The Grand Princess and Bai Qingyan curtsied and were about to bid farewell to the Emperor when they heard Tong Ji crying: “Everyone in the capital knows about this – isn’t it because your Bai family made such a commotion?! If the fourth miss of the Bai family hadn’t read the letter publicly and invited the people to witness for the Bai family, how would the people have gathered outside Wude Gate…”

Hearing these words, the anger she had suppressed for several hours could no longer be contained: “According to your words, when Prince Liang wanted to splash dirty water on my Bai family’s heroic spirits who died for Jin, our Bai family should have respectfully accepted this basin of dirty water?! When Prince Liang wanted to use my grandfather’s name to force me into marriage, when my fourth sister obtained the letter… should she have joyfully placed it in my grandfather’s study herself?!”

Tong Ji’s words stuck in his throat, unable to come out, his face turning an ugly shade from holding his breath.

“If my fourth sister hadn’t opened the letter publicly, we probably wouldn’t have drawn out Prince Liang’s letter… nor would we have seen that Prince Liang, who is the same age as me, is so decisive in killing and so bold in strategy! Even more, we wouldn’t have known… that Prince Liang’s acting skills are so exquisite and outstanding! Bai Qingyan humbly admits defeat!” She laughed coldly.

She had seen shameless people before, but indeed had never seen someone so shamelessly righteous.

Prince Liang’s hands at his sides tightened, still maintaining that stupid and cowardly appearance: “Father Emperor! Your son is wronged!”

The Emperor looked at Prince Liang, remembering the overwhelming malevolent aura around Prince Liang when he had scolded Tong Ji to shut up earlier, then recalled the dream of the white tiger killing him. Prince Liang was the same age as Bai Qingyan! Born in the year of the tiger!

Finally, the Emperor’s gaze fell upon Gao Sheng, his fingers unconsciously tightening.

Compared to Bai Qingyan, a mere woman, his son Prince Liang… was more likely to covet the imperial throne.

“These past years, you’ve been sheltered by Prince Liang in his mansion?” The Emperor leaned against his cushion, calmly inquiring of Gao Sheng.

“Yes!” Gao Sheng replied, “But Prince Liang doesn’t know my identity.”

“Then today, why did you admit your identity?”

“Prince Liang showed great kindness by taking me in years ago. Gao Sheng cannot repay kindness with enmity.” Gao Sheng was very frank.

Xiao Ruohai hadn’t expected Gao Sheng to have this background. He could only secretly regret in his heart that he couldn’t recruit this person for the eldest miss. If this person could protect the eldest miss, the upcoming journey to Nan Jiang… the miss’s safety would have an additional layer of protection.

Lu Jin looked at Tian Weijun, who was kneeling beside Gao Sheng and seemed lost in thought, and asked: “What do you have to say?”

Tian Weijun looked at Prince Liang, who was crying so hard his whole body was shaking, closed his eyes and said: “Nothing…”

“Father Emperor, Father Emperor, you must believe your son!” Prince Liang continued crying bitterly.

“Lu Jin, this Gao Sheng… and that guard, and the attendant beside Prince Liang, hand them all over to you for interrogation! No matter what methods you use… You must extract something from them!” The Emperor raised his eyes, his gloomy gaze turning toward Prince Liang: “Prince Liang will be confined in the Court of Judicial Review first! After interrogating these three people, he will be sentenced according to the law!”

Prince Liang’s pupils trembled, his whole body tense. “No matter what methods… that meant any torture was permissible!

“Father Emperor! Father Emperor! Your son’s injuries haven’t healed yet. I beg Father Emperor to let Tong Ji stay with your son! Whether Father Emperor wants to confine me or whatever else, at least leave someone by your son’s side to serve him!” Prince Liang’s composure completely collapsed as he banged his head on the ground, kowtowing heavily to plead.

“Your Highness!” Tong Ji’s tears fell as he also looked to the Emperor pleadingly: “I beg Your Majesty to let this slave serve His Highness! Otherwise… sending someone to serve His Highness would also be good!”

“Take them away now!” The Emperor shouted through gritted teeth.

