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.
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!" freёwebnoѵel.com
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