Chapter 212: Chapter 210: Must Follow_1 Chapter 212: Chapter 210: Must Follow_1 “Burning and killing… such inhumane methods!”

“In the past, wherever the Bai Army led by the King of Zhen went, they never burned, killed, looted, or massacred cities. They never killed surrendered prisoners. The name of their benevolence spread far and wide.”

“Bai Qingyan, as a descendant of the Bai family, fell far short of the benevolence once embodied by the King of Zhen, Bai Weiting. Indeed, the most venomous is a woman’s heart. He, Liu Rushi, disdained to associate with such a vicious person.”

“Bai Jinzhi saw Liu Rushi’s attitude toward Bai Qingyan and was greatly displeased. She stared at Liu Rushi… If it weren’t for the Crown Prince’s presence, she would have given that pedant a few lashes! What arrogance did he have in front of her eldest sister? If it weren’t for her elder sister’s conquests… where would he get the dignity to negotiate peace as the envoy of a victor?”

The Crown Prince glanced at Liu Rushi and raised an eyebrow. He exchanged a look with Old Fang and then smiled at Bai Qingyan, saying, “I suppose General Bai is eager to see family letters. We should return to camp quickly. After a brief rest, we can meet the peace envoys from Xiliang.”

Bai Qingyan clasped her hands in agreement.

King Yan of Xiliang, Li Zhijie, repeatedly invited the Crown Prince of Jin to a banquet at Qiushan Pass. He seemed intent on letting the Crown Prince meet Princess Li Tianfu beforehand, hoping to place Li Tianfu in the Crown Prince’s residence.

After much consideration, the Crown Prince decided to meet with King Yan of Xiliang and Princess Li Tianfu between Youhua Road and Qiushan Pass. Thus, today, they came to Youhua Road.

Quan Yu helped the Crown Prince onto the carriage. The Crown Prince, however, beckoned Old Fang to join him.

Bai Qingyan leaped onto her horse and led the group, protecting the Crown Prince’s entourage as they headed toward Youhua Road.

Inside the carriage, the Crown Prince reclined on a round cushion and looked at Old Fang with a smile, saying, “Indeed, Old Fang’s suggestion proved effective. Liu Rushi, who previously highly praised the Bai family, did not have a good attitude toward Bai Qingyan today!”

“That is only natural!” Old Fang nodded with a smile. “It is thanks to the Crown Prince’s decisiveness and the Emperor’s brilliance that Bai Qingyan’s name as the God of Slaughter spread so quickly! Once the news of Bai Qingyan burning and killing surrendered prisoners reaches Dadu, scholars in the court and educated commoners will harbor grievances against the Bai family. Even if Bai Qingyan returns to Shuoyang with a stance of not coveting power, it may not reverse the situation. The century-old reputation of the Bai family’s benevolence will be tarnished under Bai Qingyan’s hands.”

The Crown Prince, in high spirits, nodded. “Under such circumstances, if I still protect the Bai family… Bai Qingyan will naturally be utterly loyal to me! Thanks to Old Fang’s constant advice, I have come this far!”

When Liu Rushi arrived, he brought a secret letter from the Emperor of Jin for the Crown Prince. The letter praised him for his steadiness and competence since assuming the position of Crown Prince, hoping he would manage Bai Qingyan well.

From childhood, the Crown Prince rarely received praise from the Emperor. This time, he looked at the secret letter repeatedly with great joy.

Hearing this, Old Fang, with eyes brimming with tears, trembled as he knelt inside the carriage, bowing with tears, “This is all because the Crown Prince is willing to trust this old man, giving me a place to use my abilities! The Crown Prince… is my benefactor!”

“Old Fang, please rise quickly!” The Crown Prince helped Old Fang to sit. “There is no need for such words between us!”

After being helped up, Old Fang said again, “However, Your Highness, if we are to destroy the Bai family’s prestige among the people, we must highlight Bai Qingyan’s burning and killing of surrendered prisoners. Only then will the people know what a ruthless person the descendant of the King of Zhen, Bai Weiting, is. The Bai family’s future prominence will naturally be eclipsed by the benevolent Emperor and Crown Prince!”

Seeing the Crown Prince’s contemplation, Old Fang added, “Moreover, the Bai family will surely blame Bai Qingyan for tarnishing the family’s reputation. The more notorious Bai Qingyan becomes for burning and killing surrendered prisoners, the more she will be criticized. By then, she will be surrounded by arrows, and if the Crown Prince treats her kindly, Bai Qingyan will have no choice but to rely on the Crown Prince.”

The Crown Prince nodded, “Old Fang makes sense. I will arrange it shortly!”

“And as for the Bai Army…” Old Fang stroked his goatee and continued, “I suggest keeping the Bai Army at Youhua Road. After the peace talks with Xiliang, let the Bai Army guard the ceded areas of Xiliang! With Bai Qingyan in Shuoyang and the Bai Army at the border, their threat to the Emperor and Crown Prince will be negligible.”

The Crown Prince arrived at the Jin Army camp at Youhua Road and discussed with the commanders who to take to the banquet at the midpoint between Youhua Road and Qiushan Pass.

“Shi Panshan,” without hesitation, laughed, “Of course General Bai should accompany His Highness! With General Bai, we can surely intimidate the Xiliang envoys and secure more benefits for our Jin!”

The Crown Prince nodded and looked at Bai Qingyan with a smile, “I wonder if General Bai is willing to endure some hardship to accompany me?”

“The Crown Prince commands, Bai Qingyan will surely obey!” Bai Qingyan clasped her hands.

The Crown Prince, increasingly pleased, said with a smile, “Then General Bai, please freshen up quickly and join me and Minister Liu for the banquet! Zhang Duanrui and the others will accompany me for the camp inspection!”

“Yes!” Bai Qingyan responded and left with Bai Jinzhi.

Once inside the tent, she took out the family letter sent by Bai Jinxiu and opened it.

Even if she knew that the letter had likely been read by the Crown Prince, she could not wait.

Bai Jinzhi leaned in and asked, “What did Second Sister write?”

Bai Qingyan quickly read through the letter and felt at ease…

She was worried that the name of the God of Slaughter would return to Dadu, and her mother and aunt would blame her. But Bai Jinxiu’s letter described the stable state of the Bai family and the resolution of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage household matters. Bai Jinxiu was also over two months pregnant, likely since the day of her marriage. Bai Jinxiu said… this child had survived through life and death with her, so it must be resilient.

“Oh! Second Sister is expecting!” Bai Jinzhi’s voice involuntarily rose with joy. “Does that mean I will be Fourth Aunt?!”

Bai Qingyan looked at the elated Bai Jinzhi and smiled, nodding, “Yes, you will be Fourth Aunt. When we return to Dadu… you should think about making small clothes and shoes for the child!”

“Elder Sister, are you trying to give me a hard time? Look at my hands… do they look like they can sew?!” Bai Jinzhi laughed, holding out her hands, her eyes and brows filled with joy. “But, I can teach my little nephew or niece how to ride! How to use the whip! I can teach all eighteen martial arts!”

Bai Qingyan smiled and nodded.

How wonderful…

Bai Jinxiu was pregnant, and Xiao Qi was still alive! If Xiao Jiu could also be safe… it would truly be a blessing from Heaven.

Regardless, everything was moving in a positive direction. As for her reputation, as long as it did not affect the Bai family, she no longer cared.