Chapter 360
Seeing the Crown Prince turn his head to look at him, Elder Fang slowly began, “Thus, firstly… it can show that the Crown Prince did not blame the Princess of Zhen for the tarnish on his reputation caused by her clan. Secondly, with the Crown Prince’s trusted people following, the Princess of Zhen will handle matters in Shuoyang more smoothly and will remember the Crown Prince’s kindness. Thirdly, if the Crown Prince’s people strictly order the local officials to punish severely, it can win the hearts of the people for the Crown Prince. If the Princess of Zhen gives the order, the hearts of the people… will be hers.”
“I strongly agree with Elder Fang’s first two points! But the third… I disagree. The Princess of Zhen is highly intelligent. If my people compete with her for the hearts of the people, wouldn’t that leave her disheartened? The Princess of Zhen is now completely loyal to me. If I do this, how will she view me?”
The Crown Prince spoke quietly and then continued, “I heard the banditry around Shuoyang is rampant. Last time even Rong Yan’s goods were robbed! Let’s send… Quan Yu and two teams of the Crown Prince’s guards with the Princess of Zhen. Everything will be at her command.”
Elder Fang paused slightly in his steps, his hand tightening slightly within his sleeve. The Crown Prince had rejected his advice for the second time on account of Bai Qingyan. This was not a good sign.
Elder Fang maintained his expression and smiled while nodding, “Well then, I will first send someone to verify things. Anyway, the Princess of Zhen doesn’t leave until the day after tomorrow, there’s still time! Your Highness… being cautious is good, don’t you think?”
The Crown Prince chuckled, “Elder Fang, you are too cautious! Do as you please, but do not delay the Princess of Zhen’s departure. I… still wish to personally see her off.”
If one was to give a favor, the Crown Prince must do it flawlessly, and thus, sending her off personally was the best.
Furthermore, regarding what Elder Fang mentioned about causing trouble for King Liang during the disaster relief in Yanwo, the Crown Prince also wanted to ask Bai Qingyan’s opinion, to see what she thought.
·
Bai Qingyan left the Crown Prince’s residence. After mounting her horse and leaving the alley, she instructed Lu Ping to spread the word that she had come to inform the Crown Prince of her departure to Shuoyang the day after tomorrow, especially ensuring that Left Prime Minister Li Mao was informed.
Just after giving these instructions, she heard someone calling her.
“Bai family sister! Bai family sister!”
At the sound, Bai Qingyan reined in her horse and turned its head.
Bai Qingyan saw Xiao Rongyan standing at the entrance of a tavern with several aristocratic youths of Dadu City.
His brow, nose, and jaw were sharply defined. Dressed in a dark-patterned, slant-collared green robe, tall and noble, he stood out among the group of distinguished gentlemen.
Lu Yuanpeng, excitedly lifting the hem of his robe, ran down the tavern’s steps. He cheerfully ran to Bai Qingyan, looking up at her, sitting tall on her horse with strikingly radiant features, and smiled, “Where is Bai family sister going?”
“I just came from the Crown Prince’s residence, and I’m heading back.”
Hearing Bai Qingyan’s reply, Lu Yuanpeng overstepped and reached out to hold her reins, smiling, “Today, I am hosting Xiao Brother, Qin Lang, and Sima Ping to celebrate washing away my grievance. Bai family sister, come have a drink! Give Yuanpeng a chance to thank you.”
Bai Qingyan was amused by Lu Yuanpeng’s words, noting his harmless intent. She said, “You should thank Minister Lu of the Court of Judicial Review who cleared your name, why thank me?”
Qin Lang, seeing it was Bai Qingyan, clenched his hand at his side and walked toward her. Just as he approached, Lu Yuanpeng, in a tone that implied he couldn’t be fooled, said, “My grandfather said that the first to send people to investigate Lin Xinan’s cause of death and question the neighbors about the time he died, was someone from the Princess of Zhen’s residence. So I guessed that Bai family sister must have known I was wronged and would eventually turn misfortune into fortune. Otherwise, Bai family sister would certainly have approached the Minister of Judicial Review, right?”
Qin Lang stood aside, watching Lu Yuanpeng sell out his grandfather completely. A bit of envy arose in his heart.
Only those who are cherished and spoiled would be so sincere and straightforward.
Qin Lang bowed deeply, “Is the Commandery Princess heading home?”
Bai Qingyan nodded, not dismounting, “I must visit the Shuoyang Clan the day after tomorrow. Daliang has its troops at the border, which worries me a bit. I wanted to ask the Crown Prince if there was any movement from Daliang.”
In the capital, who spread news faster than this group of playboys?
Xiao Rongyan and several sons of noble families from the capital came and saluted Bai Qingyan.
Only then did she dismount and return the salute.
Yue Shi stood furthest back, wanting to greet Bai Qingyan but unable to squeeze past the sons of the capital’s aristocratic families, leaving him to watch longingly.
“Bai family sister is heading to Shuoyang? Is it because the Clan Leader of the Shuoyang Clan led the elders to make a scene in front of the Princess of Zhen’s residence? I heard they angered the old ancestor into coughing up blood!”
Seeing Bai Qingyan’s difficult expression, Lu Yuanpeng’s anger flared. His disdain for the Bai Clan of Shuoyang rose to another level. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
He had never seen such shameless and debased people who would humiliate the noble so publicly. They dared to disregard even the Eldest Princess in the capital. If Bai family sister returned to Shuoyang, wouldn’t they turn the sky upside down before her?
The century-old Bai family of Dadu, with their sons and daughters of impeccable character, how did the clan end up filled with such despicable and repulsive scoundrels?
“The Commandery Princess seems in a hurry. Is there anything that Xiao can help with?” Xiao Rongyan’s deep eyes looked gently at Bai Qingyan, his attitude calm and poised.
“No need to trouble Mr. Xiao. Qingyan… can handle it herself.” Bai Qingyan cupped her hands to Xiao Rongyan.
“Bai family sister, how about I accompany you to Shuoyang the day after tomorrow?” Lu Yuanpeng looked at Bai Qingyan and said, “Just say the word, and I will follow Bai family sister’s orders.”
Bai Qingyan smiled at Lu Yuanpeng, “I can manage.”
After speaking, Bai Qingyan cupped her hands to the aristocratic sons, “I won’t disturb you any further, Bai Qingyan bids farewell.”
“Commandery Princess, wait a moment…” Xiao Rongyan turned with a smile, bowing to Lu Yuanpeng and the others before saying, “There is something I need to discuss with the Commandery Princess. You all go ahead; I will join you shortly.”
Although Xiao Rongyan’s affection for Bai Qingyan had not yet spread through the capital, these playboys, well-versed in matters of romance, easily saw it.
Though they were all close to Xiao Rongyan and never looked down on his origins, they knew it was unlikely for the Jin princess to marry a merchant.
Especially since Bai Qingyan swore before the spirit tablet never to marry in this life.
Still, given Xiao Rongyan’s intentions toward Bai Qingyan, they could not openly oppose it. After all, Xiao Rongyan had always been careful in his actions, surely with his own plans.