"Your Highness, the Second Prince is notorious for his love of provocation. You must not let yourself be rushed into a rash decision simply because of his poisonous words." Qin Xiao Di advised politely, his voice calm and steady.
"Sigh... I am well aware of his tactics." Crown Prince Liu Jun admitted with a heavy sigh. "And yet, I cannot help but feel flustered when I have to listen to him speak in such a manner. He knows exactly where to strike."
"Your Highness, if I may... might I ask a question regarding the current situation?" Lee Hang interjected, stepping forward.
"Speak freely, Lee Hang. What is on your mind?" The Crown Prince, Liu Jun replied.
"The royal family's primary objective is to secure a formal engagement with the daughter of Great General Bai, correct? The goal is solely to ensure the General remains a loyal protector of our kingdom." Lee Hang stated, framing the situation logically.
"Precisely. My Imperial Father views it as a necessary anchor for the throne." Liu Jun nodded.
"Then, why must it be you? Why does not His Majesty simply engage 'someone else' to her instead?" Lee Hang asked, his voice dropping slightly as he offered the subtle hint.
"What exactly are you suggesting?" Liu Jun asked, his interest piqued by the shift in strategy.
"Your Highness could potentially dissolve your engagement with the Great General's daughter. Once free, you could persuade His Majesty to arrange a different match for her elsewhere." Lee Hang explained.
Qin Xiao Di frowned, playing devil's advocate. "But if she is engaged to one of the other princes, that prince might gain the full military backing of Great General Bai. His Highness would simply be trading one problem for a much more dangerous one."
"True,. Lee Hang conceded with a sly smile. "But what if she were engaged to someone who had absolutely no chance of ever sitting on the throne? That would be an entirely different story, wouldn't it?"
Liu Jun narrowed his eyes, the gears of his mind turning as he grasped the implication. "You mean... a cousin of lower rank? Or perhaps a minor noble?"
"Exactly, Your Highness." Lee Hang bowed, knowing the Prince had followed his train of thought to its conclusion.
"Hmm..." Liu Jun leaned back, considering the political fallout. "It is a risky play, but it has merit. I will find a time to discuss the feasibility of this matter with His Majesty."
Meanwhile, in the inner chambers of the Bai household, the atmosphere was far less diplomatic.
"Mother, she has laid hands on Huiling again! We cannot let this stand." Han Yunru cried out, practically vibrating with indignation as she stood before Old Madam Bai. "We must punish her immediately, Mother. If we don't, she will become completely unruly and bring shame to this family!"
Earlier, after Xiao Mei had frantically brought the battered and unconscious Bai Huiling back to her quarters, she had rushed to inform Han Yunru. The sight of her daughter's bruised face had sent Han Yunru into a murderous rage. She had spent a few moments clenching her fists by her daughter's bedside, whispering, 'That little bitch needs to be taught a lesson she'll never forget.' Unable to contain her fury, she had marched straight to Old Madam Bai's courtyard to demand justice.
Old Madam Bai's lips twitched with annoyance as she listened to the report of Bai Xifeng's latest outburst. 'Why has that girl become so utterly unpredictable lately?' She wondered.
"Mother... please! Huiling is your own flesh and blood, your granddaughter!" Han Yunru pleaded, desperate for the matriarch to take action.
"Will you be quiet for a single moment?" Old Madam Bai snapped, glaring at her daughter-in-law.
Han Yunru silenced herself instantly. Even after years of being married into the Bai family, the weight of her mother-in-law's authority still terrified her.
"Have you not noticed that there is something deeply unsettling about Bai Xifeng lately?" Old Madam Bai asked, her voice dropping to a suspicious whisper.
"Unsettling..." Han Yunru paused, reflecting on the changes.
She remembered how the girl had seemed to transform overnight, right after Huiling had gone to beat her three days prior.
"Mother, now that you mention it... I believe something unclean, some dark spirit, may have possessed her." Han Yunru whispered, her eyes wide with manufactured dread.
"You suspect the same?" Old Madam Bai's brow furrowed.
"She has become completely erratic. Her behavior, her strength... the way she was able to overpower Huiling, who actually has cultivated abilities, while she is supposed to be talentless? I am certain something has taken over her body." Han Yunru argued.
She knew she needed to poison the Old Madam's mind to get the result she wanted.
"I find it strange as well," Old Madam Bai mused, the seeds of belief taking root. "How could a girl with no ability defeat Huiling so easily?"
Seeing the Old Madam wavering, Han Yunru delivered the final blow. "Mother, you must act. If an unclean spirit is dwelling within our walls, who knows who it will target next? It might even come for you."
Old Madam Bai went deathly pale. Her own safety was her highest priority.
"I believe you are right," the Old Madam nodded firmly, her decision made. "We cannot allow a potential demon to roam our halls. We must take action."
"Mother, I suggest we summon a high-ranking priest to perform an exorcism and 'cleanse' Bai Xifeng," Han Yunru suggested, a triumphant glint in her eyes.
"Yes. Call for a priest at once," Old Madam Bai agreed quickly. "We shall see what remains of her once the spirit is driven out
***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. It breaks my heart when someone steals my hard work. Can you consider reading it on the original website for those who read my novel on another website besides w e b n o v e l .c o m, as your support to me? Thank you, from, your shameless author, ZerahNeko***
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