Ouyang Yue turned to look at Baili Chen, thought for a moment and said, "What he said is a mix of truth and falsehood, and I can't tell the difference. Oh, right, he also said that the Tianshan Snow Lotus was his, that Fenyan was indeed an alias named Fendie, and that Rui Yuhuan was also arranged by him to enter the General's Mansion."
Upon hearing this, Baili Chen's brows furrowed, a murderous aura flashing across his delicate face. He quickly suppressed it, his perfectly shaped lips pursing: "Is his target you?"
Ouyang Yue paused for a moment: "I don't know which of his words to believe. He said he saw my mother when he was young, and of course he was also trying to find out where my jade pendant is. I'm afraid his real purpose is the jade pendant."
Baili Chen, however, did not believe it. With a man's intuition about his rival, he did not think that the Miao Jiang Holy King was only after this. He instinctively felt that the Miao Jiang Holy King was after the jade pendant and the treasure, but even more so for his wife. Baili Chen narrowed his eyes, gently stroked Ouyang Yue's face, and said thoughtfully, "It seems that he is trying to set a trap. He deliberately said these things to make us search for the three tokens. I'm afraid he also suspects that the jade pendant is in your hands."
Ouyang Yue sighed with regret, also feeling that Baili Chen had some doubts about Yu Xiaoyao's purpose. However, it would be bad to talk about such things. Anyway, she had a clear conscience and didn't want to say anything that might make Baili Chen suspicious. She turned around and hugged Baili Chen's waist, burying her head in his strong chest. It was this man's embrace that made her feel the safest: "I know this matter will be kept secret. I didn't reveal a single word at the time."
Seeing Ouyang Yue's affection, Baili Chen's tightened heart opened up a little. He gently stroked her smooth black hair and softly replied, "I trust my wife to do things. But if that's the case, I was born with Gu poison, which may have been passed down from my mother. He has always been ambitious. Did the Miao people contact the people in the palace back then?"
Ouyang Yue nodded in agreement, "Now that Fenyan has been brought into the palace by him, he could have used this method before. Perhaps someone wanted to harm Empress Bai back then, but Empress Bai survived, and the Gu poison was passed on to you. This is what you call karma. The Gu poison from Miao territory was eventually cured by our Tianshan Snow Lotus. This stuff is good for everyone; it can cure poison and protect against illness. It's a treasure that money can't buy. In the end, it cured you of the Gu poison. He should be upset, but he deserves it."
Baili Chen chuckled and playfully flicked Ouyang Yue's nose, then couldn't resist leaning in to bite her lips hard. Ouyang Yue could feel the urgency in his bite. She wrapped her arms tightly around Baili Chen, opening her mouth to receive his full heat. No matter what Yu Xiaoyao wanted to do, she would never leave this man. She vowed never to betray this man who loved her so deeply, especially since she loved him so profoundly—how could she bear to let him go?
Ouyang Yue suddenly laughed: "Husband, you've been holding back for quite a while now, haven't you?"
Baili Chen suddenly stopped and stared blankly at Ouyang Yue. Ouyang Yue blushed and said, "Well... this pregnant woman also... also has that kind of thought at this time..." Although she was a modern person, she was not naturally open-minded in this regard, and she had never taken the initiative to seek pleasure.
Bai Shichen's lips curled into a wicked smile as he said, "What is my wife saying? I don't understand."
Looking at the man who was smiling like a cat that had stolen cream, Ouyang Yue would have suspected him of being a fox with its eyes wide open and tail wagging, ready to do something mischievous, if she weren't certain he was human. Ouyang Yue turned her head away, intending to ignore Baili Chen, but then she thought about what had happened today. Not only was Baili Chen a little scared, but she also needed that sense of security. She needed this man in front of her to calm him down. Besides, they were husband and wife, so what was there to be shy about? It was so coy.
Ouyang Yue lay flat on the bed, blinked, smiled charmingly, and beckoned Baili Chen with her white, jade-like index finger: "Husband, do you think I am beautiful?"
Baili Chen narrowed his eyes and said with absolute certainty, "Of course she is beautiful. No woman in the whole world can compare to a single hair of yours."
