Chapter 39 This woman is extraordinary as she joins the army
On a peaceful morning like any other, Shuli opened the window. She was puzzled as to why Cuizhu hadn't returned from buying groceries early in the morning, so she looked out the window and saw the gate of the courtyard suddenly being pushed open.
"Madam! Young Master! Master and Miss are back." Cuizhu stood in the courtyard, about to shout at the top of her lungs, but then hesitated and quickly lowered her voice.
Upon hearing the sound, Bai Ziyuan jumped up almost as if electrocuted, and rushed into the courtyard. He saw Bai Moyuan, supported by Bai Lian, slowly walking in. Both of them were dressed as farmers and looked much more haggard.
Happiness came so suddenly that Bai Ziyuan was stunned at first, then rushed forward to help her up. Seeing this, Shu Li also turned around and went back into the house to help Changsun Rao'er get up.
This family of five's reunion was hard-won, and for a moment, everyone was overjoyed and wept.
The weather in September was getting cooler, but that night, warmth filled the hearts of everyone in the Bai family. "I thought I wouldn't be able to have this reunion dinner..." Shangguan Rao'er kept putting food into Bai Lian's bowl with tears in her eyes.
Bai Moyuan raised his wine glass and stood up shakily. "This glass is to my best daughter, Bai Lian!" If it weren't for her extraordinary skills and brilliant strategies, his family would have had no chance of survival.
"Father, you haven't fully recovered yet, so it's not advisable for you to drink alcohol." Bai Lian sighed. The fact that the family could be reunited was the best arrangement for now, but she still had some thoughts on how to proceed in the future and hadn't decided yet.
Bai Ziyuan stared intently at Bai Lian for a moment, then turned his head away with restraint. All of this was seen by Shu Li.
As night fell, Shuli knocked on Bailian's door, clutching a handkerchief tightly in her sleeve, as if she had made a great decision.
"Sister-in-law, it's so late, aren't you asleep yet?" Bai Lian invited Shu Li into the house. She was still dressed in her usual clothes, seemingly having no intention of going to sleep.
"Sister, please just call me Shuli... I came here because I have something to discuss with you." Shuli hesitated before speaking.
Bai Lian stared intently at Shu Li, looking as if she understood everything, signaling her to continue.
"I saw my brother."
Bai Lian's eyes flickered for a moment, but she quickly returned to normal, as calm as an ancient well, deep and still.
"So, he wants you to persuade me to surrender?"
"Sister, I just..." Shu Li panicked, not expecting that Bai Lian had already foreseen this.
Bai Lian finally escaped and returned, saving so many lives of the Bai family. What exactly was she doing?
“I understand you,” Bai Lian said calmly. “No matter what the truth is, His Majesty will be wary of the existence of a monster like me. Handing me over might protect the peace of your whole family.”
“Brother will find a way! He just… he just…”
He only wanted to ensure the continued prosperity of the Jia clan; he wanted to eliminate dissidents for the sake of imperial power. He was not wrong.
The little flower of love in Bai Lian's heart is quietly withering. Perhaps someone like her doesn't deserve to have such a precious emotion.
"Let him come and take me away."
After Shuli left, Bailian closed the door, shutting away her last thoughts as well.
-
Galorin arrived quickly, travel-worn, alone on horseback, without any attendants.
Bai Lian stood outside the door, seemingly welcoming him. Her face was expressionless, neither happy nor sad. She simply watched him dismount, stride towards her, and then pull her into a deep embrace.
"I really miss you." Galorin stroked Bailian's long hair, inhaling her unique, cool fragrance, which made him feel as happy as if he were in a dream.
“Your Highness, I am a woman of criminal status, this is inappropriate.” Bai Lian spoke softly, the unfamiliar address sending a chill down Jia Luolin’s spine. He silently released her hand.
"I don't have time to explain too much to you. Come with me, I won't let anything happen to you." Galo Lin hurriedly took Bai Lian's hand and tried to get her onto the horse.
