Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 940 - 936: Life and Death Together

Chapter 940: Chapter 936: Life and Death Together

"But, didn’t King Liang order to..." The deposed Crown Prince couldn’t finish his sentence as tears welled up in his eyes.

"Originally, King Liang did order the execution of your wife and child, but it was the second young lady who sent people to rescue them," Fu Ruoxi whispered, "His Majesty sent people to care for your wife and child all this time, and they are quite safe now."

The deposed Crown Prince hurriedly knelt upright, sincerely bowing towards Bai Qingyan: "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Mrs. Qin! In this life... I will never reveal to the child that we were once part of the Jin Kingdom’s imperial family. I only wish for a peaceful life, for that child to live as a commoner and to survive—nothing more!"

According to reason, when a new dynasty ascends the throne, the bloodline of the former imperial family... should be completely eradicated, to weed out the roots.

The deposed Crown Prince didn’t know whether to say Bai Qingyan was deeply sentimental or simply confident, but she indeed let the three of them live.

"Live well!" Bai Qingyan said to the deposed Crown Prince.

Had the deposed Crown Prince not had such an emperor for a father, perhaps... he wouldn’t have ended up like this.

"Mr. Qin." Bai Qingyan’s gaze once again fell on Qin Shangzhi, "Do you intend to leave Dadu City with the King of Qi, or... do you plan to continue overseeing the significant task of canal construction at Guanghe Canal?"

Qin Shangzhi’s fists clenched, he glanced at the deposed Crown Prince staring at him, then bowed to Bai Qingyan: "Qin Shangzhi is willing to go to Guanghe Canal to complete the construction, and afterwards... ask His Majesty to send Qin Shangzhi to follow the Crown Prince."

Bai Qingyan looked at Qin Shangzhi and nodded: "You may do so..."

The deposed Crown Prince was immediately moved to tears; he had watched Qin Shangzhi be sidelined by Elder Fang, yet unexpectedly, the one willing to stay with him was indeed Qin Shangzhi.

Thinking of Qin Shangzhi, the deposed Crown Prince couldn’t help but remember Ren Shijie. He hesitated and asked, "Your Majesty, has Mr. Ren from my residence already gone?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Qingyan’s clear eyes looked at the deposed Crown Prince, a bit surprised that he still didn’t know Ren Shijie’s identity, but she didn’t want to reveal it now. Since it was decided to let the deposed Crown Prince live, it was better for him to remain somewhat in the dark, as ignorance sometimes brings more happiness than understanding.

Bai Qingyan nodded slightly.

The deposed Crown Prince sobbed as he acknowledged, bowing in gratitude as he watched Bai Qingyan leave.

The deposed Crown Prince then turned to look at Qin Shangzhi, sincerely advising, "Mr. Qin, I am no longer the Crown Prince... nor the future monarch. I cannot provide a stage for you to showcase your talents. Mr. Qin, you need not follow me... Follow Bai Qingyan instead! You possess great talent, a fact I failed to recognize initially nor did I utilize you well. Bai Qingyan cherishes talent... that’s why she humbled herself to come to this prison today, which demonstrates her sincerity. I appreciate your loyalty deeply, but for your own future... there’s no reason to follow me anymore."

Qin Shangzhi tightly gripped the clothes at his side, then released his hold after a moment, shaking his head at the Crown Prince: "Since Qin Shangzhi has chosen his master, he will remain loyal to the end, advancing and retreating with the master, sharing life and death."

The Crown Prince, hearing Qin Shangzhi’s words, couldn’t restrain his tears once more. He nodded without further persuasion, only smiling: "Since Mr. Qin does not abandon me, from today on... I will not treat Mr. Qin as a subordinate, but as a good teacher and friend. Please, be my son’s mentor and teach him the ways of the world."

Qin Shangzhi stood straight, bowing to the Crown Prince: "I will not fail the Crown Prince’s trust."

Leaving the prison with Bai Qingyan, Fu Ruoxi couldn’t help but remark, "That Mr. Qin is indeed a person of loyalty and righteousness, admirable."

"Just a bit stubborn." Xie Yuchang, too, appreciated talent; if Qin Shangzhi were not exceptionally capable, Bai Qingyan wouldn’t have repeatedly extended invitations or personally come to this prison.

Fu Ruoxi was about to defend Qin Shangzhi when she saw Xie Yuchang already stepping forward, lowering his voice to speak to Bai Qingyan: "Your Majesty, King of Baishui is making a move. He contacted a centurion within our imperial guard, trying to get those centrions to find ways to hide King of Baishui’s assassins within the main hall before tomorrow’s enthronement ceremony, to assassinate Your Majesty as you step into the hall, and then replace you."

Upon hearing this, Bai Qingyan showed little reaction, but Fu Ruoxi tensed up as if facing a great enemy, stepping forward quickly: "Your Majesty, should King of Baishui be contained?"

Standing under the swaying lanterns in front of the prison, the flickering light illuminated Bai Qingyan’s impassive features, making her expression seem even colder and more indifferent: "No need. The stage is set; we should let them perform their play. Once he completes it, it’ll be even more justified to dismiss the princes."

"At least have people monitor King of Baishui in secret!" Fu Ruoxi remained uneasy. "If Your Majesty doesn’t trust others, let me do it!"

As Fu Ruoxi finished speaking, the seventh young master of the Bai family, Bai Qingjue, rushed in on horseback.

Bai Qingjue leaped off the horse and quickly ran up the high steps, prompting Xie Yuchang and Fu Ruoxi to salute him.

Holding a golden whip, Bai Qingjue returned the gesture with a clasped-hand salute and then spoke quietly to Bai Qingyan, "Eldest Young Lady, the hidden guard reports... King of Baishui is planning something."

Bai Qingyan nodded and went down the high steps of the prison with Bai Qingjue, saying, "Talk as we walk."

"Today, someone’s taken a royal robe worn during an emperor’s enthronement to King of Baishui’s residence," Bai Qingjue followed beside Bai Qingyan, instinctively supporting his eldest young lady, speaking slowly, "It seems... there will definitely be movements from King of Baishui tomorrow."

"Recall everyone sent to monitor King of Baishui. No need to keep watch on him... Qingzhu, Gu General Wenchang, and General Wei Zhaonian should be arriving soon. They won’t be able to stir up any major trouble!"

In a change of dynasty, ceremonially, a robe is buried to offer sacrifices to heaven. If King of Baishui truly dares to wear it, she will bury King of Baishui along with it.

She held onto Bai Qingjue’s hand, lowering her gaze to lift her frost-colored gown and step onto the stirrup when a glance inadvertently fell upon the dark, deserted west alley of the prison, her body freezing as if paralyzed, firmly gripping Bai Qingjue’s wrist.

A breeze passed by, the moon in the sky white and almost perfect was partially obscured by clouds, startling summer insects into silence, pausing the chirping for a brief moment. The surroundings went quiet... only the rustling vine leaves on the high walls, and the swaying lanterns at the prison entrance could be heard.

A Yu...

Bai Qingyan’s throat felt as if it were being choked, lips tightly pressed, hand trembling uncontrollably, heart pounding like rumbling thunder.

In the moment before the bright moonlight in the alley was obscured by clouds, Bai Qingyan distinctly saw A Yu’s upright figure, her brother A Yu.

Bai Qingjue followed Bai Qingyan’s gaze, seriously peering into the pitch-dark alley where fingers couldn’t be seen.

The obstructing clouds slowly moved aside, and clear brightness spilled everywhere, illuminating the pebbles in the alley with clarity, but A Yu’s figure was nowhere to be seen.