Han Yunxi loftily looked down at Baili Lixiang and said Coldly, "I'm just here to see what happens to those who oppose me!"
"You!" Baili Lixiang was furious.
"Alright, now that you've seen, I'm leaving," Han Yunxi smiled coldly.
Baili Lixiang grew anxious and raged, "Han Yunxi, the Xiao Clan is also opposing you. Why is Xiao An given the title of Duke, but my father … Han Yunxi, this isn't fair! You can't do this! "
"The Xiao Clan?"
Han Yunxi laughed. "Xiao An donated more than 200 million taels of silver to the disaster areas in Northern Li last night. How is he opposing me?"
"Han Yunxi, you know very well that Xiao An is a mystery man!" Baili Lixiang shouted.
"I don't know. I only know that Xiao An is the Junwang now. Right now, he's in the imperial study with Xiao Dong, drinking tea with His Majesty!" Han Yunxi replied with a smile.
"No!"
Baili Lixiang's hair was disheveled, her face twisted like a female ghost. "I have proof of Xiao Dong's collusion with me! Han Yunxi, I have proof! I want to see His Majesty! I want to see His Majesty! "
"Xiao Dong?" Han Yunxi snorted disdainfully.
Baili Lixiang hastened to say, "I also have proof of Xiao An and my father's collusion. Xiao An and my father have met before, they're working together in Northern Li!"
Hearing this, even Gu Beiyue, who had been standing quietly on the side, revealed a happy expression.
Xiao Dong and Baili Lixiang's collusion could drag the Xiao Clan down with them, but it was far from enough! Xiao Dong was nothing more than a spokesperson for the Xiao Clan. As long as Han Yunxi wanted to, she could find proof of Xiao Dong's involvement in inciting the people's anger.
But if there was proof of Xiao An and Baili Yuanlong's collusion, then the Xiao Clan would have to pay a heavy price!
Han Yunxi couldn't help but exhale. She'd been waiting for Baili Lixiang's second sentence for far too long!
She'd provoked Baili Lixiang into this state precisely for this sentence!
Baili Yuanlong and Xiao An had sent troops north together. The Long Fei Ye had long sensed this, but he hadn't found any proof, nor did he know what they were up to.
Han Yunxi crouched down, her previous haughty, angry, and disdainful attitude gone. Instead, she said sincerely, "Baili Lixiang, you're finally willing to admit that your father was guilty too?"
Baili Lixiang finally understood. Han Yunxi... the Baili Lixiang's and Lixiang's, Lixiang.... is it still not enough? you've caused the Baili Army army 'of Li? "
Han Yunxi murmured, "Baili Lixiang, I'll tell you a secret, one that none of the civil and military officials know. . the to you '' Xi ''s, the Li' ''s Emperor' ''s the King'. The Northern Li ''s is for Ning Cheng, while the Sea's is for your father. His Majesty said to keep it for five years until Ning Cheng returns, until your father … changes his mind. "
Han Yunxi couldn't help but choke with sobs. "Baili Lixiang, it's understandable that you hate and resent me. You're always on guard against the Di Clan and the Ning Clan. If you're dissatisfied, you can take it out on me, on the Ning Clan! But … how can you resent and hate His Majesty? How can you collude with the ambitious wolves of Jiangnan? Don't tell me you don't know that the Xiao Clan has long wanted to rule Jiangnan! "
Baili Lixiang looked at Han Yunxi. She wanted to refute her, but couldn't find the words.
"Baili Lixiang, I hope your father didn't die from anger, but from regret! His Majesty has given the Baili Clan five years. You and your brother, Baili Qiyu, can decide for yourselves what to do! "
Han Yunxi rose to her feet as soon as she finished speaking, unwilling to spare Baili Lixiang another glance.
When she walked out of the prison, she instructed Gu Beiyue, "Make it convenient for Baili Qiyu to come visit."
Not long after Han Yunxi and Gu Beiyue returned to the palace, Long Fei Ye came over.
Dinner was particularly quiet. Even the talkative Tang Li and Gu were silent.
In the end, Tang Li said, "Big brother, I've sent someone to tell my father about General Baili."
"Mm." Long Fei Ye's expression was calm, but he didn't say much.
After dinner, Han Yunxi and Gu Beiyue kept waiting, but Long Fei Ye didn't move.
Han Yunxi couldn't help but ask, "You're not going? I'll go with you. "
"I'm not going," Long Fei Ye said mildly.
Han Yunxi and Gu Beiyue were very surprised. Han Yunxi couldn't sleep all night, afraid that Long Fei Ye would sneak off to the Baili Estate. But who knew that he really didn't go?
He was lying behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist. She didn't know if he slept or not.
The next day, he went to morning court as usual and busied himself with work.
Just like that, two days later, the justice minister presented a secret letter to the morning court, shocking the entire court!
This secret letter was none other than the "evidence" Baili Qiyu had given to Marble. It proved that Xiao An and Baili Yuanlong had colluded to plot a coup in Northern Li.
This was a military pledge signed by Baili Yuanlong and Xiao An, with their own handwriting and clan seals.
At the end of the month, when Northern Li's weather warmed up and the avalanches became more serious, they would deliberately create a conflict between the army and the people. The reinforcements sent by the Baili and Xiao Clans would point their spears at the Ning Clan troops and declare war on the Ning Clan troops.
