Perhaps Li Mingrui wanted to forge a different path and had also harbored thoughts about military power, intending to grasp military authority to overthrow the Lin imperial power. Only by doing so could he render the personal letter from Left Chancellor Li Mao in her hands into waste paper.
The more this was the case, the more Bai Qingyan could not allow someone like Li Mingrui to take the Anping army from the Bai family’s hands.
Regardless of what kind of world it was, military power was too important. Once obtained, how could there be any reason to easily let go?
Upon entering Boyun Courtyard, Nanny Qin, who had long prepared the clothing, waved her hand, and the Bai family’s loyal servants immediately stepped forward to change Bai Qingyan’s clothes.
While fastening the silk sash of Bai Qingyan’s garment, Nanny Qin said, “This clothing has already been fumigated with medicinal decoction. Right now, Madam is in the front hall stabilizing Eunuch Quan Yu from the Crown Prince’s mansion. Madam said that after the continuous reports of defeats from Great Liang, Eunuch Quan Yu came to visit, either to request the eldest miss to come out of retirement, or to inform the eldest miss that the Crown Prince wants to replace the fourth miss, so that the eldest miss can be mentally prepared to avoid suddenly replacing the fourth miss and chilling the eldest miss’s heart! Madam instructed that when the eldest miss meets this Eunuch Quan Yu later, she should be prepared.”
Bai Qingyan tilted her neck back, allowing Nanny Qin to fasten her pankou buttons for her. Privately, she felt that the possibility of the Crown Prince sending Quan Yu to request her to come out of retirement was unlikely. The Crown Prince cared about face… what condition her body was in, the Crown Prince already had a clear understanding after the imperial physicians at the Crown Prince’s mansion had examined her previously. Therefore, unless it was a time of national crisis, the Crown Prince would never order her to lead troops.
If the Crown Prince were to do so, he would certainly be criticized by the world for disregarding the life of his benefactor. Even if the Crown Prince wanted to do this, Old Fang would also advise the Crown Prince against it.
After finishing her preparations, Chun Tao applied pearl powder used for face masks to Bai Qingyan’s lips, making Bai Qingyan appear as if she had not a trace of color in her face, looking even more frail and delicate.
In the front hall, Quan Yu sat in the position below Dong Shi’s seat. When speaking with Dong Shi, his attitude was extremely respectful and humble. He carefully inquired about Bai Qingyan’s physical condition and presented precious medicinal supplements that the Crown Prince had ordered him to bring.
Dong Shi was talking with Quan Yu when she noticed the sedan chair carrying Bai Qingyan arriving outside. She looked toward the entrance of the main hall, and Quan Yu also followed Dong Shi’s gaze…
Seeing Bai Qingyan being supported by Chun Tao and Nanny Tong as she barely managed to stand up, Quan Yu was startled and hastily rose, taking small steps forward to salute Bai Qingyan: “This servant greets Princess Zhenguo! It is all this servant’s fault. If not for the Crown Prince’s message to Princess Zhenguo, this servant would never dare disturb Princess Zhenguo!”
Speaking thus, Quan Yu stood up again and took Bai Qingyan’s arm from Nanny Tong’s hands, carefully and cautiously supporting Bai Qingyan as they walked toward the main hall.
In Quan Yu’s nostrils was the strong medicinal smell from Bai Qingyan’s body. He grasped Bai Qingyan’s thin wrist that seemed boneless, and his eyes immediately became moist and red. This Princess Zhenguo looked even thinner and weaker than when he had seen her in the capital city before.
After helping Bai Qingyan sit down, Quan Yu saw that Bai Qingyan’s breathing was rapid and was at a loss for what to do, when he saw Chun Tao bring up a cup of hot tea. Quan Yu, caring nothing for propriety, took the hot tea from Chun Tao’s hands and offered it to Bai Qingyan: “Princess Zhenguo, drink some tea to catch your breath.”
Bai Qingyan shook her head. Chun Tao quickly stepped forward to take the tea from Quan Yu’s hands and set it aside, then placed a hidden cushion behind Bai Qingyan’s back. With proper advance and retreat, she said to Quan Yu: “Eunuch Quan Yu, please be seated.”
Quan Yu nodded and returned to sit beside his chair.
“I wonder what matter the Crown Prince has sent Eunuch Quan Yu here for this time?” Bai Qingyan leaned against the hidden cushion, her clear eyes looking toward Quan Yu.
