Ji Langhua clenched her fists tightly.
"If anyone has the right to hate, it’s me more than Miss Ji, but now is not the time. I need the Emperor to live at least another three years... even five! This matter is very secure with my aunt Lu Ninghuan involved, but you... are an unexpected variable." Bai Qingyan looked at Ji Langhua.
Under the thin veil, Ji Langhua bit her lips tightly, tears brimming in her eyes.
"You are very clever. You knew to stir things up at the Princess of Zhen’s residence to make the Emperor aware of your existence. But all your scheming was for a moment’s satisfaction of striking with a knife, without considering the long-term and the bigger picture. In my opinion, even my younger fourth sister is more steady than you."
Ji Langhua’s throat trembled. "I can do it too! To ensure the Emperor lives at least another three years, even five years! To get Lu Ninghuan out of this place of trouble!"
Bai Qingyan shook her head. "To the Emperor, Lu Ninghuan is my aunt Bai Suqiu’s substitute. This fate means Lu Ninghuan cannot leave Dadu City. Besides, Lu Ninghuan treats the Emperor’s headaches but never provides anything that goes through his mouth. This ensures that on the day the Emperor dies, Lu Ninghuan can retreat unscathed. But it’s different for you; if you succeed, killing the Emperor is death! If you fail, angering the Emperor is also death! The Bai family army and Bai Qingming saved you not to send you to Dadu City to die."
Ji Langhua tightened her fists.
"If you want revenge, come with me back to Shuoyang!" Bai Qingyan put down the teacup and solemnly invited Ji Langhua. "I will let you see that day."
Ji Langhua’s tear-filled eyes met Bai Qingyan’s deep and cold gaze, causing her heart to race.
Ji Langhua deeply felt that beneath Bai Qingyan’s seemingly calm eyes lay boundless hatred, all suppressed to the deepest part of her heart by her astonishing self-discipline.
"If you think clearly, tell the Emperor that you offered your blood to assist a master in alchemy and only obtained this one elixir to save Bai Qingming. In the Emperor’s eyes, if you are just a madwoman deceived by a swindler while wanting to repay a favor, he will not blame you."
"I suppose before the Bai family returns to Shuoyang, the Emperor will send someone to invite you." Bai Qingyan did not persuade further, only said to Ji Langhua, "Go and think carefully about my words and how you should speak to the Emperor."
Ji Langhua stood hesitantly, while Bai Qingyan had already risen to bathe and change clothes in the main room.
Standing in Qinghui Courtyard for a moment, watching the maids carrying water in and out, Ji Langhua then turned to leave, appearing somewhat dazed.
Lu Ninghuan waited at the front gate of Qinghui Courtyard. Seeing Ji Langhua’s eyes instantly turn red with tears, Lu Ninghuan forced a smile, "Let me accompany you for a walk..."
On the morning of April 30, the Emperor sent someone to summon Lu Ninghuan to the palace. He asked her to bring along Ji Langhua, who claimed to have an elixir that could revive the dead.
For the first time, Lu Ninghuan was nervous about entering the palace. Although Ji Langhua said she intended to return to Shuoyang with Eldest Young Lady Bai Qingyan and was willing to serve Bai Qingyan, considering it as repayment for saving Bai Qingming’s life, Lu Ninghuan remained uneasy until the matter was settled.
On the next day, the Bai family was moving back to Shuoyang. The maids and older female servants had packed and bid farewell to their friends.
All the masters of the Bai family gathered at Changshou Courtyard, spending the day with the Eldest Princess.
The clear laughter of Fourth Sister Bai Jinzhi came through the carved flower partition... frёeωebɳovel.com
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