“But didn’t Prince Liang order that…” The deposed crown prince’s words remained unfinished as tears burst from his eyes.
“Originally, Prince Liang did issue an order for the lives of your wife and child, but it was Second Miss who sent people to rescue your wife and child.” Fu Ruoxi spoke in a low voice, “His Majesty has sent people to care for your wife and child all along. They are very safe now.”
The deposed crown prince hurriedly knelt up straight, sincerely kowtowing toward Bai Qingyan: “Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Madam Qin! In this life… I will never reveal to the child that we were once Jin’s imperial family. I only ask to live peacefully, let that child become an ordinary commoner, able to stay alive would be enough!”
According to reason, when a new dynasty’s emperor ascends the throne, the old dynasty’s imperial bloodline… should be completely exterminated, cutting the grass and removing the roots.
The deposed crown prince didn’t know whether to call Bai Qingyan sentimental or confident—she truly spared their family of three.
“Live well!” Bai Qingyan said to the deposed crown prince.
If the deposed crown prince hadn’t had such a father emperor, perhaps… he wouldn’t have ended up this way.
“Master Qin.” Bai Qingyan’s gaze fell on Qin Shangzhi again, “Does Master Qin wish to follow Prince Qi and leave the capital together, or… go to the Guanghe Canal to continue presiding over the great canal construction project?”
Qin Shangzhi clenched his fists. He glanced at the deposed crown prince, who was looking at him, then kowtowed to Bai Qingyan: “Qin Shangzhi is willing to go to the Guanghe Canal to complete the great canal construction project, and afterward… please have Your Majesty send Qin Shangzhi to follow His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Bai Qingyan looked at Qin Shangzhi and nodded: “Very well…”
The deposed crown prince immediately had tears streaming down his face. He had once watched helplessly as Qin Shangzhi was squeezed out by Old Fang, but he never expected that in the end, the one willing to accompany him would be this very Qin Shangzhi.
Thinking of Qin Shangzhi, the deposed crown prince, inevitably thought of Ren Shijie. He hesitantly asked: “Your Majesty, Master Ren from my residence, is he already gone?”
Hearing this, Bai Qingyan’s distinct black and white eyes looked toward the deposed crown prince. She was somewhat surprised that the deposed crown prince still didn’t know Ren Shijie’s true identity, but she didn’t want to expose it at this moment. Since she had already decided to let the deposed crown prince live, it was better to let him remain confused. Being confused was happier than being too clear about everything.
Bai Qingyan nodded.
The deposed crown prince choked up again, kowtowed in gratitude, and watched as Bai Qingyan departed.
The deposed crown prince turned to look at Qin Shangzhi and began sincerely advising him: “Master Qin, I am no longer the crown prince… no longer the future ruler. I cannot provide Master Qin with room to display his talents. Master Qin need not follow me anymore… follow Bai Qingyan instead! Sir possesses great talent. It was I who failed to recognize talent initially and didn’t make proper use of you. Bai Qingyan values talent… that’s why she condescended to come to this great prison today, showing sufficient sincerity. I remember Sir’s loyalty to me in my heart, but for Sir’s prospects… You shouldn’t follow me anymore by any means.”
Qin Shangzhi tightly gripped the clothing at his side. After a long while, his hand loosened, and he shook his head at the crown prince: “Since Qin Shangzhi has already chosen a master, I will certainly remain faithful to the end, advancing and retreating together with my lord, sharing life and death.”
Hearing Qin Shangzhi’s words, the crown prince couldn’t help but shed tears again. He nodded and stopped trying to persuade him, only saying with a smile: “Since Master Qin does not abandon me, from today onward… I will not treat Master Qin as a subordinate, but will regard Master Qin as a good teacher and friend. Please let Master Qin be my son’s teacher, teaching my son the principles of how to conduct oneself in the world.”
Qin Shangzhi straightened his back and bowed to the crown prince: “I will certainly not fail Your Highness’s trust.”
