Chapter 95
“Defend Jin Kingdom’s peaceful rivers and seas. Protect the prosperity and peace of the people!” The Eldest Princess gently murmured these words, clenching her fingertips tightly. “You are truly like your grandfather…”
Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes to the long road ahead, feeling melancholy.
No, she was not like her grandfather.
Her grandfather was a true gentleman; she was not.
After being reborn, she did not know when she had also become someone who spoke of benevolence and righteousness but calculated personal gains at heart.
Going to the Southern Border, she was not entirely driven by a heart for the nation and its people. She did indeed pity the people of the border, but mainly, she wanted to find her possibly surviving brother and reintegrate the Bai family’s dissipating military power.
…
Bai Qingyan, who had once rarely been part of the military, understood too well what military power meant.
Her grandfather once held the military power of Jin Kingdom but bowed to the current emperor’s commands.
Others said her grandfather was either pedantic or loyally foolish. But she knew deeply that this was the most precious gentleman’s spirit of this era.
But she was not a gentleman.
In chaotic times, the strong ruled.
Be it despicable or hypocritical, even if using underhanded means…protecting the Bai family’s safety, ensuring the people’s peace, allowing the capable to sit on Jin Kingdom’s throne, for this she would be a villain.
After a moment, the Eldest Princess’s voice trembled as she asked, “Did your grandfather truly say the emperor harbored a grand ambition?”
She coldly laughed and countered, “Does Grandmother think the current emperor…seems like it?”
It was merely an overzealous expression earlier; using a part of her grandfather’s words to make the emperor feel guilty on purpose.
If the emperor had any sense of shame, he should reflect on whether he was worthy of the words “grand ambition.”
The Eldest Princess closed her eyes, feeling relieved for…her granddaughter.
Surpassing her master, her granddaughter, whom she had personally raised, was more formidable, adept at observing the situation, adapting to it, weaving truths and lies. She had done excellently, truly excellently!
She clasped her granddaughter’s hand tightly, her lips smiling but her eyes filled with melancholy sadness. “Kid has grown up, even better than Grandmother expected. Now…Grandmother can rest assured to retreat to the monastery, mourning for your grandfather…for the heroic spirits of the Bai family.” Hoping to offset some of the guilt she felt towards her husband, son, and grandson.
As the Eldest Princess of Jin, she had fulfilled her responsibilities…
But as a wife, mother, and grandmother, she always held back a little.
Perhaps only for Su Qiu and Kid, because they were women. Hence, the Eldest Princess had never thought women could threaten the Lin family’s dynasty, and so all her love was poured into her daughter and this granddaughter.
Perhaps fate played a trick too, as Su Qiu’s death led Bai Weiting to decide to take his granddaughter to the battlefield, unexpectedly giving his beloved granddaughter the means to contend with the royal court.
She did not shy away from warfare, sacrificing filial piety for loyalty.
The Eldest Princess thought of the grand and dignified words her granddaughter had spoken earlier in the hall. She vaguely guessed why her granddaughter wanted to go to the Southern Border; it was because the military was the Bai family’s foundation.
She now quietly prayed in her heart that her granddaughter only sought the courage to keep the emperor from daring to touch the Bai family, rather than…the power to overthrow the Lin family’s dynasty.
Leaving Wude Gate, the Bai family’s servant already awaited them with a carriage at the gate.
Bai Qingyan thanked the commoners who had come with them, informing them of the emperor’s promise to bring justice to the Bai family. Cheers erupted outside Wude Gate.
“Thank you all. Your great kindness will forever be remembered!” She once again solemnly bowed to the commoners who had wanted to take her punishment.
Just as Bai Qingyan helped the Eldest Princess onto the carriage, she saw Qin Shangzhi, standing at the back of the crowd with his bundle, bow respectfully from afar, then turned and left.
“Eldest Young Lady, what are you looking at?” Bai Jintong supported Bai Qingyan as she followed her line of sight, feeling quite puzzled.
“Nothing.” Bai Qingyan said, bending to enter the carriage.
At the gate of the Duke of Zhen’s residence, Chen Qingsheng prepared the stool but was immediately pushed aside by Nanny Tong before he could talk to Bai Qingyan.
She glanced back at Chen Qingsheng, who nodded understandingly.
Entering the main gate of the Duke’s residence, she let go of Nanny Tong’s hand and said, “Nanny, help me prepare mourning clothes. I need to go see Ji Tingyu…”
Nanny Tong noticed the bloodstains on Bai Qingyan’s mourning clothes and her eyes quickly reddened. She nodded, “Yes! I will prepare it right away!”
Once Nanny Tong had walked away, Chen Qingsheng hurried forward, pulling out a warm booklet from his chest and handing it to Bai Qingyan. “Miss, here is the list of those responsible for the supplies sent to the Southern Border two months ago, prepared by the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage!”
She pressed her lips together, took the list, and opened it…
Besides the list of people and their positions, there were notes in unfamiliar handwriting next to some names, describing their life and personality. The ink looked fresh.
“What is this?”
“This was added by Mr. Qin, who is staying in our house. He thought it might be of use to you.” Chen Qingsheng admitted with some shame, “I was investigating the personnel handling the supplies and somehow Mr. Qin found out and called me over to complete this list. Without his help, I could not have obtained it so quickly! I have thoroughly checked the people on the list, and indeed, there are no issues. Just now, Mr. Qin sent someone to call me over to add this information about their life and personality.”
Qin Shangzhi, being able to attempt an assassination on King Liang, must have been closely monitoring his movements. With King Liang and the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage being connected, Qin Shangzhi would certainly investigate deeply. Considering Qin Shangzhi’s capabilities, this list was undoubtedly genuine.
The Duke of Zhen’s residence had a life-saving grace on him, and Qin Shangzhi, being a gentleman, had stayed not only to heal but also to repay the Duke of Zhen’s residence.
Now knowing that she needed this list, Qin Shangzhi had helped, feeling repaid and thus left at ease.
Yet it was Lu Ping who saved Qin Shangzhi. She merely offered Qin Shangzhi a place to stay.
She closed the list, feeling grateful and contemplated for a moment before instructing, “Prepare a hundred taels of travel expenses and a steed. We’ll leave the city for a while.”
“Yes, I will prepare it immediately!”
·
With injuries on his body, Qin Shangzhi walked slowly. Just as he reached Zheliu Pavilion, a mile away from the city gate, he heard Chen Qingsheng calling him.
“Mr. Qin, please wait! Mr. Qin, please wait!”
Qin Shangzhi turned back, only to see Chen Qingsheng on horseback reining in the horse, jumping off respectfully, and bowing. “Mr. Qin, please wait! My lady is coming to see you off.”
Qin Shangzhi tightened his grip on his bundle, looking toward the city gate.
He saw a simple carriage of the Duke of Zhen’s residence speeding towards him, stopping gently in front of him. Qin Shangzhi straightened his back.
The one driving the carriage was Xiao Ruohai, Bai Qingyan’s foster brother. He leaped off the carriage and respectfully saluted. Just then, Chun Tao lifted the carriage curtain, supporting Bai Qingyan as she stepped down.