"Oh, your praise is so high! I am flattered." Ouyang Yue blinked again, her eyelashes fluttering and casting a shadow under her eyes, which made the affection in her eyes even more ambiguous. Baili Chen stared, thinking that his wife was too alluring. Compared to his usual initiative, his wife's rare act was truly breathtaking.
"Then what are we waiting for? I'll reward you now." Baili Chen felt a slight unease rising within him, and he stepped onto the bed, staring intently at Ouyang Yue.
"How should I reward you?" Ouyang Yue asked softly. Baili Chen couldn't hold back any longer and placed his hands on Ouyang Yue's face. "Of course, this is how I'll reward you!" With that, a wild kiss pressed down on her. Yue was so startled that she whimpered. Looking at the fervent emotions in Baili Chen's eyes, she suddenly regretted taking the initiative today.
But it was too late for regrets; Baili Chen had already begun to undress her...
☆、246、Robbery and Murder!
Ouyang Yue squinted at Baili Chen, who was leaning towards her, her eyes carrying a hint of seductive charm that no outsider could ever see. Baili Chen loved this kind of beauty that he only showed for her, and she was always driven crazy by it.
It was another frenzy. Afterwards, Ouyang Yuexiang collapsed onto Baili Chen's chest, drenched in sweat, her hand on her belly, and couldn't help but sigh, "It's still almost six months before she's born."
"My wife is anxious." Baili Chen was holding a handkerchief and wiping the sweat from Ouyang Yue's head when he heard Ouyang Yue's expression and laughed.
Ouyang Yue rolled her eyes at him: "It would be a lie to say I'm not in a hurry, but it's an inevitable process." She thought to herself that she hadn't seen Su'er for several years and wondered how he was doing. Even though she was pregnant now, she had no contact with Su'er. In fact, she wasn't sure if this was Su'er reincarnated.
Baili Chen chuckled softly, "This will be a sensible child."
Ouyang Yue looked at Baili Chen with suspicion: "How did you know?"
“Our child is sure to be very sensible and well-behaved. Look at you, although you've had some troubles in various aspects of your pregnancy, compared to many other people I've heard about, your pregnancy symptoms have been very good, without much pain. Doesn't that prove that our child is a sensible and good one?” Baili Chen said with a smile. Of course, he wouldn't tell her about his good son appearing in his dream. Although his wife was very bold, he couldn't scare her, especially during this special period.
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Yue smiled even more gently, touched her belly, nuzzled her head against Baili Chen's chest, swallowed a few times contentedly, and then closed her eyes and fell asleep.
The next morning, it started to snow lightly, then it snowed heavily, and soon the ground was covered with a thick layer of white. Ouyang Yue was pregnant, and the snow was very slippery, so Baili Chen simply kept her from going anywhere. Ouyang Yue wasn't impulsive or reckless. Although the baby was now in a stable position, it wouldn't be good if she fell, so the two of them stayed in the room.
Ouyang Yue always liked to sit on the soft couch in her room, next to a window. At this moment, the window was covered by thick curtains on both sides, but it was open, letting in strong sunlight that shone on the couch and onto Ouyang Yue. Although the winter weather was cold, the sunlight was warm. There were two charcoal braziers burning in the room, and various fruits and snacks were laid out on the table next to the couch.
Inside the house, because Baili Chen was always worried about Ouyang Yue, he set up his study here. Opposite the soft couch was a desk, where Baili Chen was looking through official documents, occasionally glancing up at Ouyang Yue. The couple didn't bother each other, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
The two stayed quietly for a while. Ouyang Yue felt her mouth was tasteless, so she picked a grape and put it in her mouth. It's worth mentioning that the two of them had even sent away the winter snow and spring grass for this cozy moment. Ouyang Yue squinted her eyes as she bit into the sweet and sour grape. There were no grapes left now; they were all stored from the summer. Now, having some fresh fruit to eat was no easy feat. Ouyang Yue wasn't usually picky about food. As a special agent, she sometimes had to stake out a mission for days at a time, and she would just eat some compressed food to stave off hunger. She didn't care whether it tasted good or not. But now that she was pregnant, she suddenly craved juicy fruits and such, and didn't really like sour or spicy foods. It made people wonder whether this baby was a boy or a girl. The so-called "sour for a boy, spicy for a girl" didn't apply to her at all.
