Phoenix Reborn: the Prime Minister’s Scheming Daughter - Chapter 358

Bai Ruo uttered those words in a leisurely manner. However, no one could understand how she had been through all the ordeals. She survived in the brothel for so many years while maintaining her virginity. In the end, she escaped from the heavily guarded brothel, and she even fell into the valley and was bitten by poisonous snakes and insects. Until now, Shen Ninghua clearly remembered Bai Ruo’s ghastly pale face when she rescued her.

Shen Ninghua did not continue to ask her more questions since she knew what she wanted to know. “So, Qi Yuechan is indeed your birth mother. There is no denying of this. Moreover, your identity is special. Indeed, you cannot continue to be my maid.”

Bai Ruo’s face turned pale, and a trace of horror flashed through her eyes. “Miss, I don’t want to be the so-called princess from the previous dynasty, and I don’t want to have anything to do with the past. Please don’t abandon me.”

Bai Ruo had not enjoyed the honor of a princess for a single day, nor had she been properly been educated by the royal family. Every time she saw Shen Ninghua’s graceful action and gentle way of speaking, she felt that she was not qualified to be a princess. Now that her life was stable, she did not have any extra thoughts.

The time she spent with Shen Ninghua was the most peaceful time in her life. She did not have to worry about her own safety, nor did she have to worry about what would happen to her tomorrow. So what if she was a princess from the previous dynasty? Because of the useless title, she had suffered a lot. Now that she had become Shen Ninghua’s maid, she lived freely.

Shen Ninghua shook her head. “I didn’t want to chase you away. I told you that you can stay in the prefectural prince’s residence, but you can’t be my maid anymore. Bai Ruo, you are a princess from the previous dynasty, and this is something you can’t change no matter what because it is imprinted in your blood. Now that someone exposed your identity, they must be up to something. We can’t pretend that we don’t know anything about it.”

“Miss…”

“I will ask Bi Zhu to clean up a courtyard for you, and I’ll assign four maids and two nurses to serve you. As for the clothes and jewelry, I will get someone to buy them for you. You can stay at ease for now and don’t worry about other things. If anything happens, I will inform you in time.”

“Miss, I don’t need to be served by others, not even the clothes and jewelry…”

Shen Ninghua smiled and sighed. “You, Hong Ling, and the other two have suffered a lot working for me. I have long wanted you to have your own family…”

Hearing this, Bai Ruo became anxious and quickly lamented, “Miss, I have never thought of leaving you.”

“I didn’t say that I want to kick you out. You are different from Hong Ling and the others. They don’t have a sweetheart now, so they are naturally not in a hurry. Do you think you can keep me in the dark about you and Liu Yun?” Shen Ninghua teased. “Liu Yun is a good man. If you like him too, don’t keep him waiting.”

Bai Ruo’s face turned slightly red, and then it became extremely pale. “Although I’m a virgin, I came from a dirty place. Liu Yun is a good man. I am not worthy of him.”

Shen Ninghua’s gaze fell behind the screen at the side, and she slightly restrained the smile in her eyes. “Do you like Liu Yun?”

“I’m a human. Liu Yun took care of me so tenderly. Even if my heart is made of stone, I’m touched. But I’m not worthy of him…”

Shen Ninghua laughed. “I really admire the two of you. You clearly have feelings for each other, but you both say that you are not worthy of each other. This is really something.”

Startled, Bai Ruo quickly turned her head as she heard footsteps next to her. When she saw Liu Yun walking out from behind the screen, her face immediately turned red.

Liu Yun respectfully bowed to Shen Ninghua. “Please grant my wish, Master.”

Shen Ninghua smiled. “Since both of you understand each other’s feelings, you must grasp this opportunity well. Bai Ruo, as long as you have the intention, your identity and background are not a problem. You can keep the things I’ve prepared for you at ease and take them as your dowry. I won’t treat the four of you unfairly. Alright now, go out and find a place to have a good chat. When you come to a decision, come and tell me.”

“Yes,” Liu Yun answered readily.

Bai Ruo wanted to say something, but Liu Yun grabbed her wrist and pulled her out.

Shen Ninghua laughed. They slowly took their time in the past, but now, both of them were so anxious. After laughing alone for a while, she stopped, and the smile on her face gradually faded. The four of them had been by her side for a long time. They were loyal to her, and she was especially generous to them. It would be her bitter regret if any of them was hurt. Baili Jinchuan had grabbed her Achilles heel.

When Baili Junyi walked in and saw the slight frown in between Shen Ninghua’s eyebrows, he wanted to go forward and smooth the wrinkles. “Ninghua, I’ve already sent someone to keep an eye on them. If anything happens, I’ll tell you immediately.”

Shen Ninghua nodded. “I’m not worried about that.”

“Are you worried about Father Emperor?”

“Yes. We have dealt with Zhou City and obtained so much silver. Logically speaking, Father Emperor should have been proud of us, but now, it has not even caused a ripple.”

“I thought that he had forgotten about this matter because he had been mesmerized by Xia Jingxin. Now, it seems that things are not that simple.” Baili Junyi sighed slightly. Their trip back to the capital this time seemed so confusing and puzzling. It was as if everything was covered in a layer of fog. He could not see the sight; he could not understand the situation, and he could not find the direction.

