The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—!"

Several crossbow bolts, fired from higher and more treacherous angles, pierced the backs and throats of the men in black with deadly accuracy, like the sigh of death itself!

The man in black froze, looked down in disbelief at the arrow protruding from his chest, and collapsed to the ground.

At the same time, a large number of men dressed in ordinary civilian clothes, but moving as fast as leopards and carrying standard crossbows, suddenly emerged from the hidden troop caves on both sides of Yongding Gate and from the windows of several tall buildings in the distance!

They worked in perfect coordination, raining down crossbow bolts that instantly covered all the "refugees" and the men in black on the roof who were still putting up a last stand!

These later archers were incredibly accurate, targeting the joints and vital organs of the limbs. Those hit were either killed or maimed, but they never harmed innocent civilians.

It was someone Su Che had laid an ambush for!

He had anticipated that the enemy might make their move near the city gate, when the crowd was most chaotic and the defenses were relatively weak. He not only deployed the Night Owl Guard, but also laid out this deadly dark web around the area!

The attackers clearly did not expect the enemy to be lying in ambush so deep, and their resistance quickly collapsed.

The "vagrants" and the men in black suffered heavy casualties. The remaining few, seeing the situation was bad, shouted and scattered, but were sniped by crossbowmen lying in ambush. Only two managed to break through the encirclement, but in their panic, they ran into a group of Jingzhao Prefecture yamen runners who had "just happened" to be patrolling there and were captured on the spot.

The attack lasted only a short time, from its outbreak to its conclusion.

The ground was a mess, dozens were dead or injured, and the air was thick with the smell of blood and gunpowder.

The people were still in shock, and many were crying, but most eyes were on the "Umbrella of Ten Thousand People" that, although damaged, were still largely intact and standing tall, as well as the blue carriage that remained quietly parked in the same spot with its doors tightly closed.

Night Owl strode to the carriage and whispered, "Your Highness, the bandits have been eliminated, and the survivors have been handed over to the Jingzhao Prefecture. Our men... seven were wounded, but no casualties. Civilian casualties... are being tallied."

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Yun Jin's slightly pale face, but her eyes remained calm and icy.

She glanced at the chaotic scene and the terrified people, took a deep breath, and raised her voice: "Fellow villagers, you have been frightened! This is the work of petty villains who intend to undermine public opinion and disrupt the court!"

Fortunately, thanks to the court's meticulous planning and the soldiers' valiant efforts, the bandits have been brought to justice! The injured civilians have been treated immediately! I will bear all the losses myself!

Now, follow me into the city! Let us present this will of the people, this bright and clear world, before Your Majesty!

Her voice was clear and melodious, carrying a comforting power that quickly quelled the panic at the scene.

As the people gradually calmed down, their gazes toward Yun Jin's carriage were filled with gratitude and even deeper trust.

With Night Owl and the others regrouping and protecting them, the group slowly started moving again, passing through the open Yongding Gate and stepping into Lin Yuan City.

On the city tower, the Vice Minister of Rites and several other officials who had been ordered to "welcome" them were already pale with fright and trembling.

Looking down at the horrific scene and the silent, resolute escort of the people behind the princess's carriage, they had only one thought in their minds: the world was about to change.

……

An hour later, at the Linde Hall.

In stark contrast to the hustle and bustle outside the city, the main hall was solemn to the point of being frozen.

Even the scent of ambergris couldn't suppress the invisible, tense atmosphere that seemed ready to fight.

Emperor Yun Hong sat high on his throne, his face ashen and gloomy as the crown empress.

On the emperor's desk, there was a small mountain of documents reporting victories and requesting credit from various prefectures and states in the south, a list of people under the umbrella of ten thousand people, and rubbings of the merit stele.

On the other side were more than a dozen impeachment memorials, their ink still wet and their wording fierce.

Princess Yun Jin of Jingguo, dressed in formal court attire, stood tall and straight below the imperial steps.

She had just given a brief report on the disaster relief efforts in the south, the results, and the attack on her way back. Her words were plain and unembellished, yet they possessed a convincing power.

