It remained to be seen whether the Emperor would listen to Lu Ning’e.
“Back then, how did your grandfather treat the person who had used Xiliang’s aphrodisiac medicine?” the Grand Princess inquired in a low voice.
“After grandfather administered acupuncture, he warned that person never to use this aphrodisiac again, otherwise his foundation would be hollowed out in the future – headaches would be minor, even his life would be in peril.” Lu Ning’e answered truthfully.
The Grand Princess began fingering her prayer beads again, her eyes deep and thoughtful, wondering what she was contemplating.
“If one were to take this medicine for a long time, how long… would it take to claim a life?” the Grand Princess suddenly asked, still wearing her benevolent and peaceful expression.
Bai Qingyan looked up at the Grand Princess, wondering what the Grand Princess meant by suddenly asking this.
Lu Ning’e also looked bewildered.
“That depends on whether it’s used daily.” Lu Ning’e calmed herself and spoke composedly, “If used daily, death would come within half a year! If used two or three times monthly… the body would certainly be hollowed out within five years.”
“Oh…” the Grand Princess responded, her eyes suddenly reddening as if thinking of something. Her hand pausing in fingering the prayer beads, she looked at Lu Ning’e, striving to straighten her back, her voice solemn: “His Majesty labors tirelessly for state affairs. He’d inevitably encounter a beloved Concubine Qiu, and it’s only natural for him to indulge slightly in his leisure time. I wonder if Ning’e has any way… to let His Majesty enjoy himself to his heart’s content without being troubled by headaches?”
Grandmother, are you trying to take His Majesty’s life?
Bai Qingyan couldn’t believe… that in just a moment’s time, grandmother had changed her mind, no longer planning to protect the current Emperor, but instead wanting this nephew’s life.
Lu Ning’e’s palms tightened. If the Emperor died… then she wouldn’t have to worry about someday having to endure the nausea of serving that Emperor as a substitute.
“Ning’e will do everything in her power!” Lu Ning’e solemnly promised.
The Grand Princess’s eyes were full of sorrow: “Then I’ll trouble you…”
Knowing that Bai Qingyan and the Grand Princess certainly had things to discuss, Lu Ning’e bowed and left with Nanny Jiang.
The Grand Princess’s straight back relaxed slightly as she leaned against the cushion, revealing a weary, aged appearance, slowly speaking: “The current Emperor grows more suspicious with age. Throughout history… There are countless examples of emperors becoming muddled and making mistakes in their later years! Rather than letting the current Sage sit on the dragon throne, constantly suspecting the Bai family, it’s better to support the Crown Prince’s ascension. The Crown Prince… now trusts you greatly and has promised me he can ensure the Bai family’s safety.”
Before she went to Nan Jiang, the grandmother had a long conversation with the Crown Prince. That was probably when… the Crown Prince promised his grandmother to ensure the Bai family’s safety!
She lowered her eyes without speaking.
The Lin family was all the same in their bones. Even the current Crown Prince… was only appearing more tolerant than the Emperor because he hadn’t yet ascended to the throne and needed to win hearts.
If the Crown Prince ascended the throne, it would be the same…
Just like when the current Emperor was first made Crown Prince, he had once said those words to grandfather to consolidate his position, but forgot them after ascending the throne.
During the Nan Jiang expedition, Bai Qingyan had seen through the Crown Prince and held no expectations for him.
But she was unwilling to contradict her grandmother again. Five years should be enough time for the Bai family.
“Grandmother may arrange as she sees fit.” Bai Qingyan nodded.
“Yes!” The Grand Princess nodded, looking at her granddaughter, who was no longer as affectionate as before in her presence. She closed her eyes, remembering how in the mourning hall, Bai Qingyan had kowtowed to sever their emotional ties, saying that indecision would only bring chaos.
Even though blood relations couldn’t be severed at will, her granddaughter’s heart had already grown distant from hers.
The Grand Princess indeed hadn’t expected that after marrying Bai Weiting and living what could be called a happy and peaceful life, she would become a lonely widow in her old age.
The Grand Princess sighed deeply and instructed, “A’Bao, go back and rest. Grandmother is also tired.”
She rose to take her leave. After emerging from the main room, she faintly heard grandmother’s suppressed, quiet sobbing from within, but didn’t turn back, only walked toward the exit of Changshou Courtyard with lowered eyes.
Her husband, son, and grandsons had all died in Nan Jiang. As a wife, mother, and grandmother, grandmother naturally harbored hatred, but as the Grand Princess, she could only choose to maintain the Lin family’s imperial power.
She guessed that her grandmother probably wanted to use the Emperor’s death to quell the hatred in her heart.
This way, the Great Jin’s imperial power would remain in the Lin family’s hands, and she could vent her hatred and heal her inner wounds.
The Grand Princess was the legitimate daughter of the late Emperor and late Empress. What she cared about wasn’t the current Emperor, but… the Lin family’s imperial power.
No matter who sat in the Grand Princess’s position as the Bai family’s grandmother, it would be difficult.
But who in this world hasn’t faced difficulties? Grandmother had made her choice. Having chosen the Lin family’s imperial power, she was destined to go in the opposite direction from her in the future.
As Bai Qingyan emerged from Changshou Courtyard, she saw Lu Ning’e waiting outside, seemingly waiting for her. Seeing her come out, Lu Ning’e approached and bowed: “Young miss!”
“Aunt.” Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes and returned the bow.
“I deliberately stayed to walk with the young miss.” Lu Ning’e smiled.
Bai Qingyan nodded and walked forward with Lu Ning’e.
“Although Ning’e is nominally the Grand Princess’s adopted daughter, Ning’e knows she’s merely a commoner.” Lu Ning’e’s clear voice was gentle and peaceful, “But the Grand Princess has shown kindness to Ning’e. Some words spoken before the young miss might seem presumptuous – I hope the young miss will be understanding.”
“Aunt may speak directly without concern.” Bai Qingyan’s tone was peaceful.
“Ning’e doesn’t know if something has happened between the Grand Princess and the young miss, but the Grand Princess’s love for you is genuine. What people fear most in life is wanting to care for their parents when they’re no longer there. Having experienced this, Ning’e dares to advise the young miss. Regardless of the future, since an elder who loves you is still present, the young miss shouldn’t leave herself with regrets.”
After speaking, Lu Ning’e formally curtsied to Bai Qingyan: “Ning’e has spoken too much – please don’t blame me, young miss.”
“I’ll remember Aunt’s words!” Bai Qingyan didn’t mind.
“If the young miss has no other instructions, Ning’e will withdraw.” Lu Ning’e said with lowered eyes.
Bai Qingyan nodded.
Watching Lu Ning’e walk away, Chun Tao approached and followed beside Bai Qingyan, whispering with a smile: “Judging from her back, this Miss Lu bears some resemblance to you, miss.”
It didn’t resemble her, but it resembled Aunt Suqiu.
Bai Qingyan watched Lu Ning’e’s retreating figure, her hands hidden in her sleeves, tightening slightly.
Indeed, since the grandmother who loved her was still present, why should she grieve over different future directions?
She looked back toward Changshou Courtyard and instructed Chun Tao: “Later, have the small kitchen make some soft pastries to send to grandmother.”
Unable to confide in grandmother as before, sending some pastries… could still be considered showing filial care as a junior.
After all, what the Grand Princess had done to Ji Tingyu stuck in Bai Qingyan’s throat like a bone, impossible to ignore or dismiss.