Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 901 - 898: Wagging Tail to Beg

Chapter 901: Chapter 898: Wagging Tail to Beg

Even if the Princess of Zhen is killed, there is still Bai Jinxiu outside, along with the other young ladies of the Bai family. If the Princess of Zhen truly dies within Luohong City, Bai Jinxiu will surely attack Luohong City in fury. If the city falls, His Majesty would have no chance of survival, and as their servants, we also might not live for many days.

After a moment, Gao Demao withdrew his gaze, a green shadow before his eyes.

In his heart, Gao Demao made a secret resolution, a decision made in desperation to survive.

If the Crown Prince cannot persuade His Majesty, and His Majesty indeed wants to kill the Princess of Zhen, Gao Demao must find a way to ensure the Princess of Zhen’s survival, for only if she lives does he have a chance to live.

Gao Demao has served His Majesty for so many years and naturally does not wish to see the Jin Kingdom perish. But it is clear that the Jin Kingdom’s great strength has waned, and regardless of the Princess of Zhen’s fate, the Jin Kingdom is headed for destruction. If one cannot see this reality, only death awaits.

Gao Demao sighed and left slowly with the eunuchs.

Just after Gao Demao left, someone from the Crown Prince’s side came to summon Qin Shangzhi, saying that His Highness the Crown Prince requested Mr. Qin’s presence for an important discussion.

The Crown Prince had been indecisive outside the Emperor’s bedchamber until Quan Yu advised him to send for Qin Shangzhi to discuss the matter.

After meeting Qin Shangzhi, the Crown Prince informed him of the Emperor’s intention to take Bai Qingyan’s life when she arrives in Luohong City. Qin Shangzhi was shocked and hurriedly urged the Crown Prince to go before the Emperor to stop this absurd notion.

However, Qin Shangzhi also understood that the present Emperor cared about nothing but his Nine-step Terrace, his quest for the Immortal Pill, and eternal life, regardless of the Crown Prince or the vast kingdom.

Therefore, Qin Shangzhi advised the Crown Prince to focus his persuasion on matters of the Nine-step Terrace and elixirs when meeting the Emperor.

After constantly reiterating this to the Crown Prince, who memorized it repeatedly, Quan Yu accompanied him to see the Emperor.

The Emperor lounged under the gold-hooked yellow brocade curtains, his elbow resting on an armrest cushion to support his body. After swallowing the elixir with hot water, he took the handkerchief from the black lacquer and gold-painted tray held by a palace maid, wiped his mouth, and looked down at the Crown Prince: "There is no need to discuss this matter further."

The Crown Prince knelt before the pale Emperor, kowtowing in earnest: "I plead for the Princess of Zhen not for her sake but for the consideration of you, Father. If indeed the Princess of Zhen is killed, those generals from the Liang Kingdom may rebel directly. The Jin Kingdom will fall apart instantly, and how can Bai Jinxiu not seek revenge for the Princess of Zhen?"

Upon hearing the Crown Prince’s words, the Emperor frowned, lightly stroking the intricate embroidery on the armrest, pondering silently.

Seeing that the Emperor did not further chide him, the Crown Prince continued: "The soldiers within Luohong City today are nowhere near the battle-hardened troops under the Princess of Zhen. If anything happens to her, Bai Jinxiu will surely attack Luohong City within two days without regard for the Eldest Princess. By then, even we might not survive, Father."

Quan Yu, seeing that the Crown Prince had relayed all of Qin Shangzhi and the Crown Prince’s analysis to the Emperor, finally felt relieved.

During Quan Yu’s brief contact with Mrs. Qin Bai Jinxiu when sent by Bai Qingyan to Luohong City, he already heard that the third prince of the Liang Kingdom, who surrendered, had been crowned a prince by the Princess of Zhen and remained in Hancheng.

Upon hearing this news, Quan Yu couldn’t help thinking that if the Crown Prince would surrender, perhaps the Princess of Zhen would also crown him a prince, allowing him to live out his life in peace.

This would certainly be the best outcome for the Crown Prince, for even Quan Yu admitted that the Princess of Zhen had spoken quite correctly at times. The Crown Prince lacks talent and ambition, and if only he would heed advice, he might just become a competent ruler. But alas, the Crown Prince is easily swayed.

While in Dadu City, many decisions had been made, but they were changed once influenced by the flattery from Hongmei.

"Besides, only with the Princess of Zhen alive can Father reach the Nine-step Terrace quickly and gather a thousand virgin boys and girls! The Princess of Zhen has agreed to enter the city... which means she is willing to submit. Why, Father, should you resort to such cruel measures? If war breaks out, even if we manage to escape, we will only drift further from the Nine-step Terrace, surely not the outcome Father wishes to see." The Crown Prince continued.

The Emperor, thinking of his Nine-step Terrace and aware of his deteriorating health, knew he could delay no longer...

When that wretch King Liang took him while fleeing from Dadu City, he only brought a box of elixirs and did not bring out the Heavenly Master. Now his elixirs have run out, and he finds his health weakening by the day.

The Emperor adjusted his posture, his gaze falling upon the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was right... delaying any longer, his health couldn’t withstand it.

"Since the Crown Prince pleads, I shall personally visit Luohong Tower tonight to meet Bai Qingyan. If she agrees, after returning to Dadu City and Father ascends the Nine-step Terrace, this country will be yours. She will be your subject... you can use her as you see fit. But if she refuses... you cannot blame Father for being ruthless." The Emperor leaned slightly forward, looking at the Crown Prince, who had been tormented by King Liang to the point of emaciation.

Feeling a sense of relief, the Crown Prince quickly kowtowed to the Emperor, his sunken eyes rising to look at him: "Rest assured, Father, since the Princess of Zhen has chosen to enter the city, she certainly has no intention of defying Father’s wishes!"

The flickering candlelight cast the Crown Prince’s aged features in shadow; in just one month, he seemed to have aged ten years.

The Emperor waved dismissively, indicating the Crown Prince’s departure, and reclined weakly on the armrest, closing his eyes.

The Crown Prince paid his respects and withdrew; Quan Yu also bowed to the Emperor, following quietly behind the Crown Prince as they retreated.

The Emperor glanced at Quan Yu, his eyes narrowing.

Once outside the Emperor’s temporary bedchamber, the Crown Prince looked up at the glaring sun, its halo dizzying his eyes. He exhaled a long breath, descending the next step, as memories of the day he groveled at King Liang’s feet in front of the court, wetting his pants, haunted him with regret, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into.

"Your Highness, be careful!" Quan Yu stepped forward to steady the Crown Prince, his voice gentle, "The sun is still fierce; do not strain your eyes by looking up like this."

The Crown Prince held onto Quan Yu’s wrist, his heart warmed by Quan Yu’s loyalty, having followed from afar from Dadu City. The Crown Prince gazed at Quan Yu, feeling a surge of warmth.

Regrettably, the Crown Princess Consort and little prince could not accompany him, and to this day, he has no news of the Crown Princess Consort and the little prince.