But he didn’t believe it. He didn’t believe Bai Qingyan could abandon Li Mao, a court minister so easily controlled by her! Jin’s Left Chancellor!

However, he had indeed miscalculated Bai Qingyan.

He had been too arrogant. He had thought that when she broke his younger brother Li Mingtang’s legs and sent a head to their Li family’s door, it was merely Princess Zhenguo’s intimidation tactic, and that deep down she wanted to use the Li family rather than exterminate them completely.

Now, looking back, that letter in Prince Liang’s hands had come under suspicious circumstances. It might well have been connected to Princess Zhenguo.

When Father made his second move against Princess Zhenguo, both the head and that letter that threw the Li family into chaos were Princess Zhenguo’s way of striking the mountain to warn the tiger.

But he had taken it as Princess Zhenguo being unwilling to abandon the Li family. He had even thought that Father Li Mao’s position as Left Chancellor… was the bargaining chip that allowed the Li family to contend somewhat with Princess Zhenguo.

But this time, if those letters were crucial, Father’s position as Left Chancellor… might be in jeopardy.

Li Mingrui kowtowed heavily to the Crown Prince: “Your Highness, please discern clearly. When my father approached the Second Prince and later rescued His Majesty, this matter was reported to His Majesty afterward. If Your Highness doesn’t believe this, you can enter the palace to ask His Majesty! Li Mingrui admits… this time it was indeed Li Mingrui who framed Princess Zhenguo. Firstly, it was indeed to avenge my younger brother, and secondly… it was indeed as Madam Qin said, wanting to diminish Your Highness’s trust in Princess Zhenguo. It would be best if Your Highness could question Princess Zhenguo and make her feel disheartened… delaying her delivery of these letters to Your Highness, giving me time to replace those letters!”

“My eldest sister’s loyalty to Your Highness is beyond the comprehension of a treacherous villain like you! When my eldest sister was severely injured and could barely hold on, she still worried about Your Highness’s safety and told me to quickly notify about Wang Qiulu being alive! Even if… Your Highness truly became suspicious or even broke my eldest sister’s heart, as long as it concerned the realm and Your Highness’s safety, my eldest sister… would still do her duty without hesitation! This is the iron-boned loyalty of we Bai family members – something a treacherous villain like you will never understand in this lifetime!”

Hearing Bai Jinxiu say this, the Crown Prince’s eyes immediately grew warm. He remembered again how Bai Qingyan had sacrificed herself to block the arrow for him, and his disgust for Li Mingrui grew even stronger. His gaze firm, he slammed the letters in his hand onto the table and declared loudly: “My trust in Princess Zhenguo cannot be weakened by your bringing one Wang Qiulu to frame her! I tell you… In this world, I would sooner distrust myself than ever distrust Princess Zhenguo!”

Hearing these words, Old Fang’s fingers trembled slightly, his expression growing even grimmer.

The intention had been to make the Crown Prince harbor some suspicion of Princess Zhenguo in the future, not to believe everything Princess Zhenguo said. How had it ended up… making the Crown Prince trust Bai Qingyan even more?

Bai Jinxiu took out her handkerchief and lowered her head to wipe her tears, concealing the relieved expression in her eyes. She kowtowed: “Your subject thanks Your Highness on behalf of her eldest sister for your trust. Whenever the eldest sister speaks with your subject, she always sighs that her poor health prevents her from serving Your Highness for long, and she feels very guilty about this.”

Old Fang gritted his teeth. He hadn’t expected Princess Zhenguo’s sister to be so eloquent, making the Crown Prince trust Princess Zhenguo even more with just a few words. No wonder… it was said that after the Bai family’s Second Miss married into the Qin family – the family whose son was once engaged to Princess Zhenguo – she lived very comfortably.

Now thinking about it, when Marquis Zhongyong Qin Dezhao’s second wife was forced to leave, the Bai family’s Second Miss must have had a hand in it…

The Bai family daughters were truly formidable! Every one of them!

