Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 900 - 897: Doing One’s Utmost

Chapter 900: Chapter 897: Doing One’s Utmost

"Today, under such circumstances, I ask Mr. Qin to come out and meet, for the promise between you and me, Mr. Qin is a gentleman... once you and Bai Qingyan made a vow with a clap of hands. If one day Bai Qingyan can carry the banner of the Bai family army as a woman and occupy a seat in that high temple, she will sweep the seat to await. Therefore... today Bai Qingyan came, hoping Mr. Qin will not abandon, and can join hands with Bai Qingyan to support the world and the people."

Bai Qingyan is a person who keeps promises, having had such a promise with Qin Shangzhi, so today... Bai Qingyan knows that with Qin Shangzhi’s nature, he might not betray the Crown Prince, yet still invites him for a discussion under the city.

Qin Shangzhi gazed at Bai Qingyan, whose brows were clear, and eyes distinct, recalling the scene when Bai Qingyan, dressed in mourning clothes, said these words to him outside the gates of Dadu City.

At that time, Bai Qingyan’s family had suffered a great tragedy, all the men in the family died, yet she still had the ambition to support Jin Kingdom, which stirred Qin Shangzhi’s blood. Thus, he made a vow with Bai Qingyan with a clasp of hands, though he did not expect Bai Qingyan to indeed fulfill what she said...

Now Bai Qingyan not only has a place in the royal court, but she has already proclaimed herself Emperor.

"Qin Shangzhi is ashamed of the Princess of Zhen, I fear I will break my word!" Qin Shangzhi smiled with moist red eyes as he looked at Bai Qingyan, first bowing deeply, then slowly kneeling, kowtowing to Bai Qingyan, saying, "Since Qin Shangzhi has chosen the Crown Prince, no matter how thorny and muddy this road is, even if it is a dead end... I must walk it to the end. Changing masters halfway would violate Qin Shangzhi’s principles, so Qin Shangzhi can only... apologize to the Princess of Zhen, for breaking my word!"

This outcome, though expected, still left Bai Qingyan regretful. Someone of Qin Shangzhi’s talent, if devoted to the Zhou Dynasty, could help so many people: "Mr. Qin, why do you still follow the Crown Prince? You must already know what kind of person the Crown Prince is. If the Crown Prince ascends the throne... he will not be a wise ruler. The current Crown Prince is still summoning a thousand children for the Emperor to practice alchemy, so fearful and muddled about right and wrong. Such a Crown Prince... why do you follow him?"

"I know the Crown Prince might be a foolish ruler, but since Qin Shangzhi has recognized the Crown Prince as master, even if there is only a one in ten thousand chance to correct him into a wise ruler, Qin Shangzhi is willing to try."

Qin Shangzhi took out the dagger Bai Qingyan had once given him for self-defense from his chest, holding it up with both hands over his head, with a gesture obviously to return the dagger to Bai Qingyan: "The promise with the Princess of Zhen, Qin Shangzhi can only fulfill in the next life..."

"This dagger was once given to you by Bai Qingyan for self-defense, and I will leave it with you today, if you ever change your mind, the gates of the Zhou Dynasty’s court will always be open to you..." Bai Qingyan said and bowed deeply to Qin Shangzhi.

Then, Bai Qingyan leaped onto the horse, pulled the reins, looking at Qin Shangzhi, who was still kneeling on the ground with moist red eyes: "Mr. Qin, take care!"

Qin Shangzhi watched Bai Qingyan pull the reins hard, turning the horse’s head to leave, with an indescribable feeling in his heart.

Knowing clearly... Jin Kingdom’s power is gone, the Bai family’s eldest daughter will surely lead the Zhou Dynasty to unify the world, establishing unparalleled merit.

Yet Qin Shangzhi still couldn’t forsake the Crown Prince.

Until the heavy shield soldiers under the black sail and white python flag made way, letting Bai Qingyan and Lin Kangle return to the Zhou Dynasty’s ranks, only then did Qin Shangzhi slowly stood up.

He tightly clenched the dagger in his hand, lowered his eyes, gently stroking the carved pattern on the dagger, then slowly returned it to his chest.

The commander behind Qin Shangzhi stepped forward: "Master... we should go back!"

Qin Shangzhi nodded, leaped onto the horse, turned the horse’s head back into Luohong City.

When Qin Shangzhi just entered the city, he saw the Emperor’s chief eunuch, Gao Demao, waiting with people inside the city gate, clutching the reins tightly, dismounting to salute Gao Demao: "Greetings, Eunuch Gao."

Gao Demao had just watched from the city tower the elite soldiers Bai Qingyan brought, and indeed the formation was impressive.

At this moment, Gao Demao no longer had his usual smile, looking at Qin Shangzhi and asked: "I wonder what the Princess of Zhen and Master Qin discussed during the brief meeting?"

As soon as the words fell, Gao Demao nodded and saluted Qin Shangzhi: "Master Qin, don’t be offended. His Majesty heard that the Princess of Zhen wanted to see you, so he sent this old servant to take a look. After all, Master Qin is now in charge of the troop deployment of Luohong City, so this old servant asked more questions."

"Nothing much was said, back when I was still unsuccessful, I was fortunate to receive the assistance of the Princess of Zhen, and she wanted me to pledge, which I refused, thus I bid farewell to the Princess of Zhen." Qin Shangzhi said openly, "If Eunuch doesn’t believe, you can ask the two generals who accompanied me!"

The two generals hurriedly nodded to Gao Demao: "What Master Qin said is true."

Gao Demao nodded, then said to Qin Shangzhi: "Mr. Qin, you have worked hard, the Princess of Zhen has agreed to enter the city tonight... Mr. Qin must be prepared."

Qin Shangzhi’s palm tightened, with a look of surprise, Bai Qingyan is entering the city tonight?

Qin Shangzhi, being wise, surely knew what the Emperor and the Eldest Princess wanted from Bai Qingyan entering the city, and he could see it, Bai Qingyan could see it too, then why would she still come, why not make it clear just now?

He thought that Bai Qingyan suddenly meeting him outside Luohong City before the two armies confronted was just a meeting before the imminent siege at night.

Seeing Qin Shangzhi frozen, Gao Demao called again: "Master Qin?"

Qin Shangzhi returned to his senses, and saluted Gao Demao: "Rest assured, Eunuch Gao, as the matter concerns the safety of His Majesty and the Crown Prince... Qin Shangzhi will do his utmost."

Gao Demao waved the dust in his hand and turned away with a group of eunuchs, shortly after whispered to the little eunuch beside him: "Keep an eye on Qin Shangzhi, report immediately if there’s any change!"

"Yes!" The little eunuch took the command and left.

Gao Demao slightly raised his head, squinting at the blazing sun like a fire brazier, couldn’t help but sigh, Jin Kingdom’s fate... has already run its course, yet the Emperor is still wholeheartedly focused on alchemy.

The Eldest Princess does not know that the Emperor has already given a death order, once the Princess of Zhen enters this Luohong City, there will be no way for her to leave anymore, the Eldest Princess... has been deceived by His Majesty again.

Now the little eunuch beside the Crown Prince is persuading him, and the Crown Prince seems moved to spare Bai Qingyan’s life, Gao Demao saw the Crown Prince and that little eunuch standing hesitantly outside the Emperor’s bedchamber, uncertain whether to see the Emperor, but... Gao Demao knew inside that the Crown Prince would never let Bai Qingyan become a powerful official as His Majesty promised the Eldest Princess.

Gao Demao’s true concern is not the Princess of Zhen, but himself...