Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 738 - 735: Knocking on the Mountain to Shock the Tiger_1

But he didn’t believe it. He didn’t believe Bai Qingyan could abandon Li Mao, this loyal court minister so easily controlled by her! The Left Prime Minister of Jin Kingdom!

However, he indeed miscalculated Bai Qingyan.

He was arrogant. He thought that when he broke his younger brother Li Mingtang’s leg and sent the head to their Li family’s doorstep, it was merely a method for the Princess of Zhen to intimidate them. Deep down, he believed she wanted to use the Li family rather than eradicate them completely.

Now, thinking back, the letter that King Liang had at that time was suspicious. It might be closely related to the Princess of Zhen.

When his father took action against the Princess of Zhen the second time, the heads and the letter that threw the Li family into chaos were the ways the Princess of Zhen executed her strategy.

Yet, he misinterpreted it as the Princess of Zhen being unwilling to give up on the Li family. He assumed his father Li Mao’s position as Left Prime Minister was a bargaining chip that allowed some resistance against the Princess of Zhen.

But this time, if that letter was truly significant, his father’s position as Left Prime Minister might be hard to maintain.

Li Mingrui heavily kowtowed to the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, please discern this clearly. When my father got close to the Second Prince and later rescued His Majesty, it was known to His Majesty. If Your Highness doesn’t believe it, you can enter the palace to ask His Majesty! I admit that this time it was I, Li Mingrui, who framed the Princess of Zhen. Firstly, for revenge for my younger brother and secondly, as Mrs. Qin said, to reduce Your Highness’s trust in the Princess of Zhen. I hoped Your Highness would question the Princess of Zhen, causing her to delay giving you those letters, allowing me time to switch them!"

"My eldest sister’s loyalty to Your Highness is beyond the comprehension of treacherous scoundrels like you! Even when my eldest sister was seriously injured, she was still concerned about Your Highness’s safety, urging me to quickly inform you that Wang Qiulu was still alive! Even if Your Highness truly doubted or even broke my eldest sister’s heart, as long as it concerns the nation’s affairs and Your Highness’s safety, my eldest sister would still serve unwaveringly! This is the iron-clad loyalty and courage of the Bai family, something that a deceitful villain like you can never understand in this lifetime!"

The Crown Prince felt a rush of warmth in his eyes upon hearing Bai Jinxiu’s words. Remembering how Bai Qingyan risked her life to shield him from arrows, he looked at Li Mingrui with increasing disgust, his gaze firm as he slapped the letter onto the desk and proclaimed loudly: "My trust in the Princess of Zhen cannot be diminished by your schemes involving Wang Qiulu! Let me tell you, even if I don’t trust myself, I would never doubt the Princess of Zhen!"

Hearing this, Minister Lu’s fingers trembled slightly, his expression becoming increasingly grim.

Their intention was for the Crown Prince to harbor some suspicion towards the Princess of Zhen in the future, to not trust everything she says. Yet, in the end, it only made the Crown Prince trust Bai Qingyan even more.

Bai Jinxiu drew out a handkerchief, lowering her head to wipe her tears, hiding the relaxed expression in her eyes as she expressed her gratitude: "I thank Your Highness on behalf of my elder sister for your trust. She often lamented to me about her poor health, feeling deeply guilty for not being able to long serve your cause."

Minister Lu gritted his teeth tightly. He hadn’t anticipated that the younger sister of the Princess of Zhen was so eloquent, turning the Crown Prince’s trust in the Princess of Zhen even firmer with just a few words. No wonder... It was said that the second Miss of the Bai family lived quite comfortably after marrying into the Qin family, which once had a betrothal with the Princess of Zhen.

Thinking back, it was indeed likely that the departure of the late wife of Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, Qin Dezhao, could be attributed to this second Miss of the Bai family...

The ladies of the Bai family were truly formidable! Every one of them was impressive!

"Your Highness!" Li Mingrui suddenly spoke, "I admit to framing the Princess of Zhen. But when my father was associating with the Second Prince, His Majesty knew about it! I did so not wishing for Dadu City to be thrown into turmoil once more. After the rebellion at Wude Gate, Dadu City needs peace more than ever and cannot afford further chaos! I dare not say the Princess of Zhen’s actions would disrupt Dadu City, but our Jin Kingdom is at war with the Liang Kingdom. We cannot allow a few letters to put the prominent ministers of the court in danger!"

"Perhaps Your Highness and the Princess of Zhen were unaware of the inside details of those years, but His Majesty knew! I beg Your Highness to enter the palace. His Majesty will certainly clarify everything for you. Only then, can you rightfully decide the fate of our family!" Li Mingrui kowtowed heavily.

"So, was it King Liang who coerced you to save Wang Qiulu?" the Crown Prince pursued.

How could Li Mingrui not know that the Crown Prince was seeking an opportunity to eliminate King Liang.

King Liang had lost power and was of little use. After the forced abdication attempt, even the Emperor couldn’t trust him entirely.

Li Mingrui once feared that King Liang might rise again one day. But now, preserving his own life was the priority, or else there would be no future to consider.

Li Mingrui kowtowed: "Indeed!"

The Crown Prince raised his brows, stretching his back against the pillow: "Good... Minister Lu, did you hear that?"

Lu Jin quickly saluted to the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, I heard it all."

"Take Li Mingrui, that servant, Wang Qiulu brought back by Minister Lu and the prison guard. Take them all away. Tomorrow at dawn, I’ll personally speak to the Emperor about this matter."

"Since the matter is resolved, I should return to care for my elder sister..." Bai Jinxiu bowed to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince nodded and, remembering that Qin Lang was also going to take the exam soon, smiled: "Qin Lang’s performance last year in the spring exam wasn’t bad. This year, he should strive even harder!"

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern. I will definitely convey your message to Qin Lang. Qin Lang will not fail to live up to the expectations of His Majesty and Your Highness." Bai Jinxiu bowed again and then exited the main hall.

Li Mingrui and the others were taken away by Lu Jin.

Left Prime Minister Li Mao wanted to seek information but only knew that his son was taken directly from the Crown Prince’s residence by Lu Jin, pacing anxiously without any news.

The white-robed counselor stood in the study, watching Li Mao pace back and forth. Eventually, he informed Li Mao about Wang Qiulu’s matter.

"Nonsense! How many times have I said! Do not provoke the Princess of Zhen! Do not provoke the Princess of Zhen! The lives of our whole family are in her hands, not to mention the Princess of Zhen is even more unrestrained than Bai Weiting, fearing no one! How dare you and Li Mingrui act behind my back like this!"

Li Mao was furious, slamming his hand on the desk in frustration.

The white-robed counselor also looked troubled: "This matter is partly my fault. I failed to dissuade the young master and even thought his actions might be beneficial for our Prime Minister’s estate."

Li Mao stared at the white-robed counselor, silent for a long time, his tone filled with blame: "If Ziyuan were still here, he would never have allowed Mingrui to make such a blunder."

The white-robed counselor felt his face burning hot, lowering his head to bow to Li Mao: "I am not as wise as Ziyuan, and it caused the young master to suffer. Please, Prime Minister, punish me!"