44: Chapter 44 Beautiful women have always had tragic fates (15)

The carriage stopped outside the gates of Yandu. Zhao Yan gently lifted the curtain, gazing at the ancient, simple city gates and the bustling crowd, a scene that felt entirely like a case of things remaining the same while the people had changed.

Upon arriving in Yandu, Liu Wenying's heart finally settled; surely, the noose for hanging himself would no longer be needed.

After handing over the documents to the guards at the city gate, he wanted to ask a few more questions: where would Miss Bai be settled? Where would the banquet be held? When would the Prince of Beichuan grant an audience to Miss Bai? Unexpectedly, the guards were incredibly ill-tempered, their faces fierce and murderous. As a civil official, it was impossible for Liu Wenying not to be intimidated.

Yet, the other party simply took the documents and turned to leave—what was the meaning of that?

Liu Wenying felt slightly embarrassed; this was hardly the way to treat a guest.

If they were going to act this way, why go to such great lengths to issue an imperial decree to "invite" her back? Did they really think Miss Bai had nowhere else to go?

Liu Wenying hesitated, turned to look at the carriage, and had no choice but to bite the bullet. He bowed to the person inside the carriage and said, "Miss Bai, we have arrived at Yandu."

"However, it seems the royal palace has not prepared any reception ceremony, so regarding Miss Bai's accommodation… I must first enter the palace to report to the Prince of Beichuan before arrangements can be made."

Inside the carriage, Zhao Yan raised an eyebrow. Was this an attempt to intimidate her right from the start?

"Since there is no place for me to stay in Yandu, there will always be somewhere else for me to stay." Her voice was soft, gentle, and pleasant, making one feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze. "Let us leave."

"Hey, Miss Bai, Miss Bai!" Liu Wenying broke out in a cold sweat, anxious. How could she just leave? He had gone to such great lengths to invite her back. If she left now, given the Prince of Beichuan's temperament, he would certainly not let him off the hook.

Liu Wenying reached out to block the horse's path, frantic. "It must be that the official in charge of protocol has been negligent in his duties. Miss Bai, I hope you will rest inside the carriage for a moment; I will enter the palace to report immediately."

Just as Liu Wenying was thinking that Miss Bai was easy to talk to—if she weren't easy to talk to, would she have followed him back to Yandu without a word?—he heard a voice from inside the carriage.

"Since they forgot, then they forgot. I suppose it is not a matter of great importance."

"Ye Chen, turn the carriage around," Zhao Yan ordered.

Ye Chen leaped onto the carriage, snatched the reins from the driver, kicked the man off the carriage with one foot, took his place, and turned the carriage around to leave.

"This… this!" Liu Wenying wanted to reach out and stop them, but how could two legs outrun four? He could only watch as the carriage sped away, stamping his feet in anxiety. Then, remembering something, he hurriedly lifted his official robes and ran toward the imperial palace.

Inside the Liang State imperial palace, within Fenghua Palace, Liu Wenying had been pacing back and forth at the entrance for nearly an hour. This Lady Liu was simply too clingy; why hadn't the Prince come out yet?

Finally, just as it was getting dark, he saw a man in black robes, about nine feet tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, step out of Fenghua Palace. As he strode toward him, an aura of murderous intent washed over him, so terrifying that no one dared to look him in the eye.

Pei Ji walked past Liu Wenying, realized the man looked somewhat familiar, and asked casually, "You are that—"

"Your subordinate is the imperial envoy personally appointed by the Prince, ordered to go to Jiangnan to bring the Bai Clan back to Yandu."

"Oh, you didn't bring them back, did you? Someone, drag him out and behead him."

Liu Wenying struggled desperately, shouting as the guards restrained him, "Your, Your Highness, Miss Bai has been, been invited back!"

Pei Ji stopped and turned around, his eyes filled with surprise. "Isn't it said that the Bai Clan is always aloof and arrogant, taking the salvation of the world as their duty, and are considered the progenitors of the literary world? Why are they so lacking in integrity that she came the moment I summoned her?"

