"What nonsense are you spouting!" Bai Siruo cried out in distress, her movement pulling at the wound on her back. Her inner garment slipped, revealing a large expanse of bruises and swollen whip marks on her back to Xiao Muqian's eyes.
Bai Siruo, feeling shy, wanted to call for Haitang, but Xiao Muqian stepped forward and pulled her inner garment back up to cover her.
He crouched down in front of her, looking at Bai Siruo for the first time so closely, as if trying to engrave her image in his heart.
"I am not speaking nonsense. Since I dared to swear an oath, I will not break it. You should stay home and recuperate. Do not concern yourself with the wild rumors outside. Those who harmed you, I will not let any of them go!"
As he spoke, a glint of ferocity flashed in his eyes, making Bai Siruo's heart pound with fear.
Her impression of Xiao Muqian had always been that of a refined and reticent man, but she had forgotten that he had grown up in the Liangzhou army since childhood, unlike the superficial fighters in the Eastern Capital.
Being protected in such a way, Bai Siruo's eyes welled up with tears of gratitude.
She then explained solemnly, "I have no connection with that Lu Yuanfeng. He only saved me a few years ago, which is why I wanted to help him find an imperial physician. I never expected him to..."
"I believe you."
No flowery words, just three simple words that shattered Bai Siruo's seemingly strong heart.
Since the incident, she had carried too much regret, remorse, self-blame, and sadness in her heart, but she had endured it all. Even when her mother cried heartbrokenly by her bedside, she feigned strength.
Only now, in front of Xiao Muqian, could she truly let go of everything. She lowered her head and buried it in the quilt, and soon, muffled sobs could be heard. Xiao Muqian held her exposed hand, silent, yet his silence conveyed more than a thousand words.
The turmoil at the Bai family had not yet subsided, but the impeachment in the imperial court grew more severe.
Yesterday's events at the Bai family had been widely spread, but no matter how one looked at it, it was a domestic affair. At most, the Bai family would be accused of lacking private virtue and failing to discipline their children. However, the Lin family was different. They had mobilized the Capital Garrison to search for the lost daughter of the Bai family, which was a serious crime!
Thus, in the imperial court, the officials impeaching Lin Wang spoke one after another with sharp tongues, eager to condemn the entire Lin family for treason. Emperor Qi found it annoying at first, and his expression grew increasingly displeased.
"Enough! You all want to impeach my loyal minister Lin, but ultimately you want me to condemn him. But I have already had him beaten last night and fined his salary, ordering him to reflect at home. What more do you want?"
"Your Majesty, General Lin's actions are tantamount to disregarding the laws of the court. If the punishment is merely this, it might make people think Your Majesty is benevolent, and others will follow suit in the future. Will the guards of the capital then be under the command of their generals and disobey the king's orders? How can this be allowed!"
The speaker was a member of the Duke of Wei's faction, who was the most ruthless in this impeachment.
If they could remove Lin Wang from his position as Commander of the Capital Garrison and install their own people, wouldn't the entire Eastern Capital be under their control?
The more he thought about it, the more fiercely he impeached, feigning the appearance of a loyal minister speaking his mind, which made Emperor Qi feel disgusted.
"Is it not good for me to be benevolent? If I were not benevolent, with all the dirty deeds you have done, you would have deserved to die ten or a hundred times over."
As Emperor Qi spoke these words, his gaze was directed at the Duke of Wei, the warning evident.
The official, who had been righteous and determined to offer his counsel, suddenly froze. Then, with a gentle glance from Emperor Qi, his face turned ashen, and he prostrated himself on the ground, not daring to speak another word.
The results of Meng Da's overnight investigation were as the Bai family had stated. The Duke of Wei had instigated the kidnapping of the Bai family's daughter. Now, rumors were rampant outside, completely ruining the reputation of the Bai family's daughter. If Bai Siruo were truly forced to death, the Bai family and the Wei family would be in an irreconcilable conflict.
Having been an emperor for many years, he had mastered the art of balancing power and the way of the ruler in the imperial court.
He needed to both warn and counterbalance, so on this matter, he had to lean towards the Bai family and not let the Wei family have their way. Thus, he spoke with no room for doubt.
"In this matter, Lin Wang had his reasons and has already shown remorse. I have punished him and beaten him. If anyone insists on pursuing this, then let them take the position of Commander of the Capital Garrison. If even a single thief or ruffian appears in the capital, I will execute their entire nine generations!"
Upon hearing this, the ministers who had been loudly offering their counsel lowered their heads.
When water is too clear, there are no fish. Moreover, in a place where people reside, how could there be no bad people?
This was clearly Emperor Qi's way of protecting the Lin family.
As subjects, if they were to go against their lord, they would either be solitary ministers who died in their counsel or rebels plotting treason. They were neither. The reason for their actions was merely to gain promotion and higher office.
The Duke of Wei also realized that the matter had likely been exposed. The most important thing now was the Ninth Prince's expedition. If that were delayed, their plans would be difficult to achieve.
Since Emperor Qi intended to protect the Bai family, he decided to take a step back. He said to Emperor Qi, "Your Majesty, there seem to be different interpretations of the matter of Prime Minister Bai's granddaughter being captured in the marketplace. To protect the Bai family's reputation, I implore Your Majesty to clear these rumors and restore the Bai family's daughter's innocence."
They were all old foxes of many years, and although the words were not fully spoken, the meaning was understood by both sides.
Since the Wei family had conceded, they naturally had to offer some favor to the Bai family. After a moment of thought, Emperor Qi directly issued an order, "Transmit my decree, immediately confer upon the Bai family's daughter, Bai Siruo, the title of County Princess, with the honorific title of Anping, and grant her the fiefdom of Qizhou. When Muqian returns from the expedition, she may be prepared for marriage with the same provisions as a royal princess. As for the villain who kidnapped her, they are likely remnants of rebels at work. Prime Minister Bai has served the Great Jin for half his life and has become their target. They could not deal with him, so they attacked the Bai family's daughter. How hateful and deserving of death!"
As he said this, his eyes narrowed, and he said to the Duke of Wei, "This matter will be entrusted to you, Duke. Ensure that all the remnants and their accomplices behind this are thoroughly investigated!"
Cleaning up one's own mess. Everyone who understood understood Emperor Qi's actions, and they once again shouted their cheers of "Long live!" like a tidal wave.
When the imperial decree arrived at the Bai family, it was delivered with gongs and drums.
The common people who had come to watch the spectacle did not see the adulterous man they expected, nor did they see the Bai family punishing their eloping daughter. Instead, they heard the news of the Bai family's daughter being promoted.
The previous title of County Mistress was merely a pleasant-sounding name, but the current title of County Princess came with a fiefdom, making her even more formidable than her mother, Princess Wenyi.
This could be considered a turn of fortune after misfortune, a resurgence from despair.
After the Bai family received this grace, the rumors in the marketplace changed direction.
Some said that Prime Minister Bai had confiscated a corrupt and oppressive noble family while serving in another region years ago, thus incurring their resentment.
Some said that the children of that family had come this time for revenge against the Bai family, and that was why they had kidnapped her.