Chapter 1247: YeXi Calling the shots (2/2)
Abruptly, Baili Yuanlong groaned and spat up a mouthful of fresh blood.
“Father!” Baili Qiyu quickly went to support him.
Baili Lixiang recovered her wits and crawled over as well. “Father! Father!”
Baili Yuanlong wanted to speak. His mouth hung open as he looked at Long Feiye, but in the end he said nothing and blacked out.
“Your Majesty, this was all my idea. My father, little brother, and little sister all had no idea! It was my idea alone!”
“Your Majesty, please save my father! Please!”
Long Feiye was like a glacier as he remained expressionless and mute. Even if Baili Yuanlong was on the verge of death, nobody would dare to save him now! After all, instigating the masses was a colossal crime capable of inciting the nine familial exterminations!
“Your Majesty, please have mercy! This criminal admits her guilt! I’ll admit everything and accept whatever the emperor decrees! But my father is innocent!”
“Your Majesty, I beg you to have mercy! Your Majesty, please save my father on account of his many years of loyal hard work!”
“Your Majesty...Esteemed Empress, have mercy, ah! Esteemed Empress!”
Baili Lixiang was like a madwoman as she banged her head against the floor. Baili Qiyu and his wife joined her. Very soon, all of the Baili generals and their wives were kneeling, along with a few officials. Still, Long Feiye said nothing, his gaze piercingly cold.
The Guogong of Ding, Xiao An, had no idea that things would develop like this. He was fearing in hindsight but also rejoicing. When Xiao Dong had been thoroughly flummoxed by Baili Lixiang, he almost went to aid her with his scheme. Fortunately, Xiao An stopped him in time. Otherwise, he’d be the one spitting up blood and fainting right now.
Baili Lixiang had used her alliance with Xiao Dong to use the southern generals to pressure Long Feiye. He too, wanted to use the Baili Clan’s support to pressure Long Feiye. The two clans were both eyeing the empress’s seat and noble consort’s spot, so there was no problem with their cooperation. Fortunately, he was prudent enough to not rush things! Otherwise, he’d be tangled up in tonight’s mess too.
The Baili Clan knelt on the ground as the hall filled with their pleas. Long Feiye was like an emotionless god as he gazed at them from above. How many people could read the anger and disappointment in his eyes? Han Yunxi knew he was feeling awful without even looking at him. How could she not feel terrible too?
She wasn’t even the true West Qin princess and hadn’t interacted much with the Di Clan, but if they betrayed her like this, she’d be angry and disappointed too. Yet Long Feiye’s relationship with the Baili Clan was much more than simply master and retainer. Baili Yuanlong should have been the man who understood Long Feiye best. Even if he was a crude, coarse man who didn’t think things thoroughly after all these years and still failed to understand his master’s heart, he should at least be his staunchest, most loyal follower!
But after establishing the country, the Baili Clan had the most outrageous, unbridled actions when vying for power in the court. Forget about the people gloating from the sidelines, they’d be lucky if no one threw stones after their fall into the well. Even those who gained favors from Baili Yuanlong in the past, or knew him for years, didn’t dare to speak up before a furious Long Feiye.
The unconscious Baili Yuanlong suddenly coughed and spat out another mouthful of blood.
“Father!”
“Father!”
Both Baili Lixiang and Baili Qiyu were at a loss. Everyone else was stunned too. This was the old general who had followed Long Feiye the longest and saw him grow up with his own eyes. As the head of the Baili Clan, was he destined to die right here in the banquet hall?
At last, someone stood up in the silence: the Grand Tutor Gu Beiyue.
“Your Majesty, the crown prince’s birthday should be a joyful affair. For his sake, I ask that General Baili be spared from death. There are still many uncertain factors to this case that requires investigation,” Gu Beiyue said sincerely.
It was impossible for the empress to plea mercy now, so besides her, only the Grand Tutor had both the courage and ability to persuade him. Baili Lixiang and Baili Qiyu both tensed with the rest of the Baili Clan as their hearts leaped into their chests.
But Long Feiye only replied, “Empress, the crown prince is too young to understand such matters. You be the judge in his place.”
Now Baili Lixiang was utterly despondent. The rest of the clan grew listless as well. If Han Yunxi was calling the shots, it’d be strange if she didn’t trample their entire clan to death!
The Baili Clan was done for!
1. Chen Zhaode (陈钊德) - Chen is the surname, Zhao means “to cut, strain,” and De is “virtue.” Rather ironic name overall.
2. Just a note here to not mix novels with real history. Yes, some court intrigues got nasty, but dynasties didn’t last for hundreds of years in peace and prosperity when nobles and rulers are always second-guessing each other. Courts like that usually show up during a weak ruler’s rule or when dynasties declined. Novels like to play up the drama, so please don’t think ancient China was a scary place to live! ^-^