He had disregarded the objections of the old ministers in the Liang State court and forcibly occupied the Liang State imperial palace to handle its affairs. For such a small matter, those pedantic, sour scholars had used it to make a point, slamming their heads against the pillars in the main hall, with several dying on the spot.

The Bai Clan must have heard of his reputation for being capricious and murderous; how did she dare to come?

Moreover, Liu Shi had said that the Saintess of the Bai Clan had long since fallen in love with the King of West Chu, Chu Yao, and had made a private vow to spend their lives together, and that the Bai Clan would ultimately assist the King of West Chu. Therefore, he was certain he would not get his wish this time when he sent for her.

That was why he hadn't put much effort into it, just casually sending someone to invite her as a mere gesture. If she didn't come, it would give him the perfect excuse to attack Jiangnan.

As for what Liu Shi said—that the Bai Clan would assist the King of West Chu, Chu Yao, and that eventually West Chu, East Lake, and Beichuan would form a tripartite balance of power—he had his doubts. The Bai Clan was just a delicate woman from a boudoir; how could she have the ability to shake his throne? However, seeing Liu Shi's serious expression, which didn't seem fake, and recalling that she had accurately predicted military events several times before, he had paid a bit more attention to the daughter of the Bai Clan.

The decree had been passed down, but he had never taken it seriously and had forgotten it completely, so naturally, there was no reception ceremony.

Unexpectedly, they had actually managed to invite her back?

Pei Ji raised an eyebrow and waved his hand at the guards. Liu Wenying was finally freed and knelt to salute.

"Fine, then summon her into the palace. I will see her in the front hall."

Seeing that Liu Wenying did not get up, he became annoyed: "What is going on?"

"She, Miss Bai, has left again."

"Left?"

Liu Wenying had no choice but to explain in detail what had just happened. Hearing the cold sneer from above, he was so terrified that he dared only press his forehead to the ground.

Pei Ji didn't take it seriously at all: "It's just a display of a scholar's backbone. She certainly hasn't gone far; just go and invite her back again."

Liu Wenying: ...

I previously thought the same as you—that this Miss Bai was beautiful and kind-hearted, and seemed quite easy to talk to. But the scene at the city gate let him know that this young lady's temper was truly stubborn.

I'm afraid she has already traveled quite a distance.

What he feared came to pass; Zhao Yan and her party had indeed traveled more than ten miles away, and they were not looking back.

Scouts reported that they were heading straight east, without the slightest pretense.

Pei Ji could no longer sit still; she was heading to East Lake!

Even if he didn't take the Bai Clan seriously, there was no reason to let Wei Qingli benefit for nothing. This Liu Shi's divination skills were becoming less and less reliable; she had said she would assist the King of West Chu, but she was clearly heading to East Lake. The intelligence he had received also indicated that she had a close relationship with the Prince of Donghu, Wei Qingli, and actually had some conflict with Chu Yao.

Even if the Bai Clan wouldn't assist his Beichuan, he absolutely could not let her go to East Lake.

Therefore, he ordered all the proper protocols to be observed and all the appropriate ceremonies to be prepared. He kicked the Left and Right Prime Ministers off to the post station to personally welcome her; if they couldn't bring her back, they needn't bother returning themselves.

The civil and military officials had complaints in their hearts but dared not speak them aloud. Such a grand display was on par with welcoming a vassal king. Now that the Bai Clan was going to East Lake, you're finally anxious? What were you doing before?

Zhao Yan was eventually brought back to Yandu by a group of old officials, who begged her bitterly with tears and snot, pulling out all the stops—they were almost physically dragging her and carrying the carriage back.

The next evening, in the front hall, all the ministers were summoned, along with some famous scholars, all of whom had been forcibly "invited" by Pei Ji. They had originally thought that a summons by the Prince of Beichuan must be to meet some important figure, but unexpectedly, upon arriving, they discovered that the protagonist of the banquet was actually a girl of sixteen or seventeen.

The young girl wore a white dress and a veil hat. Her figure was slender, and her temperament was elegant and refined. Even without seeing her true face, one could imagine what a peerless beauty lay beneath the white veil.

Furthermore, there was the big-mouthed Liu Wenying, who had luckily survived, and the rumors that this Miss Bai was a beautiful, kind-hearted little fairy had already spread to the imperial court.