“Your Highness!” Li Mingrui suddenly spoke. “Your subject admits to framing Princess Zhenguo, but when my father had dealings with the Second Prince, His Majesty truly knew about it! The reason your subject acted thus was not wanting the capital to experience more turmoil. After the chaos at Wude Gate, the capital desperately needs peace and cannot be thrown into chaos again! Your subject dare not say Princess Zhenguo’s actions would throw the capital into chaos, but our Jin is currently at war with Liang. We cannot let court ministers fall into trouble because of these letters!”

“The events of that time – perhaps Your Highness and Princess Zhenguo don’t know the inside story, but His Majesty knows! Your subject begs Your Highness to enter the palace. His Majesty will surely tell Your Highness everything! It won’t be too late for Your Highness to punish your subject’s family then!” Li Mingrui kowtowed heavily.

“So Wang Qiulu – was he someone Prince Liang coerced you into saving?” the Crown Prince pressed.

How could Li Mingrui not know that the Crown Prince wanted to find an opportunity to put Prince Liang to death?

Prince Liang had fallen from power and was of little use. Moreover, after the forced abdication incident, the Emperor probably couldn’t trust him completely either.

Li Mingrui had once worried that Prince Liang might one day rise again, but at present… preserving his own life was more important. Otherwise, where would there be a future?

Li Mingrui kowtowed: “Exactly!”

The Crown Prince raised his eyebrows and stretched his back to lean against the cushions: “Good… Minister Lu, did you hear all of that?”

Lu Jin quickly bowed to the Crown Prince: “Your Highness, I heard everything.”

“Li Mingrui, and that servant, plus Wang Qiulu and that jailer and commoner that Old Fang brought back earlier – take them all away! Tomorrow morning, I will enter the palace to personally discuss this matter with Father Emperor.”

“Since the matter is concluded, your subject should return to care for eldest sister…” Bai Jinxiu bowed to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince nodded, then remembered that Qin Lang would also be taking the examination the day after tomorrow, and said with a smile: “Qin Lang’s performance in last year’s spring examinations was quite good. This year he’s retaking them… he must work hard!”

“Thank you for Your Highness’s concern. Your subject will certainly convey this to Qin Lang when she returns. Qin Lang will also surely not disappoint His Majesty’s and Your Highness’s expectations.” After bowing again, Bai Jinxiu withdrew from the main hall.

Li Mingrui and the others were also taken away by Lu Jin.

Left Chancellor Li Mao wanted to gather information but only knew that his son had been taken directly from the Crown Prince’s mansion by Lu Jin. Anxious and pacing in circles, the people he sent out couldn’t gather any information no matter how they tried.

The white-robed strategist stood in the study, watching Li Mao pace back and forth inside, and finally informed Li Mao about the Wang Qiulu matter.

“Outrageous! Outrageous! How many times have I said it? Don’t provoke Princess Zhenguo! Don’t provoke Princess Zhenguo! Not only are the lives of our entire family held in Princess Zhenguo’s hands, but Princess Zhenguo is even more unrestrained than Bai Weiting was back then – she fears no one and is afraid of nothing! How dare you and Li Mingrui act thus behind my back!”

Li Mao was furious, both anxious and angry, slapping the desk until it rang loudly.

The white-robed strategist also looked troubled: “This matter… I’m also to blame. I failed to dissuade the young master and instead… felt that what the young master was doing would indeed benefit our Left Chancellor’s mansion.”

Li Mao looked at the white-robed strategist and was silent for a long while before speaking, his tone unable to hide his reproach: “If Ziyuan were still here, he would never have let Mingrui make such a blunder.”

The white-robed strategist felt his face burning with shame. He lowered his head and bowed to Li Mao: “I… am indeed not as wise as Ziyuan, and have implicated the young master. Please punish me, Left Chancellor!”