Though his thoughts were still hesitating, Prince Liang’s body acted first with a nervous stance, retreating two steps as if frightened, clutching his clothes corner: “What does Princess Zhenguo mean by this?”
“These are people from the Crown Prince’s residence!” Bai Qingyan’s voice was cold and stern. “Prince Liang intends to seek marriage with my cousin, Dong Tizhen. The reason His Majesty has not agreed is that he saw through Prince Liang’s intention to covet my uncle Dong Qingyue’s military power. If today Prince Liang becomes entangled with Liu Ruofu, daughter of Prince Xian, who holds significant military forces, sullying Liu Ruofu’s reputation and forcing her to marry you, what do you think His Majesty will think?”
Prince Liang’s fists tightened at his sides as he looked at Bai Qingyan: “Why is the Princess Zhenguo helping me? I once… framed the Bai family!”
“To prevent my cousin Dong Tizhen from being heartbroken! Who told my cousin she would marry no one but you!” Bai Qingyan spoke unhurriedly. “Now, Prince Liang can only choose between two paths. If you truly care for Tizhen, get in the carriage… I will arrange for you and Tizhen to leave the capital’s troubled waters and become an ordinary married couple, but there will no longer be a Prince Liang in this world!”
Prince Liang straightened his spine, worried that Dong Tizhen might be in the carriage. His pupils trembled slightly as he spoke pitifully: “But… I cannot ruin Princess Nandujun’s purity and just walk away!”
Bai Qingyan looked at Prince Liang, who was performing the role of a kind but foolish person to perfection, and said: “After this matter breaks out, His Highness the Crown Prince will enter the palace and admit that the one who was overcome with passion and had a spring night with Liu Ruofu was His Highness the Crown Prince. Naturally… when His Highness the Crown Prince marries Liu Ruofu, Prince Xian will certainly favor his son-in-law and inevitably support the Crown Prince’s ascension, because… only when the Crown Prince ascends can his daughter’s children have a chance to become Emperor of Jin.”
Prince Liang’s throat moved: “But…”
“His Highness the Crown Prince is not so foolish as to push Liu Ruofu toward you! After all, Prince Xian behind Liu Ruofu holds military power!”
Seeing Prince Liang’s hesitant appearance, Bai Qingyan chuckled softly: “If you are not truly sincere toward Tizhen, this matter ends here… I will wash my hands of it and let you fight it out with the Crown Prince. Naturally… since I have now entered the Crown Prince’s service, I must certainly strategize for the Crown Prince, and would have to knock you unconscious and throw you back, or have someone guard Prince Liang until His Highness the Crown Prince enters the palace to confess to His Majesty and seek marriage, then release Your Highness Prince Liang! However, by then… what His Highness the Crown Prince says before His Majesty and what crime His Majesty might punish Prince Liang with, I cannot guarantee.”
Seeing Prince Liang’s gaze dart toward the carriage, Bai Qingyan raised an eyebrow and turned to instruct Lu Ping: “Let Prince Liang see… that Tizhen is not in the carriage.”
Prince Liang’s fists clenched as he saw Lu Ping lift the carriage curtain to reveal it was empty. His usually hunched posture from pretending weakness straightened.
Bai Qingyan continued pressuring Prince Liang: “What will the Crown Prince say when he enters the palace? Oh… seeing that Prince Liang couldn’t marry the Dong family daughter Dong Tizhen, he despicably and shamelessly set his sights on Prince Xian’s military power, drugging Princess Nandujun Liu Ruofu to create a fait accompli! After all, Princess Nandujun is Prince Xian’s only daughter – marrying Princess Nandujun would be equivalent to gaining Prince Xian’s support! The Crown Prince, in trying to save someone, was also caught in the trap and had no choice but to defile Liu Ruofu’s purity, and is willing to marry Liu Ruofu.”
Prince Liang was startled. Yes… This way, it would highlight the Crown Prince’s noble character while he gained nothing but trouble.
