Chapter 574 - 574 571 Stabilizing the Situation_1

Chapter 574: Chapter 571: Stabilizing the Situation_1 Chapter 574: Chapter 571: Stabilizing the Situation_1 Although Bai Qingyan stayed only one night, Quan Yu still hoped to do his utmost to make Bai Qingyan more comfortable.

Lu Ping hurried forward and saluted outside the window: “Miss, I have taken Qin Shangzhi back. Qin Shangzhi asked me to tell you that he will still stay by the Crown Prince’s side, helping the Crown Prince become a virtuous ruler, a monarch with a broad mind and the people at heart.”

Bai Qingyan’s gaze did not leave the book. She leisurely turned a page: “Understood. If that is the case, so be it.”

Lu Ping, knowing this would be the result, still worried that Miss might be troubled and said: “Qin Shangzhi does indeed have great talent. I will find another opportunity to persuade him again…”

“Uncle Ping, there’s no need to persuade him further. Qin Shangzhi does have great talent but is also stubborn. He is not someone I can use. Since he is not someone I can use, no matter how capable he is, there is no need to waste energy on him.” Bai Qingyan had done her best, saying everything that needed to be said and what shouldn’t be, making it clear. “It is difficult to be a counselor by a prince’s side, and even more so by the Crown Prince’s side. I hope Mr. Qin can achieve his wish and use his strength to safeguard the foundation of the kingdom. If Mr. Qin can indeed do so, I will respect him for it.”

If Qin Shangzhi could really achieve that, why did he end in depression in a previous life?

Forget it, she told herself she had done her best. Qin Shangzhi wanted to follow the old path; she was helpless about it.

She had said all she could and couldn’t say, but Qin Shangzhi still couldn’t be used by her. She shouldn’t have left herself with a potential problem, but today’s man is Qin Shangzhi, not others.

When they first met, Qin Shangzhi’s words awakened her, forming a half-teacher relationship in her heart.

And, as Qin Shangzhi said, as long as he is around, he can at least advise the Crown Prince not to resort to treachery. Without Qin Shangzhi, the Crown Prince might only listen to the Fang family, which could cause the court to collapse even faster, which would be unfavorable to the Bai family at present.

Furthermore, Bai Qingyan had some understanding of Qin Shangzhi’s integrity and pride. As long as the situation didn’t deteriorate to the point of causing misery to the people, he wouldn’t suspect that the Bai family intended to rebel and protect the people. He would do his best to mediate and balance, not letting things go that far.

In the worst case, even if Qin Shangzhi told the Crown Prince everything, saying she had rebellious intentions, would the Crown Prince believe it? Would the Fang family let the Crown Prince believe it?

Moreover, Bai Qingyan was no longer the same person in Dadu City, the Bai family’s eldest daughter struggling nakedly against the Imperial Family. She had fought her way to this point, now holding leverage.

“Qin Shangzhi knew that it was a futile effort but still persisted. To hold firm to the right path in his heart, even after seeing the Imperial Family’s rot, and to want to turn the tide alone, this I respect!” Bai Qingyan looked at the frowning Lu Ping. “Uncle Ping, everyone has their own path in their hearts. Different paths cannot seek each other; do not force it.”

Lu Ping thought of Qin Shangzhi’s words about different paths, nodded, and responded: “I will remember!”

·

Early the next morning, the Crown Prince set off to Dengzhou with the grain and supplies as well as the Emperor’s rewards.

Old Fang had not slept well the previous night and looked in bad shape. He got directly into the carriage, but Ren Shijie bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan when he saw her.

After saluting, Ren Shijie wanted to get in the carriage with Old Fang, but seeing Bai Qingyan looking at him with a slight smile, he had to step forward and bow again: “Does the Princess of Zhen have any instructions?”

“I heard Mr. Ren returned home yesterday. Are you from Fenping?” Bai Qingyan stood with a jet-black riding crop in her hand, looking valiant.

“Yes!” Ren Shijie replied, lowering his eyes. After waiting for a while without hearing Bai Qingyan speak, he looked up to find her still staring at him. He slowly added, “Although I was not here yesterday, I saw that after His Highness visited the Princess of Zhen, he looked much better today. I suppose the Princess gave the Crown Prince good advice yesterday.”

“I just helped His Highness to sort out the issues in Dadu City and didn’t provide any strategies. I am no counselor. If strategies are needed, we still have to rely on Old Fang, Mr. Ren, and Mr. Qin!” Bai Qingyan gave Ren Shijie a deep look, then leapt onto her horse.

Ren Shijie stepped back, watching Bai Qingyan ride away with the Bai family’s guards. Only then did he get into the carriage.

Ren Shijie shared a carriage with Old Fang, seeing his somber face, he lowered his eyes and thought deeply. To him, the Princess of Zhen might not be loyal to the Crown Prince, but she convinced the Crown Prince to stay calm as soon as she arrived. Clearly, this Princess of Zhen wanted to maintain stability within the Jin court.

Now, because the Empress suddenly bore a legitimate son chosen to be the sacred deer’s reincarnation by the Heavenly Master, people were in turmoil, and the Crown Prince was restless. Ren Shijie hoped to stir the waters further, wanting the Jin court to become more chaotic, not letting the Crown Prince have peace.

Ren Shijie looked at Old Fang with dark circles under his eyes, shook his head: “The Crown Prince urgently called the Princess of Zhen, yet still follows Old Fang’s advice to remain calm. There was no need for the Princess to make such a trip.”

Hearing these words, Old Fang’s heart filled with anger as he looked at Ren Shijie: “I am too old to match the charm and eloquence of the Princess of Zhen.”

“Good medicine tastes bitter, and honest advice is unpleasant. I understand Old Fang’s sincere intentions for the Crown Prince!” Ren Shijie solemnly bowed to Old Fang.

Seeing even Ren Shijie, usually not one to talk much, siding with him, Old Fang felt a bit better and waved his hand: “Forget it! As long as the Crown Prince can remain calm, that is all that matters.”

Fenping was not far from Dengzhou. Considering the Crown Prince’s health, they did not hurry, leisurely leading the troops and supplies into Dengzhou City before sunset.

Because the Crown Prince sent word that he would stay at the Dong mansion, the Dong family hastily buried Dong Changlan before the Crown Prince entered the city. They replaced the mourning decorations, leaving only two white lanterns at the main gate, making it look like they were not in mourning.

Seeing this, the Crown Prince, knowing the reason, still exchanged pleasantries with Dong Qingyue, saying it was unnecessary.

“With Changlan gone, my mother and wife fell ill, and my daughter-in-law is bedridden. We couldn’t come to greet Your Highness. Please forgive them,” Dong Qingyue said, about to kneel.

“Lord Dong…” The Crown Prince quickly helped Dong Changlan, “Madam Dong just lost her grandson; Mrs. Dong lost her son; Mrs. Dong’s wife lost her husband. These are life’s painful experiences. I understand. There’s no need to ask for forgiveness!”

“By the way…” Dong Qingyue glanced back at Dong Changmao and said to the Crown Prince, “This is my second son, Dong Changmao. If Your Highness has any needs, just instruct Changmao!”

Dong Changmao quickly bowed to the Crown Prince: “Dong Changmao greets Your Highness!”

The Crown Prince nodded, looking Dong Changmao up and down: “I heard on the way that Master Changmao was also seriously injured. It must have been hard!”