Prince Han meant that Bai Qingyan’s younger brothers and sisters all had military achievements to their names, so if they went, they would likely be able to intimidate those naval generals.

Bai Qingyan said to Prince Han, “You needn’t worry too much either. Minister Zhang has always been cautious and measured. The reduction… will certainly be gradual, while simultaneously recruiting step by step. He won’t let the naval forces’ numbers differ too greatly, though I fear their combat proficiency won’t match that of the veteran soldiers.”

“Your Majesty speaks truly. Their combat proficiency won’t match the veterans, and they’ll suffer losses in battle!” Prince Han restrained his voice, nodding repeatedly.

Bai Qingyan’s fingers rubbed back and forth. After a long while, she looked toward Prince Han: “What if I sent you to recruit the old naval forces back?”

Prince Han was stunned, his eyes widening: “Your Majesty…”

Prince Han’s throat rolled. He was… a prince of Great Liang! If Bai Qingyan sent him to recruit the old forces, wasn’t she afraid that once he had troops in his hands, he would rebel?

He had no children, and to this day, dared not have children with his princess consort, precisely because he didn’t want his future children to be used by others. If he went to the coast to recruit forces, Bai Qingyan would only have his princess consort as leverage. By all logic, she couldn’t threaten him with that, since anyone truly capable of great achievements wouldn’t care about one wife. Once successful and famous, how many wives couldn’t he have?

Prince Han stared at Bai Qingyan for a long time, choking up as he asked: “Your Majesty… aren’t you afraid that once I recruit the old forces and have troops in my hands, I’ll become uncontrollable?”

“I said I trust you. Since I’ve already begun using you, I won’t suspect you…” Bai Qingyan gazed steadily at Prince Han. “You are a righteous gentleman who cares for Great Liang’s people. Rather than confining you to the capital, I’d prefer to let you lead the old forces to protect the coastal people. I know your heart for protecting the people is no less than mine!”

The brilliant noon sunlight of the capital played hide and seek behind the swaying carriage curtains, occasionally casting golden circles of light into the carriage onto this young emperor’s porcelain-white face and her extremely long eyelashes. Her exquisite, refined features remained calm and indifferent, her tone very peaceful, yet it made Prince Han feel that this emperor’s trust in him was far greater than he had imagined.

Perhaps Bai Qingyan had already grown so powerful that even if he rebelled… in her eyes it would be like throwing an egg against a stone.

But as a surrendered prince, being allowed to live was already extremely fortunate. To actually be entrusted with important duties and still be able to do things he wanted to do in this lifetime – this was something he had never dared imagine before.

“Your Majesty’s trust leaves this subject deeply grateful, and I am willing to sacrifice everything for Your Majesty!” Prince Han knelt and bowed, then raised his head with reddened eyes: “But Your Majesty, once Your Majesty allows this subject to control military power, those with restless ambitions will likely harbor other thoughts. If someone under my command rebels, then, and others seize the opportunity to impeach this subject…”

“I trust you, Prince Han!” Bai Qingyan gazed steadily at Prince Han. “No matter what others say, unless… If you come before me and tell me you’ve rebelled, I won’t believe anyone else! If you’re willing to go… the Auxiliary Duke once made a small trial run, training naval elite forces on a small scale. Though their numbers aren’t many, I’ll place them under your command as well.”

“Your Majesty…” Prince Han’s disbelieving eyes filled with tears. Not only would she entrust him with the original Great Liang naval forces, but she would even give him the naval elite forces trained by the Auxiliary Duke. He choked up: “This subject… what virtue or ability do I have to earn Your Majesty’s such trust!”

Bai Qingyan leaned forward, gazing steadily into Prince Han’s eyes, wanting to help him up, speaking earnestly: “I clearly see that the person before me is like the Bai family members – someone who holds the people’s lives and deaths close to heart! Someone who dared sacrifice his honor and disgrace to bear the blame for Emperor Liang, submitting to another nation, must surely be someone who holds the world’s people and soldiers’ lives in his heart. Therefore, I trust you!”

Prince Han retreated on his knees and performed the grand ceremony toward Bai Qingyan: “A scholar dies for one who appreciates him. This subject dares… Your Majesty knows this subject deeply. This subject wishes to swear to Your Majesty that in this lifetime I recognize only Your Majesty as master, and will live my entire life for Your Majesty… for the people, never betraying Your Majesty!”

Having said this, Prince Han bowed once more.

“Since it’s settled, after tomorrow morning’s court, Prince Han will depart for wherever you wish to go, to summon back your old forces and protect… the coastal people!” Bai Qingyan asked again: “Leaving tomorrow – do you find it too hasty?”

Prince Han shook his head: “This subject wishes I could sprout wings!”

“Good!” Bai Qingyan smiled and nodded, calling out loudly to Wei Zhong outside: “Go to Prince Han’s mansion.”

Prince Han quickly wiped away his tears with his sleeve: “No need. Your Majesty can just let me off ahead. Best not to let others know.”

“I want others to know. This time… I came personally to request that you handle the coastal affairs.” Bai Qingyan indicated that Prince Han to be at ease.

That day, Bai Qingyan personally escorted Prince Han back to his mansion, then returned to the Bai residence to visit Old Gu.

Compared to when he was in Shuoyang, Old Gu’s mental state was far from as good. Seeing that Old Gu was forcing himself to speak with her, Bai Qingyan only smiled and instructed him to rest well, saying that once he recovered, she would bring him into the palace to see the two children.

It wasn’t that Bai Qingyan wouldn’t bring Old Gu into the palace – first, there were too many palace rules, and second… Old Gu was more accustomed to the Bai residence. With the mansion physician looking after him here, Bai Qingyan felt quite reassured.

Coming out of Old Gu’s small courtyard, Bai Qingyan went to see the recovering Gao Yuxing. However, Gao Yuxing’s injuries were too severe – he was still bedridden. The mansion physician said his right leg was probably crippled, though fortunately Gao Yuxing maintained a good attitude.

Leaving the Bai residence, Bai Qingyan instructed Steward Hao: “If the Marquis Dingyong’s mansion needs anything, our Bai family must give our full support.”

“Even if the eldest miss didn’t instruct this old servant, I would certainly do so.” Steward Hao smiled. “Everyone in our Bai family, from top to bottom, has never forgotten the kindness of Marquis Dingyong lending a coffin to the Bai family back then.”

Bai Qingyan nodded. As she was about to reach the door, she turned to say to Steward Hao: “Uncle Hao, it won’t be long before… A’Yu and the others return. Our Bai residence should be renovated once more, welcoming A’Yu, A’Qi, A’Jue, and A’Yun home with a fresh new appearance!”

Hearing Bai Qingyan say this, Steward Hao’s eyes immediately reddened: “This is proper!”

“Then I’ll have to trouble Uncle Hao these coming days!” Seeing Steward Hao’s expression, Bai Qingyan’s features showed more warmth.

“Not troublesome! Not troublesome at all! As long as the young masters can return safely, this old servant wouldn’t mind even dying from exhaustion!” Steward Hao laughed aloud. If he could bring back several young masters, he’d be happy even if it killed him.

“I’ll leave the Bai residence, Old Gu, and General Gao in your care!” Bai Qingyan stepped across the Bai residence threshold. “I must return to the palace first to handle state affairs.”

“The eldest miss shouldn’t overwork herself either. After all, there are still capable ministers in court. The eldest miss’s constitution has never been good – you needn’t handle everything personally.” This was already the third time Steward Hao had said these words since Bai Qingyan’s return.