If inciting the people to revolt was only against the empress and her wastage, there would still be room for discussion. But colluding with the two armies to cause trouble in the disaster areas and cause internal strife within the army was unforgivable and irredeemable!
Back then, Baili Yuanlong and Xiao An had signed this document to keep each other in check. As long as they left behind evidence, they wouldn't be spared if they betrayed the other.
Xiao An and Xiao Dong didn't expect this at all. They fell to their knees in shock, speechless for a long time!
Had Baili Qiyu and Baili Lixiang gone mad?
After all, Baili Lixiang's crime alone could be delayed and pleaded for leniency. But with this military pledge, neither the Xiao Clan nor the Baili Clan would ever have a chance to turn things around!
These days, Xiao An and Xiao Dong had been keeping tabs on the movements of the justice courts and the Baili Clan. With one side being crowned prince and the other being convicted, Xiao An naturally felt guilty!
When he recovered from the joy of being crowned prince, he realized that things weren't as simple as they seemed. Just last night, he'd sent someone to bribe the prison guards to arrange a meeting between him and Baili Lixiang!
He'd even made up his mind to promise Baili Lixiang that he'd do his best to protect the Hundred Clans! But who knew that Baili Lixiang and Baili Qiyu would be so impatient?
He'd even prepared himself for Baili Lixiang to rat Xiao Dong out, but he never expected her to be so ruthless! She'd rather destroy the Baili Clan's future than drag the Xiao Clan down with her!
Long Fei Ye looked at the military pledge presented to him. Seeing the familiar handwriting and clan head seal, he was clearly furious, but he couldn't help but smile wryly.
Hadn't he been waiting for an excuse to convince him to go instead of going to the Baili Estate? The military pledge in his hands was exactly that reason!
"Your Majesty, my father has already passed away. This soldier has come to accept his punishment on his behalf!"
Baili Qiyu's voice came from the door. Everyone turned to see him kneeling and kowtowing three times.
Baili Qiyu entered the hall and knelt on the ground, offering the Baili Army's tiger tally with both hands.
"This sinner's elder sister, Baili Lixiang, colluded with Xiao Dong to incite the Hundred Clans and slander Esteemed Empress. This sinner's father, Baili Yuanlong, colluded with Duke Xiao to plot a coup d 'état in Northern Li. Today, this sinner will plead guilty on behalf of my father and accuse Duke Xiao, Xiao An. With this military pledge as proof, I ask Your Majesty to judge clearly! I ask Your Majesty to mete out punishment! "
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao An began to shout, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this official …"
Long Fei Ye didn't even want to listen. He tossed the military token at Xiao An's face and said angrily, "You're going to add to your crimes if you continue to quibble?"
Xiao An was so shocked that he immediately fell silent. In that instant, he was suddenly enlightened and had a sudden epiphany.
With Baili Lixiang and Baili Qiyu's shrewdness and courage, how could they have dared to take out the military pledge in such a short time? They should be crying and begging the emperor for forgiveness for Baili Yuanlong's death!
Judging from the situation, the one making the decisions for the Baili Clan was either the emperor or Esteemed Empress!
As soon as Xiao An understood the situation, he despaired. He'd lost … in the end, he'd still lost to that high and mighty master of his!
That master had steeled his heart this time to sacrifice the Baili Clan to destroy the Xiao Clan!
With iron-clad evidence, Xiao An and Xiao Dong had no way to defend themselves.
The case didn't go through the justice courts. Long Fei Ye gave the order on the spot to strip Xiao An of his title, execute the three Xiao Clans, and confiscate all property.
Out of consideration for Baili Qiyu's voluntary confession and meritorious service, the three Baili Clans weren't executed. However, Baili Lixiang was sentenced to death. The entire Baili Clan was demoted to navy boatmen. They had to atone for their crimes by meritorious service within five years, without any salary or promotion. Moreover, none of the three Baili Clans were allowed to hold any positions in the army.
Both clans were heavily punished. Baili Qiyu's meritorious service had allowed the Baili Clan to avoid being exterminated.
Some people were sincerely convinced by the merit of his report, while others were extremely unconvinced.
However, Long Fei Ye had given the central military command to Han Yunxi, but didn't take back the southern military command. Instead, he'd sent word that he'd choose a great general from among the deputy generals who weren't implicated in the case to take over Xiao Dong's position.
After all, many of the deputy generals were backed by great Jiangnan clans! Now that Long Fei Ye had given them such a chance, would they still use the Xiao Clan's matter to cause trouble? Instead, they'd all hit the Xiao Clan while they were down and fight to perform well for Long Fei Ye.
Long Fei Ye's move looked like he was afraid of the other powers in Jiangnan, but in reality, he was driving a wedge between them.
Jiangnan's largest clan had its assets confiscated, while the other great clans were fighting for military power and the position of number one clan. How could they unite? Under these circumstances, there wasn't much resistance to implementing tax reforms.
Three days later, the case was finally resolved. Baili Lixiang was sentenced to death in prison, and Baili Mingxiang went to collect her body. She didn't cry, but her eyes were unreasonably red.
The next day, Baili Yuanlong's body was buried in a simple, low-key ceremony for commoners. Aside from a few ministers who'd been on good terms with Baili Yuanlong and came to send him off, none of the civil and military officials dared to do so.
However, after Baili Yuanlong was buried, Long Fei Ye and Han Yunxi arrived with Rui 'er. Tang Zijin also rushed over from the capital, covered in dust …
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
