Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 618 - 615: Seizing the Opportunity to Cause Trouble_1

Chapter 618: Chapter 615: Seizing the Opportunity to Cause Trouble_1

The Crown Prince furrowed his brows, clearly disapproving of Old Man Fang’s words. He was about to speak when Old Man Fang continued: "Those who can lead soldiers and have a deep and cunning mind could become the confidants of His Highness. If they were to betray you one day, it would be like stabbing the Crown Prince in the heart! If they were weak and sickly, it would be easier to handle. But if their health improves day by day, over time... it would be hard for them not to grow arrogant from their merits."

The Crown Prince listened to Old Man Fang’s words. He abruptly lifted his gaze from the flickering candle flame, thinking of Bai Qingyan’s extraordinary skills. Despite the long journey, she appeared more energetic than he did, causing a tremor in his heart.

"The reason His Highness the Crown Prince felt most at ease with the Princess of Zhen initially was because... she was a woman, weak in health, and might not survive long. It’s not just the Crown Prince; even the Emperor thought so!" Old Man Fang spoke earnestly. "But now, although the Princess of Zhen still seems as weak as before, her exceptional skills are not something a sickly person could possess."

"What Old Man Fang says..." The Crown Prince’s voice paused, "I will remember!"

Old Man Fang hurriedly stood up and bowed to the Crown Prince: "As long as His Highness the Crown Prince is aware, this old man can feel at ease."

Quan Yu glanced subtly at Old Man Fang before bowing and following the Crown Prince out the door, heading to the Court of Judicial Review prison. Along the way, he planned to talk to the Crown Prince about the Princess of Zhen’s loyalty.

·

Bai Qingyan returned to the mansion on horseback and went straight to the Eldest Princess’s Changshou Courtyard, inquiring about the Emperor’s condition after he fell unconscious.

Once she confirmed that the Emperor was truly unconscious, she relayed Fu Ruoxi’s statement from the prison regarding... the Empress’s letter claiming that the Emperor didn’t have long to live. She also shared her suspicions that King Liang had initially advised the Emperor to feign a fall from his horse, then called the Crown Prince back to build Jiuxing Tower, and incited the Empress to seize the opportunity to force a coup. Bai Qingyan told all of this to the Eldest Princess.

The Eldest Princess, face paling with anger, slammed her prayer beads heavily on the small table beside her: "Absurd! An Emperor of a nation making a mockery of state affairs just to build a Jiuxing Tower!"

"Grandmother, I have thought repeatedly. Considering the Emperor’s nature, unless he had deeply thought through everything, why would he immediately... call Master Tan and Grandmother back upon his fall? The Emperor... doesn’t seem like someone who could still calmly arrange state and palace affairs in a crisis," Bai Qingyan stated.

The Eldest Princess felt an almost suffocating tightness in her chest, clutching her clothes forcefully. Her once kindly face was now full of hostility. How could she have thought that the Emperor was capable of great responsibility? How did she recommend the current Emperor when the late Emperor asked who should bear the mantle of Crown Prince!

"Grandmother, now that Fu Ruoxi has spoken, Minister Lu must have already gotten a confession from her by now. Master Tan has also rushed over. Grandmother needs to enter the palace to oversee the rear court... and put the Empress and her palace staff under house arrest. Prevent the Empress from controlling the palace and issuing orders to bring the wives and daughters of court officials into the palace to coerce them," Bai Qingyan spoke plainly to the Eldest Princess.

Since the Emperor had entrusted the rear court to the Eldest Princess, and now with Fu Ruoxi’s confession, as the elder, it was only natural for the Eldest Princess to place the Empress under house arrest in the palace.

The Eldest Princess nodded and commanded Nanny Jiang loudly. She then told Bai Qingyan: "Merely placing the Empress under house arrest won’t suffice. We must also keep a close watch on the Zhong family and King Xin. Otherwise, they might cause trouble! Although... King Liang is about to marry Liu Ruofu the day after tomorrow, he might not have other thoughts. But we still need to be vigilant! Ensure that everything the Crown Prince does is ordered together with Master Tan. Otherwise... it might lead to doubt."

