Chapter 80
King Xin’s face instantly lost all color. If Bai Qingyan’s words spread and were known to the public, they would certainly become the greatest obstacle on his path to the throne!
“What a vicious woman!” King Xin trembled all over with rage, pointing at Bai Qingyan and roaring, “Someone! Cut her to pieces!”
“I’d like to see who dares!” Bai Jintong drew his sword and stood in front of Bai Qingyan, his pair of fierce eyes sweeping over King Xin’s personal guards.
“King Xin, watch your words!” Mrs. Dong hurried forward to protect her daughter, standing at the forefront with the authority of the mistress of the house. “If the Bai family’s loyalty and bravery in battle are truly crimes, then let His Majesty decide after reviewing the military records! But before His Majesty condemns, they are all heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country! King Xin, if you show disrespect and then kill the widow of the Bai family, are you not afraid of the people’s condemnation?!”
Bai Jinzhi, injured and tasting blood in her mouth, was full of overwhelming murderous intent. Together with the Bai family’s guards, she moved forward, ready to fight King Xin to protect Bai Qingyan.
But Bai Qingyan, already enraged beyond control, yanked Bai Jintong back and took two steps forward, pressing her chest against the guard’s sword at King Xin’s mansion. Her imposing murderous aura forced the guard to retreat a step. ƒreewebɳovel.com
…
“Kill me?! Come on!” she screamed hoarsely, her eyes surging with a destructive madness. “In broad daylight, under the clear skies, let the world see how the princes of the Jin Imperial Family treat the martyrs’ orphans! Let everyone see… what kind of end awaits those who fought and died for the Jin Kingdom! My spirit will stand here with eyes wide open… watching who dares to fight for the Jin Kingdom in the future! Who dares to die for the Jin Kingdom! Who will dare to protect your Lin family’s dynasty!”
Xiao Rongyan stood amongst the crowd, appearing as if he were an outsider. His deep, somber eyes concealed a subtle light.
Others might not understand, but he could see… today, Bai Qingyan’s reason had vanished the moment the seventeen heads of the Bai family fell. Her words were increasingly seditious, aggressive, and terrifyingly sharp.
King Xin, intimidated by Bai Qingyan’s presence, was drenched in sweat. Seeing the infuriated commoners stepping forward, seemingly unafraid of death, they assumed a stance of aligning with Bai Qingyan against his guards. King Xin’s throat convulsed as he retreated. “Are you… you wretched people trying to rebel?!”
The commoners noisily surged forward, eager to flay King Xin… each one burned with fighting spirit, making King Xin feel unsettled and weak. He tried to maintain a facade of calm but couldn’t help but step back.
Words are powerful, and King Xin wasn’t unaware. Today, he had assumed that all the men of the Bai family were dead… and had grown arrogant.
Just as King Xin didn’t know how to respond, a eunuch rode in hastily, his sharp voice calling out, “His Majesty decreed… King Xin, go to the palace immediately for questioning! His Highness, King Xin, please follow me urgently to the palace!”
King Xin, troubled over how to escape, realized his father had sent someone to rescue him. He quickly knelt and bowed respectfully. “Your son accepts the decree!”
King Xin stood up, pointed viciously in Bai Qingyan’s direction, and then got onto the eunuch’s carriage, heading toward the Imperial Palace.
The entire Bai family, their eyes bloodshot with hatred, watched King Xin’s departing carriage, clenching their fists tightly.
“Grandfather! My grandfather… your grandson has just returned to the Bai family, and you have not even seen me. How could you leave… grandfather!”
A sudden cry broke out. Bai Qingxuan knelt and crawled towards the Duke of Zhen’s coffin, shouting and crying, seemingly afraid that others wouldn’t know he was the Duke of Zhen’s grandson.
Bai Qingxuan had been carried to the southern gate of the city by a servant who sought favor with the Bai family. Seeing the tense standoff between the Bai family and King Xin, he quietly hid and remained silent. Only after King Xin left did he display this seemingly heart-wrenching stance.
“Duke! How could you leave! Your grandson Bai Qingxuan has just returned to recognize his roots… how could you leave!” The woman wept and beat her chest, crying out in grief.
Mrs. Dong’s eyes darkened. Coldly, she watched the mother and son, who were making a scene, with deep annoyance. “What’s all the commotion?!”
“How can you say that, Lady Wife of the Heir! This is not a scene! My son Qingxuan is the Duke’s grandson… the Duke is no longer here, so naturally, Qingxuan must come to greet him!” The woman clutched her chest, feigning heart-wrenching grief. “Lady Wife of the Heir came early in the morning with the Bai family widows to welcome the Duke at the south gate. Why didn’t you call my son? Is it possible that just as the Duke and the Second Master passed away… you are in a hurry to drive us mother and son out of the Zhen Family’s house?!”
“Grandfather! Now that you’re gone, what will your grandson do!” Bai Qingxuan kneeled before the Duke’s coffin, hitting the thin, paper-like casket. “Your grandson was just beaten when he got home and nearly died! I have not even been recorded in the family register, and grandmother refuses to see me! Without your protection, grandfather… your grandson will soon follow you!”
The onlookers couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.
“Is he also a prince of the Duke’s mansion?!”
“I remember! Isn’t he the one who was beaten by the eldest lady in front of Manjiang Tower?!”
“I didn’t expect that amidst all the heroes of the Duke’s mansion, there would be such a malicious son!”
“No matter how malicious, he is now the only male heir of the Duke’s mansion! His future might be limitless!”
The most impulsive and enraged Bai Qingyan calmed down, watching this farce unfold. She closed her eyes, ceased confronting King Xin’s guards, and ignored the mother-son duo’s act.
She spoke, “Bai Qingxuan, today you saw clearly King Xin’s attitude towards my Bai family! The future of the Bai family is still uncertain. Perhaps… who knows when a great crime will be imposed upon us! Our entire family may be exterminated! If you are not afraid… after I handle the Bai family’s affairs, mother and I will request grandmother to officially record you in the family register! Whether the Duke’s mansion flourishes or is destroyed, you must bear it all without regret!”
Bai Qingxuan, wailing, shivered as he recalled King Xin’s demeanor earlier. It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, and his hysterical cries got stuck in his throat.
She firmly gripped Bai Jintong’s hand, not even glancing at Bai Qingxuan’s act. “Let’s go. Bringing our Bai family heroes home is of utmost importance!”
She turned to Chun Tao, whose eyes were red, and took the white fox fur she brought, straightened her back, and walked to Mrs. Wang, who was cradling the corpse of Little Seventeen, whispering madly. She knelt, wrapping Little Seventeen’s body in the fox fur.
“Aunt, let’s take Little Seventeen home!”
Mrs. Wang looked up through her tear-filled, bloodshot eyes, her gaze empty and lost, voice trembling, “But… but Little Seventeen’s body is all cut open! I can’t… I can’t hold Little Seventeen’s head! I can’t hold Little Seventeen’s head…”