Picking up another grape, Ouyang Yue suddenly said, "Husband, Chuncao is not young anymore. Don't you think it's time to release her?"
Bai Lichen paused his writing, responded, finished tidying up another document and put it aside, then looked up and said, "That Leng Sha and Chuncao are exchanging glances every day, as if we can't see it."
Ouyang Yue glanced at Baili Chen: "My maid is very good. How could she do something like flirting with someone before she's even married? Don't talk nonsense."
“Yes, yes, yes, my husband misspoke. I think Chuncao and Lengsha are both very close to us, and they are both very serious about their work. They are quite a good match, and I think their personalities are compatible.” Baili Chen said with a faint smile. Ouyang Yue sighed, “My main concern is Dongxue. She is not young anymore, but she doesn’t even have a sweetheart. We can’t keep her by our side forever.”
Bai Lichen paused for a moment before saying, "She grew up in the First Assassin Alliance, and her personality has always been aloof. However, she's no longer a member of the First Assassin Alliance and doesn't need to abide by their rules. But in terms of familiarity, only those people there are still trustworthy." Bai Lichen is extremely strict with his subordinates, especially their families. Although this master isn't good at managing family matters, nothing is absolute. For example, in the First Assassin Alliance, which Bai Lichen has established, every case they take on is crucial, and every step is critical. If the case fails, any mistake in any step can lead to failure. Therefore, matters concerning the First Assassin Alliance must never be discussed with anyone outside the organization, including family and loved ones. Even so, their chosen partners cannot be gossipy or meddlesome women, as these are the most likely to cause trouble. As a result, members of the First Assassin Alliance marry very late, and some even remain unmarried for life.
Therefore, the matter of Dongxue really couldn't be rushed. Ouyang Yue's eyes were somewhat wistful, but she suddenly smiled and said, "I've noticed that my brother and Rushuang have been getting closer lately. Qi Qi probably sensed something too, and seems to be paying more attention to Daiyu." As for Lüyan, Ouyang Yue had never been at ease. Before and after confirming Fenyan's identity, she was put under control. Once things were confirmed, Lüyan would naturally be doomed. Fenyan and Lüyan had planned to harm Ouyang Yue, and she wouldn't hesitate to leave a threat at this time. Thinking of this, Ouyang Yue remembered Yu Xiaoyao. Fenyan had initially used the alias Fendie to stay by her side only to confirm her identity. Fendie had tried to kill her more than once, which didn't seem like what Yu Xiaoyao had said.
Baili Chen smiled and said, "You're right. My brother-in-law will be heading to the border in a few days, but this time it will probably take some time. We shouldn't delay the wedding like this."
Ouyang Yue ate another grape, then sat up with a smile. She carried the fruit plate to Baili Chen's side, where a chair with a cushion was set up, clearly prepared for her. Ouyang Yue sat down, peeled a grape, and fed it to Baili Chen. Baili Chen ate it with a sweet smile. Ouyang Yue said with a smile, "That's why Grandmother is so anxious. She's already asked Cheng Shi to come to the mansion several times. I'm afraid the marriage is almost settled."
Baili Chen took the fruit plate from Ouyang Yue's hand and began to peel grapes for her: "That's right, once the engagement is made, Li Rushuang won't be able to run away even if she wants to."
Ouyang Yue lightly punched him: "What do you take Ru Shuang for? They are in love." Baili Chen chuckled softly, "Like me and my wife?"
Ouyang Yue rolled her eyes, but Baili Chen turned to the side, reached out and picked Ouyang Yue up and placed her on his lap. He rested his chin on Ouyang Yue's shoulder and squinted his eyes, saying, "A rare day of leisure."
The room was filled with a warm atmosphere, and the two of them, still drowsy and affectionate, ended up taking a nap together. They groggily got up, but refused to get off the bed, still clinging to each other. Ouyang Yue nestled in Baili Chen's arms and said, "I haven't heard of any disasters this year. I was thinking of donating some money for disaster relief, but now I need to think about what to do with it. By the way, has there been any news from the Crown Prince?"
