“If Prince Hancheng wants troops, then we’ll send someone to lead troops there. If Prince Hancheng wants troops to rebel… perfect, our army will be there to clean up this mess on the spot!” As Bai Qingyan’s words fell, the smile in her eyes deepened even more. “But I’m betting… Prince Hancheng wants troops to protect the coastal people!”
This was still showing complete trust in Prince Hancheng. Grand Commandant Lu felt vaguely worried, but seeing Bai Qingyan so insistent, as the minister Bai Qingyan valued most, Grand Commandant Lu felt he couldn’t say anything more, only asking: “If that’s the case, who does Your Majesty plan to send to lead the troops?”
“I’ll go!” Bai Qingyu spoke up.
“A’Yu just returned and should spend more time with Great Aunt. Besides, A’Yu’s injuries were so severe and had just healed! I should go instead…” Bai Qingqi said steadily. “Moreover, A’Yu is the elder sister’s biological brother. Going there would inevitably give the impression of using status to suppress Prince Hancheng.”
“If Third Brother goes, wouldn’t that also be using status to suppress Prince Hancheng?” As soon as Bai Jinzhi said this, she realized she had blocked her path to volunteer for Great Liang. She pressed her lips together and cupped her hands toward Bai Qingyan: “Elder sister, why not… let General Cheng and the others go to atone for their crimes through merit?”
These words struck right at Bai Qingyan’s heart. Bai Qingyan had already been planning this…
After all, stripping Cheng Yuanzhi and the others of their official positions was just a minor punishment as a warning. These people still needed to be given opportunities for reuse, and this was an excellent opportunity.
However, neither Bai Qingyan, Bai Qingqi, nor Bai Qingyu had expected these words to come from Bai Jinzhi’s mouth.
“Little Four usually rushes wherever there’s a battle to fight? Today… she’s not competing or fighting for it?” Bai Qingqi couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“I’m not a fool!” Bai Jinzhi straightened her chest. “If that Prince Hancheng has no intention of rebelling, as elder sister says, going there would mean being at Prince Hancheng’s disposal. I’m a prince! A prince who was once surrendered by Prince Hancheng! Why should I be at his disposal? If that Prince Hancheng wants to rebel… our court will conscript troops, and that’s when I’ll go fight Prince Hancheng! I’ll beat him so badly his mother won’t recognize him, beat him until he calls me an ancestor!”
Looking at Bai Jinzhi, Grand Commandant Lu discovered that Bai Jinzhi wasn’t as the outside rumors claimed – brave but without strategy. She was quite clever, only… this constant talk of fighting and killing, mentioning mothers and ancestors, was too straightforward, exactly like the rough men in military camps.
He suddenly remembered hearing his son say that Bai Family’s Third Madam Li Shi seemed to be looking for a husband’s family for Bai Jinzhi. Grand Commandant Lu couldn’t help but feel sorry for Prince Gaoyi’s future in-laws. Having such a daughter-in-law would be like having another Lu Yuanpeng at home – never peaceful.
Bai Qingyan cleared her throat, signaling Bai Jinzhi to restrain herself in front of Grand Commandant Lu. Bai Jinzhi came to her senses and smiled foolishly at Grand Commandant Lu, cupping her hands: “Grand Commandant, I’ve stayed in military camps too long. It’s all General Cheng’s fault for turning me into this. Recently, my mother has been forcing me to change. Grand Commandant Lu, please don’t mind!”
“Not at all, not at all!” Grand Commandant Lu quickly cupped his hands toward Bai Jinzhi. “Prince Gaoyi speaks frankly and is an upright, forthright, and chivalrous young man. Everyone in the capital knows this. How could this old minister mind? If this old minister may speak presumptuously, Prince Gaoyi is about the same age as this old minister’s granddaughter. If my granddaughter at home could have half of Prince Gaoyi’s liveliness, the house wouldn’t be so quiet after Lu Yuanpeng left that which makes one’s heart panic!”
