Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

The Crown Prince had just stepped out of the courtyard when Quan Yu immediately knelt before him.

Quan Yu kowtowed heavily to the Crown Prince and cried, "Your Highness, it’s all my fault. When I left, you instructed me to make sure that the Princess of Zhen understood that you replaced Commandery Princess Gaoyi not because you doubted the Bai family’s loyalty, but because you were forced by court officials and the Left Prime Minister made a military pledge for his son; only then did you have to order Commandery Princess Gaoyi back! I exaggerated the difficulties you faced, and the Princess of Zhen, upon hearing of your deep trust in the Bai family and subsequent criticism from court officials, personally led the troops trained in Shuoyang to assist General Liu Hong and Commandery Princess Gaoyi!"

Quan Yu raised his head, tears streaming down his face, "The Princess of Zhen said... she would personally recover the lost cities and lands at the hands of the Bai family and would not allow the Crown Prince to suffer even the slightest difficulty from court officials because of the Bai family! I never expected the Princess of Zhen to be so loyal to you, unable to bear seeing you wronged, that she dragged her frail body to lead the troops to Daliang! This time, I’ve caused a terrible catastrophe!"

The Crown Prince felt his head buzz from Quan Yu’s crying and asked, "What did you say? The Princess of Zhen has taken that ragtag group trained in Shuoyang to Daliang?!"

"Your Highness, it’s all my fault! I exaggerated your hardships too much, causing the Princess of Zhen to lose her composure! When I left... the Princess of Zhen had already mobilized the troops and was ready to depart! But her body... it was injured while shielding you from an arrow! The Princess of Zhen is your lifesaver, Your Highness! If anything happens to her on this trip to Daliang, I will have no face to meet you!"

Quan Yu wept and kowtowed again, "I have failed the task you entrusted to me! Not only did I fail to reassure the Princess of Zhen, to keep her from getting upset and to take care of herself, I incited her to lead troops into battle. The Princess of Zhen said she didn’t want to cause you more trouble... Now, with the campaign against Daliang, the two cities afflicted by an epidemic, and the need to build the Nine-Tiered Terrace, the treasury is strained. She is willing to sell her family’s assets to fund the military, leading the troops trained in Shuoyang to Daliang, leaving no room for court officials to criticize you! I couldn’t dissuade the Princess of Zhen... it’s all my fault! Please punish me, Your Highness."

Outside the gate, the lanterns swayed in the wind, casting a fluctuating light, and the Crown Prince felt an indescribable subtlety in his feelings at that moment.

Because Bai Qingyan forced herself to lead that ragtag group from Shuoyang into battle, he thought she was being reckless.