HomeDestined to be a PhoenixChapter 596: Achieving One's Desire

Chapter 596: Achieving One’s Desire

“First Miss, please let the wet nurse take care of Wang Ge’er…” Nanny Jiang said gently, “The evening meal is ready.”

Bai Qingyan nodded and carefully handed the plump Wang Ge’er to the wet nurse. She then rose to help the Grand Princess, who was getting up from the soft couch, and slowly emerged from behind the hanging curtains and screen. They took their seats at the round table laden with sumptuous dishes in the outer room.

Tonight’s dinner was arranged by Liu Shi, with nearly all the dishes being ones that Bai Qingyan liked. Liu Shi smiled as she urged Bai Qingyan to eat more.

Liu Shi changed to a clean pair of chopsticks and personally served Bai Qingyan some fish: “This was sent by Jinxiu’s uncle. I heard that after it was caught by the seaside, it was rushed here without stopping. Out of over a hundred fish, only seventeen or eighteen made it to the capital alive. It’s extremely precious and tastes incredibly fresh. A’Bao, try some!”

Bai Qingyan tasted a bite and found it indeed fresh and tender. She smiled and said, “Mm, it is very delicate.”

“Then eat more!” Liu Shi busily served Bai Qingyan more dishes.

Just as Bai Qingyan was about to respond, the gatekeeper came to report that Eunuch Quan Yu from the Crown Prince’s side had arrived, saying the Crown Prince had sent him to deliver a message.

Bai Qingyan put down her chopsticks, rinsed her mouth with honey water, took the handkerchief Chun Tao handed her to wipe her mouth, and said, “Grandmother, Second Aunt, please continue eating. I’ll go and return shortly!”

She estimated that the Crown Prince, Imperial Teacher Tan, and the Minister of War had reached a conclusion and had specially sent Quan Yu to inform Bai Qingyan.

Bai Jinse looked up at Bai Qingyan’s departing figure, feeling that her elder sister was too exhausted. There were red bloodshot streaks in her elder sister’s eyes, clearly showing she hadn’t rested well. She forcefully shoveled a mouthful of rice, wanting to grow up quickly so she could share her elder sister’s burdens.

Quan Yu was invited to sit and have tea in Princess Zhenguo’s reception room. When he saw Bai Qingyan approaching, he immediately stood and bowed: “Greetings to Princess Zhenguo.”

“Please sit, Eunuch. I wonder what instructions His Highness the Crown Prince has?” Bai Qingyan asked, though she already knew.

“Nothing else in particular. His Highness the Crown Prince sent this servant to inform Princess Zhenguo that Imperial Teacher Tan and Minister Shen from the Ministry of War both feel we cannot tolerate Great Yan and Beirong joining forces to destroy Nanrong. They have already dispatched Lord Liu Rushi to Beirong!” As Quan Yu spoke, his body turned to follow Bai Qingyan as she walked toward the main seat. “They have also issued military orders for Magistrate Dong of Dengzhou to lead the Anping Camp and Dengzhou Army to the Beirong border to intimidate Great Yan and Beirong.”

Indeed, just as Bai Qingyan had predicted, Imperial Teacher Tan and Vice Minister of War Shen Jingzhong still had foresight.

Seeing Bai Qingyan sit down, Quan Yu took out a small bottle from his sleeve, bent over to place it on the redwood side table beside Bai Qingyan’s hand, then respectfully stepped back a few paces and said, “This is jade complexion cream from the palace. I heard it has miraculous effects on new scars. Perhaps the Princess would like to try it!”

Quan Yu still remembered the wound on Bai Qingyan’s ear. Today, upon returning to the capital, he had gone to great lengths to obtain this extremely difficult-to-get jade complexion cream. He heard that in the palace, besides the Empress, only Consort Yu and the most favored Concubine Qiu had it.

Bai Qingyan smiled and said, “Please thank His Highness the Crown Prince for me, Eunuch. Such a minor wound doesn’t warrant troubling His Highness to worry about it.”

Quan Yu didn’t explain that this wasn’t a gift from the Crown Prince, but simply smiled and agreed.

Bai Qingyan picked up the white jade porcelain bottle decorated with red plum blossoms that Quan Yu had placed on the side table and examined it. She seemed to ask casually, “Today, Old Lady Fu came to my mansion and mentioned the matter His Highness the Crown Prince is investigating. Later, I asked Old Lady Dong to go find the Crown Prince, but I forgot to send someone to inform His Highness first. I wonder if His Highness has met with Old Lady Fu?”