Following Bai Qingyan out of the great prison, Fu Ruoxi couldn’t help but sigh: “That Master Qin is truly a loyal and righteous person, worthy of respect.”
“He’s just a bit too stubborn.” Xie Yuchang also valued talent. If Qin Shangzhi didn’t possess great ability, Bai Qingyan wouldn’t have repeatedly invited him, even personally coming to this great prison.
Fu Ruoxi was about to defend Qin Shangzhi when she saw Xie Yuchang had already stepped forward and lowered his voice to speak with Bai Qingyan: “Your Majesty, Prince Baishui has made his move. He contacted several centurions in our Imperial Guards, wanting those centurions to find ways to hide Prince Baishui’s assassins in the great hall before tomorrow’s enthronement ceremony. They plan to assassinate Your Majesty the moment you step into the great hall, then immediately take your place.”
Hearing this, Bai Qingyan didn’t show much reaction, but Fu Ruoxi tensed up as if facing a great enemy and hurriedly stepped forward: “Your Majesty, should we place Prince Baishui under control?”
Bai Qingyan stood under the swaying lantern at the prison gate. The lamplight flickered bright and dark across her face, making her brows and eyes appear even more coldly indifferent: “No need. The stage has already been set up, so we should let them finish their performance. After he finishes this act, reducing the feudal lords’ power will have even more legitimate justification.”
“At least have someone monitor Prince Baishui in secret!” Fu Ruoxi was still worried. “If Your Majesty doesn’t trust others, why not let this subordinate do it!”
Just as Fu Ruoxi finished speaking, they saw the Bai family’s Seventh Young Master, Bai Qingjue, arriving on horseback at full speed.
Seeing Bai Qingjue leap down from his horse and hurriedly run up the high steps, Xie Yuchang and Fu Ruoxi quickly saluted him.
Holding his golden whip, Bai Qingjue cupped his hands in return to the two, then spoke in a low voice to Bai Qingyan: “Elder Sister, the shadow guards report… Prince Baishui is about to make his move.”
Bai Qingyan nodded and walked down the high steps of the great prison together with Bai Qingjue: “Speak as we walk.”
“Today, someone delivered an imperial coronation robe to Prince Baishui’s residence.” Bai Qingjue walked beside Bai Qingyan, instinctively reaching out to support his elder sister, his voice steady, “It seems… Prince Baishui will make a move tomorrow.”
“Recall all the people sent to watch Prince Baishui. No need to monitor him anymore… I expect Qing Zhu, General Gu Wenchang, and General Wei Zhaonian will arrive soon. They won’t be able to stir up any major waves!”
When dynasties change, according to ritual, the ceremonial robes should be buried as sacrifice to Heaven. If Prince Baishui truly dared to wear them, she would bury Prince Baishui along with them.
She held onto Bai Qingjue’s hand, lowering her eyes to lift the hem of her frost-colored dress as she stepped onto the mounting block. Raising her eyes, she inadvertently glanced toward the western alley of the great prison—dark, sinister, and deserted. Her body suddenly stiffened as if frozen in place, gripping Bai Qingjue’s wrist tightly.
A gust of wind passed. The bright, nearly full moon in the sky was obscured by clouds. The startled summer insects in the corner stopped their low chirping for a moment, leaving everything silent… Only the rustling sound of ivy leaves on the high prison walls and the sound of the two lanterns at the prison gate swaying in the wind could be heard.
A’Yu…
Bai Qingyan’s throat felt as if someone was choking her. Her lips pressed tightly together, but her hands trembled involuntarily, her heartbeat pounding like muffled thunder.
Just in that instant before the bright moonlight shining into the small alley was hidden by the clouds, Bai Qingyan saw A’Yu’s upright figure in that alley—her younger brother A’Yu.
Bai Qingjue followed Bai Qingyan’s gaze, carefully peering at that pitch-black alley where nothing could be seen.
The clouds obscuring the moon slowly moved away. In an instant, clear radiance covered the ground, illuminating even the pebbles in the small alley clearly, but A’Yu’s figure was nowhere to be seen.