Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 845 - 842: Straight to the Imperial City

"Princess of Zhen!" Yang Wuce quickly stepped forward and clasped his hands together in a formal greeting to Bai Qingyan, then said, "There is a eunuch who claims to be a servant of the Princess of Zhen’s residence, who has been captured by our men. He says he is called Wei Zhong and asks to see the Princess of Zhen. He appears to be on the brink of collapse. I don’t know... if he is really from your residence?"

Wei Zhong? How did he come here?

Did grandmother send him to deliver a message, ordering her to lead troops to support the King?

Bai Qingyan frowned upon hearing this, released the reins, dismounted, and asked, "Where is he?"

Yang Wuce also dismounted and shouted, "Bring him up!"

In the distance, Bai Qingyan saw two soldiers dragging Wei Zhong forward. The man was so emaciated that he could no longer walk, his toes scraping against the ground as he was practically pulled forward. She hurriedly stepped towards him.

"Master... Master..." Wei Zhong, barely able to see clearly, moved his cracked lips with difficulty when he saw Bai Qingyan.

Seeing Bai Qingyan approach, the two soldiers quickly set Wei Zhong down, cupped their hands in salute, and stepped back.

Kneeling on the ground, Wei Zhong felt his head heavy and his feet light, his entire body swaying: "Master, King Liang has conspired with the Left Prime Minister Li Mao and the head of the Imperial Guards Fan Yuhuai to rebel, intending to frame the Crown Prince for regicide. I have spread the news on the way here, and now it should be well known throughout the Jin Kingdom!"

After finishing his words, Wei Zhong collapsed to the ground. Bai Qingyan took three quick steps and caught him. Only then did she realize that Wei Zhong was nothing but skin and bones.

"Someone! Take him to rest and call Doctor Hong to examine him!" Bai Qingyan commanded.

Wei Zhong had come alone, disseminating the message along the way, and had still managed to arrive soon after the Hidden Guards. This showed his extraordinary capability.

"Report... Commandery Princess Gaoyi has breached the gates of Hancheng! She leads three thousand troops straight towards the Daliang Imperial Palace!" Scouts continually brought in battle reports from the front.

Bai Qingyan no longer hesitated, leapt onto her horse, and called out loudly to Yang Wei, "Have the soldiers rest here and let General Yang Wuce follow me quickly to meet General Liu Hong!"

"Yes!" Yang Wei cupped his hands in agreement.

"Send someone for a cart to bring the Hidden Guards and Wei Zhong, who delivered the message, to the south gate of Hancheng!" Bai Qingyan said, and then she spurred her horse and charged ahead.

Yang Wuce reminded Yang Wei to be quick, then led a team of cavalry to follow Bai Qingyan.

Wei Zhong, being the eunuch from the Eldest Princess’ side, held more persuasive power than the Imperial Hidden Guards who had already joined Bai Qingyan.

Bai Jinxiu was still in Dadu City, and Daliang should be pacified today. Bai Jinzhi was to stay with the heavy troops to guard and control the newly captured Daliang cities and fertile lands, while she and Liu Hong led the troops to support the Emperor.

This was the only way to ensure that this battle in Daliang would not be fought in vain. Otherwise, if she and Bai Jinzhi led the troops to support the Emperor, once... the Bai family started an uprising, Liu Hong, commanding heavy troops and loyal to the Emperor, might seek to support the Lin family’s royal power.

Having Liu Hong accompany her would give her ample time to persuade him. Even if Liu Hong remained steadfast in supporting the Lin family, she could at least manage any minor damage.

Therefore... Bai Jinzhi had to stay in Daliang.

·

A division led by Liu Hong was attacking the south gate of Hancheng.

Having likely heard that Commandery Princess Gaoyi had entered the city and that the Princess of Zhen was nearing, Liu Hong, knowing that this battle was sure to end Liang, had set up a tea table at the rear and was drinking tea.