When Baili Jinchuan returned to his mansion, a look of annoyance flashed in his eyes when he saw Yang Yingxue waiting at the gate. “Why are you here?”

Yang Yingxue also went to participate in the birthday banquet today. When she saw Baili Jinchuan coming in, she was so happy that she almost cried out. However, from the time he came in to the end of the banquet, he did not look at her at all. Even when the banquet ended, he didn’t walk toward her and come back with her.

She had been waiting at the gate after she returned. She had waited for nearly two hours before she saw him return to the mansion. “Your Highness, I know that you have returned, so it’s my job to wait for you at the gate.”

Baili Jinchuan looked at her face, and his eyes gradually became misty. It seemed that he was looking at something through her. The hatred and love in his eyes intertwined, and the contradiction was overwhelming. “Why are you still standing there? Come and help me in.”

Yang Yingxue’s heart skipped a beat. Suppressing the shyness, she went forward to support Baili Jinchuan. A strong smell of alcohol came to her nose, and she asked softly, “Your Highness, did you go to drink?” Had he stayed outside for so long because he went to drink after the banquet?

“Why? Do I need to get your permission to drink?” Baili Jinchuan fiercely shook off Yang Yingxue’s arm and reached out to pinch her chin. “Who do you think you are to control me? Just because you are my side concubine?”

Yang Yingxue’s face was pale, and her heart was in so much pain that it almost jumped out of her chest. “Your Highness, you are drunk. I don’t mean to control you…”

“Heh!” Baili Jinchuan sneered. He suddenly lowered his head and leaned close to Yang Yingxue’s ear as he whispered, “I can listen to you because of your face.”

“Face?” Yang Yingxue trembled slightly, and the coldness in her heart almost drowned her.

“Yes, face! Do you know how much your face resembles hers? The Xia Family’s daughters are all beautiful. This is something that is widely known in the capital.”

“My face resembles her? Your Highness, are you saying that I look like Princess Zhaohua?”

Upon the mention of “Princess Zhaohua”, Baili Jinchuan suddenly straightened up, and a trace of clarity flashing through his eyes. He turned away and strode into the residence. “Go back and stay in your courtyard. Don’t come out and walk around without my orders!”

Yang Yingxue stood rooted to the ground with tears streaming down her face. Was she grounded? “Your Highness, Shen Ninghua has already married to someone else and even has children. Don’t tell me you still can’t forget her.”

On the sixth day after the birthday banquet, Baili Junyi went to the morning court for the first time after recovering from his injuries. However, he did not come back for nearly four hours, and no one came back to deliver the news.

Shen Ninghua settled Big Boy and Baby Girl down and called Ye Yi over, “Go and take a look around the imperial palace. The moment His Highness comes out, inform me.”

“Yes, Princess.”

Ye Yi went to inquire about the news. He left for two hours, and Shen Ninghua waited anxiously in the mansion. Two hours later, he rushed back. “Miss, something happened in the Palace.”

“What’s wrong?”

“An assassin entered the Palace today, and he took advantage to assassinate His Majesty when the morning court ended. Fortunately, Second Prince stood to the side to protect His Majesty, so no one was injured. Now, the entire Palace is intensely guarded. No one is allowed to come out. They say that they are searching for the assassin.”

Shen Ninghua frowned, and a cold look appeared in her eyes. “What assassin has such ability to sneak into the Palace and assassinate His Majesty during court?”

“I can’t find out any detailed information.”

“I understand. You can leave now.”

After another two hours, Baili Junyi finally returned. His expression was very grave, and his entire body was covered with cold air. “Junyi, you’re back. How is the situation in the Palace?”

“Father Emperor was almost assassinated. The assassin had the mark of the previous dynasty on him. Father Emperor concluded that it was done by the former dynasty’s remnants.”

Shen Ninghua’s expression changed. “They just revealed Bai Ruo’s identity, and now the remnants of the previous dynasty are stirring up trouble. They are clearly coming for us.”

There were traces of flames in Baili Junyi’s eyes. “I also thought of it, but I don’t know what the person behind this wants to do.”

Shen Ninghua thought about it for a long time, and her expression flashed with a trace of determination. “No matter what the person behind this wants to do, we cannot be as passive as before.”

“You intend to take the initiative to strike?” Baili Junyi’s eyes lit up.

“Yes.” Shen Ninghua’s gaze turned cold. “Father Emperor believes that the assassination was done by the previous dynasty’s remnants. However, after such a long time, there are only a few people who still want to rebel. So many people have been wronged, so we must seek justice for them. We’ll begin tomorrow… No, today! Hong Ling, go and call Bai Ruo over!”

Bai Ruo walked in quickly. “Miss, do you want to see me?”

Shen Ninghua said in a serious tone, “Bai Ruo, now there is a chance in front of you. After you deal with it, you can live a peaceful life in the future. If you don’t handle it well, you may die soon. Are you willing to take the risk?”

“I am.” Bai Ruo looked at Shen Ninghua with eyes full of trust. She believed that Miss would not let her die for no reason.

Shen Ninghua smiled. “Good. From now on, you are the eleventh princess of the previous dynasty. You’re not a maid anymore.”