Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 569 - 456: Once a Section is Through, All Follow - Part 1

Chapter 569: Chapter 456: Once a Section is Through, All Follow - Part 1

Bai Qingyan realized that Mr. Fang was setting a trap for her. If she did not disguise her true knowledge and answered directly, her knowledge of Dadu City’s affairs while being in Dengzhou would certainly raise the Crown Prince’s suspicions.

Bai Qingyan frowned slightly and replied unhurriedly, "The Empress is pregnant again? And why has King Xin returned? Your Highness, forgive me, but I still do not know what has happened..."

The Crown Prince remembered that Bai Qingyan had always been far away in Shuoyang and later came to Dengzhou, so naturally, she was unaware of the events in Dadu City. The Crown Prince rubbed his forehead and said, "Mr. Qin, please explain to Princess of Zhen what has transpired recently."

Bai Qingyan looked towards Qin Shangzhi.

Qin Shangzhi slowly explained that the Empress was pregnant. Due to missing King Xin, her pregnancy was not progressing well. Therefore, some court officials petitioned the Emperor to summon King Xin back for the sake of the Empress’s legitimate child. King Liang, favored by the Emperor for his alchemy skills, was entrusted with investigating the sacred beast’s poisoning. King Liang had also sent the Heavenly Master, who had been performing alchemy at his residence for the Emperor, into the palace.

"Earlier this morning, news from Dadu City reported that His Majesty... had already conferred the title of State Preceptor upon the Heavenly Master, who is now openly practicing alchemy in the palace! Moreover, the State Preceptor has divined that the dragon fetus in the Empress’s womb is an auspicious sign for the nation, the reincarnation of the sacred deer, causing the Emperor great joy!" Qin Shangzhi said.

Holding her teacup, Bai Qingyan’s eyebrows twitched as she struggled to understand; gradually, everything fell into place...

No wonder King Liang had investigated the sacred deer’s poisoning for so long without results. It turned out the Empress and King Liang had conspired together.

But when did the Empress and King Liang join forces?

Bai Qingyan recalled Lu Ninghuan’s letter. The Empress had failed to gain Fu Ruoxi’s support in coercing the Emperor with King Xin, so she turned to ally with King Liang... bringing King Xin back from Yongzhou.

King Liang indeed had a clever strategy. The Empress’s pregnancy, calculated by the Heavenly Master as the reincarnation of the sacred deer, made the Crown Prince restless. This was intended to provoke a confrontation between the Crown Prince and the Empress, allowing King Liang to benefit from the chaos.

Seeing the Crown Prince’s current state, it seemed he was already very unsettled.

Bai Qingyan put down her teacup and looked at the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, are you distressed because the Heavenly Master divined that the Empress is carrying the reincarnation of the sacred deer?"

The Crown Prince nodded wearily. "If the Empress gives birth to a son, the reincarnation of the sacred deer... a heavenly auspice, and he is a legitimate heir! I, as the Crown Prince, would be in a precarious position."

"Your Highness, pregnancy and childbirth... last for ten months. Who can guarantee that the Empress would deliver the child safely? And even if she does deliver safely, who can guarantee it will be a male child? Who can guarantee the male child would not die prematurely?" Mr. Fang’s voice grew lower and lower, with a faint hint of malice at the end.

Qin Shangzhi’s forehead tightened. He wanted to speak but forcibly restrained himself.

It was Bai Qingyan who spoke up, "Perhaps, someone raised the importance of this pregnancy to such heights to incite the Crown Prince to take action against the Empress."

Both Mr. Fang and Qin Shangzhi looked towards Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan gazed at the Crown Prince. "The Heavenly Master came out of King Liang’s residence and divined that this child is the reincarnation of the sacred deer, which most threatens... the Crown Prince’s status! If something happens to the Empress’s pregnancy, the first person His Majesty would suspect is likely the Crown Prince. Your Highness must remember, any action taken will surely leave traces. As long as His Majesty finds the slightest clue, then... the Crown Prince’s position will truly be in jeopardy."

Qin Shangzhi nodded quietly but had gotten used to remaining silent, listening intently.

"Your Highness... from the time King Liang framed my grandfather for treason, haven’t you realized that your brother, King Liang, is deeply cunning and inscrutable?" Bai Qingyan’s gaze fell on Qin Shangzhi. "Do you know about the old grudge between Qin Shangzhi and King Liang?"

The Crown Prince was quite surprised; he didn’t expect Bai Qingyan to know this. Yet he didn’t ask further, only nodding. "I kept Mr. Qin by my side naturally because I knew..."

However, when the Crown Prince investigated this matter, he thought it was King Liang’s subordinates acting without his knowledge. After all, King Liang was always easy to manipulate. Before the Crown Prince’s ascension, he had seen servants overstep their boundaries, leaving King Liang without even a meal.

"If that’s the case, does Your Highness still believe that King Liang is as weak and incompetent as the rumors suggest? Easy to deceive?" Bai Qingyan’s gaze shifted to Mr. Fang. "I think, Mr. Fang’s earlier advice was very correct. Your Highness is already the Crown Prince; do not get flustered over minor issues. As long as you remain steady and upright, leaving no handles for others, the conspirators will get anxious!"

The Crown Prince absorbed Bai Qingyan’s words, looking intently at her.

She continued, "If King Liang truly has designs on the throne, perhaps he won’t wait for Your Highness to make a move. King Liang might be the first to break, for he knows that with the Crown Prince in front and the Empress’s auspicious child behind, his chances at the throne only diminish. King Liang won’t be so foolish! What he wishes to see... is the Crown Prince and the Empress’s child mutually weakened, so he can benefit from the situation."

Bai Qingyan’s speech shed light on the Crown Prince’s clouded mind, unraveling the mess in his head.

He straightened up and looked at Bai Qingyan. "Then, according to the Princess of Zhen, my father sending me away from Dadu City is actually a good thing?"

"At least while Your Highness is away from Dadu City, you are safe. You won’t be entangled in those machinations and can relax for a while. After returning to Dadu City, Your Highness must stay vigilant. Do not take action against the Empress... but ensure others do not harm the Empress and frame Your Highness for it! This matter requires Mr. Fang and Mr. Qin to keep a close eye out for Your Highness!" Bai Qingyan turned to Mr. Fang and Qin Shangzhi, nodding slightly to them.

Before Mr. Fang could speak, Qin Shangzhi interjected, "Rest assured, Princess of Zhen!"

"And Consort Yu, the Crown Prince should also send someone to the palace to warn her to be on guard against any attempts at framing as well!" Bai Qingyan referred to Consort Yu, the Crown Prince’s mother.

Seeing the Crown Prince nodding too, Mr. Fang clenched his fist tightly, wanting to speak but having to admit that Bai Qingyan’s words made sense. He couldn’t find a reason to refute.

After a long silence, he could only say, "If this is not King Liang’s scheme but the Empress deliberately raising the status of her unborn child, should we just watch this auspicious child be born, threatening the Crown Prince’s position?"

Bai Qingyan smiled at Mr. Fang. "Mr. Fang’s words are true, but... borrowing Mr. Fang’s earlier words, now that His Highness is the Crown Prince, as long as he doesn’t make a significant mistake... no one can move this position!"

Mr. Fang: "..."

Qin Shangzhi watched Mr. Fang, who was speechless, and secretly clenched his fist, letting out a heavy sigh.

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