The Prince Wants to Assassinate Me Every Day-Chapter 927 - 511: The Bai Family’s Humility, Ministers Plead for Mercy (First Update)
"Your Majesty, this must not happen." Upon hearing the suggestion to sever Bai Moyi’s right hand, Bai Mowan became instantly agitated.
Her brother commands an army of 500,000. Without his right hand, how could he remain the Great General? How could he assert his authority in the barracks and command soldiers in battle?
This time, Bai Mowan was truly anxious to the point of desperation.
She had indeed fallen for Song Yanqing’s scheme!
No, it was clear that Song Yanqing was acting on Xiao Jinxing’s orders.
Thus, everything was orchestrated by Xiao Jinxing in the background.
She even began to suspect that Xiao Jinxing had long been prepared, anticipating that they would intervene in An Ning’s coronation ceremony, waiting for them to walk into his trap. Otherwise, how could Song Yanqing work with Xiao Jinxing with such synergy?
Her eyes reddened, and she knelt on the ground to plead, "Your Majesty, my brother is the only male heir of the Bai Family. Even though his eldest offspring is only six years old and unable to defend the country or serve the court, if Your Majesty severs my brother’s right hand, there would be no one left in the Bai Family to lead troops into battle for Your Majesty. The Bai Family has been military generals for generations, with a family ethos centered on loyalty and patriotism. Please, Your Majesty, consider that my father guarded the border until his death, fighting for the safety of Daxuan’s people, and reminded my brother to defend the border with his life, never allowing foreign invaders to set foot in Daxuan. For the sake of such unwavering loyalty, spare my brother!"
Having said this,
Bai Mowan gave Xiao Jinxing a heavy kowtow.
It was likely the first time Bai Mowan had begged Xiao Jinxing so humbly.
An Ning was also seeing Bai Mowan like this for the first time.
Nor did she doubt Bai Mowan’s genuine concern for her family.
Having been reborn, her first priority was to protect her family, second to avenge them, and third to repay Xiao Jinxing for his past dedication to her.
Naturally, these things were prioritized by their significance.
Thus, the Bai Family always occupied the first place in Bai Mowan’s considerations.
If Xiao Jinxing acted against her family, she would immediately become his arch-enemy.
To put it bluntly,
If Xiao Jinxing insisted on severing Bai Moyi’s hand today,
Xiao Jinxing and Bai Mowan would completely break ties. Even if they were to be reborn and start anew, there would be no chance of reconciliation.
An Ning naturally wouldn’t interject at this moment.
This was a matter of grievances between Xiao Jinxing and Bai Mowan, to be resolved by them.
Her main concern should be how to extricate herself from their entanglement.
"Your Majesty, the Concubine Bai’s words make sense!" An elderly, revered minister stepped forward.
Within the court, though there are political considerations, there remains a sense of justice.
The Bai Family’s army has an entrenched reputation, especially among the older generation.
Moreover, Old General Bai’s death due to an illness while guarding the border further ingrained the Bai Family’s loyalty in the hearts of all officials.
This is why Xiao Jinxing couldn’t casually act against the Bai Family!
"General Bai’s actions today indeed showed great disrespect. However, considering his sincere dedication to Your Majesty and the nation and his contribution to proving the Empress’s innocence, even if there’s no merit, there’s effort. Besides, the Bai Family has dedicated generations to guarding the border, serving loyally until their last breath. Their sincerity is evident to all! Hence this old minister dares to plead with Your Majesty not to sever General Bai’s right hand, but to consider another punishment as a cautionary measure!"
Saying this, the elderly minister, his hair already graying, knelt heavily on the ground, kowtowing to Xiao Jinxing.
And following the elderly minister’s lead, many other officials also knelt, "Please, Your Majesty, do not sever General Bai’s right hand."
More than half of the officials were kneeling, pleading for Bai Moyi.
Xiao Jinxing’s expression remained cold.
No one could discern what was going through his mind, faced with the pressure of so many officials.
No one knew what decree he would issue next.
Silence hung in the air.
The originally celebratory coronation ceremony had turned into such a bloody affair.
Xiao Jinxing exchanged glances with Song Yanqing.
Song Yanqing understood the silent message.
"Your Majesty, it was my oversight." Song Yanqing knelt on the ground, loudly declaring, "I was too focused on holding the General accountable for his actions, neglecting the fact that without his right hand, General Bai, a talent from the lineage of generals, would be unable to command the army, a loss to Daxuan Kingdom. I spoke recklessly moments ago, and I ask for Your Majesty’s punishment!"
"It was never my intention to sever Bai Moyi’s right hand," Xiao Jinxing responded smoothly, "Bai Moyi is my General, and I still want him to command the Bai Family army and protect Daxuan Kingdom’s territories. Naturally, I couldn’t bear to cripple him. Moreover, today is the Empress’s coronation ceremony, a joyous occasion, and I do not wish for it to be tainted by excessive bloodshed."
An Ning sneered slightly.
Xiao Jinxing truly knew how to handle matters.
He determined who was the villain and who was the hero.
The Xiao Family indeed knew how to manipulate hearts, and even someone as intelligent as Song Yanqing willingly became his lackey.
"Instead of three years of banishment, I decree twenty strokes as punishment," Xiao Jinxing issued the decree, "a minor punishment with a serious warning!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" the elderly minister led the bowing.
Other officials followed suit, "Your Majesty’s compassion is a blessing to Daxuan, long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor!"
The ministers were flattering.
Bai Moyi also knelt to accept the punishment, "I thank Your Majesty for your great mercy."
As Bai Moyi kowtowed, his eyes flashed with ferocity.
Today had utterly humiliated him.
This noble Great General, commanding 500,000 troops, if it were to be known that he was publicly punished by the Emperor, how could he assert himself in the military camp!
This indignation.
He absolutely would not just swallow this down.
"For today’s Empress coronation ceremony, I will not allow any further interruptions from anyone or any affair. Otherwise, I will show no mercy!" Xiao Jinxing commanded coldly.
Everyone could sense the bloodthirst in the Emperor’s words.
No one dared to act rashly.
After finishing, Xiao Jinxing turned to look at An Ning.
An Ning remained detached and indifferent all along.
No matter how he punished Bai Moyi, she just observed coldly. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂
Suddenly, Xiao Jinxing extended his hand, his slender, fair hand stretched out before An Ning.
An Ning contemplated, hesitating.
She understood it was just part of completing the ceremony.
But to willingly place her hand in Xiao Jinxing’s...
To rephrase, the Empress’s coronation ceremony was essentially the Emperor’s wedding, symbolizing the Emperor formally marrying.
So handing her hand over to Xiao Jinxing represented her willingness to spend a lifetime with him.
Ultimately,
An Ning still extended her hand towards Xiao Jinxing.
Reaching this point, how could she possibly regret it?!
Even if it was an act, it had to be performed to the end.
Xiao Jinxing grasped her hand.
Firmly holding her hand within his palm, then leading her, they descended the high steps and, under the watchful eyes of the civil and military officials, departed.
They proceeded into the rear palace, arriving at Fengqi Palace.
Xiao Jinxing personally named it, originally Kunde Palace, the former residence of the previous Empress Yu Qingyuan, now renamed, and its interiors completely renovated.
All the Palace Attendants of Fengqi Palace knelt, chanting in unison, "Welcome, Your Majesty, and Your Empress."
An Ning observed the surroundings adorned with red lanterns, red silk, and red paper cuttings...
If the coronation ceremony at Taihe Palace was to announce to the world, the now jubilant Fengqi Palace was indeed for the event of ’entering the bridal chamber’!