Originally, these ministers and scholars held her in contempt; after all, her age was there, and how outstanding could she really be? Who would have thought that the young girl's words were appropriate, and she knew the background of every minister like the back of her hand, sending a chill down their spines. Yet, in her conversation, she revealed a sense of admiration, giving everyone a sense of reassurance. This combination of grace and authority was perfectly balanced, causing these ministers to cast aside their contempt one after another.

As for those scholars and literati, they were initially resentful and sat silently after taking their seats. Anyone dragged out of bed by the Beichuan Army to attend some nonsense banquet and serve as a foil for someone else wouldn't be happy either.

But the young girl spoke eloquently and was extremely skilled at creating an atmosphere.

From poetry and songs to calligraphy and painting, from the spring scenery of the pear garden to the music of strings and flutes, she introduced these extremely relaxed topics, gradually entering a better state, silently opening their chatterboxes. Later on, I don't know who started it, but the topic turned from the way of managing a household to the way of governing a country. Everyone expressed their own opinions, full of energy. The main thing was that this Miss Bai was truly a wonderful person; she could pick up on any topic and analyze it with great depth. The more they talked, the more enthusiastic they became, and their interest was high; they had long since lost the complaints they had when they first arrived.

When Pei Ji arrived at the front hall with Liu Shi, he saw such a harmonious and enthusiastic scene. Ever since he occupied the Liang State imperial palace, he had never seen these civil officials so high-spirited. Pei Ji raised an eyebrow; had she managed to win over this group of sour scholars in just one night?

Zhao Yan felt two gazes—one inquisitive, one hostile.

Following the gazes, she saw two people in the seats of honor. One was nine feet tall, with a majestic figure and an aura of murderous intent—this must be the Prince of Beichuan, Pei Ji. And the hostile gaze came from the charming woman beside him.

"I have heard that the Bai Clan is eloquent and extremely skilled in strategy; it is truly not a false claim. In just one short night, Miss Bai, you have won over all the officials of my court."

"Your Highness, you speak too seriously. It cannot be called winning them over; everyone here is a famous scholar with broad knowledge. I must thank Your Highness for giving Zhao Yan this opportunity to communicate and exchange ideas with these seniors."

They were all scholars, but those old men could choke you to death with their words, constantly threatening to die or using death to make a point. Look at how this young lady spoke; he felt very pleased in his heart.

Pei Ji suddenly felt that keeping her was a truly good idea. Even if it wasn't for devising strategies, just having her deal with these pedantic old ministers and keeping them from bothering him all day would be a great achievement.

Thinking this, his gaze toward her became a bit gentler.

"Wait, Miss Bai, what is your name?" Liu Shi suddenly asked.

"My surname is Bai, and my given name is Zhao Yan."

Liu Shi's expression changed drastically. "You are not a member of the Bai Clan. Who exactly are you, and why are you impersonating a member of the Bai Clan?"

"Who is this?" Zhao Yan asked a nearby official with a calm expression.

"Lady Liu of the Prince of Beichuan," the man whispered.

"Lady Liu, why do you say that?"

Liu Shi pointed at the person in front of her and said, "The Saintess of the Bai Clan is named Bai Qingxue. Where did you, a fake, run out from? How dare you impersonate the Bai Clan and deceive the Prince?"

Before Zhao Yan could speak to refute this, the group of scholars and strategists who had just been debating with her immediately spoke up in her defense.

"How is she not? Lady Liu, be careful with your words. This Miss Bai has literary strategies and military tactics; she is wise and courageous. We have had a very pleasant conversation with her, and we are all impressed to the point of bowing down to her."

"Exactly, exactly. I have never seen anyone as learned and talented as Miss Bai; she must be a member of the Bai Clan."

"Lady Liu, you never step out of your door, so how do you know that the Saintess of the Bai Clan is named Bai Qingxue? I, on the other hand, heard that when the formation in Jiangnan was broken, that fake was called Bai Qingxue. Lady Liu, do not listen to rumors and believe them blindly; your shallow knowledge makes people laugh."

