Bai Qingyan arrived at the main hall of the front courtyard in a shoulder sedan from Qinghui Courtyard. Li Mingrui had been sitting in the main hall waiting for quite some time.

Li Mingrui lowered his eyes, his hands gripping tightly at his robe’s hem, clenching his teeth with an unpleasant expression. The old man was different from the others to Li Mingrui. Besides being his and his mother’s life-saving benefactor, the old man was more like an elder to Li Mingrui. Though he didn’t like to talk much, he would always serve as a listener, hearing Li Mingrui’s complaints.

At home, his father Li Mao was too busy as Left Chancellor, his mother couldn’t understand, and he was the legitimate eldest son, strictly demanded by his father and carrying his mother’s high expectations.

Some things he could only tell the taciturn old man.

The old man never commented on what Li Mingrui said, but would gently pat his head like an elder when Li Mingrui revealed traces of sadness. Li Mingrui greatly treasured that little bit of warmth the old man gave him.

The bright, piercing sunlight reflected off the polished floor of Princess Zhenguo’s mansion’s main hall. When the light dimmed, Li Mingrui looked up, his sore eyes already tinged with green shadows, making it difficult for him to see Bai Qingyan clearly as she arrived late.

“Master Li came alone?”

Hearing Bai Qingyan’s clear, clean voice, Li Mingrui quickly performed a formal bow: “Mingrui pays respects to Princess Zhenguo.”

Bai Qingyan sat down in the main seat with Zhen Ming’s support, looking at Li Mingrui with a half-smile: “Did the Left Chancellor not speak clearly with Master Li, or does Master Li think I’m quite idle?”

Li Mingrui glanced at the maid standing beside Bai Qingyan with no intention of withdrawing, gritted his teeth, lifted his hem, and knelt before Bai Qingyan: “How is Princess Zhenguo’s subordinate’s injury?”

Bai Qingyan looked at Li Mingrui without speaking until a maid entered the main hall carrying a black lacquered tray decorated with gold, served tea, and withdrew. Only then did Bai Qingyan pick up the black glazed teacup, slowly blowing on the hot steam: “Anyone who dares to harm my people… even by half a measure, must pay with their life. It depends on whether Master Li wants to repay with the lives of the entire Li clan, or with one person’s life.”

Li Mingrui closed his eyes. As expected, Princess Zhenguo wanted the old man’s life!

“Mingrui doesn’t know how Princess Zhenguo’s subordinate was injured, but… the old man is merely a servant who was following orders. If Princess Zhenguo wants to blame someone, she should blame Mingrui, not take it out on a servant! Mingrui knows that Princess Zhenguo spares the entire clan’s lives because Princess Zhenguo might have use for the Li family in the future. Li Mingrui is willing to dedicate his life completely to Princess Zhenguo!”

The usually proud and aloof Li Mingrui closed his eyes and kowtowed to Bai Qingyan.

“Master Li’s words are amusing. I hold the lives of your entire Li clan in my grasp. Even if you’re unwilling to dedicate your life to me, if I tell you to go east… would you dare go west?” Bai Qingyan took a sip of tea and gently set down the teacup. “Li Mingrui, you have no room to negotiate with me.”

“Could it be that Princess Zhenguo would be willing to sacrifice my father, this high-ranking, powerful yet controllable court official, for the sake of a servant? Li Mingrui believes he has some ability. When my father steps down from his position as Left Chancellor, Li Mingrui will surely make achievements in court and can become a chess piece Princess Zhenguo places in court. In the long run… Princess Zhenguo will need to use the Li family. Weighing the importance, you shouldn’t take the lives of my entire Li clan for one subordinate. What Princess Zhenguo wants is an explanation!”

Li Mingrui looked up at the cold expression of Bai Qingyan and said coldly: “After all, Princess Zhenguo is now the knife and chopping board… my Li family is the fish and meat. Fish and meat should have the awareness of fish and meat. If fish and meat dare to use force against the knife and chopping board, the knife and chopping board… naturally must show the fish and meat some color.”

“Master Li is very clever…” Bai Qingyan’s expression carried some mockery, “but a bit too clever. The reason I haven’t moved against your Li family is because I don’t want to disrupt the current stable situation in the capital, not because… I want to use you! I made this very clear to the Left Chancellor initially. The Left Chancellor’s handwritten correspondence with the Second Prince has been in my possession for more than a day or two. Apart from the Wang Qiulu matter, have I ever asked you to do anything else…”

Li Mingrui’s palms tightened: “Doesn’t Princess Zhenguo intend to use the Li family at a more crucial time?”

“What does your Li family have that I could use?” The smile in Bai Qingyan’s expression became more pleasant: “Master Li truly overestimates your Left Chancellor’s mansion. To me… you’re completely irrelevant. I have the absolute trust of the Crown Prince, the future heir apparent. Why would I trouble myself with you?”

Li Mingrui’s throat rolled. Were the chips he thought he had nothing to Princess Zhenguo? Or was… Princess Zhenguo is just deceiving him?

He gritted his teeth tightly. Regardless, he couldn’t abandon the old man, much less abandon the entire Li clan.

“Since Princess Zhenguo insists on an explanation, I gave the order… I’ll take responsibility for it!”

As he spoke, Li Mingrui suddenly drew a dagger from his waist.

“Eldest Miss, be careful!” Zhen Ming cried out in alarm, widening her eyes and shielding Bai Qingyan with her body.

Shen Qingzhu, who had been listening at the door, leaped through the window and drew her sword…

Only to see Li Mingrui plunge that dagger straight into his abdomen. Sharp pain spread from his abdomen, and Li Mingrui gritted his teeth… his face immediately turned red from holding his breath, veins bulging on his forehead.

Bai Qingyan’s hand gripping the chair’s armrest tightened, shocked inwardly but maintaining an expressionless face as she watched Li Mingrui.

Shen Qingzhu also froze, looking up at Bai Qingyan.

Li Mingrui supported himself on the ground with one hand, his entire body trembling from pain, his eyes bloodshot, yet he forced himself not to cry out. He closed his eyes to adjust his rapid breathing, straightened up, and looked at Bai Qingyan: “Princess Zhenguo… with this, can this matter be concluded?”

Bai Qingyan truly hadn’t expected Li Mingrui to protect Shen Baizhong in this way.

Although Li Mingrui lacked great righteousness, he still had small virtues.

Bai Qingyan waved her hand, signaling Zhen Ming, who was shielding her, to step back, and looked at Li Mingrui probingly: “Master Li’s relationship with this person of extraordinary martial skills seems quite deep!”

“Years ago, when my mother and I returned to our hometown to visit relatives, we encountered assassins who had been lying in ambush outside Jinjian City. When the family guards saw they couldn’t win, they abandoned my mother and me and fled. It was the old man who risked his life to save us, mother and son. Li Mingrui admits he’s not a gentleman, but he absolutely cannot be an ungrateful beast.” Fine beads of sweat had already formed on Li Mingrui’s forehead.

Shen Qingzhu sheathed her long sword and walked coldly to Bai Qingyan’s side, frowning: “Eldest Miss…”

Jinjian City…

Bai Qingyan’s fingers rubbed together subtly: “There was such an incident? I wonder which year this was?”

Bai Qingyan seemed completely unconcerned about Li Mingrui’s injury, picking up her teacup with the air of someone preparing for a long conversation with Li Mingrui.

Li Mingrui endured the severe pain of his wound and answered truthfully: “Six years ago.”

Shen Qingzhu’s eyes widened as she met Bai Qingyan’s gaze. It was indeed six years ago…