Chapter 311 - Leaving the Capital, a New Beginning

A thick layer of blood stained the marble floor of Chengqian Hall. The palace servants scrubbed and wiped the floor for four hours to clean it thoroughly.

The officials in the hall had already left, leaving only the royal family members there.

The Third Prince, Fourth Prince, and Sixth Prince did not dare to make a sound at this time. They lowered their heads and tried to minimize their existence, afraid of attracting Baili Qingcang’s attention again.

The Second Prince lowered his eyes slightly, but he was paying close attention to Shen Ninghua.

Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua knelt in the hall. The sky had gradually brightened, making the candles in the hall seem a little frail and powerless.

“Father Emperor, please allow us to leave.”

Baili Qingcang’s expression was eerily profound. “Give me a reason. I don’t want to hear any reason like you’re afraid of revenge and sorts. If you were really afraid, you wouldn’t have acted so recklessly.” A shiver ran up his spine when he thought of how Baili Junyi went up against the officials on his own.

Baili Junyi raised his eyes. “Father Emperor, what kind of reasons do you expect to hear from us? If you insist, it is that we are tired of staying in the capital and want to go out and enjoy ourselves for a period of time. Ever since Ninghua returned to the capital, she has experienced many hardships, especially after marrying me. She has been in a difficult position, and I can’t bear to see her suffer.”

Baili Qingcang opened his mouth slightly and let out a soft sigh. There were a few times when they had almost been in serious trouble even with his support. He knew about this, but he was reluctant to send them off, especially after being disappointed with his other sons.

“D-Don’t worry… I’ll protect you. You don’t have to hide from anyone.”

“Father Emperor,” Shen Ninghua gently raised her head. Her thick eyelashes trembled slightly, leaving a faint and gentle shadow on her fair and flawless cheeks. “Father Emperor, you haven’t heard me play qin, right? Today, I will play a tune for you.”

Baili Qingcang didn’t know why she suddenly mentioned qin, but looking at her face, he couldn’t refuse her. “Okay, why do you suddenly want to play the qin for me?”

With a faint smile, Shen Ninghua turned around and motioned for the eunuch to carry the table in, and Baili Junyi personally put the table in place.

Then, Shen Ninghua looked up. “Father Emperor, can I borrow your Lu Qi, please?”

“Of course.” Baili Qingcang motioned for someone to bring Lu Qi over.

After sitting still, Shen Ninghua gently plucked the strings, and a trace of sadness flashed in her eyes. “Father Emperor, I remember that Second Prince’s side concubine once played a piece of Lan Ling music before. Today, I will play this tune as well.”

Baili Qingcang trembled violently and looked up at Shen Ninghua who was sitting on the ground. Only then did he find that the clothes on her looked a little familiar.

He remembered that before Xia Jingyan got married, she also wore a red dress like this, which turned her into a gorgeous flame.

He opened his mouth, trying to say something, but Shen Ninghua had already raised her hand, and the first melody instantly pulled him into the mood of the music.

As Shen Ninghua’s fingers danced on the strings of Lu Qi, and vigorous music flowed out.

However, there was always a faint smile on her face, which was calm, gentle, and elegant…

This tune described the horrifying consequences that the battle brought to the people, but when she played it, although it was still the bloody battle, there was no longer a murder zone. It presented the image of a general who fought to protect the wife and children behind him, to protect his homeland, and to protect his country!

The family was still waiting anxiously at home, but it was no longer hopeless and despairing. It was full of confidence and pride. They believed that the departed would return, the war would end, and that the country would eventually be prosperous.

Tears welled up in Baili Qingcang’s eyes as he tried to suppress his grief. “Jingyan, are you still blaming me? I’m sorry for doing that. I shouldn’t have destroyed the Xia Family for the sake of my power. I shouldn’t have ruined your life just because of the groundless fear…”

The passionate music gradually calmed down, and the smile on Shen Ninghua’s face gradually deepened. Slightly cheerful melodies came out one after another.

It was as if the days after experiencing the battlefield and anticipation had finally been exchanged for peace. It was the purest joy without any resentment or fear like the clearest and transparent stream.

Baili Qingcang looked at Shen Ninghua in a daze until the music ended for a long time before he came back to his senses. “The last part…”

Taking out a piece of silk cloth from her sleeve that was covered with densely packed words, Shen Ninghua asserted, “Father Emperor, I found this when I sorted out my mother’s belongings some time ago. It is the second half of a music score. I searched for a long time but was unable to find the first half to complete the score. In the end, I accidentally found that it was extremely suitable to match with Lan Ling music.”

Baili Qingcang took the silk cloth with an astounded look. “A-Are you saying that your mother wrote this piece of music score to match with Lan Ling music?”

“I think so.” Shen Ninghua’s eyes were slightly watery. “Father Emperor, I heard that my mother liked the northwest very much. She said that the lonely desert in the northwest and the setting sun in the long river are the most magnificent and beautiful. Now that there is a drought in the northwest, I want to go there with Royal Prince Yi to do the disaster relief and govern the northwest well. It can also be considered to be relieving a burden from Father Emperor.”

Baili Qingcang’s fingers trembled violently, and a tear could not help but fall down.

