The Prince Wants to Assassinate Me Every Day-Chapter 926 - 510: Bai Moyi Demoted by One Rank, Cuts Off His Right Hand in Apology (Fifth Update)
Upon hearing Bai Moyi speak, all the civil and military officials knelt down.
"Long live the Emperor, long live the Empress!"
The sound, majestic as mountains and rivers, echoed through the Imperial Palace.
This also signified.
The official commencement of today’s coronation ceremony for An Ning.
"All ministers, rise." Xiao Jinxing commanded loudly.
The civil and military officials stood up.
An Ning’s eyes looked at Gu Xingchuan.
Seeing his eyes still red.
Yet when Gu Xingchuan looked at her, she turned her gaze towards Xiao Jinxing.
Gu Xingchuan felt a tearing pain in his heart.
But he was already used to it.
He would not show a hint of discomfort.
Xiao Jinxing turned to look at An Ning.
At the wound on her finger.
At this moment, the Imperial Physician hurriedly arrived, nervously bandaging the wounds of both the Emperor and the Empress.
Xiao Jinxing turned back.
His gaze suddenly tightened.
The sharpness in his demeanor was evident.
All civil and military officials seemed to sense the Emperor’s anger at this moment.
When the truth was revealed.
The Emperor could no longer tolerate it.
The civil and military officials also knew that today there would be no escape from a bloody disaster!
Xiao Jinxing coldly issued the imperial decree, "Zhao Feihong slandered the Empress, obstructed the coronation ceremony, causing injuries to both me and the Empress—his crimes are heinous! Zhao Feihong shall be immediately executed and his entire clan exterminated!"
"Your Majesty, have mercy!" Zhao Feihong panicked instantly upon hearing the extermination of his family, "I was merely deceived by rumors, acting out of loyalty for Your Majesty! I beg Your Majesty’s great mercy, considering my two decades of loyal service to the court, to spare me. I plead for Your Majesty’s leniency!"
Zhao Feihong kept kowtowing.
Terrified out of his wits.
When Bai Moyi discussed with him, he firmly said the Empress was problematic, otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to target her this way—thinking that Bai Moyi had gone to such lengths, it must have been certain. Never did he imagine that Bai Moyi would be so reckless in confronting issues without verifying the truth!
"Whose rumors did you listen to?" Xiao Jinxing’s face darkened.
His eyes seemed capable of killing, scaring Zhao Feihong to the core.
Zhao Feihong’s eyes flickered.
He fearfully glanced at Bai Moyi on the side.
Bai Moyi naturally took a step back, returning to his place.
Upon feeling Zhao Feihong’s gaze.
Bai Moyi stepped forward, squatted down, and grabbed Zhao Feihong’s neck.
Zhao Feihong’s face turned red instantly, unable to make any sound.
Xiao Jinxing’s face darkened.
"Bai Moyi! Stop at once!" Xiao Jinxing commanded.
Bai Moyi exerted force, directly snapping Zhao Feihong’s neck.
The speed was swift.
Zhao Feihong lay on the ground, eyes wide open, not dying in peace.
Bai Moyi’s eyes glimmered with ferocity.
This was instructed by his sister.
In case of any unexpected event, Zhao Feihong had to be killed at all costs, leaving no evidence, to prevent future troubles.
"Your Majesty, Zhao Feihong slandered the Empress, deserving death! I was misled by him, causing harm to you and the Empress. I committed a grave mistake and ask for your punishment!" Bai Moyi admitted his guilt first.
He was evidently prepared for this.
"Your Majesty!" Song Yanqing rushed forward, kneeling, "Though Zhao Feihong deserves death, General Bai’s act of killing him publicly without your permission is sheer rebellion. Moreover, the harm General Bai caused you and the Empress, regardless of circumstance, makes him more guilty. He deserves severe punishment to set an example!"
Bai Moyi glared fiercely at Song Yanqing.
From the time he went to fight at the border, this pretty-faced man opposed him everywhere.
