Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 583 - 580: Acting First, Reporting After_1

"It’s not that serious, just to reduce unnecessary trouble." Bai Qingyan’s gaze shifted to the Crown Prince. "Now, ensuring the Crown Prince’s safe return to the capital is the top priority! If Your Highness is not reassured, you could have Fu Ruoxi personally lead half of the Anping Camp’s forces, along with his subordinate generals, to escort Your Highness back to the capital. Then, hand over the Anping Camp to Dengzhou’s Governor, Dong Qingyue."

Bai Qingyan thought of Lu Ping and continued, "Lu Ping brought three thousand soldiers from Dengzhou. They can temporarily stay in the Anping Camp, awaiting uncle’s arrival to take over. The military always adheres to rules, and not having a commander for a day or two won’t cause any chaos. With uncle Dong Qingyue taking charge of both the Dengzhou Army and the Anping Camp, if the Rong tribe were to make a comeback, the Jin Kingdom’s borders would be secure!"

There was one thing Bai Qingyan couldn’t say directly: never underestimate the military spirit and the bond forged in blood among comrades.

Otherwise, why could the Bai family command immediate response within the Bai family army? Why would the Bai family army sacrifice their lives to protect the Bai family’s generals?

Fu Ruoxi had controlled the Anping Camp for many years. Apart from being capable in battle, he lived among the soldiers, treating them as family. If Fu Ruoxi were killed now, someone in the army would seek revenge for him, making the Crown Prince’s journey to the capital extremely difficult.

Why make things difficult on the way back for no reason?

The Crown Prince nodded. "Princess of Zhen is right."

After saying that, the Crown Prince unfastened the sword from his waist and handed it to Bai Qingyan. "This is Solitary’s sword. On the way back to Dadu City, all matters are entrusted to Princess of Zhen. She may act first and report later."

Elder Fang looked at the Crown Prince and then at Bai Qingyan, gripping the reins tightly with a frown.

Bai Qingyan accepted the sword. "I swear to safely escort Your Highness back to the capital."

Soon, over two hundred Anping Camp soldiers led by Fu Ruoxi arrived in a swift gallop. Before the horses had completely stopped, Fu Ruoxi and his men dismounted and knelt with a salute to the Crown Prince. "Subordinate Fu Ruoxi greets the Crown Prince, Princess of Zhen!"

The Crown Prince glanced at Bai Qingyan, saw her nod, and withstood the discomfort of the long journey, dismounted, and personally helped Fu Ruoxi up. "General Fu, Father Emperor fell from his horse and is unconscious. I fear chaos in Dadu, so I came to the Anping Camp to ask General Fu to lead troops to escort me back to the capital."

Bai Qingyan followed the Crown Prince as he dismounted, standing beside him calmly, looking at Fu Ruoxi.

"Without the Emperor’s command, the Anping Camp cannot move! But with His Majesty unconscious, the Crown Prince, as the heir, should act in his stead. Fu Ruoxi faithfully follows Your Highness’s orders!" Fu Ruoxi said to show his loyalty. "Before I left the camp, I already ordered the drums to be struck and the troops assembled. We can depart with Your Highness immediately!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Qingyan looked up at Fu Ruoxi. Her eyes were cold and calm. Ordering the drums and assembling the troops before leaving the camp?

Fu Ruoxi had already received news from Dadu. The Emperor, unconscious, couldn’t send a message. Entrusting Dadu to Master Tan and the Eldest Princess, neither of them would spread such critical news. They would guard it until the Crown Prince returned.

The Fu family had long been marginalized in Dadu; it was impossible for them to send such important news to Fu Ruoxi now, nor did they need to!

Then... the only source of Fu Ruoxi’s information could be the Empress.

If that was the case, Bai Qingyan feared Fu Ruoxi couldn’t return to Dadu City with them gracefully.

"Very well!" The Crown Prince nodded, gripping Fu Ruoxi’s hand. "Regarding matters on the way back to the capital, Solitary entrusts everything to General Fu and Princess of Zhen. Solitary has ridden all night and is extremely exhausted, needing some rest. Solitary has entrusted Princess of Zhen with Solitary’s sword, granting her the authority to act first and report later. What she says is Solitary’s command."

The Crown Prince was aware that Bai Qingyan had also ridden all night. However, he couldn’t trust Fu Ruoxi. Right now, the person he trusted most was Bai Qingyan, only with her accompanying Fu Ruoxi could he be at ease.

Bai Qingyan clasped her hands in salute.

Fu Ruoxi glanced at Bai Qingyan, hesitating. He wanted to suggest Bai Qingyan rest too but feared the Crown Prince might overthink it, so he also assented.

Fu Ruoxi’s deputy quietly approached, standing behind him. Seeing the Crown Prince being helped onto his horse, he whispered, "What does the Crown Prince mean by saying that what Princess of Zhen says is what he commands?"

Fu Ruoxi remained silent. He noticed Bai Qingyan mounting her horse with a commanding presence. Avoiding her gaze, he quickly followed suit, guarding the Crown Prince to the Anping Camp.

Rumors had it that Bai Qingyan had aligned with the Crown Prince. Fu Ruoxi was skeptical. Having fought alongside her on the Northern Frontier, he knew her intelligence and integrity were unmatched. Such a figure shouldn’t be involved in factional strife.

However, the Crown Prince had stated that what Bai Qingyan said was his command. If the Crown Prince didn’t fully trust her, why would he give such an order?

Bai Qingyan rode alongside the Crown Prince, instructing the Dengzhou Army to enter the camp and stay close to the Crown Prince.

Fu Ruoxi escorted the Crown Prince into the camp, leading him to the command tent to rest. He waited for the soldiers to assemble before proceeding to the Dianjiang Terrace with Bai Qingyan.

The Crown Prince nodded and looked at Bai Qingyan again. "However, the Anping Camp cannot all go with Solitary to Dadu City. Half must remain to guard against the Rong tribe. The Anping Camp can be temporarily handed over to Dengzhou’s Governor, Dong Qingyue, until Solitary safely returns to the capital, and General Fu returns to the Anping Camp!"

Fu Ruoxi froze momentarily and then clasped his hands toward the Crown Prince. "But, Lord Dong is far in Dengzhou and would need a day at least to arrive! Your Highness should return to the capital as soon as possible to prevent any changes in Dadu. Does Your Highness intend to stay at the Anping Camp for another day?"

"Anping Camp has so many soldiers, why trouble Lord Dong!" Fu Ruoxi’s subordinate also bowed. "Though inferior in rank, I have followed General Fu for many years in the Anping Camp. When General Fu was leading troops to the Northern Frontier, I managed the Anping Camp without issues. This time, I am confident I can handle it!"

Military power is a commander’s lifeblood. Who would willingly let others control it? This was within Bai Qingyan’s expectations.

But since Bai Qingyan had come, she wouldn’t leave empty-handed.

Clutching the sword bestowed by the Crown Prince, Bai Qingyan subtly stroked its hilt. Frankly speaking, she came to seize command of the Anping Camp today.

Initially, Bai Qingyan intended to spare Fu Ruoxi, given their past battles.

However, if Fu Ruoxi stubbornly clung to his power and possibly colluded with the Empress...