"For the sake of the common people... it is truly laughable for such words to come from your mouth. Baili Xi, when you say these things, do you truly believe your conscience can be at peace?"
"Let me tell you, what you are after is your fame and fortune, your good reputation. It's to appease the ancestors of your Baili family. Stop using the people of Xiliang as an excuse. I only worry that you will be tormented by your conscience, unable to sleep at night."
From the beginning, it was the Baili family that advocated for war, and my father, the Emperor, was almost swayed by the Baili family's counsel, insisting on going to war with Dong Chu.
For years, we have fought one battle after another, with wins and losses, but where is the true victory? Countless people have been displaced and lost their homes, many women have lost their husbands, and many children have lost their fathers. How many orphans have been added to Xiliang?
On the journey to Dong Chu for this marriage alliance, she has witnessed too many such human tragedies, with wails echoing everywhere. It truly fills one with sorrow just to see it. She absolutely does not wish to see such a thing happen again.
She is also acutely aware that if she were to follow her father's wishes and openly assassinate the Emperor of Dong Chu on her wedding day, whether successful or not, this war would be inevitable.
Not to mention that Xiliang's national strength is currently depleted and it can hardly bear another war. Once it begins, who will ultimately suffer but the innocent common people?
"Princess, if in your heart I am already such a base and shameless person, then I, Baili Xi, am a coarse man, but I know what loyalty is. What I do is loyal to His Majesty, loyal to the people of Xiliang, and I have a clear conscience!"
He could never have imagined that Murong Jinyun would actually speculate about him in such a way.
So, all these years he risked his life for Xiliang, facing death several times on the battlefield, has all become for his own selfish gain?
Previously, Murong Jinyun would never have said such words. What exactly has happened to her now that has turned her into this state?
"Princess, I have delivered His Majesty's secret decree. This matter is entirely feasible. I implore Princess to lend me your assistance. If Princess truly unwilling to do it, then I beg Princess to pretend she knows nothing of this matter."
He no longer expected Murong Jinyun to help him, but he hoped she would at least feign ignorance and not obstruct him. That would be enough.
He could also pretend not to know about her tearing up the secret decree and help Murong Jinyun gloss over the matter with His Majesty.
"Do you truly intend to proceed with this? Have you considered the consequences? Once you act, Dong Chu will surely be able to trace it back to us. At that time, let alone you and I being implicated, even the thousands of lives of the palace maids and eunuchs in Dong Chu will not be spared. Do you not think of them?"
Once this is done, thousands of lives will be lost. How could she stand by and watch so many people perish because of them?
"Those who achieve great things do not quibble over trifles. Moreover, they are all people of Xiliang. To sacrifice their lives for Xiliang is considered their loyalty to Xiliang, and they die with honor."
Baili Xi was unconcerned, completely disregarding the lives of the palace maids and eunuchs. They were merely servants, and dying for Xiliang was their honor.
Murong Jinyun's eyes widened, and she looked at Baili Xi incredulously. Thousands of lives meant nothing to him.
He dismissed it as lightly as if an ant had died. Perhaps in Baili Xi's mind, he never truly considered them as human beings.
At this moment, Murong Jinyun felt as though her heart was submerged in ice. A chill surged up her spine, striking the crown of her head, leaving her momentarily stunned.
After a moment, Murong Jinyun slowly raised her eyelids, looked at Baili Xi, and said faintly, "You should go back first. I need to think about how this matter should proceed. I will send someone to reply to you."
Baili Xi did not press Murong Jinyun further, fearing it would be counterproductive, and thus left.
After Baili Xi's departure, Murong Jinyun sat alone in her room for a long time, only slowly withdrawing her thoughts when a maid entered.
"Princess, have some calming tea first."
Murong Jinyun picked up the teacup on the table and looked at the maid beside her. "Yunyan, how long have you been by my side?"
"Your maidservant has been serving the Princess since childhood. I've long forgotten how long it's been. Why does the Princess ask today? Have I done something wrong?"
"No... I just feel you've been with me for a very long time. I've worked you hard all these years, yet I haven't treated you well, often losing my temper with you..."
Yunyan was so frightened that she immediately knelt with a 'thump,' her head hitting the ground repeatedly. "Princess, please do not say such things. Your maidservant cannot bear it. If Princess had not taken me in, I would have lost my life long ago. The Princess's kindness to me is like that of a parent; I can never repay your grace, no matter how many times I die!"
Murong Jinyun reached out and helped Yunyan, who was kneeling on the ground, to her feet. "Look at you, you're so frightened. I know you are loyal. I just feel that you are also of marriageable age now. I will help you find a good family to marry into, and you won't have to be a servant anymore."
"Princess, your maidservant does not wish to marry. I am willing to serve the Princess for a lifetime. Please do not send me away."
"You foolish girl, if you marry and leave, I will help you shed your slave status. From then on, you will be free. It's better than serving me here and risking your life at any moment!"
She couldn't even protect her own life now, and she didn't want to implicate others in her death.
Now, she only wanted to send Yunyan away while she still had the chance and the ability. She could save one person, which was better than having Yunyan die with her here.
"Princess, your maidservant will not leave. Even if I lose my life, it will be of my own free will. I beg Princess to grant my wish!"
"You... why are you so stubborn? You insist on facing death with me!"
Her own death is insignificant, but there are still thousands of lives at stake. She cannot let these people die with her. Otherwise, even in the underworld, she would find no peace. This must not happen, absolutely not!
Murong Jinyun's expression became slightly flustered. Her father, the Emperor, must have already made up his mind. Furthermore, in court, he had always trusted and relied on the Baili clan.
The Baili clan had always advocated for war, and with her own strength alone, it would be difficult to persuade her father to change his mind.
Now, her priority was to use her own abilities and find ways to protect the lives of these people.