Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 747 - 744: Margin_1

Bai Qingyan sat in a sedan chair from Qinghui Courtyard to the main hall in the front yard. Li Mingrui had been waiting in the main hall for a long time.

Li Mingrui lowered his gaze, tightly gripping the hem of his robe, biting his teeth. His face didn’t look good. For Li Mingrui, the old man was different from other people. Apart from being a lifesaver for him and his mother, the old man was more like a senior to Li Mingrui. Although he didn’t talk much, he would always be a listener to Li Mingrui.

At home, his father, Li Mao, the Left Prime Minister, was very busy. His mother couldn’t understand him. Being the eldest son of the family, he was strictly demanded by his father and had high expectations from his mother.

There were some words he could only say to the taciturn old man.

The old man never commented on Li Mingrui’s words. But whenever Li Mingrui showed a bit of sadness, he would gently pat his head like a senior. Li Mingrui was very fond of the old man’s little warmth.

The dazzling sunlight shone on the reflective floor of the main hall of the Princess of Zhen’s residence. As the light dimmed, Li Mingrui looked up. His teary eyes had a faint green shadow, making it difficult for him to see Bai Qingyan, who arrived late.

"Minister Li, did you come alone?"

Hearing Bai Qingyan’s clear and clean voice, Li Mingrui quickly bowed: "Mingrui greets the Princess of Zhen."

Bai Qingyan held Zhenming’s hand and sat in the main seat. She looked at Li Mingrui with a slight smile: "Did the Left Prime Minister not make things clear to Minister Li, or does Minister Li think I am very idle?"

Li Mingrui glanced at the maid standing beside Bai Qingyan, who had no intention of leaving. He gritted his teeth, lifted his robe, and knelt in front of Bai Qingyan: "I do not know how Princess Zhen’s subordinate was injured?"

Bai Qingyan looked at Li Mingrui without speaking. It wasn’t until the maid brought a black-lacquered, gold-painted tray with tea and left that Bai Qingyan finally picked up the black-glazed tea cup, gently blowing on the hot steam: "Who dares to hurt my people, even a little, must pay with their life. Minister Li, decide whether to repay with the life of the entire Li family or just one person."

Li Mingrui closed his eyes. Sure enough, the Princess of Zhen wanted the old man’s life!

"Mingrui does not know how badly the princess’s subordinate was injured, but... the old man is just a servant following orders. The princess should blame Mingrui, not vent her anger on a servant! Mingrui understands that the princess spared the entire Li family because you might need us in the future. Mingrui is willing to serve faithfully for the princess of Zhen!"

The always proud and aloof Li Mingrui closed his eyes and kowtowed to Bai Qingyan.

"Minister Li, your words are amusing. The lives of the entire Li family are in my hands. Even if you are unwilling to serve me faithfully, if I order you to go east... would you dare to go west?" Bai Qingyan took a sip of tea and slowly put down the teacup. "Li Mingrui, you have no room to negotiate with me."

"Is the princess of Zhen willing to sacrifice my powerful and controllable father, a high-ranking official, for a mere servant? Mingrui believes he has some ability. When my father retires from the position of the Left Prime Minister, Mingrui will certainly make a difference in court. He could also become a pawn for the princess in the court. Long-term, the princess will need the Li family. Weighing the importance, the princess should not take the lives of the entire Li family for a subordinate. What the princess really wants is an explanation!"

Li Mingrui looked up at Bai Qingyan, who had a cold expression, and said coldly: "After all, the princess is now the butcher. My family is the fish and should have the awareness of being fish. If the fish dares to resist the butcher, the butcher will certainly show the fish her strength."

"You are very clever, Minister Li..." Bai Qingyan’s eyes held a hint of mockery. "But you are too clever. I have not touched your family because I do not want to disrupt the current stability in Dadu. It is not because... I want to use you! I made this very clear to the Left Prime Minister from the beginning. The personal letters from the Left Prime Minister and the Second Prince are not recent either. Apart from the matter with Wang Qiulu, have I ever asked you to do anything else?"

Li Mingrui clenched his fists: "Could it be that the princess is not waiting for a more important occasion to use the Li family?"

"What does your Li family have that I can use?" Bai Qingyan’s expression became calm and kind. "Minister Li, you overestimate the Left Prime Minister’s mansion. For me... you are irrelevant. I have the absolute trust of the Crown Prince, the future heir. Why would I bother with you?"

Li Mingrui’s throat tightened. Were the chips he thought he had really worth nothing to the Princess of Zhen, or... was she just bluffing him?

He gritted his teeth. No matter what, he could not abandon the old man, nor could he abandon the entire Li family.

"Since the princess insists on an explanation, I gave the order... I will take responsibility!"

With that, Li Mingrui suddenly pulled out a dagger from his waist.

"Miss, be careful!" Zhenming exclaimed, shielding Bai Qingyan with her body.

Shen Qingzhu, who had been listening at the door, suddenly jumped in from the window, drawing his sword...

But he saw Li Mingrui stab the dagger directly into his own abdomen. The sharp pain radiated from his belly. Li Mingrui clenched his teeth... his face turned red, and the veins on his forehead bulged.

Bai Qingyan gripped the armrest of her chair tightly, shocked but expressionless as she watched Li Mingrui.

Shen Qingzhu was also stunned and looked up at Bai Qingyan.

Li Mingrui propped himself up with one hand on the ground, trembling with pain. His eyes were bloodshot. He forced himself not to cry out. He closed his eyes, adjusted his rapid breathing, straightened up, and looked at Bai Qingyan: "Princess of Zhen... can this matter be settled?"

Bai Qingyan truly did not expect Li Mingrui to protect Shen Bozhong in this manner.

Although Li Mingrui lacked great morals, he still had some integrity.

Bai Qingyan waved her hand, signaling Zhenming to step aside and looked at Li Mingrui probingly: "Minister Li seems to have a deep relationship with this highly skilled person."

"Years ago, my mother and I were ambushed by long-waiting assassins on the outskirts of Jinjian City while returning home. The family guards, seeing they were no match, abandoned us and fled. It was the old man who sacrificed himself to save us. Mingrui admits he is not a gentleman, but he cannot be an ungrateful beast." Li Mingrui’s forehead was already covered with beads of sweat.

Shen Qingzhu put away his sword, coldly stared at Li Mingrui, and walked to Bai Qingyan’s side with a frown: "Miss..."

Jinjian City...

Bai Qingyan’s fingers gently rubbed together: "There’s such a thing? What year was that?"

Bai Qingyan seemed indifferent to Li Mingrui’s injury. She picked up her teacup as if she intended to have a long conversation with Li Mingrui.

Li Mingrui endured the intense pain from his wound and answered truthfully: "Six years ago."

Shen Qingzhu’s eyes widened and looked at Bai Qingyan. It was exactly six years ago...