Bai Qingyan stared intently at Second Miss Qin, who was crying and wailing but had her ears perked up, and said with a half-smile in an unhurried manner, “Did you hear that? First Miss Qin said someone instigated Second Miss Qin… I’m entrusting this Second Miss Qin to you. You must find out who was behind instigating Second Miss Qin to obstruct the new law, and handle it according to the law!”

This Lu Jin was the Minister of Justice, and when he was still Dali Temple Minister, his methods of interrogating criminals were varied and made people unable to live or die as they wished. How could she endure such suffering? Better to kill her now!

Second Miss Qin was so frightened that tears hung on her eyelashes. She held her breath, not daring to cry out loud. Just as she was hesitating whether to beg for mercy, her lowered gaze unconsciously searched for someone. Not knowing who she saw… her gaze fixed, and she looked up with a pleading expression.

Bai Jinzhi had already gripped the whip at her waist. Seeing Second Miss Qin’s gaze looking at a man dressed as a young servant, she drew her whip and lashed toward that man.

That man’s reaction speed was extremely fast. Almost at the instant the whip’s whooshing sound rang out, he leaped to dodge Bai Jinzhi’s whip. Hidden weapons shot from his sleeves, rushing toward Bai Qingyan.

“Protect His Majesty!” Lu Ping sacrificed himself, rushing toward Bai Qingyan. Shi Yueshi had already drawn his sword and charged toward Bai Qingyan.

Lu Ping drew his blade to block the hidden weapon. The poisoned spike pierced through Lu Ping’s blade and stuck there, only half an inch from Lu Ping’s eyes, gleaming ominously.

Fu Ruoxi, Xie Yuchang, and Yang Wuce were also the first to guard in front of the pavilion where Bai Qingyan was.

“A’Bao!” Dong Shi was startled and stood up, her face pale. She hurriedly and frantically protected the pregnant Bai Qingyan, then looked toward the Dong family’s pavilion. Seeing Old Madam Dong being supported by her sister-in-law, younger sister-in-law, and elder brother, with Dong Changsheng, Dong Changyuan, and Dong Changqing also hurriedly protecting their sister and elders, only then did she feel at ease.

The Imperial Guards all drew their swords, guarding the pavilion with the Bai family madams and the pavilions of various important ministers’ families, preventing any contingencies.

“I’m fine, Mother!” Bai Qingyan’s eyes were cold and clear. Instead, she gripped Dong Shi’s hand and protected Dong Shi behind her, her voice calm and composed, “Capture him!”

Following Bai Qingyan’s command, the Imperial Guards and Bai family guards moved out, surrounding and attacking that one person – an easy task.

That this person would cause trouble today was already expected. Bai Qingyan had long ago notified Bai Jinzhi and several military generals to wait early for that escaped member of the former Jin Dynasty’s royal shadow guards… Sun Wenyao’s squad leader, to jump out.

This person had probably instigated Second Miss Qin to cause trouble in front of Bai Qingyan’s pavilion so he could find an opportunity to strike at Bai Qingyan in the chaos. But he hadn’t expected Fifth Madam to stand up and walk to the front of Bai Qingyan’s table, fanning herself and pacing back and forth. Only then did he dare not act rashly, after all, he was alone and outnumbered. If one strike failed, there would be no more opportunity to act…

And Bai Jinzhi, Fu Ruoxi, Xie Yuchang, Yang Wuce, and Lu Ping had already begun to be on guard when they saw Second Miss Qin approach.

Who would have thought this former dynasty royal shadow guard would truly be willing to die, actually daring to strike in a heavily guarded place?

Bai Qingyan’s eyes were cold and clear. Watching that former dynasty royal shadow guard surrounded like a cornered beast but still struggling desperately, it was only a matter of breaths before the former dynasty shadow guard finally fell. Just as Yang Wuce subdued the shadow guard, they saw the shadow guard spit fresh blood and fall straight to the ground.

“Your Majesty! This villain must have bitten through deadly poison hidden in his mouth!” Xie Yuchang turned his head and shouted to Bai Qingyan.

Wei Zhong had mentioned this to Bai Qingyan, saying… Sun Wenyao probably didn’t have poison that could be hidden in the mouth and take immediate effect because he had been hiding in the shadows and never returned to the royal shadow guards to receive missions…

And Sun Wenyao, seeing that the Jin state was finished, wanted to fight for a way out for his brothers, so when his identity was recognized that day, he didn’t kill himself but wanted to first try to persuade those shadow guards.

Second Miss Qin saw that the gentleman who had been giving her advice was dead and collapsed to the ground, her face deathly pale.

“Was this person… brought in by Second Miss Qin?” Bai Qingyan’s gaze returned to Second Miss Qin.

“Second Miss Qin has quite the ambition – not only obstructing the new law but also wanting to assassinate His Majesty!” Bai Jinzhi gripped her whip in her hand, not even bothering to use her whip on this Second Miss Qin. She leisurely coiled up the whip and hung it at her waist, calling out loudly, “Someone come, arrest Miss Qin and interrogate her thoroughly to see if there are any other accomplices in assassinating His Majesty!”

First Miss Qin’s head was buzzing. Assassinating the emperor… this was a capital crime that would implicate nine generations of the clan. She cried and crawled forward using both hands and feet, kowtowing forcefully, “Your Majesty! Your Majesty, I know nothing! This was all done by Second Sister herself and has nothing to do with me. I beg Your Majesty to spare me for the Auxiliary Duchess’s sake! I truly know nothing!”

Bai Qingyan turned to look at Lu Jin, “Minister Lu, I’ll leave this to you. Take them away and don’t let them affect this kite competition…”

“Your Majesty, with this assassination incident occurring, and with you carrying a child, you should return to the palace first!” Lu Jin hurriedly advised.

“It’s fine, Minister Lu needn’t be overly cautious! Since we agreed to enjoy festivities with the people, there’s no reason to be spoiled by one or two petty villains! Moreover… I have a clear conscience, and with everyone here protecting me, my child and I naturally fear nothing!” Bai Qingyan smiled.

All the people of the capital were watching. If the event were hastily interrupted because of this incident, it would instead cause people to speculate wildly. Moreover, Lu Ping had only let one person escape when arresting people that day, and now that one had been caught and died… With the Imperial Guards strengthening their vigilance, even if others had any ulterior motives, it would serve as a deterrent, making them not dare to act rashly…

This was the safest time – she knew this in her heart.

“Your Majesty, rest assured!” Lu Jin waved his hand, signaling to drag away the two Qin family daughters.

Soon, the wailing First Miss Qin and the ashen-faced Second Miss Qin were dragged away. Liu Rushi also judged the top three winners of this kite competition.

The top three were actually all women who had remarried according to the new law. This wasn’t entirely unexpected – these women who worked daily had better physical strength and endurance than the daughters of noble families. They had gained the advantage early when releasing their kites through physical strength, and naturally could maintain a steady lead afterward.

But the daughters of noble families didn’t aim entirely at winning first place. The rewards were precious to them but not something they desperately lacked, while for ordinary women, these could be considered a fortune.

Bai Qingyan personally gave the top three their prizes, instructing them to live good lives when they returned home. She also rewarded everyone who participated with some delicate trinkets – jewelry that girls and madams liked, with extremely exquisite and rare craftsmanship that was not ordinary items.