"Your Majesty, General Bai was also misled by Zhao Feihong’s lies, leading him to harm you and the Empress. Out of deep remorse, he killed Zhao Feihong promptly. Moreover, Zhao Feihong had already been sentenced to death by you, and General Bai merely executed your order. Your Majesty, please consider the Bai Family’s generations of loyalty, and give a lighter punishment to General Bai." A minister knelt to plead for Bai Moyi.
"Every country has its laws, and every household its rules! Even the Emperor is equal to commoners in the eyes of the law, let alone General Bai!" Song Yanqing’s voice was loud and uncompromising, "General Bai should receive due punishment for his mistake. Furthermore, as the Great General of Daxuan Kingdom, leading an army of half a million, General Bai should lead by example, and be punished more severely to set a precedent. Otherwise, he would be unworthy of his role! Your Majesty should not hold back on General Bai, due to your esteem and favor, for this would not grant him any kindness, but instead would leave him vulnerable to criticism among ministers and undermine his authority in the army!"
Song Yanqing made a reasonable and passionate argument, tactfully unfolding his point. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
It seemed well-intended, yet clearly aimed to push Bai Moyi into the fire.
An Ning watched Song Yanqing’s vigorous stance, no wonder Xiao Jinxing valued Song Yanqing so highly.
Song Yanqing understood Xiao Jinxing’s intentions completely.
In the current situation, Xiao Jinxing wouldn’t personally impose a severe punishment on Bai Moyi, but today’s events wouldn’t allow Bai Moyi to go unpunished — firstly for overstepping authority, crossing Xiao Jinxing’s boundary, and secondly, with Xiao urging the Bai Family towards rebellion, the heavier the punishment, the faster the Bai Family would retaliate.
Song Yanqing and Xiao Jinxing were now in complete accord.
"Since Song Yanqing has made a compelling case, and General Bai has accepted punishment willingly, I shall grant General Bai his wish." Xiao Jinxing seized the moment, issuing a decree, "Today, Bai Moyi killed Zhao Feihong without my permission, which is an act of sheer rebellion. Furthermore, under a villain’s influence, he harmed me and the Empress, committing grave dishonor."
Bai Moyi and Bai Mowan watched Xiao Jinxing intently.
Uncertain how he would be punished.
"As an official of the court, Bai Moyi failed to introspect and committed serious mistakes. From today, Great General Bai Moyi is demoted by one rank, his salary withheld for three years, and he is ordered to guard the border without returning to Xun for the three-year duration." Xiao Jinxing said sternly, "Let all take this as a warning and a lesson!"
"Your Majesty!" Before Bai Moyi acknowledged the decree, Song Yanqing spoke loudly, "The Great General hurt you and the Empress today, he should equally endure physical pain. This is the burden an officer ought to bear."
"Your Majesty, I boldly plead for leniency for my brother." Bai Mowan seemingly could not bear it anymore, stepping forward.
Xiao Jinxing’s cold eyes looked at her.
"I agree with Minister Song’s view; my brother harmed Your Majesty and the Empress today; he must suffer for it. But please retract the order forbidding him from Xun for three years. The Bai Family has always been small in number, after our father passed, it’s merely my brother holding up the entire Bai Family. Now, with my sister-in-law just having given birth to an infant, I plead for Your Majesty’s leniency, and allow my brother to return to Xun to visit the family once the border conflict is stable!"
Bai Mowan could not accept her brother being barred from Xun for three years.
Within those three years, she must seize Xiao Jinxing’s power!
"What does Song Yanqing think?" Xiao Jinxing asked deliberately.
"I think the Concubine Bai makes a fair point. Despite generations of loyalty, the Bai Family is small in numbers; General Bai should be granted the right to return to Xun to visit family." Song Yanqing understood Xiao Jinxing’s intention, "I bravely request Your Majesty to rescind the three-year prohibition from Xun, and impose an amputation of the right hand as punishment, to atone for the injuries of the Emperor and Empress!"
