Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 579 - 576: Don’t Be _1

The Empress had a legitimate son in her womb, believed to be the reincarnation of a sacred deer. If she harbored any ill intentions, he feared there would be many attempts on his life during his return journey.

The Crown Prince’s trembling hand clenched tightly, hidden in his sleeve, lest others see his fear.

He was the Crown Prince. He could be afraid, but he could not show it. freёnovelkiss.com

Steadying himself, the Crown Prince pondered. The Dengzhou Army indeed suffered a disastrous defeat this time. If they accompanied him back to the capital, Dengzhou would be left defenseless. The only force he could deploy was from Anping Camp.

However, Bai Qingyan shook her head as soon as the Crown Prince finished speaking, and said in a deep voice, "The caravan is too slow. Let Quan Yu lead the caravan ahead. Your Highness and I will ride swiftly to Anping Camp. We must not let the treacherous individuals in Dadu City get ahead of us and use the Emperor’s command to mobilize the Anping Army in a way that would be detrimental to Your Highness. I fear that even if we set off on horseback now, it might already be too late. There is no time to lose."

"Then... Princess of Zhen shall go first!" the Crown Prince said.

"No!" Dong Qingyue also spoke, his tone steady, "The Princess of Zhen is not the Crown Prince. Even with your command, General Fu may not dare to really hand over the troops to the Princess of Zhen. The Crown Prince must be present."

The Crown Prince’s throat tightened, his gaze wandering, unable to calm down. But when he saw Bai Qingyan’s usual calm demeanor, it was like a thunderclap in the stifling summer heat, snapping him back to clarity.

This was no time for hesitation. Just as Bai Qingyan had said, if he did not gain control of Anping Camp first, he would have no chance to defend himself against any charges of rebellion from Dadu City. Even the Crown Princess Consort, who carried his child, would not be spared.

Only if he had troops at his command would the people in Dadu City hesitate, waiting quietly for his return. It would be best if the Empress and King Liang had no rebellious intentions. If they did, he would still have a chance to fight.

"Alright! We will ride swiftly!" The Crown Prince nodded.

Seeing the Crown Prince’s resolve, Dong Qingyue shouted, "Prepare the horses!"

Bai Qingyan said to Dong Qingyue, "Uncle, the situation is urgent. I will return to the capital directly from the camp with the Crown Prince, and I won’t be returning to the Dong Mansion to bid farewell to grandmother. Please apologize to her on my behalf."

Dong Qingyue gazed into Bai Qingyan’s ink-black eyes and understood her meaning quickly. As soon as she finished speaking, he turned to the Crown Prince and said, "If, upon reaching Anping Camp, there are changes that endanger Your Highness, then... Changmao!"

Dong Qingyue turned and called out to Dong Changmao.

"Father!" Dong Changmao stepped forward, clasping his fists.

"Select three thousand men to escort the Crown Prince. If Anping Camp has changed, protect the Crown Prince and retreat to Dengzhou, no matter the cost!" Dong Qingyue instructed.

Before Dong Changmao could respond, Bai Qingyan interrupted, "Uncle, Changmao’s wounds have not healed. He may not withstand the strain of the journey. You need to remain in Dengzhou to guard against General Guimian of Nanrong. If Anping Camp has indeed changed, sending the injured Changmao could endanger the Crown Prince. If you trust Lu Ping, let him lead the three thousand men. If the journey to Anping Camp goes smoothly, let him return with the soldiers. However, you must be prepared for any scenario. At the very least, the Crown Prince should have some of the Dengzhou Army at his disposal, buying time to mobilize the Bai family’s army from the southern border."

Bai Qingyan’s words were quick and steady, clearly thought out, which calmed the Crown Prince even more.

"Lu Ping once served with me in the Bai family’s army. I trust him. What do you think, Your Highness?" Dong Qingyue looked at the Crown Prince respectfully.

Lu Ping quickly clasped his fists and saluted the Crown Prince.

"Let it be as the Princess of Zhen has said!" The Crown Prince looked at Bai Qingyan solemnly. "I... trust the Princess of Zhen and Lord Dong!"

Bai Qingyan and Dong Qingyue bowed deeply to the Crown Prince. They both understood that the Crown Prince was not trusting them out of choice but because of the pressing situation.

Dong Qingyue gripped the sword at his waist and shouted toward Dianjiang Terrace, "Sound the horns! Mobilize the troops!"

From the top of Dianjiang Terrace, the solemn and deep sound of horns echoed.

Several pitch-black horses, led by a man, galloped from the camp, kicking up dust.

The entire camp burst into action. Armored soldiers heard the horns and grabbed their long shields, assembling in the training ground in an orderly chaos.

The Crown Prince swallowed as he watched the soldiers rushing to assemble amid the swirling dust, their faces urgent.

Even though the Crown Prince had led troops to the southern battlefield, he had always stayed in the rear. It was Bai Qingyan who fought at the front lines. He had never seen such a scene himself. Soldiers were running and assembling in the dust, and the sounds of their footsteps, their shouts, the horses neighing, and the horns all mixed together, making his ears buzz. It felt like opening his mouth would fill it with sand.

Seeing this scene, the Crown Prince feared the horses galloping through the camp might injure someone. His feet unconsciously stepped backward, his panic growing. He instinctively looked at Bai Qingyan, who, still calm, was discussing with Dong Qingyue the plans for relief if there was any unrest at Anping Camp.

Bai Qingyan said to Dong Qingyue, "Uncle, you must be prepared. If Anping Camp is indeed in turmoil, you will need to lead troops to rescue the Crown Prince and pacify the camp. The capital cannot afford any further disturbances at Jin Kingdom’s borders, otherwise the kingdom will be in grave danger!"

Dong Qingyue nodded, "We will use signal flames! I will have people monitor Anping Camp’s movements at all times!"

Seventeen pitch-black warhorses charged through the camp. The leading rider dismounted in a swift leap, knelt down on one knee, and saluted. "Your Highness, Princess, General, the horses are ready!"

"Then we entrust this to you, Uncle!" Bai Qingyan said, grabbing the reins of a horse and looked at the sweating Crown Prince. "Your Highness! Mount the horse!"

The Crown Prince hurriedly grabbed the reins, but his nerves made his foot slip from the stirrup.

"Your Highness!" Bai Qingyan grabbed the Crown Prince’s arm, seeing his panic, she squeezed his arm tightly and steadied him. "Your Highness, you are the Crown Prince! In such chaotic times, you must not be chaotic! I will protect you with my life! Trust me! Trust Master Tan and grandmother to hold Dadu for you until you return to the capital to take charge."

The Crown Prince nodded, swallowing hard, and was helped onto the horse by Bai Qingyan.

"Lu Ping, leave some men behind. I will go ahead with the Crown Prince to make arrangements. Follow with the remaining troops!" Bai Qingyan ordered.

"Lu Ping obeys!" Lu Ping clasped his fists.

"Bai family guards! Mount up!" Bai Qingyan called, flipping herself onto a horse.

The personal guards accompanying the Crown Prince also mounted their horses.

"Older cousin!" Dong Changmao suddenly called out, tossing a silver spear to Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan caught the spear and looked toward Dong Changmao.