She reached out to take the cloak from Nanny Tong’s hands, saying: “To the prison of the Court of Judicial Review, to see that Marquis Zhongyong Qin Dezhao. You all keep watch over the mourning hall properly.”
Seeing Bai Qingyan about to leave with Nanny Tong’s support, Bai Jinzhi felt uneasy and chased after them for two steps: “Then let me accompany Elder Sister!”
Looking at Bai Jinzhi’s anxious expression, her heart softened: “Separated by prison bars, what could he possibly do to me? Moreover… my two milk brothers are following, and both of them have excellent martial arts skills!”
“Then… then let me see Elder Sister off.” Bai Jinzhi linked arms with Bai Qingyan.
She didn’t stop Bai Jinzhi, letting Bai Jinzhi fuss over her the whole way. When they were almost at the side gate, she finally said: “The imperial edict posthumously granting Grandfather the title of Prince Zhenguo has just been issued. I imagine nobles and relatives from the capital will all come to pay their respects soon. If both you and I are absent, it would be too conspicuous. When your eldest aunt asks about it, your second and third sisters won’t be able to cover for us well.”
Bai Jinzhi opened her mouth, but ultimately nodded reluctantly.
Watching Bai Qingyan board the carriage with Nanny Tong’s support, Bai Jinzhi clasped her fists and bowed to the Xiao brothers: “Please take good care of Elder Sister.”
Xiao Ruojiang and Xiao Ruohai clasped their fists and bowed deeply to Bai Jinzhi: “Fourth Miss, rest assured.”
Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Bai Jinzhi lowered her eyes in contemplation. With the Bai family suddenly struck by a great disaster, it was difficult for the eldest aunt and Elder Sister to support the Bai family.
Now that Elder Sister had reached an agreement with the Emperor to go to Nan Jiang, she should also go to Nan Jiang with Elder Sister, so she could at least protect Elder Sister’s safety.
Bai Jinzhi instinctively reached back toward her waist, only then remembering that her whip had been confiscated by Elder Sister.
She pressed her lips tightly together. She had used the whip back then because she was afraid of killing people in the capital, but if she were going to Nan Jiang… a red-tasseled spear would be more useful!
·
In the spacious study, the Emperor reclined against a tasseled round pillow embroidered with golden dragons in golden thread, dismissing everyone except Prince Qi.
The Emperor held a cup of hot tea in his hands, lowering his eyes to press down the floating tea leaves with the cup lid, speaking unhurriedly: “Be more cautious this time, don’t be as presumptuous as Prince Xin! But… after all, Bai Qingyan is merely a woman. Any battle strategy she proposes, you must discuss with all the generals. Only when all the generals think it’s feasible should you give the order!”
Prince Qi’s heart beat rapidly. He knew his father was paving the way for him and was naturally overjoyed: “Father, rest assured. Your son knows he has no experience in battlefield warfare, and will certainly listen more to Miss Bai and all the generals’ opinions, absolutely never being greedy for merit or reckless!”
The Emperor’s gloomy gaze lifted, looking at his eldest son whose expression was solemn and showed no sign of elation. His motion of pressing tea leaves with the cup lid paused as he said: “Once the Nan Jiang war is concluded, regardless of victory or defeat, Bai Qingyan need not return with you…”
Originally, the Emperor had indeed intended to spare Bai Qingyan’s life, considering her resemblance to Bai Suqiu. But last night he had a dream in which a three-eyed white tiger that spoke human language devoured him and then slept on his dragon bed.
He woke up startled, remembering that the three-eyed white tiger’s gaze was identical to Bai Qingyan’s. Thinking of how Bai Qingyan’s surname was Bai and she was born in the year of the tiger, he immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
Prince Qi was slightly stunned, looking up toward the Emperor: “Father?!”
“What I said is exactly what you think I mean.” The Emperor placed the lid back on his teacup.
