Denghuangtai

"No." Yun Zheng turned around, his tone unwavering. "My aunt acted with integrity and did not use tricks to lure her into the capital. The imperial decree sent to the north was written clearly. If Pei Qingyan truly harbored rebellious intentions, she could have easily used the war to excuse herself from entering the capital when she had tens of thousands of troops with her. But she chose to surrender without resistance, and the journey from the north to Chang'an was uneventful, without the slightest sign of a prison break."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Yun turned around. She was backlit, her face hidden in shadow, appearing somewhat grim: "Based on this alone, you dare to vouch for her?"

"I'm not vouching for her," Yun said slowly to Empress Dowager Yun. "I say this only because Pei Qingyan isn't a fool. If she doesn't want to return to the capital, she can easily make her move in the north or on her way back, and she'll still have a chance of success. But once she gets to Chang'an, let alone whether her retainers have the ability to forge travel permits, even if they do, how can a dozen people guarantee a safe passage out of the capital, even if they manage to rescue the prisoner?"

His words were not unfounded. The reason those who attempted to break into the prison escaped unscathed was not only because they hid well, but also because the Imperial Guards did not conduct a thorough search. If they had actually abducted Pei Qingyan and angered the powerful Empress Dowager, she would have ordered a thorough investigation, and the Imperial Guards would have searched every house. They would have had nowhere to hide.

"You are quite insightful." Empress Dowager Yun suddenly smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "Then, in your opinion, what should be done with those who broke into the prison?"

"No action will be taken," Yun Zheng replied.

"Um?"

"My aunt has only been in power for a few months, and her power base in the court is not yet secure. Recently, due to the Pei family matter, many powerful families have repeatedly offered their advice, leading to endless debates in the morning court. Some are subtly implying that my aunt is ruthless in her governance and acts for her own selfish interests..."

Yun Zheng paused, not explaining further, but only glossing over the matter, "In short, if we launch a large-scale search to catch these people, causing panic in Chang'an, it will be detrimental to my aunt."

"Wouldn't it be letting them off so easily be too good for them?"

"My aunt is kind and tolerant, willing to give offenders a chance to turn over a new leaf. If word gets out, it will become a good story. Why not do it?" Yun Zheng said.

Empress Dowager Yun fell silent, her eyes fixed on Yun Zheng's, as if trying to see through his thoughts. Yun Zheng, however, stood rooted to the spot, his eyes calm and still, without the slightest ripple, allowing her to scrutinize him.

"What you say makes some sense." After a long silence, Empress Dowager Yun finally spoke slowly. "Let's leave this matter here. By the way, the latest battle report came from the north this morning..."

Upon hearing this, Yun Zheng thought to himself, "They've finally arrived."

Since entering Jianzhang Palace, Yun Zheng had been on tenterhooks, waiting for Empress Dowager Yun to bring up the matter of the North. As close to Empress Dowager Yun as he was, it wasn't impossible for him to bring it up himself, but if he did, he would easily put himself at a disadvantage and arouse Empress Dowager Yun's vigilance. If he was not careful, he might not only fail to help Pei Qingyan turn the tide, but instead push her to a dead end.

Even though Yun Zheng was extremely anxious, he dared not take any risks because Pei Qingyan was involved.

"Do you think Pei Qingyan had anything to do with the defeat in the North?"

"This, I dare not make a judgment casually," Yun Zheng said, bowing and adopting the tone of a subject.

Empress Dowager Yun noticed Yun Zheng's change immediately. Her face was cold. "Are you afraid, or unwilling?"

"It is both that I dare not and that I am unwilling," Yun Zheng replied. "The soldiers of the North fought bloody battles. Even though the two prefectures of Linhe and Jiuyuan were lost one after another and morale was low, the soldiers of the North still fought hard in the Shuofang area, risking their lives to protect their homeland. Such loyalty and devotion are something I, living in the prosperous city of Chang'an, am not worthy to judge."

"Why are you unwilling?"

