225 Chapter 98 The jade that represents the heir to the throne Part I
“…O…Ouch…”
Clang!
The golden hairpin that was raised high, aiming at her chest, slid out of her grip as a pang in her abdon shocked her. Bai Yu put her hand on the cause of the pain, and after a mont of clarity, she realized there was a slight bump from within her womb.
A kick?
“…Hic…” The tear that had almost dried started falling again when the thump beneath her palm quickened, although it was not as forceful as the first ti that had awoken her and made her let go of the hairpin.
She ca here to change fate. Even though that sa horrible fate had repeated itself, this ti she was not alone… She still had two other lives with her all along.
But what was she thinking?
What have you done, Bai Yu?!
She…was trying to commit suicide again?
.....
In every life before this, she chose death as her way out. This life was included… How foolish! It was not fate that had repeated itself, but rather her cowardly and foolish thoughts!
“…I’m sorry…hic…”
Two little lives that were struggling to kick were pacified as soon as she uttered an apology. Bai Yu caressed her stomach as she whispered low. Tears welled up in her eyes from guilt. “Mother’s sorry.”
From her lips, swollen red from her attempt to suppress her sobs were repeated apologies to the two lives that had been with her from the start. She did not realize in the monts before that she was carrying them within her. How fortunate she was to have them with her, to have them remind their mother not to surrender to fate… If she could persevere, there would be three lives waiting for her.
One was Ouyang Feilong.
And the other two were the children who had made her realize.
“Ah-Zhen.”
She wiped the tears cleanly off her face as she whispered, calling for her shadow guard. Her voice was low, but it was heard clearly by the other person. The tall figure in the dark quickly stepped out of the shadow after watching his mistress weeping for a while.
Had Bai Yu not put down the phoenix hairpin, Ah-Zhen would have had to watch her kill herself before taking his own life.
Shadow guards were born to protect their masters. They could not interfere with any decision made by their master, be it good or bad. This ti, it was fortunate for him that Bai Yu suddenly changed her mind.
“I am here.”
“You are bengong’s servant, correct?” She glanced at the man who had once served Ouyang Feilong as his shadow guard.
“Indeed, I am.” Though their eyes did not et, Bai Yu was reassured by the firmness in his voice that he would be loyal only to her.
“Then listen to bengong’s order…” The significant command was given in a cold and solemn tone. It was as if she was a different person from the woman who had been crying.
“Your Majesty.”
This was the first ti that Ah-Zhen spoke to her first. Bai Yu stared at the mysterious man in surprise. “What is it?”
“His majesty…” The man cloaked in darkness relayed a ssage to her before disappearing into the shadow again to carry out the task she had given.
Bai Yu collapsed onto the floor. Her mind returned to the foolish act she had done, feeling as if it was a scene in a dream. Now, Bai Yu had awoken to reality.
No matter what happened, she would no longer escape. This life, she would live on and fight against it.
Even without Ouyang Feilong, she still had her children, who had been waiting to et her for over many lives.
She only wished that the fate and karma of this life would be the last.
——————
After the Emperor’s order was announced in front of Empress Bai’s palace, the court officials were not placated. Instead, chaos broke out. The Yue family raised a petition asking for justice for Empress Bai while at the sa ti volunteering to investigate Bai Hua’s miscarriage.
Originally, this was Bai Yu’s responsibility. However, because of Ouyang Feilong’s order, it beca Empress Dowager Wei’s, as she had the sa level of power within the inner court. At the sa ti, Ouyang Feilong did not specify that he could assign the investigation to Empress Dowager, causing the Wei family to beco anxious and hand in a petition asking to be given the duty to investigate. The petition was denied. Both the Bai family and the Wei family were involved in the matter, so none could be allowed to handle the investigation.
The Yue family was a preferable option, yet the Emperor had not uttered a word of command.
After the incident, Ouyang Feilong did not stay overnight at Bai Yu’s palace. He rarely had a chance to sleep as the court officials on the Yue family side and Bai Yu’s father alternately ca to kneel, asking for justice for Bai Yu.
It had been a full seven days since Ouyang Feilong had remained quiet regarding the matter. He did not order an investigation, as if he felt nothing at the loss of an heir. Yet he did not take back his order to take away Bai Yu’s power. His silence made courtiers of both the Bai and Yue families uneasy, fearing that the judgnt had been made.
A problem within the royal family beca a war within the court. On the first hand, the Wei family of Taizi Ouyang Mingxian and, on the other hand, the Bai family of Empress Bai, with clear support from the Yue family.
The throne’s stability was only established, yet was quickly shaken by Bai Hua’s tragic news. Furthermore, the empress was involved as well. The court officials broke into two sides, no different from when the throne was left empty by Ouyang Hongxian.
Ouyang Feilong had faced a true crisis…
“Your Majesty, Bai Tai Fei requests an audience.”
“Bai Xue?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Let her in.”
Shortly after, the lithe form of Bai Yu’s first guest appeared. Bai Xue courteously curtsied. Bai Yu broke into a fake smile as she waved her hand, dismissing the servants from the room.
“Didn’t his majesty forbid anyone from seeing ? How could you co here?” The smiling fa?ade instantly broke and was replaced by the unpredictable tone of the woman who was effectively grounded.
“His Majesty has asked to keep you company.”
Bai Yu frowned. It was Ouyang Feilong who told Bai Xue to keep her company?
Then what did that royal decree an?
Was he trying to make it up to her after the fact?
Did he have a hidden agenda?
Could she still trust him?
Various questions appeared in the mind of the woman who was kept in the dark.
“That incident is a critical one. His majesty could not rush to make a decision. But what is most important right now is your physical and ntal wellbeing, which can affect the dragon heir. As your younger sister, I was ordered to visit you occasionally so that you could have a conversation partner to relax with.”
He was worried about her ntal health, even though he was the one who put her under house arrest?
“Thank you. I am fine.” She was not in the mood to converse with her sister as Ouyang Feilong had wanted. The result of the task she had told Ah-Zhen to do would co today, and she was more interested in it than drinking tea and talking while sitting among flowers.
“Sister, I hope you don’t truly think that I follow his majesty’s order only because I want to talk to you.” Bai Xue’s cool tone quickly attracted Bai Yu’s attention.
The villainess arched a brow. “Then do you have any plans other than sitting around and talking?”
She had thought that the Bai family would not be of much help. However, she had neglected one woman from the Bai family who had the most freedom within the inner court.
“Of course, there is a plan.” Bai Xue softly laughed at Bai Yu’s straightforwardness. “But before that, why don’t we negotiate our terms first, sister?”
“What do you want?” A person such as Bai Xue would never help Bai Yu without asking for sothing in return.
“I have told you that I’ll help you in exchange for one thing. That thing is the most powerful position in the inner court.”
Bai Yu frowned. “Do you an this…” The most powerful woman in the inner court did not continue. She only drew her finger onto the table, writing out what Bai Xue desired. Her half-sister nodded, affirming that, indeed, that was what she wanted in return for helping Bai Yu.
The villainess was quiet for a brief while because of an unexpected answer from Bai Xue.
“Why don’t I tell you sothing to make the decision easier, sister.”
Bai Yu did not reply, only remained silent to listen to Bai Xue reveal sothing she had overlooked. She never knew that the answer to everything had been with her all along.
The purple jade bracelet that Bai Xue had ntioned at first. Who would have known of the multitude of anings Ouyang Feilong had entrusted within it.
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