"Rest assured, Grandmother. I have already instructed the Crown Prince! Grandmother, please enter the palace without worry... The Crown Prince will make arrangements with the imperial guard in advance, ensuring Grandmother’s safety."

Now that the Crown Prince needed the Eldest Princess to subdue the Empress, steps had to be taken to prevent Zhong Shaozhong from controlling the imperial guard to facilitate the Empress and detain the Eldest Princess.

Nanny Jiang, now prepared, entered to notify the Eldest Princess: "The Eldest Princess is ready to enter the palace at any time."

"Grandmother, be careful," Bai Qingyan assisted the Eldest Princess, then told Nanny Jiang, "Ensure that Wei Zhong does not leave Grandmother’s side and protects her well."

Entering the palace, the Eldest Princess couldn’t bring the Bai family’s guards. Wei Zhong, being a eunuch from the palace, could accompany her without issue.

Nanny Jiang replied: "Eldest daughter, rest assured. With us old servants and Wei Zhong, we will protect the Eldest Princess with our lives."

Bai Qingyan never doubted Nanny Jiang’s loyalty.

Bai Qingyan personally saw the Eldest Princess off as she boarded the carriage. Once it departed, Bai Qingyan clenched her fists behind her back lightly.

Once the Empress was placed under house arrest, King Xin and Zhong Shaozhong would certainly become restless. This was precisely what King Liang and King Xian wanted to see.

Now that she had sent Wei Zhong away, it was time to handle the crucial matters.

With a resolute gaze, Bai Qingyan returned to the mansion and had someone call for Lu Ping. She instructed Lu Ping to discreetly visit the Qin Mansion and have Bai Jinxiu summon all the Hidden Guards she controlled, as she had a significant task for them. Moreover, Bai Qingyan advised Bai Jinxiu to guard the Qin Mansion for the next three days and avoid venturing out unless necessary.

In Dadu City, she couldn’t use the Bai family’s guards, as it would implicate the Bai family too easily.

Previously, Bai Qingyan had divided the Imperial Hidden Guards granted by her grandmother into two teams, giving one to Bai Jintong and the other to Bai Jinxiu.

These Hidden Guards were unknown to outsiders. For highly confidential tasks, Bai Qingyan decided to use the Imperial Hidden Guards.

Bai Qingyan used the pretext of practicing with her spear to dismiss all the servants from Qinghui Courtyard, leaving only Chun Tao to attend to her.

Within less than half an hour, all the Hidden Guards from Bai Jinxiu had returned, led by Lu Ping, now inside Qinghui Courtyard.

Bai Qingyan placed her silver spear in the soft soil. She took a handkerchief from the black lacquer gold-inlay tray held by Chun Tao and looked at the Hidden Guards kneeling orderly in the courtyard paying their respects to her.

She wiped the sweat from her face, picked up a teacup, and said: "Tonight, you must guard outside the Court of Judicial Review. If anyone breaks into the prison inside and tries to kill Fu Ruoxi, take advantage of the fight between them and the prison guards to rescue Fu Ruoxi. Then, bring her silently to me."

"Yes!"

The Hidden Guards replied and disappeared into the moonlit Qinghui Courtyard, leaving only the wind rustling through the trees with a shushing sound.

In just a moment, clouds covered the moon, and the wind suddenly picked up.

An owl screeched, and shadows danced among the trees.

"Young lady, it’s getting windy. How about not practicing tonight and resting early?" Chun Tao spoke softly.

Dadu was approaching chaos. Tonight... Bai Qingyan feared she wouldn’t be able to sleep.

A dark and windy night was the perfect time for killing.

Tonight, someone would definitely try to kill Fu Ruoxi. Even if it wasn’t the Empress, King Xin would lose his patience. And even if King Xin kept his calm... King Liang would find a way to make him lose it.

Especially... the person who had been watching her today. That person had left quietly after seeing her exit the Court of Judicial Review prison. They must have gone to report to their master.