Chapter 234 - Ninghua, I'm Back!

Yang Yingxue smiled bitterly and shook her head. “To you, it is a burden. But for me, it is a blessing. What is poison to one person may be honey to another.”

What Shen Ninghua tried to avoid was something beyond her reach. What an irony! If facing an ordinary woman, she would definitely fight with all her might to have her way. But facing Shen Ninghua, she did not have the courage to fight, nor did she have the capital to compete with her.

Looking at Yang Yingxue’s expression, Shen Ninghua was touched. Although this cousin had done unwise things, fortunately, she regretted it in time. She had been acting generously ever since. After all, the two of them were connected by blood. If possible, she did not want her to enter the Second Prince Mansion, a horrible abyss of suffering.

However, perhaps it was like she said, what was poison to one person might be honey to another. She could not decide on her fate.

“Cousin, you should also know the enmity between me and the Second Prince. I can’t help you with this matter.”

Yang Yingxue looked up with tears in her eyes. “Your Highness, if you want to help me, there is always a way.”

Shen Ninghua shook her head. “It’s not that I don’t want to help you. The Second Prince has changed a lot and I can’t figure out what he’s thinking.”

Hearing her refusal, Yang Yingxue’s heart went cold. “Your Highness, you are the smartest, and you must have a way, right? Also, isn’t this a good thing for you as well? Although it hasn’t been publicly announced, everyone knows that Second Prince has a deep affection for you. Now that you’re pregnant, it’s not convenient for you to do anything. If the Second Prince caused trouble for you at this time, it wouldn’t be good for you. ”

Shen Ninghua’s eyebrows moved. Although these words were reasonable, they carried a hint of coercion, which somewhat made her unhappy.

Yang Yingxue continued. “Should that be the case, at least I can pass on the news from the Second Prince Mansion to you so that you can be on guard ahead of time, right? Please help me, cousin. You’re the only help I can think of.”

This was the first time she called her cousin, and it was for the purpose of begging for her help in…

Shen Ninghua sighed. “Cousin, the Second Prince and I will definitely confront in the future. However, if you want to marry him and have a good life, you can’t use evil methods. I can only speak in favor of you in front of Father Emperor. As for the result, I will try my best but leave it to the will of the heavens.”

“Alright,” Yang Yingxue wiped her tears excitedly and stood up. “Cousin, have a good rest. I am leaving now.”

“Bai Ruo, help me send my cousin off.”

Back in Huajun Pavilion, Shen Ninghua kept thinking about this matter.

Seeing her deep in thought, Chu Junyi couldn’t help but feel a little worried. “Ninghua, what’s wrong? What did Miss Yang say?”

“Yang Yingxue wants to marry Baili Jinchuan.”

Chu Junyi smiled and pulled her to sit down. “Each one has their own fate. Perhaps it will be a good marriage. Don’t think too much about it. It’s time for dinner.”

Half a month later, Second Prince Baili Jinchuan made a triumphant return with the army.

The Crown Prince represented Emperor Baili Qingcang and went out of the city gate to welcome him and to reward the troops.

The people greeted them with cheers that filled the sky.

Baili Qingcang was delighted, and he set up a welcoming banquet in Chengqian Hall. All the officials and their children participated in the banquet to welcome the Second Prince.

Shen Ninghua stood in front of the bronze mirror and let Bai Ruo and Bi Zhu change clothes for her.

Bai Ruo carefully used the jade pendant around Shen Ninghua’s waist to press down on the corner of her dress. She said with a worried expression, “Miss, can I and Qing Que accompany you to the Palace this time?”

Shen Ninghua smiled and said, “I’m going to the Palace to attend a banquet. How can I bring you two?”

“But there will be too many people and Master can’t be around you all the time. I feel that it won’t be safe enough.”

Shen Ninghua lowered her head and stroked her belly. The baby hadn’t been three months old yet, and there wasn’t much of a belly bump. “There’s still a long time before he is born. How can I refrain from all the activities? He’s my baby, so he naturally is prepared to share my hardships and tribulations. He’s not that delicate.”

Chu Junyi walked in. He helped Shen Ninghua into the carriage, which drove towards the Palace.

Baili Anning finished her makeup and entered the Palace early. She arrived at Jinyang Palace, where Baili Jinchuan was temporarily resting. After getting permission, she walked in and saw Baili Jinchuan seated on a chair.

He was much thinner than before. At this moment, he was dressed in prince attire, but his aura made people feel that he was wearing armor and holding a golden spear. He looked domineering like a sharp unsheathed sword, making people not dare to look directly at him.

“Second Brother, you have Skin-Revitalizing Ointment in your hand. Why…” After a long moment of daze, Baili Anning was extremely surprised to see the scars on Baili Jinchuan’s face.

Baili Jinchuan raised his eyes and did not answer her. Instead, he asked, “How have you been after getting married?”

Baili Anning’s heart ached. Although his voice was extremely cold, the concern was real. “Qu Yi treated me very well.”

“Alright, that’s good.”

Baili Anning didn’t know what to say, so Baili Jinchuan didn’t say anything. He just played with a jade pendant and the hall fell silent for a moment.

After a while, Baili Anning broke the silence. “The battlefield is dangerous and the journey is long. Second Elder Brother, how’s your body?”

Baili Jinchuan lowered his head to look at his right hand and said indifferently, “One arm is crippled. Everything else is fine.”

Baili Anning’s heart trembled, and her eyes fell on his right hand. “Arm?”

“Blades and swords have no eyes. As the price for survival, an arm is nothing.”

