Chapter 243: General Bai

Chapter 243: General Bai

Tea houses, taverns, and alleyways were abuzz with these discussions.

"Do you know why Count Gu Chang was flogged to death?"

"Wasn't it because he disrespected the Emperor?"

"That's old news. Let me tell you, Count Gu Chang was killed because he murdered Empress Xin, who has been missing for years!"

"What? Count Gu Chang killed Empress Xin? But the Empress has been missing for many years?"

"It's a long story..."

When Princess Zhaoyang heard the news, she rushed to the palace.

"Is my sister-in-law really gone?"

Faced with her sister's question, Emperor Xingyuan remained silent for a long time.

"Royal Brother, say something! Is my sister-in-law really gone?"

After what felt like an eternity, Emperor Xingyuan nodded.

The last flicker of hope in Princess Zhaoyang's heart crumbled, and tears streamed down her face.

Emperor Xingyuan continued to say nothing.

When no one was around, he could pretend nothing was wrong, but now, in front of Princess Zhaoyang, he had no energy left to pretend, nor the ability to comfort his sister.

Princess Zhaoyang tilted her head slightly, letting the tears flow down her cheeks. "Brother, was Count Gu Chang really the one who killed my sister-in-law?"

At the mention of Count Gu Chang, Emperor Xingyuan's eyes turned cold.

"Royal Brother, say something."

"It was him." Emperor Xingyuan spat out those two words, his anger no longer concealed.

"That bastard!" Princess Zhaoyang's face was filled with rage, her teeth clenched. "Flogging him to death was too lenient; he should have been executed by a thousand cuts! Brother, is killing a single Count Gu Chang enough?"

Though my sister-in-law wasn't a warrior, she was skilled in medicine and had brilliant ideas, which greatly aided your efforts to secure the empire. In the end, she left heartbroken, which was already regrettable, but to think she couldn't even have a peaceful end.

Princess Zhaoyang really shouldn't have asked, because this not only involved Count Gu Chang but also the arrangement of the crown prince, a topic too sensitive and dangerous for the imperial family. But the tragic death of her sister-in-law left her unable to stay detached, and she felt compelled to press her brother for answers.

"Of course not." Emperor Xingyuan's furrowed brow revealed some plans. "I originally intended to wait until we found the child before announcing Count Gu Chang's crimes to the world, but now with these rumors, people are in a panic. We'll address everything once the investigators return from the north."

Here, Emperor Xingyuan paused, his voice lowering. "Maybe if the child sees that the man who killed his mother has been punished, he'll come out of hiding."

This sudden spread of rumors undoubtedly pushed the conflicted Emperor Xingyuan to make the decision to deal with Count Gu Chang's family, and even King Qing and Consort Shu.

Having received a somewhat satisfactory answer, Princess Zhaoyang wiped her tears and left the palace.

The impact of this new rumor didn't end there. The next day, as officials gathered for morning court, they were stunned to see General Bai walk in.

General Bai, in her forties, was dressed in her military uniform, her gentle facial features unable to hide the resolve shaped by years of battle.

The Great Xia dynasty had only been established for twenty years, and most of the civil officials and military generals who had fought alongside Emperor Xingyuan were still around. Though surprised by her presence, they all knew why she had come to court: General Bai must have heard the rumors and come to demand justice for the Empress.

As Emperor Xingyuan took his seat on the imperial throne, he too was surprised to see General Bai, who had claimed to be ill for many years, standing among the military officials. He immediately guessed why she had come.

Sure enough, when the announcement "Those who have matters to present, present them. Those who do not, may withdraw" was made, many ministers glanced at General Bai from the corners of their eyes, and she did not disappoint their expectations as she stepped forward.

"I have a matter to present."

"General Bai, please speak," said Emperor Xingyuan gently to the female general whom he had not seen for many years.

This was the female general whom Empress Xing had appreciated, and Emperor Xingyuan had some affection for her out of respect for the late Empress.

"Recently, there have been rumors in the streets that Empress Xing was killed by Count Gu Chang. There's no smoke without fire. I request that Your Majesty thoroughly investigate this matter and give Empress Xing and the people of Great Xia an explanation."

After her, several other ministers stepped forward: "We request that Your Majesty thoroughly investigate."

Seated on his throne high above the court, Emperor Xingyuan looked down at the ministers kneeling below with a complex emotion, but also felt a sense of relief.

Since everyone already knew, there was no need to hold back any longer.

After a moment of silence, Emperor Xingyuan said in a deep voice, "Rest assured, I will thoroughly investigate this matter."

"Court is dismissed—"

As Emperor Xingyuan left, the officials did not disperse as usual. Some lingered, while others gathered around General Bai.

"General Bai, long time no see. How have you been?"

"Thanks for your concern, I'm fine," General Bai said, though beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

There were also those who sneered quietly, "A woman crowing like a rooster—how disgraceful!"

General Bai's expression hardened, and her sharp gaze turned towards the speaker.

The man had a pale complexion, a neatly trimmed beard, and was in his mid-thirties. Seeing General Bai look over, he puffed out his chest, ready for a verbal confrontation.

Without any expression, General Bai strode over and asked, "Was it you who just spoke?"

"Yes," the man admitted boldly.

In times of chaos, one could overlook the breach of etiquette and rules by some women. Now that peace had been restored and everything was back on track, for a woman to still have the gall to appear in court was outrageous.

While he was thinking this, his collar was suddenly yanked, and before he could react, a punch landed on his face.

A scream rang out, attracting a team of fierce Jinlin Guards.

"Stop it, stop it."

Several officials tried to break up the fight, while more watched silently.

Such a scene hadn't been seen in years, ever since the laws and customs had been firmly established.

As soon as Emperor Xingyuan returned to the Hall of Heavenly Purity, he received an urgent report: "Your Majesty, General Bai has beaten Liu, the Censor of the Ministry of Rites!"

Emperor Xingyuan could hardly believe his ears and angrily summoned both of them.

Soon, Emperor Xingyuan saw the pale-faced General Bai and the bruised Liu, the Censor.

The two knelt down, their voices in unison: "We greet Your Majesty."

Emperor Xingyuan hadn't seen his ministers like this in a long time and glanced at Liu Dajizhong for a moment longer before asking in a deep voice, "What is going on here?"

Liu Dajizhong felt wronged immediately: "Your Majesty, General Bai assaulted me in front of the officials. I almost didn’t get to see Your Majesty again."

Emperor Xingyuan's gaze shifted to General Bai: "General Bai, why did you strike Liu Dajizhong?"

General Bai's face turned pale, her weakness impossible to hide: "Your Majesty, this man insulted me by saying that my presence in the court was like a hen crowing at dawn."

Emperor Xingyuan narrowed his eyes at Liu Dajizhong: "Did you say that, Liu?"

Liu Dajizhong genuinely believed this and saw nothing wrong with it: "General Bai had already retired due to illness and, as a woman, it’s inappropriate for her to be in the court. I didn’t say anything out of line—"

"Nonsense!" Emperor Xingyuan snapped.

Liu Dajizhong was stunned, staring up blankly.