Chapter 673
The Crown Prince knew about this matter. All the petitions sent up had been suppressed by the Crown Prince.
Bai Jinzhi had already noticed the Crown Prince’s evasive expression. Pretending not to understand, she said indignantly, “Those soldiers defend the borders for the country. If they can’t even fill their stomachs, how can they fight?! I got angry as soon as I heard about it. I thought you, dearest cousin, would also not tolerate anyone tampering with the soldiers’ rations. So I came especially to ask you for this task. While I’m in Dadu, let me investigate this matter for you!”
Bai Jinzhi patted her chest, “Don’t worry, dearest cousin. I will find out everything clearly! Let my elder sister see that not only she can work for you, but I can too! This way, she can rest and recover without worrying too much!”
The Crown Prince raised his head and asked, “Are you saying that the Princess of Zhen also knows about this?”
“Yes! I told my elder sister as soon as I got back. She said this matter needs a thorough investigation and then informed you. But I didn’t want my sister to be overworked, so I came to you first, volunteering myself. I want my sister to see what I’m capable of!” Bai Jinzhi’s pure and clear eyes looked at the Crown Prince, as innocent as a pool of clear water.
“Commandery Princess Gaoyi, this matter… I know about it!” The Crown Prince had no choice but to be honest with Bai Jinzhi, after all, Bai Jinzhi was still his person. “Moreover, the Princess of Zhen already recommended you to go to the Anping Camp. Prepare yourself to head there next month and help me control the Anping Camp.”
“Then… what about the military rations? Won’t it be investigated? What if I go to Anping Camp and encounter rations full of sand? Dearest cousin, I think this matter needs a thorough investigation!” Bai Jinzhi argued righteously.
The Crown Prince was still patient with Bai Jinzhi and smiled, “Don’t worry about the military rations. I will make sure you won’t eat rations with sand.”
If Bai Jinzhi went to the Anping Camp, the Anping Army would be under the Crown Prince’s command. The Crown Prince wouldn’t let his own soldiers eat sandy rations.
If Bai Jinzhi had only suspected before, she now could be certain. The Crown Prince knew about the sand in the military rations long ago but did not deal with it.
She guessed that either the Crown Prince was benefiting from this matter, or he was protecting someone.
Bai Jinzhi clenched her fists by her side and argued, “But dearest cousin, I think this matter must still be investigated. Think about it! The border soldiers… they are defending our Jin Kingdom’s territory for His Majesty and you! If they can’t eat good food, what if the enemy invades…”
“Alright, alright!” The Crown Prince raised his hand to interrupt Bai Jinzhi. “I understand what you mean. I have a good grasp of this matter. You don’t need to worry anymore. I will handle it well! I guarantee the border soldiers won’t eat such rations anymore. Are you reassured?”
Bai Jinzhi saw that the Crown Prince had no intention to deal with it and could only get up to take her leave.
Once she left, the Crown Prince summoned Elder Fang and spoke about the military rations.
“This matter is not easy to handle! The Crown Princess Consort is pregnant. If this gets to our father, and he punishes the Crown Princess Consort’s brother, what happens if it harms the child in her womb? But Bai Jinzhi has a fiery temper. Do you believe that she’ll investigate this matter as soon as she leaves?” The Crown Prince felt he understood Bai Jinzhi well enough, seeing her straightforward personality.
Elder Fang frowned and said, “It depends on whether you trust Commandery Princess Gaoyi. If you do, why not tell her the truth? If she is truly loyal, she will consider your situation and the Crown Princess Consort’s unborn child and keep it quiet. If not… and she escalates the matter, demanding severe punishment for the Crown Princess Consort’s brother, then…”
Elder Fang raised his eyes, his slightly clouded gaze fixing on the Crown Prince, and gently shook his head, “Then Your Highness should reconsider if someone who only appears loyal on the surface, but does not heed your orders, should be sent to the Anping Camp to control it for you.”
The Crown Prince nodded, truly considering it.
If Bai Jinzhi did not follow his orders, she couldn’t be sent to control Anping Camp, no matter how loyal she was. Otherwise, in the future… if Bai Jinzhi’s thoughts contradicted his orders and she disobeyed, what would he do?
The Crown Prince turned to Quan Yu, who stood nearby, and said, “Quan Yu, send someone to bring Commandery Princess Gaoyi back.”
“Yes!” Quan Yu responded, stepped outside, and instructed the guards to retrieve Commandery Princess Gaoyi.
Standing at the doorway, Quan Yu peeked into the study, noticing that Elder Fang was discussing the candidate for the Minister of Rites with the Crown Prince. Elder Fang suggested placing their own person in this position.
The Crown Prince worried that if the Emperor discovered they place their own person, he would be displeased.
Elder Fang advised, “Your Highness, now that His Majesty has entrusted you with state affairs, it is a sign of trust and letting you handle matters freely. Don’t forget… His Majesty has other Princes besides you. Though they are not yet of age and currently not a threat. But if His Majesty waits until they come of age? Think about it… if another Prince harbors ambitions like King Xin or King Liang in the future, do you wish to face another upheaval like the Wude Gate incident?”
The Crown Prince’s scalp tingled at the memory of the Wude Gate incident, and he subconsciously shook his head.
“Moreover, the Empress’s position in the harem is vacant. His Majesty has allowed Consort Yu to manage the harem but hasn’t elevated her further, instead promoting Lady Qiu to Consort Qiu. To be bluntly honest… His Majesty’s affection for Consort Yu does not surpass his favor for Consort Qiu. And… Consort Qiu, being young and favored since entering the harem, who knows if she will bear a Prince in the future and bewitch His Majesty…”
The Crown Prince’s palms tightened.
“Therefore, it is crucial to place someone in the Ministry of Rites. In a few years… we could petition His Majesty to elevate Consort Yu to Empress, effectively preventing Lady Qiu from rising higher!” Elder Fang whispered. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
While the Crown Prince was still deep in thought, Quan Yu headed towards the front courtyard.
Quan Yu felt that Bai Jinzhi was straightforward and impulsive, with a fearless spirit. If she knew the matter involved the Crown Princess Consort’s brother, she might indeed petition the Crown Prince to punish him, seeking justice for the border soldiers.
If this disturbed the fetus in the Crown Princess Consort’s womb, the Crown Prince might hold Commandery Princess Gaoyi responsible.