Chapter 345 - No Matter Who You Are

Shen Ninghua felt a sharp pain in her arm as Baili Anning squeezed it tightly, but she didn’t care at all. “Is there no one in the imperial court who objects to such a bizarre nonsense?”

Baili Anning smiled bitterly. “Ninghua, you have only been back for a short period of time. There are many things that you are not clear about. Ever since Father Emperor brought Xia Jingxin back to the imperial palace, the entire capital has been under strict control. All news cannot be spread out. Even ordinary people are not allowed to enter and leave freely. Father Emperor is completely in control of every movement in the capital. This place is like a dead city.”

Shen Ninghua’s expression gradually became gloomy. The reason why Baili Qingcang was able to control the capital so smoothly was probably related to the corruption evidence of the officials that she and Baili Junyi had previously uncovered. If Baili Qingcang did not have such strong control over the officials, it would be impossible for him to gain complete control of the capital so smoothly.

Baili Anning continued, “You have also seen that Xia Jingxin once, so you should have sensed something weird. She is too weak as if the wind can take her away! I heard that she is exceptionally kind too. Father Emperor has personally ordered that no one shall tell her about the medical catalyst using a child’s blood, or that person and his entire family will be exterminated!”

Shen Ninghua almost couldn’t believe her ears. Baili Qingcang had lost his fatherly nature for a woman. “Is Father Emperor out of his mind?”

“Haha!” Baili Anning sneered. “A little sacrifice is nothing in order to pursue the shadow in his heart and fulfill his dreams for many years!”

“Shadow?” Thinking about the stark resemblance between Xia Jingxin and her mother, Shen Ninghua felt her heart skip a beat. “Anning, do you mean… Did Father Emperor…”

“You knew what I wanted to say?” Baili Anning smirked. “Ninghua, many people in the capital are saying that Xia Jingxin is probably the reincarnation of your mother, Xia Jingyan!”

“Impossible!” Shen Ninghua suddenly retorted. After she finished speaking, she was a little surprised and bewildered. If she could return to the age of thirteen, maybe others would have such a fortuitous encounter too. However, she strongly opposed the idea that Xia Jingxin was her mother.

“Yes, I don’t think it’s possible. Although I have never seen your mother, I heard from my Mother that she is extremely beautiful, but her personality is as fierce as fire. What is the similarity between her and the current Xia Jingxin?”

Baili Anning took a deep breath as if the pain in her heart could ease a little. “But it doesn’t matter how we feel. His Majesty believes that she is the reincarnation of Xia Jingyan, so what if she isn’t? My poor baby…” Baili Anning scratched the table so hard that her fingernails cracked, and blood seeped from her fingers. “Ninghua, I’m so pissed right now!”

At this time, Shen Ninghua was a little jittery too. “Anning, what do you plan to do?”

Baili Anning’s face twisted in a resentful grimace. Tears welled up in her eyes as she gritted her teeth.

“I originally planned to fight to the death. Even if I had to sacrifice myself, I would take revenge for my child. But before I could do anything, Father Emperor sent Qu Yi away to lead the troops. Even if I didn’t care about my own life, I had to care about Mother and my Royal Brother. Ninghua, what should I do? What do you think I should do…”

Shen Ninghua allowed Baili Anning to hold her hand and cry, but her expression kept changing. “Anning, I have to make a careful and thorough plan regarding this matter. Thank you for telling me all this today. I’ll think of a plan carefully.”

The entire capital was under control, which meant that Baili Anning’s actions would definitely be spread into the imperial palace. Baili Anning clearly knew that she could irritate Baili Qingcang by doing so, but she insisted on coming. Shen Ninghua would always remember this kindness.

“It’s nothing. After becoming a mother, I became exceptionally soft-hearted. I just don’t want your children to die innocently like my baby.” Baili Anning slowly stood upright. Because she had been crying for so long, she felt dizzy and almost collapsed.

Shen Ninghua hurriedly supported her and subconsciously checked her pulse. When she touched her pulse, her heart abruptly skipped a beat, “Anning, you’re too weak! You need to have a good rest. Your husband has been sent away. Even if you go back to Princess Mansion, there’s no one to take care of you. Stay here. I’ll look after you, and you can get some rest.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. If I stay here, I’ll bring you trouble.” As Baili Anning spoke, she insisted on getting up and walking out.

Shen Ninghua grabbed her shoulder and said, “Now that someone dares to touch my children, I don’t mind stirring up massive trouble. Why would I be afraid of the trouble you brought? You are Father Emperor’s biological daughter, after all, so he doesn’t dare to kill you directly. My hands are tied now because Junyi is unconscious. You can lend me a hand by staying here and taking care of my children.”

Baili Anning looked up, somewhat in disbelief. “What did you say? What happened to Fifth Royal Brother?”

Shen Ninghua sighed, “When we were in Zhou City at the northwest, a fire broke out in the posthouse we lived in. Our kids were stranded in the burning house. Junyi was severely burned in order to save them, and he is still unconscious.”

“So someone has already done something to your children?”