Prince Qi very perceptively stepped forward to take the teacup from the Emperor’s hand, placing it on the table. Feeling somewhat reluctant in his heart, he said in a low voice: “Father, but if Miss Bai can achieve victory, that would be a great merit. Moreover, this Miss Bai doesn’t covet glory. Your son believes… why not spare her life?”
“Your compassionate heart is good.” The Emperor turned his head to gaze at his eldest son standing properly beside him, his tone low: “But this Bai Qingyan cannot be kept. In her heart and eyes… there’s too little reverence for the imperial family. If she loses, dying to atone would be me being lenient. If she wins, such a person, should she develop rebellious thoughts in the future, would become a serious threat! For long-term planning… we should prepare for rainy days.”
Prince Qi thought of the resolute woman who had held the military records and sworn an oath before the Duke’s spirit. He gritted his teeth and knelt before the Emperor, saying again: “But Father, the Bai family has been loyal for generations. Miss Bai, this time, is even more demonstrating filial mourning while joining the army; her loyal and righteous heart can be witnessed by heaven and earth! Your son wishes to plead for Miss Bai! Please spare her life, Father…”
The Emperor looked at Prince Qi, kowtowing and pleading, feeling both annoyed and somewhat gratified. He was gratified that this child was different from Prince Xin… he retained some compassion in his heart, able to plead for Bai Qingyan. In the future, he would surely be able to tolerate Prince Xin and his lineage, having a way to survive.
“Stand up!” The Emperor’s voice was stern. “This matter need not be discussed further!”
“Father! If Miss Bai truly wins, she would be a rare excellent general. Keeping Miss Bai would benefit Great Jin with no harm! Your son knows of Father’s suspicions about Miss Bai. Your son has a strategy… that might achieve the best of both worlds!” Prince Qi raised his head, speaking solemnly: “Why not have Miss Bai marry into our imperial family? A married woman follows her husband. Thus… Miss Bai would be a person of the imperial court. How could she develop anti-imperial thoughts?”
The Emperor’s eyebrow twitched. After thinking carefully for a moment, his gaze fell on his eldest son, Prince Qi, again. He narrowed his eyes and asked: “Are you suggesting this because you’ve seen Bai Qingyan’s matchless beauty, so…”
Prince Qi’s face paled, and he kowtowed in panic: “Your son has no such intention! Your son already has a principal wife and side consorts. Could I possibly make Miss Bai enter the mansion as a concubine? Miss Bai is the eldest granddaughter of Prince Zhenguo, personally enfeoffed by Father. Only the position of principal wife could be worthy of her!”
“Principal wife…” The Emperor leaned back slightly. “That would be Prince Liang then…”
“Your son had exactly this intention!” Prince Qi raised his head to respond.
After a moment of silence, the Emperor looked leisurely at Prince Qi, who knelt on the ground, not daring to rise, saying: “In that case, this time… should I have Prince Liang accompany Miss Bai to Nan Jiang together?”
The Emperor’s dark eyes were gloomy and uncertain, as if covered by a layer of cold moonlight.
Prince Qi hardly dared to hesitate, straightening his spine and speaking word by word: “Since this time, although your son is the commander, your son need not perform the commander’s duties, then… this commander position could be filled by anyone! As long as it benefits the Great Jin, how could your son be unwilling? This would be a perfect opportunity to let Prince Liang and Miss Bai cultivate their relationship! In the future, Miss Bai would be a sharp blade for our Great Jin.”
The Emperor’s brow relaxed. He looked at Prince Qi for a long time before speaking: “Let me think about it. You may withdraw first!”
“Yes! Your son takes his leave!”
After Prince Qi withdrew from the great hall, Gao Demao, who served beside the Emperor, quietly entered to replace the Emperor’s tea, lowering his voice: “Your Majesty, Consort Chen has sent someone to deliver jade cardamom cakes she made personally for Your Majesty. Would Your Majesty like to try them?”
“Gao Demao, what do you think about having that eldest granddaughter of the Grand Princess… if I were to have her marry Prince Liang as his principal wife?” The Emperor’s gaze was unfocused, seeming to ask Gao Demao, yet also seeming to ask himself.