The Emperor nodded. Imperial Teacher Tan’s entire family consisted of scholars, which was quite suitable. The Imperial Teacher’s granddaughter, matching the Emperor’s son, would be perfectly complementary.

“Tell Prince Liang my intentions…” The Emperor, after all, still valued that his son was refining golden elixirs for him, so he decided to ask his son’s opinion first. The Emperor narrowed his eyes as he looked at Gao Demao. “You should also use your own words to advise Prince Liang that the Dong family has always valued reputation. If Prince Liang forces this marriage, I’m afraid Dong Qingping won’t be able to tolerate a daughter who has ruined the family’s reputation! Help me observe Prince Liang’s reaction! When you return… You must tell me every expression, leaving nothing out!”

Gao Demao’s heart jumped, knowing the Emperor was beginning to suspect Prince Liang, and he quickly acknowledged the order.

Watching Gao Demao leave, the Emperor slowly leaned back in his dragon throne, raising his hand to stroke the dragon head on the armrest.

Regarding his son Prince Liang, the Emperor’s suspicions had never completely dissipated. That time when he falsely accused Bai Weiting… he claimed he did it to save Prince Xin. Since Qin Dezhao was dead regarding the grain supply matter, there was no one to contradict him. The Emperor had confined him to his mansion, and seeing that Prince Liang was relatively obedient during that period, plus the Crown Prince’s intercession to let him manage the Yanwo disaster relief, the Emperor thought that he was his son after all and agreed.

Later, when the Yanwo disaster relief wasn’t handled well, Prince Liang brought back an alchemist for the Emperor, saying he had bungled the Yanwo affairs because he was searching for this alchemist. The Emperor was again moved by Prince Liang’s filial devotion.

The Emperor could tolerate Prince Liang having thoughts of succession, and he could tolerate Prince Liang’s actions toward succession, but… he absolutely could not tolerate Prince Liang closely associating with ministers who held military power.

The Second Prince’s rebellion and forced abdication still made the Emperor’s heart palpitate with fear – he absolutely could not let this happen again.

The Emperor narrowed his eyes. If Prince Liang truly cared only for the Dong family daughter, he should have been reluctant to see the Dong family daughter lose her life.

But if what he valued was the military power in Dong Qingyue’s hands and planned to use any means necessary, then… he shouldn’t blame his father for being ruthless.

When Bai Qingyan emerged from the Dong family residence, the sky had already turned completely dark.

As soon as Bai Jinzhi saw Bai Qingyan come out, she hurried forward: “Elder Sister! The Crown Prince has already entered the palace, don’t worry! That Old Fang instructed the Crown Prince that if Prince Liang wants to marry Sister Tingzhen, he absolutely cannot allow it! So… what will happen to Sister Tingzhen?”

“Don’t worry, Tingzhen will be fine!” Bai Qingyan rubbed Bai Jinzhi’s head and walked with her toward the Bai mansion, which now bore the plaque of the Princess of Zhenguo’s residence.

Dong Tingzhen had already given her whole heart to Prince Liang. Although she had developed some suspicion about Prince Liang due to Bai Qingyan’s words, when her uncle Dong Qingping spoke to that extent, Dong Tingzhen only cried without relenting, still harboring a trace of hope in her heart.

The combined weight of all the Dong family members was less important to Dong Tingzhen than Prince Liang alone – this showed how well Prince Liang could manipulate people’s hearts.

But Bai Qingyan didn’t blame Dong Tingzhen. In her previous life, she had also fallen for Prince Liang’s tricks.

She had thought Prince Liang was incompetent and weak, but for her sake, he was willing to strive and compete for the supreme position to clear her grandfather’s name for the Bai family.

The moonlight was bright and clear, casting a cold, sharp hue over Bai Qingyan as she led her horse on foot.

Just as they emerged from Kang’an Alley, where noble families resided and few people passed by, Bai Qingyan saw Xiao Rongyan standing in the dim lights of the long street, wearing moon-white robes with a jade belt at his waist and precious ornamental steps.

