Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 571 - 568: Protecting the Legitimate Heir - Part 1

If one were to discuss the overall perspective, Bai Qingyan had a broader vision compared to Old Fang.

Bai Qingyan could lead troops into battle and strategize with precision. Such a person he had to employ and win over with emotion and loyalty.

Further, he had to guard against her.

The Crown Prince thought of this and couldn’t help but feel relieved that Bai Qingyan was a woman. Otherwise, he would not dare to employ Bai Qingyan with such ease.

"Quan Yu, take a few bottles of the best wound medicine and deliver them to the Princess of Zhen for me. Tell her that even in my drunken state, I worried about the wound on her ear. Also, send some people to take good care of the Princess. Do you understand?" The Crown Prince turned to Quan Yu, who was massaging his shoulders.

Quan Yu, delighted at the chance to see Bai Qingyan, agreed happily. He picked out a few bottles of fine wound medicine and, recalling that Bai Qingyan had hardly touched any food during the feast, went to the kitchen to get a plate of freshly made snacks before heading to Bai Qingyan’s quarters.

However, before he could approach, he was stopped by Lu Ping.

Lu Ping greeted Quan Yu with a smile, "Eunuch Quan, is the Crown Prince summoning our Miss Bai for something? She has already retired for the night."

"Oh, the Princess has retired. I won’t disturb her then!" Quan Yu smiled and handed the black lacquered box with golden patterns to Lu Ping. "There are a few bottles of the best wound medicine inside, sent by His Highness. Oh, there’s also a plate of snacks. The Princess didn’t eat much at the feast earlier, probably because the food didn’t suit her taste. These are made with clear oil, definitely not greasy."

Lu Ping took the box and bowed to Quan Yu, "Thank you, Eunuch Quan, for your trouble."

"It’s my duty!" Quan Yu replied but didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he hesitated, pointed to his own ear, and asked, "The Princess’s wound doesn’t need attention?"

Seeing the concern in Quan Yu’s eyes, Lu Ping hesitated for a moment. Before he could respond, Quan Yu added, "His Highness is very concerned about the Princess’s injury."

Lu Ping nodded, "Please assure His Highness that Miss Bai’s injury is just a scratch."

"That’s good to hear! That’s good to hear..." Quan Yu bowed to Lu Ping, "Then I’ll go back and report to His Highness."

"Eunuch Quan, take care." Lu Ping bowed deeply.

Watching Quan Yu leave with the maid and eunuch bowing and walking away, Lu Ping finally breathed a bit easier.

At that moment, Miss Bai was talking with Qin Shangzhi. It was Miss Bai who had him summon Qin Shangzhi. Lu Ping guessed Miss Bai felt a desire to recruit Qin Shangzhi seeing how emaciated he had become in such a short time.

Originally, Lu Ping did not approve of Miss Bai’s move. He knew Qin Shangzhi well. Qin Shangzhi would not easily pledge allegiance, but once he did, it would be for life.

Years ago, when Lu Ping joined the Bai family army, he had invited Qin Shangzhi to serve under Bai Qishan, but Qin Shangzhi said, "The Bai family has too much merit, and their moral integrity is too rigid and clear. Bai Weiting believes that marrying the Eldest Princess means the Imperial Family can be completely trusted and will not guard against them. Eventually, they will suffer at the hands of the Imperial Family. Once I choose a master, I will not change. Hence, I would not want to sink with the Bai family."

At that time, Lu Ping didn’t take these words to heart. It wasn’t until later, when every man in the Bai family perished in the southern frontier, and Miss Bai beat the drum to demand justice from the Emperor, that Lu Ping realized Qin Shangzhi’s words were true.

Qin Shangzhi was very stubborn. Once he made up his mind, no force could sway him.

Unable to watch Bai Qingyan waste her effort, Lu Ping advised her. Bai Qingyan merely said that whether Qin Shangzhi could leave the Crown Prince depended on them offering the chance.

It was Bai Qingyan’s words that moved Lu Ping. He quietly summoned Qin Shangzhi.

Qin Shangzhi, now gaunt, sat at the black square table, his deep eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight as he looked at Bai Qingyan sitting opposite him.

Though it was said that the Princess of Zhen had retired, the room was lit by a single lamp. The yellow light illuminated Bai Qingyan’s delicate features. Her eyes were calm and reserved, yet this calmness unnerved Qin Shangzhi.

Before this night, Qin Shangzhi had only speculated about Bai Qingyan’s intentions. Now it was clear that Bai Qingyan indeed harbored rebellious thoughts.

Bai Qingyan was willing to assist the Crown Prince, not out of submission, but because she was a Bai family member. Beneath her good and upright nature, she couldn’t watch the Crown Prince use despicable means to secure his position. She also intended to use the Crown Prince.

What about the future? When Bai Qingyan’s wings were fully grown, would she compete with the Crown Prince to see whose blade was quicker, whose head would fall first, and who would ascend the throne?

He had been careless. He thought of Bai Qingyan merely as a woman. He had forgotten that her ambition and strategy far exceeded those of typical women confined to their homes. Her grand vision for Jin citizens outside Dadu City had once stirred his blood!

Such a woman could not be regarded as an ordinary woman. People with such capability and ambition often had great aspirations.

Qin Shangzhi rose and bowed to Bai Qingyan, "Thank you, Miss Bai, for your high regard. Qin knows his abilities are limited and cannot bear your kindness."

"Since Mr. Qin addresses me as Miss Bai, it shows you’ve not placed us in the respect-authority hierarchy and still cherish old memories." Bai Qingyan poured out the cold tea before him, refilled his cup with hot tea, and pushed it towards him, signaling him to sit down. "Today I had Lu Ping call you over, not only out of respect for your talents but also because of our old acquaintance. Mr. Qin has been by the Crown Prince’s side for so long. Can you not see that a straightforward gentleman like you, if you don’t learn to flatter and maneuver, will have no chance of rising?"

Qin Shangzhi’s fist tightened at his side, his teeth clenched as he sat down.

"Sir, you don’t wish to leave. So tell me, why do you serve the Crown Prince? For the legitimate bloodline? Because the Lin family rules Jin? Do you believe high and low status is determined from birth?"

The fluctuating candlelight reflected in Bai Qingyan’s deep eyes but failed to illuminate the depths of her gaze.

"Miss Bai, everything in this world has its order. Take yourself, for example. You were born the legitimate eldest granddaughter of the Duke of Zhen. Though a daughter, you were tutored by Mr. Guan Yongchong. Why did the King of Zhen not personally teach Bai family’s illegitimate daughters? If there is no distinction, how can the Bai family rule that illegitimate ones should protect the legitimate?"