Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 903 - 900: Traitorous Officials and Rebellious Subjects

Chapter 903: Chapter 900: Traitorous Officials and Rebellious Subjects

Bai Qingyan maintained her composure, yet she understood the subtle hint from Gao Demao...

Simply ascend Luohong Tower to enjoy the view, but avoid the fine wine and delicacies.

Gao Demao’s suggestion implied that the Emperor had deceived her grandmother, likely saying to her grandmother that if Bai Qingyan ceased the siege and entered the city to continue pledging allegiance to the Lin family’s imperial power, they could turn swords into plowshares.

However, in reality, the Emperor... intended to take Bai Qingyan’s life.

"Thank you, Eunuch Gao, for the reminder." Bai Qingyan smiled as she addressed Gao Demao, acknowledging his favor silently in her heart.

Gao Demao smiled subtly and nodded at Bai Qingyan.

Today, after Qin Shangzhi returned, Gao Demao went back to the Emperor’s side and happened to encounter the Crown Prince as he was leaving the Emperor’s chamber, so... Gao Demao learned that the Emperor had already decided that if Bai Qingyan did not agree tonight to procure that thousand virgins for him for alchemy, the Emperor would have the young eunuch named Quan Yu deliver poisoned wine to Bai Qingyan.

The Emperor exploited... the fact that Bai Qingyan had once shown kindness to that young eunuch named Quan Yu, thinking Bai Qingyan would not be overly cautious of Quan Yu, so he arranged for Quan Yu to deliver the poisoned wine. Currently, that young eunuch is detained by the Emperor.

Gao Demao feared that the young eunuch, lacking sense, might deliver the poisoned wine to save his life in the Emperor’s service. If Bai Qingyan truly drank the wine because she was unguarded due to the server being Quan Yu, resulting in mishap... Bai Jinxiu would definitely storm the city to avenge Bai Qingyan, and the Emperor would not survive... And they, being servants, their fates would be sealed.

Previously, Gao Demao was unaware of Mrs. Qin’s prowess, but after witnessing Bai Jinxiu lead the Yuanping troops to break through Dadu City and besiege the Imperial City, everyone seemed to realize that the Bai family not only had the Princess of Zhen and Commandery Princess Gaoyi who could fight, but the descendants of the Bai family, regardless of gender, were all adept in battle, though they usually kept a low profile.

Mrs. Qin, Bai Jinxiu, was born into a family with a century-old military tradition and had fought alongside the Duke of Zhen in her early years. Although she might not be as formidable as the Princess of Zhen, ordinary commanders were certainly no match for Bai Jinxiu.

Luohong Tower was built against a small hill to the north of Luohong City, located at the end of the stone steps where lights gleamed brightly.

Every ten steps along the stone stairway, cranes in lanterns illuminated the path, and as the wind passed, the flames and the exotic flowers and aromatic herbs on both sides of the steps swayed, casting a dreamy and ephemeral light leading to Luohong Tower.

Heavy guards stood watch below the high steps, stopping the hundred soldiers accompanying Bai Qingyan.

Gao Demao smiled at Bai Qingyan and said, "Princess of Zhen, I’m afraid the hundred soldiers you brought cannot all enter together."

"What, Eunuch Gao, do you fear I might harm my own grandmother?" Bai Qingyan glanced sideways at Gao Demao.

"Not at all. Today His Majesty is also present, so the soldiers are inevitably a bit cautious. Would the Princess of Zhen mind having her accompanying soldiers wait here?" Gao Demao replied with a smile.

The soldiers Bai Qingyan brought had their own tasks as they were pivotal in assisting Bai Jinxiu with the surprise attack on the city, and Bai Qingyan had not intended to bring these hundred soldiers inside.

Her gaze fell on those armed guards guarding Luohong Tower, and she could roughly guess that... if something happened inside Luohong Tower, the Emperor would surely command these soldiers to kill the soldiers she brought. Therefore, she said, "Since you are not allowed to enter, there’s no need for all of you to guard here. Feel free to look around where you wish, and return in an hour."

"Yes!"

The hundred soldiers Bai Qingyan brought responded in unison, their demeanor intimidating.

Shen Tianzhi stood in the shadows by the lantern beside Luohong Tower, and from afar, he saw Bai Qingyan looking his way. He gave Bai Qingyan a slight nod, reassuring her.

With this, Bai Qingyan had clarity in her heart; it seemed Shen Tianzhi had already taken control of the area surrounding Luohong Tower.

The General stationed below the high steps of Luohong Tower raised his eyes to look at Gao Demao, as they received orders that... if negotiations failed, they were to kill everyone that the Princess of Zhen brought without leaving a single one. However, forcing the Princess of Zhen’s people to stay here might cause the Emperor’s talks with the Princess to end before they even begin.

In truth, these soldiers, originally dispatched for canal construction, were far less battle-hardened than Bai Qingyan’s ever-victorious troops, leading to their unease and apprehension.

Gao Demao certainly knew that Bai Qingyan had discerned the hidden machinations and subtly nodded to the General, signaling him to avoid escalating the situation, thereby preventing the Princess of Zhen from growing suspicious here.

"This way, Princess of Zhen..." Gao Demao said with a smiling gesture of invitation to Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan nodded and proceeded with Gao Demao toward the brightly lit Luohong Tower atop the high steps.

Inside Luohong Tower, upon hearing that Bai Qingyan had entered the city, the Eldest Princess quietly curled her fingers, gently clutching the indigo-blue skirt embroidered with cloud patterns. She looked up at the Emperor standing before her, her expression as serene as ever, exuding the poised dignity of a trueborn Imperial Princess.

"Does this mean that if my granddaughter does not agree to assist Your Majesty in ascending the Nine Tiers of Heaven, or does not agree to gather the thousand virgins for Your Majesty, the Emperor intends to... in this Luohong Tower, before my very eyes, take her life?"

The Eldest Princess’s speech was slow and low, and the flickering candlelight on the high platform rendered the deep lines of her eyes, which powder could not hide, even more distinct. Her aura was imposing, and her gaze was as sharp as a dagger: "It seems the Lin family’s kingdom matters little to the Emperor, while the Nine Tiers and immortality are more significant!"

At this moment, the doors were firmly shut, with the Emperor and the Eldest Princess engaged in their private, secluded talks.

It was the first time the Emperor saw his aunt with such stern and severe demeanor, his hand hidden in his sleeve clenched slightly, restraining his murderous intent: "I... am very grateful that Aunt willingly followed King Liang to this Luohong City for the sake of me and the Crown Prince. Now that Bai Qingyan is at the city gates, I am grateful that Aunt is willing to come forward to stabilize this rebellious traitor Bai Qingyan. I am willing to give Bai Qingyan the chance not to tarnish the Bai family’s reputation, also out of respect for Aunt! But do not forget, Aunt... I am the Emperor! This Jin Kingdom... is my Jin Kingdom; it should be the Emperor who has the final word!"

The Eldest Princess pursed her lips, struggling to contain her anger, blood vessels evident in her eyes, and her fingers on her skirt clenched, knuckles turning white.

How could she have been so foolish to think this beast before her would be a wise ruler?!

In the vast Luohong Tower, only the sound of sand slipping through the hourglass was audible, the silence so profound that the drop of a pin could be heard.

The bronze incense burner, half the height of a person, placed within the hall, released delicate wisps of smoke, filling Luohong Tower with a light fragrance.

"Aunt looks much wearier, if it’s difficult for Aunt to speak with Bai Qingyan, then... I shall personally speak."