Chapter 445

The dissatisfaction of the people intensified. They even gathered outside the Imperial Palace to express their displeasure. Unfortunately, what came to greet them was not the solution to their problem, but fully armed Imperial Guards.

Baili Jinyi was tortured to the point where he was about to go crazy. When he heard that the people were gathering around the palace gate, he immediately ordered the Imperial Guards to go out and kill them. When Xiao Jingran heard the news and rushed over, a river of blood had poured outside the palace.

He hurriedly rushed to the Southern Imperial Study. “Crown Prince, how can you order the Imperial Guards to attack the people?”

Baili Jinyi held the wine glass in his hand and swept his cold gaze over him. “So, what if I did?”

Xiao Jingran was angered. “Those people have gathered together just because they wanted you to investigate the matter about the thugs. Once you order your forces to capture the thugs, the people will calm down. This is a good opportunity to win over the people’s hearts. Why did you give up just like that?”

Baili Jinyi sneered, “They are mere commoners, and I am the Crown Prince. So, what if they are dissatisfied? What can they do to me?”

Xiao Jingran was stunned. He did not expect the Crown Prince to say this. “Crown Prince, you will only anger the people more. When the time comes…”

Bang!

Baili Jinyi suddenly threw the wine glass in his hand, and the exquisite moonstone glass immediately shattered. “Old General Xiao, since you know everything, should I give up my position as the Crown Prince to you?”

Xiao Jingran’s heart trembled. When he whipped his head to look over, Baili Jinyi was looking at him with a sarcastic smile. Xiao Jingran’s eyes became hollow at once. Then, he slowly retracted his gaze and respectfully said, “No, Your Highness.”

“Very well. In that case, you should go back and wait obediently. Tomorrow is the coronation. When I ascend the throne, I will first discuss the merits of those who have helped me. Old General Xiao, you should be on the top of the list.”

“I dare not accept it.” This was the day he had been waiting for. However, when this day was about to arrive, he felt a strong sense of uneasiness in his heart. When he thought of the faint sarcastic smile on the Crown Prince’s face from before, he had a realization. Back then, he supported the Crown Prince because his personality was gentle and easy to control. Moreover, the Crown Prince was especially soft-hearted. But now, Xiao Jingran realized that he was terribly wrong.

Baili Jinyi chuckled. He took out a delicate jade talisman from the jade box placed at the side of the table and gently toyed with it with his fingers. “Old General Xiao, you are loyal and devoted to me. I will remember your loyalty.”

As Xiao Jingran saw the talisman in Baili Jinyi’s hand, his eyes suddenly widened, and his face turned pale. “Your Highness, that tiger talisman… How could it be…”

“How could it be in my hands now?” Baili Jinyi chuckled and patiently explained, “You gave it to me, of course! You are getting old. How can you forget this?”

How was that possible? The tiger talisman conferred by the late Emperor was Xiao Jingran’s last lifeline and trump card. How could he have given it to the Crown Prince? The Crown Prince must have stolen it. He had stolen it from the Xiao Family!

The Xiao Family had military power, and their prestige within the military was extremely high. Even though later on, when Baili Qingcang was dissatisfied with them and took away their military power, he did not dare to take the risk to forcibly retrieve this tiger talisman. The tiger talisman was given to the Xiao Family’s previous patriarch as a reward when the late Emperor still ruled the country. It had been enshrined by the Xiao Family for many years, and it was like a death exemption medallion.

Xiao Jingran felt as though he was floating. He barely managed to stabilize his mind before he calmed himself down. No wonder the Crown Prince acted rampantly today. It turned out that he had obtained true power. Once he used this tiger talisman, 80,000 soldiers could be mobilized to surround the capital securely. At that time, the chaos among the people would be the least of Baili Jinyi’s problems. Nothing mattered anymore when faced with true power!

Xiao Jingran did not know how he walked out of the palace. He only remembered that when he stepped out of the palace gate, he spurted a mouthful of blood and fainted lifelessly.

Sucheng City.

Baili Junyi looked at the news in his hand and slowly closed his eyes. After a long while, he said, “Ye Yi, what is the progress of our plan in the capital?”

“Master, it will take a few more days. It will be ready before you reach the capital.”

Baili Junyi slammed the paper in his hand on the table and shouted in a low voice, “Order the operation to begin now!” No matter how many troops Baili Jinyi controlled, Baili Junyi would kill them halfway! They wouldn’t be a threat if they couldn’t reach the capital!

“Yes, Master!”

The sky was gloomy, and the dense rain poured. Bai Ruo stepped forward and held Shen Ninghua’s arm. “Miss, it is chilly next to the window. Take care not to catch a cold.”

“It’s okay. I need to feel the cold breeze to clear my mind.”

“Miss, are you worried about the things in the capital? I have already arranged everything. Nothing bad will happen.”

Shen Ninghua nodded and reached out to pat the child in her abdomen. This time, she could not stay by Baili Junyi’s side. She could only help him solve his worries as much as possible beforehand so he could go to the capital to fight without any burden!

“Take the umbrella. I want to see Father Emperor.”

Shen Ninghua came to the side courtyard and saw Baili Junyi sitting inside. “Junyi, are you here to see Father Emperor too?”