His tall, slender figure and noble, elegant bearing made him stand out like a crane among chickens on the long street, quite eye-catching.

Bai Jinzhi secretly smiled and glanced at Bai Qingyan, then stepped forward to take the reins from her hands and was the first to greet: “Oh! Master Xiao! What a coincidence!”

Xiao Rongyan’s deep, broad eyes smiled as he looked at Bai Qingyan, bowing formally toward both Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi.

Bai Qingyan returned the courtesy lightly. As she straightened, she saw Xiao Rongyan walking toward her, followed only by Yue Shi and two guards.

“I haven’t had the chance to congratulate Miss Bai on being granted the title of Princess and Miss Bai Si on being granted the title of County Princess!” Xiao Rongyan’s brow showed a very faint smile. “Knowing that tomorrow Miss Bai and Miss Bai Si will return to Shuoyang, I was just preparing to take Yue Shi to the Princess of Zhenguo’s residence to deliver congratulatory gifts. Unexpectedly… I encountered Miss Bai and Miss Bai Si here.”

Bai Qingyan’s hands behind her back quietly tightened. It wasn’t until Yue Shi, holding a gift box, spoke up with congratulations that Bai Jinzhi quickly winked at Yue Shi, signaling her to come to her side.

Only then did Yue Shi realize and quickly move around with the gift box to stand behind Bai Jinzhi, not interfering with Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan’s conversation.

“Allow me to escort Miss Bai and Miss Bai Si back to the residence,” Xiao Rongyan gestured courteously to Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan nodded: “Thank you for the trouble, Master Xiao!”

Walking side by side with Xiao Rongyan, Bai Qingyan saw the bustling traffic in front of Yanque Tower ahead and, remembering there was a poetry competition at Yanque Tower today, brought up this topic: “I heard there’s a poetry gathering at Yanque Tower today, and young masters from noble families in the capital all went to participate. With Master Xiao’s outstanding talent, why didn’t you attend?”

“Participating in such poetry gatherings is merely for fame! Thanks to Miss Bai’s assistance before… my reputation is greater than before, so there’s no need to join in this excitement.” Xiao Rongyan turned his head to look at Bai Qingyan. “Moreover, I still needed to deliver congratulatory gifts to Miss Bai and Miss Bai Si – I had no time to spare.”

The poetry competition hadn’t started yet. Young ladies from noble families held round fans, leaning against the railings of their private rooms facing the street, using their fans to cover half their faces, claiming to admire the red lantern night scene of the long street. But who among the long-time residents of the capital hadn’t seen these street lanterns?

The young ladies’ eyes were all eagerly looking downstairs, wanting to see if Chen Zhaolu, Lu Yuanqing, and Dong Changyuan had come.

After all, if not for this year’s imperial examination fraud case, these three… would have been the top scholar, second place, and third place!

“Ah! Isn’t that… Master Xiao Rongyan?!” A noble lady with sharp eyes spotted Xiao Rongyan. “The person beside Master Xiao is that… the County Princess of Zhenguo?!”

Hearing that Bai Qingyan was there, Miss Zhen San’s eyes lit up. She lifted her skirts and hurried out to look downstairs, indeed seeing the heroic Bai Qingyan walking side by side with Xiao Rongyan, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, quite pleasing to the eye.

“We should call her Princess now!” Another noble lady turned her head, covering her face with her fan, then looked back downstairs. “Master Xiao is such a distinguished person – it’s a pity he’s of merchant status! The Princess of Zhenguo is also… now that she’s been granted the title of Princess, she should pay attention to her conduct. The two haven’t even been betrothed yet, but are walking together – it’s simply…”

“What’s this! The Princess of Zhenguo has fought alongside men and shared military camps with them! Who knows how many men she’s been close to – would she worry about such small matters ruining her reputation?” Another noble lady spoke sourly. “It’s only because Master Xiao is of merchant status – if he were an ordinary scholar… even if he married in as a son-in-law, he probably wouldn’t dare choose someone like the Princess of Zhenguo!”