Hearing Bai Qingyan speak this way, Gao Yuxing felt much more at ease. His stiff spine relaxed slightly, but as the pain from his injuries hit him, he swayed unsteadily and nearly collapsed in front of Bai Qingyan.
Bai Qingyan’s strong hands steadied Gao Yuxing, gripping his arms firmly: “Don’t worry, I’m here for everything!”
To Bai Qingyan, Gao Yuxing was a precious recovery for the Bai family army—great joyous news for everyone in the Bai family army.
She called Weizhong in and had him secretly settle Gao Yuxing first in a secluded palace, have Imperial Physician Huang treat him, and after all of Gao Yuxing’s wounds were properly medicated, quietly move him back to the Bai family to recuperate.
Though Gao Yuxing still had concerns, seeing Bai Qingyan’s current confident appearance and thinking that their Bai family army’s Little Commander Bai was now an emperor of a nation, he suppressed his worries and struggled to stand up, leaning almost half his body weight on Weizhong as he slowly moved through the side door of the hall into the side chamber.
The eunuchs originally wanted to clean up the bloodstains in the hall, but Bai Qingyan stopped them, only having them clean up the blood trail from where Gao Yuxing had been helped to the side chamber. The bloodstains in the center of the great hall had to remain—in case Xiao Rongyan brought Yan’s delegation together, it would be good to let them know the person was indeed severely injured.
Furthermore, Bai Qingyan didn’t currently plan to tell Xiao Rongyan about Gao Yuxing’s identity. If A’Yan knew that Gao Yuxing had once been part of the Bai family army, he would inevitably return to investigate various places in Yan. Not only would A’Qi’s hidden agents planted in Yan’s army be in danger, but it would probably also threaten Jintong, who had invested so much effort in Yan.
Although she knew that even if A’Yan discovered Jintong, he wouldn’t take Jintong’s life, now that the two nations were competing and about to gamble their nations to determine victory and merge into one country, this was precisely the time to rely on their respective abilities. As Great Zhou’s emperor, Bai Qingyan naturally hoped Great Zhou would win—not just her, but all of Great Zhou would exert their utmost effort for Great Zhou’s victory.
Therefore, Bai Qingyan could not tell Xiao Rongyan about Gao Yuxing’s identity.
Unable to be completely honest, while this was somewhat unfair to A’Yan in terms of their relationship as husband and wife, this was ultimately a competition between two nations. They had previously agreed that major matters wouldn’t consider personal feelings—she could only keep this in her heart and make it up to Xiao Rongyan after the world was settled, and she could lay down the heavy burden on her shoulders.
After Lu Jin and the Chief Justice entered, Gao Yuxing was nowhere to be seen. They only heard Bai Qingyan say: “Later, when Yan’s Ninth Prince brings Yan’s delegation, say that… Minister Lu was a bit heavy-handed in the interrogation, and the person fainted upon reaching the great hall. Since he’s an important witness, Eunuch Wei has already summoned the imperial physician for treatment.”
Naturally, Weizhong would come in later and report that… the assassin had died from his injuries.
Lu Jin and the Chief Justice were both understanding people. They all agreed and understood that this matter couldn’t be spread outside. Presumably, Eunuch Wei had already warned the young eunuchs in the palace who knew about this to watch their tongues.
Just as Bai Qingyan was discussing with Lu Jin and the Chief Justice how to conclude this case and how to use it to their advantage, Xiao Rongyan arrived with several ministers from Yan’s delegation.
She sat upright on her throne and had Xiao Rongyan and Yan’s court ministers invited in.
Xiao Rongyan, wearing his silver mask, lifted the hem of his robe and stepped into the great hall with composed dignity, followed by Great Yan’s court ministers.
Under the sunlight, the silver mask gleamed brilliantly, making him appear even more solemn. His aura was extremely powerful, causing the eunuchs guarding outside the great hall to dare not look directly at him.
Bai Qingyan knew that this time Zhong Xingxiao’s “guard” had attempted assassination at the Liu residence, and after being captured by the Liu family’s people, they had seized the initiative. That’s why Yan’s people hadn’t been able to get their hands on him. Xiao Rongyan and Yan’s delegation is coming this time… probably intended to demand the “assassin” back to keep him in their grasp for detailed investigation, and would never easily acknowledge the confession Lu Jin had extracted.
After all, accepting this confession would be handing Great Zhou a weakness to exploit.
“This foreign minister pays respects to Your Majesty…” Xiao Rongyan led Yan’s delegation in bowing to Bai Qingyan.
Bai Qingyan didn’t let Xiao Rongyan and the others straighten up for quite a while.
Chun Tao entered carrying soup that Lady Liu had stewed and sent for Bai Qingyan. She leaned back comfortably against her cushions, allowing Chun Tao to first remove the lid of the soup container. She took the soup spoon Chun Tao handed her and gently stirred in the container. The steaming herbal fragrance mixed with the scents of red dates, longan, and young pigeon smelled quite appetizing.
This was something Lady Liu had gotten up early to simmer over low heat for several hours, sending it over in a food box as soon as it was ready, so Chun Tao dared not delay.
Bai Qingyan’s movements were unhurried. The sound of the sweet porcelain gold-painted spoon clinking against the soup container was particularly clear in the great hall.
Yan’s delegation kept their heads lowered, feeling both fearful and confused. Seeing that their own Regent Prince hadn’t straightened up, they naturally didn’t dare straighten up either. They only cautiously exchanged glances with their colleagues, speculating in their hearts that this time Zhong Xingxiao’s guard had assassinated Great Zhou’s important minister—Great Zhou was probably going to declare war, and the gambling-the-nation strategy might not be negotiable.
“Ninth Prince, please rise!” Bai Qingyan put down her soup spoon and gestured for Chun Tao to set the soup aside. She leaned against her cushions and spoke in a low, measured voice. “Zhong Xingxiao, as Yan’s envoy, came to Great Zhou to discuss the gambling-the-nation strategy, yet dared to attack my Great Zhou’s important minister on Great Zhou’s territory. It seems Yan’s court is not as the Ninth Prince described—with everyone from the Yan Emperor down to all officials agreeing to this gambling-the-nation strategy! This Master Zhong is willing to sacrifice his life to prevent the two nations’ gambling agreement, trying to force our Great Zhou to send troops to Yan’s capital!”
Her voice was neither hurried nor slow. Though it carried some hint of amusement, it was condescending, as if she had finally caught Great Zhou’s weak point and was preparing to send troops.
“May Your Majesty allow this prince to see that assassin?” Xiao Rongyan straightened up and looked at the person sitting regally above.
“That assassin is a tough character, so this official inevitably showed no mercy in handling him. After going through this official’s interrogation, he only had one breath left when Your Majesty summoned him.” Lu Jin spoke with a smile. “Just now, upon seeing Your Majesty, he fainted. Since this person is of great importance to both Yan and Great Zhou, Your Majesty has already summoned the imperial physician for treatment. However, before that, the Ninth Prince may first examine this person’s confession.”
As he spoke, the Chief Justice beside Lu Jin handed the confession to Xiao Rongyan.
Xiao Rongyan took the confession, glanced at it, and then handed it to the Yan delegation members who had accompanied him to the great hall. He then cupped his hands toward Bai Qingyan and said: “Since the assassin is a guard of our Yan’s important minister, it’s natural that our Yan should give Great Zhou an explanation. We hope the Great Zhou’s Emperor will hand this person over to our Yan. After Yan investigates thoroughly, we will give Great Zhou an explanation!”
Bai Qingyan looked at Xiao Rongyan without responding, her fingers as delicate as white jade touching her temples, as if she were contemplating…