Grand Commandant Lu had followed Emperor Jin for a long time. His insincere yet seemingly extremely sincere flattering words were perfectly measured, making Bai Jinzhi even more delighted and proud after hearing them.
“Grand Commandant Lu is too kind! Grand Commandant Lu is the elder sister’s imperial teacher. In the future, if Lu Yuanpeng isn’t around… if Grand Commandant Lu finds the mansion too quiet, just have Fenglang send invitations to me and Cousin Zhenzhen!” Bai Jinzhi said with righteous laughter.
After returning from Nan Jiang, Bai Jinzhi had already become close friends with Lu Fenglang and Dong Tingzhen.
Grand Commandant Lu repeatedly voiced his agreement and thanks.
“Then it’s settled. Tomorrow morning at court, Grand Commandant Lu will be the villain, leading the opposition to sending troops, directly pointing out Prince Hancheng’s ulterior motives!” Seeing Grand Commandant Lu nod in agreement, Bai Qingyan turned to look at Bai Qingqi. “The matter of sending Cheng Yuanzhi and others to atone for crimes through merit will be proposed by A’Qi!”
Speaking thus, Bai Qingyan’s gaze fell on Bai Jinzhi: “Although the idea was Little Four’s, Little Four usually isn’t very reliable. If she says it, the court ministers might not be convinced!”
“I’ll listen to my elder sister!” Bai Jinzhi’s eyes and brows were full of sweet smiles.
After leaving Bai Qingyan’s place, Bai Jinzhi caught up with Grand Commandant Lu, who was about to leave, asking about Lu Yuanpeng’s injuries. She then took out a bottle from her pocket with medicine for Lu Yuanpeng: “This is medicine Physician Hong prepared. Based on my experience of being beaten with military rods, the medicine sent last time should have run out in two days. Since I happened to meet Grand Commandant Lu, I’ll give this medicine to Grand Commandant Lu to take back. I still need to go deliver medicine to General Cheng, General Shen, and Sima Ping!”
“Thank you for Prince Gaoyi’s thoughtfulness!” Grand Commandant Lu quickly bowed.
“Grand Commandant Lu, no need to be polite!” After Bai Jinzhi returned the courtesy to Grand Commandant Lu, she bid farewell and went to chase after her Third Brother and Fifth Brother.
Grand Commandant Lu looked at the golden wound medicine bottle in his hand, watching Bai Jinzhi catch up with Bai Qingqi and Bai Qingyu. His eyes and brows were full of smiles. These royal family members who ruled the Bai Family were the least royal-like royalty, yet somehow they warmed the hearts of ministers like them.
The Bai Family knew how to raise children!
After Bai Qingyu and Bai Qingqi left, Bai Qingyan wrote a secret letter, attached a token, and called out: “Xingchen…”
Xingchen appeared in the great hall: “Master!”
“Have someone deliver this letter and token to Prince Hancheng’s hands. It should arrive before the army reaches the coast. After delivery, leave immediately without staying long or saying anything!” Bai Qingyan pointed to the wrapped token and letter on the table.
“Yes!”
Xingchen stepped forward to take the token and letter. Just as he was about to leave, he heard Bai Qingyan say, “After completing this task, go back and rest for a few days. You’ve worked hard since returning from Nan Jiang. There will be many places to use you in the future. Heal your injuries before coming back to duty – it won’t delay anything.”
Xingchen was startled and instinctively looked toward his chest, not knowing how Bai Qingyan knew about his injury. Could it be that the medicinal smell had leaked out?
Seeing Xingchen hadn’t moved, she dipped her brush in ink: “Go!”
“Yes!”
In Bai Qingyan’s letter to Prince Hancheng, she explained the resistance he would face in court for requesting troops, but troops would still be sent to Prince Hancheng. However, the rhetoric needed to change – they would say sending someone to lead troops was to test Prince Hancheng’s true intentions. If Prince Hancheng wanted to rebel, they would eliminate him; if he truly wanted to protect the coastal people, they would follow his command.