Before long, Quan Yu saw the guard returning with Bai Jinzhi. He hurriedly approached with a smile: “This servant will guide Princess Gaoyi!”

“Would I get lost in the Crown Prince’s residence?” Bai Jinzhi still had that carefree, nonchalant appearance as if nothing mattered to her.

Quan Yu only smiled without speaking, making a gesture of invitation toward Bai Jinzhi.

Quan Yu led Bai Jinzhi through the ornately carved and painted corridor. Seeing no one ahead or behind, he finally spoke up to remind her: “Princess Gaoyi, you must remember… His Highness also has His Highness’s difficulties. Whatever His Highness says in a moment, the Princess must prioritize the legitimate heir in the Crown Princess’s womb and prioritize His Highness! Otherwise, I fear it will bring trouble to Princess Zhenguo.”

Bai Jinzhi was slightly startled and looked toward Quan Yu, quite surprised. She was about to speak when she saw a row of eunuchs carrying chrysanthemums heading toward the Crown Princess. She pressed her lips together and remained silent, following Quan Yu to the Crown Prince’s study.

“Does Your Highness have something to instruct? Why have you called me back again?” Bai Jinzhi performed her courtesies and sat to one side, her clear and bright eyes looking toward the Crown Prince. She appeared to be someone whose heart could be seen at a glance, completely without guile.

The Crown Prince rubbed the armrest of his chair before sighing: “Regarding the military provisions you mentioned, I have always known about this matter, but… this affair involves the Crown Princess’s brother. Now that the Crown Princess is with child, I… must show some consideration. So let this matter end here. Consider it a favor to me—don’t investigate further! I can also guarantee that such things will never happen again!”

Bai Jinzhi’s heart was greatly alarmed. She immediately thought of Quan Yu’s earlier reminder. She restrained herself from looking in Quan Yu’s direction, only wondering… why did Quan Yu remind her? Was it the Crown Prince’s intention?

The Crown Prince carefully examined Bai Jinzhi’s expression. Seeing her brow furrowed as if deep in thought, the Crown Prince lowered his eyes and spoke again: “Before I became Crown Prince, the Crown Princess was once with child but could not carry it to term, so… I especially value this pregnancy of the Crown Princess.”

Bai Jinzhi’s brow furrowed even more tightly. This was the Crown Prince’s reason for ignoring problems with the border garrison’s provisions?! How absurd!

Those were border garrison soldiers!

If Great Liang were to attack, how could they fight and win if they couldn’t even eat their fill? How many soldiers would die then, and how many soldiers’ lives would it cost to recapture the lost cities?!

Could it be that those soldiers’ lives weren’t lives at all?

Bai Jinzhi clenched her fists tightly, restraining her emotions. Since Quan Yu had already given his reminder, she couldn’t remain stubborn.

“But those soldiers’ provisions—are they supposed to eat provisions mixed with sand and stones… to guard the frontier for His Majesty and Your Highness?!” Bai Jinzhi’s voice rose as she spoke.

Quan Yu secretly broke out in a cold sweat. He had already given his reminder—how could this Princess Gaoyi still so bluntly question His Highness the Crown Prince!

“Rest assured, I have already reprimanded the Crown Princess’s brother. The military provisions mixed with sand and stones have been disposed of. The grain and provisions now being sent to the frontier… are all clean! Such things will not happen again in the future. You must trust me.”

Bai Jinzhi’s brow remained tightly furrowed. After a long moment, she rose and bowed to the Crown Prince: “Elder sister led our Bai family to serve under Your Highness. Even if there are some matters that Bai Jinzhi cannot agree with, I also know that if Your Highness says this, you certainly have Your Highness’s difficulties. Bai Jinzhi will obey orders… and will no longer continue investigating this matter. But please, Your Highness, you must supervise and ensure this matter never happens again. They are all soldiers guarding the frontier for His Majesty and Your Highness.”

Hearing these words, the Crown Prince glanced at Old Fang and spoke to Bai Jinzhi with increasing warmth: “Rest assured, since I have given my guarantee… I will certainly not let such things happen again!”