No sooner had her report been delivered than Shen Wei, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, an elderly official over sixty years old and known for his "uprightness," stepped forward shakily, holding his official tablet, his voice trembling with emotion:

"Your Majesty! This old minister has a memorial to present! I impeach Princess Yun Jin of Jingguo for ten major crimes!"

A hum resounded in the main hall. Although it was expected, Shen Wei's personal appearance still made everyone's hearts tighten.

Although Shen Wei was not a direct descendant of the eldest prince, he was always conservative and had always been dissatisfied with Yun Jin's interference in politics and her ruthless methods. It was appropriate for him to be pushed to be the spearhead this time.

"Firstly, under the guise of disaster relief, they privately recruit soldiers and make connections with the martial arts world. Their guard commander, Night Owl, has an unknown background and may be a remnant of the previous dynasty or a notorious bandit!"

Secondly, he arbitrarily killed officials appointed by the imperial court without consulting the three judicial authorities, often executing them first and reporting later, thus violating the laws and regulations of the country!

Thirdly, he won over the hearts of the people, spent money to gain fame, and made the people in the south only know about the princess, not about the imperial court or His Majesty!

Fourth, the amount of money and grain used was enormous and its source was questionable. The fact that the person had close ties with the merchant Pang suggests that there may have been some transfer of benefits and embezzlement.

Fifthly…

Shen Wei listed the points one by one, his words sharp and incisive, almost completely negating Yun Jin's trip to the south and elevating it to the level of "plotting something sinister" and "shaking the foundation of the country."

As he spoke, seven or eight more officials and censors stepped forward to second his statement, each offering their own opinion, creating a siege-like atmosphere.

The eldest prince, Yun Jie, stood at the head of the civil officials' seats with his hands at his sides, his eyelids lowered, but a barely perceptible cold smile played at the corners of his mouth.

The raid outside Yongding Gate failed, but it didn't matter; it was just a test and a way to create chaos.

The real killer move lies in the court, amidst the attacks between "righteousness" and "law."

Once Yun Jin's crimes of "privately recruiting soldiers," "forming alliances with江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world)," and "abusing her power" are proven true, no matter how many "umbrellas of the people" she has, they cannot withstand the laws of the imperial court!

The Third Prince, Yun Huan, frowned slightly, seemingly deep in thought, and did not express his opinion.

Faced with the fierce onslaught, Yun Jin remained calm. Only after Shen Wei and the others finished speaking and the hall fell silent did she step forward and bow to the throne.

"Father, what Lord Shen and the others have said concerns the law of the land, my reputation, and the dignity of the court. I dare not remain silent."

She raised her head, her eyes clear, and looked directly at Shen Wei: "Lord Shen said that your son has privately recruited soldiers."

In the face of disaster relief in the south, with millions of refugees and rampant banditry, how can the safety of relief supplies be guaranteed without effective protection? How can the looting by local powerful figures be suppressed?

Commander of Night Owls was one of the most outstanding guards personally bestowed upon me by my father when I left the capital, due to his loyalty, bravery, and competence.

His background and resume are all on file with the Ministry of War; how can he be described as having "unknown origins"? As for his subordinates, most of them were able-bodied disaster victims recruited from the disaster area to perform work-for-relief and maintain order. They have all been disbanded and returned to their hometowns afterward, and their rosters and records of rations are readily available for verification. Is this a "privately-run army"?

She spoke steadily, yet each word was forceful. Turning around, she took a thick booklet from a female official behind her and presented it with both hands: "This is a list of all temporary recruits during the disaster relief efforts in the south, including their names, hometowns, duties, salary records, and receipts for travel expenses upon disbandment. There are a total of 13,574 people. I request Your Majesty to review it and Lord Shen to verify it."

If even one person falsifies information, or embezzles a single penny, I, your son, will gladly bear the guilt of deceiving the Emperor!

Shen Wei's expression froze. He hadn't expected Yun Jin to be so well-prepared, even noting down such minute details.