The civil and military officials were still somewhat wary of the Prince of Beichuan, but the stubborn and ill-tempered scholars and literati were not going to indulge her. They didn't even fear the Prince of Beichuan, let alone a favored concubine.

"If Miss Bai is not from the Bai Clan, does that not mean the Prince of Donghu, the Heir of the King of Jiangnan, and the King of West Chu have all made a mistake?"

Liu Shi was flushed with shame from the accusations of the crowd. These people, these people were truly blind and ignorant! They had been deceived and didn't even know it, and they even dared to say she was shallow!

Pei Ji watched the farce at the banquet with cold eyes, having no intention of taking sides.

Seeing this, Liu Shi limply climbed onto the man's neck, saying with a hint of grievance, "Your Highness, do you not believe me either?"

Pei Ji swept a faint glance at her. "Have you made enough trouble? Go down."

Liu Shi felt aggrieved, but seeing Pei Ji's bad expression, she dared not court death again and had to sit back in her original seat, fidgeting.

Pei Ji valued Liu Shi originally only because she said she could foresee the future.

Back then, when the armies of the four kings could not take the gates of Yandu for a long time, she told him to be patient and that the south gate would break. At the time, he just laughed it off, but unexpectedly, three days later, the south gate was indeed easily opened by Chu Yao, without the loss of a single soldier.

She also said that the five regions would reach a peace agreement and that he would occupy the Liang State imperial palace for three years; sure enough, it was fulfilled again.

This woman was indeed a bit strange, so he simply imprisoned her by his side to be used by him.

But to say that everything she said was accurate was not necessarily the case.

At least the Imperial Jade Seal had no whereabouts to this day. She had initially said the Imperial Jade Seal was not with the Crown Prince Li Hong, but with Princess Anle Li Yuan, and had him send people to search Fenghua Palace first. Not only did they not find the Imperial Jade Seal, but even Princess Anle Li Yuan was nowhere to be found.

Now, she was saying again that this person was not from the Bai Clan.

How much was true and how much was false, it was really hard to say.

While Liu Shi was constantly sizing up Zhao Yan, Zhao Yan was also sizing her up through the white veil.

This Lady Liu was indeed beautiful, with a natural charm. She looked delicate and weak, but who could have imagined that this very delicate woman, in the second life, would lead the barbarians into the Central Plains, causing them to burn, kill, and plunder the people of the Central Plains? The disaster lasted for a hundred years, during which the population of the Central Plains plummeted, and the people were left in misery.

Compared to Bai Qingxue, she hated the person in front of her even more.

Ignorant, unprincipled, lacking a stance, and devoid of a sense of right and wrong, she was stupid without knowing it; she was simply a sinner of the Central Plains throughout the ages.

Liu Shi couldn't stay quiet for even a stick of incense's time before she had other thoughts. "What, are we mere mortals not worthy of seeing Miss Bai's divine countenance? Why is Miss Bai wearing a veil hat at the banquet?"

Zhao Yan thought for a moment and said, "Zhao Yan only hopes that the scholars and strategists here will care about my talent, rather than my appearance."

"Heh…" Liu Shi chuckled, teasing, "Miss Bai is truly not modest at all. What you mean is that your appearance is outstanding, making people think you are a celestial beauty."

Zhao Yan stopped speaking, but in Liu Shi's eyes, this was an admission. She gritted her teeth—this shameless little harlot actually claimed to be outstanding in appearance in front of the Prince; could it be that she wanted to seduce the Prince?

"Then, Miss Bai, what do you think of me?"

Zhao Yan followed her gaze. "Lady Liu has a natural charm, with affection in the corners of her eyes; she is soul-stirring and a rare beauty."

"Then, how do I compare to you, Miss Bai?"

"Beauty fades easily, youth passes quickly, and vanity is ultimately just smoke and clouds," Zhao Yan said slowly.

Liu Shi became anxious. "Do not give me that nonsense; I am just asking you, how do I compare to you?"

Liu Wenying, who had seen Miss Bai's true face, could no longer hold back. How stupid could this person be? Giving you a chance to save face, and you still don't want it! In his anxiety, he blurted out four words: "You are asking for humiliation."