Chapter 95 Losing Both Wife and Army
A guard escorted the pale-faced imperial physician away quickly, leaving the Northern Kingdom delegation in shock and indignation.
Before an incense stick could burn, the commander of the Dragon Guards arrived at the Honglu Guest House with a troop of imperial guards and loudly proclaimed the imperial decree: "His Majesty has decreed that Princess Helian Mingzhu of the Northern Kingdom has unfortunately passed away, and I am deeply saddened. In order to ensure that the princess can be laid to rest as soon as possible, I hereby order the Northern Kingdom delegation to pack their belongings immediately and escort the princess's coffin back to the Northern Kingdom three days later."
Upon hearing this, Wuzhu let out a cold laugh, his sharp gaze fixed on the commander of the Dragon Guard: "Your Great Zhou's imperial physicians left less than an hour ago, and His Majesty already knows the princess is gone? The news travels fast! Does His Majesty the Emperor of Great Zhou possess some kind of divination ability?"
His words were barbed, and his skepticism was undisguised.
Just then, a steady voice came from outside the door: "Lord Wuzhu is joking."
Pei Xuan, dressed in military attire, strode in, nodded slightly to the commander of the Dragon Guard, and then turned to Wuzhu, his expression calm: "Isn't the truth that your princess, unable to bear His Majesty's neglect, became disheartened and resolved to die, thus taking her own life? How could even the most skilled physicians of our Great Zhou Dynasty possibly save someone with such a death wish?"
He paused, his gaze sharpening as he looked at Wuzhu, his tone suddenly turning cold:
"Or perhaps... your princess didn't truly want to die, but merely wanted to put on a show, threatening suicide to coerce His Majesty? But unexpectedly, her act became real, and she got burned?"
Pei Xuan's words were truly scathing, putting the Northern Kingdom in a dilemma.
Wuzhu's face turned ashen instantly. He stared intently at Pei Xuan, his chest heaving violently, but he was speechless for a moment.
If we admit that the princess truly wanted to die, then the Great Zhou was merely negligent in providing medical care, and the responsibility lies with the Northern Kingdom; if we insist that the princess was murdered, then it would be tantamount to admitting that they did indeed intend to force her to commit suicide, and would only bring shame upon themselves.
Pei Xuan stopped looking at him and said to the commander of the Dragon Guard, "His Majesty's decree has been conveyed. Next, I would like to ask the commander to maintain order and ensure that the Northern Kingdom delegation can set off smoothly."
He deliberately emphasized the word "smoothly," the meaning of which is self-evident.
Wuzhu stared intently at Pei Xuan, practically forcing the words out through clenched teeth: "Fine, very well. I will send men to escort the princess's coffin back to the Northern Kingdom. As for us…" His eyes turned sinister, "we will naturally remain here until our new envoy from the Northern Kingdom arrives, and then we will discuss the aftermath!"
Upon hearing this, Pei Xuan merely gave a contemptuous sneer: "Then I'm afraid... Lord Wuzhu will be disappointed; you won't be able to wait."
Wuzhu's pupils contracted: "What do you mean?"
Pei Xuan stepped forward, lowered his voice, but his tone carried a chilling edge: "A urgent report just received from the border. Your new delegation was unfortunately ambushed and killed by ruthless bandits just as they were about to enter the border of our Great Zhou..."
He paused deliberately, observing Wuzhu's sudden change in expression, before slowly uttering the last four words:
"Not a single one survived."
Wuzhu abruptly took a step back, his face drained of color, and his finger pointing at Pei Xuan trembled: "You...you all..."
Pei Xuan interrupted him expressionlessly: "The border is not peaceful, bandits are rampant, I'm sure Lord Wuzhu has heard of this. Truly... the weather is unpredictable."
He turned away from Wuzhu's ashen face and ordered the commander of the Dragon Guard: "His Majesty has decreed that the Northern Kingdom's delegation must leave the capital in three days. Anyone who delays under any pretext, or spreads false rumors..."
His gaze swept over every northerner present, cold as ice:
"Kill them without mercy!"
After saying that, Pei Xuan left without lingering, leaving Wuzhu frozen in place, his body ice-cold.
He finally understood that the Great Zhou Emperor not only wanted Helian Mingzhu's life, but also wanted to cut off any possibility of peace talks with the Northern Kingdom, and was even willing to tear off the mask and declare war directly!
As dawn broke, Pei Xuan returned to the palace to report.
Yuwen Che was indeed still in the Sizheng Hall. The sounds of preparations for the Empress Dowager's funeral could be faintly heard outside the hall, but there was no trace of grief on his face, only the coldness of an emperor.
"Your Majesty, the Northern Kingdom delegation has made all the necessary arrangements and will depart the capital in three days," Pei Xuan reported, bowing.
Yuwen Che didn't even look up, continuing to review the memorials: "Very good. Regarding the Empress Dowager's funeral, the Empress is six months pregnant and cannot withstand any disturbances. I also need to stay in the palace to oversee things and cannot personally go to the northern border."
He put down his vermilion brush, looked at Pei Xuan with a sharp gaze: "Immediately issue an order to the Marquis of Zhenbei, without waiting any longer, to take the initiative and attack."
His voice was resolute, carrying an undeniable air of ruthlessness: "If this battle can completely annihilate the Northern Kingdom and eliminate future troubles, that would be best. Even if not, Helian Bobo must be defeated and forced to submit to me, never daring to make the slightest move again!"
"Your subject obeys the decree!" Pei Xuan's eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
Yuwen Che tapped the table with his fingertips and continued, "As for Wuzhu and his group..."
His tone was flat, yet carried a chilling indifference:
"Let them leave the capital safely. But remember, as soon as their convoy steps off the border of my Great Zhou..."
He looked up at Pei Xuan, his gaze as sharp as ice.
"Send people to dispose of it all, and do it cleanly. Don't let that filthy blood stain the land of my Great Zhou."
Pei Xuan's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately accepted the order: "Yes! Your subject understands!"
Just as he was about to leave, Yuwen Che called him back, his voice lowering slightly: "The northern border is bitterly cold, tell the soldiers to take care. This battle... concerns the fate of the nation, and even more so the safety of the Empress and the future Crown Prince, it cannot be lost."
"Your Majesty, rest assured!" Pei Xuan knelt on one knee and solemnly promised, "The entire Northern Army will live up to Your Majesty's trust!"
Yuwen Che nodded and waved for him to leave. "Go and do it."
"I... still need to see my mother off on her final journey."
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