Chapter 675: Chapter 672: Find a Way_1

That nanny, after greeting Bai Qingyan properly, stammered about her purpose for coming.

She made it clear that the Crown Princess Consort knew her brother’s tampering with military provisions was wrong. Thankfully, Bai Jinzhi discovered it and informed the Crown Prince. This was better than outsiders finding out and making a fuss. She mentioned that the Crown Princess Consort had already admonished her brother, and it would not happen again. Her words also served as a warning for Bai Qingyan not to meddle further.

The nanny’s cryptic tone advised Bai Qingyan to focus on her recovery and avoid unnecessary trouble.

Bai Qingyan, weak and leaning on the pillow, listened to the nanny’s ramblings with a stern face. Her brow furrowed as she clutched her chest and began coughing violently.

“Eldest Young Lady!” Bai Jinzhi pushed aside the nanny blocking the light in front of Bai Qingyan, trying to help her ease her chest pain but hesitated for fear of touching her wound. She was so scared that she didn’t know what to do, sitting at the bedside.

“Eldest Young Lady!” Chun Tao quickly handed over a handkerchief, discreetly nodding at Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan took the handkerchief, covering her lips and crushing the fish float inside it. When she opened her hand, there was bright red blood on the white handkerchief. Bai Jinzhi felt her mind go blank as if covered by a flurry of white snow, leaving an empty void.

The nanny’s face turned pale, flustered and helpless. “This… This has nothing to do with me!”

“Eldest Young Lady!” Chun Tao cried out in surprise.

Unaware of the circumstances, Bai Jinzhi was scared to tears. “Eldest Young Lady! Eldest Young Lady, are you alright? Chun Tao! Go get Doctor Hong! Quickly, go get Doctor Hong!”

“Don’t… don’t alarm Grandmother and Second Aunt!” Bai Qingyan gasped for breath as she instructed.

Qinghui Courtyard was thrown into chaos. Chun Tao rushed out to call for Doctor Hong. Bai Jinzhi helped Bai Qingyan lie down, crying uncontrollably. She turned her head and glared fiercely at the nanny from the Crown Princess Consort’s side.

Shortly after, Doctor Hong was carried in by a guard, followed by Lu Ninghuan and Bai Jinse with reddened eyes.

The crowd that rushed in pushed the imposing nanny outside past the screen. The nanny could only peer inside through the gauze screen.

Chun Tao came out from behind the screen, eyes red, bowing slightly to the nanny. “Apologies, nanny. Our Eldest Young Lady is unable to listen to you as she has vomited blood. Please return to the residence. Once our Eldest Young Lady recovers, she will personally visit the Crown Prince to apologize.”

Upon hearing this, the nanny’s face changed drastically. Earlier, after seeing the Crown Princess Consort, the Crown Prince had sent her with heavy gifts to thank the Princess of Zhen and Commandery Princess Gaoyi for not pursuing the matter further and for sparing her brother.

However, being the Crown Princess Consort’s wet nurse, she believed that there was no need for the esteemed Crown Princess Consort to thank the Princess and Commandery Princess. The Crown Princess Consort is the future Empress, a ruler, while Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi, even though titled Princess and Commandery Princess, are still subjects! Why should the Crown Princess Consort lower herself to show favor to the Princess of Zhen’s residence?

Due to this, the nanny’s words were inevitably harsh, attempting to assert the Crown Princess Consort’s authority over Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi, emphasizing that they should no longer investigate matters related to the Crown Princess’s brother.

Who would have thought that Bai Qingyan would vomit blood?!

If Bai Qingyan was made to visit the Crown Prince again, the Crown Prince might flay her, the servant, for harming his lifesaver.

The nanny’s previous arrogance vanished instantly. She quickly replied, “For such a minor matter, there’s no need for the Princess of Zhen to apologize herself. It’s my fault for coming at the wrong time! Please take care of the Princess of Zhen. I’ll take my leave now!”

After bowing, the nanny hurriedly left Qinghui Courtyard, instructing the older woman who brought her there to escort her out, feeling uneasy.

As they watched the nanny leave, Chun Tao turned back, lifting the curtain to enter the upper room. “She’s gone! The nanny has left…”

Inside the upper room, Bai Qingyan leaned against the pillow, rinsing her mouth, and using a handkerchief to wipe the blood from her lips. Bai Jinzhi stared at her elder sister, dumbfounded, tears welling up in her eyes.

Bai Jinse opened the blood-stained handkerchief, using her fingers to pick out a small, red-tinted broken fish float.

Doctor Hong leisurely sipped his tea.

“Thus, the news of the Eldest Young Lady’s serious injury can be delivered to the Crown Prince’s residence. The Crown Prince will no longer doubt her.” Bai Jinse wrapped the fish float in the blood-stained handkerchief and handed it to Bai Jinzhi, then took the handkerchief Chun Tao offered and wiped her hands, a smile crossing her face.

Bai Jinzhi was genuinely frightened. Seeing her elder sister vomit blood without warning, she nearly lost her temper at the nanny. It turned out to be fake.

“The blood bag was intended for use when the Crown Prince visited, but it came in handy today.”

“Eldest Young Lady, please have some sweet plum tea to get rid of the taste.” Chun Tao handed over a teacup.

Bai Qingyan lightly sipped the tea, seeing Bai Jinzhi rolling the fish float in her hand. “It really is a fish float!”

Chun Tao covered her mouth with a smile, “That nanny was scared out of her wits! I mentioned that the Eldest Young Lady would visit the Crown Prince to apologize when she felt better. The nanny lost all her arrogance.”

“This time, little fourth handled it excellently, revealing the whole story effortlessly.” Bai Qingyan smiled at Bai Jinzhi. “Thus, on the first of October, you will prepare to leave for Anping Camp!”

Bai Jinzhi wiped tears from her eyes, her face full of joy. “Thank you, Eldest Young Lady! Don’t worry, I will…”

Bai Jinzhi saw Lu Ninghuan standing by, packing up the medicine chest. She swallowed her words, changing to, “I will do well!”

“But Eldest Young Lady, what about the matter of the military provisions?” Bai Jinzhi asked again.

“Since the Crown Prince promised to handle it, we trust him this time. Once we return to Shuoyang, we will send someone to the Northern Frontier to investigate. If the soldiers’ provisions are still lacking, then we will find another way.” Bai Qingyan said.

“We must avoid involving the Princess of Zhen’s residence. Otherwise, the Crown Prince might be displeased again!” Bai Jinzhi added, recalling what Quan Yu said earlier, gritting her teeth. “However, unless the loss of city and lands brings the matter to the Emperor, the Crown Prince… huh…”

“In this case, Ninghuan can be of service!” Lu Ninghuan turned around, smiling gently. “The palace has sent word for me to enter the palace the day after tomorrow to perform acupuncture for His Majesty. I could mention it to His Majesty, or have the person sent by His Majesty speak up. This way, it should not involve the Princess of Zhen’s residence.”

Lu Ninghuan’s unique position, being part of yet separate from the Princess of Zhen’s residence, made her an ideal intermediary to inform the Emperor indirectly.