“If Prince Liang has thought it through, get in the carriage. I will arrange for you and Tizhen to fly away together. Though Your Highness Prince Liang cannot ascend to the supreme position in this life, I can ensure you both live without worry, wealthy and comfortable!”
These words from Bai Qingyan could be considered forcing Prince Liang to flee far away with Dong Tizhen.
But Prince Liang was still hesitating. His path wasn’t completely cut off yet. Great Yan’s Ninth Prince had once told him that if needed, he could go to Mo Shu Studio.
Prince Liang gritted his teeth and asked: “Must we leave immediately?”
“Yes! If we delay… once the Crown Prince enters the palace, you won’t be able to leave! Still hesitating?” Bai Qingyan raised an eyebrow.
Prince Liang looked at Bai Qingyan and spoke: “I cannot leave!”
“Could it be… You are not truly fond of Tizhen, but are interested in my uncle Dong Qingyue’s military power? Now that Prince Xian’s only daughter Liu Ruofu has appeared, you think… Liu Ruofu has more utility value than Tizhen?”
Prince Liang remained silent. He gritted his teeth and said: “I will not leave! Princess Zhenguo, do not force others into difficult situations! If Princess Zhenguo wants to knock me unconscious and throw me back, do as Princess Zhenguo pleases!”
“Indeed, in Your Highness Prince Liang’s heart, my cousin’s devoted feelings are worthless! What’s valuable is that Tizhen, surnamed Dong, is the niece of Dengzhou Prefect Dong Qingyue!” Bai Qingyan laughed softly, seeming self-mocking. “But the weight of a Dengzhou Prefect’s daughter cannot compare to Prince Xian’s only daughter, who holds significant military forces… naturally!”
Hiding behind the carriage, Dong Tizhen covered her mouth tightly with her hands to prevent herself from crying out, tears flowing like broken strings.
“But Prince Liang, do you think that by staying… You can fight against the Crown Prince?” Bai Qingyan looked up at Prince Liang. “To prevent my cousin from being heartbroken, I can only forcibly take you away. Uncle Ping!”
Lu Ping stepped forward. Prince Liang immediately retreated two steps, pulling out a defensive dagger from his clothes and pressing it against his neck: “Don’t come any closer!”
Bai Qingyan’s eyes narrowed.
Prince Liang glanced again toward the carriage, still not letting down his guard, his throat moving: “The Princess Zhenguo has already interfered in this matter today. If I die here… Princess Zhenguo, think about it – will my Father Emperor spare you? You have already caused his legitimate son to be exiled to Yongzhou. My Father Emperor has long hated you to the bone! If I die… You must be buried with me!”
“Cousin! You don’t need to force him anymore!” Dong Tizhen finally couldn’t bear it any longer. She leaped down from behind the carriage and rushed out, grabbing Bai Qingyan’s arm. She didn’t even dare look at Prince Liang, feeling her heart shattered into pieces.
Prince Liang’s pupils trembled. Indeed… Bai Qingyan had brought Dong Tizhen after all.
He had no way out now!
With things having reached this point, if he couldn’t marry Liu Ruofu, he would have nothing left!
Dong Tizhen cried so hard her whole body was trembling. This was the person she was willing to follow, regardless of the Dong family’s trials by fire!
Those words from her father came to mind repeatedly like knives piercing her heart with fresh blood. And now, in this time and place… hearing Prince Liang’s words, seeing how even when her cousin forced him, he was unwilling to elope with her, her father’s words were like branding irons, repeatedly searing her heart and making her wish she were dead.
“Cousin! Let’s go! I’ll return to Shouyang with you! Let’s go… I don’t want… I don’t want to stay here anymore!” Dong Tizhen gripped Bai Qingyan’s arm tightly, crying so hard she was completely broken, only wanting to leave this place quickly. “I don’t want to stay here anymore!”