Chapter 719: 716: Trust_1

Chapter 719: Chapter 716: Trust_1

Bai Qingyan attempted to rise, but Quan Yu hurried forward to assist her. After thanking Quan Yu, Bai Qingyan bowed deeply to the Crown Prince. “I, Bai Qingyan, know that Xiliang has already dispatched its troops because… the steward my mother sent to Dengzhou to deliver New Year’s gifts is the steward who accompanied my mother during her marriage. Therefore, my mother permitted him to return to Shuoyang after the New Year. The steward returned to Shuoyang on February 13th. I sent Lu Ping to advise the Crown Prince on that very day… This matter cannot be ignored. We must pressure Xiliang. If the Crown Prince does not believe me… he can send someone to investigate in Shuoyang. If there is any falsehood in my words, may I be struck by lightning and suffer a terrible death.”

“Princess of Zhen, these words are too heavy!” The Crown Prince hurriedly held Bai Qingyan up lightly. “Princess of Zhen risked her life to save me. If there’s anyone I wouldn’t and couldn’t suspect, it would be Princess of Zhen! Fang Lao… apologize to Princess of Zhen!”

The Crown Prince turned his head and scolded Fang Lao.

However, Bai Qingyan took a step back and bowed to the Crown Prince. “Your Highness, there is no need to apologize. I, Bai Qingyan, have ridden hard all the way here, and my strength is truly exhausted. I will take my leave for now. All of the Bai family’s guards are here… Fang Lao can interrogate them as he wishes.”

With that, Bai Qingyan bowed deeply, stepped back, and turned to cross the threshold.

Fang Lao did not expect Bai Qingyan to leave so decisively and was stunned on the spot.

“Princess of Zhen!” The Crown Prince took a few steps forward and called out.

Bai Qingyan suddenly paused in her steps, clutched the red lacquer pillar carved with lotus patterns, covered her mouth, and coughed so violently her body trembled. Quan Yu rushed forward to support her. Unexpectedly, Bai Qingyan clutched her chest and suddenly spewed a mouthful of blood, collapsing to the ground.

“Princess of Zhen! Princess of Zhen! Your Highness…” Quan Yu, flustered, supported Bai Qingyan who had fallen. “Your Highness, what should we do?!”

“Where is the Imperial Physician?!” The Crown Prince hurried out of the threshold, shouting loudly. “Where is the Imperial Physician?! Has the Imperial Physician arrived?! Quickly… Carry the Princess of Zhen to the side hall! Hurry!”

With tears in her eyes, Quan Yu responded, but before she could pick up Bai Qingyan, the summoned guards of the Bai family saw their eldest young lady lying motionless on the ground, her clothes stained with fresh blood.

The Bai family guard widened his eyes, disregarded the proprieties, leaped from the corridor, tread over the flowers and grass, and rushed straight to Bai Qingyan, pushing Quan Yu aside. “Eldest young lady! Eldest young lady!”

“Carry the Princess of Zhen to the side hall first!” The Crown Prince, too busy to scold the disrespectful Bai family guard, ordered urgently.

The Bai family guard said nothing further, scooped up Bai Qingyan, and ran towards the side hall.

Soon, the Imperial Physician arrived. After checking Bai Qingyan’s pulse, he was quite shocked. Collecting the pulse pillow, he shakily stood up and bowed deeply to the Crown Prince. “Reporting to Your Highness, the Princess of Zhen sustained severe injuries in her early years, damaging her fundamental health. Later, she suffered an arrow-through-the-heart injury, further harming her heart and lungs. Proper care might have prolonged her life, but exposure to cold and excessive fatigue on this journey have triggered her old ailments… I’m afraid…”

“Afraid of what?!” The Crown Prince erupted in rage. “I tell you, I don’t want any ‘afraid’! I want you to treat the Princess of Zhen well. If anything happens to the Princess of Zhen, I will send your entire family to Huayang City!”