“If that is so, then Bai Jinzhi will take her leave first…” Bai Jinzhi performed a deep bow, fearing that if she stayed here any longer, she would be unable to restrain herself and would end up shouting at this selfish Crown Prince who treated soldiers like grass.

“Good!” The Crown Prince nodded. “Go back and spend more time with Princess Zhenguo. If Princess Zhenguo needs any rare medicinal herbs, feel free to come to the Crown Prince’s residence to obtain them!”

“Thank you, Your Highness!” After expressing her gratitude, Bai Jinzhi bid farewell to the Crown Prince. With an ashen face, she left the Crown Prince’s residence, mounted her horse, and returned to the Bai residence, her heart full of anger as she headed straight for Qinghui Courtyard.

After Bai Jinzhi finished telling Bai Qingyan, who had already risen and was sitting by the window lattice, she angrily grabbed a piece of pastry and chewed it vigorously: “If the State of Jin were to be entrusted to such a Crown Prince, I think our State of Jin would not be far from bringing about its destruction!”

“Watch your words!” Bai Qingyan handed tea to Bai Jinzhi.

“I know!” Bai Jinzhi took the teacup and drained it in one gulp, then heavily set the cup down on the small table. “I’m just saying this in front of my elder sister!”

Regarding the northern frontier military provisions being suppressed by the Crown Prince, Bai Qingyan was not surprised…

She didn’t believe that the generals defending the northern frontier, upon seeing such provisions, would not report it!

However, what Fourth Sister had just said about Quan Yu’s reminder to her…

Quan Yu…

Bai Qingyan had never paid particular attention to him before. She only knew that Quan Yu had grown up with the Crown Prince since childhood, had delicate features, and seemed to intentionally or unintentionally show her extra care.

Bai Jinzhi also thought of Quan Yu and turned her head to look at Bai Qingyan: “Elder sister, is Eunuch Quan Yu a hidden agent you placed beside the Crown Prince?”

“The Crown Prince is older than I. Eunuch Quan Yu grew up with the Crown Prince since childhood. How could I have arranged for this person to be by the Crown Prince’s side in advance?” Seeing that Bai Jinzhi had finished her tea and was starting to stuff pastries into her mouth again, Bai Qingyan pushed the small silver cup containing cheese drink toward her. “In the future, just be courteous to this Eunuch Quan Yu.”

As soon as Bai Qingyan finished speaking, Chun Tao lifted the curtain and entered, bowing: “First Miss, a nanny from the Crown Princess’s side has brought nourishing medicinal herbs, saying she’s come to see First Miss on behalf of Her Highness the Crown Princess. She has already entered through the hanging flower gate.”

Bai Jinzhi forcefully swallowed the pastry in her mouth, choking as she pounded her chest with her fist, then picked up the silver cup and drained the cheese drink in one gulp. Standing up, she said to Bai Qingyan: “Elder sister, quickly go lie down on the bed. Don’t let the Crown Princess’s nanny notice anything suspicious.”

Bai Qingyan nodded and unhurriedly lifted the fine wool blanket covering her legs. Supporting herself on Chun Tao’s hand, she slowly rose to her feet. This movement pulled at her wound painfully, and she frowned as she endured it, walking toward the bed.

“First Miss, please be careful!” Chun Tao whispered her reminder.

Bai Qingyan sat leaning against the bed. After Chun Tao had arranged the bedding properly, they heard a maid outside reporting that the nanny from the Crown Princess’s side had arrived.

Seeing Bai Qingyan nod, Chun Tao walked around the screen and curtains, lifted the door curtain, and emerged from the room.

The nanny was well-fed in appearance, wearing sapphire blue satin clothing. Her words and actions didn’t resemble those of a servant, but rather those of an extremely strict, wealthy family matron, dressed even more respectably than the old madams of slightly lower-ranked families.

Chun Tao bowed to the nanny and lifted the curtain to invite her inside.