Quan Yu found it difficult to speak, pursing his lips before saying: “In response to Princess Zhenguo, because Princess Gaoyi has lost four consecutive cities in the battles in Great Liang, the court officials already have complaints and wish to replace Princess Gaoyi. Left Chancellor Li Mao recommended his eldest son Li Mingrui to go to Great Liang to command the troops, issuing a military order. The Crown Prince, seeing that he cannot suppress the officials’ wishes, therefore… sent Quan Yu to inform Princess Zhenguo. Perhaps when Quan Yu returns, the Crown Prince will have no choice but to issue an edict, ordering Left Chancellor’s legitimate eldest son Li Mingrui to go to Great Liang to replace Princess Gaoyi!”
Quan Yu watched Bai Qingyan’s expression, seeing Bai Qingyan’s hand resting on the chair’s armrest, her eyes closed as if in quiet contemplation.
Afraid that Bai Qingyan might think wrongly and feel uncomfortable in her heart, before Bai Qingyan could speak, he hastily added: “The Crown Prince doing this is not because he doesn’t trust Princess Gaoyi or the Bai family, but because Left Chancellor Li Mao issued a military order, and the officials pressed from all sides, so the Crown Prince had no choice but to do this! The Crown Prince was afraid that Princess Zhenguo might overthink during her convalescence, which is why he sent Quan Yu on this trip. Princess Zhenguo must not think too much!”
After Quan Yu finished speaking, the main hall of the Bai mansion became extremely quiet.
Dong Shi was not an ignorant woman who would kowtow in gratitude for imperial favor at the slightest kindness from the Crown Prince. She understood clearly in her heart… as long as Bai Qingyan agreed, the military power that Bai Jinzhi had finally managed to grasp would fall into other hands.
Dong Shi’s palms tightened. She guessed that her daughter would probably be forced to don armor and take the field again this time. Although she knew her daughter’s frail appearance was feigned, Dong Shi inevitably still felt her heart tighten with worry.
However, she also knew her daughter was a Bai family daughter with a broad mind and ambitions for the world, and knew that Little Four was still on the battlefield in Great Liang, so she could not obstruct her.
Seeing that Bai Qingyan remained silent for a long while, Quan Yu’s heart tightened, and he said in a low voice to persuade: “Princess Zhenguo…, if the Crown Prince were not truly desperate, he wouldn’t want to use Li Mingrui either. This person cannot yet be considered one of the Crown Prince’s people, and he previously schemed against Princess Zhenguo. The Crown Prince also worries that if this person holds military power and harbors some treacherous thoughts, he would be difficult to control! So, employing Li Mingrui… the Crown Prince also has no choice, it’s not that he doesn’t trust Princess Zhenguo!”
Still not seeing Bai Qingyan nod, Quan Yu adjusted his sitting posture and lowered his voice even more: “Actually, this could be considered a good thing. Princess Gaoyi is, after all, a young lady, and at such a young age, she’s already fighting and killing on the battlefield. To speak out of turn… she’s living a life of licking blood from knife edges. Aren’t Princess Zhenguo and all the ladies of the Bai family in Shouyang also worried? If Princess Gaoyi returns, Princess Zhenguo and all the ladies won’t be so anxious, and Princess Zhenguo can also recover from your injuries with peace of mind. All things considered, it’s also a good thing!”
Dong Shi pressed her lips with a handkerchief: “For generations, the Bai family, whether sons or daughters, have known from birth… that their mission is to protect the peaceful mountains and rivers of our Jin nation, ensuring the people live without worry or fear, with no regrets about life or death! Since Jinzhi has taken on the title of Princess Gaoyi, she cannot hold a position without doing the work, violating ancestral teachings, and accomplishing nothing! All of us in the Bai family… are proud of Jinzhi!”
Quan Yu hastily stood up and solemnly bowed to Dong Shi: “The Bai family’s righteousness and their love for Kingdom and people can be witnessed by heaven and earth. Quan Yu is filled with admiration!”
Bai Qingyan let out a long breath, opened her eyes, and looked at Quan Yu with profound and resilient gaze, speaking slowly and deliberately, her voice firm and decisive: “Please trouble Eunuch Quan Yu to return to the capital and tell him that regarding the matter of losing cities and territory… the Crown Prince need not worry.”