Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 902 - 899: Praise

Chapter 902: Chapter 899: Praise

However... Quan Yu mentioned when he arrived at Luohong City that there was no news of the young imperial grandson from inside Dadu City, indicating that the Crown Princess Consort and the young imperial grandson are not in Bai Qingyan’s hands.

If the Crown Princess Consort and the young imperial grandson were in Bai Qingyan’s hands, they would have already used them to threaten and exchange for the Eldest Princess, so why surround the city... yet hesitate to attack because of concerns about the Eldest Princess.

The Crown Prince estimated... the Crown Princess Consort and the young imperial grandson might have fallen victim to King Liang’s poison. The thought made his eyes momentarily redden, his nostrils flared slightly, and tears nearly fell.

Quan Yu quietly stayed by the Crown Prince’s side, watching the Crown Prince hold back tears. He let out a long sigh and started to walk down the steps, only reminding the Crown Prince to be careful underfoot.

No sooner had they taken a few steps when a young eunuch chased down from the steps, "Crown Prince, please wait a moment. His Majesty has commanded... that this eunuch by your side be questioned."

Quan Yu was taken aback, looking at the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince frowned tightly: "Why does Father summon Quan Yu?"

The young eunuch bowed his head and responded respectfully: "Replying to His Highness, this servant does not know..."

The Crown Prince thought for a moment and told Quan Yu, "Go ahead. If Father asks about me, speak truthfully, and come back as soon as possible."

Quan Yu acknowledged the instruction, bowed to the Crown Prince, and then left with the young eunuch.

The Crown Prince watched Quan Yu for a moment, then turned and walked away...

When Quan Yu followed the young eunuch into the grand hall with small steps, he saw silk curtains draping down from sandalwood beams, faintly revealing the imposing Emperor reclining on a soft couch inside.

It wasn’t until hearing the sound of greetings from Quan Yu that the Emperor slowly spoke: "I heard Bai Qingyan sent you to Luohong City?"

Quan Yu’s heart skipped a beat; this Emperor has always been suspicious, probably suspecting him.

"Replying to His Majesty, the Princess of Zhen once wanted this servant to stay by her side, but since young, I have served the Crown Prince. At the time, there were many young eunuchs His Highness could choose, but he chose this servant who was often bullied. I couldn’t possibly ignore the Crown Prince now, so I begged the Princess of Zhen for a horse to come to Luohong City to serve the Crown Prince." Quan Yu said honestly and bowed before the Emperor.

"Or... you’re under Bai Qingyan’s orders, returning to spy on the Crown Prince and me." The Emperor’s voice turned harsh with these words.

Quan Yu immediately kowtowed: "Replying to His Majesty, His Highness’s kindness to this servant is like giving rebirth. Even in death, this servant would never betray the Crown Prince. Please, Your Majesty, see my sincerity!"

"Since that’s the case, I’ll give you a chance to show your loyalty." The Emperor rose lazily from the soft couch, hands clasped behind his back, moving towards Quan Yu, who was tense, not daring to raise his head, only barely seeing the shoes embroidered with clouds behind the curtain.

The Emperor’s somewhat withered hand pushed aside the curtain, looked down at Quan Yu, and spoke slowly: "Today Bai Qingyan entered the city... at Luohong Tower. If Bai Qingyan refuses to recruit a thousand boys and girls for me, I want you to personally deliver the poisoned wine to Bai Qingyan."

Quan Yu, terrified, raised his head, meeting the Emperor’s calm yet chilling gaze, a coldness crawled up his spine: "Your Majesty..."

"If tonight doesn’t go as planned, either you or Bai Qingyan will drink that poisoned wine!" The Emperor finished, then released the curtain, "You go ahead! No need to return to the Crown Prince, go directly to Luohong Tower and wait."

The Emperor simply didn’t believe Bai Qingyan would be so generous, sending an insignificant eunuch by the Crown Prince’s side.

This Quan Yu must either be sent by Bai Qingyan to spy on me and the Crown Prince, or perhaps seize an opportunity to assassinate.

Or... Bai Qingyan might be able to win people’s hearts, this city is hard to take, she might use gratitude to influence... persuading this young eunuch Quan Yu to get the Crown Prince to surrender, especially since my son... is quite tender-eared.

No matter the reason Bai Qingyan sent Quan Yu back to the Crown Prince, she would not guard against this young eunuch.

·

At the hour of Xushi, as the last remnants of twilight extinguished, leaving only a thread of dim sunsets struggling against the sky.

The Eldest Princess stood atop Luohong Tower, the highest vantage of Luohong City’s scenery, red lanterns hung from the tower’s eaves, brilliantly lit, majestic.

She watched as the maid lit the bronze crane lamps set every ten steps along the stairs, making Luohong Tower appear as a warm oasis from afar.

Looking at the distant sunset gradually swallowed by nightfall until it vanished completely, the Eldest Princess felt myriad emotions within.

She persuaded the Emperor to let Shen Tianzhi meet Bai Qingyan, intending to tell Bai Qingyan this was a Hongmen Banquet, letting Bai Qingyan decide.

Enter the city, and submit as a minister.

Attack the city, and become a king.

Yet knowing her granddaughter chose to enter the city, the Eldest Princess felt more sorrow, saddened by being her granddaughter’s grandmother, saddened... why couldn’t her granddaughter learn to become a true ruler, choose benefit... instead of sentiment?

The Eldest Princess slowly closed her eyes, tears slid from the corner.

The still warm breeze blew across the princess’s silver hair at her temples, the lantern’s yellow hue elongated her shadow.

After a long moment, the Eldest Princess sighed deeply, turning back to the interior of Luohong Tower, leaning against the hidden cushions on the soft couch, playing with the Buddha beads in her hand.

·

The gates of Luohong City opened wide, Bai Qingyan led a troop of less than a hundred cavalry soldiers slowly entering through the main gate.

Luohong City’s garrison soldiers bowed their heads, dare not look at the imposing Bai Qingyan, only Gao Demao smiled from afar, as always, waiting for Bai Qingyan.

Inside Luohong City, the Jin Army held torches aloft, flames flickering wildly in the wind, casting shadows in chaotic sways.

After Bai Qingyan and the hundred soldiers entered the city, Luohong City’s gate slowly closed...

The hundred soldiers following Bai Qingyan were on high alert, each gripping their swords, thumbs pressed against hilts as if the blade might unsheathe any moment.

Bai Qingyan leapt down from horseback, seeing Gao Demao approach with small steps and salute, casually tossing the whip to a guard, saying with a smile: "Eunuch Gao, long time no see!"

"The Princess of Zhen looks well, indeed heaven’s blessings." Gao Demao’s smile was still as reserved and appropriate, making one unable to discern the truth of his words.

"I wonder where Grandmother is now?" Bai Qingyan asked with a smile.

"Princess of Zhen, please follow this old servant..." Gao Demao respectfully stepped aside, inviting Bai Qingyan to follow him to Luohong Tower.

Walking quickly with small steps, Gao Demao quietly said to Bai Qingyan: "The best view of Luohong City is its night scenery at Luohong Tower, though its fine wine and delicacies truly aren’t worthy of praise."