Chapter 627
“Father, don’t think that your daughter only holds personal grudges, so I’m asking you to split your forces to kill Bai Qingyan at this moment! I truly believe that Bai Qingyan could disrupt your grand plan. More importantly… if Bai Qingyan dies now, the Eldest Princess will surely blame King Xin and won’t suspect us. This is all to our advantage without any harm.”
Didn’t King Xian understand his own daughter? Clearly, she was seeking revenge for personal grievances.
“Alright, alright, you don’t need to worry about this. The Emperor has already sent someone to keep an eye on Princess of Zhen’s residence. This morning, except for sending someone back to Shuoyang with peace notices, Bai Qingyan hasn’t left the city. Rest assured! If Bai Qingyan makes any sudden moves, the Emperor will certainly look into her. But acting against Bai Qingyan now, if she were to miraculously escape, it would be detrimental to our grand plan! Our objective is to have you sit on the Empress’ throne; the overall situation is more important!” King Xian spoke earnestly to Liu Ruofu.
Liu Ruofu bit her lip, frowning.
King Xian’s personal attendant ran into the main hall courtyard and bowed to King Xian: “Your Highness, King Liang has arrived!”
Liu Ruofu felt disgusted upon hearing “King Liang” and turned away with a flick of her handkerchief, unwilling to look at King Liang’s weak appearance.
King Xian shook his head at his daughter’s back and said: “Quick, invite King Liang to the main hall.”
Liu Ruofu paused at the corner and, covering her mouth, told her close maid: “Go and invite General Xiao Wang!”
“Yes!” Liu Ruofu’s maid replied and hurried away.
The maid knew well that General Xiao Wang, the eldest son of General Wang, had admired Commandery Princess Liu Ruofu since childhood. Originally, he planned to seek marriage after achieving military merit, but who knew… Liu Ruofu would end up marrying King Liang.
Previously, when General Wang brought General Xiao Wang to the capital for Liu Ruofu’s wedding, General Xiao Wang privately met with her, claiming King Liang was too weak for Liu Ruofu and wanted to elope with her.
Later, General Xiao Wang learned that King Xian was gradually placing the Nandu army into Dadu City to help King Liang ascend the throne and make Liu Ruofu the Empress. He then gave up the idea of eloping.
Now Liu Ruofu was asking for General Xiao Wang, likely to have him kill Princess of Zhen for her.
Sure enough, when Liu Ruofu met General Xiao Wang, she asked him to secretly lead troops to Princess of Zhen’s residence and ensure her death.
Though General Xiao Wang adored Liu Ruofu, he wasn’t without a brain. Worried about sabotaging King Xian’s grand plan, he hesitated. Liu Ruofu said: “Don’t forget, there are twenty thousand Anping soldiers outside the city. Princess of Zhen is a skilled leader who has won several battles with fewer soldiers. Father may underestimate women, but I can’t let anything go wrong! If something does go wrong, it won’t just be Father, me, and King Liang who die; loyal generals and uncles who watched me grow up like family will die too!”
Tears glistened in Liu Ruofu’s eyes as she dabbed them with a handkerchief, looking steadfastly at General Xiao Wang: “So, I’m asking you to help! If you don’t want to, I won’t force you. I’ll just go die with Bai Qingyan, and this cursed child inside me will never be born.”
“Commandery Princess, please!” General Xiao Wang’s face turned pale, and he quickly said, “I will do as you say and handle the matter. Please don’t worry!”
Liu Ruofu wiped her tears and bowed to General Xiao Wang: “I entrust everything to you, General Xiao Wang!”
However, instead of immediately leading troops to Princess of Zhen’s residence, General Xiao Wang went to the front hall and told his father what Liu Ruofu had entrusted him while King Xian took King Liang to the study.
General Wang thought for a moment and then approved his son’s plan: “I always knew you had feelings for the Commandery Princess, but remember to keep those feelings hidden. After all, she is to become the Empress. Solving her problems will also pave a smoother path for you! Be cautious! Make sure no one from Princess of Zhen’s residence escapes!”
“Father, since I’m new to the capital, I plan to disguise as King Xin’s men to act. This way, even if someone escapes, it won’t affect our grand plan!” General Xiao Wang said.
“You’ve thought it through. Go!” General Wang patted his son’s shoulder. “Be careful. Princess of Zhen’s archery is precise. Don’t underestimate her just because she’s a woman! The guards from the Bai family are veterans, not easy to deal with!”
“I understand!”
After responding, General Xiao Wang turned and walked towards the courtyard exit.
·
Today, Bi Heng led the imperial guard to attack the Imperial Palace. All of Dadu City knew, and the people hid in their homes, afraid to go out.
Noble families’ women and men gathered together, not daring to leave their residences.
Officials, ready for the morning court, stayed inside, guarding their gates against unexpected events and gathering their women and children in the innermost parts of their homes. Some even hid their children in secret chambers.
Mrs. Liu, the second wife of the Duke of Zhen, woke up startled by the commotion. Planning to go to Changshou Courtyard, she learned the Eldest Princess went to the palace last night without informing anyone. Unsure, she went to Qinghui Courtyard instead.
Coincidentally, the seventh daughter, Bai Jinse, also came to Bai Qingyan’s courtyard.
Feeling uneasy, Mrs. Liu said: “How did this sudden attack on the Imperial Palace happen?”
“King Xin claims the Crown Prince plotted to harm the Emperor to seize the throne. The Crown Prince says… King Xin plotted to harm the Emperor to kill him and seize the throne. They started fighting!” Bai Qingyan explained in a way Mrs. Liu could understand.
“Will this affect us? Should we bring Jinxiu, Brother Wang, and Qin Lang here? Gathered together, we’ll feel braver!” Mrs. Liu clutched her handkerchief, panic-stricken.
“Aunt, don’t worry. I’ve instructed Uncle Ping to tell Jinxiu not to leave the residence. King Xin and the Crown Prince are fighting for the throne and won’t indiscriminately kill in Dadu City. After all… the officials now are loyal to the Lin family. Neither wants a reputation for slaughtering officials’ families before taking the throne,” Bai Qingyan reassured Mrs. Liu.
Bai Qingyan’s reasoning made sense, and Mrs. Liu understood, but without her daughter, grandson, and son-in-law nearby, she couldn’t help but worry about their safety in such turmoil.
“Besides…” Bai Qingyan’s eyes shone with a steely glint, “Our residence may be more dangerous than Qin Mansion! It’s best not to let Brother Wang and Jinxiu return!”
“King Xin might fear the Eldest Young Lady leaving the city to support the Crown Prince with the twenty thousand Anping soldiers outside, and send someone to kill her?” Bai Jinse’s fists clenched, and she shivered suddenly.