"Stop! You can't take her away!" Galorin turned around and saw Bai Ziyuan's furious face. "If you want to arrest someone, arrest me instead!"
"Ziyuan!" Shuli cried out in tears, trying to stop him. Bai Moyuan and Changsun Rao'er also appeared at the door, looking sadly at the scene outside. They were powerless to change anything.
"Father-in-law and Mother-in-law," Galorin said silently, "please believe me."
"Father, Mother, Brother, Sister-in-law," Bai Lian faced her family and solemnly performed a long bow.
"Bai Lian is willing to be the pillar of the clan, sacrificing herself to give the Bai family a chance to breathe."
There was no point in saying more. This farewell between family members was very brief. Jialuolin and Bailian mounted their horses and rode off towards Fengwu City.
This was the third time she had left home, and this time it seemed unlikely she would be able to return. Thinking of this, Bai Lian closed her eyes.
-
Inside Jinyang Palace, Bai Lian, with her hands bound behind her back, was forced to kneel heavily under the control of the Imperial Guards.
Jia Fengtian gazed at the seemingly frail woman before him. He remembered her stunning appearance last time, on the day of Qi'er's concubine selection, when her pipa performance amazed everyone present.
Yet, it was these very hands that nearly wiped out his elite troops.
"Tell me, how do you intend to die?" Jia Fengtian's voice was calm, yet it carried out the cruelest judgment. "I've heard you're invulnerable to swords and spears?"
Galorin, standing to one side, pursed his lips, repeatedly considering every detail of his plan in his mind. He was terrified that a single misstep would send his beloved to the execution ground with his own hands.
Bai Lian remained silent for a moment, then raised her head, straightened her back, and, without fear on her face, slowly said:
"I believe I don't have to die."
"How dare you!"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. My abilities are evident to all. If Your Majesty makes good use of them, I can be Your Majesty's sharpest sword." Bai Lian looked directly into Jia Fengtian's eyes. "At that time, it will not be too late for Your Majesty to let me die."
These words caused an uproar.
The air inside the hall seemed to freeze. Jia Fengtian stared silently at the white lotus, as if examining a rare piece of jade, contemplating whether to carve it into the Imperial Seal of the State or smash it as a stepping stone for the dragon throne.
Bai Lian knew that the Phoenix Dynasty was currently in its most turbulent period. Several princes had fallen, several major clans had declined, the emperor was exhausted, and the Northern Di were eyeing the country covetously. Beset by internal and external troubles, this was precisely the time when talent was needed.
"But how can I trust you?" Jia Fengtian narrowed his eyes. Yes, he admired her abilities, but he was also wary of them.
"This humble woman has someone she swears to protect with her life!" Bai Lian touched her forehead to the ground and kowtowed deeply. "I beg Your Majesty to grant Bai Moyuan his original official position and help the Bai clan clear their name! This humble woman is willing to don armor and wield weapons to serve the country. I will obey Your Majesty's orders for the rest of my life!"
What a resounding vow to protect to the death! Jia Fengtian had not heard such resounding words in a long time.
This woman is extraordinary; she is loyal, righteous, and courageous. Giving her a chance would be a wise move for both the country and the court.
"I grant your request! From this day forward, you are stripped of your title as Crown Princess and will begin your service as a border soldier. If you truly achieve what you claim and attain merit, I will not hesitate to bestow titles and rewards upon you!" Jia Fengtian solemnly decreed: "I will grant your loyalty and righteousness, and I also wish to give the Bai family a chance to be reborn. You shall become an adopted daughter of the Bai family."
"This humble woman kowtows to thank Heaven for its grace!"
The commotion in Fengwu City seemed to have come to an end. Crown Princess Bai Lian was deposed, and the Bai family lost its eldest daughter. The people were all wondering how the Bai family was able to be exonerated in the end by sacrificing their own eldest daughter.
