Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 996

Chapter 996 -992: Taking Strong Medicine for Severe Illness

“Do you think that by wearing men’s clothes, the court officials will see you as the Emperor… or as a man?” Li Tianfu let out a scornful snort, “They never will…”

The Empress of Xiliang’s hands trembled, and she slapped Li Tianfu hard across the face again. This time, Li Tianfu staggered back two steps but did not fall. She looked at the Empress of Xiliang with eyes full of malice: “Now that the Eight Great Families have united, soon… Xiliang will change rulers. I hope at that time… you can still slap me with such vigor!”

The color drained from the face of the Empress of Xiliang, and she felt as if she were standing in a lake in the depths of winter, thoroughly chilled.

After a while, the Empress of Xiliang raised her eyes to look at her sister, her voice colder than her current feelings: “Someone…”

Soon, the door of Huaixiang Palace was violently flung open, and a rush of hot air with intense fragrance poured in. Layers of cloud-like brocade silk were stirred by the wind, swirling wildly at its end… stood the Empress of Xiliang and Li Tianfu facing each other.

Li Tianfu glanced at the Empress of Xiliang, almost half a beat slower, she turned her head slowly. From the sheer curtains blown about by the wind, she saw two rows of imperial guards in armor with swords stride in. Their imposing presence walked aggressively in their direction, her expression changed dramatically.

Turning back… she saw her sister no longer willing to speak with her, only lowering her eyes, turning, and walking into the layered and fluttering aqua-blue curtains, brushing past the advancing imperial guards without a backward glance.

“Sister!” Li Tianfu instinctively called out in terror to the Empress of Xiliang.

The Empress of Xiliang paused in her steps, tightly clenched her fists, her eyes moist and red… her gaze slightly wavering.

The billowing curtains slowly settled down, from inside came Li Tianfu’s angry shouts and the sound of her being seized by the imperial guards’ armored friction. The Empress of Xiliang raised her eyes again, tears slipping down from the corners, yet there was no longer any hesitation in her eyes. She lifted the brocade silk and stepped out of Huaixiang Palace.

The young eunuch standing outside the door of Huaixiang Palace cradling the Imperial Edict in his hands saw the Empress of Xiliang come out alone, and respectfully saluted. After the Empress of Xiliang left, the eunuch raised the Imperial Edict high in his hands and entered Huaixiang Palace.

·

Yun Poxing had waited in the main hall for a long time, gazing at the swaying bronze luan bird lamps on either side, his heart increasingly uncertain.

Soon, the Empress of Xiliang entered the main hall looking somber. Yun Poxing quickly supported himself on the table, struggling to stand. The Empress of Xiliang waved to Yun Poxing: “Great General, no need for formalities, sit down… I have something to discuss with you.”

Yun Poxing, suffering greatly from back pain, nodded and obediently sat down.

“The Great General must be full of doubts, right?” The Empress of Xiliang stood opposite Yun Poxing, her expression solemn as she spoke, “The Eight Great Families have colluded with the merchant Cui Fengnian, intending… to plunge Xiliang into chaos and blame it on the new policies, to pull me off the throne and support the Princess of Pingyang as emperor.”

Yun Poxing’s eyes widened in shock: “What?!”

Yet Yun Poxing did not expect Li Tianfu to lose her mind to such an extent, trying to pull her beloved sister off the throne just to wage war against Zhou.

However, at this time, going to war with Zhou would be like throwing an egg at a rock.

Yun Poxing understood this, and the Eight Great Families of Xiliang, full of talented people, must understand it too. It seems they want to put a puppet on the throne, and the Princess of Pingyang has simply been deceived.

After a while, the Empress of Xiliang spoke: “We cannot hesitate any longer; if we drag this out, Xiliang will surely descend into chaos. At that time… we wouldn’t need to wait for attacks from the Rong, Zhou, or Yan, as the internal chaos within Xiliang would tear it apart!”

The Empress of Xiliang made up her mind, her heart filled with ruthlessness: “Even if it leaves a bad name in history for me, the people of the Eight Great Families cannot be left! They must go!”

“Your Majesty!” Yun Poxing knew what the Empress of Xiliang intended to do, and was so shocked that he straightened his painful back, “The influence of the Eight Great Families is deep-rooted; it’s not something that can be resolved just by killing some people!”

“The Eight Great Families exploited the loophole of the new policies to support merchants, encouraging the people to focus all their energy on jade, fur, and papermaking. Xiliang already has few fertile lands left unplowed, and as the Eight Great Families try to profit from grain, they create chaos in Xiliang. If we wait any longer… the people will starve!” The Empress of Xiliang spoke steadily, with a decisive and ruthless determination, “A serious illness requires a strong medicine; today’s matter, whether General Yun agrees or not, I… will do it!”

“Your Majesty!” Yun Poxing’s heart was filled with unease, “Such actions could lead to chaos in Yunjing!”

“Since the Eight Great Families wish to support a puppet emperor, why can’t I, in the midst of the Eight Great Families, support my puppet? Kill those who are disobedient, keep those who are obedient… submissive! Why not?”