Upon hearing this, Baili Chen's eyes narrowed immediately: "It's strange, Father really didn't move at all, as if he had completely forgotten about this matter."
Ouyang Yue sneered: "Forget? Is that even possible? This is the greatest humiliation of his life. Even if he forgets his own mother's name, Emperor Mingxian will never forget the scandal between Baili Cheng and Fenyan. He will hold a grudge against being cuckolded until he dies."
That's true. No man could stand this. Baili Chen snorted coldly, "I wonder what tricks he's playing."
Logically speaking, even if the scandal involving Baili Cheng and Fenyan were to be exposed, it would cause Emperor Mingxian to lose face. However, Fenyan was deliberately thrown into the Cold Palace by him, and he clearly had already thought about, or even planned out, her fate. Even if Baili Cheng couldn't act arbitrarily because of the Crown Prince, it was still puzzling that he did nothing. Could he have some other tricks up his sleeve?
Inside the imperial study, Emperor Mingxian, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, calmly and steadily read a memorial. Several people stood before his desk: Crown Prince Baili Cheng, Prince Zhi Baili Zhi, Prince Lin Baili Chang, and Prince Sheng Baili Mao. Except for Baili Chen, who was currently on leave for half a month due to diarrhea, all the surviving princes were present. It was only because Baili Chen frequently issued decrees that things proceeded so smoothly; otherwise, given the power behind him, such a peaceful process would have been extremely difficult.
The four men all had different expressions. Baili Cheng looked very serious, but his eyes kept flashing with strange light as he stared intently at Emperor Mingxian. Baili Chang covered his mouth with a handkerchief, his face still as pale as ever. Baili Zhi stood calmly. Among the princes and princesses, he was the least handsome, and his deliberate low profile often made him easy to overlook. Baili Mao looked puzzled and glanced at Emperor Mingxian from time to time.
It turned out that after the morning court session, Emperor Mingxian had someone stop them, saying that he had something to give them. So they hurried to the Imperial Study. However, Emperor Mingxian was as unfathomable as ever, and he didn't say what it was about when they came over. They just stood there.
Just then, Emperor Mingxian put the quiver in his hand on the pen holder, closed the memorial, and looked at the four of them. He glanced around and snorted coldly: "Seventh Prince's health is getting worse and worse. He claims to be sick and doesn't come to the morning court every few days."
Upon hearing this, Baili Zhi replied, "Father, the imperial physician has already sent someone to examine him. It's not a serious illness, but Seventh Prince's health has always been poor, so even a minor ailment requires him to rest for a couple of days. I'm sorry to have troubled you, Father." As Baili Chen's elder brother and his own flesh and blood, Baili Zhi naturally had to offer some words of advice at this time.
Emperor Mingxian had clearly only mentioned it casually and didn't really intend to delve into it. He glanced at the four people and said, "Have you all heard that a group of thieves has recently appeared in Linzhou Prefecture and is extremely rampant? They not only stop people from taking their belongings, but they even dare to break into houses and rob people of their property. Not only that, but they also kill without hesitation. They never hesitate to do anything to achieve their goals. I heard that they have only committed seven or eight cases, and as many as thirteen people have died at their hands."
These bandits and outlaws have been a constant problem since the founding emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Not to mention the common people, many famous generals and high-ranking officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty have died at the hands of these villains. Xuan Yuanhu was one of them. Whether in the court or among the common people, no one is not deeply disgusted by these bandits and outlaws, but there is nothing they can do. These bandits and outlaws are impossible to eradicate, which leaves them feeling extremely helpless.
Baili Mao said angrily, "I never expected these people to be so rampant. They used to only hide in some mountain to commit crimes, and they didn't dare to do anything in places like the official roads. Now they have the audacity to go and rob people in their homes. There is no law at all. These people must be arrested and executed."
