your responsibility...?"

Bai Qingze asked Bai Lu, "After all, you were the one who saved Ruzhen before. Zhao Bingyu gave you this trade route because of you."

Bai Lu smiled and said, "If it were just my people, we definitely wouldn't be able to handle 30% of this trade route."

"They definitely want you, me, and our two older brothers to take over 30% of the trade routes in the Western Regions."

"We'll divide the money into four parts, one for each person."

Bai Qingze laughed upon hearing this, and quickly shook his head, saying, "We can certainly help you with this."

"But we won't split the money."

"If anything good happens in the future, and we happen to benefit from it, then we'll share the profits."

"Don't worry, I'll definitely help you with this."

"But you can divide the money among yourself."

"I'll just give you the two portions meant for my eldest and second brothers."

After saying that, he didn't wait for Bai Lu to say anything else and turned to leave.

Bai Lu stared blankly at Bai Qingze's figure.

Suddenly, Bai Qingze turned back.

The young man in white smiled gracefully and said, "By the way... there's one more thing."

"If you take over these 30% of the trade routes, you will surely become the richest man in Qingzhou within a year."

"After all, many things from the Western Regions are exported by you."

Bai Lu was stunned and fell into deep thought: "I'm probably really the richest person in Qingzhou."

she murmured.

Even if the Shangguan family is wealthy, the profits from this 30% trade route should not be underestimated.

Previously, the two families could fight to a standstill, but now that Bai Lu has this trick up her sleeve, what is there left for the Shangguan family to compete with her for?

There's no way we can win this battle.

She smiled brightly and said, "It doesn't matter which family is the richest, we're all on the same side anyway."

Neither he nor Shangguan Fusheng would argue over trivial matters.

It's just a title.

But looking back, Bai Lu was quite emotional, realizing that she had become the richest person in two states.

This involved both hard work and opportunity.

Qingzhou, here I come.

Thirty percent of the trade routes reached Bailu, and they quickly came into play.

Her brothers helped her pave the way quickly.

Before long, good news kept coming from Qingzhou.