“Yes.” Baili Junyi nodded. Then, he waved his hand to signal Bai Ruo and the others to leave before slowly saying, “Ninghua, do you think Father Emperor will blame me when he wakes up?”

“I don’t know… ” Shen Ninghua was silent for a moment, but in the end, she could not think of an answer.

Baili Junyi smiled slightly, but his smile was not sincere. “No matter what happens, I have to take this step, even if Father Emperor blames me.”

“When do you plan to leave?”

“Tonight.”

Shen Ninghua was surprised. “Tonight? This quick?” She thought it would take at least a few more days. Why was he moving so quickly?

“The arrangements in the capital are almost complete. Now, the Crown Prince has the commander’s tally that can mobilize 80,000 troops. If we let him have the chance to gather everyone, we will be uprooted no matter how well we hide our people. We can only fight to death then.”

“Okay, I understand.” Shen Ninghua lowered her eyes and stepped forward to hold his hand. “Do you need to pack up anything? I’ll go and prepare them for you.”

Baili Junyi reached out and pulled her into his arms. There was reluctance in his eyes. “I need to travel through the night. I don’t need anything.”

Shen Ninghua opened her mouth, but she felt the words getting caught in her throat. She could not say a word. She had thought about this day. She thought that she would fight alongside him with a smile when this day came. However, she did not expect this day to actually come so soon. Her heart was filled with fear, and what was more, she could not stay by his side.

Baili Junyi lifted her face. Seeing her tearful face, he could not help but lower his head and kiss her forehead. “Ninghua, wait for my good news.”

Shen Ninghua smiled brightly. “Okay, I will wait for you!” She would always be waiting for him, especially the news about his safety!

Ye Yi reported outside the door. With that, Shen Ninghua hurriedly wiped away her tears.

“Master, the horses are ready.”

“Got it.” Baili Junyi nodded.

Chen Yun walked in. “Fifth Prince, I volunteer to go to the capital with you.” He addressed Baili Junyi as the Fifth Prince, just like in the old times. At this time, Baili Junyi was not his junior but the master he wanted to serve loyally!

“No, Uncle Chen. This trip to the capital is too dangerous. You can’t go!”

“I can’t tell how much time His Majesty will still have after he wakes up. Therefore, I can only wake him up after we arrive in the capital. You don’t have a trustworthy imperial doctor by your side. Even if there is, his medical skills will not be better than mine! Princess Ninghua is pregnant and can’t stay by your side, so I am the only one who can help you keep an eye on His Majesty’s condition!”

Baili Junyi’s face was dark. “That is true, but this trip to the capital is very dangerous. What if…”

Chen Yun laughed heartily. “I have lived for so many years. It is a glory to die vigorously. Moreover, I believe in your ability, Fifth Prince!”

“Uncle Chen, you…”

“Princess Ninghua, I need your help to recheck the pill.”

Shen Ninghua nodded. “Alright, and thank you, Uncle Chen.”

Chen Yun laughed and turned around to pack up the herbs he needed.

Shen Xuanlin and Yun Chuan quickly ran in. There were traces of rain on their faces. “Ninghua, we want to follow His Highness to the capital!”

Shen Ninghua was stunned. Looking at the two young faces, she had mixed feelings in her heart. “Have you thought it through?”

“Yes!” Shen Xuanlin widened his eyes and clenched his fists tightly. His face was filled with determination. Meanwhile, Yun Chuan, who was beside him, did not say anything. However, his expression was the same. They had grown up. It was time to do something for their sister and brother-in-law. Although this trip to the capital was dangerous, how could he claim to protect his eldest sister if he wouldn’t take this risk?

“Alright. Go then. Both of you have grown up!”

Shen Xuanlin smiled brightly and looked at Yun Chuan happily. “Sister, don’t worry. I will protect His Highness and myself. Just wait for our good news!”

Baili Junyi clenched his fists as his eyes shone brightly. He thought, “I can’t lose. I must not lose this battle!”

The carriages were ready. Shen Ninghua led Big Boy and Baby Girl to stand at the end of the street as they sent Baili Junyi and the others off in the rain.

Bai Ruo, Hong Ling, and the others stood behind Shen Ninghua while holding an umbrella over her to shelter her from the rain.

It was not until the sound of the clacking hooves disappeared at the end of the street that Shen Ninghua turned around. She held the hands of her children and walked back. “Let’s go.” The children obediently followed her side and did not ask anything. Although they were young, they knew that asking questions now would make their mother sad. Before their father left, he had asked them to keep her happy. They were both obedient, so they could not ask any questions or cry.

Shen Ninghua brought them back to the courtyard and got the children to sleep before calling Hong Ling and the others over.

“Bi Zhu, how much money do we have now?”

“Miss, there are 3.5 million taels of silver left. The rest will be used to buy some grains, whereas the others are kept for emergencies.”

“It’s enough. Spread the news tomorrow that the Mo Family can’t bear to see Jiangnan in chaos anymore and that they would like to purchase the excessive medicinal herbs stocks. However, they will only pay half of the price.”

“Miss, what are you going to do?”

“Help Junyi solve one of his worries!”