Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 332 - 329: Filial Piety Part 1

Chapter 332: Chapter 329: Filial Piety Part 1

"How can a thief hide for a thousand days? Is it possible to guard against a thief for a thousand days?" the Crown Prince’s face became increasingly grim as he shook the letter in his hand, causing it to rustle loudly. "The Princess sent for marriage is involved with a eunuch! And she intends to assassinate me! Xiliang really goes too far!"

The Crown Prince could endure the Princess’s ambiguous relationship with a eunuch, but this woman would live in the Crown Prince’s residence and become his side consort. She might assassinate him at any moment. How could he live peacefully?

Bai Qingyan looked at the Crown Prince. "But merely based on this letter of unknown origin, we cannot prevent the Princess of Xiliang from entering the Crown Prince’s residence. Especially since Princess Li Tianfu from Xiliang becoming the side consort is the Emperor’s decision."

"According to my humble opinion, Your Highness might as well proceed with the marriage as usual. Select a few highly skilled guards to stay close by to ensure your safety. On the other hand, as soon as King Yan, Li Zhijie, enters the Crown Prince’s residence, have the guards keep an eye on him. If he shows any signs of misconduct, apprehend him immediately and use him for leverage," said Elder Fang.

The Crown Prince turned to Bai Qingyan. "What does the Commandery Princess think?"

"You can send this letter to the Imperial Palace and explain its origin clearly, Your Highness."

"I agree with what the Commandery Princess said!" Elder Fang wholeheartedly approved. "Even if nothing happens today, if the Princess of Xiliang attempts any further treacherous acts in the future, His Majesty will not dismiss it as a mere marital quarrel. Your Highness could even divorce the Princess of Xiliang."

Qin Shangzhi rolled his eyes at Elder Fang.

The reason Bai Qingyan wanted to send this letter into the palace was to make the Emperor understand that regardless of whether anything happens today with the Princess of Xiliang entering the Crown Prince’s residence, the Crown Prince would not spend the night in Li Tianfu’s room. However, this action was not due to dissatisfaction with the Emperor’s arranged marriage.

Thus, after welcoming the Princess of Xiliang into the residence, they would simply keep her under strict surveillance like an ornament.

Were they expected to have the Crown Prince risk his life to test an assassination plot? How absurd?

Qin Shangzhi realized Elder Fang had truly aged. During the Southern Frontier campaign, some of his words made sense. But since returning to the Crown Prince’s residence, his words had become exasperating.

Qin Shangzhi intended to argue but refrained when he noticed Bai Qingyan remained silent, frowning and holding back his words.

"Your Highness, the side consort is about to enter the residence through the side gate. Will the Crown Prince go to greet her?" Quan Yu asked softly from outside.

Traditionally, for the marriage of a side consort, it wasn’t necessary for the Crown Prince to greet her personally.

But if the side consort came from a prestigious family or if the Crown Prince wished to show respect, he would go to the side gate personally to welcome her.

However, the Crown Prince was seething with anger and was unlikely to go and greet her.

The Crown Prince tightened his grip on the letter, placed it back in the envelope, and called out, "Quan Yu, come inside!"

The Crown Prince handed the letter to Ren Shijie. "Mr. Ren, please personally escort Quan Yu to the palace and instruct him on what to say on the way."

Ren Shijie received the letter with both hands. "Rest assured, Your Highness. I will ensure Quan Yu explains everything clearly to the eunuch."

Bai Qingyan stood up. "In that case, I will take my leave."

"Wait a moment..." The Crown Prince looked at Bai Qingyan, his anger barely contained. "You do not need to leave today. Tell the Crown Princess Consort that the Commandery Princess Zhen is a distinguished guest of my residence."

The Crown Prince wanted the people of Xiliang to see that he did not care even if this side consort was a legitimate princess of Xiliang.

The Crown Prince wanted to vent his anger, but if Bai Qingyan followed him, people would only criticize her for attending someone else’s wedding while still in mourning, bringing misfortune.

"Your Highness, I understand your regard for me, but my presence in the Crown Prince’s mansion today is already an offense. If I appear in the main hall, it will attract criticism," Bai Qingyan bowed to the Crown Prince. "I will wait in the rear courtyard of the residence for news. Once you are safe, I will leave."

"I invited you here, and I want to see who dares to criticize you!" The Crown Prince’s tone was firm as he stepped outside.

The side consort would be expected to serve tea to the Crown Princess Consort upon her arrival.

Hearing that the side consort’s sedan had arrived and the Crown Prince did not go out to greet her, the Crown Princess Consort felt a bit happier and slowly proceeded to the main hall, supported by her nanny, and took the main seat.

The Crown Prince soon appeared in the main hall with a group of guards and Bai Qingyan, surprising many people.

Even the wastrel factions in Dadu City, who stood with Xiao Rongyan, were taken aback.

"Sister Bai’s here?" Sima Ping lowered his voice.

Xiao Rongyan was also quite surprised.

Exchanging glances with Bai Qingyan, Xiao Rongyan smiled and slightly nodded at her.

The Prince of Yan, Murong Li, who had been sitting as an honored guest, put down his teacup and stood up, smiling at Bai Qingyan.

"Your Highness," the Crown Princess Consort rose and saluted the Crown Prince. Her gaze landed on Bai Qingyan, understanding her purpose and greeting her warmly, "Commandery Princess."

"Crown Princess Consort, today, Commandery Princess Zhen is an honored guest invited by me. You must treat her well and not neglect her," the Crown Prince said, smiling. "The recent Southern Frontier campaign was a great victory for Jin Kingdom, thanks to the Commandery Princess Zhen. She made it possible for the legitimate Princess of Xiliang to come for an arranged marriage. Therefore, the Commandery Princess must be here today!"

"Of course!" The Crown Princess Consort smiled, held Bai Qingyan’s hand, and patted it. "I had sent my closest nanny to invite the Commandery Princess, but she didn’t want to come. His Highness still managed to succeed."

Turning her head, the Crown Princess Consort ordered the nanny, "Go and bring a chair for the Commandery Princess Zhen to sit next to me."

The Crown Prince still seemed unsatisfied and added, "Stop the music. The Commandery Princess Zhen is still in mourning."

The people felt uneasy, not expecting the Crown Prince to value the Commandery Princess Zhen so much.

Elder Fang wanted to say something but frowned and restrained himself. His cloudy eyes glanced at Bai Qingyan seeing her sitting demurely next to the Crown Princess Consort, quietly talking without showing any sign of being flattered or pleased. Only then did his frown ease.

Qin Shangzhi couldn’t help but worry for Bai Qingyan. The Crown Prince’s actions clearly used Bai Qingyan to vent his anger. Outsiders might misinterpret the relationship between the Crown Prince and Bai Qingyan, potentially damaging her reputation.

Qin Shangzhi regretted not waiting until Bai Qingyan had left before handing the letter to the Crown Prince.

Soon, Li Tianfu, dressed in a peach-colored wedding robe, was helped in from the side gate.

The Crown Princess Consort exuded the full aura of her status, straightening her back, her smile becoming more genuine.

When Li Zhijie arrived at the Crown Prince’s residence and noticed the lack of music, he immediately sensed something was off.

As he entered, he found no one laughing or exchanging pleasantries. Instead, all eyes were fixed on Princess Li Tianfu, some with pity, others with scorn.

Li Zhijie forced himself to look straight ahead. He saw the musicians holding their instruments, shuffling out from the side door of the main hall.