Emperor Mingxian glanced at Baili Mao, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes: "These bandits and outlaws are indeed extremely despicable. I was just thinking of sending people to suppress them. A few years ago, because these reckless bastards were robbing and killing court officials, the court ordered a crackdown, and many people were killed before things calmed down. In recent years, they haven't dared to commit major crimes. Although the court has sent people to keep an eye on them, it's still much more lenient than in previous years. These shameless bastards are now thinking that no one will care, and they've actually done such a heinous thing again."
Baili Zhi bowed his head respectfully and said, "Does Father mean to send people to encircle and suppress them?"
Emperor Mingxian nodded and said, "That is exactly what I was thinking."
Baili Mao had a baby face. Even though he had married both his principal wife and concubines and become more mature, he still looked younger than his actual age. His face, which was originally delicate and cute, suddenly darkened, and he coldly raised the corner of his mouth to glance at Baili Zhi. He sneered inwardly. This third brother of the emperor was usually unassuming, but he was actually quite good at acting. As soon as he brought up this topic, he picked up on it and followed suit.
After Baili Jian's death, the Sun family fell into turmoil. Although Consort Sun had entered the palace, her rank was still too low. Even with the support of the Sun family, she clearly lacked the ability to contend with the Empress. The Sun family then turned to Baili Mao. Baili Mao had married Leng Caidie and Ning Xishan, thus leveraging the power of the Leng and Ning families. If all three families supported him, Baili Mao was confident he could contend with Baili Cheng. However, Baili Mao had always been suppressed by Baili Jian. To cultivate an image as a virtuous prince, Baili Jian often had Baili Mao take the lead in things that were unsuitable for him. Therefore, the better Baili Jian's reputation, the more gossip there was about Baili Mao. Even with his increased strength, these rumors were not easy to dispel. He desperately needed to impress Emperor Mingxian. Recently, the Great Zhou Dynasty had been relatively peaceful, and Baili Mao had to assess the danger of the situation; otherwise, he would suffer a great loss if he didn't return alive. This banditry was clearly an opportunity.
The people were very angry and disgusted with these bandits and outlaws. If he could wipe them out in one fell swoop, his reputation among the people would naturally rise, and he would also be favored by Emperor Mingxian, which would be more advantageous to the court. In fact, Baili Mao had secretly inquired about this matter, and this time he also intended to propose the plan to suppress the bandits.
Thinking of this, Baili Mao stepped forward and said, "Father, I have recently heard that these bandits and outlaws have committed many evils, and I am extremely angry. I only regret that I am too weak to help you. However, every night I fall asleep, I think of the scenes of those outlaws killing innocent people, and I can't sleep at all. I want to ask for permission to go and suppress the bandits. Please grant me permission, Father."
When Emperor Mingxian and the others saw this, they noticed that Baili Mao's complexion was indeed rather poor. Not only was it pale, but his eyes also had dark circles, making him look like he hadn't slept well. Emperor Mingxian couldn't help but nod in approval. Baili Cheng and the other two looked at Baili Mao with thoughtful expressions. Baili Zhi and Baili Chang were alright; they stared at Baili Mao for a moment, then smiled meaningfully, turned away, and lowered their heads without saying a word. Baili Cheng, however, looked at Baili Mao with deep thought.
Actually, judging from his expression, Baili Cheng looked even worse than Baili Mao. Although Baili Cheng had confessed to the Empress before, and the Empress had advised him and was secretly preparing for him, Baili Cheng was still very worried. Perhaps it was because he felt guilty. Recently, every time he went to the morning court, he always felt that Emperor Mingxian looked at him strangely, as if he secretly hated him but could not show it. This made Baili Cheng even more worried, fearing that Emperor Mingxian might be displeased at any time and take it out on him.
Despite being the Crown Prince, Baili Cheng might seem indifferent to others, but he dared not act against Emperor Mingxian. The throne ultimately depended on Emperor Mingxian's approval, and anything could happen before then. If Emperor Mingxian ever disliked him, remembering his past with Fenyan, he could very well use him as a scapegoat. Even as the Crown Prince, he couldn't withstand being punished for multiple offenses. For days, Baili Cheng had been racking his brains trying to find a way to appease Emperor Mingxian, but he couldn't come up with a satisfactory solution. He tried considering the problem from different angles, but the conclusion was always the same: if he were in his father's position, he would be far more ruthless and wouldn't spare his life.
