“Yes!” The messenger withdrew from the tent to relay the order.

Soon, a small eunuch with red lips, white teeth, and delicate features walked in. Behind the small eunuch followed someone wrapped tightly in a black cloak, only identifiable by gait and build as approximately a middle-aged man.

Bai Qingyan looked at the somewhat arrogant eunuch, her expression carrying a faint smile as she sat steadily. She had thought the Emperor would send his old eunuch Gao Demao.

“Princess Zhenguo, this servant comes on His Majesty’s orders to deliver an invitation to Princess Zhenguo. The Grand Princess will host a banquet in Luohong City tonight, inviting Princess Zhenguo…” The small eunuch stepped forward to place the letter on Bai Qingyan’s table, then retreated with a beaming smile, showing no fear as he looked directly at Bai Qingyan: “His Majesty truly never expected that Princess Zhenguo, who had always been utterly loyal to His Highness the Crown Prince, would betray His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince! His Majesty is deeply disappointed now, but… considering Princess Zhenguo’s merit in once saving His Highness the Crown Prince, if Princess Zhenguo is willing to surrender and admit fault now, His Majesty’s magnanimity will surely show mercy to Princess Zhenguo for the sake of the Crown Prince and Grand Princess’s bond.”

“What did the Jin Emperor eat to give him such nerve…” Lin Kangle showed no fear, his voice cold and hard: “Already trapped like a cornered beast, yet still dares speak so arrogantly to our Majesty.”

“Though Princess Zhenguo declared herself emperor in the capital, it lacks proper legitimacy after all. How many people in the world would truly accept it?” The small eunuch smiled at Bai Qingyan: “His Majesty also said that after ascending the Nine-Tiered Platform, he will abdicate, passing the throne to the Crown Prince. If Princess Zhenguo still remembers the Grand Princess and retains even a trace of loyalty to His Highness the Crown Prince, it would be better to surrender.”

As soon as the small eunuch finished speaking, the man also removed his cloak hood. Unexpectedly, it was Shen Tianzhi, whom Bai Qingyan had appointed as Yanwo’s prefect.

Shen Tianzhi stood behind the eunuch and bowed to Bai Qingyan: “This official comes on the Grand Princess’s orders to invite Princess Zhenguo…”

“Lord Shen can be considered an old acquaintance. Why come on orders… making it so mysterious? Those who don’t know might think the Emperor came himself.” Bai Qingyan’s clear eyes held an extremely faint smile.

Currently, this humble person is leading troops to resist enemy forces, yet all three sons serve under Princess Zhenguo’s command. If this humble person came openly to the enemy camp… and soldiers saw it, it might shake military morale. Hence the secrecy. Please forgive me, Princess Zhenguo.” Shen Tianzhi bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan.

Lin Kangle’s bull-like eyes glared at Shen Tianzhi, sneering coldly: “Lord Shen fears disturbing military morale. If I chopped off Lord Shen’s head and hung it on a flagpole… wouldn’t that better disturb your military morale!”

“If the General did so, it would be excellent!” Shen Tianzhi showed no anger, smiling as he spoke to Lin Kangle: “Thus, it would prove this official’s innocence—that I indeed did not betray His Majesty and the Crown Prince because all three sons are loyal to Princess Zhenguo. It would show this official worthy of His Majesty and the Crown Prince’s trust.”

Bai Qingyan’s clear eyes looked at Shen Tianzhi. She understood… Shen Tianzhi was specially sent by the Emperor. Because Shen Tianzhi’s three sons all served under Bai Qingyan, the Emperor suspected Shen Tianzhi.

After reading Grandmother’s letter, she placed it on the table with one hand, tapping her fingers intermittently as she smiled: “Grandmother has already sent a personal letter. Why send Lord Shen as well?”

In the letter… Grandmother said if Bai Qingyan was willing to surrender, she and the Crown Prince would persuade the Emperor to let Bai Qingyan become regent assisting the Crown Prince, inviting Bai Qingyan into the city for detailed discussion.

“The Grand Princess and His Majesty feared Princess Zhenguo might still hesitate after reading the letter. After all, with armies at war, inviting Princess Zhenguo into the city might cause excessive worry. This official happened to be a former Shouyang prefect and can be considered Princess Zhenguo’s acquaintance, able to persuade Princess Zhenguo!”

Bai Qingyan’s fingers tapping the letter paused as she looked up at Shen Tianzhi, seeing him nod slightly at her.

Shen Tianzhi’s words carried hidden meaning.

“The Grand Princess and His Majesty feared Princess Zhenguo might still hesitate after reading the letter…”

“Inviting Princess Zhenguo into the city for a gathering”? Who was invited?

Shen Tianzhi was telling her that entering the city for a gathering… was a trap.

“Understood. Please trouble Lord Shen to return and tell Grandmother that tonight… I will come.” Bai Qingyan said.

Bai Jinxiu’s palms tightened as she looked up at Bai Qingyan. Even Bai Jinxiu knew this was a trap—why did Eldest Sister agree?

“In that case, this official can rest assured!” Shen Tianzhi bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan, then put on his hood and departed with the eunuch sent by Prince Liang.

“Your Majesty! You cannot go!” Lin Kangle said.

Bai Jinxiu also nodded: “Eldest Sister, this is a trap!”

Bai Qingyan looked down at Grandmother’s letter. She was certain this was indeed Grandmother’s handwriting, and Grandmother… should know Shen Tianzhi was her person.

So Grandmother arranged for Prince Liang to send Shen Tianzhi.

For Grandmother to act thus at this time, she must have received news of her declaring herself emperor. Wanting to make one last attempt for Jin’s imperial family, yet unable to abandon grandmother-granddaughter affection, she had Shen Tianzhi come see Bai Qingyan. Regardless of whether anyone followed Shen Tianzhi… as long as they met, there would be an opportunity to communicate and let her know tonight was a trap.

If Bai Qingyan chose to value familial bonds and surrender, submitting to Lin’s imperial authority, she would enter the city to discuss with the Grand Princess, who would surely guarantee Bai Qingyan’s position as a powerful minister.

If Bai Qingyan truly wanted the emperor’s throne, her grandmother, the Grand Princess, would inevitably be used by the Jin Emperor to threaten Bai Qingyan. She hoped that when that time came… Bai Qingyan wouldn’t be soft-hearted.

To become the Great Zhou’s Empress, one must learn to weigh interests against family affection. Now that her grandmother stood on the opposing side, she was an enemy, not family.

Imperial power struggles… left no room for family sentiment. Imperial authority had always been bloody, and thrones… were built on countless soldiers’ bones. The red carpet on the path to imperial power was dyed red with the blood of countless enemies and friends.

This… was the principle the Grand Princess wanted Bai Qingyan to understand.

Having lived to the Grand Princess’s age, she no longer feared life or death.

She only hoped her death would serve either the Jin she was entrusted to guard by her father emperor… or contribute something to her granddaughter’s path to imperial power.

“I must give Grandmother an answer. I still need to go!” Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jinxiu and Lin Kangle, who were about to persuade her again: “You needn’t worry too much. That Lord Shen… is one of our own! He came to tell me tonight is a trap, and I’ve already told him I’ll go tonight. He’ll surely be prepared.”