Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
"Jia Zhen is confused, isn't he?" Lin Ruhai really can't understand why Jia Zhen would form a marriage alliance with a noble family. In this era, forming such alliances is not as simple as marrying off daughters; it is also a means of forming alliances or exchanging benefits. No matter how one looks at it, the Qin Family could not possibly bring any power or wealth benefits to the Ningguo Mansion.
"Confused may not be the case; he is just overly ambitious, thinking he can benefit from both sides," Bai Tang recalled the speculations in the study of redology and combined it with the current situation, saying, "With great aspirations but limited talent, Ningguo Mansion has reached its end under his management."
Both Lin Ruhai and Jia Zhu were taken aback.
"Why do you say that, brother? Do you know something we don't?" Lin Ruhai and Jia Zhu both looked to Bai Tang for clarification. They already regarded Bai Tang as profound and mysterious, so it wouldn't be surprising if he knew some insider information.
"I do know a bit," Bai Tang picked up his teacup only to find it empty. Jia Zhu, being perceptive, immediately stepped forward to refill it.
"The daughter of the Qin Family is not actually the biological daughter of Qin Bangye; she is said to be an adopted daughter brought back from Baoshan Hall." Bai Tang teased them with this revelation.
An adopted daughter? Wouldn't that make her even less suitable for Jia Rong? Lin Ruhai and Jia Zhu exchanged glances.
Bai Tang smirked: "In fact, the identity of the Qin Family girl is extraordinary; she is the offspring of the deposed crown prince's concubine."
Both Lin Ruhai and Jia Zhu were stunned! Once they processed this information, they felt an urge to rush to the Ningguo Mansion and beat up Jia Zhen, preferably to death. How could he bring such a disaster upon his family? And to do so so openly! This was inviting calamity upon the entire clan!
"How could Brother Zhen ally himself with the deposed crown prince? Although the relationship between the emperor and the deposed crown prince has eased, whether the crown prince can be reinstated remains uncertain," Jia Zhu lamented.
"Your Brother Zhen has not only allied himself with the deposed crown prince; he should also have allied himself with the Crown Prince," Bai Tang pointed out. "He may be trying to win over military officers for either the crown prince or to support the deposed crown prince."
"What?" Jia Zhu was completely at a loss for words. "He's playing with fire!"
"He is casting a wide net, not putting all his eggs in one basket, but he doesn't realize that those in power despise such two-faced individuals," Bai Tang scoffed. Did Jia Zhen think that all princes were fools who would let him deceive them?
Lin Ruhai also frowned deeply: "Brother, can we think of a way to extricate the Jia Mansion from this situation?"
"Of course, we can establish a branch!" Bai Tang replied casually.
Lin Ruhai and Jia Zhu shook their heads repeatedly. In this era, family ties were highly valued, and without a significant reason, one would not easily sever those ties.
"Then find a powerful ally, someone capable enough to protect the Jia Family!"
"An ally?" Jia Zhu smiled bitterly. "The only ally stronger than the Crown Prince and the useless prince would be the Emperor, right? But why would the Emperor care about someone like me?"
Bai Tang smiled and said, "Then you should ask your uncle for help!"
"Uncle?" Jia Zhu looked at Lin Ruhai in surprise.
Lin Ruhai stared at Bai Tang in shock. After a moment, he let out a sigh and smiled wryly, "It seems there’s nothing I can hide from my wise brother."
He had secretly allied himself with that person but still appeared to be on the Emperor's side. How did Bai Tang know about his change of allegiance?
Bai Tang returned the smile. "Brother Lin saved that person, so it’s only natural that you’ve already been marked by them."
"I overlooked that." Lin Ruhai's heart jolted; he hadn’t realized such an obvious flaw existed. It seemed the Emperor was already aware of his allegiance to the Fourth Prince, which was why he had been reassigned to the Ministry of Rites, a position with little real power.
"Brother Lin need not worry. If the Emperor truly disapproved of your support for the Fourth Prince, he would never have allowed you to leave Jiangnan," Bai Tang said, noticing Lin Ruhai's concern and offering reassurance.
Lin Ruhai breathed a sigh of relief. Only someone like him, who had spent nearly ten years in Jiangnan, could understand how treacherous the political landscape had become. It had turned into a second battleground for the princes. If Bai Tang hadn't arrived just in time, Mo Yu would have fallen victim to some prince's scheme. During that time, he had felt as if danger lurked everywhere, and after risking everything to deliver a life-saving elixir worth its weight in gold, he finally escaped that vortex. If the Emperor truly disapproved of his shifting loyalties, he wouldn’t have let him leave Jiangnan; he would have ensured he met his end in office!
"Wise brother, do you think that person has a chance of succeeding?" Lin Ruhai asked for Bai Tang's opinion. Given Bai Tang's mysterious background and exceptional abilities, Lin Ruhai believed her insight was equally remarkable. He felt uncertain and desperately needed someone to reassure him.
"Do you not trust your own judgment, Brother Lin?" Bai Tang smiled.
"I believe my judgment is sound; that person is steady, practical, and resilient—a person capable of great things. However, I trust your judgment even more."
"You are correct; that person will definitely rise to power."
"I didn't expect you to have such a good opinion of that person," Lin Ruhai thought of the Fourth Prince's instructions and took the opportunity to say, "That person seems to have heard of your great name from somewhere and is very eager to meet you. Do you have time to meet with them?"
This was exactly what he wanted.
Bai Tang nodded, "Sure, I also want to meet the future true dragon son."
Jia Zhu was confused, "Uncle, Master, who is that person you are talking about?"
Lin Ruhai and Bai Tang exchanged a knowing smile.
Bai Tang said, "I'll bring Jia Zhu along when I go."
Lin Ruhai nodded and instructed Jia Zhu, "Zhu'er, come to my residence tomorrow morning."
Jia Zhu could only nod, feeling curious about the "noble person" mentioned by her two elders.
The next day, Bai Tang officially met the Fourth Prince at a teahouse opposite Qiqiao Pavilion.
"Young Master Bai, I've long admired you!" The Fourth Prince carefully examined the person before him and secretly praised her; such demeanor was something even few princes in Zhongdu possessed! — Bai Tang thought: That was just a bonus from the game system; in reality, she was just an ordinary citizen who didn't even know what nobility was.
"Fourth Prince!" Bai Tang raised her hand in greeting, not bowing as deeply as Jia Zhu did.
The Fourth Prince raised an eyebrow but wasn't angry at Bai Tang's equal attitude. In his view, it was an honor for someone so capable and unafraid of royal power like Bai Tang to be willing to associate with him.
In the room were only the Fourth Prince, Lin Ruhai, Jia Zhu, and Bai Tang. The Fourth Prince was very pleased that Jia Zhu could rely on him. After hearing about Jia Zhu's actions regarding Jia Zhen and Bai Tang's confirmation of Qin Keqing's identity, the Fourth Prince was greatly surprised; even he didn't know that the Crown Prince had such a daughter, yet Bai Tang did. Such an unpredictable person was truly terrifying.
"Young Master Bai's intelligence-gathering ability is impressive!" The Fourth Prince raised his wine cup to toast Bai Tang.
Bai Tang lifted her cup in return, "The intelligence organization of the Fourth Prince is equally formidable. I have only just arrived in the capital for a short time, yet your people have already grasped my movements."
"Apologies!" the Fourth Prince sincerely said, "I have disturbed Young Master Bai, please forgive me!"
"Alright!" Bai Tang downed his drink in one gulp, showing the bottom of the cup.
The Fourth Prince also finished his drink in one go, while Jia Zhu, being the lowest in status among the four, quickly refilled their cups.
"Young Master Bai's actions are decisive. Old Ninth has really taken a big fall this time; it's quite satisfying." Since the conversation had started, the Fourth Prince didn't mind letting Bai Tang know his suspicions about her.
Bai Tang smiled and said, "I am a businessman; I believe in making money through harmony. But if someone provokes me, I won't just endure it. If people respect me an inch, I will respect them a mile; if someone bullies me, I will repay them a hundredfold."
"If Old Ninth has his eyes set on something, he won't give up until he gets it. Young Master Bai's actions may stop him for a moment, but they can't block him forever. As long as Old Ninth recovers, he might still take action against Qiqiao Pavilion!" the Fourth Prince warned.
Bai Tang picked up a piece of chives and said, "I have confidence in my medicine. No matter how much he treats or supplements himself, it may be impossible for Ninth Prince to regain his former glory in this lifetime!"
The Fourth Prince, Li Ruhai, and Jia Zhu all shivered at once. How ruthless! Ninth Prince would become a Eunuch for life! Yes, they must never offend Bai Tang again.
A smirk of schadenfreude appeared on the Fourth Prince's cold face: "Old Ninth can’t scheme against others now; Old Eight also doesn’t have money to buy people's hearts anymore! Young Master Bai, thank you very much!"
Bai Tang returned the gesture: "Fourth Prince shouldn't focus too much on Eighth Prince and Ninth Prince; rather, it's the Crown Prince and Second Prince that might have some movements soon."
The Fourth Prince's heart stirred: "Has Young Master Bai heard anything?"
Bai Tang pointed at Jia Zhu: "Fourth Prince can inquire with my disciple here."
Jia Zhu was astonished and shook his head repeatedly: "I don't know anything!"
Bai Tang smiled slightly: "You just need to provide Fourth Prince with the list of military authorities that Jia Zhen contacted."
Jia Zhu was puzzled but still followed Bai Tang's instructions.
The Fourth Prince furrowed his brows and suddenly slammed the table, "Eldest Brother and Second Brother are planning to force their way into the palace!"
Lin Ruhai took a deep breath, "The Crown Prince and Second Prince are so bold?"
"They're all tempted by that position," Bai Tang scoffed, believing that the Crown Prince and Second Prince were incredibly foolish. The Emperor is the ultimate authority; even the Fourth Prince has an intelligence network operating in secret. How could the Emperor not have one? There's no way anything happening in the capital could escape the Emperor's notice. The actions of the Crown Prince and Second Prince are akin to courting death right under the Emperor's nose; it would be strange if they succeeded.
"So, what should we do?" Jia Zhu stammered, clearly shaken by the news.
"Do nothing! Do you think such a big event could be hidden from His Majesty?" Bai Tang pushed a cup of wine in front of Jia Zhu. "You shouldn't get involved in royal matters. Whether the Emperor wins or the two princes win, getting mixed up in it won't end well for you."
Jia Zhu downed his drink in one go, feeling a bit braver and finally stopped trembling.
"What about the Fourth Prince? What should we do?"
"I naturally won't do anything either. If I act too much, Father might suspect me or even take his anger out on me!" The Fourth Prince filled his glass and drank it all at once. "This time, I'll just play a supporting role!"
Comment 0 Comment Count