Originally, Shen Ninghua had not yet connected this matter. Now that she heard this, she trembled in realization. “Are you saying that someone tried to burn my children to death? After that plan failed, they called us back to the capital so that they could attack the children easily?”

Baili Anning bit her lips tightly, and a strong sense of hatred flashed across her eyes. “It must be so. Ninghua, you are the smartest. Don’t let the mastermind succeed. You must protect your children.” Her child had been killed, and she did not want to see any more children get hurt.

“I will.” Shen Ninghua lowered her eyes, and a cold light flashed in her black eyes as she thought, “I will! No one can touch my kids! No one!”

Baili Anning wrung the silk handkerchief in her hand and looked up as if she had made up her mind. “Ninghua, I have some forces in my hands. I will give these people to you. I only ask you to promise me one thing.”

Shen Ninghua felt her heart flutter. “What do you want me to promise?”

“If you can take down Xia Jingxin and Yan Bushou, leave them to me to deal with!” These people killed her son! She must kill the enemies with her own hands!

“I can give Yan Bushou to you, but let me confirm Xia Jingxin’s identity before I make my decision.” If Xia Jingxin is really her mother, how should she face her…

Seeing Shen Ninghua’s expression, Baili Anning smiled. “Ninghua, don’t tell me you really believe that Xia Jingxin is the reincarnation of your mother? Even if she was the reincarnation of your mother, would she be so young? Besides, with her current style, it is absolutely impossible for her to be the same uniquely imposing woman as your mother.”

“If she is not real, I will personally kill her!” Shen Ninghua’s tone was cold. Although she had never seen her mother before, Xia Jingyan’s position in Shen Ninghua’s heart was extraordinarily high. She would not allow anyone to pretend to be her mother and tarnish her mother’s reputation!

“Alright. I’ll be delightful as long as I can see their miserable end!” Baili Anning nodded, picked up the teacup next to her, and drank the tea in one gulp.

Thus, Baili Anning stayed in Prefectural Prince Yi’s mansion. She adored Shen Ninghua’s two children very much, as if she placed all her love for her son on them. She even stopped Bai Ruo and the others from helping her.

After feeding Baili Junyi the medicine, Shen Ninghua came out and saw Baili Anning, who was making clothes for the two children. “When they grow up, they’ll probably be closer to you than to me, their own mother.”

Baili Anning raised her eyes and looked at Big Boy and Baby Girl next to her lovingly. With a sweet smile, she teased, “Look at your mother. She’s starting to be jealous of me, your aunt.”

Shen Ninghua smiled and sat to the side, watching Baili Anning as she made the clothes.

“Ninghua, is there still no sign of Fifth Royal Brother waking up?”

Shen Ninghua shook her head, a trace of disappointment flashing across her face. “No.”

“Did you ask Father Emperor for Snow Lotus Pill?”

“Father Emperor sent someone to inform me that the pill is out of stock.”

Baili Anning sneered, “Haha! You have prepared a lot for Father Emperor, and they are finished so soon? I bet he used them on someone else.” It was self-evident that Baili Anning was referring to Xia Jingxin.

“I have already sent people to gather the medicinal herbs again, but it will take some time. After a period of time, I will be able to make new pills. Junyi should be able to wake up after taking it.”

Baili Anning nodded and was about to say something when she heard Bai Ruo’s anxious voice from outside.

“Miss, Eunuch Liu from the imperial palace is here. He said that His Majesty and Noble Concubine want to see you, and His Majesty even asked you to bring the two Little Masters along!”

What?

Baili Anning’s face suddenly turned pale. The stitching needle directly pierced her fingertip, and blood slowly seeped out, but she did not seem to feel any pain. She suddenly grabbed Shen Ninghua’s hand and shrieked, “Ninghua, you can’t enter the imperial palace! You must not enter the imperial palace!”

Shen Ninghua’s face was cold, and a cloudy storm seemed to gather in her eyes. “Bai Ruo, go and inform Qing Que, Hong Ling, Ye Yi, and the others to get ready.”

Baili Anning’s heart trembled, and her lips trembled. “Ninghua, are you taking the children into the imperial palace?”

“Anning, nothing will happen because I’ll be by the kids’ side when we enter the imperial palace. Don’t worry.”

“No, Ninghua, you can’t take the risk! No one knows what will happen! You are their mother! If… If… No, I won’t let you! I won’t!”

“Anning, calm down. If I don’t bring my children with me, it would be disrespectful because I defy an imperial decree. If Father Emperor gets into this, I’ll be punished, I’m afraid, and we’ll be in a worse situation. Besides, it’s safer to bring the children with me than to leave them here in the mansion. Whoever dares to touch my kids will have to cross my body first!”

Shen Ninghua slowly clenched her fingers. Light flashed in her heart. After she learned about the incident relating to the children from Baili Anning, she began to prepare little by little, including the children’s bodies. She had made meticulous preparations. If anyone dared to touch them, they would first try her means!

“Bai Ruo, invite Eunuch Liu over!”

“Xia Jingxin, no matter who you are, don’t even think about attacking the people around me, especially my children! If anyone dares to touch them, even if you are the Emperor, you won’t even know how you die!”