Guards came from outside the hall and, following orders, escorted Gao Sheng and Tian Weijun out, dragging away Tong Ji, who was crawling on his knees toward Prince Liang.

“Your Highness! Your Highness, when Tong Ji isn’t there, you must take your medicine on time! Take good care of your health!” Tong Ji shouted.

Prince Liang heard the fear and crying in Tong Ji’s voice… yet he still remembered to remind him to take medicine. Not daring to turn back, he only forcefully knocked his head on the stone floor: “Father Emperor! Tong Ji has been weak since childhood, like your son, and probably can’t endure severe punishment! I beg Father Emperor to spare Tong Ji!”

“To prove your innocence… those three people must be tortured! They’re just slaves – why do you need to plead for them?” The Emperor looked down at Prince Liang, who kept kowtowing. The little bit of blood kinship in his heart dissipated as that dream kept replaying.

Prince Liang’s hands, supporting his body, tightened with force, veins bulging on the backs of his hands. On the polished stone floor that could reflect one’s image, Prince Liang’s reflection showed him clenching his teeth with overwhelming hatred and sinister malice.

“Take him away!” The Emperor commanded with full vigor.

Gao Demao waved his whisk, and the guards immediately escorted Prince Liang away. Lu Jin also bowed and left the hall to return to the Court of Judicial Review to conduct the interrogation.

Prince Liang, who had been shouting about his innocence, was dragged out of the hall by the guards. His expression immediately darkened, his blood-red eyes gloomy and terrifying.

The Emperor looked toward the Grand Princess and Bai Qingyan, and after a long while, sighed deeply: “My son is disappointing and has troubled aunt!”

The Grand Princess shook her head: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for upholding justice for the Bai family. Since the matter is concluded, this old woman will take her granddaughter and leave the palace.”

“Aunt may go first. I have a few words to say to Miss Bai. Please wait outside the hall, Aunt.” The Emperor said.

The Grand Princess was silent for a moment before bowing and turning to leave. Xiao Ruohai quickly stepped forward to support the Grand Princess.

After the Grand Princess left, Bai Qingyan stepped forward and knelt properly in the center of the hall, lowering her eyes in an attitude of listening to instruction.

“The Grand Princess will go to the imperial nunnery for spiritual cultivation. After you escort the Grand Princess there, you will set out for Nan Jiang with Prince Qi…” The Emperor rubbed his jade thumb ring with his fingers: “The peace envoys have already departed, and the three nations are sitting down to discuss peace terms. During this time, there probably won’t be any warfare temporarily! On the road to Nan Jiang, think carefully – this battle can only be won, not lost! If you lose… You don’t need to return! Do you understand my meaning?”

“Your Majesty, if this subject’s daughter wins, I wish to request a favor from Your Majesty.” She respectfully kowtowed.

The Emperor narrowed his eyes: “Speak…”

“If victorious, please have Your Majesty confer upon my second sister, Qin Lang’s wife, Bai Jinxiu, the title of First Rank Imperial Consort! All the Bai family widows will return to Shuoyang, but my second sister has married Qin Lang, and with such great trouble at Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion, my second aunt finds it difficult to let go of my gentle-natured second sister. Therefore… Bai Qingyan boldly requests that Your Majesty, remembering the Bai family’s loyalty and courage, grant my second sister this dignity.”

The Emperor looked at the woman kneeling in the center of the hall, her eyes calm and peaceful, as if victory was already in her grasp. His lips moved slightly, and he nodded: “Granted!”

After kowtowing to express gratitude, she said to the Emperor again: “After victory in Nan Jiang, Bai Qingyan will return to Shuoyang. Today I offer counsel… for the long term, Your Majesty should greatly promote talented new generals.”

The Emperor’s slightly clouded eyes became momentarily confused, as if seeing Bai Weiting’s appearance when he offered counsel.

The Bai family truly passes down loyalty and righteousness through generations!

The Emperor unconsciously recalled that year beneath the palace walls when he had sworn to Bai Weiting that he would never doubt him in this lifetime. His heart couldn’t help but feel bitter. He waved his hand to signal Bai Qingyan to leave, and his murderous intent toward Bai Qingyan finally diminished.