Quan Yu nodded: “In response to Princess Zhenguo, Old Lady Fu indeed came to the Crown Prince’s mansion, saying that Princess Zhenguo had asked her to come see His Highness the Crown Prince. Only then did His Highness agree to meet with Old Lady Fu. His Highness spoke privately with Old Lady Fu, and we servants were all sent away and didn’t approach.”

Bai Qingyan nodded: “If that’s the case, then I can be at ease. I hope His Highness the Crown Prince can achieve his desire soon.”

“With Princess Zhenguo’s assistance, His Highness the Crown Prince will surely have his wish fulfilled!” After Quan Yu spoke respectfully, he didn’t stay longer to disturb them and set off to return to the Crown Prince’s mansion.

When Bai Qingyan returned to Changshou Courtyard, they finished their lively meal, and Qin Lang came personally to take Bai Jinxiu and Wang Ge’er back to their mansion.

Seeing Qin Lang again after several months, whether due to having lost considerable weight, his facial features appeared more defined and angular, making him look taller and more mature. According to Liu Shi, Qin Lang had been burying himself in studies during this period, hoping to win first place in next February’s examinations.

After paying respects to the Grand Princess and Liu Shi, Qin Lang bowed to Bai Qingyan: “Princess Zhenguo.”

Bai Qingyan nodded slightly.

Seeing how Qin Lang couldn’t put Wang Ge’er down after taking him from the wet nurse, and remembering how Qin Lang had chosen Jinxiu when forced to choose between the child and Bai Jinxiu, she looked at Bai Jinxiu with gentle laughter in her eyes.

After seeing off the family of three, Bai Qingyan helped the Grand Princess back to the main room and chatted with her for a while. She originally wanted to attend to the Grand Princess’s rest, but the Grand Princess, feeling sorry that Bai Qingyan had not had a moment’s peace since returning today, told her to go rest early.

The exhausted Bai Qingyan had just emerged from Changshou Courtyard when she saw Lu Ping, who had been waiting with a lantern for a long time, quickly step forward and bow: “First Miss!”

“Uncle Ping, speak as we walk…” After Bai Qingyan finished speaking, she turned to signal Chun Tao.

Chun Tao understood and held back the maid carrying the lantern. After Bai Qingyan and Lu Ping had walked ten steps away, she then followed leisurely behind with the maids.

“Yes!” Lu Ping walked beside Bai Qingyan, carrying the lantern, and said in a low voice, “After Old Lady Fu left our mansion, she went to the Crown Prince’s mansion. Initially, the Crown Prince wouldn’t see Old Lady Fu, but when she said that First Miss had asked her to find the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince’s people invited Old Lady Fu in.”

Old Lady Fu wasn’t foolish—on the contrary, she was extremely wise. When Bai Qingyan had directed her to find the Crown Prince, she directly used Bai Qingyan’s name as her banner to show goodwill to the Crown Prince.

“Old Lady Fu came out about half an hour ago and has now gone to the Dali Temple prison, presumably to visit General Fu. The Dali Temple prison has always been heavily guarded, and our people couldn’t get in, so they came back to report first,” Lu Ping said.

Bai Qingyan nodded, showing some fatigue between her brows: “Uncle Ping has worked hard. Go rest early. It looks like we’ll need to stay in the capital for several more days.”

Remembering what Bai Jinxiu had said today about Prince Xin’s people secretly contacting Prince Xin’s uncle Zhong Shaozhong, Bai Qingyan paused in her steps and looked at Lu Ping. Her eyes, bloodshot from lack of rest, showed determination as she said, “Perhaps there’s still a tough battle waiting for us!”

Lu Ping was momentarily stunned, then nodded: “Yes!”

Dali Temple Prison.

With the Crown Prince’s permission, Old Lady Fu entered the Dali Temple prison, her heart pounding as she followed the jailer deeper into the prison.

The old nanny, following Old Lady Fu, was entering the Dali Temple prison for the first time. The flickering lights on both sides cast eerie shadows, and the deeper they went, the more sinister it felt. The damp air carried a musty smell. She hunched her back and stayed close to Old Lady Fu, who walked with her back straight, leaning on her ebony walking stick.

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