As soon as he got the news, he'd sent word to Mrs. He, telling her that no matter what, even if it cost her life, she must protect Bai Di's courtyard and not let the searchers in.
As long as he could persuade Feng Linche to retract his order before the searchers returned, the General's Mansion would be safe!
"Your Majesty, I know my sinful daughter has committed a heinous crime and deserves death. I'm willing to be punished with fifty strokes of the cane as a warning! But if the century - old reputation of the General's Mansion is ruined in my hands, how can I face my ancestors! Your Majesty..." Bai Yizhang said, his voice choked with sobs and his words earnest.
Feng Linche pursed his lips tightly. Looking at Bai Yizhang below, who was in floods of tears, he felt a wave of annoyance.
A king never goes back on his word.
He'd already retracted his order once out of consideration for the Bai family and Bai Yizhang, taking Bai Di out of the dungeon and having the imperial doctor treat her.
Unexpectedly, Bai Yizhang showed no gratitude.
Did he even dare to force him to retract the order again, to throw Bai Di back into the dungeon and recall the people sent to search the General's Mansion?
Did he think the words of the emperor were a joke!
Feng Linche's face darkened. Looking at Bai Yizhang below, who seemed to say, "If you don't agree, I'll beat myself with fifty strokes of the cane", he narrowed his eyes slightly.
It seemed that, just as Bai Zheng had said, he'd been too kind to the General's Mansion.
That's why he'd spoiled Bai Yizhang to the point of being lawless and arrogant. Now he dared to oppose him in front of so many of his children, as well as foreign princesses and princes!
Feng Linche remained silent with a gloomy face.
Bai Yizhang knelt upright without the slightest sign of slacking.
The hall fell into a stalemate.
Just then, Chen Jianzhi, who'd kept silent since Bai Yizhang's arrival, suddenly spoke up loudly, "General Bai, please rest assured. His Majesty sent his trusted aides on this matter. Everyone here is one of our own. The news that the General's Mansion is being searched won't spread, and the reputation of the General's Mansion won't be damaged. You don't need to worry.
His Majesty's only intention this time is to see if there are any letters between Di'er and me hidden in her courtyard. There's no other meaning, and it's definitely not a sign of doubt about the General's Mansion's loyalty. You don't need to think too much about this.
As for Di'er, I promise you that no matter what happens to her, I'll be responsible for her to the end! I'll marry her into the Duke Chen's Mansion with all the proper formalities and won't let her suffer any injustice!"
"Shut up!" Bai Yizhang turned around angrily. His face looked terrifying, as if a storm was brewing on it. "You brute! It's all your fault! You've ruined my daughter's reputation and made His Majesty order a search of the General's Mansion!"
"I..." Chen Jianzhi opened his mouth, then finally lowered his head and murmured, "Yes, it's all my fault... I only hope that the General, out of father - daughter love for Di'er, won't abandon her. And please don't keep forcing His Majesty to retract the order because of me..."
"I never forced His Majesty!" Bai Yizhang roared.
Feng Linyuan smiled faintly and continued, "General, you know very well that the Great Zhou can't do without the Bai family and can't do without you, General Bai. But you still threaten His Majesty with fifty strokes of the cane. What's your intention?"
"What's my intention? Hehe! Marquis Dingyuan! Even if others don't understand my intention, as someone from the Marquis Dingyuan's Mansion, where there have been many military talents, and someone who has led troops to war and seen the bloodshed on the battlefield, don't you understand?"
Bai Yizhang pointed at Feng Linyuan, his face full of coldness, and said righteously, "As a general, if you want to command soldiers and give orders, you must first be able to command their respect.
To gain their respect, you not only need to have great military achievements but also be loyal to the country. Only then will they follow you whole - heartedly and entrust their lives to you!
In the Great Zhou, the century - old good reputation of my Bai family is our signboard. When others know that I'm a descendant of the Bai family, they'll trust me three - tenths.
But if one day, a lascivious woman like Bai Di appears in my Bai family and the family is searched by His Majesty's order, the reputation of the Bai family will be completely ruined.
From then on, who would want to follow such a family? Who would trust a general from such a family?
Marquis, you say I'm threatening His Majesty by saying that I won't be able to lead troops after receiving fifty strokes of the cane?
Hehe!
Even if I don't receive fifty strokes of the cane this time, once the General's Mansion is searched, how can I face my brothers in the barracks? How can I still have the ability to lead troops into battle!"
Bai Yizhang said righteously. Because of his excessive excitement, his neatly - tied black hair was a bit messy, revealing some white hair hidden inside.
He instantly looked much more haggard.
Bai Zheng watched coldly and couldn't help but want to applaud Bai Yizhang's speech.
This speech instantly elevated his stance, portraying Bai Yizhang as a loyal and good general who whole - heartedly served the country and the family.
In contrast, Feng Linche, the emperor, seemed very unkind, actually targeting the loyal General's Mansion.
People in the Wenrui Hall began to whisper. Most of them sided with the General's Mansion because of Bai Yizhang's speech.
Feng Linche's face grew darker and darker. His gaze towards Bai Yizhang was not only bone - chillingly cold but also had an indescribable strange light, which made people feel cold inside.
Bai Yizhang saw that he still didn't give in, and he became more and more anxious. He knelt down and begged Feng Linche again, "Your Majesty, in my whole life, I've only known how to do one thing and only wanted to do it well, which is to protect the border of the Great Zhou. Your Majesty, I beg you. There's no wall that can stop the wind. Even if your trusted aides go, it's hard to say that the news of the General's Mansion being searched won't spread. By then, how can I..."
Before he could finish his words, he heard a sound of footsteps at the door.
He suddenly turned his head. After seeing who it was, his face turned deathly pale.
"Your Majesty, this servant has returned after searching the courtyard of the second young lady of the General's Mansion as ordered." The person said loudly.
The person Feng Linche sent to search had finally returned.
Bai Zheng's eyes curved into a smile.
Bai Yizhang had put on a show for so long, but he still couldn't stop it.
However... these people were really too fast!
Bai Zheng frowned slightly. Suddenly, as if she'd thought of something, she turned to look at Feng Linyuan.
She saw that Feng Linyuan's lips curved slightly, a half - smile on his face. His eyes looking at Bai Yizhang were exactly like looking at a mouse trapped in a cage, struggling hard but unable to escape.
Bai Zheng instantly understood.
She smiled slightly.
With Feng Linyuan pulling the strings behind the scenes, Bai Yizhang, the mouse, would never be able to jump out of the cage.
"Did you find anything?" Feng Linche asked indifferently.
The leading eunuch's face looked very strange. After hesitating for a long time, he suddenly knelt down with a thud, "Your Majesty!"
This sudden reaction startled everyone. Bai Yizhang felt as if all his strength had left him and he collapsed on the ground.
Seeing this, Feng Linche said sharply, "What is it? Speak quickly!"
"This servant... this servant not only found the love letters between the second young lady and Young Master Chen in her courtyard but also found... found..."