Baili Cheng was extremely uneasy. At this moment, Emperor Mingxian, who had survived the ordeal, looked at Baili Mao with concern and was shocked. Had his father really harbored other intentions? No, it was precisely at times like this that he needed to make a good impression. Although he had done something that disgraced his father and made him a cuckold, there were also examples in history of sons and wives being taken away by their fathers. In the end, men all had their flaws. They could have as many women as they wanted, but sons were closer to their fathers than women. As long as his father saw his sincerity in forgiving him, everything could be discussed.
Thinking this through, Baili Cheng straightened his expression and said, "Father, Ninth Prince has just married a concubine, and his principal wife is still ill. Now is precisely the time when he needs someone by his side. If Ninth Prince were to leave and abandon the Sheng Prince's residence, it would be disastrous. I currently have no important matters to attend to. The rampant bandits and outlaws are the most pressing issue right now. If we allow them to continue their chaos, the people will be filled with fear, which will not benefit the court. If these people are further instigated to rebel, it will be even worse. We must intensify our efforts to suppress the bandits. I request permission to take charge of this matter."
Upon hearing this, Baili Mao's face darkened. He had just thought of a way to gain favor with his father, the Emperor, when Baili Cheng interfered. He really was always there for him. "Father, my elder brother is the Crown Prince and has long been involved in court affairs and has the position of regent. These bandits and outlaws are extremely vicious. If something were to happen to my elder brother on this trip, it would be a loss for the Great Zhou Dynasty. It would be too dangerous for the Crown Prince to do this. I think it is more appropriate for me to go instead."
Baili Cheng sneered. Baili Mao used to be like a follower to Baili Jian, looking silly back then. Now it seems he was probably just pretending. Actually, Baili Cheng didn't like doing these dangerous things either, but this time he had made a mistake and desperately needed to atone for it, so he had to take on this task: "Father, it is precisely because I am the Crown Prince and have the duty of overseeing the country that I cannot sit idly by when I hear of such heinous crimes. I am heartbroken that the people of Great Zhou are living in such dire straits. If I do not go this time, I will find it impossible to eat or sleep. I beg Father to grant my request."
Emperor Mingxian was silent for a moment, then asked Baili Chang and Baili Zhi, "What are your opinions, Third Prince and Fourth Prince?" In fact, the people to be sent to suppress the bandits had not yet been decided. Originally, such matters were handled by military generals. Didn't Ouyang Zhide lead troops to suppress bandits not long after returning to the capital? This time, because of Baili Jian's false accusation, Xuanyuan Chaohua and Ouyang Zhide had been back for quite some time and were not suitable to go to suppress bandits again. The decision to suppress bandits was also based on the situation. Some things required more time, while others were slower. They could not delay Xuanyuan Chaohua and Ouyang Zhide any longer.
With one city wall on the border occupied, Xuan Yuan Chaohua and Ouyang Zhide must return to regroup and fight again to regain their honor. At this time, they cannot afford to be distracted by other misdeeds. Moreover, in Emperor Mingxian's eyes, a few bandits and outlaws are probably no match for the dignity of the Great Zhou. That is why he specifically summoned the four princes to discuss this matter, hoping they would suggest someone to lead the troops. Of course, he also had the idea of letting them lead their own troops, which would be a valuable experience for them.
Baili Chang covered his mouth with a handkerchief and coughed twice: "It is entirely up to Father Emperor to decide. Your son has no objection."
Bai Lizhi also respectfully replied, "I will leave it to Father Emperor to decide, and I am willing to serve him with all my might." This statement revealed that he himself also had some thoughts of going.
Baili Cheng and Baili Mao narrowed their eyes, both looking at Emperor Mingxian. Emperor Mingxian tapped the table lightly with his fingers, then glanced at the four of them and sighed, "The third prince has no experience in leading troops, and the fourth prince's health hasn't improved. As for the Crown Prince and the ninth prince, here's what we'll do. The Crown Prince will lead troops to besiege them, and the ninth prince, as I command, will lead troops to infiltrate the area ravaged by bandits and outlaws from the other side to help me comfort the suffering people. If any bandits are discovered, they should be killed without exception."