Baili Anning anxiously asked, “Aren’t you the commander-in-chief? You shouldn’t personally kill the enemy. Why was your life at risk?”

Baili Jinchuan raised his eyes. His starry eyes were as cold as a deep pond, but he avoided Baili Anning’s question once again. “The banquet is about to begin. I want to go there early. Do you want to come with me?”

Baili Anning’s heart trembled as she carefully looked at him. “I…I want to wait for Ninghua and we’ll go together.”

Baili Jinchuan nodded. His expression didn’t show any abnormality. “Well, since that’s the case, then I’ll leave first.”

“Second Elder Brother…”

“What’s the matter?” Baili Jinchuan frowned and turned around.

“No, nothing.”

Baili Jinchuan coldly withdrew his gaze and strode out.

Baili Anning stood there in a daze. The uneasiness in her heart gradually spread. When she mentioned Shen Ninghua, Baili Jinchuan didn’t seem to react at all. It was as if he had forgotten about her. However, she always felt that something wasn’t right. Now that Ninghua was expecting, she really didn’t want any problem to arise.

Baili Qingcang and the Empress came earlier for today’s banquet.

Not long after Shen Ninghua sat down, the announcement sounded from outside.

“His Majesty has arrived. Her Majesty has arrived.”

During this period of time, the harem was restless, but Zhao Huiying did not seem to be affected in the slightest. Today, she was dressed in yellow empress attire with a shining phoenix bead hairpin on her head. She looked quite splendid and gorgeous.

After everyone finished saluting, Baili Qingcang said with joy, “Everyone, as you were. We are having a welcome banquet for my second son, Baili Jinchuan. Please enjoy yourself and don’t stand on ceremonies.”

“Yes, thank you, Your Majesty.”

Baili Qingcang had a smile on his face. “Where’s the Second Prince?”

Baili Jinchuan stepped forward and knelt down to salute. “Baili Jinchuan greets Father Emperor. I’m quite uneasy to see Father Emperor taking trouble to host a banquet for me.”

“Haha, hurry up and get up. Although I am the Emperor, I am also your father. My son, you have returned from an expedition. How can I not hold a welcome banquet for you?”

Zhao Huiying’s loving gaze paused, and a cold glint suddenly appeared on her face.

Baili Jinchuan was his son. Wasn’t the Crown Prince also his son? The Emperor spoke so highly of Baili Jinchuan in front of the civil and military officials, where was the face of the Crown Prince?

Baili Jinchuan raised his eyes. His cold gaze started to be filled with warmth and admiration. “Thank you, Father Emperor. I’m glad that I did not disappoint you and finally completed my mission. I repelled the bandits in the northwest and quelled the rebellion. Now I’d like to return the commander tally to you.”

Baili Qingcang’s eyes flickered. He got up, walked down the stairs, and bent down to help Baili Jinchuan up. “Alright! I have issued a decree to make you a royal prince with a double salary and grant you the title of De. I will hold a ceremony for you on an auspicious day.”

“I’m ashamed to accept it.”

“Haha, you are my good son. What’s there to be ashamed of?”

Looking at the scene of a loving father and a filial son, the civil and military officials all stood up and bowed to congratulate. “Your Majesty is wise and Royal Prince De is valiant! Congratulations to Your Majesty. Congratulations to Royal Prince De!”

Baili Qingcang became even happier. He raised his hand and patted Baili Jinchuan’s shoulder solemnly before walking back to his throne. “Today, everyone must have a good time. You will not return until you are drunk!”

“Yes, thank you, Your Majesty.”

Music rang out, and dancers went on stage. The Emperor and the officials were having fun and the atmosphere was exceptionally lively.

Baili Anning sat down beside Shen Ninghua and took a sip from her cup. She immediately frowned. “Hmm? It’s actually liquor. Ninghua, you can’t drink liquor. Let them change it for something else.”

The welcoming banquet had the custom of drinking liquor. Serving liquor for the female guests was a normal practice, and Baili Anning didn’t care much about it.

Shen Ninghua lowered her head and scanned the cup. Suddenly, she felt a gaze that fell like an object on her. She hurriedly raised her head and met Baili Jinchuan’s gaze.

Sensing Shen Ninghua’s gaze, Baili Jinchuan narrowed his eyes slightly and swept his cold gaze over Shen Ninghua inch by inch. Today, she did not put on any makeup, nor did she have many accessories. She only wore an ordinary princess costume, but amongst the many women, she was still as eye-catching and dazzling as before.

As he thought about it, he raised his cup and took a sip. He felt the hot liquor slipping down his throat, giving him a burning feeling that made his internal organs boiling hot and painful.

Ninghua, Shen Ninghua…I’m back…

Shen Ninghua lowered her eyes. Her slender and dense eyelashes covered the ripples in her eyes. Compared to before, the current Baili Jinchuan was truly unfathomable.

At this time, someone suddenly suggested, “Your Majesty, since we are having a welcoming banquet, there should be songs and dances. My daughter happens to be skilled in qin. How about let her play a tune?”

It was not a secret that the Emperor intended to choose a wife and some concubines for the Second Prince. How could the official miss such an opportunity?

Baili Qingcang nodded. “Alright, if she gives an outstanding performance, I will definitely reward her heavily.”

These words immediately made the crowd restless. Even some young ladies with noble statuses were tempted. Even if they could not win the Second Prince’s favor, the Emperor’s reward was also very precious. They must put up a good show of their talents.

Baili Jinchuan’s expression did not fluctuate at all. It was only when his gaze swept past Shen Ninghua that there was a slight ripple in his eyes.