However, when Quan Yu arrived at Luohong City, he had told him that there was no news of the little grandson in the capital, which should indicate that the Crown Princess and little grandson were not in Bai Qingyan’s hands.

If the Crown Princess and little grandson were in Bai Qingyan’s hands, they would have long used them to threaten and exchange for Grand Princess. Why would they bother with a siege… yet not dare to attack the city because of their concern for Grand Princess?

The Crown Prince estimated that… the Crown Princess and little grandson had probably already fallen victim to Prince Liang’s poisonous hands. At this thought, his eyes instantly moistened, his nostrils flared slightly, and tears nearly fell.

Quan Yu quietly accompanied the Crown Prince. Seeing the Crown Prince hold back his tears and let out a long sigh before lifting his foot to walk down the steps, Quan Yu only then reminded him to watch his step.

Who would have thought that they had barely taken a few steps when a young eunuch chased down from the steps: “Your Highness, the Crown Prince, please wait. His Majesty has an edict… requesting that the eunuch beside Your Highness come for questioning.”

Quan Yu was stunned and looked at the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince frowned tightly: “Why does Father Emperor summon Quan Yu?”

The young eunuch kept his head lowered and respectfully replied: “Replying to Your Highness, this servant doesn’t know…”

The Crown Prince thought for a moment and said to Quan Yu, “You go. If Father Emperor asks you about my affairs, just tell the truth. Come back soon.”

Quan Yu acknowledged the order and bowed to the Crown Prince, then left with that young eunuch.

The Crown Prince glanced at Quan Yu and turned to leave…

When Quan Yu followed the young eunuch with small steps into the great hall, gauze curtains hung down from the sandalwood crossbeams. Through them, one could vaguely see the Emperor reclining on the soft couch inside with an imposing presence.

Hearing Quan Yu’s greeting, the Emperor slowly spoke: “I heard that Bai Qingyan sent you to Luohong City?”

Quan Yu’s heart skipped a beat. This Emperor had always been suspicious and was probably suspecting him now.

“Replying to Your Majesty, Princess Zhenguo had wanted this servant to stay by her side to serve, but this servant has followed Your Highness, the Crown Prince, since childhood. When this servant first entered the palace, Your Highness could have chosen from many young eunuchs, yet Your Highness chose this servant who was constantly bullied. No matter what, this servant cannot abandon Your Highness at this time. Therefore, this servant begged Princess Zhenguo to grant a fine horse so this servant could come to Luohong City to find Your Highness and serve him!” Quan Yu honestly finished speaking and kowtowed to the Emperor.

“Or perhaps… You received orders from Bai Qingyan to return and monitor the Crown Prince and me,” the Emperor said, his voice revealing malicious intent.

Quan Yu quickly kowtowed: “Replying to Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince’s kindness to this servant is like giving new life. This servant would rather die… than ever betray Your Highness. I beg Your Majesty’s clear judgment!”

“Since that’s the case, I’ll give you a chance to show your loyalty.” The Emperor lazily rose from the soft couch and walked toward Quan Yu with his hands behind his back. Quan Yu’s entire body tensed, not daring to raise his head, only vaguely seeing a pair of shoes embroidered with auspicious clouds behind the gauze curtain.

The Emperor’s somewhat withered hand lifted the gauze curtain, looking down at Quan Yu as he slowly spoke: “When Bai Qingyan enters the city today… at Luohong Tower, if Bai Qingyan is unwilling to conscript the thousand virgin boys and girls for me, I want you to personally deliver poisoned wine to Bai Qingyan’s hands.”

Quan Yu looked up in terror, meeting the Emperor’s calm yet chilling gaze. A cold feeling suddenly crawled up his spine: “Your Majesty…”

“If tonight doesn’t go as desired, that cup of poisoned wine… either you drink it, or Bai Qingyan drinks it!” After the Emperor finished speaking, he released the curtain and said, “You may go! No need to return to the Crown Prince. Go directly to Luohong Tower and wait.”

The Emperor simply didn’t believe that Bai Qingyan would be so kind as to send an insignificant eunuch from the Crown Prince’s side back to him.

This Quan Yu was either sent by Bai Qingyan to monitor him, the Emperor, and the Crown Prince, or even to assassinate them at an opportune moment.

Or else… he was someone whose heart Bai Qingyan could buy, prepared to use him to persuade the Crown Prince to surrender if Luohong City couldn’t be taken after a prolonged siege, repaying kindness with betrayal… after all, his son… had very soft ears.

But regardless of Bai Qingyan’s reasons for sending Quan Yu back to the Crown Prince’s side, she wouldn’t be on guard against this young eunuch.

·

At the hour of Xu, the afterglow had burned out, leaving only a faint, dying struggle of dim rosy colors on the horizon.

Grand Princess stood on the high platform of Luohong Tower, which had the best scenery in Luohong City. The tower’s multiple eaves were hung with red lanterns, brilliantly lit and very imposing.

Watching the maids light the bronze crane lamps set every ten steps one by one, Luohong Tower looked like a warm-colored destination from afar.

Grand Princess watched the gradually darkening rosy colors in the distance finally disappear completely, swallowed by night, while her heart held myriad flavors and countless turns.

She had persuaded the Emperor to send Shen Tianzhi to see Bai Qingyan precisely to tell Bai Qingyan that this was a Hongmen Banquet, letting Bai Qingyan make her choice.

Enter the city and become a subject.

Attack the city and become a king.

But when she truly learned that her granddaughter had chosen to enter the city, Grand Princess felt more sadness in her heart—sad for her granddaughter having such a grandmother, and also sad… why couldn’t her granddaughter learn to be like a true emperor, choosing profit rather than choosing sentiment?

Grand Princess slowly closed her eyes, tears sliding down from the corners of her cheeks.

The still-warm wind blew against Grand Princess’s temples and silver hair. The golden lanterns hanging from the multiple eaves stretched her shadow long.

After a long while, Grand Princess let out a long sigh, turned around, and returned to the interior of Luohong Tower, leaning against a cushion to sit on the soft couch, fingering prayer beads in her hand.

·

The great gates of Luohong City opened wide, and Bai Qingyan led a cavalry unit of less than a hundred soldiers slowly entering through the main gate.

The defending soldiers of Luohong City kept their heads lowered, not daring to look at the imposing Bai Qingyan. Only Gao Demao stood in the distance with a smile in his eyes, waiting respectfully for Bai Qingyan as usual.

The Jin army in Luohong City held torches high, their flames dancing wildly in the wind, making the shadows of people sway chaotically.

After Bai Qingyan entered the city with a hundred soldiers, the gates of Luohong City slowly closed…

The hundred soldiers who had come with Bai Qingyan stood in strict formation, each gripping their sabers with thumbs pressed against the hilts, as if the blades might be unsheathed at any moment.

Bai Qingyan leaped down from her horse. Seeing Gao Demao approaching with small steps to bow, she casually tossed her riding whip to a guard and said with a smile: “Eunuch Gao, it’s been a long time!”

“Princess Zhenguo looks well. It’s truly Heaven’s protection.” Gao Demao’s smile was still that shallow and appropriate one, making it impossible to tell the truth or falsehood of his words.

“I wonder where Grandmother is now?” Bai Qingyan asked with a smile.

“Princess Zhenguo, please follow this old servant…” Gao Demao respectfully stepped aside and invited Bai Qingyan to follow him to Luohong Tower.

Gao Demao walked with small steps, moving slightly quickly. Walking beside Bai Qingyan, he said in a low voice: “The best scenery in Luohong City is the night view from Luohong Tower, but the fine wine and delicacies of Luohong City are truly not worthy of praise.”