Both Baili Cheng and Baili Mao were taken aback, especially Baili Cheng, who was essentially giving away half the credit. Clearly, their father still harbored some apprehension towards him. However, Baili Cheng knew he couldn't object to the suggestion. Emperor Mingxian had still entrusted him with leading the troops, indicating he hadn't completely given up on him. Even if Baili Mao took some credit, the one who suppressed the bandits would still be the most lauded—that would be a permanent solution. Even if Baili Mao took some credit, it wouldn't make a huge difference. Moreover, if the bandits became too strong, he could rely on the men Baili Mao brought, providing him with backup. Thinking of this, Baili Cheng quickly thanked the emperor, saying, "Thank you, Father. Your son will certainly not fail in your mission."
Baili Mao's mind raced slightly, and he also knelt down to express his gratitude, saying the same words.
As Baili Mao walked out of the Imperial Study, he smiled and said to Baili Cheng, "Your Highness, this time you personally took action, and you will surely return victorious. I would like to congratulate you in advance."
Baili Cheng also smiled insincerely: "Not at all, this matter is handled by my brother and me together. How could you, Ninth Prince, not get the credit? We should work together to do our best to handle the task entrusted to us by Father properly. Otherwise, if we fail, neither of us will get any benefit."
"You still want to put me in a bad light? You want to threaten me after doing this for you?" Baili Mao thought to himself, but his smile became even more respectful. He used to follow Baili Jian, and this expression was like his second face. He said, "What Your Majesty says? Isn't this what your younger brother should do? Help my brother and I achieve our goal quickly."
While the two were exchanging compliments, Baili Chang and Baili Zhi had already walked outside. Along the way, Baili Chang kept coughing, his face was very pale, and he didn't look like a normal person at all: "The fourth prince's symptoms seem to be more serious. Have you sent the imperial physician to take a look?"
Baili Chang looked helpless. He had been in poor health since childhood, and he had become indifferent to these things. Baili Chang was extremely handsome, with exquisite features, easily ranking among the top three among the princes. However, his chronic illness made his face pale, and his eyes were somewhat dimmed by his illness, which detracted from his good looks. Perhaps it was because he had never thought of competing for anything, but rather because he possessed a free and unrestrained temperament, which made his frail body appear with a unique and heartbreaking gentleness. However, compared to Baili Jian's deliberately high-profile gentleness, he appeared much more low-key.
Baili Chang breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Third brother, there's no need to worry. This illness is an old one, and I'm used to it."
Baili Zhi was somewhat displeased, but Baili Chang smiled and said, "As for the Princess Consort..."
"What happened to Princess Lin?" Princess Lin, Bai Ying, was the eldest daughter of the Bai family and, in a way, Bai Lizhi's cousin. He had met her a few times when they were young. Bai Lizhi sighed, "I've been a burden to her." He turned and left. Bai Lizhi and Bai Ying had been married for quite some time. Although Bai Lizhi's health prevented him from taking in too many women, which would only tire his body, there had been no news of Bai Ying for so long. Everyone knew that no one could say for sure how long Bai Lizhi would live. If Bai Ying couldn't conceive beforehand, Bai Lizhi wouldn't even have a bloodline left.
Baili Zhi looked somewhat lost in thought, pondering Baili Chang's words. He suddenly fell into deep thought and, after a moment of silence, asked the attendant beside him, "What has the concubine been doing lately?"
Although Baili Zhi doted on Sun Meng'er in the Prince Zhi's mansion, he would occasionally bring in a concubine. Sun Meng'er would always be jealous, but she didn't dare to really get angry at Baili Zhi. She was also someone who couldn't stand being taken advantage of, and she often had big fights with the concubines in the mansion. Baili Zhi always let them be and never interfered.
The attendant, named Li Xiang, respectfully said, "The concubine is still constantly causing trouble for the other concubines. A few of them were bullied badly before and secretly plotted against the concubine, almost causing a scene with you, Master, but I managed to suppress it. Recently, the concubine has met with the eldest wife of the Sun family twice, each meeting lasting half an hour to an hour in her room. While they were talking, she would send the servants away, and I couldn't find out what they were discussing."
