Bai Zhi’er was awakened by Bai Xilie’s voice.
The little one rubbed her eyes and turned to look at Bai Xilie.
"Daddy?" Her drowsy voice was muffled, filled with a child’s confusion.
Bai Xilie looked around the inner hall but didn’t find a trace of Jing Jia.
He hurriedly walked to his daughter’s side and held her in his arms.
"Zhi’er, did your mother just come by?"
Bai Zhi’er’s round, adorable face was full of sleepiness.
Her voice was soft and delicate: "Daddy, were you dreaming? Mother is definitely at a place far, far away from us right now, how could she appear here?"
Bai Xilie was taken aback.
Could it have been his hallucination just now?
Because he missed his wife so much?
Bai Zhi’er freed a small hand and patted her father’s shoulder as if to comfort him.
"Don’t worry, Daddy, Mother told me that once she’s finished with her business, she’ll come back to see us!"
Bai Xilie closed his eyes, his handsome cold brows filled with a longing sorrow.
After a while, he sighed softly.
He placed his daughter back under the covers: "Zhi Bao, go to sleep, Daddy will stay here with you."
Bai Zhi’er nodded: "Daddy, don’t worry, Mother will come back!"
When the little one fell asleep again, Bai Xilie’s gaze remained deep and dark.
The room carried a faint aroma, unmistakably the scent of Jing Jia.
Bai Xilie summoned Feng Fuce alone in the Imperial Study Room. Chapters first released on novelFirｅ.net
"Has anyone else been secretly in contact with that fake princess Bai Yanyan recently?" Bai Xilie looked like he hadn’t slept well, his expression cold and grave.
Standing opposite him, Feng Fuce, with a slender figure, exuded an air of solitary pride.
Feng Fuce said blandly, "The Wei Family sent someone into the Wang Family’s house last night, and they came out an hour later."
Bai Xilie let out a cold laugh: "Even a Minister of Public Works can get tangled in this, it seems there are indeed many with wolfish ambitions beside me."
Feng Fuce neither agreed nor disagreed.
Leaning back in the Dragon Chair, Bai Xilie’s gaze was icy and chill as he commanded: "It’s spring, to welcome the Six Kingdoms Master Mo Yanchi, I plan to host a Jionglin Banquet in the Peach Forest outside the city."
"Spread the word that everyone is allowed to participate."
Feng Fuce slightly raised his eyes, looking at Bai Xilie.
He seemed to be pondering why the Emperor was so impatient.
Facing the young man’s gaze, Bai Xilie chuckled: "I don’t want to wait any longer, for someone like Bai Yanyan, there’s no need for me to exhaust myself. None of those noble families she’s drawn out can escape."
Otherwise, if we continue to indulge this, who knows where Jing Jia might see it and truly believe I’m unfaithful during our marriage!
Bai Xilie was resolute in his stance, and Feng Fuce, with no objections, agreed and left.
The news quickly spread.
The Emperor wants to welcome the Six Kingdoms Master Mo Yanchi, who has become the Master of Mingyang Academy.
Therefore, a Jionglin Banquet open to all is being hosted.
For the common people, this is truly a great opportunity to make an appearance.
Not only them, but even the powerful families are eager to join.
After all, at the Jionglin Banquet, if one is noticed and accepted by the Six Kingdoms Master Mo Yanchi as a disciple, it would be a miraculous fortune!
Moreover, even if they can’t connect with Mo Yanchi, doing something to gain the Emperor’s trust or favor would be another good achievement!
Bai Yanyan was especially delighted and secretly pleased.
At the Jionglin Banquet, she was determined to bring out that item and show it to everyone present, making Bai Xilie believe—
that she is the true princess!