Upon hearing this, Feng Beichuan couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

He never imagined that Bai Yuanshan, that old fox, would ever be so considerate of others.

fair?

What is fairness?

If we're really talking about fairness, then he truly feels like he's the biggest victim.

Why should my marriage be decided so easily by some so-called imperial decree?

Is this fair to myself?

At this moment, Feng Beichuan felt increasingly angry, but fortunately, just as he was about to explode, he saw the aloof and jade-like woman beside him, and immediately felt his anger subside considerably.

My mind suddenly became clear.

Regardless of whether the outcome is as desired, shouldn't we hold onto our original intentions?

Just then, Bai Yuanshan continued, "Moreover, when the Emperor first announced this matter, he never said that the selection was for the Regent's concubine. If this is done rashly, I'm afraid everyone will think that the imperial edict is a joke."

Upon hearing this, Feng Beichuan's eyes flashed with disgust. He really wanted to shut this old geezer's mouth to avoid getting annoyed by what he heard.

So he gave Bai Yuanshan, who was speaking so eloquently, a cold sidelong glance, and inwardly despised him.

Immediately, Feng Beichuan's eyes hardened, and he looked down at Bai Yuanshan and retorted, "It seems that the Prime Minister is determined not to allow the Emperor to bestow a marriage. I didn't realize you were so concerned about my private affairs."

Having temporarily vented his anger by rebuking Bai Yuanshan, Feng Beichuan ignored whether the man was glaring at him or not, and then turned to Emperor Xingchang, coldly saying, "Since that's the case, then I'll make my stance clear today. Your Majesty must either issue an edict to cancel the imperial concubine selection and marriage, or grant the princess's request to reduce taxes for the people of Shengnan Kingdom. Otherwise, if you continue to bully us so much, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Feng Beichuan, how dare you..."

"So what if I'm threatening you?"

Emperor Xingchang was so angry at the other party’s extremely arrogant appearance that he almost spat out blood. He couldn’t help but raise his finger and question Feng Beichuan. However, he was interrupted without mercy before he could finish his sentence.

Feng Beichuan's words just now truly shocked all the civil and military officials in the court.

Everyone couldn't help but gasp inwardly.

The Regent has quite the audacity!

How dare they so blatantly threaten the ruler of a nation!

Although this matter seems unbelievable, they have to admit that Feng Beichuan does indeed have the ability to do so.

After all, Emperor Xingchang had been ill for so long, while their future ruler of Shengnan Kingdom, the young crown prince, was just a callow youth.

For this reason, during that period, the regent, Feng Beichuan, temporarily held power.

During that period, Feng Beichuan also did his utmost to subdue all the major and minor forces in the court.

If it weren't for Bai Yuanshan in the court who could barely keep him in check, Feng Beichuan would probably have stepped directly onto the dragon throne.

Emperor Xingchang was immediately stunned by Feng Beichuan's arrogant words.

His old face immediately turned ashen, and even the muscles in his face trembled slightly involuntarily.

This sudden change in the situation caught Li Chang'an somewhat off guard.

She couldn't help but lower her eyes.

So it seems this person didn't have any ulterior motives.

I misunderstood him...

But why did this fool have to make things so tense?

Li Chang'an felt an extremely complex emotion welling up inside him.

She didn't know how to judge what Feng Beichuan had done, how to intervene, or even whether she should intervene at all.

After all, his original intention was to help himself.

However, Li Chang'an felt that it would be a great loss if Feng Beichuan were to openly clash with Emperor Xingchang because of this.

If Feng Beichuan could maintain the same superficial politeness with Emperor Xingchang as before, without any open conflict, both sides could coexist peacefully.

However, once the conflict surfaced, it would give those with ulterior motives, including Emperor Xingchang, another reason to suppress this regent of a different gender.

Although Li Chang'an knew in his heart that a fierce battle between the two sides was inevitable sooner or later.

But she also hoped to maintain this superficial calm for as long as possible.

Aside from political considerations, Li Chang'an also didn't want to see the two of them actually come to blows.

When that time comes, how will I conduct myself?

Should she help her father, with whom she has little affection, to oppose Feng Beichuan, or should she join the Regent and become a rebellious princess?

In the past, Li Chang'an would have chosen to stand on the side of national righteousness without hesitation.

Even though her father was only a father in name, and there was no blood relation between them, not even the most basic father-daughter affection existed, and there was also a deep-seated blood feud of patricide and matricide.

But now that Li Chang'an is actually facing this problem, he is surprised to find that he is actually somewhat hesitant.

Perhaps she had already realized that she was finding herself unable to make a decision without even realizing it.

She's just been deceiving herself and refusing to face the problem.

Or perhaps this is the real reason why she has never had, nor dared to have, too much involvement with that man.

Li Chang'an didn't want to find himself in a dilemma because of this, but in the end he found that he couldn't avoid these things at all.

After all, I still owe him so many favors that I haven't paid back yet, so how can I be at peace with myself and become his enemy?

"Well, Your Majesty, have you made up your mind? I've been waiting for your reply for quite some time now."

Just then, Feng Beichuan suddenly spoke, interrupting Li Chang'an's distant thoughts.

A dark, unreadable look flashed in her eyes. She then frowned, forcibly banishing the jumbled thoughts from her mind, and turned her gaze to Emperor Xingchang.

At this moment, Li Chang'an had already made up her mind that if things really got out of control, she would simply take all the blame upon herself.

Taking a gamble means having no regrets.

In any case, since this whole thing started because of me, I might as well end it myself.

Emperor Xingchang was now cornered by Feng Beichuan, and there was no one left to save him.