Chapter 947: Chapter 943: Following the Leader
Xiao Rongyan is also a rare handso man, one who possesses both a masculine aura and a refined, elegant deanor. How could Li Zhijie not have fond feelings toward Xiao Rongyan?
Xiao Rongyan smiled slightly, “Rongyan has no accomplishnts for the country, how dare he seek a title.”
“If Mr. Xiao can marry the Empress of Zhou to stabilize the alliance between Yan Kingdom and Zhou, wouldn’t that be a great service to Yan Kingdom?” Li Zhijie imagined Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan standing side by side, and thought it should be a very pleasing sight, then turned to ask the Ninth Prince of Yan Kingdom with a smile, “What do you think, my lord?”
·
Bai Jinzhao and Bai Jinhua went ahead to welco Mrs. Dong and the ladies of the Bai family, along with Xiao Qi and Xiao Ba, eager to share the news of Bai Qingqi and Bai Qingyun’s return with the family.
Chun Tao, Chun Zhi, Zhenming, Zhenguang, Nanny Tong, along with a group of palace maids and eunuchs were attending to Bai Qingyan as she changed into her ceremonial clothes for the banquet, accompanied by Bai Jinxiu on the way toward Xuanming Palace.
Bai Jinxiu walked beside Bai Qingyan at the front, speaking in a low voice, “Eldest Young Lady, regarding sending Ah Jue to Hancheng to retrieve Fourth Brother and take charge of the new administration, I believe… it should be who goes instead. First, Ah Jue just returned and should spend more ti with Fourth Aunt. Secondly, since you want to appoint won as officials, sending now would further demonstrate our determination to the public.”
Initially, Bai Qingyan had intended Bai Jinxiu for this task, considering Brother Wang’s young age. However, after Bai Qingjue returned, she decided to dispatch Bai Qingjue.
“If you go to Hancheng, what about Brother Wang? What will Qin Lang do?” Bai Qingyan walked slowly with Bai Jinxiu, “Even if Qin Lang accompanies you to Hancheng, can Brother Wang endure the long journey?”
“We’ll depart tomorrow, just travel slowly along the way. Brother Wang may be young, but he shouldn’t be overly pampered. I hope when he grows up, he can serve Zhou well.” Bai Jinxiu had already thought it through, “Now that you have ascended the throne, it is not suitable for you to go on personal expeditions. When we send troops to Xiliang, it’ll be more appropriate for Ah Jue to lead the army rather than . First, Ah Jue has already faced Xiliang soldiers and secondly… Ah Jue has been dormant in the southern borders for years and knows the terrain there better, so let go to Hancheng!”
Bai Qingyan paused her steps, and the eunuchs and maids following behind quickly stopped as well.
She looked into Bai Jinxiu’s clear eyes, understanding so things among the Bai siblings need not be spoken, but are known clearly.
Bai Qingyan once had a three-year agreent with Yun Poxing, a commitnt she never forgot.
Vengeance for Xiao Seventeen, Bai Jinxiu also never forgot.
While battles on the battlefield may be left to fate, the humiliation endured through Yun Poxing’s actions against Bai family mbers cannot be left unavenged!
Back then, even though Yun Poxing was surrounded, she had to endure humiliation and let him escape to protect herself. Now that the Bai family had overturned their fate, it’s ti to seek revenge against Yun Poxing.
Bai Qingyan gripped Bai Jinxiu’s hand tightly, “Let’s go…”
“Eldest Young Lady…” Bai Jinzhao ran towards Bai Qingyan from afar, panting and saluting afterward, “Eldest Young Lady, Sister Qingzhu and Shen Tianzhi have returned. Sister Qingzhu is holding the family mbers of Vassal Kings of Guangan and Baishui, while Master Shen has apprehended the Crown Prince of Hedong intending to rebel and generals from Hedong and Anxi. They are waiting outside the palace gate for your summons.”
Bai Jinzhao took a deep breath and said, “Sister Qingzhu said, the armies of Guangan, Baishui, and Hedong are concealed outside Dadu City awaiting orders; General Gu Wenchang has surrounded them with the Bai family forces, awaiting your command, ready for elimination at any ti!”
“Go escort Qingzhu and Master Shen into the palace, let them wait in the side hall for a summons. Also, send soone to notify your Seventh Brother… to lead troops out of the city. If there is any movent from these three vassal kings’ forces, eliminate them imdiately.” Bai Qingyan instructed steadily.
“Yes!” Bai Jinzhao responded and hurriedly left.
“King Baishui has been captured; the other four vassal kings probably still intend to bargain with you at the palace banquet.” Bai Jinxiu spoke calmly, “This banquet, old imperial clans of Jin Dynasty are not included, but the five vassal kings are among the attendees. King Shuofang is anxious, fearing it might be a trap, heard King Baishui claid illness to avoid attending, initially he also wanted to claim illness, but was forcibly dragged along by King Hedong.”
“If the matter of reducing the vassals can be settled today, it’ll serve as a warning to others… easing resistance to the new laws.” Bai Qingyan tightened her hands behind her, “Raising won’s status, allowing won to take imperial exams, appointing won as officials, encouraging widows to remarry; among all these laws, the difficulty of implentation is greatest, fearing soone might use students from the Imperial College to incite trouble.”
“Eldest Young Lady, don’t worry, Master Lu Jin ntioned to he has sent people to keep an eye on the Imperial College. Master Lu is concerned soone might incite students there to stir unrest.” Bai Jinxiu added, rembering the assassins lurking in the Qiankun Palace today, “Eldest Young Lady, today’s assassins were eerie, their swordsmanship seed more like using knives, so killing moves appeared to be Xiliang techniques.”
Bai Qingyan’s expression did not change, she said, “Seems closely related to this King Yan Li Zhijie, who started stirring things up upon his arrival in Dadu City!”
·
Bai Qingyan personally greeted her mother and aunts, holding her mother’s hand, together stepping into the grand hall.
Mrs. Dong never imagined she would one day beco an Empress Dowager.
Now, her daughter has beco the Empress of Zhou, and she is the Empress Dowager of Zhou, basking in glory, which should be a joyous occasion. Yet Mrs. Dong feels sorry for her daughter… from the day of ascension, there will likely be no more days of peace.
All officials bowed, respectfully wishing Empress Dowager health and peace.
Bai Qingyan helped Mrs. Dong settle into her seat, saw all aunts also seated, then knelt in front of the desk.
The King of Guangan received news that along with Baishui and Hedong, their soldiers have reached outside Dadu City, presumably the forces of Shuofang and Anxi are also near.
The five vassal kings combined their troops, totaling at least 120,000 soldiers. Bai Qingyan might be intimidated; if she insists on reducing vassal power, they would fight even with lives on the line.
With soldiers at hand, the King of Guangan gains confidence, yet unsure whether King Baishui is scared or sothing else, as he still hasn’t arrived.
King Baishui has always looked up to the King of Guangan, today as he leads the vassal kings, fearing Bai Qingyan’s tough stance, without King Baishui initiating, the other three vassal kings might shrink back.
Li Zhijie saw Bai Qingyan seated, first saluted her, “With the establishnt of Zhou, today being your splendid coronation, as a minister from Xiliang, Li Zhijie, in service of the Empress of Xiliang, presents gifts to Her Majesty the Empress of Zhou. We in Xiliang wish to establish mutual alliance and friendship with Zhou.”
Speaking, Li Zhijie handed the national letter to the young eunuch behind him.
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