Thus, the famous White Lotus of Luoyang vanished like morning dew, disappearing quietly into the world of rumors.
-
The Crown Prince's Palace has recently been shrouded in a gloomy and desolate atmosphere.
The eunuchs and maids in the palace had been living in constant fear for a week.
Because their master had locked himself in Danqin Palace ever since he returned from Jinyang Palace.
This directly led to a sharp decrease in the workload of these attendants.
"How long do you think the Crown Prince will stay like this? I haven't been able to sleep well lately."
"How can you be happy if you lose your wife?"
"That former crown princess is really something else. She's said to have already requested to join the army?"
Wow! Someone so good-looking is also such a good fighter!
The eunuchs, palace maids, and even some guards huddled together, chattering away. Ah, at least they could gossip to relieve their boredom.
"What are you all doing! Chatting nonsense here!" Han Luliu shouted, hands on her hips, "Are you all tired of living?"
They scattered like birds and beasts in an instant.
Han Luliu sighed deeply; his good brother's situation was far worse than what they were gossiping about.
Galo Lin sat alone in the hall, her mind still a jumble of thoughts after so many days.
Things progressed beyond his plans, surging in directions he could not control at all.
Although his lover survived as he wished, he felt as if he had completely lost her.
At this moment, Han Luliu's voice rang out from outside the hall, "Your Highness, the Emperor summons you to the South Study of Jinyang Palace for an audience."
-
Inside the South Study, Jia Fengtian was reviewing memorials. He had recently resolved some major concerns, and his expression had become much gentler.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"
"No need for formalities. You can probably guess why I summoned you here today, can't you?"
Galo Lin knew this in his heart, but he was unwilling to face it.
Seeing his silence, Jia Fengtian continued, "I know you are not at peace, but the continuation of the royal family is also an important task. The position of Crown Princess should not remain vacant for too long. I plan to select a new Crown Princess for you by ordering the Ministry of Rites to do so on a chosen day."
Upon hearing this, Galo Lin immediately knelt down and firmly stated:
"Your Majesty is wise and always considers my needs. I am deeply grateful. However, the external threats are not yet resolved and the military affairs in the north are also pressing. I am worried about this day and night and do not want to let personal matters interfere with public duties and distract me from the selection of a concubine. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."
Jia Luolin's words of concern for the country were reasonable and well-founded, making it difficult for Jia Fengtian to refuse. He could only wave his hand and decide to discuss it further.
On the way back to the palace, Jialuolin had the carriage turn around and head towards the Han residence.
-
In the Han residence, Han Qingquan, the Minister of War, was having tea served when the Crown Prince arrived, which made him somewhat apprehensive.
At that time, his daughter Han Liuyue was selected to enter the palace and was given the title of Cairen (a low-ranking concubine). She finally lived up to the expectations of the Han family and added a touch of honor to the family.
However, His Majesty was unwell at the time, and the Empress suddenly passed away, leaving the position of Empress vacant and without anyone to manage affairs.
The inner palace was in turmoil, with noble ladies from various aristocratic families all eager to try their luck, while His Majesty had not visited them for a long time and refused to see any of his concubines.
Seeing his daughter living a secluded life in the palace with an uncertain future, Minister Han worried that her youth would be wasted and feared that the Han family would lose the support of the inner court. He had also pondered this matter for a long time, hesitating about which noble person to ask for help.
"I've come here to talk to you about your daughter." Galo Lin's lips curled up slightly, her plan already made up. "I'm very concerned about Han Cai Ren's current situation, and I also wish to help her receive imperial favor as soon as possible."
Although Han Liuyue was granted the title of Talented Lady, she was confined to the deep palace, like a stranded chess piece, which was exactly what he could use.
If we can help Consort Han gain favor and be promoted, we can not only bestow favors upon the Han family and bring their faction under our control, but also divert the Emperor's attention to the new favorite in the harem, thus diminishing his desire to urge the Crown Prince to select a new consort.
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