Chapter 833: 830: Parental Care

Chapter 833: Chapter 830: Parental Care

As she spoke, she found a piece of goatskin, dipped her brush in ink, and pondered for a moment before writing a letter to Xiao Rongyan.

After finishing, Bai Qingyan placed the letter in the letter tube, sealed it with wax, and handed it to Zhao Ran.

Zhao Ran took the letter tube with both hands and left hurriedly, afraid that any important matters in Bai Qingyan’s letter would be delayed.

Seeing Zhao Ran leave, Bai Qingyan hung the brush back on the rack, feeling vaguely uneasy. She sat quietly for a while before writing the military report and sent someone to deliver it to Dadu.

On the same day, the report of Bai Qingyan’s capture of Jiangdu on the twentieth of last month finally reached the Crown Prince’s desk.

Upon learning that the Princess of Zhen had captured Datong, the Crown Prince was overjoyed: “The Princess of Zhen took Yingdu on the twelfth of January, Datong on the twentieth of February, by the dates… she might have already captured Jiangdu.”

The Crown Prince’s speculation was correct, Bai Qingyan’s news of capturing Jiangdu on the nineteenth of March was on its way to Dadu City, and the news of today’s capture of Yangjiang had just been sent from Bai Qingyan’s command tent.

Advisor Fang couldn’t help but feel wary upon hearing this.

“Your Highness, isn’t the Princess of Zhen supposed to be in poor health? How could she be so fierce… advancing at a pace of capturing a city each month, and Daliang has sent famous generals too…” Advisor Fang’s words could not conceal his surprise, noticing the Crown Prince’s displeasure, he quickly added, “I am only worried that the Princess of Zhen is forcing herself.”

The Crown Prince nodded, remembering Zhang Duanning’s report from the Imperial Physician, feeling a mix of joy and slight guilt: “I… regret telling the Princess of Zhen that I aim to rule the world, if not for that, she wouldn’t be fighting so desperately and would be recuperating in Shuoyang.”

Quan Yu glanced at Advisor Fang and remained silent upon hearing the Crown Prince’s words.

Qin Shangzhi went to repair the canal, leaving only Ren Shijie and Advisor Fang as the Crown Prince’s advisors. They walked out of the Crown Prince’s study together, Fang had his hands in his sleeves, stepping through the glaring sunlight along the corridor, lost in thought. After a while, he said, “I always felt there was something peculiar about the Princess of Zhen’s health!”

Ren Shijie, walking alongside Fang, agreed: “Indeed, her bravery in capturing cities far surpasses General Liu Hong! But the Princess of Zhen’s health… the Imperial Physician treated her, they wouldn’t make mistakes, would they?”

“Don’t forget, the Princess of Zhen has the exceptionally skilled Doctor Hong by her side, even the director of the Imperial Medical Bureau, Doctor Huang, can’t compare!” Fang squinted his eyes, pondering, “If this Doctor Hong did something to the Princess of Zhen’s pulse, we wouldn’t know!”

“Although your suspicion is reasonable, the Princess of Zhen did risk her life to save the Crown Prince!” Ren Shijie smiled, “It might be that her health is failing, yet she’s holding on out of loyalty to the Crown Prince!”

“Speaking of the Princess of Zhen risking her life for the Crown Prince, I increasingly suspect that was a setup! Loyalty alone can’t make the Princess so fiercely capture so many cities of Daliang! Remember, she’s leading former surrender soldiers from two kingdoms and Daliang has dispatched heavy troops against her!”

Fang’s steps slowed, gazing at the shadow of the corridor eaves, suddenly pausing: “The Jin soldiers the Princess of Zhen brought are just a mob she assembled from Shuoyang!”

“Has Advisor Fang thought of something?” Ren Shijie asked, seeing Fang’s serious expression.

“The Princess of Zhen dared to use tens of thousands of Daliang’s surrendered soldiers with only that mob from Shuoyang, there must be something fishy! Otherwise, wouldn’t she fear these soldiers turning against her? How could she lead them to victory? Surely… these surrendered soldiers fear the Princess of Zhen! No… they fear the soldiers around her! That’s why they dare not rebel! Otherwise, why would Daliang’s surrendered soldiers be so obedient?”

Fang’s certainty grew, he wanted to return to the study to inform the Crown Prince but feared the Crown Prince might think he was stirring trouble.

“Even if it’s true, we have no evidence, the Crown Prince wouldn’t believe us!” Ren Shijie said.

“Indeed!” Fang gritted his teeth, a lifesaving favor had made the Crown Prince completely trust Bai Qingyan, how hateful!

After a while, Fang made a decision, turning to Ren Shijie: “I’m planning to depart for Shuoyang today, it will take about ten days. During this time, I’m counting on you to stay with the Crown Prince!”

“Advisor Fang?!” Ren Shijie was surprised, “You’re going to Shuoyang to investigate those soldiers gathered after suppressing the bandits?”

Fang nodded: “I thought you should go, but feared you might miss important details, so I’ll go myself! Keep the Crown Prince’s attention away from my absence, don’t let him know I’ve gone to Shuoyang!”

Ren Shijie nodded, cupping his hands to Fang: “Advisor Fang, rest assured, I’ll find ways to cover your absence until you return.”

·

News of the Princess of Zhen capturing Datong, approaching the Liang Kingdom’s capital, spread to Dadu. The citizens celebrated, once the Jin Kingdom only asked Daliang to deliver the promised cities. Daliang refused, now they’ve been beaten badly, what was the point!

While the citizens were happy, some in Dadu couldn’t sit still. That night, Li Mingrui donned a black cloak and, taking the risk, arrived alone at King Liang’s mansion.

Li Mingrui looked around, seeing no one, just as he was about to knock on the corner gate, his raised wrist was grasped by someone.

Li Mingrui turned his head and saw Shen Bozhong, with silver hair and dressed in black. He was delighted, checked the surroundings again, and lowered his voice: “Old man?! I thought you left Dadu City, why are you back?”

Shen Bozhong remained silent, cautiously glanced around, pulled Li Mingrui behind a tree, and said: “Young Master, you should avoid interacting with King Liang.”

“Old man… mind your own business. Leave Dadu City, it’s going to be chaotic!” Li Mingrui removed his hood, speaking to Shen Bozhong in a lowered voice, “Is the money I gave you last time insufficient?”

Li Mingrui quickly took out silver notes from his sleeve, stuffing them into Shen Bozhong’s hand: “I brought only this much, but it should be enough for a while. Once the situation in Dadu stabilizes, I’ll find a way to bring you back!”

If Li Mingrui still had a hint of kindness left, it was all for the old man. It might be because the old man saved his life or perhaps… it was because the old man filled the gap of fatherly care he once lacked.