Chapter 875: After modification: 872: As a Matter of Course

Chapter 875: After modification: Chapter 872: As a Matter of Course

“General Lin and General Yang, your efforts are commendable!” Bai Qingyan nodded and then looked at the silent officials within the hall.

She knew what these officials were speculating in their hearts, they were wondering why Bai Qingyan had already defied the Imperial Edict and sent troops to Jiu Chong Tai even before entering Dadu City, forcibly ordered Jiu Chong Tai to stop construction, and rescued the children wanted by the Emperor. Such blatant disregard for the Emperor’s authority—could it be a rebellion?

Just as Bai Qingyan had guessed, the officials were disturbed…

Although what the Princess of Zhen was doing was not wrong, her overt defiance of the Imperial Edict and the Emperor’s authority inevitably led people to suspect that she harbored disloyal intentions.

If the Princess of Zhen indeed had thoughts of rebellion, intending to replace the current Lin imperial power, what could these powerless court officials possibly do?

With troops of the Princess of Zhen everywhere, many rebellious cities already surrendered to her forces, what more could they do?!

Which of the officials present hadn’t witnessed the Crown Prince’s groveling before King Liang? If they were to support such a king, which official would willingly do so?!

The downfall of the Lin imperial power was evident.

They admired the Princess of Zhen and were even willing to support her, but the premise was…she had to be a man. How could a woman govern a kingdom?

“Eldest Young Lady…” Bai Jinxiu took a timely step into the main hall, clasped his hands, and signaled to Bai Qingyan with his eyes, “Little Seven has arrived! He says it’s urgent and involves grandmother!”

Although Bai Jinxiu disliked Li Mingrui, he had to admit that Li Mingrui’s words were quite right. The matter of Eldest Young Lady becoming Emperor…required someone to take the lead, but the statement couldn’t come from Eldest Young Lady.

Bai Qingyan originally planned to confront the officials directly, but she understood Bai Jinxiu’s intention. Having come this far, all that was left was for Bai Qingyan to openly declare her decision to overthrow the Lin imperial power. Yet Bai Jinxiu did not want Bai Qingyan to be burdened with the name of a traitor; he wanted Bai Qingyan to progress further legitimately. However, she didn’t know that Bai Qingyan had her own plans.

“I know you have many doubts…” Bai Qingyan looked brightly at the ministers in the hall, “Please wait a moment… Bai Qingyan will definitely resolve your doubts! At present, the people’s hearts are unstable, and many things need rebuilding… Please discuss amongst yourselves and come up with a plan on how to stabilize the people’s hearts and the political situation! Also, how to rebuild the disaster-stricken areas around Chongshan Ridge and what measures to take. Although there are precedents for disaster relief, it still poses significant challenges for the people. I implore all of you to consider these matters carefully.”

Bai Qingyan clasped his hands towards the ministers and then walked out of the hall with Bai Jinxiu.

Immediately, the officials inside the hall burst into heated discussions. Some officials wanted to follow Bai Qingyan but were stopped by armed soldiers within the hall.

Minister of War Shen Jingzhong watched Bai Qingyan’s retreating figure, then turned and whispered to Prime Minister Lu, “If the Princess of Zhen truly intends to ascend to the throne, then…whether we agree or not is futile!”

Prime Minister Lu tightly pressed his lips together, responding after a moment, “But can you say that the Princess of Zhen is wrong? The Emperor’s edict…who can listen to it without feeling cold in their heart? We protested to the death but were cast into the Heavenly Prison, and King Liang? He only cares about ascending the throne, not the lives of the people. He even fears no one recording his deeds in history! Would you dare to pledge allegiance to such a ruthless Emperor?”

Shen Jingzhong lowered his eyes in deep thought.

“And then there’s the Crown Prince…” Prime Minister Lu shook his head when mentioning the Crown Prince.

“Better not to mention!” Shen Jingzhong couldn’t hide his disdain. Whenever he thought of the Crown Prince’s obsequious behavior towards King Liang, Shen Jingzhong could no longer recognize him as his lord.

Bai Qingyan stepped out of the hall, took off her helmet, and Bai Jinxiu promptly received it. She saw her eldest sister’s arm trembling, knowing that her eldest sister had fought with all her might for a swift victory, and surely must be injured.

With a gentle gaze, Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jinxiu: “Is it that grandmother encountered trouble or you fear that confronting the ministers directly about rebellion would lead to universal condemnation?”

“King Liang took grandmother, the deceased Emperor, and the Crown Prince out of Dadu City together!”

Upon hearing this, Bai Qingyan’s pupils tightened.

“Don’t worry, Eldest Young Lady, Ji Tingyu has already taken people to pursue them.”

Riding fast from the palace gate outside was Bai Jinse. She saw Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinxiu on the steps, leaped off her horse, nearly stumbled, and shouted “Eldest Young Lady!” as she hurriedly ran up the steps.

Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinxiu descended a few steps to meet her, and Bai Jinse’s eyes turned red upon seeing her eldest sister: “Eldest Young Lady…”

Bai Qingyan closely observed her younger sister, who had grown taller, and gently touched Bai Jinse’s head.

“Little Seven, didn’t Second Sister send soldiers to protect the Princess of Zhen’s residence? How did grandmother get taken by King Liang?” Bai Jinxiu asked urgently.

“King Liang threatened grandmother with the lives of the Emperor and the Crown Prince, so she left the Princess of Zhen’s residence and went with them. But Eldest Young Lady…grandmother had a deeper intention!” Bai Jinse tightly gripped Bai Qingyan’s hand, “Before leaving, grandmother spoke to Nanny Jiang and I overheard everything. Grandmother knew King Liang wanted to use her as a pawn. She went because she couldn’t bear to see Eldest Young Lady, whom she cherished most, overthrow the Lin imperial power. More importantly…she wanted to teach Eldest Young Lady the most crucial lesson of being an emperor: the heart of an emperor must be ruthless, and the blood of an emperor should be cold. One must sacrifice small interests for great compassion, personal feelings for the greater good, to become a mature emperor. The heart of an emperor must encompass the entire world, and at the peak of power, there is only national interest, leaving no room for personal honor or sentiment.”

Bai Jinse almost recited the Eldest Princess’s words verbatim to Bai Qingyan.

“Eldest Young Lady, grandmother has resolved to either protect the Lin imperial power with her life or…teach you the ruthlessness required of an emperor with her life.” Bai Jinse wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve.

Bai Qingyan was raised by the Eldest Princess. So when the Emperor issued the decree to seize children, when Bai Jinxiu besieged the Imperial City but delayed the attack, and when Bai Qingyan returned with troops, the Eldest Princess knew…the end of the Lin imperial power was near.

The Bai family did not rebel because they didn’t want the innocent people of Jin Kingdom to suffer, didn’t want the soldiers to die unnecessarily.

But now, not only did the Lin imperial power fail to protect the people, it intended to use their children to forge elixirs—one for immortality…one for a rightful exchange of the throne. And that Crown Prince…would likely obey if the Emperor commanded!

The Bai family army was established to protect and serve the people. Now that the Lin power harms them…the Bai family’s rebellion is justified.

“Eldest Young Lady, grandmother is the Eldest Princess of the Lin family, she is also our grandmother…and for her, this is the best choice she could make.” Bai Jinxiu didn’t want Bai Qingyan to feel sad, softly comforting her, “Grandmother’s protection of the Lin family is the same as our protection of the Bai family.”