Upon hearing that the Princess of Zhen had arrived, Liu Hong quickly came out of his makeshift tent to greet her.

Seeing Bai Qingyan halt her horse sharply, Liu Hong approached with an enthusiastic expression: "Princess of Zhen!"

Bai Qingyan took a few steps towards Liu Hong, clasped her hands briefly, then said, "Lord Liu, something has happened in Dadu City! King Liang has conspired with Fan Yuhuai and the Left Prime Minister Li Mao to frame the Crown Prince for regicide! They plan to kill the Emperor and have the Crown Prince ascend to the throne!"

Liu Hong’s face changed drastically: "How... how could this happen? That person, King Liang..."

"My second sister Bai Jinxiu first sent the Hidden Guards to deliver the news. Then the elderly eunuch Wei Zhong, who serves my grandmother, also came!" Bai Qingyan turned to Yang Wuce, "General Yang Wuce was there at the time too! General Liu can ask him! Yang Wei is already looking for a cart... the Hidden Guards and Wei Zhong will be brought soon! But I think... there’s no time to lose. We should hurry back! If we get there in time, we might be able to save the Emperor and the Crown Prince!"

This news had come too suddenly, and Liu Hong felt somewhat bewildered: "But... is the news reliable? We haven’t taken Daliang yet, and even if we have, there are still many matters to deal with!"

"To be honest with you, General Liu, my original intention was to have you stay and handle the aftermath while I led the troops back to Dadu City to rescue the Emperor and the Crown Prince. But you know my condition... I could collapse at any time. My young sister, Bai Jinzhi, is much younger and lacks your military prestige. Moreover, if we both return to Dadu City, the Emperor might feel uneasy. Therefore... I can only ask General Liu to return with me!" Bai Qingyan said.

Bai Qingyan did not hide the fact that she knew about the Emperor’s wariness towards her from Liu Hong. She spoke truthfully, knowing Liu Hong had been briefed by the Emperor before the first attack on Daliang – the Emperor wanted to use her but did not trust her.

Now, Liu Hong believed in Bai Qingyan’s loyalty to the Crown Prince and, considering it from a minister’s perspective, if the rescue was to proceed smoothly, it was indeed best not to let Bai Jinzhi and Bai Qingyan return together to Dadu City.

"I understand what the Princess of Zhen is saying! Alright... I’ll have my deputy lead twenty thousand troops to Dadu City immediately! I’ll then order the full assault to capture Daliang, and we will follow with the main army!" Liu Hong said.

"Bai Jinzhi has already attacked Hancheng from the east gate..." Bai Qingyan turned and ordered, "Relay the orders to Zhao Sheng and Zhao Ran... to storm the city immediately! Capture Hancheng as quickly as possible!"

·

Inside Hancheng, Bai Jinzhi, with blood on her face and armor, stormed into the Imperial City, riding ahead of all, shouting back: "The entire army must not harm any civilians of Hancheng. Head straight for the Imperial City! Kill!"

"Kill!"

The Jin Army’s battle cries were overwhelming and shook the very spirit.

The civilians hid in their homes, doors locked, barely daring to breathe. Families with young children cradled them tightly, covering their mouths for fear that any noise might draw the Jin Army’s attention and bring disaster upon them.

Within the Daliang Imperial Palace, high-ranking officials gathered in the main hall, with some advocating for a fight to the death and others for surrender. The heated argument left the hall in chaos, and Emperor Liang, enraged and paralyzed by a stroke, lay in bed. Upon hearing that Commandery Princess Gaoyi had led her troops into Hancheng, his face flushed and his neck bulged, and he fainted again as the Imperial Physician scrambled to treat him.

Listening to the continuous battle reports and learning that Commandery Princess Gaoyi had already entered the city, the old Prime Minister of Liangting finally resolved the doubts he had harbored...

Visit freewe𝑏nove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺 for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience