In the carriage, Bai Jinxiu told Bai Qingyan about the events that had occurred in the capital during this time.
“The Left Chancellor’s youngest son, Li Mingtang’s has completely ruined. The Left Chancellor opened the Li family ancestral hall to confess to the ancestors and sent Li Mingtang back to their ancestral home. However, the Left Chancellor’s eldest son, Li Mingrui, made contributions during this disaster relief effort and has now been transferred to the Ministry of Revenue. The Emperor personally appointed him as Vice Minister of Revenue, making many in the capital jealous! They all said Li Mingrui was benefiting from his father, the Left Chancellor’s, influence, but who knew that once Li Mingrui took office, he handled the matter of raising provisions for this northern frontier war extremely well, so no one said anything more.”
Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes slightly. Li Mingrui’s capabilities were beyond question. As Li Mao’s eldest son, he had been personally taught by Li Mao since childhood and had some skills.
“This time, the disaster in Yanwo triggered civil unrest. Later, when the Crown Prince set out for disaster relief, he fell from his horse and was injured just one day after departure, returning to the capital. Later, when troops arrived at Yanwo, they killed any rebels without question! This finally suppressed the civil unrest. After Li Mingrui returned to the capital, he told the Emperor that most refugees had headed toward Great Yan, and there were rumors… that those who went to Great Yan could enjoy Great Yan’s Empress Ji’s new policies, obtaining good farmland and houses with reduced taxes. When the Emperor heard this, he was quite pleased, thinking that if refugees entered Yan, it would be Great Yan’s headache!”
When Bai Jinxiu said these words, her expression clearly showed disapproval.
The people… are the foundation of the nation!
These five words were what Grandfather had repeatedly taught them!
Without the people, how could there be a nation?
Moreover, only when the people are strong can the army be strong. If there aren’t even people… what army is there to speak of? And how can the army be strong?!
“Elder Sister… if this is true, Great Yan is remarkable indeed!” Bai Jinxiu raised her hand to gently stroke her belly, unable to help but sigh.
Yes, Great Yan was indeed remarkable!
Bai Qingyan had met that Yan Emperor, had also met Great Yan’s legitimate second son who was a hostage in Jin, and knew Xiao Rongyan even better.
Being of the same imperial family, they couldn’t withstand comparison…
After sighing about Great Yan, Bai Jinxiu continued: “Speaking of the Yanwo disaster, Prince Liang was escorted back this time. After entering the palace to meet the Emperor, I don’t know what he said, but the Emperor has summoned Prince Liang to several banquets. Prince Liang put on a complete act of being a filial son, entering the palace every few days to pay respects, still with that submissive appearance. Every time he sees the Crown Prince, he’s trembling with fear. Normally, aside from when the Emperor summons him to pay respects, he goes out, but otherwise stays in Prince Liang’s mansion with doors closed to guests, never stepping foot outside! Yet he’s indeed gaining more of the Emperor’s favor day by day!”
Bai Qingyan narrowed her eyes. The Emperor wouldn’t show favor to Prince Liang for no reason, especially after Prince Liang had botched the Yanwo disaster relief.
“Elder Sister, I’ve thought it over repeatedly – could it be because the Emperor knew the Crown Prince had sabotaged Prince Liang during this disaster relief, and not wanting to hurt the Crown Prince’s face while wanting to warn him, he deliberately showed favor to Prince Liang?” Bai Jinxiu was also puzzled by this matter.
After thinking, Bai Qingyan asked: “Has the Emperor’s attitude toward the Crown Prince changed?”
Bai Jinxiu shook her head: “Not at all.”
Hearing this, Bai Qingyan slowly leaned against the carriage cushion, thinking carefully, her fingers unconsciously stroking the cushion’s tassels. After a long while, she said, “It seems Prince Liang did something that catered to the Emperor’s thoughts!”
But what could Prince Liang have done to cater to the Emperor’s thoughts? Bai Qingyan couldn’t help thinking of the commotion Ji Langhua had caused before their Bai family left the capital.
When the Emperor had summoned Ji Langhua into the palace, Bai Qingyan didn’t believe the Emperor was simply curious – the Emperor must have taken this matter to heart.
Prince Liang had presented Concubine Qiu to the Emperor, but Lu Ning’e’s appearance had greatly diminished Concubine Qiu’s position in the Emperor’s heart.
Prince Liang had also botched the Yanwo disaster relief.
Given the Emperor’s personality, who had never liked the submissive Prince Liang, Prince Liang’s punishment should have been unavoidable.
Yet the Emperor hadn’t punished him, but instead showed favor, summoning Prince Liang into the palace every few days. This indicated something fishy.
Bai Qingyan thought of how Nanny Jiang had intentionally mentioned the Grand Princess’s fever in front of the Crown Prince, clearly wanting her to visit Grandmother at Qing Convent.
It seemed Miss Lu must have discovered something and needed to brief her before she entered the palace!
If her guess was correct, the reason the Emperor began showing favor to Prince Liang was probably related to the commotion Ji Langhua had caused earlier.
If this was truly the case, Prince Liang was really like an unkillable cockroach, truly… finding ways to turn things around.
“There’s another matter. My father’s bastard… since being sent to Young Master Wang’s place in Jiuqu Lane, I’ve had people watching Jiuqu Lane. Strangely, these past few days we discovered… somehow Prince Liang’s mansion steward has gotten involved with Young Master Wang of Jiuqu Lane.”
Hearing Bai Jinxiu’s words, Bai Qingyan’s brow furrowed: “Have this matter investigated more thoroughly to see what’s going on.”
“I’ve already sent people to investigate! If we don’t get results before Elder Sister returns to Shuoyang, once we have news, I’ll send someone by fast horse to Shuoyang to inform Elder Sister.”
Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jinxiu, whose belly was already prominently swollen, and gently stroked her abdomen: “Thank you for your hard work, still worrying about these matters while pregnant!”
“Elder Sister’s words make Jinxiu deeply ashamed! Elder Sister has worked so much harder than Jinxiu to support the Bai family! Jinxiu… only hopes to share some of Elder Sister’s burden!”
“Now that Physician Hong hasn’t returned to the capital yet, with your pregnancy, you must be extra careful about everything! Physician Hong said he’d return at the latest one month before your delivery – it should be soon! When Physician Hong is here to oversee things, I’ll feel more at ease!” Bai Qingyan said softly while looking at Bai Jinxiu’s belly.
“It’s alright, Elder Sister. Even if Physician Hong can’t make it back in time, there’s Miss Lu! And Imperial Physician Huang! Imperial Physician Huang is Physician Hong’s junior brother – his medical skills aren’t poor either!” As Bai Jinxiu spoke, warmth appeared in her expression. Qin Lang was even more worried, having spoken with Imperial Physician Huang early on. Imperial Physician Huang had secretly told Bai Jinxiu about this, expressing great admiration for Qin Lang.
“Have Qin Lang’s brother and two sisters caused any more trouble?” Bai Qingyan asked again.
Bai Jinxiu shook her head: “Just minor disturbances, wanting to use filial piety to force me to bring back their mother, Jiang Shi, to arrange their marriages. But they’ve been rebuffed several times. Yesterday, Qin Lang also made it clear that if they missed their mother, he could send them to reunite with her. I think they won’t dare cause trouble anymore. Elder Sister, don’t worry.”
Now that the two Qin family daughters were growing older, their marriages should be on the agenda. Seeing no way to bring Jiang Shi back, the two daughters could only rely on Bai Jinxiu, who held a first-rank imperial title.
But with the two Qin family daughters having a mother like Jiang Shi, which family would dare to arrange marriages with them? Unfortunately, these two daughters were also impossibly proud and arrogant, too high for the low and not good enough for the high.