Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 472 - 469: Burial Companion_1

Chapter 472: Chapter 469: Burial Companion_1

King Liang’s thoughts were still hesitant. His body, however, displayed a nervous posture, retreating two steps like he had been startled, clutching his own sleeve. "Princess of Zhen, what is the meaning of this?"

"These are men from the Crown Prince’s residence," Bai Qingyan spoke coldly and sternly. "King Liang intends to marry my cousin Dong Tingzhen, but the Emperor hasn’t agreed because he saw through King Liang’s attempt to seize my uncle Dong Qingyue’s military power. If today, King Liang gets involved with Liu Ruofu, the daughter of King Xian, and tarnishes her reputation, forcing her to marry you, what do you think the Emperor will do?"

King Liang’s fists clenched by his side, and he gazed at Bai Qingyan. "Princess of Zhen, why are you helping me? I once... framed the Bai family!"

"I’m doing this so that my cousin Dong Tingzhen won’t be heartbroken! She’s determined to marry you," Bai Qingyan replied calmly. "Now, King Liang, you have only two choices. If you truly care for Tingzhen, get on the carriage. I will arrange for you and Tingzhen to leave Dadu City and live as an ordinary couple. But there will be no more King Liang in this world!"

King Liang straightened his back, worried that Dong Tingzhen was in the carriage. His pupils trembled as he spoke, feeling aggrieved. "But... I cannot ruin the reputation of the Princess of Nandu and then just leave!"

Bai Qingyan observed how King Liang was pretending to be a benevolent fool. She said, "Once this matter blows up, the Crown Prince will enter the palace and admit that he couldn’t control himself and spent the night with Liu Ruofu. Naturally... the Crown Prince will marry Liu Ruofu. King Xian will then support his son-in-law, and will ensure the Crown Prince takes power. After all... only if the Crown Prince ascends will his daughter’s child have the chance to become the Emperor of Jin Kingdom."

King Liang’s throat tightened. "But..."

"The Crown Prince isn’t foolish enough to push Liu Ruofu to your side. After all, King Xian, who stands behind Liu Ruofu, commands great military power!"

Seeing King Liang’s hesitant appearance, Bai Qingyan laughed softly. "If you don’t sincerely care for Tingzhen, then this matter ends here... I won’t interfere. You can continue to fight against the Crown Prince. Naturally... since I have already entered the Crown Prince’s faction, I must advise him. I might knock you out and send you back, or have someone keep you under watch until the Crown Prince enters the palace, apologizes to the Emperor, and proposes marriage. At that time... whatever the Crown Prince tells the Emperor, and what punishment is decided for King Liang, I cannot guarantee."

Seeing King Liang glance towards the carriage, Bai Qingyan raised her eyebrows and ordered Lu Ping, "Let King Liang see... that Tingzhen is not in the carriage."

King Liang’s fists tightened further. He saw Lu Ping lift the carriage curtain, revealing it to be empty. His previously hunched posture straightened.

Bai Qingyan continued to pressure King Liang. "What will the Crown Prince say after entering the palace? Oh... King Liang, because he couldn’t marry Dong Tingzhen, resorted to despicable means and coveted King Xian’s military power by drugging the Princess of Nandu, Liu Ruofu, trying to force her hand! After all, the Princess of Nandu is King Xian’s only daughter. Marrying her means getting King Xian’s support! The Crown Prince, while trying to save her, fell into the trap and had to tarnish Liu Ruofu’s reputation. He is willing to marry Liu Ruofu."

King Liang was startled. Indeed... this would highlight the Crown Prince’s noble character, while he would gain nothing but trouble.

"If King Liang has thought carefully, get on the carriage. I will arrange for you and Tingzhen to leave far away. Although you won’t be able to claim the supreme throne, I can ensure that you both live comfortably and with prosperity!"

Bai Qingyan’s words were essentially forcing King Liang to elope with Dong Tingzhen.

But King Liang still hesitated. He hadn’t reached a dead end yet. He recalled the words of the Ninth Prince of Yan, who had once told him to go to the Book Pavilion if he ever needed help.

King Liang gritted his teeth and asked, "Do I have to leave immediately?"

"Yes! If you wait... once the Crown Prince enters the palace, you won’t be able to leave! Are you still hesitating?" Bai Qingyan raised her eyebrows.

King Liang looked at Bai Qingyan and declared, "I cannot leave!"

"Could it be... you do not truly like Tingzhen and were interested in my uncle Dong Qingyue’s military power? Now with King Xian’s only daughter Liu Ruofu emerging, do you think... Liu Ruofu has more value than Tingzhen?"

King Liang remained silent, gritting his teeth. "I won’t leave! Princess of Zhen, stop forcing me! If the Princess of Zhen intends to knock me out and send me back, I will accept your terms!"

"Indeed, in King Liang’s heart, my cousin’s deep affection means nothing! What truly matters is that Tingzhen is a Dong, and she is the niece of Dengzhou’s Governor, Dong Qingyue!" Bai Qingyan laughed bitterly. "But the daughter of a Governor like Dong Qingyue doesn’t hold a candle to King Xian’s only daughter who commands substantial forces... that makes sense!"

Hiding behind the carriage, Dong Tingzhen covered her mouth tightly, trying not to cry out, her tears flowing relentlessly.

"But King Liang, do you think you can stay... and defeat the Crown Prince?" Bai Qingyan looked at King Liang. "To prevent my cousin from getting heartbroken, I must forcibly take you away. Uncle Ping!"

Lu Ping stepped forward, and King Liang immediately retreated two steps. He pulled a dagger from his pocket and held it against his neck. "Don’t come any closer!"

Bai Qingyan’s eyes narrowed.

King Liang glanced towards the carriage again, still wary. His throat rolled as he spoke, "Princess of Zhen, if I die here today... think about it. Will my father spare you? You have already caused his legitimate son to be exiled to Yongzhou. My father despises you deeply! If I die... you will have to accompany me to the grave!"

"Dear cousin, stop forcing him!" Dong Tingzhen could no longer bear it. She leaped out from behind the carriage, rushing to grab Bai Qingyan. She dared not look at King Liang, her heart feeling like it had shattered.

King Liang’s pupils trembled. Indeed, Bai Qingyan had brought Dong Tingzhen.

He had no way out!

Things had progressed to this point. If he couldn’t marry Liu Ruofu, he would be left with nothing!

Dong Tingzhen’s entire body trembled as she cried. This was the person she was willing to follow at any cost, despite her family facing ruin!

Her father’s words constantly echoed in her mind, stabbing her heart like a knife. Now, hearing King Liang’s words and seeing how her cousin tried to force him but he still refused to elope with her, those words felt like a branding iron, repeatedly searing her heart, causing unbearable pain.

"Dear cousin! Let’s leave! I’ll go back to Shuoyang with you! Let’s leave... I don’t want... I don’t want to stay here any longer!" Dong Tingzhen clung to Bai Qingyan’s arm, sobbing uncontrollably, desperately wanting to leave, "I don’t want to stay here any longer!"