Even if they killed Princess Zhenguo, there was still Bai Jinxiu outside, and the other Bai family daughters. If Princess Zhenguo truly died within Luohong City, Bai Jinxiu would certainly attack Luohong City in her fury. If the city fell, His Majesty would definitely have no chance of survival, and they servants didn’t know how many days they could live either.

After a long moment, Gao Demao withdrew his gaze, seeing green shadows before his eyes.

Gao Demao secretly made a resolution in his heart—a resolution he had to make for the sake of survival.

If the Crown Prince couldn’t persuade His Majesty, and His Majesty truly intended to kill Princess Zhenguo, Gao Demao would have to find a way to preserve Princess Zhenguo’s life. Only if Princess Zhenguo lived would he have a chance at survival.

Having served His Majesty for so many years, Gao Demao naturally couldn’t bear to watch Jin perish, but Jin’s great momentum was already lost. Regardless of whether Princess Zhenguo lived or died… Jin was going to perish anyway. If one couldn’t recognize this point clearly, there would be only death left.

Gao Demao sighed and slowly departed with the eunuchs.

Just after Gao Demao left, someone from the Crown Prince’s side came to request Qin Shangzhi, saying His Highness the Crown Prince asked Mr. Qin to come over to discuss important matters.

The Crown Prince had been unable to make up his mind outside the Emperor’s bedchamber, and it was Quan Yu who advised the Crown Prince to send someone to find Qin Shangzhi for consultation.

After the Crown Prince met with Qin Shangzhi, he told him about the Emperor’s intention to take Bai Qingyan’s life when she came to Luohong City tonight. Qin Shangzhi was greatly shocked and hurriedly persuaded the Crown Prince to go before the Emperor to stop this absurd notion.

But Qin Shangzhi also understood that the current Emperor cared about nothing except his Nine-Tiered Platform, seeking immortal elixirs and longevity—neither his son, the Crown Prince, nor the vast nation mattered to him anymore.

So Qin Shangzhi instructed the Crown Prince that after meeting the Emperor, he should focus his persuasion on the Nine-Tiered Platform and elixirs.

Only after Qin Shangzhi repeatedly instructed and the Crown Prince repeatedly rehearsed did he go to see the Emperor, accompanied by Quan Yu.

The Emperor was reclining behind bright yellow brocade curtains hung with golden hooks, his body supported by one elbow resting on a cushion. After swallowing elixirs with hot water, he took a handkerchief from the black lacquered and gold-decorated square tray held by a palace maid and wiped his mouth, then looked down at the Crown Prince with lowered eyes: “This matter need not be discussed further.”

The Crown Prince knelt before the Emperor, whose complexion was waxy yellow, kowtowing and pleading: “Your son pleads for Princess Zhenguo, not for her sake, but for Father Emperor’s consideration. Father Emperor, please think—if we truly kill Princess Zhenguo… those surrendered generals from Liang might directly rebel. Not only would Jin instantly collapse, but could Bai Jinxiu outside the city not seek revenge for Princess Zhenguo?”

Hearing the Crown Prince speak thus, the Emperor frowned, his fingers lightly caressing the exquisite embroidery on the cushion as he lowered his eyes in thought.

Seeing that the Emperor didn’t continue to scold him, the Crown Prince continued: “The combat effectiveness of these soldiers currently in Luohong City—how could they compare to those battle-experienced troops in Princess Zhenguo’s hands? If something happens to Princess Zhenguo… even if Bai Jinxiu no longer considers Grand Princess, she would certainly break through Luohong City within two days. At that time, Father Emperor… I’m afraid none of us would be able to survive!”

Seeing that the Crown Prince had relayed all the analysis that Qin Shangzhi had discussed with him to the Emperor, Quan Yu finally let his heart, which had been stuck in his throat, settle back down.