"Throughout history, soldiers have feared nothing more than suspicion, and countless heroes have perished under the verbal attacks of court officials. Therefore, I am unwilling to make hasty judgments based on a single victory or defeat. Moreover, as the saying goes, victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. I believe that a single battle report is nothing to be alarmed about."

"You are quite righteous," Empress Dowager Yun said indifferently, her tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Did you run into Minister Ban and his wife at the palace gate just now?"

"Yes," Yun Zheng replied.

"Then do you know why you came to the palace today, Minister Ban?"

"He said: After the defeat in the north, he was worried that the Empress Dowager would have no generals to use, so he volunteered to take charge for his brother." Yun Zheng did not hide anything and repeated the truth word by word. There was no other way. Ban Qing was outside the Bimen Gate and blurted out his words. The guards in front of the Bimen Gate and the officials coming and going could all hear him clearly.

Even if Yun Zheng wanted to hide it and pretend not to know, he couldn't fool Yun Tai's eyes and ears.

When he spoke, he seemed to respectfully lower his head, but in reality, it was to conceal the hatred that flashed in his eyes.

He hated Ban Qing. Ban Qing's words, seemingly expressing loyalty to Empress Dowager Yun, were actually pushing Pei Qingyan further down the path to his death.

One reason why the question of Pei Qingyan's life or death caused such a heated debate among the court officials was that the Great Zhao Dynasty lacked a capable and skilled general to lead troops into battle. The northwest, Liaodong, and Annam were guarded by the Ban, Feng, and Wei families, but they had long held sway over their respective regions. During the reign of the late emperor, the Pei family was able to maintain a balance of power.

But with the Pei family gone, the Great Zhao could only rely on them to hold the border. And unfortunately, the Ban and Feng families, being related by marriage, had formed a powerful force. If they were not careful, the imperial power would be threatened.

Now that the Ban family has taken the initiative to surrender, it is tantamount to temporarily relieving the biggest worry in the hearts of the court and the public, especially Empress Dowager Yun, and removing Pei Qingyan's role as a check and balance...

Ban Qing's timing was perfect, coinciding with the defeat in the north. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was taking advantage of the situation, striking Pei Qingyan hard while she was weakened.

Now, he can only hope that his next words will make Empress Dowager Yun think twice and change her mind.

Yun Zheng's lips moved as he was about to speak, but then he heard Empress Dowager Yun speak slowly.

"This morning, the Grand Minister of Works, together with the Chancellor and the Supervising Secretary, pleaded for Pei Qingyan's life, begging me to spare her life in consideration of her military prowess." Empress Dowager Yun spoke calmly, but changed her self-reference from "I" to "I, the Emperor."

After Empress Lü Zhi began to rule as regent and referred to herself as "朕" (zhen), the term "朕" changed from being a self-designation exclusive to the emperor to being used by empress dowagers who were ruling as regents.

Empress Dowager Yun's change of heart also represents her current attitude.

Upon hearing this, Yun Zheng's heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself, "It's over."

Each of these events today, taken individually, is not particularly serious. However, by sheer coincidence, they all happened on the same day. It seems that someone is determined to kill Pei Qingyan because they think she has lived too long!

His original words were now not only useless, but saying them might even add another death warrant to Pei Qingyan's life.

Yun Zheng lowered his eyes, his hands hanging at his sides, slowly clenching into fists, anxiously awaiting Empress Dowager Yun's next words. He, who had never believed in gods or Buddhas, couldn't help but secretly pray to the heavens and the Buddhas in the main hall, hoping for a miracle that would allow him to find a way to make a living for Pei Qingyan.

Despite the busy work of all the gods and Buddhas, Yun Zheng did not receive any divine miracles. Instead, he heard the deep voice of Empress Dowager Yun.

"Originally, I was still hesitant. But now that the Ban family has taken the initiative to pledge allegiance, I feel more confident. It should also make those old ministers of the Great Zhao understand that the Great Zhao is not able to defend its territory and expand its borders by relying on the Pei family."