Chapter 180: Gone without a trace
“This subject disagrees! The throne of Linfeng Kingdom belongs only to the Shangguan clan!”
“This subject agrees, it is improper for the Empress to act as regent!”
“We implore Your Ladyship to retract your words and cease this jest.”
After the Empress Bai Qian finally appeared, she did not waste time with pleasantries but announced her decision to act as regent.
Her directness caused the faces of the Bai family and Gu Qing to twitch, thinking how impetuous Empress Bai Qian was!
Even if she wanted to ascend the throne, she shouldn’t be so impulsive.
Without any prior preparation, they could already imagine what would happen next.
As expected, upon hearing Bai Qian’s words, the ministers became agitated, like fighting cocks, their eyes red and necks stiff, showing their absolute refusal.
It seemed that Bai Qian’s ascent to the throne would be no easy feat!
Bai Qian sat on the chair brought by the eunuch, her expression largely unchanged. She merely glanced at the Dragon Throne beside her, her desire to sit on it growing stronger.
However, now was not the best time.
She had to ascend the Dragon Throne with legitimacy and become the Emperor of Linfeng Kingdom.
In her previous life, it was her impulsiveness that led to a bad reputation.
This time, she would not repeat her mistakes no matter what.
With this thought, Bai Qian withdrew her gaze, looking at the impassioned ministers below, a hint of mockery appearing at the corner of her mouth.
No matter how much they opposed, they had to agree today.
Those who disagreed no longer needed to live.
“Ministers, there’s no need to say more. Wasn’t the disturbance caused by Zhou Li quite significant before? Moreover, I am merely acting as regent for now. When the little prince comes of age, the throne will be passed to him… This way, the rights of the royal bloodline can be preserved, and Linfeng Kingdom can avoid a crisis while leaderless.”
Hearing the ministers repeatedly express their disagreement, Bai Qian did not allow them to continue their uproar, and spoke again.
Although her words, on the surface, indicated Bai Qian’s dedication to Linfeng Kingdom.
Anyone with a bit of wit knew that Bai Qian simply coveted the throne.
How many years would it take for the little prince to grow up!
By then, Bai Qian, having controlled state affairs for many years, would surely be unwilling to let go.
Perhaps, the little prince would have no future.
Therefore, Bai Qian absolutely could not be regent.
“This subject disagrees! Given Zhou Li as an example, there might be other members of the royal bloodline! This subject believes that if we search patiently, we will find other royal bloodline members to temporarily manage Linfeng Kingdom.”
“What if we cannot find them!”
“This… the Jiangshan of Linfeng Kingdom cannot be placed in the hands of outsiders!”
After Bai Qian finished speaking, not long after, a minister immediately spoke.
In the end, it was still the same statement.
Disagreement.
Under Bai Qian’s questioning, the minister was momentarily speechless. However, after regaining his composure, he still used the excuse of not letting outsiders become emperor to deflect.
This answer caused a smile to gradually spread across Bai Qian’s face, but her eyes grew colder.
Originally, Bai Qian had hoped to achieve this without bloodshed.
But now, it seemed she had been too naive.
The throne was not so easily obtained.
“Today, I am merely announcing this news to you. If anyone disagrees, it will not be of much use. If you wish to resist, first understand the situation!”
“Your Ladyship, do you truly intend to seize the Jiangshan of Linfeng Kingdom?”
“I am merely acting as regent, Lord Wang, you are exaggerating.”
“Regardless, this subject will never stand by and watch Linfeng Kingdom fall into the hands of outsiders. If Your Ladyship is willing to retract her words, this subject is willing to die!”
As soon as the words fell, the minister who had just spoken to Bai Qian suddenly slammed his head forcefully against a nearby pillar.
Instantly, his head burst open.
He was gone without a breath.
The surrounding ministers trembled at this sight, not expecting Lord Wang to be so impetuous as to actually commit suicide in the main hall.
However, since Lord Wang was the first, others were willing to be the second and third.
As long as they could prevent Bai Qian from seizing the throne, they would be worthy of their ancestors, even in death!
But, as the ministers in the hall looked at Bai Qian in unison, they saw a gentle smile on her lips, as if she hadn’t seen someone die in front of her.
Wang Li’s death seemed to have no impact on her.
“This subject also wishes to express my resolve with my life!”
Then, the second person came to crash into the pillar.
The third.
The fourth…
It was unknown how many people crashed into the pillar and died, but Bai Qian acted as if she saw nothing, still sitting steadily on her chair.
The corpses of the deceased ministers lay in place, blood flowing from the wounds on their heads, dyeing the hall a bloody hue.
The scent of blood spread, filling the entire hall.
Seeing this scene, Gu Qing couldn’t help but frown, thinking how fortunate it was that his son-in-law had warned him in advance.
Otherwise, he might have been among those who died here.
Although Gu Qing’s martial arts were good, it was in the Imperial Palace. Just seeing the numerous Imperial Guards standing beside Bai Qian, Gu Qing was not confident he could kill Bai Qian amidst the siege.
It was unknown if Bai Qian had long anticipated such an event. Gu Menyao, the commander of the Imperial Guards, was not present.
This made Gu Qing exhale a sigh of relief, thinking it was good that his daughter was not here.
Now that things had turned out this way, Bai Qian bore all the resentment.
However, if Gu Menyao had also been here protecting Bai Qian, she might have been targeted… Gu Qing did not care about his own reputation afterward, but his children must not be implicated.
Now, it was best to quell this matter quickly!
“Everyone, it is a good thing for Linfeng Kingdom that the Empress wishes to act as regent today! I, Gu Qing, am willing to obey the Empress’s commands at this time.”
“Gu Qing, I didn’t expect you to be this kind of person!”
“If Linfeng Kingdom falls into the hands of outsiders, and turmoil arises in the future, Gu Qing, you will not die a pleasant death!”
“Gu Qing, you scoundrel, colluding with Bai Qian.”
After Gu Qing spoke, the other ministers were taken aback, and then, upon realizing what had happened, they immediately began to accuse Gu Qing.
Their words were fierce, with no intention of showing respect.
Gu Qing did not respond to others, but looked directly at Bai Qian’s position.
“Everyone, aren’t you still going to express your resolve with your lives? Guards, drag these corpses away and throw them to the pigs and dogs, lest these corpses hinder the ministers’ resolve to die.”
However, before the ministers could continue to curse Gu Qing, Bai Qian suddenly spoke.
Her words directly tore off any pretense of civility, and silenced the hall.
Incredulous gazes turned towards Bai Qian, but she still wore a smile, her beauty unparalleled.