“Yes, your mother has lofty ambitions. In the past, she wanted to fight on the battlefield like a man. When her father learned about it, he taught her a lesson, and she was pissed for a few days. In the end, I managed to cheer her up by giving her an eagle.”

Donning a sweet smile on her face, Shen Ninghua silently waited for Baili Qingcang to finish speaking. After a long time, he seemed to have recovered from his thoughts. “Alright, since you don’t want to stay in the capital, go out and travel around. You can choose where you want to go. I won’t stop you, but with one condition. You have to come back to visit me every once in a while.”

The two of them knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Baili Qingcang.

Shen Ninghua said, “Father Emperor, I’m worried about you too. These are the pills I made to strengthen your body and replenish your health. Take one pill every day, and there are enough of them for half a year. You have to take good care of yourself. Not long after, Junyi and I will bring Yongchen and Luoyao back to visit you.”

“Okay.”

Baili Junyi continued, “Don’t worry, Father Emperor. I will take good care of Ninghua and your grandchildren. We will come back to visit you in a while.”

“Well, that’s enough. It’s not like you won’t come back. Let’s not talk about this. I know that you two are good children,” Baili Qingcang sighed slightly. “Go back and pack your things. Think carefully about where to go. The northwest is too remote and cold. It is okay to go there occasionally, but it is not suitable to take the two children there.”

Shen Ninghua and Baili Junyi exchanged glances, and they saw the tacit smile in each other’s eyes. “Father Emperor, the northwest is extremely good. Junyi and I have already discussed it. After the disaster relief in the northwest is over, we will stay there for a while.”

“I don’t mind the two of you going there and suffering, but don’t bring my grandchildren. They are not as tough as you. Alright, go back and think about it. I’m also tired. It’s been a long day today…”

“Father Emperor!” Just as Baili Qingcang stood up, Baili Jinchuan’s cold voice resonated.

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

Baili Jinchuan glanced at Baili Junyi and finally set his eyes on Shen Ninghua. “Father Emperor, you said before that a royal prince is not allowed to leave the capital and even gave Fifth Younger Brother two choices. Now they chose the latter. Will you depose his position as a royal prince now?”

The other princes had been on pins and needles all the while. They did not want to see Baili Junyi leave because once he did, he would be the most prestigious person in the place other than the Emperor. No matter where he went, it was easy for him to win over the people’s hearts and start accumulating his influence. They planned to completely take over him once he left the capital, so that he would never be able to return.

It was just that they did not dare to stand out since they had committed a mistake, but they were glad that the Second Prince remembered this statement. Seeing that Baili Junyi was in a difficult situation, they were relieved.

Baili Qingcang suddenly frowned. “Why? Do you find your Fifth Younger Brother is an eyesore?” He had thought that his second son was keeping things to himself, but did he have other vile thoughts that he wasn’t aware of?

“Of course, not. Father Emperor, I’m just protecting your dignity.”

“Heh, you sure are kind,” Baili Qingcang sneered. “What title do you think is best for your Fifth Younger Brother to leave with?”

Baili Jinchuan suppressed the anger in his heart. He knew that he was being reckless, but he was frustrated and heartbroken to watch Shen Ninghua leave. However, he could not find a suitable excuse to stop her, because he make out a good case for himself.

Baili Junyi, however, smiled indifferently. “Second Elder Brother is right, Father Emperor. You asked me to choose before, and I chose to leave the capital, so you have to strip off my position as a royal prince. But it doesn’t matter whether I have a position or not, because I am, after all, a true prince. This title is enough to intimidate the people to obey me.”

“Alright. Since I’ve spoken, I’ll demote you from the position of Royal Prince to Prefectural Prince. Although you’re not a royal prince, you can enjoy double salaries for a royal prince.”

Baili Qingcang was extremely satisfied with Baili Junyi’s performance. Although the latter was exempted from the position of Royal Prince, the double salaries were a reflection of true love from the Emperor. This way, even if he left the capital, no one dared to look down on them.

Baili Jinchuan was anxious. “Father Emperor…”

“That’s enough. What else do you have to say? He is your brother. Can’t you be a little empathetic?” Frowning in annoyance, Baili Qingcang reprimanded Baili Jinchuan and turned to leave.

Seeing the sight, the other princes clenched their fists in irritation. They had such a great opportunity to press on Baili Junyi, but the Second Prince couldn’t grasp it properly. Now that Baili Qingcang had left, they had no reason to stay here. It was better to hurry back and think about how to fill up the national vault.

Baili Jinchuan walked in front of Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua, his face filled with suppressed anger. “Ninghua, are you sure you want to leave?”

Shen Ninghua’s expression was indifferent. “My husband is leaving, so I naturally have to accompany him. There are still many things to pack up, so I will leave first.”

Seeing her aloof appearance, Baili Jinchuan reached out, wanting to grab her sleeve, but Baili Junyi grabbed his wrist and pushed him to the side instead while pulling Shen Ninghua to stand behind him. “Second Elder Brother, please behave yourself.”

Shen Ninghua didn’t want to waste any more time and reached out to hold Baili Junyi’s hand. “Let’s go.”

Watching the two of them leave, Baili Jinchuan gritted his teeth in hatred. At this time, his entire arm was in so much pain that he was completely numb, but the pain in his heart was much severer. “Shen Ninghua, you will come back. I will make you come back!”