Gu Qingyan rested inside the house, while Ling Mama and Wanji stood guard outside.
"I wonder what Your Majesty is like..."
Ling Mama's eyes were already glistening with tears. Ever since the Empress left the capital, her heart had been constantly on edge. Until the news of the Empress's fall off the cliff came, she had almost cried herself blind during this time.
How could such a virtuous lady fall off a cliff?
"Granny, Her Highness will be alright."
Wanji spoke softly from the side, as if forcing himself to believe that Jiang Yu was still alive.
"Your Highness has searched for so long at the foot of the cliff, but has not found even a trace of the Empress. She must have been rescued."
Hearing this, Granny Ling nodded, "Our Lady is blessed with good fortune and will surely turn misfortune into good luck."
Inside the room, Gu Qingyan lay quietly. This was the only way he had been able to fall asleep during this period.
The letter, personally written by Gu Qingyan, led an army of 200,000 towards Heng County.
When Bai Qian saw Chang Qing, she knew that the Emperor had approved her memorial.
"General, this is the Emperor's calligraphy."
After reading it, a ruthless look appeared on Bai Qian's face.
"Everyone, be on high alert immediately and be ready to go to war with Da Ning at any time!"
This time, it was Daqing who challenged her first!
News of Daqing's actions quickly reached the Da Ning court. In the court, the officials looked at the empty dragon throne and felt a strange unease.
Chang Wuyou, however, made a rare appearance in the imperial court.
"Grand Preceptor, please calculate the fate of our Great Ning." A courtier approached Chang Wuyou, as they too were now wavering between the monarch and the rebel king.
In fact, most of them still preferred the monarch, but the monarch happened to fall seriously ill at this time.
What these people didn't know was that their every move was being closely watched by the Lingxiao Pavilion; once they were disloyal, they would never be trusted again.
Chang Wuyou glanced at the courtier who had spoken, and his thin lips parted slightly, "The situation is critical."
Upon hearing these four words, everyone in the court involuntarily gasped.
"As you all know, Daqing's army has already arrived in Hengxian."
Chang Wuyou seemed a little unaccustomed to such a scene, and spoke in a soft and indifferent voice. The courtiers could only strain their ears, afraid of missing any news.
"We should all understand that Daqing can no longer be underestimated."
"If war breaks out, will the emperor stay in Daning to oversee the situation, or will he go to Hengxian to lend a helping hand to Daqing?"
After the court session ended, all the officials left the palace without saying a word.
Everyone couldn't help but think of how Gu Lin ascended to the dragon throne—a position he fought his way up, one sword at a time...
Thinking of this, everyone felt a chill run down their spines. If the king really chose Daqing, would their Da Ning still be able to exist?
At the same time, Bai Qian was already chatting and laughing with Chang Qing in the military camp.
"It seems that the officials of Da Ning are not as tough as we thought."
Bai Qian subconsciously wanted to drink the wine, but after realizing something, she awkwardly withdrew her hand.
“That’s right!” Chang Qing raised his glass and downed it in one gulp. “I was worried they would attack us, but this time we took the initiative, and they didn’t dare to respond.”
"Emperor Zhaoyuan is seriously ill, and they lack confidence."
A hint of mockery flashed in Bai Qian's eyes. It was clearly Gu Lin who led Da Ning to prosperity, yet these people were still questioning Gu Lin.
What's the difference between them and ingrates?
Suddenly, Bai Qian felt a little worried. Judging from Gu Lin's temperament, he probably never expected that so many court officials and common people would waver when this day came.
"General, the Marquis is already at the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence."
Chang Qing suddenly spoke up, and Bai Qian was stunned for a moment before she forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "I understand. Thank you for your help."
It's good that she's at the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence; that way, she won't have any worries.
"General, rest assured, General Bai is already guarding the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence, waiting for your great victory and triumphant return to the capital."
The wine glass reflected a cold light under the moonlight. Bai Qian pursed her lips. Jiang He, she would fight this battle beautifully as well.
......
"What?!" Jing Zhao was furious upon hearing his subordinate's report. "You're saying that all the court officials who used to contact us have stopped doing so?"
"Your Highness, I don't understand why either. Most of them have stopped talking about the previous agreement."
Upon hearing this, Jing Zhao's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Hesitation can lead to death."
Even his subordinates trembled with fear at Jing Zhao's words.
"Go, leak the list of these court officials who are no longer in contact with us," Jing Zhao said slowly. Judging from Gu Lin's personality, these people certainly wouldn't live to see tomorrow.
This way, everyone can see Gu Lin's cruelty, and the rest of the people can also weigh their own actions.
When Ling Hai presented the list to Gu Lin, Gu Lin only glanced at it a few times before waving his hand dismissively.
"Kill them all."
This time, Ling Hai didn't even ask any questions, and simply turned and left. The court was almost half empty the next day.
"The king has something he wants to tell you all."
Ling Hai stood in the court, scanning his surroundings. Looking at the court officials with their heads hanging down like quails, he felt utterly contemptuous.
“If the rebellious king dares to give me the list, I will naturally dare to kill him.”
Even if Jing Zhao hadn't given the list to Gu Lin, Gu Lin would still have killed these people.
In a short time, the imperial court of Da Ning experienced unprecedented changes.
Taking advantage of the darkness, Gu Lin finally stepped out of the house.
Under the moonlight, Gu Lin looked extremely lonely. He never imagined that human nature could be so complex. These were almost all officials he had personally promoted, who had been loyal to him before the incident, yet they now harbored thoughts of betraying him.
Since that's the case, they were all killed.
They were all killed to make room for Ayan and Daqing's court officials.
A crimson glint appeared at the corner of Gu Lin's eyes. "Ling Hai, what are people saying about me these days?"
The silence was so profound that Gu Lin felt a chill run through him.
"I am asking you a question."
“They say that your lord is tyrannical.”
"That's all?"
Ling Hai dared not say anything more. The common people, incited by the rebel king, now believed that their lord was a tyrant who would only delay the Great Ning Dynasty, and that it would be better to abdicate in favor of the rebel king.
"I don't really care."
Gu Lin twitched the corner of his mouth. This is really funny.
"What a pity. I saved Da Ning with my own hands. Whether it lives or dies should be up to me."
It seems that Jing Zhao is about to lose his temper.
His death is not far off.
Ah Yu, things here will be sorted out soon. Just wait a few more days for me.
After downing a glass of wine, Gu Lin looked extremely dejected.
"My lord, Ling Ku has arrived."
A sharp glint flashed across Gu Lin's eyes. Ever since that time he went to browse through the royal books, Gu Lin had sent Ling Ku to investigate Jing Zhao's whereabouts.
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