Seeing the Crown Prince turn his head toward him, Old Fang slowly explained: “In this way, first… it can show that Your Highness has not blamed the Duke of Zhenguo’s Princess because her clan has implicated Your Highness’s reputation. Second, with Your Highness’s trusted aide accompanying her, the Duke of Zhenguo’s Princess will certainly handle this matter in Shouyang more smoothly, and she will remember Your Highness’s kindness. Third, if the person, Your Highness, sends strict orders to the local officials to punish severely, it can also win the people’s hearts for Your Highness. But if it’s the Duke of Zhenguo’s Princess who gives the orders, the people’s hearts… would belong to her.”
“I greatly agree with the first two points Old Fang mentioned! But regarding the third… I disagree. The Duke of Zhenguo’s Princess is such an intelligent person – if the person I send competes with her for the people’s hearts, wouldn’t that make her feel disheartened? The Duke of Zhenguo’s Princess has now completely pledged loyalty to me. If I were to do such a thing, how would she view me?”
After the Crown Prince finished speaking leisurely, he continued: “I heard that bandits are rampant around Shouyang. Last time, even Rongyan’s goods were robbed! Just send… Quan Yu and two teams of Crown Prince residence guards to accompany the Duke of Zhenguo’s Princess, and have them follow all her instructions.”
Old Fang’s steps beside the Crown Prince paused slightly, his hands hidden in his sleeves tightening slightly. This was the second time the Crown Prince had rejected his suggestions for Bai Qingyan – this was not a good sign.
Old Fang’s expression remained unchanged as he smiled and nodded: “Then, this old man will first send someone to investigate and verify. After all, the Duke of Zhenguo’s Princess won’t depart until the day after tomorrow – there’s still time! Your Highness… It’s better to be cautious, don’t you think?”
The Crown Prince chuckled softly: “Old Fang is just too cautious! Do as you wish, but don’t delay the Duke of Zhenguo’s Princess’s departure. I… still want to personally see off the Duke of Zhenguo’s Princess.”
Since he was doing a favor, the Crown Prince naturally wanted to make it perfect in appearance, so no one could find fault, so personally seeing her off would naturally be best.
Moreover, regarding what Old Fang had mentioned earlier about creating obstacles for Prince Liang during the disaster relief in Yanwo, the Crown Prince still wanted to ask Bai Qingyan’s opinion and see what she would say.
After leaving the Crown Prince’s residence, Bai Qingyan mounted her horse and left that lane. She was instructing Lu Ping to spread the news that she had come to inform the Crown Prince today about returning to Shouyang the day after tomorrow, especially making sure that Left Chancellor Li Mao must know about it.
Just as she finished giving instructions, she heard someone calling her.
“Sister Bai! Sister Bai!”
Hearing the voice, Bai Qingyan reined in her horse and turned around.
Bai Qingyan immediately spotted Xiao Rongyan standing with a group of capital city dandies at the entrance of a wine house. His brow bone, nose bridge, and jaw line were distinctly defined. Dressed in a dark-patterned diagonal-collared azure shirt, his tall and upright figure exuded an extraordinary noble and steady aura that made him particularly conspicuous among that group of proud young nobles.
Lu Yuanpeng excitedly lifted the hem of his robe and ran down from the wine house steps. He happily ran to Bai Qingyan’s front, looking up at her sitting tall on her horse with her heroic bearing and stunningly beautiful features, showing a smiling face: “Where is Sister Bai going?”
“Just came from the Crown Prince’s residence, preparing to return home.”
Hearing Bai Qingyan respond to him, Lu Yuanpeng pushed his luck and reached out to hold her horse’s reins, craning his neck with a smile: “Today I’m hosting, inviting Brother Xiao, Qin Lang, Sima Ping, and the others to celebrate my vindication. Sister Bai, please also come and drink a cup of wine! Give Yuanpeng a chance to thank Sister Bai.”
Bai Qingyan was amused by Lu Yuanpeng’s words. Knowing he meant no harm, she said, “You should thank Minister Lu of the Court of Judicial Review, who cleared your name. How did you come to thank me?”