During Quan Yu’s brief contact with Madam Qin, Bai Jinxiu, when he was sent to Luohong City by Bai Qingyan’s people, he had already heard from Madam Qin that the Third Prince of Liang, who had surrendered had been enfeoffed as a prince by Princess Zhenguo and allowed to remain in Han City.

Upon hearing this news, Quan Yu couldn’t help but think that if the Crown Prince could surrender, perhaps Princess Zhenguo would also enfeoff the Crown Prince as a prince, allowing him to live out his days in peace.

This would be the Crown Prince’s best possible outcome. After all, Quan Yu also acknowledged that Princess Zhenguo’s words were quite correct… the Crown Prince lacked talent and ambition. If he were willing to listen to advice… he might barely manage to become a ruler who could maintain the status quo, but unfortunately, this Crown Prince was extremely impressionable.

Back in the capital, many matters had already been decided, but with Red Plum’s pillow talk, they would immediately change again.

“Moreover, only if Princess Zhenguo lives… can Father Emperor reach the Nine-Tiered Platform as quickly as possible and gather a thousand virgin boys and girls as quickly as possible! Princess Zhenguo has already agreed to enter the city… which means she’s willing to bow her head in submission. Why must Father Emperor do something so ruthless? If war breaks out… even if we’re fortunate enough to escape the city, it would only take us further and further from the Nine-Tiered Platform. This surely isn’t the result Father Emperor wishes to see,” the Crown Prince said.

The Emperor thought of his Nine-Tiered Platform, then of his increasingly deteriorating body, and knew he couldn’t delay any longer…

When that beast Prince Liang had tied him up and escaped from the capital, he had only taken one box of elixirs for himself but hadn’t brought the Celestial Master out. Now his elixirs were exhausted, and he found his body getting worse day by day.

The Emperor adjusted his sitting position, his gaze falling on the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was right… If this continued to drag on, his body couldn’t take it.

“Since the Crown Prince pleads for her, then tonight I shall personally go to Luohong Tower to meet Bai Qingyan. If she’s willing, after we return to the capital and Father Emperor ascends the Nine-Tiered Platform, this kingdom will be yours. She will be your subject… how you wish to use her will be your affair. If she’s unwilling… then don’t blame Father Emperor for being ruthless,” the Emperor said, leaning slightly forward to look at the Crown Prince, who had been tortured by Prince Liang to the point of being almost skeletal during this period.

The Crown Prince felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders and quickly kowtowed to the Emperor, raising his sunken eyes to look at him: “Father Emperor, rest assured. Since Princess Zhenguo has chosen to enter the city, she certainly has no intention of defying Father Emperor!”

The flickering candlelight on the high table illuminated the Crown Prince’s features, which were full of lifeless dejection, no longer showing his former proper bearing. In just one month… he looked as if he had aged ten years.

The Emperor dismissively waved his hand, indicating for the Crown Prince to withdraw, then leaned back against the cushion like a boneless person and closed his eyes.

The Crown Prince bowed and took his leave, and Quan Yu also bowed to the Emperor, following properly behind the Crown Prince as they retreated.

The Emperor raised his eyes to glance at Quan Yu, his eyes narrowing.

As soon as the Crown Prince emerged from the Emperor’s temporary bedchamber, he looked up at the blazing sun that created circles of light, making his vision green when he looked away. He let out a long breath and walked down the next step, his mind recalling that day… when he had wagged his tail in supplication before Prince Liang in front of all the officials, wetting his pants. He regretted it so much his intestines turned green, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into right now.

“Your Highness, be careful!” Quan Yu stepped forward to support the Crown Prince, his voice soft and gentle. “The sun is still blazing now. Your Highness, looking up like this might hurt your eyes.”

The Crown Prince grasped Quan Yu’s wrist, thinking of Quan Yu’s unwavering loyalty… traveling all the way from the capital to come here. Looking at Quan Yu, the Crown Prince suddenly felt warmth in his heart.

It was just a pity that the Crown Princess and little grandson hadn’t been able to come along. He still had no news of the Crown Princess and his little grandson.