Aside from the martial arts figures, the other people dressed as ordinary citizens looked at each other in bewilderment.
Seeing this, the man said coldly, "Don't believe what she says. They are assassins. Kill them quickly."
Most people, however, remained motionless. What assassin, once discovered, wouldn't flee, instead brazenly standing before them?
Xia Fan dodged past, and the man who had been speaking instantly bled from his neck and collapsed to the ground.
Bai Chuxiao said calmly, "Everyone, I know that some of you did not willingly side with Li Rui. Now that that so-called general inside is dead, and the imperial court is kept in the dark about what happened in Qing County, they will give you an explanation later. Do you still want to continue to aid and abet evil?"
A man dressed as a commoner stepped forward and said, "So many people have died in Yunzhou, and the imperial court doesn't care about our lives. Why should we believe you?"
Bai Chuxiao raised her hand, and the golden token appeared in her palm. Even in the darkness, the four characters "As if the Emperor were personally present" were still clearly visible. Most of these people were just ordinary people and didn't know the meaning of this token. However, the word "Emperor" wasn't something just anyone could use... The crowd couldn't help but believe the woman's identity.
"His Majesty has ordered me to thoroughly investigate this matter and will certainly give everyone an explanation."
The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, when suddenly someone stepped forward and announced loudly, "I visited the capital a few months ago, and this is indeed His Majesty's personally bestowed title of Princess Changning, and also the Princess Consort of Yan."
After a moment of silence, some of the captured people and those with a little knowledge began to kneel down one after another, saying, "Greetings, Princess." The bewildered commoners hesitated for a moment before following suit and kneeling down. They didn't know if the court would give them an explanation, but their days with Li Rui had certainly not been good.
Among the group still standing, a fierce-looking man roared, "You've already pledged allegiance to the Great General, do you really think the imperial court will let you off the hook?"
A cold glint flashed in Bai Chuxiao's eyes. In a flash, her shadow flashed as she stabbed at the man. The man had been on guard against Xia Fan, but he hadn't expected that it would be this so-called princess who made the move.
The man bled profusely on the spot, and panic appeared on the faces of the group of people standing there.
Bai Chuxiao said in a deep voice, "As long as everyone refrains from colluding with Li Rui, I will inform His Majesty that he will not pursue the matter further."
The kneeling person slowly asked, "Can the princess truly make such a decision?"
Bai Chuxiao waved the token in her hand. "Of course, but you also need to do something to show this princess your stance."
Following Bai Chuxiao's gaze, the kneeling people understood her meaning, stood up, and surrounded the group of people who refused to submit.
Upon seeing this, the group of martial arts practitioners who had been surrounded hurriedly knelt down, pleading, "Princess, we are willing to surrender as well, please spare our lives!"
Bai Chuxiao coldly asked, "Have you ever abducted women or committed other illicit acts?"
One person lowered their head and stammered, "No, no..."
A young man shouted, "You're lying, Princess! I was captured by him, and they've also captured many women for the previous general!"
Bai Chuxiao said in a deep voice, "Kill all those who have committed evil, and lock up the rest for now."
These people were not ordinary citizens; they were much closer to Li Rui, and even if they submitted, he wouldn't dare use them.
"Princess, what should we do? Yunzhou is facing a severe food shortage."
Bai Chuxiao said in a deep voice, "You should go to Ye County first. The troops there will protect your safety. The food is already on its way, so don't worry. His Majesty will send people to settle you down later."
After everyone dispersed, Xia Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Isn't the Princess worried about losing control of the situation?" He was always prepared to send the Princess away at any moment.
Bai Chuxiao smiled faintly, "How many of those ordinary people genuinely want to rebel?"
Xia Fan asked slowly, "The Princess Consort promised to protect their lives and the lives of the traitorous Yunzhou Guards, but His Majesty may not be pleased."
Bai Chuxiao said irritably, "We didn't come here to quell the rebellion in the first place; we're here to protect the reputation of his precious crown prince."
Xia Fan frowned slightly again, "Lin Huai has been gone for quite some time now; His Majesty should have received the news by now."
However, there has been no sign of any troop movements near Yunzhou recently, nor has His Majesty replied.
Bai Chuxiao's eyes flashed with thought. "Judging by the time it takes to travel between Yunzhou and the capital, we should have news in the next couple of days. Let's wait three more days. Zhan Chi must keep a close eye on the Crown Prince and prevent him from contacting Chu Wenzheng. Let's go back now."
Now that most of the rebel army has been disbanded, Li Rui doesn't have many usable troops left. Even if she wanted to do something, nothing could hold her back.
"Your Highness," a woman in purple appeared behind them from within the tent.
Xia Fan raised an eyebrow, "What is this, young lady?"
The woman in purple knelt on the ground, pleading, "Please, Your Highness, take me in."
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow, "This princess doesn't need maids."
She's surrounded by danger right now, and it's unlikely this delicate beauty will find anything good by following her.
The woman in purple pleaded, "Your Highness, I am all alone now. I only ask to follow you; I will do whatever you command."
Bai Chuxiao couldn't help but rub her forehead, "It really isn't convenient to bring you along lately."
Several teardrops clung to the exquisite face of the woman in purple, who gazed pitifully at Bai Chuxiao.
Bai Chuxiao felt a pang of pity seeing this; beautiful women aren't only loved by men. "Xia Fan, take her to Wei Changkong first. We'll see what to do with her after we leave."
"yes"
The woman in purple smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
After receiving news of the rebel army's defection, the general smashed the entire palace to pieces in his mansion.
"These opportunistic and treacherous people"
"General, what should we do now?" a junior officer asked in a low voice.
Li Rui shouted angrily, "Where is that Young Master Su?"
The young soldier, head bowed low, "suddenly disappeared."
Li Rui shouted angrily, "Damn it!"
After excluding those who defected, he now only has about 30,000 men left to command, and supplies are running low. How can he possibly start a rebellion?
Inside Ye County, Bai Chuxiao looked at Wei Changkong and said, "Li Rui doesn't have many truly usable troops right now. You should be able to take them down by leading the Yunzhou Guards disguised as rebel forces, right?"
Wei Changkong smiled and said, "The Princess Consort has already resolved most of the troubles, so Li Rui's remaining men are naturally not a concern." After all, they are a regular army; if they couldn't take down a bunch of rabble, they might as well not live.
Bai Chuxiao nodded, "Yes, we can't wait any longer. Only when we have no worries can we focus on taking down Sun Xiang and catching Chu Wenzheng off guard."
Inside the main hall of the Provincial Administration Commission in Yunzhou City, Chu Tianyou crumpled the letter in his hand into a ball and coldly said, "Go to Prince An's residence."
Zhan Chi frowned. "Your Highness, the Princess Consort instructed that you cannot see Prince An before she returns."
Chu Tianyou said coldly, "Does the Crown Prince have to listen to your Princess Consort?"
Zhan Chi said calmly, "The Princess Consort is currently on the same side as His Highness the Crown Prince, so naturally she wouldn't harm His Highness. Why don't you wait a little longer, Your Highness?"
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