Seeing it was Bai Qingyan, Qin Lang’s hand at his side tightened, and he also walked in her direction. Just as he reached them, he heard Lu Yuanpeng say in a tone of ‘don’t try to fool me’: “My grandfather said that the earliest people to investigate Lin Xin’an’s cause of death… and inquire from neighbors about the time of Lin Xin’an’s death were from the Duke of Zhenguo’s Princess residence. So I guess Sister Bai must have known early on that I was wrongly accused and would turn misfortune into fortune. Otherwise, Sister Bai would have sought out the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, right?”
Qin Lang stood to the side, watching Lu Yuanpeng sell out his grandfather completely, but felt somewhat envious in his heart.
Only those who grew up pampered and beloved would be so guileless.
Qin Lang gave a deep bow: “Is the Princess preparing to return to her residence?”
Bai Qingyan nodded without dismounting: “I need to return to Shouyang to deal with clan matters early the morning after tomorrow. Since Great Liang has stationed troops at the border, I’m somewhat worried, so I went to ask His Highness if there were any unusual movements from Great Liang.”
In the capital city, who could spread news faster than this group of dandies?
Xiao Rongyan and several other young masters from noble families in the capital walked over and bowed to Bai Qingyan.
Only then did she dismount to return the courtesy.
Yue Shi stood at the very back, wanting to greet Bai Qingyan but unable to push to the front of these capital dandies, so he could only look on eagerly.
“Sister Bai is returning to Shouyang? Is it because of that clan leader from the Shouyang clan who brought the elders to cause trouble at the Duke of Zhenguo’s Princess’s residence entrance? I heard he even made the old ancestor so angry she vomited blood!”
Seeing Bai Qingyan show an expression of being at a loss for words, Lu Yuanpeng’s heart immediately flared with anger, already feeling extreme disgust toward the Shouyang Bai clan.
He had truly never seen such shameless people in this world who would use their low status to bully their superiors. This was still in the capital, yet they dared not even show respect to the current Grand Princess. If Sister Bai returned to Shouyang in the future, wouldn’t they turn everything upside down in front of her?!
The century-old military family, the capital Bai family, all their sons and daughters were upright and outstanding, standing tall between heaven and earth. How could their clan be full of such despicable villains with hideous faces?
“Seeing the Princess seems to be in a hurry, I wonder what matter it is. Is there anything Xiao can help with?” Xiao Rongyan’s extremely profound eyes looked at Bai Qingyan with a smile, his attitude gentle and composed.
“There’s no need for Master Xiao to worry. I… can handle it myself.” Bai Qingyan cupped her hands toward Xiao Rongyan.
“Sister Bai, why don’t I go to Shouyang with you the day after tomorrow?” Lu Yuanpeng looked at Bai Qingyan and said, “As long as Sister Bai gives the word, I will certainly… follow only Sister Bai’s commands.”
Bai Qingyan smiled at Lu Yuanpeng: “I can still manage.”
After speaking, Bai Qingyan cupped her hands toward the group of dandies: “I won’t disturb you all. Bai Qingyan takes her leave.”
“Princess, please wait…” Xiao Rongyan smiled and turned around, bowing to Lu Yuanpeng and the group of dandies before saying, “Xiao has some matters to discuss in detail with the Princess. Please go ahead, gentlemen. Xiao will join you shortly.”
Although Xiao Rongyan’s feelings for Bai Qingyan hadn’t yet spread throughout the capital, how could these dandies who were skilled in romantic matters not see it?
Although they were all on good terms with Xiao Rongyan and had never looked down on his background, they all knew it was highly unlikely for a Jin Kingdom princess to marry down to a merchant.
Especially since Bai Qingyan had once sworn before a coffin never to marry in this lifetime.
However, since Xiao Rongyan was pursuing Bai Qingyan, they couldn’t openly obstruct him. After all, Xiao Rongyan had always been extremely measured in his actions and certainly had his plans.