Bai Qingyan’s carriage slowly approached from behind Bai Jinzhi and stopped beside Li Mao’s carriage. A slender, fair hand lifted the carriage curtain, positioned directly opposite Li Mao’s carriage window. Seeing Bai Qingyan’s delicate face bearing a slight smile, Li Mao, who was seated upright in his carriage, also broke into a smile: “Since the County Princess has something to say, why not come sit at this old minister’s residence?”

“Today, I wish to discuss with the Left Chancellor the matter of Wen Zhenkang’s wife visiting you. It will only take a few words, so I won’t trouble the Left Chancellor’s residence, lest I disturb the Left Chancellor’s lady’s peace.”

Li Mao certainly didn’t believe Bai Qingyan was the type of ignorant woman who would gossip behind people’s backs. Since Bai Qingyan had brought up Wen Zhenkang’s wife, she must have deeper intentions.

He gazed at Bai Qingyan’s indifferent, cold eyes, his fingers lightly stroking the embroidered patterns on his court robes, chuckling softly: “What does the County Princess mean by this? This old minister finds it somewhat incomprehensible…”

“That day when Wen Zhenkang’s wife visited the Left Chancellor, she presumably gave you a letter…” Bai Qingyan looked at Li Mao’s composed, steady expression, her voice leisurely, “But that letter wasn’t the only one. I have quite a few here as well! After reading them, I learned that back then, the Second Prince… had an extraordinary friendship with the Left Chancellor!”

This sudden threat, accompanied by intense fear, crept up Li Mao’s spine, causing tumultuous waves in his heart.

How did Bai Qingyan know?!

Could it be that Wen Zhenkang’s wife… had also sought out Bai Qingyan?!

Li Mao’s palm tightened as he feigned ignorance: “The County Princess’s words are truly incomprehensible to this old minister.”

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand…” She still wore that smiling expression as she looked at Li Mao, “I’m simply letting the Left Chancellor know what I have in my hands that can be used to intimidate you.”

“What does the County Princess mean by this?” Li Mao’s eyes slightly deepened their smile.

“Nothing particular, I just hope the Left Chancellor will behave himself and not make things difficult for the Bai family. If the Bai family is unhappy, I will naturally make the Left Chancellor unhappy too! Peaceful coexistence is what I desire – I wonder if it’s what the Left Chancellor desires as well?” Bai Qingyan openly threatened Li Mao.

Li Mao pressed his lips together, chuckled softly, then said: “Although I still don’t understand what the County Princess is saying, but… the Bai family has been loyal for generations. This old minister naturally hopes to establish a friendship with the Bai family and coexist peacefully. This point is beyond question.”

“Since the Left Chancellor says so, I can rest assured.” Her deep, serene eyes gazed at Li Mao, “I also kindly advise the Left Chancellor not to send people to probe or steal letters from me. I don’t tolerate sand in my eyes, and what I might do is hard to say – the Left Chancellor should understand!”

Li Mao’s hands resting on his legs tightened forcefully, gripping his hem, his lips curved in a smile: “Naturally, I understand.”

Ever since the Bai family’s troubles began, whenever Bai Qingyan made a move, it was earth-shattering. Those things that should have remained hidden in darkness, she brought them all into the light of day, her entire being radiating an upright spirit of preferring death to submission, unafraid of axes and executioner’s blocks.

Beating the petition drum, forcing the Emperor to severely punish Prince Xin – these actions… appeared to be desperate measures breaking all retreat, seemingly lawless and recklessly bold acts of risking one’s life, yet they often achieved miraculous results.

They even made cunning people like Li Mao, who harbored shameful secrets, feel apprehensive… even fearful.

Cunning people are all dark-hearted cowards who fear death most; they most fear light and most fear encountering those unafraid of death.

On narrow paths, it’s always the fearless who dare to die that win.

Bai Qingyan smiled and nodded to the Left Chancellor, lowered the carriage curtain, and instructed the driver: “Let’s go…”

Bai Jinzhi also spurred her horse and followed behind Bai Qingyan’s carriage, catching up with her.

Li Mao lowered his curtain, closed his eyes, unable to calm the panic in his heart. Anyone whose deepest secrets are known by others would find it difficult to remain composed.

But did Bai Qingyan truly have those letters as she claimed?

How much did Bai Qingyan know?

Li Mao’s mind was in chaos as he pinched his palm, forcing himself to calm down.

From Bai Qingyan’s words today, it seemed she didn’t intend to make things difficult for him, merely wanting peaceful coexistence…

But why would Bai Qingyan suddenly tell him to behave himself?

Li Mao pressed his lips together. Could it be that Bai Qingyan already knew… that Minister of Revenue Chu Zhongxing was his man?

Li Mao’s hand gripping his robe tightened forcefully.

Actually, after Bai Weiting’s death, Li Mao hadn’t originally planned to make things difficult for the Bai family. It was just… for some unknown reason, Prince Liang insisted on having Bai Qingyan, forcing him reluctantly to go through such a large detour, wanting to first get hold of Bai Qingyan’s maid for future use.

But who would have thought…

Li Mao thought of the deceased Duke Bai Weiting. Although he and Bai Weiting could be considered opponents, he truly admired Bai Weiting’s character from the bottom of his heart. That man’s integrity was truly filled with righteous spirit, standing tall between heaven and earth!

Bai Qingyan was his most beloved eldest granddaughter. Even if she couldn’t fully inherit Bai Weiting’s integrity, she wouldn’t be a sinister, cunning villain. If she truly had the letters between him and Prince Xin from years past, would she keep them to herself without reporting him to the Crown Prince?

Li Mao gritted his teeth. This matter still needed to be discussed with the advisors in his residence before making a decision.

·

After Bai Jinzhi helped Bai Qingyan down from the carriage, she followed beside her, asking in a low voice: “Elder sister seemed to be telling Li Mao today that you have leverage against him? Why did his elder sister tell him? As intimidation?”

It was clear that Bai Jinzhi seemed to disapprove of her revealing the leverage to Li Mao. She lifted her skirts and stepped through the gate, saying to Bai Jinzhi: “It’s intimidation, and also to make him probe. After all, Li Mao isn’t someone who would believe whatever I say.”

She explained everything clearly to Bai Jinzhi bit by bit: “Li Mao is cautious by nature. After today’s meeting, he will test whether I truly have leverage against him. If it’s just testing, Li Mao won’t make his moves too ugly…”

Bai Jinzhi nodded, raising her head and leaning close to Bai Qingyan, listening extremely attentively.

“Now, since we have no intention of pulling Li Mao down from his position as Left Chancellor, we must first stabilize him, making Li Mao not dare to touch the Bai family or the Bai army lest he bring trouble upon himself! Thus, we must make Li Mao understand… that the Bai family has evidence to intimidate him and means to deal with him, but the Bai family is unwilling to actively antagonize him.”

Bai Jinzhi understood this: “So elder sister’s words today were to force him to make probing moves, then demonstrate the Bai family’s capabilities to him?”

Bai Qingyan nodded: “Courtesy before force. Having given fair warning, if he makes the first move, then the Bai family retaliates – this way, Li Mao won’t… reach the point of mutual destruction with our Bai family over the evidence we hold, nor will he dare to easily target the Bai family again. When that time comes, the Bai family will hold the initiative, and Li Mao should come seeking reconciliation.”

The Bai family now needed to bide their time and secretly build strength. Bai Qingyan needed to suppress Li Mao for at least… three years!

As long as Li Mao dared to make probing moves this time, she would use thunderous methods to destroy Li Mao’s claws and fangs.