Chapter 550 - 550 547 Humble Submission_1

Chapter 550: Chapter 547: Humble Submission_1 Chapter 550: Chapter 547: Humble Submission_1 Xiao Rongyan calculated the time when the Ghost-faced General appeared in Nanrong, noting his exceptional swordsmanship and archery. After Bai Qingyan’s brief inquiry that night, Xiao Rongyan had a vague notion of the truth.

Xiao Rongyan spoke frankly, and Bai Qingyan didn’t conceal anything. Her eyes were full of mirth: “Perhaps! I have sent someone to Nanrong to investigate.”

“Rong Yan, congratulations to Miss Bai,” said Xiao Rongyan sincerely.

Every offspring of the Bai family was an outstanding military talent. This wasn’t apparent while they were in Jin Kingdom; now, with one supporting Jin Kingdom and another having gone to Nanyan, it became clear that the Bai family had exceptional skills in warfare.

Xiao Rongyan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, thinking how wonderful it would be if such a family were born in Yan.

“Now with Nanrong and Beirong at odds, Yan supporting Beirong is bound to clash with the Ghost-faced General. Especially if Princess Mingcheng indeed perishes this time, Xie Xun might vow to be at odds with the Ghost-faced General, pledging to take his life.” Xiao Rongyan paused, bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan, and continued, “Therefore, I have a request. Please, Miss Bai, mediate to allow Princess Mingcheng to stay in Dengzhou to recuperate and save her life.”

Xiao Rongyan spoke with utmost sincerity. Princess Mingcheng decided to marry for Yan, and no matter what, Xiao Rongyan wanted to protect her.

However, this was Dengzhou. Xiao Rongyan hadn’t yet established his people here, making it difficult to act.

But Bai Qingyan, in her maternal grandmother’s house, could move more freely.

Bai Qingyan stood opposite Xiao Rongyan, looking at his earnest request, and said, “Though Princess Mingcheng is from Yan, I greatly admire her courage for voluntarily marrying for alliance and her loyalty to her motherland. But if Princess Mingcheng stays for treatment, and if we fail to keep her alive, the Emperor will blame my uncle! I am not afraid to bear the guilt, but I cannot let my uncle bear the blame. Do you understand?”

Xiao Rongyan straightened up, gazing at the clear-eyed Bai Qingyan, understanding that she spoke the truth.

“However, keeping Princess Mingcheng is not wholly impossible. This matter depends entirely on Yan. It does not require my mediation before my uncle,” Bai Qingyan said calmly. “Princess Mingcheng has not yet married the King of Beirong; she is still your Yan princess. If Yan is willing to put aside pride and request, giving the Jin Emperor significant benefits, this help must be substantial enough that my uncle cannot refuse for the Emperor.”

Xiao Rongyan frowned, pondering.

“If Yan can do this, my uncle will naturally have no problem. If Jin offers my uncle benefits he cannot refuse, he will have to submit a report even if the Emperor intends to refuse. The back and forth of this report would take nearly a month. The question is whether Yan can sacrifice for this marriage alliance princess.”

Xiao Rongyan had considered ceding cities to Jin Kingdom in exchange for Princess Mingcheng to stay in Dengzhou for treatment. After all, cities can be retaken, but a person lost is gone forever.

However, Xiao Rongyan did not know Dong Qingyue well. He feared that even if Yan voluntarily ceded cities for Princess Mingcheng to stay, Dong Qingyue might suspect Yan’s motivations, thinking they intended to spy on Dengzhou’s deployment.

After all, it would be unprecedented to ceded cities for the safety of a marriage alliance princess. If Xiao Rongyan were Dong Qingyue, he would also be suspicious.

But if Bai Qingyan intervened, the matter would certainly be settled.

Xiao Rongyan bowed deeply once again to Bai Qingyan: “Thank you, Miss Bai, for your help. Regardless of whether Princess Mingcheng survives, I will remember this great kindness. I will instruct General Yan Pei to cede cities, ensuring that Lord Dong will not find it difficult.”

“Mr. Xiao, you are too kind!” Bai Qingyan nodded, “To cede cities for a marriage alliance princess, Yan’s magnanimity is admirable.”

Xiao Rongyan straightened up, steadily looking at Bai Qingyan: “In this world, hearts of loyalty and courage should not be betrayed.”

Hearts of loyalty and courage should not be betrayed…

Bai Qingyan softly recited this phrase, a faint smile appearing on her face.

Yes, in this world, hearts of loyalty and courage should not be betrayed. Yet, the Jin Imperial Family failed to understand this, betraying the Bai family’s loyalty and chilling the hearts of many loyal officials.

Thus, the current Jin Imperial Court was full of sycophants.

Once a superpower, Jin was now beginning to decline.

In contrast, Yan was united, willing to uphold loyalty and righteousness, sacrificing cities. Yan would surely gather the hearts of the entire nation, returning to the glorious prosperity under Empress Ji’s rule.

·

That day, besides offering treasures to Dong Qingyue, General Yan Pei proposed Yan to cede four cities in the Huyi area to Jin Kingdom in exchange for allowing Princess Mingcheng to stay in Dengzhou to recuperate.

Dong Qingyue had not expected Yan to take such a step. For a moment, he didn’t dare to refuse outright. He summoned his advisors, Dong Changlan, and Bai Qingyan to the study for a discussion.

Yan’s generosity, ceding four wealthy cities in the Huyi area to let Princess Mingcheng stay in Dengzhou, aroused Dong Qingyue’s suspicion. He wondered if Yan intended to use heavy profits to lure Jin into allowing them to spy on Dengzhou’s defenses.

“If we let Yan and Beirong’s people out of the city, and something happens to Princess Mingcheng, we Jin couldn’t explain it!”

“But if Lord rashly refuses Yan’s offer to cede four cities, the Emperor might be displeased. Even if the Emperor couldn’t directly blame the General for not accepting the cities for Jin, he might scold Lord for damaging Jin and Yan’s diplomatic relations!”

Two advisors frowned deeply.

Dong Changlan was also deeply troubled. Yan had suddenly thrown them a hot potato, making it difficult to accept or reject: “The hardest part is balancing, ensuring Yan and Beirong cannot spy on our Dengzhou’s military presence and securing the cities for the Emperor.”

“Isn’t it said that Princess Mingcheng can’t hold on?” one advisor said. “We could drag it out until she doesn’t make it. Then the matter would resolve itself.”

Bai Qingyan gazed at the clear tea in her porcelain cup, gently replaced the lid, and set the cup aside. “Uncle, the matter is not that difficult. Yan has given such a generous gift, just seek the Emperor’s instructions! Write a memorial to the Throne, explaining the pros and cons. Tell the Emperor you dare not make the decision to accept the cities, fearing Yan’s intention to trade cities for the Princess’s safety to spy on our Jin borders! So, we can only temporarily keep Beirong and Yan’s people in Dengzhou, monitor them, and send a fast rider to Dadu, seeking the Emperor’s clear instructions.”