Chapter 115 -114: Saving Life_1
“Qin Dezhao clenched his teeth, his eyes bloodshot as he looked at Bai Qingyan. ‘What does Miss Bai mean by this? I’m afraid I don’t understand.’
‘It’s alright if Marquis of Loyalty and Courage doesn’t understand. Soon enough, King Liang will make you understand!’ Bai Qingyan did not wish to waste words with Qin Dezhao. She stood up and handed the brocade to Xiao Ruojiang, ordering him to put it in the food box.
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‘Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, take care!’
As Bai Qingyan was about to leave, Qin Dezhao’s palms tightened, and he called out, ‘Miss Bai!’
But Bai Qingyan did not stop, and Qin Dezhao felt a surge of panic, losing all his previous composure.
He stumbled to the doorway, but all he could see was Bai Qingyan’s resolute figure leaving. It seemed she truly did not want to learn anything or extract any information from him.
...
In a state of panic, Qin Dezhao tightly gripped the wooden railing and shouted, ‘Bai Qingyan! I am Qin Lang’s father, Bai Jinxiu’s father-in-law! If something happens to me… do you think they can escape?!’
These words indeed made Bai Qingyan stop in her tracks. She turned back, her eyes dark and deep under the flickering light. ‘Indeed, thanks to the ruckus caused by the wife of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, my Bai family had to go through great efforts to have them move out of your mansion! Qin Lang has the Emperor’s and Empress Dowager’s accolades. If he submits this list with great righteousness and filial piety, and with my grandmother, the Eldest Princess, backing him… Qin Lang will be the rightful Marquis of Loyalty and Courage. In the future, I will make sure my second sister properly thanks the wife of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage…’
Qin Dezhao’s eyes widened with anger, ‘Bai Qingyan! You… you are so vicious! You would have Qin Lang accuse his own father! This is a grave act of unfilial conduct!’
‘Vicious?’ Bai Qingyan’s expression turned icily cold. ‘You indulge your selfish desires, playing scheming games in the capital, causing how many sons of the Jin Kingdom to lose their lives in the southern border?! They went with passion to protect their country, only to not die honorably at the hands of enemy soldiers, but due to the selfish schemes of people like you. Who will fulfill the filial duty for tens of thousands of sons…?! Do you expect it to be you, Marquis?’
Calming her emotions slightly, Bai Qingyan turned to look ahead and said, ‘Compared to you, Marquis… I am not even worthy.’
With that, Bai Qingyan left, followed by Nanny Tong, Xiao Ruohai, and Xiao Ruojiang.
Qin Dezhao’s heart was racing; he wanted to confess to King Liang’s men but feared they might come to silence him.
He had to meet King Liang’s men before Qin Lang submitted the list. Only then could he save his life.
But this King Liang… everyone knew he was the most cowardly and incapable of the Emperor’s sons. Yet, deep down… he was extremely ruthless.
Years ago, it was King Liang’s idea to have Qin Dezhao handle the cleanup of Li Sanhai and others.
King Liang said that only dead men could keep secrets completely.
Qin Dezhao’s palms became slick with sweat, and fear crept up his spine.
The Iron Deed could not save his life from King Liang’s hands.
If he died in this prison, no one would suspect the cowardly King Liang.
Bai Qingyan came to see him today, not to ask about the whereabouts of the provisions, but… to take his life?!
Qin Dezhao closed his eyes, his fists clenched tight. How could he save his life…?! How to protect his life?!
At the gate of the Court of Judicial Review.
Nanny Tong ascended with a food box in one hand and supported Bai Qingyan, clad in a black cloak, as they left the prison. After a few steps, Nanny Tong stumbled, and the food box fell, spilling paper, ink, and brushes.
Xiao Ruohai exclaimed in alarm, quickly picking up a brocade drenched partly in ink. He frowned and showed it to Bai Qingyan, with the stained brocade unreadable.
From the shadows, King Liang’s subordinate Gao Sheng watched them. He saw the numerous characters densely written on the brocade and strained his ears to listen carefully.
‘This paper has Shen Xiyao’s name smeared. Should Miss Bai return to the mansion, and I will copy it out again for Qin Dezhao to sign again?’ Xiao Ruohai suggested.
‘Forget it, just a small smudge. It may cause more trouble if we went back in. Let’s return!’ Bai Qingyan said as she descended the steps and got onto the carriage.
Gao Sheng remained hidden until the humble carriage disappeared before trailing along.
·
The commoners heard that the Court of Judicial Review had surrounded the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s mansion and took Qin Dezhao into custody. They all felt fortunate that Bai Jinxiu and Qin Lang had moved out earlier, thus avoiding involvement.
Some acquaintances of the Court of Judicial Review’s prison guards reported that the Governor of Zhancheng claimed the provisions sent to the southern border had been soaked in rain, revealing only buckwheat husks. This report had reached a month ago but was suppressed by King Xin until last evening when it was finally presented to the Emperor, who erupted in anger and demanded a thorough investigation.
At the Duke of Zhen’s mansion, where Qin Lang was mourning the Duke’s passing, he stood with hands behind his back, watching Nanny Wu cry at his feet, devoid of emotion.
That day, as the wife of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, Jiang Fengchun, was sent away by Qin Dezhao, she had tearfully begged to leave her trusted Nanny Wu behind to care for her two daughters and son.
After years together, watching her cry, clutching their son, Qin Dezhao had agreed to leave behind just a nanny managing daily care.
When the Court of Judicial Review surrounded the estate, not allowing anyone in or out, Nanny Wu had used the Bai family’s influence to send clothes to Qin Lang, thus getting out.
Indeed, Qin Lang had moved out of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s mansion and renounced the heir position. But he remained their eldest son. The guards recalled he was Bai family’s son-in-law and allowed a mere servant to deliver clothing.
‘The Court of Judicial Review allows no entry or exit. The young master is terrified and crying, and the two young ladies are at a loss! Please, young master, for the sake of your mother treating you well over the years, save your sisters and brother!’
At the gates of the Duke’s mansion, under the stone lion statues, Nanny Wu knelt before Qin Lang, her head bruising from her pleas.
‘Nanny Wu, I am no longer the Princely Heir of the Marquis’s house. I am but an ordinary man. Even if I wanted to help, I can’t. Instead of pleading with me, beg the Jiang family, my mother’s family, perhaps there is still a chance,’ Qin Lang said calmly.
‘Young master can save them! The Emperor values the Bai family. Just one word from the Eldest Princess would suffice!’ Nanny Wu looked at Qin Lang with hope.
Bai Jinxiu, hearing this, burned with anger and wanted to rise, but Bai Jintong held her back.
‘Sister?’ Bai Jinxiu looked at Bai Jintong with confusion.