Baili Zhi sneered: "Hmm, let them make a fuss. Spread the word that I'm looking for a concubine."
Li Xiang was taken aback. The rule of having one principal wife and two secondary wives had been followed since Emperor Mingxian issued the decree, and he hadn't considered it before. The sudden suggestion was problematic, given the prince's current awkward position. He feared that someone of too high a rank might not be willing to accept, but for the Baili Zhi Prince's residence, it was a different story. If Baili Zhi were to marry another secondary wife, Sun Meng'er's position would become somewhat awkward. She wouldn't be the first in the household to do so. Wouldn't Sun Meng'er be nervous? Of course, there was one advantage: if Sun Meng'er could use this opportunity to win over Baili Zhi, she might also be promoted to principal wife. However, with only two secondary wife positions remaining, the people in the inner court would likely fight tooth and nail for them.
After thinking for a moment, Li Xiang said seriously, "Yes, I will send someone to do it immediately."
Baili Zhi stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes slightly narrowed. He wondered why his father had deliberately brought up the matter of bandits and outlaws among the princes. These matters could have been discussed by the ministers in court, and the fact that a prince was specifically tasked with leading a campaign to suppress them was both an opportunity and a problem. Whom was his father trying to deal with? Whom did his father dislike?
At the time, fewer than ten people knew about Baili Cheng and Fenyan's affair. Apart from the parties involved, they were all confidants of Emperor Mingxian. He wouldn't have told even his most beloved son about such a shameful matter.
Two days later, Baili Cheng and Baili Mao left the capital to suppress bandits. Before leaving the palace, Baili Cheng went to bid farewell to the Empress. The Empress knew that Baili Cheng's actions were a last resort, but for some reason, her heart kept pounding. She gave him several instructions and, still not feeling at ease, even sent the Lin family's secret guards to accompany them before she was finally satisfied.
The journey from the capital to Linzhou Prefecture takes half a month at a fast pace, and one or two months at a slow pace. Baili Cheng is carrying a heavy responsibility. In order to win favor with Emperor Mingxian, Baili Cheng must succeed in this bandit suppression campaign. It is rare that he, as the dignified crown prince, has neglected both of them in order to speed up the journey.
Baili Cheng was indeed delicate; after three days of travel with irregular meals and rest, he collapsed from exhaustion. Naturally, the caravan had to stop until Baili Cheng recovered before continuing their journey. Fortunately, Baili Cheng's trip was to suppress bandits, and the supplies he had prepared were plentiful. The caravan had enough rations to keep them camped in the mountains, and the guards, because Baili Cheng didn't like the local food, often went into the mountains to hunt rabbits or chickens, or to the river to catch fish. While the food couldn't compare to that of the imperial palace, it was still quite abundant for the road.
Baili Cheng and his entourage stopped at a fork in the road. Since it wasn't a good place to camp, and they had traveled about a mile further, they found themselves in a forest on both sides, with many tall trees and bushes. They decided to set up camp on the road. The accompanying imperial physician examined them and said they needed a day of rest, and that they would need to go into the city the next day to get some medicine and rest for a few more days. The attendants busied themselves taking care of Baili Cheng, who lay in his tent. Three charcoal braziers were set up inside, so it wasn't cold at all, and Baili Cheng slept soundly.
However, they were unaware that several eyes were watching them closely from the woods opposite them. When Baili Cheng set up camp, he had surveyed the surrounding terrain and found no suspicious persons. The caravan was divided into two teams to protect Baili Cheng's safety. The secret guards brought from the capital were constantly on guard around Baili Cheng's tent.
The bushes opposite were even denser than the weeds behind Baili Cheng, and there were also many large rocks that seemed to have been formed naturally, of unknown origin. At this moment, two people were hiding on the rock that was three or four people long. The two people looked in Baili Cheng's direction and couldn't help but mutter, "I wonder where they came from. Look at the people serving them, they are all dressed in nice clothes."