Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 113 - 112: The Principal Wife_1
Chapter 113: Chapter 112: The Principal Wife_1
She reached out and took the cloak from Nanny Tong’s hand, saying, “Go to the prison in the Court of Judicial Review and see the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, Qin Dezhao. You all take good care of the mourning hall.”
Seeing that Bai Qingyan was holding onto Nanny Tong to leave, Bai Jinzhi was worried and took two steps forward: “Then I will accompany Eldest Young Lady!”
Observing Bai Jinzhi’s anxious expression, her heart softened. “Separated by the prison bars, what can he possibly do to me? Moreover… my two nurse brothers are with me, and they are both excellent in martial arts!”
“Then… then I’ll at least see Eldest Young Lady out.” Bai Jinzhi held Bai Qingyan’s arm.
She didn’t stop Bai Jinzhi, letting her walk along the way. When they were about to reach the side gate, she said, “The Imperial Edict of Grandfather’s posthumous title as King of Zhen has just been issued. I suppose the noble relatives in Dadu City will come to pay their respects soon. It would attract too much attention if neither of us is around. If your eldest aunt asks, your second and third sisters won’t be able to cover it up.”
Bai Jinzhi opened her mouth but eventually nodded reluctantly.
...
Watching Bai Qingyan help Nanny Tong into the carriage, Bai Jinzhi clasped her fists and saluted to the brothers Xiao Ruojiang and Xiao Ruohai: “I must trouble you both to take good care of Eldest Young Lady.”
Xiao Ruojiang and Xiao Ruohai clasped their fists and bowed deeply to Bai Jinzhi: “Fourth Young Lady, rest assured.”
Watching the carriage go further away, Bai Jinzhi lowered her gaze and calculated, thinking that the Bai family had suddenly faced a great disaster. Her eldest aunt and Eldest Young Lady were holding up the family with such difficulty.
Now that Eldest Young Lady had reached an agreement with the Emperor to go to the southern border, she should go with her to the southern border, at least to protect Eldest Young Lady thoroughly.
Bai Jinzhi instinctively reached behind her waist, only to remember that her whip had been confiscated by Eldest Young Lady.
She tightly pressed her lips together. Initially, she used the whip to avoid causing fatalities in Dadu City, but if she were to go to the southern border… the red tassel spear would be more useful!
In the vast study, the Emperor leaned on a tassel pillow embroidered with a golden dragon in flight, dismissing everyone and leaving only King of Qi.
The Emperor held a cup of hot tea, looking down as he used the lid to press down the floating tea leaves, speaking slowly, “This time, be cautious. Don’t be as foolish as King Xin! But… after all, Bai Qingyan is just a woman. Any military strategy she proposes must be discussed with the generals. Only if all the generals find it feasible can you order it!”
King of Qi’s heart beat rapidly. He knew that his father was paving the way for him, naturally overjoyed: “Father, rest assured. I have no battlefield experience, so I will certainly take the advice of Miss Bai and the generals and will not act recklessly!”
The Emperor’s sinister gaze lifted, glancing at his eldest son, who looked serious and not overly exuberant. The motion of pressing the tea leaves with the lid paused, and he said, “Once the southern war is over, whether victorious or defeated, Bai Qingyan need not return…”
Originally, the Emperor, seeing the resemblance between Bai Qingyan and Bai Suqiu, intended to spare Bai Qingyan’s life. However, last night he had a dream wherein a white tiger with three eyes and a human tongue pounced on him and then lay on his dragon bed.
He awoke in shock, remembering that the gaze of the three-eyed white tiger was just like Bai Qingyan’s. Thinking that Bai Qingyan’s surname was Bai and she was born in the Year of the Tiger, he immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
King of Qi was stunned, looking up towards the Emperor: “Father?!”
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“What I said is exactly what you think.” The Emperor placed the lid on the tea cup.
King of Qi, very perceptive, stepped forward to take the Emperor’s tea cup, placing it on the table, and softly said, “Father, but if Miss Bai can bring victory, it would be a great achievement, and she is not one to seek glory. In my opinion… it would be better to spare her life.”
“You have a kind heart, which is good.” The Emperor turned his head, staring at his eldest son standing properly beside him. His tone was low, “But this Bai Qingyan cannot remain. In her heart and eyes… there is a lack of reverence for the Imperial Family. If she loses, dying to apologize would be my leniency. If she wins, such a person would become a significant threat if she ever harbored disloyalty! For the long term… one should be prepared.”
King of Qi thought of the resolute woman, holding a bamboo slip of battle records, swearing in front of the Duke’s spirit. He gritted his teeth and knelt before the Emperor again, saying, “But Father, the Bai family has been loyal for generations. This time, Miss Bai is even donning mourning attire to join the army. Her loyalty is evident to heaven and earth! I wish to plead for her life! Please, Father, spare her…”
The Emperor looked at the kneeling King of Qi, frustrated yet somewhat gratified. He was pleased that this child, unlike King Xin, retained some compassion and could plead for Bai Qingyan. In the future, he would surely be able to tolerate King Xin and King Liang’s lineage.
“Stand up!” The Emperor’s voice was stern, “This matter is not to be discussed further!”
“Father! If Miss Bai indeed wins, she would be an invaluable general. Leaving her alive would benefit our Jin with no harm! I know Father is suspicious of Miss Bai, but I have a strategy… that might be a perfect solution!” King of Qi looked up, speaking solemnly, “Why not have Miss Bai marry into our Imperial Family? Once married, she would naturally become a member of the Imperial Court, thus having no reason to harbor disloyalty.”
The Emperor’s eyebrows twitched, and he pondered for a moment. His gaze fell back on King of Qi, who was still kneeling. He squinted and asked, “Is it because you find Bai Qingyan exceedingly beautiful, so…”
King of Qi’s face turned pale, hastily bowing his head: “I have no such intention! I already have a primary wife and a side consort. How could I let Miss Bai enter as a concubine? Miss Bai is the Emperor’s personally titled eldest granddaughter of King of Zhen. Only the position of the primary wife would be fitting for her!”
“Primary wife…” The Emperor leaned back slightly, “Then that would be King Liang…”
“That is precisely my intention!” King of Qi replied.
After a moment of silence, the Emperor looked deeply at King of Qi, who was still kneeling and did not dare to rise, and said, “Then, this time… I will have King Liang accompany Miss Bai to the southern border, would that be good?”
The Emperor’s dark eyes were grave, appearing like they were covered by a layer of clear, cold moonlight.
King of Qi dared not hesitate, straightened his back, and said one word at a time: “Since this time, although I am the commander, I do not have to perform the commander’s duties. Then… it doesn’t matter who the commander is! As long as it benefits our Jin, how could I be unwilling? This is an excellent opportunity for King Liang to bond with Miss Bai, making Miss Bai an extraordinary blade for our Jin.”
The Emperor’s eyebrows relaxed. After looking at King of Qi for a long time, he finally said, “Let me think about it. You may go now.”
“Yes! I take my leave!”
After King of Qi exited the hall, Gao Demao, who served beside the Emperor, quietly came in to change the tea. He lowered his voice and said, “Your Majesty, Consort Chen sent some jade cakes she made herself. Would you like to try them?”
“Gao Demao, what do you think of the Emperor’s eldest granddaughter from the Bai family, if I let her marry King Liang as the primary wife?” The Emperor’s gaze wandered, seeming to ask Gao Demao, yet also asking himself.