The Imperial Physician trembled and quickly knelt at the Crown Prince’s feet. “Your Highness, please show mercy! This humble servant will do his best to treat the Princess of Zhen, but she has been plagued by chronic illnesses. Even Doctor Huang might be powerless. She can only rely on medication… This humble servant is truly…”

Seeing Bai Qingyan slowly open her eyes on the couch, Quan Yu hurriedly called out. “Your Highness! Your Highness… The Princess of Zhen has awakened!”

“Eldest young lady!” The Bai family guard kneeling beside her straightened his back and looked at the couch.

“Princess of Zhen, how are you?” The Crown Prince walked over quickly to ask Bai Qingyan, filled with regret. He should not have doubted her.

“Your Highness, don’t trouble the Imperial Physician. I know my own body…” Bai Qingyan said, propping herself up with one hand. Quan Yu quickly stepped forward to support her.

The Crown Prince clenched his hand at his side. “Actually, you didn’t have to make this trip yourself. You could have sent someone.”

“Bai Qingyan disobeyed His Highness’s orders, a crime deserving death. How could I not come personally to plead for forgiveness?” Bai Qingyan clutched her chest and nodded shallowly to the Crown Prince.

“What are you saying! You did it all for me… Don’t you think I know that!” The Crown Prince sighed. “This time, it’s Fang Lao’s fault. I will certainly have him apologize to you.”

Bai Qingyan shook her head. “It’s all for the Crown Prince. Fang Lao’s additional questions are justified…”

“I know you are magnanimous and don’t hold grudges. But you risked your life to save me, and he is still there, fighting for a little trust…” The Crown Prince furrowed his brows and seemed at a loss for words.

“Your Highness…” The pale-lipped Bai Qingyan looked at the Crown Prince and said, “I, Bai Qingyan, am far away in Shuoyang. Most of the time, Your Highness needs to rely on counselors like Fang Lao. Do not upset Fang Lao because of me. Though I am younger than Fang Lao, I dare to say my mind is broader. I truly do not mind.”

A young eunuch came running, panting. He knelt at the doorway and shouted loudly. “Your Highness! Your Highness… The Crown Princess Consort is in labor!”

“In labor!” The Crown Prince’s eyes lit up. He looked at Bai Qingyan once more. “Rest here in the side hall for a while. I’ll go see the Crown Princess Consort!”

Bai Qingyan looked at the Bai family guard kneeling nearby. The guard quickly stood up and went to support her.

“Hurry, go and see. I won’t trouble Your Highness at the Crown Prince’s residence anymore. I’ll return to the Princess of Zhen’s residence.” Bai Qingyan said to the Crown Prince.

At this moment, with the Crown Princess Consort’s labor imminent, the Crown Prince indeed had no time to speak more with Bai Qingyan. He nodded and instructed Quan Yu to personally arrange a carriage to send Bai Qingyan back to the Princess of Zhen’s residence, then hurriedly left.

Quan Yu had the Imperial Physician accompany Bai Qingyan all the way to the Princess of Zhen’s residence. When the second lady, Mrs. Liu, saw Bai Qingyan’s bloodstained clothes, her legs almost gave out. “What happened?! What happened?!”

“Second lady, I already sent someone to notify you to prepare a sedan chair for the Princess of Zhen… Is it ready?” Quan Yu asked after greeting.

“It’s ready! It’s ready!” Mrs. Liu clasped Nanny Luo’s hand tightly. “Quick! The sedan chair!”

“Aunt, don’t worry! I’m fine…” Bai Qingyan gave a faint smile to comfort Mrs. Liu.

Fortunately, the Eldest Princess and Bai Jinse were both at Qing Temple and would not worry upon seeing Bai Qingyan in this condition.

Mrs. Liu was supported by Nanny Luo all the way as they entered Qinghui Courtyard. She helped Bai Qingyan lie down and instructed Nanny Luo to personally see Quan Yu out. “Eunuch Quan Yu, I’m truly sorry. My eldest niece is in this state, I truly cannot leave her side. I can only ask Nanny Luo to escort you. Please forgive me!”

Quan Yu quickly saluted, saying he dared not trouble them. He looked worriedly towards the inner room before following Nanny Luo out.

“Aunt… I’m really fine!” Bai Qingyan propped herself up.