Chapter 932: 928: Revenge

Chapter 932: Chapter 928: Revenge

Xiao Rongyan’s palm tightened. Indeed, the young emperor of Wei had escaped. Despite multiple pursuits by Yan, they couldn’t find him and didn’t know where he was hiding.

For Yan, having the young emperor of Wei alive was always a hidden threat.

“Is His Majesty… safe now?” Xiao Rongyan suppressed the emotions in his eyes and asked in a low voice.

“What? Do you also wish for restoration?” The King of Xihuai laughed and said, “Forget it, Rongyan! Previously, my little nephew indeed intended for me to seek you out, but I didn’t agree… Even if you’re the wealthiest merchant in the world, you shouldn’t be expected to exhaust your wealth just because you’re Wei, for the sake of restoration.”

The King of Xihuai’s laugh was uglier than a cry. As a member of the Wei imperial clan, how could he not wish for Wei’s restoration? He just knew… it was hopeless and didn’t want to implicate his friends any further.

“Yan is strong, and Wei is doomed to never see restoration! Now all these actions by my little nephew, clamoring for restoration, are nothing more than child’s play, unable to form any real threat. Why should you tire yourself out, squandering your wealth?”

Xiao Rongyan slightly tightened his grip.

“Although I’ve only ever lived for indulgence, with the country gone and the home gone, some things can be seen clearly! Yan aims to unify the world… with goals clear and precise, its powerful strides will only be steadier! Such is also the case for Zhou now! Unifying the world seems an unstoppable trend; under such circumstances, how difficult it is for Wei to restore! Even if restoration were possible… it would merely be another using Wei as a blade in hand!”

The King of Xihuai’s eyes held not strong resentment, only saying, “I only pray that one day, the Empress of Zhou can destroy Yan, which would be revenge for my Wei!”

A gentleman is to be regarded with new eyes after three days.

Xiao Rongyan couldn’t believe these words came from the mouth of the King of Xihuai: “These words… were thought of by the prince himself?”

The King of Xihuai smiled, as if saying ‘you know me well’ as he said, “These were the words of my nephew’s teacher, Liu Wanyuan, who advised me before leaving… to not consider the assassination of utmost priority, but that survival is most critical regardless! It also provides an account to my little nephew.”

“Minister Liu is a wise man!” Xiao Rongyan said sincerely.

“Indeed!” The King of Xihuai exhaled a long breath, with a hint of bitterness in his voice, “But to come back to it, my nephew is so young yet harbors such ambitious restoration… much stronger than myself!”

Xiao Rongyan looked at the King of Xihuai, who showed him unwavering trust and sincerity, and said in a low voice, “Take care of your injuries! These days… I’ll have Yue Shi look after you personally. Should I be able to persuade the Ninth Prince to release you, I’ll arrange for your departure!”

The King of Xihuai nodded, deeply touched: “Even if release doesn’t come, having a brother like you in this life… I’ve no regrets!”

·

Mrs. Dong, after consulting with Second Madam Mrs. Liu, Third Madam Mrs. Li, Fourth Madam Mrs. Wang, and Fifth Madam Mrs. Qi, set the date for the Eldest Princess’s funeral on the nineteenth, one day before Bai Qingyan’s coronation ceremony, to fulfill the Eldest Princess’s wish and symbolize the complete turning of the page on the Jin Dynasty.

Before the Bai family ladies returned, Nanny Jiang had already arranged all the residences of the ladies properly.

Late at night, Bai Qingyan asked Bai Jinxiu to take Brother Wang for some rest, as after many months apart, Brother Wang clung fervently to Bai Jinxiu now.

At the age for significant growth, Bai Jinzhao, Bai Jinhua, and Bai Jinse were also instructed by Bai Qingyan to take a rest first, to relieve her and Bai Qingjue later in the night.

Little Seven refused, having finally seen Bai Qingjue and was determined to keep vigil together. However, she did not ask where Bai Qingjue had been all those years. She knew there was a reason he hadn’t returned. As long as Seventh Brother was now safe… that was enough.

Today, attending the condolence for the grandmother of the Empress of Zhou… the Eldest Princess of the Jin Dynasty, the ladies of the Bai family returned to the capital city, really causing quite an uproar for the whole day.

As the sun set and dusk fell, in the night peace where birds and insects were low in chirping, the capital city finally quieted down.

Not long after, it began to rain lightly, humidifying the blue-black tiled roofs that stretched within the capital.

The imperial guards protected the Bai Mansion tightly inside and out, making it daunting for ordinary people to approach.

The door to the mourning hall was open, the damp wind lifted the white silk mourning cloth, casting a shadow over the light inside. With the copper hook holding the bamboo curtain under the porch ringing softly, the brightness swayed back to life.

Bai Jinse couldn’t hold any longer and had fallen asleep next to Bai Qingyan…

Bai Qingyan asked Chun Tao to fetch a thin blanket to cover Bai Jinse. Chun Tao took the opportunity to bring the soup personally brewed by Nanny Tong from the Qinghui Courtyard’s small kitchen, letting Bai Qingyan and Bai Qingjue have some to feel comforted.

Seeing Bai Qingyan and Bai Qingjue talking, Chun Tao quietly covered Seventh Lady with a blanket, then served the soup to her lady and Seventh Young Master, before kneeling silently behind Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingjue lowered his head, took a sip of the soup, then set the bowl aside, looking at Bai Qingyan seriously and said, “This time, the Clan Leader came along to the capital city, but Bai Qingping remained in Shuoyang for contingencies, so I had General Shen Kunyang stay temporarily in Shuoyang too. On the day of the coronation, he will lead the army to the capital to ensure that no one can cause trouble at the Eldest Young Lady’s coronation.”

Raindrops whispered against the night insects avoiding rain in shadowy corners under the porch, and the moths brushed against the damp curtain used to shield insects, making the Bai Mansion even quieter as Bai Qingjue’s voice echoed with firmness.

His gaze was steadfast, sworn to protect the Eldest Young Lady’s smooth ascension, not allowing anyone to disrupt.

“Have you received any news?” Bai Qingyan asked Bai Qingjue warmly.

“While still in the southern border, General Shen Kunyang received a letter from Third Sister saying Xiliang had sent King Yan, Li Zhijie, to Jin on April 23. But Third Sister was too far from the royal court to investigate why Li Zhijie went to Jin! Coincidentally, after returning to Shuoyang, we received a letter from Qin Lang, which he sent someone to deliver to Shuoyang. It said that on May 16, amidst the chaos in the capital, while he accompanied his second aunt to offer incense for peace, he saw the King of Baishui meeting secretly with Li Zhijie.”

Just as Bai Qingjue finished speaking, footsteps were heard from the corridor below, and he immediately stopped speaking, his vigilant gaze turned towards the entrance.

It happened to be Bai Jinxiu bringing Qin Lang over…

Qin Lang looked at Bai Qingjue, who sat sternly, and Bai Qingyan, who tiredly and yet spiritedly maintained her composure, and saluted, “Eldest Young Lady, Seventh Young Master!”

Bai Qingjue quickly got up to salute, “Second Sister! Brother-in-law!”

Bai Jinxiu nodded and said, “I didn’t expect Ah Jue had already told Eldest Sister about this matter. I just heard from Qin Lang about it, so I immediately brought Qin Lang to meet Eldest Sister… hoping Qin Lang could elaborate on this matter clearly to Eldest Sister.”

“Chun Tao…” Bai Qingyan tilted her head to instruct Chun Tao, who was kneeling behind her, “Stand guard under the corridor, and alert if someone approaches.”